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... 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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I'll be there, soon.

[Though not as soon as she would have been if she were actually hurrying. Miyabi's still really nervous about this - it's not a thing a lady, or anyone, really does in her culture. It's a last resort, a desperate act for those in hiding, those exiled or incriminated, or just for those people who've suffered heartache or who want to give up the past. Half of her is still reeling about this decision, but...someone it just feels necessary. She can't move on if she stays where she is, crying and moping and wishing for things to change.

She takes a deep breath, pulls on her boots, and steps outside. A quick whistle is all it takes to call the Lucky Mallet, and in no time she's striding through the hills towards the Straw Hat house. Knock, knock.]

[The answer comes swiftly enough. Sanji had been waiting as promised, always caught in the living room or the kitchen.

His greeting matches his expression: tired, but alert. A man taking both bad and good news in stride. After a little smile that just barely reaches his eyes, the chef steps back to let Miyabi in]

Everything's ready in the kitchen. [He'd borrowed a pair of hair scissors from one of the girls, and had a large towel, thin and simple, waiting to drape over Miyabi's shoulders.]

[Miyabi greets Sanji with a smile, but she also looks tired, and certainly rather anxious. Her hands wring together after she kicks off her shoes and leaves them by the entrance, eyes glancing towards the kitchen after he speaks. She's really going to do it, no turning back now. Taking a deep breath, she nods.]

Okay. Th-Thank you, Sanji-nii. [Her steps, as she trudges to the kitchen, feel slow and heavy, and Miyabi runs her fingers through her hair one last time. It's gotten so long now...too long, though. It was just too long, she couldn't even wear her cap anymore without it feeling out of place with all her hair. It's better to cut it. She turns to Sanji as she hesitates, uncertainly, in the archway to the kitchen.] Eh...ehehe. I'm nervous.

[More like sick and scared, but yeah.]

[Watching her expression skitter around does little for Sanji's nerves, though he smiles at the confession. Is she... really sure about this, he wonders? That isn't the face of a girl who is knee-deep in her own conviction.]

This is what you really want, Miyabi-chan? [So soon after Nami's disappearance, he wouldn't forgive himself if he didn't ask at least one more time. But if she is, and no amount of questioning will change her mind...]

[Taking a final breath, and a look from the chair back to Sanji, Miyabi nods seriously. She has to have conviction, and be resolute. No more whining, no more crying, no more moping - it's time to change. But first, she should be honest to her big brother. Taking her hair into her hands, she runs a few fingers through it.]

Mm, it is. ...Cutting our hair is something like a change, where I'm from. It's never really seen as anything positive, and it's usually done as a punishment for unforgivable acts, but it's...it's also done to give up the past, and I...I-I want to. My past self, I mean. [She looks a little sheepish.] I'm sorry I didn't tell you. Will you still do it? P-Please?

... I will. [It's a request from Miyabi; of course he will] But just tell me one more thing before we start.

[Because if he's to be honest, her explanation strikes an unhappy cord in the pit of his stomach. It's a vague offering he doesn't quite understand, and that it's associated with punishment concerns him even more. That doesn't have to be the point of this request to render him as apprehensive as she.]

Does this have anything to do with Nami-san going home? [It's so suspiciously timed. He can think of no other reason why she chose now of all times to bring this up]

[There's silence, for a minute, as the little painter turns her head toward the floor, wringing her hands together. It's not that it's entirely because of that, though it does take up a definite chunk of the reason. Why's he asking, though? Will he change his decision based on her answer? Miyabi certainly hopes not - that'd be very unfair. And she's almost tempted to say nothing at all, but...she's told him this much, so.]

I--...yes, somewhat. But that's not the whole reason I'm doing this. Every time something bad happens, someone gets hurt, or goes home...I just worry or get sad or cry. But I don't do anything! I say I can't, but that's just an excuse. I...I don't want to be that person anymore, that doesn't do anything. I want to change, even if it's a little bit at a time. And.. [She offers a tiny laugh.] It really is too long. I can't wear my cap anymore, because it bunches up too much, or tugs and pulls at my hair to the point of hurting me. I can't be me.

