005↠ ACTION/VIDEO

[concasse]

[Hello, Luceti Residents.

Guess what? Someone turned Seventh Heaven inside out criminally early in the morning, meaning even the staff will be in for a surprise. There are tables and chairs grouped together in front of the restaurant, shielded from the sun by large umbrellas. That in itself is odd, but the real attention-grabber is how much food some of the tables are holding. Dinner platters, breakfast feasts, desserts, finger foods, and everything in-between - it's all right there, protected from bugs with see-through plastic covers. And right in front of this mouth-watering display is a sign:

Take What You Can Eat.

Really. There's even a stack of plates and silverware, along with some carry-home boxes in case anyone wants to shove their fridge full of leftovers. Dump the dirty plates in a bin off to the side; he his workers will get to it later. And should the gluttons of Luceti lay siege to the feast, no worries; Sanji's captain is Luffy, after all. He'll be replenishing the tables well into the afternoon, along with any other chefs who might be working that day.

Whether you see him inside the restaurant, bustling around the kitchen like a man possessed, or spot him outside restocking the food, everyone will find the Head Chef in a... really good mood for someone who took a few days off to recover from the trauma that is your AU self "dying". He's just all heart-filled smiles and affectionate ass-whooping, depending on your sex.

... Clearly he's gone mad. B|

And then later, journal announcement! Because why not:]

Oi, for anyone who didn't see -- [He turns his journal camera to the food display, sounding exceedingly pleased with himself.] Take what you can eat! There's plenty for everyone. If not, I'll have to make Luffy finish off the rest, and we wouldn't want that. [A-aha]

And for anyone who's interested, I'm looking for another waitress or two, maybe one more chef. [8D] Any help's appreciated, ladies~!

... And I suppose you other guys, too.

[It's a good day for some cookin; So come at him, bros.]

Comments

[concasse]

[Fufufu, approval. Like music to his ears. And from a lady, no less~! This is a good day and Sanji is going to bask in it, that smile practically splitting his face and a hand crossed over his heart]

Aah, your compliments make my efforts worth ever second~!

Sanji, at your service~!

[cop_an_attitude]

[This is kind of perplexing, but she laughs.

She puts out her unoccupied hand to shake.]

Sally. Nice to meet you.

[Sanji, Sanji...where has she heard that name...]

Oh! I met your daughter. Well, I spoke to her on the journals. She's a sweet kid.

[Yeah, this was part of a very odd conversation awhile back. Sorry.]

[concasse]

[The misunderstanding might not be rectified just yet, seeing as Sanji does consider a girl here his daughter. It's just not Katie.

Noooot that the chef realizes this. He's surprised enough by the comment, and it pulls his demeanor down into something more resembling of fatherly pride. He shakes her hand]

A pleasure meeting you as well~! And heh, I hope she didn't give you too much trouble.

[He means it as sort of a joke, considering the person he thinks they're talking about]

[cop_an_attitude]

Not at all; she's lovely. She even told me she wants to be a policeman when she grows up, like me.

[Admittedly, Sally wasn't expecting a guy who looks to be maybe 25 at a generous estimate, but she's seen weirder, especially lately. And the kid's definitely not going hungry!]

Does her mother work at the restaurant too?

[concasse]

[The first warning bell comes at the word "policeman".

The second, at the mention of a wife. Sanji does some internal sputtering before he manages a reply]

M-mother? [Judging from the look on his face, there is definitely no "mother" involved]

[cop_an_attitude]

[Well, that...was not what Sally expected. She runs through a few possibilities that might evoke that reaction in regards to Sanji's wife, ranging from "divorced" to "dead" to "left Luceti" to "forgotten about entirely due to Malnosso influence" before concluding that the conversation had simply taken an odd turn.]

Erm, sorry...she didn't say anything about her mother, but Theresa mentioned that she lived with both her parents?

[concasse]

... Theresa...

[Oh dear. "Odd" doesn't begin to describe this, and unfortunately Sanji has yet to pinpoint the culprit. He talks slowly, massaging the back of his neck while deep in thought]

Aah, did you ever get a look at... Theresa? [Theresa... Theresa... He's been here for two and a half shitty years, and not once met a girl by that name]

[cop_an_attitude]

Um, about nine years old, black curls, blue eyes...she has a North Country accent? British. Here I thought she got it from her [apparently nonexistent] mother.

