[He only throws a brief stare around the room before pointedly staying on his feet despite the silent offer, and turns to her, expression somber. He harbors no illusions about staying for tea; after he says what he needs to, Sanji doubts Perona will be up for pleasantries, either.

He holds off long enough for the woman to get situated, whether that be sitting or standing. By now he has the first part of his speech ready - he rehearsed the lines over and over on their way here - so it might sound oddly stable, considering that he has to prep himself in order to look her in the face.

His nervousness doesn't surprise him; so far, he's never had to admit the truth out loud. She'll be the first - and if he's lucky, the last. Heh, the stupid shithead never was all that good at making friends.

The sudden clench in his throat goes ignored. He starts]

There was a draft while you were out, Perona-chan. [A pause, to let her digest that statement.] Me and... well, a lot of my crew ended up going. [Another pause. His stance tightens] Zoro was one of them.

On the draft, some shitty virus got out - turned the infected into mindless-- [This pause is for himself, to swallow and blink and tilt his head back until he's certain his eyes will stay dry. Fuck you, Zoro, for turning him into this.]

No one could find a cure. [Excuses.] No one could heal it, either. [Excuses]

Zoro was-- [I couldn't save him] The idiot knew he was too dangerous like that, so he decided he'd... He wanted us to take care of him.

[One last pause. And in the end, Sanji can't look at her, after all.]

He's gone.