Friday | Post-Investigation

[concasse]

[Sanji hasn't had a chance to interact with Souji since earlier this week, but that doesn't mean he hasn't been watching. His reaction to Hijikata's death had been... startling, frankly, Sanji not even realizing how close the two men were, and all he can think about afterward is that the man's fragile health will undoubtedly take a hit from all of this.

It's why eventually Sanji will seek him out in his bedroom, a small meal in tow - just soup, a little bit of bread, tea... foods that will be gentle on the stomach and hopefully easy to digest.

Knock knock, Souji, you have a visitor.]

Comments

[concasse]

[Yikes, Souji's luck is worse than his. SANJI OFFERS HIS ACTUAL CONDOLENCES]

... Coincidences are rarely that. So I wouldn't be surprised if there's a pattern going on.

[Hm.]

Someone's ability, maybe?

[sanguinairy]

[Fire dorm is cursed and Souji is extra cursed, good work team.]

It might be something like that. No one could be sure what it is, though... Not unless whoever holds that ability told someone else, and they decide to speak up.

[Which, considering Dave's killer is still a big ol' mystery, he's assuming won't happen.]

[concasse]

Yeah, not gonna hold my shitty breath for that. No one wants to go admitting what ability they got, just in case our hosts ask them to kill.

Being honest is dangerous in this castle.

[And Sanji is no stranger to being a snake when he's gotta be, but this? Is just insane.]

[sanguinairy]

It's awful.

[Souji is an honest person by nature, even if honesty doesn't always have a place in their ranks. The fact that they all have to hide things from each other even at the risk of missing out on accurately identifying a killer is, quite frankly, an awful thing.]

...I don't know what we can do about it, though.

[concasse]

... For now, I'm just trying to figure out the rules of this entire game.

[He hasn't told many people this, but if they're going to discuss trust and the lack of it, Sanji figures... it's fine for now.]

What those two goddesses expect from us, what exactly a "win" and "loss" looks like, if there are any shitty loopholes...

[A sigh. He stares at his hands]

Not to say I've made much leeway, but I figure if I can talk to one of the Historians, then I can get a sense of what this all means, and pass it onto the group.

[sanguinairy]

[It makes sense to him, honestly. Because--]

I've been trying to do something similar.

[Something he also hasn't told many people - not beyond the ones he initially trusted, who shared similar ideals about wanting to tamp down on their losses as quickly as possible. But they're getting nowhere, despite the time that's passed. He turns the bowl in his hands, frowning thoughtfully.]

I take it that you haven't found a Historian to discuss any of this with, then.

[concasse]

Not yet, no... Not that it's a surprise, either. [His brows furrow]

Half the group might consider the Historians traitors, so putting themselves out there is dangerous. Still, if they know more than we do, the first step is finding someone whose willing to talk, and then listen.

[Even if the truth might not make them happy.]

[sanguinairy]

It seems like waiting is all that we can do...

[As someone who's used to taking actions based on what others demand of him, this strange cycle of no one seeming to know the next step is definitely getting to him.

He sighs after that - the sound rattles a little in his chest. Then, finally, a small sip of the soup Sanji had offered.]

...It's very good.

[concasse]

[As a pirate who is used to sailing away whenever he wants... Sanji feels that struggle.]

Thanks.

[...]

Oi... whatever you're sick with... is there any food that can help with the symptoms?

[sanguinairy]

[Realass struggles of Murder Castle Hills...

Sanji really is kind, though. There's a smile, finally - much softer and more delicate-looking than his usual ones, but appreciative. Not much point in waving it off as a simple cold to someone who's already guessed that isn't the case, right?]

...Not that I'm aware of. I would take medication for it back home, but it didn't work very well either, honestly. It just made my tea bitter.

[concasse]

[Not that Sanji would ever wish his crewmates here, but Sanji knows Chopper would immediately be able to identify that death rattle in Souji's lungs. Frustrating as it is, all the chef has is a little bit of first aid and his cooking.

If neither of those can help, then...]

Let's stick with easy to digest foods, then. No need to make your body work overtime.

[...]

I can guarantee the shit'll taste good, if nothing else.

[sanguinairy]

[Maybe he'll one day be able to spit the actual word for his illness out without it seeming so final. Being able to skirt around it and dress it up in vagueries is somewhat helpful, at least.]

My least favorite part was always how bad health food tasted. [Said in the gentle tone of a tired joke.] I don't think you could make food that tasted bad even if you tried, though.

[concasse]

Heh... that's a relief to hear.

[Reaching over, giving the man a gentle pat on the shoulder]

Did you ever tell me your favorite food to eat?

[sanguinairy]

[Sanji is a good soul, honestly... Souji shakes his head a little. His favorite foods are all things he probably shouldn't be eating!!]

Soup is fine, but... thank you.

[concasse]

[Alright, he understands, and won't push it further.

Another pause... then he pats Souji on the shoulder one more time before standing.]

I gotta head back to the kitchen for a while, but I'll drop by again to pick up the dishes.

Take it easy, alright?

[sanguinairy]

[You're a good man Sanji Brown. Souji dips his head a little to express his gratitude.]

I will. Thank you again, Sanji-san... I appreciate it.

[He's mcstruggling but he'll be fine, just fine, a bad week won't get him down...!!!]