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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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?