Week 0 | Friday

[concasse]

[Word moves fast through a castle of only 36 35 inhabitants, and you can bet your ass that Sanji hears of Ion's ordeal at some point.

Kinda the opposite of what he meant by "go down swinging", kid.

Well, that just means Ion will get a visit from a really displeased chef at some point, wherever that might be. Sanji's not afraid to search up and down the halls until he gets the results he wants.]

Comments

[fragileprophet]

Unfortunately I don't.

[He sighs, bringing a hand up to his forehead.]

I've been trying to, but the last I recall, I was talking to Sandalphon in our room. I must have fallen asleep at some point...and then I woke up in the dinning hall surrounded by others.

[concasse]

S'alright, don't push it too much.

[He'll lean against the arm of a chair, if there's one nearby, arms folded as he keeps his eyes trained on the other]

If it comes back, it comes back.

... You're probably one of the ones most stressed out about this shit, anyway.

[fragileprophet]

You think so?

[It's hard for him to think of himself and how he feels about today's developments when all he can think is that poor woman and Jae-ha's reaction to the discovery. As he brings his hand back down to his lap, he wrings his staff again, knuckles going white.]

No matter how much I tell myself to put on a brave face and be prepared for the worst, every day already feels more precarious than the last. I felt such a heavy sense of foreboding last night, I laid awake for quite a long time.

[concasse]

[He doesn't know Ion very well, but he seems a kind soul -- and Sanji knows in his position, the survivor's guilt would be eating him alive. All of these people getting knocked out left and right, but Gi-gan was the only casualty... and what's worse, Jae-Ha must suffer because of it.]

You weren't the only one...

[Rubbing the back of his neck.]

It's been a while since I needed a couple of drinks to help myself relax. Surprised I slept at all.

[A pause]

Starting to think it might've been better if I'd stayed up and kept on patrol.

[fragileprophet]

I wouldn't burden yourself with the responsibility.

[Survivor's guilt, would-haves could-haves and should-haves...it all comes back as regret.]

I have the unfortunate feeling that no matter how many people work as hard as they can to try and prevent these attacks from happening, the bloody narrative of war will ultimately get its way each week.

[concasse]

Pretty damn realistic coming from you.

[His lips quirk briefly, it's a dead (ha) sort of humor]

And sometimes the point is to try and stop it anyway, even if it's futile.

[Strong words, but they fall flat against his expression. He looks tired]

[fragileprophet]

Even I know how to be realistic where it counts. I wouldn't have been a very good leader, otherwise.

[He looks down at his lap and smiles sadly, but it's more of a grimace.]

But you're right. I'd prefer to know that we all did as much as we could...I'd just also hate to see anyone blame themselves, as well.

[concasse]

You're not responsible for anyone decisions here, even those with good intentions.

[And that includes himself, his tone seems to say. Whatever guilt Sanji carries, it's his own business]

Besides, I'd rather the lot of us feel guilty than uncaring.