003↠ ACTION/VOICE -- Chibi free for all

[concasse]

[ooc note: Okay, here's the deal, folks. Rather than create two posts for chibi!Sanji and risk losing my tags (because it would happen, trust me), this is the only entry I'll put up. I'm going to leave it up to you what age Sanji will be when your character(s) run into him. I put out the scenarios, and you guys run with them. |D Don't be afraid to be creative, I don't mind. Just mention the age in the subject line. If you want more than one chance to tag, create another thread, and specify the new age. |D Easy, yes? Possible ages are 11 through 20. Possible dates are February 3 through the 12. I am fine with either voice or action, though if it's voiced, it'll be assumed your character contacted Sanji through the journals first.

Ladies who volunteered to be crushed on! The applicable ages for that are 14 and up. But of course, you can interact with a younger version of Sanji if you want.

And also, bear with me on the icon front. >> There are plenty pictures of Sanji as a child and an adult, but not much in-between. U-use your imagination? ;A;]



[Nights have been rough so far, with strange dreams lingering on after his eyes have opened. And it makes him feel... different, somehow, like his life has altered in leaps and bounds. Skills that weren't accessible before, come to him easily. There are recipes in his head that shouldn't be there. He almost wishes he could tell someone about them; maybe one of the crew, eventually. They're nice enough, and have been more than accommodating, taking him in like this.

These thoughts are heavy to carry, but he's still a young boy suddenly trapped in a weird town with weird things. His attention isn't meant to dwell on problems for long. The goal to find Zeff eventually lessens to a dull ache, and Sanji busies himself with exploration: this Seventh Heaven restaurant, for one, and maybe the grocery store. He visits the item shop on a the fickle whim of a curious child, and eventually finds his way to the forest. He won't run away, though. He promised himself he wouldn't try anymore.]



[And in just a few days, Sanji finds himself forced to leave adolescence behind. It's more than a little obvious that something isn't right. While the crew has probably mentioned the nature of experiments, all the explanations in the world aren't gonna make this any less awkward, as he speeds through growth spurts and into sore, lanky limbs. He's grumpy half the time, flustered as well... which seems to happen like clockwork, whenever a pretty girl is nearby. He spends the majority of these days as red as a tomato and resorting to petty insults if it will get people out of his hair. When it gets hard to control, he seeks solitude to practice stretching and single-sparring. Or perhaps Nami. She's going through the same thing, too.

House 6 and Seventh Heaven are still his main places of solace. He considers himself a worthy enough cook by now, though he will often yield to Yukito's directions. He's broadened his explorations, however; he heavily frequents the forestplains, and will use the teleporters to sneak off to the ocean, when he feels like it.]



[Given enough time, the strangest of circumstances stop being strange, and turn into a compromised status-quo. Sanji barely gives any attention to his nightly dreams now - they come and he changes, both mentally and physically. His temper is still hot as ever, but slowly being tempered by a knack for cunning and kindness. Even his initial anxiety around women has all but disappeared - he eagerly greets them now, with what the residents might note to be his usual enthusiasm. Still rough around the edges and prone to silliness (or hormone spikes), but that's Sanji for you.

He knows the entire village layout, and you can find him anywhere: item shop, grocery, clothing store, battle dome, forest, ocean... He finds a reason to visit them all because sometimes, it's easier walking blindly, even when you don't really have a place to go to.]

Comments

[ Age 17! ]

[markofthebrave]

[...and she will have to try to ignore the fact that, at her own age, she has to admit he's not horrible looking. Gah. She's going to need to give her brain an acid wipe.]

Well, my name's Katara. It's nice to 'meet' you again, Sanji.

[ Age 17! ]

[lil_eggplant]

[She gave him her name.

Color Sanji a little floored. He's still getting into this whole flirting business, and frankly, is dumbstruck this worked - or that she's willing to go along with his offer. Everyone else insisted an identity upon him. The teen is giddy and awkward in an instant, struck by what he sees as kindness, and blushing despite himself]

Ah... thanks, Katara-san! [ACK] I mean, it's nice to meet you, too. [Crap what do you say next, what do you say next??]

Sorry I interrupted your shopping.

[ Age 17! ]

[markofthebrave]

[Gah, blushing. Why is he blushing? She turns away, in part out of politeness, and in part because she doesn't want to chance any sort of reciprocal blushing action due to AWKWARDNESS.]

You're not interrupting. You just came over to say hello, and I'm glad you did.

[A smile and then -- she kind of wonders if she should try to get rid of him. For regular!Sanji's sake. Blushing. Gah.]

[ Age 17! ]

[lil_eggplant]

[Well she better decide quickly, because-- WHOOPS TOO LATE. Blushing or not, this is still a chef she's talking to, meaning Sanji gives a curious peek to see if she's carrying anything on her.]

Do you cook? [Because it's not as if he'd be super excited that the pretty girl can also cook. Not at all]

[ Age 17! ]

[markofthebrave]

[She nods at that, still under the illusion that she has a shot of getting rid of him and trying to plot the best way to do it.]

Yes, I do. I make most of the meals at our house.

[ Age 17! ]

[lil_eggplant]

Maybe we could exchange recipes!

