Week 0, Saturday Post-Trial - Sanji

[fragileprophet]

Excuse me, Sanji?

[Not terribly long after the end of the trial, Ion's picking up speed (not very much of course, mind you) to catch up with him, cradling one of his arms awkwardly.]

I don't mean to bother you, but could I possibly get your help for a moment?

Comments

[fragileprophet]

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.

[concasse]

[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?

[fragileprophet]

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.

[concasse]

[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.

[fragileprophet]

[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.

[concasse]

[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?

[fragileprophet]

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.

[concasse]

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.]

[fragileprophet]

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.

[concasse]

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.]

[fragileprophet]

[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?

[concasse]

[... 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.