004↠ Action

[concasse]

[Sanji's at the bar probably with the rest of the village, holed up in a corner for a decidedly good portion of the evening/night, well after this mess. Catch him when he's depressingly sober, moderately drunk and pissed, or in the middle of destroying what's left of his kidneys.

He'll get home eventually. Somehow.]

Comments

[concasse]

[It's odd for him to press, and he knows Katara doesn't appreciate it - but it doesn't stop him, still. His own face shadows out of befuddlement, head slightly inclined, like he's still grasping to understand]

And you're saying you're not one of them.

[markofthebrave]

What I'm saying, [her voice is low and controlled] is that how I look isn't important. Why are you pressing this.

[The day after the Valentine's experiment lifts, no less.]

[concasse]

Because you avoided everything I said, except the part about making me feel better.

I wondered why.

[Not to mention she just now twisted the argument to avoid the physical attractive angle all-together. Fancy that.]

[markofthebrave]

Because that was the important part. [She shrugs a little.] Thank you for the compliments.

[concasse]

... Aa. You're welcome.

[markofthebrave]

...[Okay, wow. Now he looks upset. Her heart stretched thin as it is, isn't sure that she can handle this. But upsetting him is the opposite reason for why she came.]

Are you upset now?

1/2

[concasse]

[... Whoa what.]

[concasse]

No! I'm not upset. [Sure, he's confused -- and certainly has his own thoughts about this particular topic -- but he's no more upset than he was at the start.

Perhaps that's why he pressed like he did. It just means he needs a better lid for his opinions right now, and plenty of solitude until he pulls everything back under his control]

I never should've pushed like that to begin with. I'm sorry, Katara-chan. [Whether or not he agrees with her, he won't have himself come across as impolite]

[markofthebrave]

You don't need to apologize. [And then she switches gears.]

After all, you never actually asked me out. And you were kind of cute about it.

[concasse]

... Katara-chan thought that was cute? [If Sanji had a choice, he'd wipe that entire session from memory - or at least some of the more embarrassing details]

I dunno, I felt it was a pretty pathetic display.

1/2

[markofthebrave]

Cute like how a puppy is cute?

[markofthebrave]

I mean, you were obviously very... nervous and opened. It was kind of sweet.

[concasse]

[--Like a puppy--

That startles a laugh straight out of him, real enough to take him by surprise.]

I think that's the first time I've heard that one. [He doesn't mind] Still, I'm impressed you put up with me. [And friendzoned him so effortlessly]

[markofthebrave]

[She shrugs.] It's not like you meant any harm. You were still Sanji, just... at a time where we hadn't met yet.

[concasse]

Aa... it was kinda fun, growing up with friends this time around. [He'd never had that originally]

[markofthebrave]

Heh. I'll bet. [Since all her friends were either killed or moved to safety growing up? Yeah, she bets.]

Do you remember everything like it happened back when you were younger, or do you remember it like it happened last week?

[She'd wondered how that would work.]

[concasse]

Like it happened last week. [A shrug, though he gives her question serious thought] Except that's all I thought I had, for a while. I knew what was happening wasn't normal, but it felt natural at the time.

[... Aka he's putting this in the Complicated box and letting it simmer there]

1/2

[markofthebrave]

...that is so strange.

[Shrug. But oh well. Whatchagonna do. Luceti, right?]

[markofthebrave]

I'm glad you're back to yourself again.