fragileprophet | Week 0, Saturday Post-Trial

[I mean

zooming in on that arm.

Is it the one he cut open for the trial?

-- Speaking of that, making a mental note to scold the fuck out of Ion for that later. These kids are gonna cut his lifespan short]

What's up?

[It sure is, Sanji! Except, when he pulls his sleeve up, there's a second, very fresh cut alongside the one that he consented to earlier on in the trial?]

I'm just not very good at wrapping bandages--I'd ask Sandalphon but I feel like I'm already asking so much of him.

[And even after just a few conversations, Sanji's struck him as notably trustworthy. Not that Ion's generally distrusting, but...still.]

[-- UM PARDON--]

The hell?!

[Mmm he's not one for vocal control when he's panicked, and rest assured, Sanji looks ready to set fire to something. Preferably not Ion. Maybe whoever cut his arm. HECK.]

Before we can wrap it, that shit's gotta get cleaned and disinfected!

[Thank god you pick up a few skills living on the sea where a doctor isn't always on staff]

C'mon -- let's see what we can do about this.

[And this is exactly why he didn't just do it himself. He totally would've just wrapped it and ignored it so he could continue to pretend that he's fine, fine, just fine!]

O-Okay!

[Too flustered by Sanji's expression to actually come out with another one of his apologies, he just follows.]

Thank you so much--I really appreciate it.

You can thank me by not getting cut up like that again!

[HECK]

The hell even happened? That's not the cut you got at the trial, is it?

[Sanji is still going off the assumption that someone cut Ion and he's twitchy already. Maybe don't mess with one of the kids he'd rather see live, castle.]

No, it isn't...

[But he definitely can't just bullshit his way out of it when he's specifically coming to Sanji and asking for help, so, as opposed to leaving it at as a non-answer, he hesitantly explains.]

It's Varian's. I took it from him.

[... And he almost stops walking, which, given that statement, probably isn't much of a surprise. His feet tick in place as he throws a very pointed, narrowed stare in Ion's direction.

...

But then keeps walking after all, breathing slowly.]

Alright.

Let's get to the kitchen; we'll wash it off and clean it.

Thank you.

[The soft, chastised lilt to his voice clearly states he knows that he's in trouble and that there will be more words to come, but for now, he submits himself to anxious silence, following Sanji the rest of the way to the kitchen, at his mercy.

But then, it's Ion, so the longer he keeps quiet, the more guilty he feels. Is this a situation where he's taking advantage? By the time they're actually at the sink, the muted apology finally escapes him.]

I'm sorry for the trouble.

... Kid.

Troublin' me is trying to gnaw off my shoulder because you're hungry and I'm not cooking fast enough.

[A scoff that's more a laugh; someone's speaking from experience. Regardless, he's gonna shake his head at the notion, then direct Ion to sit at a nearby stool while he fetches water from the fridge -- chilled, and already disinfected. Yes, he trusts the castle that little.]

You did what you thought was necessary, right? I'm not gonna scold you for that.

[It'd have been one thing if Ion had gotten hurt by accident, had simply failed to keep himself safe, but this was an active decision. Sanji places it in a different category]

-- Though mind explaining why you took that injury from him? Varian's probably tougher than he looks.

Varian told me I shouldn't have done it, either.

[Ion sighs as he slumps in the seat, using his free hand to keep his large sleeve from falling and getting stained.]

I just thought...if I could do it, wouldn't it be negligent not to? I know it wasn't much of an injury but that's why I knew I could handle it, too.

Edited 2018-06-10 05:42 (UTC)

That's a lot of responsibility to be taking on.

[Said like a warning. Sanji grabs a cloth near the sink and after pouring the chilled water into a bowl, dips the cloth and lets it soak up]

And how far does that ability of yours go? ... I won't lie, you seem the type who'd swap your life for someone else's if it came down to it.

[The sad half-smile he gives is probably not a very comforting answer to that assumption of his personality.]

I don't know...all my gift said was that I could heal others by taking on their injuries myself. So...I suppose as much as I can manage.

[He's incredibly relieved Jae-ha hadn't actually ended up getting stabbed.]

[If Jae-Ha had gotten stabbed, Sanji doubts there's any way he would've allowed Ion to use that power on him. These pirates and their moral codes]

Hn...

[Mulling over that, Sanji drags both the bowl and the cloth over, then squeezes out the excess before running it over the wound. He's got the hands of an older brother: not necessarily gentle, but careful not to cause more damage.]

Just don't go sharing that info lightly, alright? [Eyebrows knitting] It's too easy to take advantage of your kindness. You're lucky Varian's got a good heart in 'im.

I didn’t mention to him that there were any strings attached when I healed him.