[8DDDDD /PUPPY FACE]

[ Age 17! ]

[markofthebrave]

Maybe sometime. [And she starts moving. Surely this will shake him.]

[ Age 17! ]

[lil_eggplant]

[Katara has never truly seen Sanji in action when his hormones are rampant. It's like trying to shake off a missile]

Maybe sometime today? [aldfahoisf play it cool, Sanji.] I don't have to work for once... [Pause]

I-I'd like to get to know you, Katara-san.

[ Age 17! ] 1/2

[markofthebrave]

[Hooooooooooo boy.]

[ Age 17! ]

[markofthebrave]

But you already know me, Sanji. [This flies in the face of how she treats the experiments but - cruel to be kind. And that -san. It's killing her.] I've got a lot of shopping and cooking left to do...

[ Age 17! ]

[lil_eggplant]

[This is clearly not working. Sanji looks progressively more like a kicked puppy with every passing response]

Ah... Maybe I could help you, if you've got so much?

[ Age 17! ]

[markofthebrave]

[.../sob.]

How about this - why don't you help me decide which type of stir fry I should make? I'm thinking something with beef. What kinds of vegetables would compliment that best?

[ Age 17! ]

[lil_eggplant]

[Oh, it looks like he's gonna-- YES! Recovery, folks! The crowd goes mad with cheering! What a save!]

Right! [He takes a deep, relieved breath. And thankfully, Katara is asking something he's familiar with] Well, there are green peppers and onions, if you like those. But it really depends on the sauce you make to go with it.

Are you more a fan of sweet or spicy?

[ Age 17! ]

[markofthebrave]

I like tangy, personally. But I'll probably end up making two dishes. There are a few people in my house who really, really like spicy food. [Sokka. Zuko. Mai.

She and Suki will just need the alternatives.]

[ Age 17! ]

[lil_eggplant]

In that case, you might like some fruit in your stir fry! Anything citrus. [Sanji's racking his brain. This is how you impress the ladies. B|] And carrots, too.

But for spicy, red pepper and ginger go well together, with the green peppers and onions.

[ Age 17! ]

[markofthebrave]

Those sound like great options. [Small, encouraging smile.] Thank you, Sanji.

[So that'll make him go away, right?]

[ Age 17! ]

[lil_eggplant]

I can help you carry a few things!

[LOL nope]

[ Age 17! ]

[markofthebrave]

Don't you have your own shopping to do?

[She is trying to spare regular!you's brain, Sanji! Cut her a break.]

[ Age 17! ]

[lil_eggplant]

[Crap. Fumble. Sanji completely forgot about his own shopping - he needs to grab a few things for the Straw Hats. His dedication to his creed and the sight of a pretty girl are forced to war it out while he awkwardly shifts on his feet]

Ah, yeah... [Rubbing the back of his neck] But I could spare some time to speak with a pretty girl!

[Wow, that came out earnest. And sad. This boy has less of a brain-to-mouth filter than normal Sanji]

[ Age 17! ]

[markofthebrave]

[...oh, Sanji.]

Do you really want to try to get to know me like this? If what's happening to you is like what's been happening to Nami, then you'll probably be back to yourself in a few days. And I wouldn't want to betray your trust in me by getting to know you at an age that you're... not.

[And she just brushes off the compliment, because... ridiculous.]

[ Age 17! ]

[lil_eggplant]

[He takes a moment to really think about this. She's right, he'll probably be... "normal" in a few day's time, and whatever feelings he has now won't count. None of this counts if he's going to remember everything.]

... So, Katara-san. You don't-- [The's a somber pause] You don't consider me the "right" Sanji yet? [His voice is quiet, and his eyes drawn to the floor.]

[ Age 17! ]

[markofthebrave]

[Oh dear. She stops and looks right at him.]

What does right have to do with it? You're Sanji, aren't you?

[She puts her hand on his shoulder.] Hey, look at me.

[ Age 17! ]

[lil_eggplant]

[He does, albeit reluctantly. That's not how he wanted to phrase that question and-- damn, he's already kicking himself for letting silly insecurities getting to him. What happened to "Impress the Girl"?]

Sorry. [His cheeks start to flush] It's not important. You're right.

[ Age 17! ]

[markofthebrave]

No, it's important. [But she drops her hand.] They do this to us all the time here. It's our memories who make us who we are, but they take them and display them and change them as it suits them. I remember you as a very good friend - and right now, you don't remember me at all.

[And that hurts. But that's not the point.]

But that doesn't change who you are. I know it must feel strange, meeting all these people who have different expectations of you or who claim to know you without you meeting them - because you don't have those memories yet. But you're still Sanji. Don't doubt that.

[If just... a different one. Because the one she knows would probably kick you in the head for the things you've been thinking in this thread.]

[ Age 17! ]

[lil_eggplant]

[She certainly pinned it. There's a flood of bottled emotions Sanji doesn't know what to do with, that push at his chest. This entire week has been hard; more than once he's wished he could go with the flow like Nami so easily seems to, instead of brooding in his head, or worrying he's not going to fill these expectations.

It's hard to feel like himself when everyone's impressions are set in stone]

... We're good friends, when I get older? [He slides his hands into his pockets, gaze bouncing back between the floor and her face] Am I really different then?