[He has his own reasons for asking further - many nothing more than idle curiosity and a brother's concern. And when she offers a more detailed response, he... stares. Nothing bemused or assessing; he just takes in the sight of her, standing there with her hands fumbling against each other.

...

It draws a smile out of him, and he nods towards the chair by the kitchen table. He rolls up the sleeves of his shirt] Then we better get started, Miyabi-chan!

[Ah..ha. Something like a large weight falls off Miyabi's shoulders and she laughs softly, smiling again - though it's a little crooked to start with. It's something of a huge relief to have Sanji's support and, possibly, his understanding. Nodding, the girl finally heads to the chair and takes a seat, arms folded in her lap.]

Thank you, big brother. D-Don't cut it too short, okay?

Not to worry, Miyabi-chan! You'll look absolutely cute when I'm finished. [Big words coming from someone who doesn't make a habit of cutting other people's hair. Regardless, he adds a bit of pep to his voice for the both of them, and picks up the scissors.

His work is slow and calculated, his hand thankfully steady. The moment lengthens, filled with nothing but the snip snip snip of the scissors and the gentle exhale of sound that is hair falling to the floor or on the towel draped over Miyabi's shoulders. Who knew that mastering sharp objects in the kitchen would apply to other areas such as this? And for that, Sanji's grateful. No matter what, he wants this as close to Miyabi's vision as possible.

One last snip, and Sanji's explosive sigh signals the end of their session, with the chef pulling back his tools] There we are! I don't have a mirror on me, but. [He glances around, faltering a moment before--] Oi, just a sec! [Darting out of the kitchen, he's gone a few scant seconds before turning with a handheld mirror, borrowed from either Robin or Vivi]

Here, take a look!

[Miyabi holds her breath and squeezes her eyes the moment she hears, and feels, the snip of the scissors cutting through her hair. Her fingers grip tightly at her clothes, and she has a second mind to tell him to stop, but Miyabi keeps her mouth shut. There's not going back now, and she actually feels a bit of weight lifting off her shoulders (bother literally and figuratively) after the snipping continues, and she gets used to the sound and feel.

Her eyes slowly open, and she can see the mess of black hair on the towel and around her feet, and blinks several times. Is that...really all her hair? Goodness, it looks like Sanji shaved a sheep, not cut her hair! Was it really that long?!]

Eh, wha--oh. Oh, thank you. [She takes the offered mirror, her hands shaking a little from being so stiff before, but she holds it well enough. And, as she takes in the sight, Miyabi actually smiles, turning her head to and fro.] Oh! It does look cute! Ehehe, I look like I did when I was years and years younger!

[Seeing her approval is a weight off Sanji's shoulder's, too. He doesn't know what he might've done had she met the sight with disappointment.]

Yes~! Extremely cute~! [He laughs lightly] Just like when we first met!

[At least three years and counting, right? Long enough to marvel at. To actually think they'd known each other for so long. Miyabi's presence in Luceti has always been so consistent, soothing. She was a constant figure in his life, rivaled only by...

... By Nami.

He feels his smile briefly strain before he sweeps his thoughts away] I'm really glad you like it!

[When they first met... Miyabi looks at her reflection, though she sees more than just herself there - she sees past the image and well into the past. She can still remember the time they first met, clear as day. It's a little surprising that she can, and that Sanji can remember as well. Her sense of time was a lot less than that of a normal human - years to her were barely anything at all.]

Do you really remember when we first met? [She looks over her shoulder at Sanji.] I couldn't use all these cooking tools - and that was before they all changed again! And I was still my normal size back then...but you didn't treat me any differently at all. I couldn't hug you back then.

[Speaking of, she gets up and does just that, wrapping him up tight in her arms. Rather tight indeed.]

I do. [Clear as day, in fact - meeting this small poncle who he could barely see, and deciding he didn't care what her size was. She was still a lady worthy of his respect.]