[So he absolutely set himself up to get taken advantage of but at least he admits it. He watches Sanji work with intent eyes, hoping to learn at least a better idea of how to do this for himself in the future.]

But I’ll be careful, and try not to trust too lightly.

[Sanji isn't a healer by any means; this is the most basic of first aid that he's picked up on the Baratie, and from both Chopper and Nami. Flush the wound with disinfested water, then sterilize it... though honestly the best he's got is shit that's probably too harsh for human skin. Mm.]

Of course you didn't. [Can't even be mad, just tired.]

-- I mean, this goes without saying, but if I get bruised or something worse, don't you even dare. Got it?

Yes, sir.

[Ion winces slightly as he tries not to think of having to ignore Sanji being injured...but he does understand. He does. He just knows this is the best tool he now has to help others with. It makes him feel like he has a reason to be here.]

It’s hard for me to put myself before others, but...I know I’m being unreasonable.

[With the wound cleaned to Sanji's standard, he'll pull back the cloth and inspect the skin. Still a little weirded out that this wound used to be on Varian, but it is what it is at this point. At least they used a clean knife...]

Seems to be your nature. [Or his job. Or hell, maybe both.]

Just remember you got people here who'll be upset if something happens to you.

[The sentiment makes Ion smile, but pain flashes in his eyes. He has a look on his face that translates more, ultimately, like “I hope that isn’t true”, but of course he says something entirely different.]

I’ll remember. I feel really very fortunate to have gotten the chance to meet so many wonderful people.

[Sorry kid, but death has weight. Even your own.]

Yeah?

... I feel the same.

[A small admission, and he begins the process of wrapping Ion's arm up. Nothing too tight, gotta let the skin breathe naturally.]

One of the perks to me sailing on the sea: I keep meeting all these people who put up with my ass.

[Heh]

Not that this is my sea anymore... ah, well. Same difference, right?

Yes...it's a new horizon!

[His smile loses some of that sorrowful edge--it's easier for his sincerity to shine more brightly when he's talking about other people and not himself.]

I can't imagine not wanting you around. I really enjoy talking with you, and you always seem to be looking out for others. You have a lot of admirable qualities.

Heh, you think?

[Sweet sentiment, there, but Ion's a good kid. Sanji's not surprised by the response.]

A good thing my crew's swordsman ain't here. He'd have a few things to say about that.

[Is it possible to sound frustrated with a very thin line of endearment hiding underneath? Well, Sanji's tone seems to try for it.]

I do!

[He's incredibly predictable, but he just...thinks the world of people! Every person is different, and every person is beautiful in their own differences.]

Would you mind telling me about your crew? I'd love to learn more about them, if it isn't too personal.

Of course I don't mind.

[His crew is one of his favorite topics. He finishes up wrapping the wound then rocks back a little bit.]

There's nine of us total -- pretty damn small for a crew, actually, but we're pretty set in our roles so it helps shit move smoothly. Nami-swan is our beautiful navigator and bless her keeping everyone in line. Really smart, too! Lady after my own heart.

Oh oh, and Robin-chwan of course! Our archeologist. She's got a real eye for history and has probably read more books than there are people in the world. Had a hard life, but she's with us now, and to be honest, I can't imagine the ship without her.

[Of course Sanji explains the ladies first.]

My captain's Luffy -- a guy who ate a cursed fruit and turned into a rubber man. A goddamn idiot but I guess I wouldn't follow him for no reason. [Sighing] Eats enough for twenty people...

[And so he'll keep going, naming off Usopp the sniper, Franky the shipwright, Zoro the swordsman, Chopper the doctor (who is also a reindeer), and Brook, their skeleton musician with an afro.

It's one hell of a group.]

[I'm glad that I'm canon familiar this warms my heart even if I haven't met Brook yet. Ion follows along with a bright expression on his face, seeming to have temporarily forgotten about the whole mess of the day.]

Ah...they all sound like wonderful people! Even though I haven't met any of them myself, I can tell that you all have a really close bond with one another. I bet that's a really nice feeling.

[He can only imagine having such a lifestyle. It's hard not to daydream about it a little bit.]

How do you like living life on the sea?

[... Mentally tripping at the idea that Ion -- Ion -- doesn't have any close bonds back home, but Sanji decides to footnote that and save it for another time. Ion looks at ease and... well, he'd like to keep it that way for now.]

I mean... living on the sea's all I know.

[Leaning his weight against one of the counters, arms folded. His voice turns nostalgic]

I grew up on a floating restaurant called the Baratie, and yeah, sometimes we had to dock for supplies, but we never spent more than a week on land.

Week 0, Saturday Post-Trial - Sanji

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