1/2

[concasse]

... [Oh dear gods in heaven]

Katie-chan. [He knows she can't speak the truth for whatever reason, but did she really list him as her father?

... A lot better than Jack Sparrow, he supposes, but still!]

2/3 >>

[concasse]

Aah, Sally-chan, I'm sorry about this misunderstanding!

Her name isn't Theresa - it's Katie. I've known her for a long while, and she's not exactly... the best at telling the truth.

[concasse]

[Ah shit, he's making her sound like a delinquent. He hurriedly revises his statement, hands held out in front of her]

I mean-- What I mean is, I don't think she can tell the truth. She really is a good girl, though! Just confusing if you've never talked to her before.

[cop_an_attitude]

[That...

Explains a lot.

Oh, god.]

That little... Well, it all makes sense now. I don't believe it. Sorry for the misunderstanding; this entire place is absolutely crackers.

[Sally just kind of shakes her head in dazed amazement for a moment, but shakes it off and files this new information away for later.]

Ugh. Sorry. So who is your daughter, then?

[concasse]

[Despite the turn this conversation has taken, Sanji nearly startles into laughter at the word "crackers". Never heard that one before. He kinda likes it.

But moving on, the mention of his "real" daughter is meant with a hesitant pause.]

Her name is Xion. [Normally, he wouldn't open up with this next statement, except he feels he owns it to her considering the circumstances] We're not related by blood. I met her here, in this place.

[cop_an_attitude]

[The information actually makes Sally smile a bit.]

It's good that she has you, then. I can't imagine what showing up in this place would be like for a child, especially without her friends and family for support. I've noticed people here seem to form very strong bonds with others who aren't even from their world - I imagine it helps. Having a dad must make it easier for her.

[concasse]

Heh, she's not the only one having an easier time in this shitty place, to be honest. I don't know what I'd do without her here. [He smile grows soft. It's one of the few things this town did right.

Sanji also mulls over telling Sally that Xion is no child, but, eh... He's sure she'll find out for herself, if she ever meets Xion properly. Until then, he laughs and smiles sheepishly, waving his hands gaily again]

Anyway, I'm really sorry you've had such a hellish time in this place! [That's the impression he got]

[cop_an_attitude]

[Sally just laughs, kind of startled.] I wouldn't say hellish. It's been an adjustment, but everyone's very nice. And, well. [She gestures at the tables.] The free food is nice.

[concasse]

"Free" is the one nice perk, yeah. [Though it keeps things rather dull, but that might be the pirate in him talking]

And good to hear no one's been giving you any trouble.

[cop_an_attitude]

No trouble. Well, someone from back home, but I can handle him. [She just rolls her eyes.] How long have you been here?

[concasse]

... [He rummages in his pocket for a smoke]

Two and a half years. [He isn't sure the effect his answer will have, which is why it comes out a tad tentative]

[cop_an_attitude]

[It's not the longest Sally has heard.]

You seem pretty well settled in. Are any of your friends here, from your own world?

[concasse]

[Ah, good. He marginally relaxes at that]

Quite a few of us! I bet you'll run into at least one of my crew later.

[cop_an_attitude]

Your crew?

[Sally is picturing, like...construction workers, or something. Potentially some kind of sports team.]

[concasse]

Pirate crew.

[And because Sanji has been in Luceti for two and a half years, he expects one of three reactions: "The hell, you're too nice to be a pirate.", "That is wicked awesome.", or "Oh okay. I've heard weirder."

So just in case, he expands on that answer] Not the shitty pillaging kind, though we've got a lot of those back on my world. My crew's not into that. [Amused sigh] My captain's more invested in adventures.

[cop_an_attitude]

[Sally process that for a moment, taking another bite of her neglected samosa. That sounds familiar, but...]

Oh. Oh! Are you from the same place as, erm...Captain Smoker?

[concasse]

[This face]

You'd be correct. [Though she's got him curious now] Did he talk about us?