[video]

[concasse]

... 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/]

Comments

[alabastajewel]

[She can only nod slowly. How many times has she heard those words, or said them herself--knowing they were true, but needing them as a reminder that leaving Luceti really was better. Often enough that they'd stopped carrying the meaning they should, and seemed almost a trite platitude now. In this case, though, she can take comfort in them.]

[Vivi stands.] I'll be right back. I just want to check...

[To make sure Nojiko's room is bare as well. Just in case, though she feels almost certain that's how she'll find it. There's still a tiny sliver of doubt, and she thinks once she confirms things, it will...what? Make all of this easier? She's not sure, exactly, but it's easy enough to confirm whether Nojiko is still here or not. She's not exactly moving at top speed as she leaves the kitchen, but her pace is less plodding than it had been just minutes before.]

[concasse]

[Ah, he hadn't thought to check. Call it fatigue or weariness, but he's done with checking rooms for the rest of the day. As Vivi leaves, Sanji inclines his head just enough to watch her exit, then turns back to the meal he's preparing.

He doesn't plan on anything extravagant. Especially compared to the meals he usually conjures up for the girls, this will turn out rather bare bones. A simple dish of soup and some sandwiches; delicious, but lacking visually. He starts with the vegetables first, finely dicing a mix of carrots, potatoes, and celery before he grabs some chicken broth and hunts for a sauce pan. Simmer it first, maybe mash up the potatoes to thicken the broth, and then he can concentrate on the second half of the meal...

Times like these he's glad the motions are so second nature, they don't require his undivided attention. He sways around the kitchen, blank-faced and tired.]

[alabastajewel]

[When Vivi returns a few minutes later, she only shakes her head silently before slipping back into her chair. Nojiko is gone, just as they'd thought. Carue makes a place for himself next to her on the floor, heaving a duckish sigh. He may not completely understand what's going on, but he can read the general mood, and it's affecting him as well.]

[She doesn't want to interupt Sanji as he works, and indeed, there's little she wants to say right now, so Vivi remains quiet, trying to sort out her own thoughts. She can't help but wonder when it will be her turn to go back home, though it's also a thing she dreads in some respects. Going home means forgetting.]

[concasse]

[Given enough time and the pervading quiet, and Sanji finishes up Vivi's meal without fanfare: soup, salad, and sandwiches. The three basic S's of any quick meal. At the very least it will assuage her hunger, and for Carue, Sanji has some fresh vegetables and grains that he keeps for Vivi's friend especially.

A small part of him relishes this accomplishment; it means he's free of his duties for a few extra hours. But it also means there's work of a different type to be done.

The announcement that Nami's gone home won't write itself. He won't place that burden on Vivi or Robin, either. But still, he's got some time to think the words through in his mind.]

Will that be enough, Vivi-chan?

[alabastajewel]

[She summons up a smile for him, though it's a bit weak.]

It's perfect. Thank you, Sanji-san.