[Rebecca's in the library reading what looks like "The Snow Queen" and still looking like she hasn't been sleeping. Upon seeing him there's a flash of a smile but-She's so used to seeing that look on her face at home. It's definitely worrying to see it on Sanji.
So she closes the book, shelves it and gives Sanji her full attention.]
[Oh he notes the title with immediate interest, almost getting sidetracked with a question -- but no, no, chef. You're here on a mission.
... Of course now that he's here, the guilt is practically bleeding off him. He is not here on a good-news missions]
So remember how I said I'd help you convince people to do their objectives. Found someone!
Though their objective is a bit... extreme.
[HMMMM]
They need to ... to... [...]
To beat someone to the point of unconsciousness or death with a pumpkin and I volunteered because I was hoping you could heal me afterwards so no one's gotta die and we'd get more ink like we're trying to do and--
[On one hand, this is good news because somebody's going to complete an objective! Great! That's part of her job. On the other, the one she cares way more about, Sanji's about to be beaten up with a pumpkin. The idea of it already puts her on edge, but she gets the feeling Sanji won't offer up another person in his place.
Besides, Sanji's one of the very few that actually knows Rebecca's gift. She doesn't want to have to reveal it to somebody else. But she's definitely going to say-]
I don't like that you're going to get beaten up!
[She might as well make that known right now. Before she agrees to this awful plan.]
[adhfoasihdo clapping his hands together and holding them in front of his face like he's praying for her forgiveness, sorry Rebecca, this is what you get for liking this fool]
I know, I know! But at this point I'm the only sturdy shithead we got left! Everyone else is a civilian, kid, or someone with a weak constitution!
[Or Zelos but HA. HA. Him agreeing to get beat up. Nope.]
I told the person they'd have to leave me in the pumpkin field because I don't want them finding out about your ability, and trust me, they won't go back on the promise... they're not all that happy about me agreeing to this, either. They'll refuse the deal unless you give the go ahead, first...
[She closes her eyes and huffs out a breath. This is the worst!! This is the worst thing ever! But her job versus her feelings and the potential for a happy ending. Part of her wants to refuse this but... Cardia's lost a lot of people who are important to her. So has Sanji.
Fine. This is for Cardia and Sanji.
It'll be fixed quickly. Sanji will end up fine in the end because that's what she can do. At least she's being useful.
She glances away as she tries to keep herself from panicking or crying. That's for later.]
Is it a Civilian or a Villain? You don't have to tell me who it is. I want to know where this tally mark is going.
[A civilian who needs to beat somebody up with a pumpkin. Only two of them she can think of have anything to do with pumpkins. But that's for later. She'll shelve the thought.]
[And he is very sorry he had to ask this of her -- didn't want to, if he was frank about it. He only came to her because half the castle would be on his ass in a heartbeat otherwise.
He'll give her the correct time after that]
... If there's anything I can do in return, please lemme know, alright?
[Her expression shifts as she looks Sanji over. An idea definitely popped up.
She'll give him an out. Consent is important!]
Okay, listen. There is something you could do for me, but you definitely don't have to say yes. It's been weeks since we've been in this castle, right? How okay would you be with me climbing you like a tree? Sex is a great stress reliever. There's a lot of stress here.
No strings attached! If that's what you want. And I trust you, so... [Clearly he's her best option.]
Why does this keep happening to her? Is there some terrible force in her life that is conspiring against her? She's starting to wonder. But she just keeps talking.]
I'd love to know who it is. But obviously you know you don't have to tell me. I hope... whatever happens, you're happy. [She's sure of that much.]
Also if you're in a relationship with them already this is... a pretty bad idea. I think we both know that, right? Anyway- still. No strings.
[Three times. This is the third time this has happened to her? What the hell kind of luck is this?
