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007↠ ACTION/VOICE (Forward-dated to tomorrow morning)
... Oi. Any of you New Feathers interested in cooking?
[This rather straight and subdued question comes from someone who hasn't looked at his journal in what feels like a long, long time, let alone felt the desire or necessity to make a public statement. And he knows it. The fact alone almost makes him break off before he finishes.]
I'm still down a few cooks at Seventh Heaven, so I'd appreciate any shitty help about now.
[But there, he's finished. After a moment's thought, he closes the journal and heads out for the day - to Seventh Heaven, of course, but only for a few hours, and then perhaps a walk later since it suits his fancy. There's plenty of thinking to be had no matter where he goes. And the entire time outdoors, he reminds himself that it's been chilly for a few weeks now, this isn't anything new.
He just... missed it happening.
The item shop, the clothing store, the forest, the bar... it doesn't really matter to him where he ends up. He's spent more than enough time to himself in the house, avoiding friend and acquaintance alike. Today will be spent remembering what feeling normal is like, and he's okay with searching a little to find out.]
[This rather straight and subdued question comes from someone who hasn't looked at his journal in what feels like a long, long time, let alone felt the desire or necessity to make a public statement. And he knows it. The fact alone almost makes him break off before he finishes.]
I'm still down a few cooks at Seventh Heaven, so I'd appreciate any shitty help about now.
[But there, he's finished. After a moment's thought, he closes the journal and heads out for the day - to Seventh Heaven, of course, but only for a few hours, and then perhaps a walk later since it suits his fancy. There's plenty of thinking to be had no matter where he goes. And the entire time outdoors, he reminds himself that it's been chilly for a few weeks now, this isn't anything new.
He just... missed it happening.
The item shop, the clothing store, the forest, the bar... it doesn't really matter to him where he ends up. He's spent more than enough time to himself in the house, avoiding friend and acquaintance alike. Today will be spent remembering what feeling normal is like, and he's okay with searching a little to find out.]
[Action]
It's a monotonous task, and Perona works without much thought at all, but that's...not bad, really. She doesn't like or want to think much right now. When she thinks, her thoughts come upon dangerous and painful things. It's best to just not think at all, she's come to decide.]
[Action]
The corners of his mouth work as he frowns thoughtfully at the door. It shouldn't bother him how little he's seen of her over the past few weeks, now that he's in the mind to recognize her absence for what it was; she deserved to grieve, too. That's the entire reason he told her the truth in the first place. Took a slap to the face and determinedly avoided her from that moment on.
Maybe it's because Zoro's back and he still hasn't seen hide nor hair of her. Or maybe he just can't shake off the healthy dose of guilt that's determined to riddle his stomach with anxious bullet holes until he... he does something.
Whatever the case, he's here now and still staring at the door like he expects it to bite him, until his mouth suddenly dips into a scowl. Oh for shit's sake, man. At least offer another apology. And food. Food alone might win him a few seconds a favor before he either beats a hasty retreat or she floors him with her hollows.
Only one way to find out. B| Knock knock, ghost princess. You have a visitor.]
[Action] - you have no idea how large the grin that appeared on my face just now was. |D
It's the scent of food that hits her first, and after the initial confusion, she makes the connection. She doesn't need to see the chef standing there to pick him out - she's eaten at his restaurant enough to know the scent of her favorite meals. He always made them the best, it was...it was strange, having to leave that. But what else could she do? She hit him. Out of anger and sadness and frustration and it was so shameful and stupid of her and why is he here? Perona thought he was upset with her, for good reason! She acted out without thought of what he must have gone through. She didn't deserve this.
Which may be why the door closes a little, and Perona shrinks back behind it, looking meek and timid. He's too good to her; too damn good, and she really, really doesn't deserve that. Very slowly, and reluctantly, Perona's gaze move from the food up to Sanji's face, and she exhales. It's hard to speak at first - what should she say? She has to apologize, right? - but finally, in a tiny voice--]
Mr. Cook...
[Action] |D
Uh... Perona-chan. [A wince. Without his usual enthusiasm, even he can spot the tired note in his own voice.] I thought you might be hungry, so-- [Another wince, and he halts to a stop.] Not that you can't cook for yourself, I know! Just that I hadn't really seen you... around... [Ugh, that doesn't sound right either. He fights back a groan, mental demands insisting he stop cocking this up] I mean, I never got a chance to apologize for my shitty behavior back at the restaurant, either.
[At this point he stops for a few seconds, and sighs, having finally come to terms with his sloppy words. Better now to grin slightly in embarrassment, seeking forgiveness, and offer her the bag.]
[Action] I will sail this ship into forever btw. jsyk. 8|b
You...brought me food? [It seems a foreign concept to her, yet she accepts it with little question - Perona'd never turn down Sanji's cooking if she could help it. She looks inside the bag, curious, then back to the chef, opening the door a little wider.] But I treated you badly...a-and I blamed you for something you--...and I hit you.
[She looks at his face, his cheek, and feels something cold drop into her stomach; it's Perona's turn to look shamefully off the the side, shuffling a step or two back inside. He should be mad at her, not bringing her food and asking her for forgiveness. What happened at the restaurant before wasn't his fault, after all! He was forced to do it, but she...she did what she did all on her own. Sanji should not apologize, she should.]
