Week 1 | Thursday

[concasse]

[Sanji is not a man to look frazzled often (his penchant for fiery theatrics aside), but Thursday does not seem to be treating him kindly. While often taking up post in the kitchen, right now he's in the Foyer, resting against a wall while massaging his temples.

Of course, upon noticing Ion nearby, he'll straighten, shelving his irritation or exhaustion or whatever it happens to be. There's a wave if not a smile]

Yo.

Comments

[fragileprophet]

[Ion doesn't say sorry, but it's implied in his expression. Incredible how someone so small and soft-spoken and apologetic can be so damn intent on doing what everyone is basically telling him not to do.]

I'll try to hold off on...ones this obvious, at least.

[Not a comforting response, but at least he's being real. The look on his face, other than an apology, already suggests he has someone in mind. Not surprising considering all that happened last night. The people! Need help! Someone was stabbed!]

[concasse]

-- Natsuo would probably clock your ass if you tried.

[BLUNTLY.

JUST IN CASE.]

[fragileprophet]

[The look on Ion's face now could only be described as a frustrated and yet oddly determined pout.]

But he's in pain!

[concasse]

[if not for the severe topic they're discussing, Sanji would burst out in laughter at that face.]

And he isn't gonna want you to be in pain, either.

[fragileprophet]

I wouldn't be.

[Ion clenches his fists, upset. Not at Sanji, of course, not what he's saying or the fact that people would want him to do this. He understands. But...this is all just so frustrating. Why can't he just help? Why does it always have to come at such a great cost? The abilities he had at home incapacitated him, and so they gave him a new one that does just the same damage, if in a different form. It's maddening that there's always something causing him to be the one protected, to stop him from stepping up and using the powerful tools he has at his disposal.]

[concasse]

[Sanji notices the fists, the way Ion's expression clouds, and of course he can't begin to guess what the other's thinking. His own mouth takes a downward turn in response, though as if forcing himself to hold back, his expression cools soon after.

... He really does remind him of Chopper in some small ways: desperate to help, frustrated when life gets in the way of that simple wish.]

Listen, I'm not gonna get in the way if you wanna try.

[A sigh]

But it's not just you cutting up your own body. People are gonna notice and worry. [He's gonna notice and worry.]

[fragileprophet]

[The air drains out of him, and whatever that was, illusion or reality, fades back to where it came from, and Ion's expression goes back to what it was: soft, easily rebuked, bordering helpless.]

I know...I wish...

[He laughs, he can't help it. Wishes.]

Well, I'd like it if things could be different. Rest assured that as long as my partner's livelihood depends on me, I wouldn't take on anything I thought would put him at risk as well.

[concasse]

[That's something, then, and Sanji can't help it either -- he visibly relaxes at the unspoken promise to look after his life. And after a moment, he'll sigh, glancing far off above Ion's head]

You remind me of my doctor, a little.

[Elaborating before Ion can ask the question:]

The reindeer I mentioned. His dream is to find a cure for every disease in the world.

[fragileprophet]

That's...a lofty, but admirable dream.

[Ion's smile loses a bit of that synthetic edge. It really is, it's beautiful.]

I'm no doctor, but suppose I can see the connection. All my life, I've wanted to use my position to make the world a peaceful place. I know that it's naive to expect that anywhere can be wholly free of strife, but just to think that there could be an end of suffering...that's something I'd give everything I had for.

[concasse]

Well, that's the thing about goals and dreams -- they're only impossible if you don't bother trying in the first place.

[It's not that Sanji's naive enough to think world peace will ever be in the cards, not while humans are humans, but why not strive for it? Why not try?

In this why, he can... understand why Ion does what he does.]