She gives a bitter little smile, it doesn't reach her eyes. She's trying. At least she's learned enough not to try and break Sanji and whoever it is up. That didn't go well the first time around. At least Sanji has the decency to tell her about it upfront. She didn't have to travel across the country to learn the guy she liked had a long term girlfriend from that guy's childhood friend. This is way better than that.
Yeah, she can respect how this came up.]
You don't have to apologize. It's a good trait to have in a partner. [If she's being honest, she's jealous. But that's not something she wants to say out loud.]
Can I make this a business request instead? If I die, please trust the other Historians. Whoever they are. We're all working for a good ending. I'm sure one of them will step forward.
[Honestly? Sanji half-expects to get slapped, or yelled at, and he would have allowed for either of those reactions, payment for upsetting someone he cares about. And he has to wonder if it even matters, him being loyal when he's gonna die back home and this is... all he's got left, right?
He smiles back at her, not having the heart to tell her that she's got feelings for a... very sad man. And right now, he doesn't know how to be anything else.]
That I can do.
[...]
I know it might not seem like it, but I... never wanted to hurt you.
[The thing is, of all the ways this has happened to her before, this is probably the best version. Her relationship wasn't called a pile of feces, the relationship wasn't built off of a lie and then pushed to a breaking point-
It's... fine. She'll be sad about it later. But god, he's not making it easy to not be sad about it now.
Her eyes are tearing up and she's starting to sniffle. Maybe there actually is something wrong with her?]
You know... that's usually something guys just say- but with you I actually believe it. [Somehow it only makes her feel worse.
Distantly she realizes there's something very funny about believing a pirate, but she's far too wrapped up in her own self-loathing to acknowledge it.]
[Nooo no tears, he cannot stand a lady's tears, especially when he's the cause. His expression turns distraught, then guilty, hands fidgeting unhappily at his sides.]
... Can I give you a hug?
[Is that... going too far? Is that going to make things worse?]
Why wouldn't I be? You deserve good things in your life, Rebecca-chan!
[Which... damn, probably seems like such a shitty thing to say in lieu of shooting her down, but it's what Sanji believes. That her life has been so hard is nothing short of a tragedy]
Every guy should be nice to you! If they're not, then they're not worth shit. [Make it the standard, girl, not the exception.]
[No, that sounds wrong. All of that sounds wrong. She doesn't deserve it! Nothing she's ever done has made her worthy of deserving nice things. Her track record has been disastrous. Sanji's the fourth guy to turn her down.
It's way too hard to speak now. One of the worst parts of emotional crying. Instead she just pulls him into a hug, burying her face into his shirt, sobbing. She's not doing well here, is she? But she'll take whatever silver of comfort she can find.]
[His mouth open like he means to speak, to offer something else, even if it can't be what she'd want, but the hug bids him quiet. He should... be happy, right, knowing he can offer this, small consolation that it is.
So despite how his expression feels heavy, Sanji wraps his arms around her shoulders and smiles sadly down at the woman crying into his shirt, a hand smoothed down her back.
There aren't enough apologies in the world for this, but somehow, he thinks they'd only make it worse. So for now he'll just stand quiet and give her a shoulder to sob on.]
[It's the little things. The things she hasn't gotten or didn't deserve- or at least felt like she didn't deserve. Comfort from Sanji is somehow in the middle of bittersweet and something she wants to cling onto forever.
At least he cares enough to let her do this. None of the other guys she's ever liked had. They all just ran at the end.
It's better. Even if she tells herself that, it still hurts.
The quiet is better than hearing him try to apologize. What's it for? His feelings? She doesn't want to know who the other person is. Every time she likes somebody there's always somebody else.
She stays until she's cried out all her feelings. In the end, she weakly pulls away.]
Sorry, I'm-- [being dramatic. Logically this isn't the end of the world. Emotionally though...]
[By this point his shirt is probably soaked through but Sanji doesn't mind or care, just seeming a little relieved when her sobbing ceases and she finally steps back. He'll drop his hand, though one comes up to rub at the nape of his neck.]