...I'm sorry. [She takes a deep breath, then hunches her shoulders right up, trying to hide behind her bangs.] I'm sorry...Mr. Cook.
[Action] yes best ship. /sails it proudly
Oi oi... I don't know if there's anything Perona-chan could make me angry about, but if there is... [He watches her carefully] That's not gonna be one of them. I was never angry at you.
[He doesn't accept the apology - he doesn't think he needs to. She'd be upset by the news, he'd known it, and still he had walked into the lionness's den. Of course he was going to get scratched up a bit.
He'd anticipated it.]
You deserved to be upset.
[Action] /hoists a flag. B|9
[Because that's just not fair. Perona's smart enough to see the bond between every Straw Hat, as much as the chef and the idiot fought tirelessly with one another. There were the rare instances where Zoro would lace a strong bit of praise in his insults when speaking about the good cook. Nakama...that's what they were. All of them. She's slowly, through this crew, beginning to understand what that really means. And to take one down, in a situation like that...she didn't take those feelings into consideration.
She steps back at last, and opens the door wider for Sanji to come inside, so they can have a little more privacy. She's quiet, thinking back in his other words with a somber expression. Nothing she could do to make him angry? That's naive. That's a foolish way of thinking. That's...that's...]
You're a very strange man, to think so highly of me. [And easily forgive her for everything she did in the past.] Why do you do it? Why...care? I'm not--I'm...I-I did terrible things to you, and I still can't stand the majority of your crew. We aren't allies...
[She has done absolutely nothing, in her mind, to deserve any of what Sanji's doing right now.]
[Action] ... okay at this point this ship sails itself.
We were once enemies, I get that, but then you took care of Zoro when my crew couldn't. [Whether out of the goodness of her heart, or because she was looking to extract some type of revenge at the time, Sanji doesn't know, but he's very aware of the end result: Zoro came back to the crew. Somehow, Perona's to thank for that.]
Perona-chan doesn't give herself enough credit. [A bit of a smile. Really, he'd thought this part would be obvious] You've got a very kind heart.
[And then he hesitates, twisting his head and staring at the door like he'd prefer to dart right back out. Unspoken words burn on his tongue until he musters up the courage to say them] I guess not allies...
[And then a glance back in her direction] ... How about friends instead?
[Action] 8| ....I am going to be forced to draw cute things p. soon.
You've got a very kind heart.
She goes rigid, eyes wide and face turning a shade to directly match her hair. She huffs, looking away from the chef and ready to shut him up and tell him off for that, but he just...goes on. And she can't bring herself to silence him. Friends...friends? Really? This is the second time she's been asked to be friends by someone. The first was Sabo, back when she was younger - and far more unruly- and now the cook. This may take some getting used to, but...she's happy about it. Friends means she won't ever be alone, right?]
...Very well. I accept. [She's still flushed pink, and deliberately not looking Sanji in the eye, but Perona is smiling. After a few minutes, she does finally slide over to the cook and wrap him up in a hug.] Thank you, Mr. Cook. You're a very respectable man.
Hm~! And maybe a little bit cute. ♥
[Action] 8] /will have to draw as well
It's a damn good thing he blushes at the ears first.
And then abruptly he blows out a short chuckle, as though amused by his own reaction, and returns the hug with a huge smile on his face] Perona-chan's gonna start spoiling me with comments like that.
[Action] yes good. /creep.
She hugs him a little tighter for a second, then lets go after a single exhale. It's amazing how much better she feels, after speaking with Sanji and making amends. Weird, too. But she won't dwell on that. Best not to think much on the whys and enjoy her renewed vigor and happiness. So, with a slight spring in her step, she goes back to where the put the food Sanji brought for her, peering into it.]
If it bothers you, think of it as me returning the favor. You spoil me. [Even if she likes being spoiled and won't ever ask him to stop so long as she lives.] What did you make?
[Action]
[Yes, because tiny toasted morsels he cut into bat shapes is not at all fancy. He also prepared two types of sandwiches - one favoring a more vegetarian outlook, filed with various fresh veggies and also a sauce for dipping, and then a few with added ham and roast beef. Additionally he tried his hand at a rich onion soup, and the final follow-up consists of a slice of vanilla pudding cake.
The food might be "simple" at heart, but it will no doubt taste delicious.]
I wasn't sure what you were in the mood for-- oh! And would you like tea with your meal, Perona-chan? Or perhaps coffee? [How easy he falls back into step despite this being her apartment, and the suggestion flies out of his mouth with habit as its guide.]
[Action]
And maybe it's because she's distracted by the food in front of her, or that she's just gotten used to Sanji waiting on her, but she gives in to his habits this time. You've got free reign, Sanji, Perona's too happy right now to butt in.]
Tea, please. I don't think I'll be able to eat all this and a rich drink like that in one sitting... [Hell, she's barely sure she can eat even half of what he made in one go. 8| You really do spoil her, man.] Eeeh, this smells so good! How did you keep it hot all this time? Didn't you walk far?