concasse | 004↠ Action

[She'd be right about that. Sanji saw quite a few familiar faces in the bar tonight. He offers her a smile - it doesn't reach his eyes, but the concern does]

How are you faring?

[She drops her gaze, giving a noncommittal wave of her hand--partly because she feels her problems must pale in comparison to whatever Sanji is going through, but also largely because she's really not sure how to answer. Some of the things troubling her the most are things that she doubts she could talk to Sanji about under even the best of circumstances. Factor in his general state of mind and current level of inebriation, and she feels guilty for even making him ask after her.]

[But nor will she insult his intelligence by insisting everything's fine. Drunk or not, she has a feeling he'd see through that in a heartbeat. Finally she gives a small sigh, not looking up yet.]

Ask me again in a couple of days.

[Heh, he expected a vague, mediocre statement something along the lines of "I'll be fine" - which Sanji would have taken without a word, for all intents and purposes. He can't begin to voice his own experiences, so he'd never except the same from anyone else. Still, the admission is a surprising step in honesty, to him, and he nods in acceptance.

He probably won't ask again at all.

He opens his mouth to speak, but the water begins to hiss, and he stands to his feet, wavering slightly, before remembering that Vivi's the one serving tea. Eh. He'll just... sit back down again]

[Vivi stands when he does, about to protest that she has it, but he seems to remember on his own and sinks back into his chair. She removes the kettle from the burner, pulling open the cupboard where the tea is stored.]

What would you like?

Jasmine. [Said after a healthy pause. For once, it has nothing to do with how drunk he is. He just isn't used to being on the receiving end of stuff like this, not with his nakama. It feels wrong - like he's purposely being lazy or shrinking his duties.]

[If Vivi notices that pause, she only assumes it's the alcohol fogging his brain. She gets jasmine tea for Sanji and selects a blend of valerian, lavender, and chamomile for herself. She pours the water so the tea can begin to steep, then pauses, turning back to Sanji.]

Do you take anything in your tea? Honey? [She has no idea. Sanji never has to ask things like that. He knows exactly how she takes her tea, or coffee when she drinks that, and dozens of other little preferences, likes, and dislikes when it comes to her food. Probably for the rest of the household as well. She'd never consciously thought about that before, but it's really rather impressive.]

[he shakes his head at that, oddly enough with a tired smile] No, sweeteners ruin the taste for me.

[A nod to that, and she carries both cups back to the table, setting Sanji's in front of him. She opens her mouth to tell him it probably needs to steep a little longer, then closes it with a shake of her head. Of course he knows that.]

[Then she takes her seat opposite him, bobbing her teabag a little by its string to help the flavour permeate the water. She can't help but utter an unnecessary warning.] It's hot.

[If Vivi were a man, Sanji would not have allowed the comment to slide without some acrid rebuttal along the lines of "No shit" -- but instead he nods and smiles again, staring at the liquid and the rush of color that is the tea steeping further. He's grateful for the heat; his hands are ice cold, he notes distantly, offsetting the slight flush in his cheeks. He swears he's getting drunker the longer he sits.

Still, he isn't keen on burning his tongue. Rather than wait, he employs some of Kipinn's expertise, hoping to blow some of the heat off the cup. Maybe under prime conditions that would be no spectacular feat, but as he is, the chef gets a stiff wind billowing about the kitchen.]

Heh. Didn't work.

[Vivi shivers as the wind rushes past her, crossing her arms over her body for warmth. The china hutch rattles, and the curtains flap. Vivi gives a short, incredulous laugh. It's pretty clear what Sanji was probably attempting, but it seems like alcohol and filial spirits don't mix.]

A-ah-- I'm sorry, Vivi-chan. [There's a laugh of his own intermingled with self-disapproval, sparked by Vivi's. Then he groans and rubs the crown of his head]

I'd try to warm the shitty room but I might set you on fire.

[Vivi absently flaps a hand.] Don't worry, Sanji-san. It's fine!

[She cups her hands around the mug of tea, enjoying the warmth flowing outward from the steamimg water. She waits a long moment more like that, before removing her teabag and setting it on the saucer. She lifts the cup to her lips, first inhaling deeply before taking a careful sip.]

[As he's forced to take the more patient route, Sanji mimics Vivi's gestures, idly stirring the teabag around with a spoon until he's satisfied with the color.]

Thank you. [The last comment he says before taking out the teabag, and savoring the warm taste]

[Vivi just nods in reply, taking another drink of her tea. The herbal taste is soothing, and the heat pleasant as it slides down her throat and warms her core.]

[She's content to just sit and drink in silence for a while, but after a time, the quiet starts to get to her. She glances up at Sanji over the top of her mug, wondering if she should say anything, or if it would be best to leave him in peace. Finally, she settles for offering a suggestion regarding his sleeping arrangments:]

You could sleep on the couch tonight.

Weren't you doing some reading there? [He asks the question without his gaze straying from the fix point on the table. His plan had been to take up residence there, for a few days, if no one minded - but not if it was already occupied.]

There's always a room upstairs.

I was, but... [Vivi shakes her head.] I think after this, I may try to sleep again. So, the couch is all yours, if you want it.

[She smiles at him, hoping he accepts that graciously. All in all, much simpler (and safer) to sleep there than upstairs.]

Well, so long as I'm not putting you out. [Couches are easier to handle than stairs, that much is certain.]

Not at all.

[She takes another drink of her tea, savoring the warmth and the mild taste.] I think the tea really is helping, so hopefully I'll be able to drift right off. [And if not, she has a reading lamp in her bedroom. Sanji needs the couch more than she does, at any rate.]

Yeah, I hope so. [He knows he won't sleep well tonight, despite all the alcohol he's consumed, so it helps knowing at least one of his crewmembers can.

He takes a long, deep sip, nearly clearing half the cup in one go, and winces slightly when it hits his stomach. He did a number on himself tonight. The sooner he lays down, the better]

[Vivi takes a few silent sips of her tea, watching Sanji. He doesn't look well, to put it mildly--tired, drawn, bleary-eyed--but she's uncertain how much of that is the alcohol and how much is...everything else. Impulsively, she reaches across the table and touches his hand lightly.]

Mm? [His eyes draw up]

Yes, Vivi-chan? [Is he being a cause for concern again? Sanji tries to clear some of the exhaustion off his face instinctively, or look more attentive, at any rate]

[She gives him a wan smile and rises.]

Let me get you your things. A blanket, a pillow... [Anything else?]

O-oi, just a second. I'm not about to make a lady get my shit.

[That's going too far, for him] It's fine.

[Vivi shakes her head, looking vaguely pained.] Sanji-san, you're drunk. It's no trouble for me. Just...please. Let me help.

[She'd made the offer impulsively; she wasn't sure what she intended when she'd touched Sanji's hand, except maybe to offer him some comfort. Yet, when he'd looked at her with those eyes, when he'd questioned her, she had no idea what to say. Maybe she can't be of any real help with the root of the problem, but she could at least do this much for him.]

[He tries not to make a show of gnashing his teeth together; it's not her he's angry with. That pleasure is reserved for himself, for being so much of a mess she feels the need to do this.

... But after a slight hiss of breath, he nods in acceptance. Yeah, she should get that stuff.

Because he really

really

doesn't feel good all of the sudden.]

Ah-- right, go ahead, Vivi-chan.

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