concasse | [video]

... Nami-san’s gone home.

[The announcement comes early afternoon, after Sanji has tracked down all available housemates to share the heavy news; after spending thirty minutes alone in an empty room, leaning against the door frame and smoking while he stares dead-eyed at the stripped bed, and struggles to remind himself the tray of food he brought with him needs to go back into the fridge; after telling himself around breakfast, when she didn’t come to join them at the table, that she was probably in her mikan grove for the morning, and it wouldn’t be gentlemanly to disturb her; after waking up at the crack of dawn, grumpy and disheveled, thinking that at least with the Valentine’s Day shit over, he and his nakama could look forward to some semblance of peace.

...

His expression isn't grieved. Nor his tone. He keeps his gaze steady and serious] You all better wish her the best, you hear?

[He'll stick around to answer anyone who responds, then check on his nakama. And after his duty is finished, he's heading for the sea, and will stay there well into the night.

He's done all the talking he can manage. Now? He just wants to be left alone.]

[ooc: Action is open for castmates, and for anyone who'd like to track Sanji down, if they want /o/]

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[Richard doesn't respond to the initial announcement, in part because he needs some time to compose himself first-- the last thing he wants is to let his emotions slip over the journals while responding. Besides, he knows Sanji well enough by now to know that companionship is probably more appreciated than some trite "I'm sorry to hear that," though he suspects he'll end up saying that at some point as well.

Fortunately, he catches Sanji before he can leave the village for the sea, as Richard probably wouldn't have gone out that far himself. If Sanji really wants to be alone, he won't push things.

A little smile is about all he can manage on his end right now, though.]

There you are.

[Sanji has no idea how long Richard has been searching, but he automatically awards him points for persistence. He also slows down despite his better judgment. After an afternoon of exchanging condolences, he's so damn weary that he can't smile at all - just wave lightly in the man's direction.]

You know you could've just asked for me over the journal. Saved yourself some shitty footwork. [His tone is still stubbornly wry, unwilling to dip any further]

[The slowing down is all thr invitation it takes for Richard to break into a light jog to catch up to Sanji, still smiling but looking a bit winded by the time he makes it to the other man's side.]

And deprive myself of the exercise?

[Wow, he's more out of shape than he'd thought. At least that lends his words a bit more credence.]

[Sanji tips his chin up, breathing in some of the frigid air still clinging to the last shards of winter] Heeeh. It's too goddamn cold for exercise. [He sounds amused, in any case, and slows down further so Richard can catch the rest of his breath.]

... If you're here, I take it you saw the message. [No point in beating around the bush]

[A slight nod is Richard's answer to that while he finishes catching his breath (the cold air isn't helping), then straightens up, giving a quick shake of his head to fluff his hair.]

Did it happen this morning?

Probably. I didn't find out until looking in her room around lunch time. [Before, he'd assumed she was at the orchard, or maybe visiting friends. It just hadn't seemed to right to immediately suspect something was amiss.

And it wouldn't have mattered even if he had suspected anything. His control on the situation is as non-existent as ever.]

If anyone deserved a chance to go home, it would be Nami. She's been through more than her share here.

[And that's not a lie-- he'd seen how Luceti had affected her spirit, and it wasn't right. She deserved to be happier than she was here. It was a good thing, really, but even that knowledge doesn't make it hurt any less.]

[Sanji offers a quiet, agreeable nod. It's true; and he is happy she's free again, no matter how long it might be.

And yet he still hangs silent, wordlessly digging out a cigarette and his lighter. There's no craving for the damn things at the moment, but it's something to do - something to fill the time with.]

[That much Richard can understand too-- it's that feeling that has fueled part of his own drinking habit, which he knows he engages in more often than he really should, yet can't quite bring himself to stop.

That's why he isn't going to say a word to Sanji about the cigarette, because it would make him a hypocrite and he knows it. Instead, he'll just stand quietly and wait for Sanji to light it. Sometimes that silence is what's needed the most.]

[Sanji takes his time going through the motions - a flick of the thumb; a blossom of fire he cups away from the wind; the first, thick inhale and exhale of smoke that clouds the air in front of him. Only once he repeats the ritual a few more times does he speak in the same, steadied tone.]

I'm heading for the beach. [He watches a piece of ash fall to the ground] You can come if you want.

[By now, Richard likes to think that he knows Sanji enough to know that this is the closest thing to an invitation that he's going to get from the other man, and that turning it down would probably come across as rude.

So he nods, trying for a quiet little smile once again to show that he's grateful that Sanji would allow him to come along under these circumstances.]

It's been a while since I've been out to the ocean here.

[That's his own way of accepting.]

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