concasse | Week 0

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week 0

Week 0 | Friday

[Given she was one of the people with him in the kitchen, of course Sanji plans to find Monika. Not even because of her... sudden change in demeanor, startling as that had been, but finding a not!dead body and then hearing about an actual dead body isn't good for the mind or the heart.

Especially not for a young lady.

Of course, he's a little surprised to find her seemingly roaming the castle herself, glancing about the foyer like she means on a mission herself. Their eyes meet briefly, and in that space Sanji lifts his hand and waves, a little sheepishly.]

Don't suppose I could borrow you for a couple minutes, Monika-chan?

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Being surprised doesn't necessarily mean being upset, y'know?

[Yeah, he was pretty damn surprised, but the moment's passed and it isn't weighing on his heart. He smiles at her]

[ ... ]

... I'm not sure if you're just okay with violence, or if you just think what I said wasn't that bad to begin with ...

... Well.

[Counting off his fingers:]

First off, you were threatening a magical suit of armor. S'not like it was gonna bleed if you clocked it. And second, I'm a pirate, Monika-chan -- I'm more used to violence than half the people here.

[It's just the truth]

But putting all that shit aside, I'd rather you be capable of being pissed enough to protect yourself should it come down to it.

[ ... ]

You're really strange, Sanji. But I guess I should have realized this from the start, with the way you talked about Nami and Robin... I thought you'd like a cuter girl more, and what I did really wasn't cute.

[ In the end she just looks kind of reserved, folding her arms beneath her chest. ]

It's not that I know how to fight, or anything like that. I guess you can say it's more like I'd refuse to go down without a fight, whether or not I had any chance of winning at all.

And sometimes, that's all you need to survive.

[He's not going to stand here and bullshit with her. Already the playfulness is long gone from his voice]

Gi-Gan's dead. We got a culprit on the loose. And if in the future some shithead wants an easy death, they're likely to pick out the ones they think can't fight.

So your chances of living? Go up if you can strike back any way you can.

[ Monika's expression is soft and sad, but -- not scared. Instead she looks down, turning up her palms, picking at her elegant, flared cuffs. ]

Gi-gan helped me pick this dress. She said it complemented my eyes.

[ In the end, all that's left on her face is a kind of grim thoughtfulness. ]

People are going to keep dying. It won't matter how much we care about them, or how good they were as people. How do you stay human when you're faced with something like that...?

[His eyes tick down to the dress -- thoughtful, a touch sad himself that this is what's left of Gi-Gan's legacy, but only to quickly steel up as Monika continues on.]

... Hold onto something, I guess.

[He traces the tall ceiling with his eyes, voice distant]

I got a crew to get back to. And they wouldn't accept me if I went around killing people on the whims of goddesses. So I can't die, but I can't kill, either. Just gotta grit my teeth and keep my eyes on the shitty finish line, and see if I'm still sane when it's all said and done.

... you can't die, but you can't kill.

[ ........ ]

Sanji, can I ask you something?

[his eyes snap back down, out of his musings]

Huh -- oh yeah, of course!

[ ... ]

If the life you had to return to back home was something really horrible... something you'd do absolutely anything not to go through again... what would you do? How would you get through this game without killing or dying, when all everyone wants is to escape?

[...]

Start looking for alternatives.

[Making a broad gesture with his hand]

We're not from the same worlds, according to those goddesses. And if they got the power to take you from one, they probably got the power to shove you in another.

I'm not saying you gotta participate in the killing game, but surviving might be worthy of praise. You never know.

[... Voice gentling some]

The important bit is to keep trying until you get the happy ending you want.

[ Monika doesn't say anything for a long moment, and all at once it'll be clear she's been trying quite hard to rein herself in. Not just tonight, but for days. Maybe since the moment they got here. It's probably why she said what she did in the kitchen today. There's a fine tremble in her hands.

But when she smiles, it's the same cheerful smile she's given him from the moment they met. ]

A happy ending... that's a really romantic thing to think. You have such a kind heart, Sanji.

[Lord, he swears everyone here is just flattering him, though it's Sanji, so he takes the compliment twice as well coming from a pretty face. There's a near bashful laugh as he rubs his neck]

I'm only saying it because I'm wishing for your success, whatever it might be!

Mmm, I really like the sound of a happy ending. I think that's exactly what I'm going to aim for. ... thank you.

[He'll smile, though it's... a touch on the concerned side, a small show of worry he can't hide away.]

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know I'm not worried about what happened in the kitchen. We got plenty of other shit to focus on.

[ ... ]

You know, Sanji, I'm curious. What kind of girl do you like?

-- Eh?

[Wait why is that a question that is happening now--]

I-- uh--

[Wow what the hell happened man, you were almost smooth for half a second]

Choosing between all the wonderful ladies of the world...! Aaah, Monika-chan has put me in a tight spot!

[...]

Well, truth is, I love all kinds! Ladies don't need to be one size fits all, y'know? They're all beautiful in their own way. I figure seeing their own individual beauty is my job as a gentleman~! No lady should go through life not feeling appreciated!

Hm.

[ a mysterious smile ]

Well, that's good to know! I'll talk to you later, Sanji. ... thanks again.

[ He'll get a small bow of thanks before she heads off. ]

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Week 0 | Friday

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