[You're a guy, so you don't have to worry about this--
Sanji might've been raised on a ship where female cooks were banned (and Zeff wasn't too keen on female waiters, for that matter), but he's had at least a year to understand that whenever Robin-chan and Nami-san had a monthly... hiccup.... the result was no one got to be happy for a few days.
His tone is entirely sympathetic]
Guess I'll figure out how to make that one next. For you, Nami-san, and Norma-chan. [He's leaned over the counter with his own bowl, giving each spoonful a slow sample as he listens. Overall, it's good shit, and he can't complain about the taste. Maybe should've let it simmer a bit longer, though...]
But this is amazing! I've never heard of shit like this back home. [Grinning ear to ear, and with enough enthusiasm to fill a room] If I combine any of that with my other recipes...
[Dear seas, the possibilities. The danger, too - he'd been warned repeatedly not to take lightly any of the Attack Cuisine recipes - but Sanji thinks he's well learned his lesson at this point. And what's the point of being a chef if he's not allowed to play around?
He looks down at his soup, grin turning sharp at the exciting challenge. Give him a month; he bets he can turn those Chinese yams into something formidable]
[She'd only stumbled onto it herself a few years ago, when she was first getting into Chinese cooking. Rin preens all the same, as if taking this as a personal accomplishment.
And why shouldn't she? By turning Sanji on to the miracles of Chinese medicinal cuisine, she may have very well played an important role in helping him refine his craft. There's pride to be had in that.]
It would be my pleasure to assist. ...For an exchange, that is.
[His head snaps up from his daydreams, momentarily startled by the... um...
Let's just say that any more talk like that and Sanji's gonna ask if Rin was either a thief of a pirate in a separate lifetime. That's the third lady he's met in the castle who seems a kindred spirit to Nami-san.
Ozuma or that Sol guy apparently have a type.]
Of course I'm willing to compensate~! [Would she like her laundry done? Meals brought to her for the next five years? Or maybe he should be done with it and refer her to Nami for the best ideas. Either way, Sanji looks ready and willing to accept the other's price]
[Please, Sanji. She's a business woman, bred for the art of making a good deal nearly as well as she was for being an outstanding mage.]
Then I would take a few of your recipes. Particularly if by combining our resources, we're able to create a cuisine that will restore mana.
[She taps her spoon in her bowl.] And this one as well, when you have the perfected version.
[Already, her throat is feeling improved. Even if it's not 100%, Sanji will have noticed Rin's had to pause less to cough around her food or words; despite the lingering rasp, she speaks more clearly. It really is something special that he has here.]
Rin-chan. [For what should be an easy bargain, Sanji's expression takes an ominous turn. He seems to hesitate before turning his stare back to his half-finished bowl] You remember when I couldn't stay awake for all those shitty weeks?
I botched up a recipe like this one.
[Only Sans and a few others know; it's not a truth he likes admitting, that even the master chef can fuck up that badly. And while Rin speaks of cuisine like she knows it, anyone can boast that knowledge without giving proof.
The responsibility is his, and he can't afford to be lax]
These recipes are dangerous. One shitty mistake and and that soup you drank might hurt you instead.
[What a strange tone. Rin cants her head to listen to him properly, and... The mild surprise shows on her face, when he brings up what he does. If he hadn't explained it so smoothly, quick to answer a question that was there even if it wasn't voiced out loud, she would've wondered why he was bringing it up now.]
It was over something so small? [Despite her words, she doesn't sound shocked. More... Considering. Not two seconds later, Rin nods to herself as her attention shifts to her bowl, tilting her spoon about in what's left of the broth.]
To have the positive, near-instantaneous results you were aiming for, it makes sense. Cooking is a science, like any other. Things can go sideways when you start to experiment, and it's not like you're trying to make peanut butter and tunafish taste good together here. You're trying to produce an honest miracle. It's natural the consequences of failure over even a minute detail would be as severe as the intended effect is remarkable.
[A little thinking out loud. Rin raises her head to look at Sanji again, plainly.] So? Did you figure out where you went wrong?
Aa-- [With so much stopping and starting on Sanji's end, he doesn't hear Rin's question, not until he quits stammering and his mouth thins into a firm, thoughtful line. Even then he doesn't answer her immediately; his mind is stuck fast on the young woman's phrase, examining it like he means to refute it.
But there's nothing to argue. Sanji just hadn't thought of his recipes in such concise terms. That they're dangerous, need a steady hand, require diligence and perhaps a few prayers - yeah, he got all that and more out of the shitty okama who offered them to him like pages of witchcraft. But even when recreating such dangerous recipes, that's all they had ever been to him: recipes. Instructions. Another method of realizing his desire and feeding the hungry.]
Overdid it with the spices. [He mumbles his theory, distracted and drilling holes into the counter while he thinks] Overloaded my shitty system and it needed a while to recover.
Oh, that's an easy fix. [She looks pleased for him, raising a finger.] In that case, there's nothing to hold you back from trying again, or teaching me. We simply follow the recipe precisely this time.
[He just can't beat her enthusiasm, can he? Rin breezes past the mistake like it's nothing but a bump in the road. Sanji's certain if he had half her tenacity, he'd have figured out every secret hidden in these shitty recipes.]
