week 7 | friday, post investigation

[concasse]

[Well... there's not that many people left in the castle, is there? Eleven total, two bodies away from the nine they need.

Whatever happens tomorrow, Sanji suspects it will be the last trial.

Which means he needs to track down the ones who are left and make plans. Souji is first on his list, Sanji also bringing with him a warm bowl of soup out of habit. He'll knock on the door of the man's room]

Comments

[sanguinairy]

[He catches it! And then smiles, and...]

...Cardia already tried to wish it back once.

[SO. There it is, in case anyone looked at Souji and went "why hasn't this stupidass fool healed himself."]

[concasse]

-- What.

Screw that, I'm gonna try myself then.

[Sanji just doesn't take "no" for an answer, apparently.]

[sanguinairy]

[SANJI... Souji makes some weird sound that might?? Be a laugh?? It's hard to tell, wow.]

What if you need that coin later?

[concasse]

What the fuck am I gonna use it for? It's either you or Eichi I try to wish better, and I figured I owed you for suggesting we die.

[Sanji desperately trying to save these sickies.]

[sanguinairy]

[SANJI!! He's really doing his best.]

Well... It should give you your coin back if it still doesn't work, at least.

[So. At least there's that!!]

But I don't mind it. The pain isn't unbearable. ...Thank you, though.

[concasse]

[He'll take it back. Guess he's gonna go bitch at the wishing well later. Great]

... So how do you prefer we do this, eh? You coming after me, or vice versa?

I don't think anyone's gonna feel good voting you to death. If you want me to dirty my hands one more time, I will.

But if you want the opposite to happen, no complaints here.

[sanguinairy]

[THANKS SANJI you're the real MVP. Maybe the well will listen this time.

That's a good question, though, hm. He cants his head to the side a little.]

...Would it be too much to ask for a fair match?

[A beat, and then:]

There are a couple of people I'd at least like to speak of this with beforehand, though, regardless of what we decide. I don't think they would take very well to learning of it as it happens.

[K...Kyouka...]

[concasse]

[Sanji... hesitates.

He knows Souji remembers that crying man only from a few days prior to Friday, who so clearly wanted to die and be punished for his misery. He hasn't gone anywhere.

... But he's the same man who refuses to pull anyone else down with his grief. Whoever offers him acceptance and forgiveness, he will take it. Whoever demands a midnight duel in the middle of the jousting grounds to prove their worth? He will take that, too.

He glances at the ground, but finally looks to Souji, eyes calm]

Alright.

A fair fight.

[sanguinairy]

[There's something in his expression, very briefly, that might be relief. But it's there and gone so quickly that it's hard to pinpoint.]

Thank you. Your shoulders are already heavy, and still...

[Still, he'll humor Souji's dying wish.

Sanji is really too good. Far better a person than himself, rotten as he is. He won't linger on it for long, though.]

...We can use our trial time tomorrow to discuss more important things, if we announce our intentions early.

[concasse]

[A nod of agreement. Sanji thinks that's fine.

But... there is one thing he needs to say, and his expression is somber as he speaks]

I made that promise to you, and I intend to keep it.

... But Souji.

You know you gotta be the one to kill me, right?

If I survive and you die, then another of the Heroes has to go. I can't be voted for. I'm an Editor, and I'll survive execution.

[sanguinairy]

[HE SURE DID KNOW THAT ALREADY. He actually came pretty close to letting the group know, too, last week. Things had imploded pretty quickly though, and they had decided to sit on that. He'd have rather spoken to Sanji directly anyway, which he got to do. That's fine enough.

So he just nods, and offers a brief but thin smile. He's so damn tired.]

You don't need to worry. I'll be your executioner before the trial is through.

[Unless Eichi gets him first apparently, JESUS.]

[concasse]

[He nods to that, shoulders relaxing back into place, now that the planning is over.

... He's gonna die tomorrow.

Too bad he doesn't feel anything but relief, knowing the end is coming.]

Of everyone, I'm glad it's you.

[Let him finally receive judgment for the kill that ended up haunting him the most.]

[sanguinairy]

[Two for two, then. Souji's a little distressed about a few of the people he has to leave behind, but he has faith that they'll make it. They'll all be fine.

He also sure feels some kinda way about that statement. He really had meant it when he said he'd forgiven Sanji and holds no ill-will toward him. At the same time, he understands what it feels like to not be able to forgive yourself, even if others do. ...He'd just have preferred if resolution came in a different form. He's very tired of executing people he's fond of.

But if it's for Sanji, to help him let go of his burden, he'll do what he can. And later, he'll remove the extra weight of a fair fight, too - Sanji probably wants to rest. Maybe they all do.]

...I wish that I could have done more. [For Sanji. For Hijikata, and Yasusada. For Cardia, Sousei, Jae-ha. For the rest of their dead, and for their living.] But I can at least do this.

[It's the best he can do, rather.]

[concasse]

[Ain't that a mood, Souji. And Sanji can only shake his head, a sudden grin on his face, lightening his expression and loosening up the exhaustion that's been plaguing him for days.

He almost looks... happy]

We all did the best we could with the shit we got, right?

Let's be proud of that tomorrow.

We're going to win.

[sanguinairy]

[He's tired to the bone, but seeing the change in Sanji is enough to bring a little brightness to his own face again. To be proud that they did what they could with what they have...

Well. That's enough, isn't it? That's enough.]

...Mm, we'll see this through to its end.

[They're so close, so close. Just a few more steps. Just two more deaths. That's all.]

We should take breakfast together before the trial, you and I.

[One Last Hurrah before they mcfuckin die.]

[concasse]

Of course! I'll make whatever you want.

[His last act as a chef here, then. Sanji couldn't ask for a better customer.]

[sanguinairy]

Ah, you're really going to spoil me, you know?

[If only he could be a better customer and ask for something outside of like, soup or bread, but hey. It's the thought that counts, or something.]