Monday | Week 4

[concasse]

[He lets the guilt stew in his gut for all of a day before he's had enough. The evening of Monday, Sanji doesn't tell Zelos what he's doing -- just makes an excuse and leaves the room, hiding in a corner of their now very private common room.

After a fidget, he calls into the empty air]

Uh... Tiger-sama?

[... mrr, he doesn't actually know how to do this outside of being summoned. After glancing nervously around the room.]

Don't suppose I could request a quick audience?

Comments

[themodsgrimm]

[Despite Sanji's constant attempts at pleasantries, she still looks surprised to hear him ask. She puts a hand to her chin, thoughtful.]

I don't know.

[Her eyes narrow.]

Ultimately how I feel is irrelevant, but it was polite of you to ask, regardless.

[concasse]

[... Uh.]

Why are your feelings irrelevant again?

[themodsgrimm]

[She waves a hand.]

Oh, I didn't mean to sound so cryptic! Silly me.

[Tiger drinks some tea, and it seems like perhaps she's planning on leaving it at that, but she purses her lips.]

Getting too emotional is dangerous in a war, is all. What's more important is how all of you are doing. I'm sure morale is quite low after what happened over the weekend.

[concasse]

... Yeah, everyone took shit pretty hard.

[No point in denying the truth. Tiger saw their reactions]

Rapunzel-chan's death was... unexpected. Nevermind we fucked up and sent the wrong person to the chopping block.

[But despite these things, Sanji's voice remains low and calm. Contemplative]

... I wasn't expecting Hijikata's death to have such an effect, either.

[That part, however, he glances to the side.]

[themodsgrimm]

Toshizo Hijikata is a renowned figure who can be found in many iterations across many different stories, along with Okita Souji and his sword, Yasusada Yamatonokami.

[At the last name, at least, her eyes soften as she looks down at her tea, her voice getting smaller.]

It was unfortunate luck.

[concasse]

[...]

What criteria do you use when deciding who Zelos and I need to take care of?

[themodsgrimm]

[She frowns, not looking up from her teacup.]

I wish I could give you a specific answer, but I can't. There are a lot of factors we have to consider, and these factors are always changing based on surrounding events.

[concasse]

[He accepts that without fanfare, nodding and then going to take a sip of his tea. It's hard to be aggravated when he's been in the dark since day one.]

... Might I ask you a personal question, then?

Of course, if you don't wanna answer, just ignore me.

[themodsgrimm]

[The word “personal” puts her right on the defensive but she still gives him a nod.]

Go ahead.

[concasse]

[Honestly? Fair. Sanji doesn't expect an answer.]

What did you used to do? Before all these wars started?

Did you have your own story, too?

[themodsgrimm]

[The silence stretches on, but in that span of time Tiger’s expression flows through many different emotions. By the end of it all, she looks troubled, exhausted.]

...I don’t remember. I’m sure I must have.

[concasse]

[... Ah.

Looking apologetic and sad, Sanji lowers his head slightly.]

Did... overseeing all these wars mean you couldn't go back?

[themodsgrimm]

[Her eyelids droop halfway.]

It doesn’t matter why anymore. It’s gone too far and for far too long. There’s no going back, no matter how it ends.

[concasse]

[It's one of those moments Sanji is glad he's here and not any of his crew; he can handle these kinds of responses without it feeling like the antithesis to his entire being.

After a nod, he takes a sip of his tea.]

Yeah, you're right. Going forward is the only path most of us got.

[themodsgrimm]

No point in dwelling in the past!

[Its a forced exuberance as she puts her teacup back down on the table. A silent call to end the personal turn the conversation took.]

Formalities aside, I do appreciate you taking the time. I’m not used to visitors who aren’t looking for something from me.

[concasse]

[... That also makes him sad, though Sanji actually perks up, leaning forward just a bit]

Oi, how about this? Next time I visit -- if you don't mind, of course -- I bring you your favorite dish!

What do you like to eat, Tiger-sama?

[themodsgrimm]

[She clearly fumbles at the question, blinking a few times before her cool and casual air comes back. She runs a hand through her hair.]

I've always liked anything with tuna.

[And another pause.]

I wouldn't mind if you visited me again.

[Tsuntiger]

[concasse]

[Sanji has never been happier to be a chef whose roots are in seafood.]

Perfect~! I'll make you a meal worthy of a goddess~!

[Welcome to Sanji Hell, Tiger.]