Week 5 | Wednesday

[concasse]

[For a chef, Sanji doesn't have that many precious items that he'd go out of his way to hunt down. So long as he can replace his kitchenware, his motto is not to get too attached to any one tool; he can always find something better, he can always work to replace an object.

That said... he does have a particular set of kitchen knives that he's fond of, that only resided on his ship Sunny. Finding them just hanging on one of the foyer banisters like it might fall?

Kinda gets the heart rate going]

Oh-- shit--

[It's probably a trick but to hell with it, Sanji wants those knives. And that's how Cardia will find him, reaching for his set and hopefully not falling off the stairs himself]

Comments

[concasse]

[The memory doesn't stop there. While Sanji's brother has stopped talking, two more suddenly enter the scene: one with blue hair, the other with red.

Again, they both look exactly like Sanji save for the hair.

And if Cardia's ever seen wild dogs hunt, that's how the brothers approach -- like they've found prey. The taunting begins then: how they profess to be disappointed that becoming a pirate didn't give Sanji some balls, and this is exactly why he's the failed son, afraid of his own heritage.

It's unlikely that the Sanji in memory is listening. In fact, after a sudden roar of anger, he dives at the blue haired man and kicks him straight in the face. But before he can even go in for another hit:]

I'd be careful, Sanji. Fight back, and all the blood of East Blue will be on your hands.

[... It's enough to make him stop in place, silent as the blue haired man picks himself off the floor and approaches, then practically teleports to Sanji's side before kicking him brutally in the chest.

Sanji falls. And as the memory starts to fade, the red-haired man laughs in the distance:]

I speak for all of us when I say -- welcome home, Sanji. Welcome back to our Vinsmoke family.

So let's remind you of the hierarchy of this house.

[discardia]

[ It's a bit of a shock to be watching a bunch of men with colorful hair throw insults at their... brother. Their family. And kick him around, for that matter, but before Cardia can say anything, the memory fades from around them and she finds herself staring at the real Sanji.

With a whole lot of sympathy brimming in her eyes, although she's honestly not sure what to say at first. The frustration - and reliving it - must be even more painful for him. ]

[concasse]

[Sanji's way of dealing with it is pointedly not looking Cardia's direction.

... And, once he's able to breathe through his rage, compose himself--]

Sorry you had to see that.

[Apologize.]

[discardia]

No... please don't apologize.

You didn't do anything wrong.

[concasse]

[A thin smile. He glances away after that, seemingly uncertain of what to say.]

... Well, guess you know the truth now.

[discardia]

... I already knew. When you told me.

[concasse]

Did you?

[A huff of a laugh]

Shit, I'm not much of a liar, am I?

[...]

It's fine. Even though shit ended this way, I... well, there was a time I wasn't with them, so I can't complain about my lot in life.

[discardia]

If it still bothers you, I think it's fine to complain. I'm still... very glad you didn't turn out like them.

[concasse]

Heh, yeah.

Me and my sister are the only ones who are... different, I guess. But she had to save her skin when we were kids, so bullied me, too.

[A shrug. He's not mad]