Friday | Post-Investigation

[concasse]

[It's a sad, sad day when Sanji can't even encourage himself to cook.

Thankfully, the responsibilities of a chef offer plenty of mundane substitutions, perfect for someone looking to distract themselves from the ugly reality that is their current existence. Thank you, rag, for this gift, as Sanji diligently buffs away as much of the soot and smoke as possible. Occasionally the silence is darkened by a couple of swears, Sanji seizing up as if the truth might bite him if not careful --

And then he moves on quickly, busying himself with something else that will not require thought.]

Comments

[concasse]

... Neh, Cardia-chan, you don't have to if you don't want to.

[Last thing he wants is for his bad mood to inconvenience someone else.]

[discardia]

Please. I need a distraction.

[ Badly. ]

[concasse]

[Oh...

A pause, before Sanji bows his head to her as if in apology]

Of course.

I'm done with this counter, but you can take the one near the stove, okay?

[discardia]

... Thank you.

[ And she'll also bow her head before she steps silently over to the designated counter to wipe it down.

This is fine. ]

[concasse]

[This is super fine, just the two of them, cleaning a kitchen in silence as a workaround to their grief.

... Sigh.]

Were you close to any of them, Cardia-chan?

[Those now passed]

[discardia]

I didn't really know Fitzgerald, and I really only talked to Monika once...

But Hijikata's partner is someone important to me. And finding Fitzgerald's body was...

[ Cardia trails off, throat growing tight. Sure, she'd barely known the man and he'd murdered their resident zombie last week, but it had still been a visceral shock, finding him facedown like that. ]

[concasse]

[Ah, right... she'd found the body.

This poor girl.]

You're talking about Souji, right?

[Trying to gently steer her mind away from corpses]

I didn't realize how close Souji was to Hijikata, but the guy's taking it really badly... he's gonna need us to keep an eye on him.

[discardia]

I stayed with him for awhile after it happened, and I'm still trying to check on him.

I... hadn't realized it either, but I'm really worried about him.

[ he doesn't look all that great lately. ]

[concasse]

I'm planning to take some soup and bread to him later this evening, since somehow, I doubt he's been eating like he should.

[So yeah, he feels that concern, Cardia]

But regardless, this isn't gonna be good for his health.

[discardia]

I told him I wanted to focus on finding his partner's killer, but I didn't think we'd have another two bodies on top of that...

[ Nngh. ]

Maybe we should just stay by him tomorrow?

[concasse]

I'll do what I can, but I'll also be... looking after my roommate.

[Mm]

Bastard likes to pretend much doesn't get to him, but he's upset about Monika-chan.

[discardia]

Oh, the red-haired man.

[ Right. ]

He did seem upset.

[concasse]

Yeah, Zelos.

[...]

He's kinda prickly in his own way, but he's a good guy.

[And 2b is absolutely gonna try to kill him, Sanji feels it in his bones, so guess he will be gutted trying to get between the two of them.

Tomorrow will be a swell day]

[discardia]

... Then please, look out for him. I-- my partner's fine, so I can focus on Souji.

[ and possibly 2B and maybe Ion, god. ]

[concasse]

Who is your partner again?

[discardia]

Rebecca.

[concasse]

Ah.

[his gaze softens]

Yeah, she'll be alright... I'm sure she'll understand you gotta keep an eye on Souji, too.

[discardia]

She will. She doesn't believe me, but... she really is a good person.

[ Cardia is very fond of her slightly dramatic partner. ]

[concasse]

Isn't she? Rebecca-chan doesn't give herself enough credit.

[Apparently it's Stan Rebecca time.]

I'm trying to convince her having it rough in life isn't her fault. She wouldn't have to suffer for that.

[discardia]

I tried to tell her that, too. But maybe she'll believe it more, coming from you.

[ awwyeah Stan Rebecca hour. ]

[concasse]

No no, you're her partner, Cardia-chan!

I can tell her all I want, but I believe she'll eventually understand how much you care. Sometimes it just takes time.

[discardia]

I see...

[ she has her doubts, but at the same time... ]

I'll do what I can.

But, um, if there's anything I can do for you as well, please let me know. Even if it's a little wish.

[concasse]

-- But you're already granting me the wish of your wonderful company, Cardia-chan!

Such a lucky man as I could never ask for more~!

[discardia]

... I'm not entirely sure those are your true feelings, Sanji.

[ why are flirts ]

[concasse]

[Burn all the flirts.

But he's gonna smile at her suspicion here]

Oi, but it's true! I don't need anything but getting to spend time with you.

[discardia]

You don't need a hug?

[concasse]

[his expression... quiets suddenly.]

Do I seem like I need one?

[He asks her seriously]

[discardia]

Yes.

[ well, she's bad at being tactful at times. ]

[concasse]

[... Heh. Rubbing sheepishly at his neck.]

I guess I wouldn't mind one, no.

[discardia]

...

[ Then she'll set down her rag and wander over to him, stopping right in front of him with extended arms. ]