[Three people did die today. Another one almost critically injured. Sanji's just an outliner who thrives on taking care of others.]
Shit got... painful to watch.
[...]
And then half the castle's suspicious of you on top of things. [His gaze flickers, turning sad, staring into the pot of dumplings he's making.] Everyone's really on edge.
I wouldn't say they're suspicious of me - it's only the people who lack the ability to piece together the puppet's effects and my own well-being. Critical thinking might benefit them.
[salty.]
Everything else... I'll endure. Even if I did receive a majority vote... my only hope is that somehow Sousei would be exempt from sharing my misfortune.
It's possible that I did - but if someone's so mad about temporary love potions that they'd like to see me dead, then I merely made a poor choice of evaluating their stability.
[also careless!!]
But you're not wrong.... I can't think why they'd only choose to save two, if they had the option for everyone.
[ . . . and also not to save 2B or Rapunzel at that.
Jae-ha's expression goes distant for a moment, but he reins it back in quickly.]
I don't. And being on the receiving on the end of their power doesn't provide any clues, unfortunately. I've been looking since my own neck was on the line.
[ . . . ]
I just don't know if it's safer for them to stay anonymous, or if it's worth looking.
I wouldn't suppose you'd care to share yours? Mine doesn't lend itself to anything heroic like that, unfortunately. But perhaps if we could effectively piece some together....
[Though at that, Jae-ha seems to take a moment, to consider... and then he'll raise his hands and make a swirling motion. In the space in front of them, an illusion will appear of a lively, beautiful, colorful coral reef. Fish swim all around it, their scales reflecting against the light in the water.]
[ - he catches it, of course he does. By the time the image appeared, he was studying Sanji's expression more than focusing on the magic. It's always those moments when someone first sees something that they missed, something that they've longed for, that Jae-ha wants to treasure.
He keeps that moment locked away in his heart even as Sanji moves on.]
From my tests, yes. I wanted to know the extent of what I was given... but it seems that I'm not allowed anything upsetting, or much bigger than this.
I can't say that it's a power that I hate - but it doesn't exactly make me feel useful outside of the occasional use.
[An ability like that? Sanji... knows he'd probably waste away in his room, staring at the images of things and people outside his reach.
His expression, having already been carefully pieced back together, seems a few seconds away from cracking until he forces himself to laugh like it's a joke]
[He knows a lot of people would - and it's probably meant for more sentimental people than Jae-ha. But he'll move to take a seat on the countertop, and he'll wash the fish go by in the illusion he cast for a bit longer before he hums.]
Tell me what else you'd like to see. I'll keep it a secret, between the two of us. It's good practice for me.
[But Jae-ha will focus then and - it might not be the same ocean as whatever Sanji is thinking of, but he conjures up the image of a horizon line. The one that he would see from the pirate ship stationed by Awa, with the big, beautiful ocean gently rocking against the body of the boat. The sun shines, the waves crash, and Jae-ha finds himself watching the illusion and Sanji in equal, subtle measure.]
[Sanji offers no response besides to stare at the scene, against memorized, except the homesickness is softer and more evident - like Sanji figures there's no point in hiding the obvious.
His gaze does not move until the very end, where he mutters only barely loud enough for Jae-Ha to hear--]
Ever since I was born, the sea's all I really knew. It's strange to think this is the closest I can get to it now.
[... Closing his eyes. The magic over for him. Sanji turns back to the stove]
[Jae-ha doesn't seem to be in any particular rush. He maintains the magic, watches the view of the ocean, and keeps his gaze locked on it once Sanji seems to be done appraising it.]
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[Apparently he's got one more person to take care of tonight.
That's fine.
Sanji is willing to be whatever people need of him. Today was a pointed reminder of his worth.]
... You don't have to smile here. Don't worry, I won't tattle.
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[but
aside from that, he doesn't force his cheeriness. instead he takes his seat and taps his fingers on the dining table]
... I would like to borrow your energy. For some reason it just escapes me today.
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[Three people did die today. Another one almost critically injured. Sanji's just an outliner who thrives on taking care of others.]
Shit got... painful to watch.
[...]
And then half the castle's suspicious of you on top of things. [His gaze flickers, turning sad, staring into the pot of dumplings he's making.] Everyone's really on edge.
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[salty.]
Everything else... I'll endure. Even if I did receive a majority vote... my only hope is that somehow Sousei would be exempt from sharing my misfortune.
