fourteen | oo18 [ voice // action ]

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oo18 [ voice // action ]

... you know, it looks like everything is back to normal, but... something still feels weird, to me. I can't quite put my finger on it, though. Is anyone else noticing something strange going on...?

Then again, considering Luceti, there's always something strange going on.

[This one is out and about in town, a bow slung over his shoulder and his journal in his hand as he talks into it. Despite his much shorter, choppier hair and two new inches of height, he's very recognizably Xion -- the eyes and face give him away.

But unlike his female counterpart, he's got on black pants and a black t-shirt; no color to be found here. He'll be wandering here and there in town, inspecting the lack-of-damage and the lack-of-monster-rain.]

(ooc; details here. replies will be from

stillatrap!)

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[... he hasn't heard Sanji talk about Zoro enough to know who he means by "the shithead," but going over a mental checklist of the crew lets him figure it out after a moment. and hearing Chopper's human is interesting because Xion never knew otherwise, never having seen him. he's just kind of quiet and shocked for a moment, before he starts to laugh.]

Guess I'm not the only one it's happened to, then. Jeez, Usopp as a girl...

Eheh.

You could come by sometime and see them for yourself. [There are no words to describe it, otherwise]

The Longnose is still the same as ever, though.

... [a laugh] Sure, I'd like that. And hey... just like I'm still me, I'm sure Usopp's still...

[a pause. someone has spotted Naoki, and is now staring at him.] ... Sanji? Can I get back to you in a few minutes?

[he doesn't wait for a response and goes to shut the journal, but before he does, Sanji might faintly hear him say "Naoki?"]

[... Shit. NO.]

Xion! Don't talk to him!

[sorry dude, he's gone. after this delightful exchange (http://poppetry.livejournal.com/6102.html?thread=811734#t811734) occurs, Xion reopens the journal about 20 minutes later. It is as soaking, sopping wet as he is, and he has to push his hair out of his eyes in order to see.

He's sitting on the bank of the river, and when he talks his voice is a little hoarse.]

... so what's wrong with Naoki?

[Sanji takes the first few seconds to check the small window for any injuries, and only answers when he's satisfied he still has all his limbs.]

Demon side's in control. And it wants to take out some of the human population here.

[for some reason that makes Xion laugh, which turns into a cough. that's what you get for inhaling river water.]

I'm not even human... jeez. I almost lost my bow.

I think the real Naoki is still in there, though... he stopped himself once or twice. He was going to let me get away, but... uh. [he recounts what happened; how Naoki turned threatening and then attacked, and how he ran for it, the two trading magic back and forth until he got the idea to get up on the bridge.]

I thought I could just jump in the water to get away from him, but he stopped, and was about to let me go... when I slipped and fell in anyway.

[blows a water droplet off his nose. said with a hint of dry humor.]

... could've been worse.

He is in there. [The sharpness leaves his voice, probably the clearest indication that Sanji's worried about his friend] We talked, before he attacked.

But it's good you got away. [faint amusement - you klutz] Even I was having troubles with him.

... yeah. His eyes changed...

[he sets the journal down on the ground beside him. Sanji might get a side glimpse of Xion wrestling off his bow, since it got tangled up in his shirt, and then yanking said shirt off so he can wring it out. Noooothing strange about this at all, nope. At least, Xion doesn't seem to think so, since he keeps talking.]

He's that strong, huh? I mean, I figured, from when I saw him fight... I wasn't even going to try. I was just trying to figure out the best way to run and lose him, since he was chasing me... the river just seemed like a good idea at the time. [a quiet chuckle] At least until I got water up my nose.

[pause. he understands from what Sanji's saying that there must have been a fight.] ... you didn't get hurt, did you?

Edited 2010-08-17 00:07 (UTC)

[A hum of agreement, right before Sanji averts his eyes in haste. He doesn't give a shit if Xion's a boy now - with luck, he'll be a girl within a few weeks, so best to keep the habit alive.]

I think you'll recover from a little water. [It's far better than what Naoki would've done to him.

