concasse | 004↠ Action

[He doesn't, by some odd miracle, though he certainly stumbles around a lot. And somehow he manages to keep to the beaten path he's following.

It's a direction Kotetsu might recognize. Or not. If he doesn't, then he might recognize the way the forest parts into a small enclosure, with a patch of blooming blue flowers. The man parks himself directly to the side of them, bringing up one lone hand holding a cigarette. A trail of gray nearly hidden by the cover of dark trails up for the sky.

And after a moment, he lets his head fall forward, to rest on his knees.]

[Kotetsu observes for a moment, before sitting a good distance and resting himself; he listens, though, for any sounds of movement in case Sanji starts moving again.

He doesn't want to intrude on Sanji's privacy, but...

He can't even help himself. He's a worrywart at times; shocking, isn't it? But he doesn't mind sitting here for a while--got his usual hideous blazer on, and he's pretty warm blooded anyway.

If Sanji falls over, though, Kotetsu is totally going to brave the storm and try piggybacking him home. For now, he waits, not particularly looking directly at Sanji; just peripherals.]

[He'll be there a while. Ten, twenty minutes... maybe half an hour of sitting and ignoring the cold. His cigarette has long since expired when the man finally shifts himself back to a straightened position, lolling his head back to stare at the sky.

There's another healthy pause, and then he slowly stretches to his feet. Or tries to. The motion is made all the more difficult when the world spins on him, and he stumbles a spell before righting himself.]

[He's sort of torn between leaving him be and sticking around a little longer to keep an eye out, but he's still uncoordinated and he doesn't trust Sanji's brain or coordination right now. So... He keeps at his tree--this place is important to him, he can tell. When he was a tiger, he carefully made him avoid each and every one...

And obviously he was depressed or angry or bitter over this last event. So...

Tch. Nosy Kotetsu. Nosy. He waits and makes sure Sanji's actually stumbling in the right direction.]

[For now, there is no such thing as a "right" direction; Sanji's subscribing to the "one foot in front of the other" school of thought, which means he's less concerned with the destination and more so with the footing. This doesn't go unnoticed by himself]

Hnn... Actin' worser than the shit... shithead. [He leans his weight against a nearby tree, wipes his face, and presses on.]

[... Huh. Whelp, he should have figured this wouldn't be a smooth walk home. If he starts further toward the outside forest, he'll have to stop him--and then offer a bullshit reason why he's out there at the same time, probably. Which honestly... he doesn't mind, as long as Sanji gets home instead of the mountains.

Sigh.

Following lazily like a stealthy stealth guy.]

[Mountains would suck a lot, especially in this weather. Briefly, Sanji considers Sky Walk as an option; sure, he's not at his cognitive best, but so long as he can see the village he's shooting for...

But to do that, he'd have to jump up past the trees, keep himself afloat without passing out or running into something, be it a shitty bird or whatever else might get in his way... shit, just thinking about it gives him a headache, makes his stomach clench painfully, and he stops again to rest on the forest floor.

One minute, and then he'll get back on his feet.]

[... Sigh. Drunk people are slowpokes. :C

He starts toward the direction, and winces quietly when a branch snaps under his foot. WHELP. He hopes you're too drunk to notice this sort of thing. :|;;]

[Fat chance of that]

OI. [Despite the pain it causes his throbbing skull, Sanji swings his head in the direction of the snap, already climbing to his feet. He might be unsteady, but much like in the bar, that doesn't seem to put a damper on his speed.

What do, Kotetsu? Flee? Confront? Make up your mind quickly.]

Wait, wait! [He puts his hands up, surrendering right off the bat. Sanji is a scary fella' sometimes, okay? Best just give up in his grumpy presence.] It's just me!

I, uh, was worried about you...

[At least it's the truth, right?]

[... Kotetsu.

Of course. And oh, how badly he wants to kick his ass for following him when he made it damn clear he didn't want anyone tracking him, except hearing those words out of his mouth makes his stomach churn bitterly, as if he's lost the battle without getting a chance to land a hit--]

[And then, quite abruptly, Sanji's frame goes still as night.]

... How far did you follow me? From the bar? This entire time?

[Even Kotetsu gets tired, enough to give up trying to dance around any of his own words. He sighs, putting his hands up in a 'well this is this, man' motion.] You weren't walking toward your house. I didn't want ya' getting yourself into trouble.

...

Fine. Point me in the right direction and I'll get back myself.

[... my god, you really didn't even know

He points.]

Th-that way.

[There's a grunt that's meant to be a sign of thanks (maybe). Sanji turns and rights himself, stealing a deep breath before he presses onward, though five steps in he glances over his shoulder.

The expression he wears isn't friendly]

How much did you see?

[He shakes his head, looking down. He's more sad about getting caught than tailing Sanji, not even gonna lie.]

I didn't watch you, if you're worried about that. Just sat and listened for anyone walking off.

[Kotetsu gets lucky; that's about the answer Sanji wanted to hear, so he doesn't pick a fight.]

You're as annoying as you were as a tiger. [He says, and then starts walking again]

[A quiet breath, and he smiles a little.]

I guess they didn't change much about me when they turned me, huh?

Still butting your shitty nose into everyone's business. [It's hard sounding scornful when you're trying not to slur your words. He doesn't get far before he leans against another tree]

... You're not gonna leave, are you?

Does everything have to be shitty with you?

[Siiigh.]

Not until you get in your house and rest. Gotta' make sure you're safe and sound.

If you don't like it, get lost.

[This is as close as Sanji will come to admitting he doesn't care if you follow him anymore.]

[Well... that's an expected reply, actually. Much better.

But still. Dat staggering.]

Need an arm?

Touch me and I'll kill you.

[Blah. He walks with his hands in his pockets, listening to the threat. But even so.]

You'd never kill me. I'm too charming!

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