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More likely you got framed. Tell me you haven't been pissing people off behind my back.
[Sanji you sound like a housewife]
In any case, we gotta be careful from here on out. Whoever's looking after the partnerless... their ability probably has limitations.
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[also careless!!]
But you're not wrong.... I can't think why they'd only choose to save two, if they had the option for everyone.
[ . . . and also not to save 2B or Rapunzel at that.
Jae-ha's expression goes distant for a moment, but he reins it back in quickly.]
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Yeah.
For all Sanji's energy and general stability given the circumstances, Rapunzel's death is... hard to dwell upon. He has nothing against Ion or Souji.
He still can't believe they were chosen over one of the sweetest girls in the castle.]
I know this is a shot in the dark, but you got any idea who has that ability here?
[To protect them? To interrogate them? He's not sure.]
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I don't. And being on the receiving on the end of their power doesn't provide any clues, unfortunately. I've been looking since my own neck was on the line.
[ . . . ]
I just don't know if it's safer for them to stay anonymous, or if it's worth looking.
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[Pulling back from his work again, and Sanji rests his hands on the counter]
Let's face it -- there's not a lot any of us can do to protect each other, unless we got an ability that lends itself to that shit.
[He's... had to make peace with that fact]
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I wouldn't suppose you'd care to share yours? Mine doesn't lend itself to anything heroic like that, unfortunately. But perhaps if we could effectively piece some together....
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[Flatly though:]
I'm not gonna show ya 'cause there are conditions to using my shit, but...
If they're met, I can hide away, becoming invisible for a little bit.
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Mine's far less useful than that.... well, depending on applications.
Tell me what you find beautiful.
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[He's
not lying?? FISH ARE BEAUTIFUL!
He's also not saying "WOMEN" because he's just so suspicious of this question.]
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What do you think I'm going to do...
Alright.
[Though at that, Jae-ha seems to take a moment, to consider... and then he'll raise his hands and make a swirling motion. In the space in front of them, an illusion will appear of a lively, beautiful, colorful coral reef. Fish swim all around it, their scales reflecting against the light in the water.]
1/2
For a brief moment, staring wide-eyed at the coral and the fish darting through the water like darts--
It looks like Sanji is going to cry.]
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He starts grinning and even manages a slight laugh.]
Shit. You can just -- conjure up images like that? Do they gotta be beautiful?
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He keeps that moment locked away in his heart even as Sanji moves on.]
From my tests, yes. I wanted to know the extent of what I was given... but it seems that I'm not allowed anything upsetting, or much bigger than this.
I can't say that it's a power that I hate - but it doesn't exactly make me feel useful outside of the occasional use.
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[An ability like that? Sanji... knows he'd probably waste away in his room, staring at the images of things and people outside his reach.
His expression, having already been carefully pieced back together, seems a few seconds away from cracking until he forces himself to laugh like it's a joke]
Well, I'd trade you this shit if I could.
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I know.
[He knows a lot of people would - and it's probably meant for more sentimental people than Jae-ha. But he'll move to take a seat on the countertop, and he'll wash the fish go by in the illusion he cast for a bit longer before he hums.]
Tell me what else you'd like to see. I'll keep it a secret, between the two of us. It's good practice for me.
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It bubbles in his stomach and claws up his throat, threatening to overtake him.
He wishes so badly that he could just break into pieces like he wants.
...]
A view of the ocean.
[...]
Please.
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Why the sudden politeness? It's just me.
[But Jae-ha will focus then and - it might not be the same ocean as whatever Sanji is thinking of, but he conjures up the image of a horizon line. The one that he would see from the pirate ship stationed by Awa, with the big, beautiful ocean gently rocking against the body of the boat. The sun shines, the waves crash, and Jae-ha finds himself watching the illusion and Sanji in equal, subtle measure.]
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His gaze does not move until the very end, where he mutters only barely loud enough for Jae-Ha to hear--]
Ever since I was born, the sea's all I really knew. It's strange to think this is the closest I can get to it now.
[... Closing his eyes. The magic over for him. Sanji turns back to the stove]
Thanks for sharing it.
[...]
Lemme get your meal going.
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... For now.
I think you were missing a word there, Chef.
We still have to get back home. You included.
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[Just... dismissive, honestly. He seems to have regained his composure.]