Hi, I found this piece through a rec by scribe_protra on a thread at onepieceyaoi, and found it quite impressive. The dangling sword imagery is effective and chilling, and that whole "You can't keep this up, next time you won't make it" thing is so plausible and IC it hurts. In an, um, good way. Sort of. And the whole piece is quite memorable, too - I've re-read it twice already.

If I may criticise, I'm not quite sure I entirely believe in Luffy's reactions by the end. He is pretty hard to predict, to be sure, and it's entirely possible he might take it just like this (and it's not like I'd personally have a clue as to what he might otherwise say). Still, when you know from the manga how devastated he was by Usopp's leaving it does feel slightly odd to see him so blithe and trusting here. Even though obviously knowing Usopp will come back in the end would make for a huge difference. Well, again it's not like I have a better suggestion, though.

I understand this piece is out of continuity, but it still made me pretty curious about this whole Landel RP thing. Looking further, I note that you're also writing another of my favourite characters, namely Mark Vorkosigan. You wouldn't have written any similar standalone thing with him, would you? *hopeful look*