Oi, you don't need to apologize.
[He knows what it feels like to have your heart broken! Not... for quite the same reasons as Rebecca might guess, but Sanji knows what heartache feels, in his own way. Even if you're not dead, can't help but wonder if it'd be a kinder fate.]
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So she closes the book, shelves it and gives Sanji her full attention.]
You can have all of it, but go on.
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... Of course now that he's here, the guilt is practically bleeding off him. He is not here on a good-news missions]
So remember how I said I'd help you convince people to do their objectives. Found someone!
Though their objective is a bit... extreme.
[HMMMM]
They need to ... to... [...]
To beat someone to the point of unconsciousness or death with a pumpkin and I volunteered because I was hoping you could heal me afterwards so no one's gotta die and we'd get more ink like we're trying to do and--
[YIKES SANJI]
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Besides, Sanji's one of the very few that actually knows Rebecca's gift. She doesn't want to have to reveal it to somebody else. But she's definitely going to say-]
I don't like that you're going to get beaten up!
[She might as well make that known right now. Before she agrees to this awful plan.]
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I know, I know! But at this point I'm the only sturdy shithead we got left! Everyone else is a civilian, kid, or someone with a weak constitution!
[Or Zelos but HA. HA. Him agreeing to get beat up. Nope.]
I told the person they'd have to leave me in the pumpkin field because I don't want them finding out about your ability, and trust me, they won't go back on the promise... they're not all that happy about me agreeing to this, either. They'll refuse the deal unless you give the go ahead, first...
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Fine. This is for Cardia and Sanji.
It'll be fixed quickly. Sanji will end up fine in the end because that's what she can do. At least she's being useful.
She glances away as she tries to keep herself from panicking or crying. That's for later.]
Is it a Civilian or a Villain? You don't have to tell me who it is. I want to know where this tally mark is going.
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[Sadly no villain. Sigh.]
-- By the way, do you know what the new count for objectives is? I know the Civilian side will get theirs quick, but I'm worried about the Villains.
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Civilians are close to seven with you helping.
I asked around and the Villain count is at five.
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Good, we might be able to avoid a disaster at this rate.
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[A fleeting smile. Going back to why Sanji came to her in the first place sours her expression, but she nods.]
I'll help. Just... tell me when to meet you.
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[And he is very sorry he had to ask this of her -- didn't want to, if he was frank about it. He only came to her because half the castle would be on his ass in a heartbeat otherwise.
He'll give her the correct time after that]
... If there's anything I can do in return, please lemme know, alright?
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She'll give him an out. Consent is important!]
Okay, listen. There is something you could do for me, but you definitely don't have to say yes. It's been weeks since we've been in this castle, right? How okay would you be with me climbing you like a tree? Sex is a great stress reliever. There's a lot of stress here.
No strings attached! If that's what you want. And I trust you, so... [Clearly he's her best option.]
I AM FUCKIN CRYING 1/2
And even as she circumvents Sanji's original issue with that--]
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But Rebecca-chan, there's...
[God, how did it come to this? The one thing he really didn't want her to know.]
There's someone here that I... care for.
[Romantically, he means, and tenses for the reaction.]
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Why does this keep happening to her? Is there some terrible force in her life that is conspiring against her? She's starting to wonder. But she just keeps talking.]
I'd love to know who it is. But obviously you know you don't have to tell me. I hope... whatever happens, you're happy. [She's sure of that much.]
Also if you're in a relationship with them already this is... a pretty bad idea. I think we both know that, right? Anyway- still. No strings.
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Anyway he is... not going to mention the name because GOD, not about to slap this woman in the face with his very, very questionable life decisions.
What he does end up settling on is a crooked smile, and a shake of his head.
Sorry Rebecca, apparently he's gonna have to force you into making better decisions for yourself]
I can't. You'd think a pirate would care less about this kind of shit, but...
