prologue, friday, post-investigation w/ sanji

[alchemenace]

[ i like when they talk in the kitchen so even tho there is no real reason for sanji to come back here except to cook i'm making this convo close to the kitchen you can't stop me i have the set-up power

also varian was specifically looking for sanji so it makes sense shut up. he seems relieved when he spots him ]

Sanji? You're-- are you okay?

Comments

[concasse]

[Sanji is ALWAYS IN THE KITCHEN, it is law, I don't make the rules, this is fine--

Especially because what better way to console himself than to stress cook. He'll stop briefly at the sound of his name, then stop a bit longer because it's Varian.]

Hey.

[Not that he was one for casual smiles, but boy, the chef looks tired.]

I'm hanging in there. You?

[alchemenace]

[ he lingers in the doorway and gives a look over his shoulder at the general direction where the corpse is just hanging out in a glass case somewhere. ]

Yeah, I... me too. [ because hanging in there is a good way to phrase it ] People are really going along with this thing, huh?

[concasse]

At least one person did, yeah.

[And Sanji can still hear Jae-Ha's screaming in his ears. He whips at the eggs whites faster until their practically a froth.]

Now we got a trial tomorrow, and one shot to figure out who did it.

[alchemenace]

We'll figure it out. Captain Gi-Gan deserves that much.

[ his tone is low, hugging himself with one arm as he watches sanji beat up innocent eggs ]

[concasse]

Aa... she does.

[No arguments there. Though after a tense silence on his end, Sanji glances down at his eggs, and... nn. Overdid it a bit.]

We're gonna have to be even more careful from now on. It was one thing when this shit was hypothetical, but first blood's been spilt. The odds of someone killing will probably increase after this.

[alchemenace]

... Right. If people think their lives are in danger, they're a lot more likely to-- act.

[ he frowns down to the floor ]

Why go along with it now, though? It's-- I, I know they talked about "granting wishes" or whatever that was, but we weren't given any proof. What would they get out of this?

[concasse]

Some people don't need proof to act. And it's a problem, but we don't know really know the people here.

[Hard facts, that. Sanji even gestures between himself and Varian]

I've known you, what -- a week now? That's it. And for some people here, a week might mean nothing to 'em. They'll drop a body for their own goals.

[alchemenace]

[ he's quiet for a time after that last line ]

I know that. But this isn't even ... doing bad things for your own goals. They don't even know if they'll get anything out of this. It's. It's like they're... desperate.

[concasse]

Mmm. Maybe.

[Glancing over his shoulder as he finally puts down the bowl]

You know anyone that desperate to get home?

[alchemenace]

I don't know. I haven't talked to that many people.

[ it's quick. he obviously doesn't want to linger on that thought. ]

Do you?

[concasse]

[Yeah, a bit quick. Sanji's eyes rest on Varian more heavily.]

Honestly? No one I've talked to has really mentioned their home that much.

[A sigh]

Not that it means anything.

[alchemenace]

...Yeah. If they really were going to go through with-- something like this, it's not like they'd talk about it beforehand.

[concasse]

Exactly.

[...]

I know it's not much help, but try and keep yourself collected for the day tomorrow. We're gonna need clear heads for it.

[alchemenace]

[ there's some weak laughter from varian ]

That's. That's easier said than done. But I'll do my best.