[Honestly this is almost exactly like what happened Monday except Sanji knows to keep his hands to himself this time, before he pops up behind Akira like a weed]
It was the first thing I asked Veronica when we got here, before I knew the face behind Winter Wizard. She told me she chose me because she admired me, and related to me somehow.
He probably picked me because he thought I'd be useful, and hell -- can't blame him, if that's the reasoning. My resume's not clean, but it probably gives me an edge in shitty games like this.
[There's a. moment. where Sanji's eyes just sag closed and he sighs, biting back something much harsher that he could say.
... And then an exhale.]
Leave him be, alright? I know you're just joking, but I don't want... [...]
In games like these, people die. I might die. So I'd rather Junpei just see me as a pawn to use up, so he can focus on the bigger picture. And that'll be easier if I just rag on him constantly.
[... He doesn't know. Maybe that's the point. If he doesn't ask questions and Junpei sends him on his way after their talks, all the more reason for Sanji to think whatever is convenient.
He did it at the castle. No surprise he's doing it here, he thinks]
Like I said -- [spoken with a flap of his hand] It doesn't matter.
[as though Akira is going to let Sanji weasel out of this so easily]
It does.
[folding his arms now, brows raised]
I see what you're trying to do, too. In a place like this, it's easier to hold everyone at an arm's length away. Otherwise, when the people we care about die, it hurts.
[and he doesn't blame anyone for trying to run away from pain]
But don't you think having to go through this alone is even worse?
[... If Akira had left it at the first sentence, Sanji would have bristled too.
Because nothing pisses him off like someone selling him a happy fairy tale he can't bank on, even if he and everyone else are gunning for the same thing. His expression coils, flashing with irritation-- but then it cools into bemusement, perhaps even a touch of uncertainty when the other keeps talking]
Oi. Everyone's working just as hard. I just got lucky and was saddled a role, is all.
[This isn't cooking. This isn't a passion. He's working hard because it's expected of him, because there's no one else, and he can't let...
He can't let anyone lose save himself.
A pause, and then Sanji runs a hand through his hair, sighing]
Listen, I'm not saying abandon my ass if it's better to save it. Just... don't beat yourself up trying to twist me up in a miracle, too. You don't gotta.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
W4 || Wednesday
Winter is--!!
[Bruh, he's just making wild hand gestures]
You've seen Winter-chan's face, right?!
[... "-chan", he says. Hm]
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— why do you do that?!
[AAAAAH]
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[He says
while getting a towel to help Akira clean up]
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Winter. . . you mean Veronica, right?
[judging by Sanji's demeanor it is now safe to share this]
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[akira doesn't deserve this
... also hurry up and clean up faster]
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[despite the yelling and accusations Akira does seem a bit amused as he mops up the mess. HIS POOR WASTED COFFEE]
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[Oh stop it ya big baby, Sanji is already making him more coffee in compensation]
Damn it, there's no way I can let her lose. If Junpei didn't already tip me off to who she was, I'd tell him I'm quittin'.
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[amused. . .]
And don't give up on Junpei so easily. We're trying to find a way to beat that stupid "only one team can remain" rule, remember?
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[NO HESITATION]
And yeah, yeah, I know. I'm just giving him shit for picking me in the first place.
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[okay the coffee is cleaned up. time to pour a second mug]
Did you ever ask him why he picked you, anyway?
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Not really. Though... guess I struck him as the ambitious sort.
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It was the first thing I asked Veronica when we got here, before I knew the face behind Winter Wizard. She told me she chose me because she admired me, and related to me somehow.
It might be the same for Junpei.
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No way. I don't think we're that alike.
[It's a fuckin tossup if Junpei likes him]
He probably picked me because he thought I'd be useful, and hell -- can't blame him, if that's the reasoning. My resume's not clean, but it probably gives me an edge in shitty games like this.
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Why don't you try asking him instead of just speculating?
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[:/]
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Sounds like I'm just going to have to ask for you, then.
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O-oi! I said it's not important!
Let me give him shit in peace!
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[:)]
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[There's a. moment. where Sanji's eyes just sag closed and he sighs, biting back something much harsher that he could say.
... And then an exhale.]
Leave him be, alright? I know you're just joking, but I don't want... [...]
In games like these, people die. I might die. So I'd rather Junpei just see me as a pawn to use up, so he can focus on the bigger picture. And that'll be easier if I just rag on him constantly.
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[the teasing note fades from Akira's expression, and he gives his fellow role-bearer a sideways glance]
[. . .]
. . . how do you know he only sees you as a pawn, Sanji?
[is Sanji not giving himself enough credit??]
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He did it at the castle. No surprise he's doing it here, he thinks]
Like I said -- [spoken with a flap of his hand] It doesn't matter.
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It does.
[folding his arms now, brows raised]
I see what you're trying to do, too. In a place like this, it's easier to hold everyone at an arm's length away. Otherwise, when the people we care about die, it hurts.
[and he doesn't blame anyone for trying to run away from pain]
But don't you think having to go through this alone is even worse?
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I just want to win, Akira.
[Spoken with... perhaps more honesty than he's ever used before, and his eyes are clear and frank as he finally glances up, staring at the other]
It doesn't matter to me if I get left behind or not.
[He made a good Editor -- because hell wasn't so ugly a place that Sanji tried to weasel out of becoming the devil for everyone else's sake.]
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[oh]
[. . . it's funny, how that simple sentence sends Akira's hackles bristling. not because he's mad at Sanji-- far from it-- but because--]
You're not going to be left behind.
[he says that so firmly, so powerfully, in a tone that makes it clear he won't accept any arguments to the contrary]
Nobody will, but especially not someone who has been doing his damnedest to figure this place out.
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Because nothing pisses him off like someone selling him a happy fairy tale he can't bank on, even if he and everyone else are gunning for the same thing. His expression coils, flashing with irritation-- but then it cools into bemusement, perhaps even a touch of uncertainty when the other keeps talking]
Oi. Everyone's working just as hard. I just got lucky and was saddled a role, is all.
[This isn't cooking. This isn't a passion. He's working hard because it's expected of him, because there's no one else, and he can't let...
He can't let anyone lose save himself.
A pause, and then Sanji runs a hand through his hair, sighing]
Listen, I'm not saying abandon my ass if it's better to save it. Just... don't beat yourself up trying to twist me up in a miracle, too. You don't gotta.
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1/3
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