[He's too loyal.]
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She gives a bitter little smile, it doesn't reach her eyes. She's trying. At least she's learned enough not to try and break Sanji and whoever it is up. That didn't go well the first time around. At least Sanji has the decency to tell her about it upfront. She didn't have to travel across the country to learn the guy she liked had a long term girlfriend from that guy's childhood friend. This is way better than that.
Yeah, she can respect how this came up.]
You don't have to apologize. It's a good trait to have in a partner. [If she's being honest, she's jealous. But that's not something she wants to say out loud.]
Can I make this a business request instead? If I die, please trust the other Historians. Whoever they are. We're all working for a good ending. I'm sure one of them will step forward.
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He smiles back at her, not having the heart to tell her that she's got feelings for a... very sad man. And right now, he doesn't know how to be anything else.]
That I can do.
[...]
I know it might not seem like it, but I... never wanted to hurt you.
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It's... fine. She'll be sad about it later. But god, he's not making it easy to not be sad about it now.
Her eyes are tearing up and she's starting to sniffle. Maybe there actually is something wrong with her?]
You know... that's usually something guys just say- but with you I actually believe it. [Somehow it only makes her feel worse.
Distantly she realizes there's something very funny about believing a pirate, but she's far too wrapped up in her own self-loathing to acknowledge it.]
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... Can I give you a hug?
[Is that... going too far? Is that going to make things worse?]
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Are you ready for me to cry a lot more? You're just- You're so nice to me. [Does she deserve it? She definitely doesn't think so.]
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[Which... damn, probably seems like such a shitty thing to say in lieu of shooting her down, but it's what Sanji believes. That her life has been so hard is nothing short of a tragedy]
Every guy should be nice to you! If they're not, then they're not worth shit. [Make it the standard, girl, not the exception.]
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It's way too hard to speak now. One of the worst parts of emotional crying. Instead she just pulls him into a hug, burying her face into his shirt, sobbing. She's not doing well here, is she? But she'll take whatever silver of comfort she can find.]
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So despite how his expression feels heavy, Sanji wraps his arms around her shoulders and smiles sadly down at the woman crying into his shirt, a hand smoothed down her back.
There aren't enough apologies in the world for this, but somehow, he thinks they'd only make it worse. So for now he'll just stand quiet and give her a shoulder to sob on.]
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At least he cares enough to let her do this. None of the other guys she's ever liked had. They all just ran at the end.
It's better. Even if she tells herself that, it still hurts.
The quiet is better than hearing him try to apologize. What's it for? His feelings? She doesn't want to know who the other person is. Every time she likes somebody there's always somebody else.
She stays until she's cried out all her feelings. In the end, she weakly pulls away.]
Sorry, I'm-- [being dramatic. Logically this isn't the end of the world. Emotionally though...]
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Oi, you don't need to apologize.
[He knows what it feels like to have your heart broken! Not... for quite the same reasons as Rebecca might guess, but Sanji knows what heartache feels, in his own way. Even if you're not dead, can't help but wonder if it'd be a kinder fate.]
You... feel a little better?
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... A little. I kind of feel... emotionally hungover.
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I'd offer you a drink but you should probably get some water down at some point...
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Yeah. I just lost... like half my weight in tears? Um... I'm not really feeling drinks right this second.
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[...]
Do you want me to... give you some space from here on out?
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???
She's been friends with him for way longer than she realized she had a crush. If he pulled away now...]
No, don't do that. You're- You're still one of the people I trust here. I don't want to lose that.
... Maybe just for tomorrow?
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Oh thank the seas, then. Sanji visibly relaxes when she tells him he just needs to sod off for a day instead of... forever.
He would've given her all the space in the world if she'd asked it; it just would've hurt a lot.]
Alright, just tomorrow.
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I'll be there whenever you need me. I have um... some other things to get to.
[With that she'll turn and hurry away.]