In fact, I remember that Miyabi-chan even graced my valiant efforts with a flower~ [A yellow one, he remembers, and wishes he had kept it. For now, however, he thinks a hug is a perfect substitute, and returns this one just as tightly.]

Just think how lucky I've been to have you here this entire time.

Did I? Ehehe, I can't remember that part. [But she does remember having tea together, and how gracious and polite he was, presenting her with a spoon so she could drink it. The memory itself brings another quiet laugh from her lips, and she snuggles against Sanji gently.] But I can remember why I would have. You were such a gentleman, Sanji-nii, and your treated me with such kindness...I had to thank you somehow.

[Actually...hm. Miyabi pulls herself away from Sanji with a thoughtful hum, then putters around the kitchen, looking for something. Come on, come on, even a small one--aha! There we are. She takes a piece of paper into her hands, and snatches up the pair of scissors Sanji used to cut her hair, and begins to fold and snip.] In fact...I still have to thank you for cutting my hair for me. And for continuing to be so kind and sweet for as long as I've known you for. And for being the very best brother I could have ever hoped to have in any place.

[And so, she holds out her hand and presents Sanji with a flower of the unconventional type - resting nicely in the palm of her hand.]

[Sanji knows better at this point than to deter Miyabi when she's set on bestowing her affections, no matter how he'd insist he only did what came naturally to him. Better to stand quietly, though he's curious as to what she plans on doing with that little piece of paper and the scissors.

When she's finished, he eagerly glances down into the palm of her hand, and-- jeez, it's so delicate. He can't begin to fathom how she managed to make something so beautiful with a piece of paper. He plucks it out of her hand, eyes shining, and then smiles until he's squinting]

I'll make sure to treasure it forever~! [And this time, keep her gift where he won't lose it.]

[Oh, that smile. Miyabi's always loved it when Sanji smiled like that - it was infectious. Her own smile reached her eyes as Sanji took her little gift, and she actually utters a quiet giggle. He's so cute, and she's just so, so happy he's still here. It would be so hard for her, if both of them went away at the same time. She can't even bare to think of that. But it's good that he's smiling like that, it means that he'll be okay.]

I know you will. [There's a pause, as she muses something for a minute, then starts to just laugh again.] ...Sanji, do you know what the word for 'pirate' is in my language?

[Of course he won't, she's sure of that, but humor her a minute. There's a reason for this she's just realized.]

For 'pirate'... [Even before he sets to thinking about it, Sanji knows he won't come up with an answer. And indeed, it isn't long before he grins repentantly and shakes his head.]

No, I don't have a clue. [While there have occasionally been some uncanny overlaps in their languages, it's not anything that would fashion Sanji a native of Japanese.]

Kaizoku is the word for pirate in my language. [She takes a moment to look around with a little smile on her face, running her hands through her hair absently. It's still weird how it ends so suddenly now.] And the word for 'family' is...kazoku.

They're very similar, aren't they?

Kaizoku... [The word rolls of his tongue with natural fluidity, and there's a subtle ring to the word that he appreciates - all the more because of the resemblance Miyabi points out, that has him smiling.]

Pretty fitting, I should say. [Piracy in and of itself isn't a glamorous profession, but being with the Straw Hats - being here, in Luceti, and bearing that title - has always blurred the lines between what society considers a pirate, and what it's become for him.

Kaizoku. Kazoku. Family. They're one in the same, at the end of the day.]

Edited 2013-04-12 03:17 (UTC)

I don't think, before I met you all, I would have thought that.

[Pirates really are bad people, it's a universal thing known throughout worlds. And maybe these people have done a few unsavory things for all she knows, but there's never been anything infinitely bad about them. Not a single one. They've always just seemed like normal, everyday people. Closer now, of course, but still. They're still people.]

But you're all different, I think. A little or a lot, I can't be sure, but...I'm happy to know you, and be with and around you. Ehehe, you really are like my family. My pirate family.

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