Teaching, eh? [He offers a wry smile before setting his empty bowl on the counter] That's fine -- but before that, you don't mind giving me a demonstration?
I can't teach if I don't know how good my student is.
[It's the kindest, most roundabout way of suggesting Rin ain't getting shit if she doesn't impress him. No pressure, lady.]
[Gentle for him, but not at all unreasonable either. Rin's cheerful disposition shifts, however, face shadowed with a frown. Seconds of silence can be counted off before at last she hunches forward, eyes flat and unimpressed looking.]
...Mm, Sanji-kun. Are you implying I'd be less than good?
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no subject
Sanji might've been raised on a ship where female cooks were banned (and Zeff wasn't too keen on female waiters, for that matter), but he's had at least a year to understand that whenever Robin-chan and Nami-san had a monthly... hiccup.... the result was no one got to be happy for a few days.
His tone is entirely sympathetic]
Guess I'll figure out how to make that one next. For you, Nami-san, and Norma-chan. [He's leaned over the counter with his own bowl, giving each spoonful a slow sample as he listens. Overall, it's good shit, and he can't complain about the taste. Maybe should've let it simmer a bit longer, though...]
But this is amazing! I've never heard of shit like this back home. [Grinning ear to ear, and with enough enthusiasm to fill a room] If I combine any of that with my other recipes...
[Dear seas, the possibilities. The danger, too - he'd been warned repeatedly not to take lightly any of the Attack Cuisine recipes - but Sanji thinks he's well learned his lesson at this point. And what's the point of being a chef if he's not allowed to play around?
He looks down at his soup, grin turning sharp at the exciting challenge. Give him a month; he bets he can turn those Chinese yams into something formidable]
no subject
And why shouldn't she? By turning Sanji on to the miracles of Chinese medicinal cuisine, she may have very well played an important role in helping him refine his craft. There's pride to be had in that.]
It would be my pleasure to assist. ...For an exchange, that is.
no subject
Let's just say that any more talk like that and Sanji's gonna ask if Rin was either a thief of a pirate in a separate lifetime. That's the third lady he's met in the castle who seems a kindred spirit to Nami-san.
Ozuma or that Sol guy apparently have a type.]
Of course I'm willing to compensate~! [Would she like her laundry done? Meals brought to her for the next five years? Or maybe he should be done with it and refer her to Nami for the best ideas. Either way, Sanji looks ready and willing to accept the other's price]
no subject
Then I would take a few of your recipes. Particularly if by combining our resources, we're able to create a cuisine that will restore mana.
[She taps her spoon in her bowl.] And this one as well, when you have the perfected version.
[Already, her throat is feeling improved. Even if it's not 100%, Sanji will have noticed Rin's had to pause less to cough around her food or words; despite the lingering rasp, she speaks more clearly. It really is something special that he has here.]
no subject
Rin-chan. [For what should be an easy bargain, Sanji's expression takes an ominous turn. He seems to hesitate before turning his stare back to his half-finished bowl] You remember when I couldn't stay awake for all those shitty weeks?
I botched up a recipe like this one.
[Only Sans and a few others know; it's not a truth he likes admitting, that even the master chef can fuck up that badly. And while Rin speaks of cuisine like she knows it, anyone can boast that knowledge without giving proof.
The responsibility is his, and he can't afford to be lax]
These recipes are dangerous. One shitty mistake and and that soup you drank might hurt you instead.
no subject
It was over something so small? [Despite her words, she doesn't sound shocked. More... Considering. Not two seconds later, Rin nods to herself as her attention shifts to her bowl, tilting her spoon about in what's left of the broth.]
To have the positive, near-instantaneous results you were aiming for, it makes sense. Cooking is a science, like any other. Things can go sideways when you start to experiment, and it's not like you're trying to make peanut butter and tunafish taste good together here. You're trying to produce an honest miracle. It's natural the consequences of failure over even a minute detail would be as severe as the intended effect is remarkable.
[A little thinking out loud. Rin raises her head to look at Sanji again, plainly.] So? Did you figure out where you went wrong?
no subject
Aa-- [With so much stopping and starting on Sanji's end, he doesn't hear Rin's question, not until he quits stammering and his mouth thins into a firm, thoughtful line. Even then he doesn't answer her immediately; his mind is stuck fast on the young woman's phrase, examining it like he means to refute it.
But there's nothing to argue. Sanji just hadn't thought of his recipes in such concise terms. That they're dangerous, need a steady hand, require diligence and perhaps a few prayers - yeah, he got all that and more out of the shitty okama who offered them to him like pages of witchcraft. But even when recreating such dangerous recipes, that's all they had ever been to him: recipes. Instructions. Another method of realizing his desire and feeding the hungry.]
Overdid it with the spices. [He mumbles his theory, distracted and drilling holes into the counter while he thinks] Overloaded my shitty system and it needed a while to recover.
no subject
no subject
Teaching, eh? [He offers a wry smile before setting his empty bowl on the counter] That's fine -- but before that, you don't mind giving me a demonstration?
I can't teach if I don't know how good my student is.
[It's the kindest, most roundabout way of suggesting Rin ain't getting shit if she doesn't impress him. No pressure, lady.]
no subject
...Mm, Sanji-kun. Are you implying I'd be less than good?