And Sanji's first inclination is to deny any injuries, out of habit. It's an effort to fight it]

Nothing I couldn't handle. Isamu was around to heal me.

[probably for the best, Xion doesn't notice Sanji averting his eyes. he's checking his bow to see if it's been damaged at all or not. though he does frown a little in concern, glancing at the journal, when Sanji confirms he got hurt. but hey, that's what happens in this place, right? He pulls his damp t-shirt back on, picking up the book so he can sigh and nod.]

Okay. Jeez, what a mess. I hope this all ends soon and everything gets cleared up. Even if it means I'm not a boy anymore. Poor Naoki...

He won't go down without a fight. [That he knows with no room for doubt.] One way or another, shit'll get sorted out.

... You think it'll bother you being a girl again?

... you don't think-- he'll have to be subdued or something before this is over? [sighs, looking put out.

then he shakes his head.] Not really. I mean, if I really was a girl, then going back to being a girl would feel normal, right? Just like being a boy feels normal right now. It's weird, but... it doesn't bother me that much. At least until differences come up... [frowns unhappily. damn youuuu, Sokkaaaa.

feeling morose drives him to his feet, heading in the general direction of home. he's still pretty wet and wants to at least get dry.]

Maybe. [... Probably. It's not a thought he likes to entertain; only necessary expectations keep it alive.

He catches that soured expression, Xion, while you're talking. It practically mirrors the one he's making on the inside]

Differences?

... just let me know if anything happens. [of course he wants to help -- but he also knows he'd be next to useless, anyway. sigh.

frowns a little bit, looking down at the journal quietly for a moment, trying to figure out how to word this. finally he just goes with the blunt route.]

Sokka's a jerk, basically.

[HONING IN.] Heh.

That shithead?

Kick him in the balls next time for both of us. You'll feel better. [Why yes, Sanji just endorsed violence.

Guess who Sokka pissed off, too?

Oh yes, and that first part:]

Will do.

Edited 2010-08-17 05:22 (UTC)

[having gotten the confirmation he wanted, Xion is able to gape freely at what Sanji just said.

you know, endorsing violence and all.

he actually stops walking he's so surprised. and then he abruptly bursts out laughing.]

D-Don't tempt me! [loling so bad]

Oi, not like he doesn't deserve it.

What did he say to you?

[this is why he loves you, Sanji. give him a moment of sporfling as he tries to get his laughter under control. he manages it quickly once Sanji reminds him of, you know, what happened. taking a deep breath, he resumes walking, making a face.]

... something about the day we met. Remember that experiment where everyone was falling in love? Far as I remember, Sokka and I met by the fountain and just talked for a while. He was pretty nice and we got along just fine. That's how we started being friends.

But... since he remembers me as a girl... he said he gave me two of those flowers. The ones that made you kiss people. [frowning in earnest, now.] ... he wouldn't tell me exactly what happened, so ... now I don't know what to think. And I don't... with Riku, and everything... [trails off. he doesn't know how to say, precisely, that he's worried he cheated on his girlfriend, because he doesn't know the terms to use. but the sentiment is there.]

That Sokka's not the one everyone remembers.

Whatever he says -- maybe it's the truth to him, but don't take his shitty word for it, either.

... but you remember me as a girl. Everyone remembers me as a girl. What if he's right? I just...

[kicks a rock. just kind of sullen, now.]

I trusted him, Sanji. With the fight and everything. I don't want to find out I trusted a jerk who can be cruel.

And the Sokka we all know isn't some womanizing shithead, either.

[How did he get stuck defending Sokka of all people? This week can not get strange-- alright, he's taking that thought back immediately. Stop thinking, idiot]

You trusted the right guy, Xion. That guy just isn't his usual self right now.

[... even Xion is noticing how strange this is, considering how irritated Sanji seemed before. he blows out a breath.]

... it's okay, you don't have to... I know. It's just... [runs a hand over his hair.] This isn't even the most messed up thing Luceti has ever done. I mean, the last few weeks have proved that. I guess all of this is just like rubbing salt in the wound, you know?

I understand. [he exhales smoke through a grunt]

It's one shitty thing after another.

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