oo24 [ voice // action for housemates ]
[ Xion sits down to make this post in her room, quietly unhappy about it, but knowing she has to persevere. He wouldn't want her to be sad, she knows it.
She'll have to find a new teacher.
But Xion finds she just can't sit still, and rises, speaking as she moves down the hall. ]
For anyone who knew him... Longshot has...
[ then she notices something. Sora's door is slightly ajar, and the inside of the room...
as if entranced, Xion slows, then moves towards it, giving a gentle push. ]
Gone ...
[ it's empty. the room is empty, completely bare of any sign that Sora was ever there. ]
... home.
[ and that's it. Xion has lowered her journal, giving an upside-down view of the wall through the journal's camera as she stares at this empty room.
it takes a moment -- a long, numb, endlessly empty moment that may go on for two or even three minutes -- for Xion to sink to her knees. only then does she finally, slightly, come back to her senses. she adds her final statement in a voice that, while even, is just barely above a whisper. ]
And ... and Sora ... Sora has also ... gone home.
[ if heartbreak had a sound, it would sound like her voice. for anyone who replies to her over the journals, it will be some time before she responds. housemates will likely get to her first. ]
She'll have to find a new teacher.
But Xion finds she just can't sit still, and rises, speaking as she moves down the hall. ]
For anyone who knew him... Longshot has...
[ then she notices something. Sora's door is slightly ajar, and the inside of the room...
as if entranced, Xion slows, then moves towards it, giving a gentle push. ]
Gone ...
[ it's empty. the room is empty, completely bare of any sign that Sora was ever there. ]
... home.
[ and that's it. Xion has lowered her journal, giving an upside-down view of the wall through the journal's camera as she stares at this empty room.
it takes a moment -- a long, numb, endlessly empty moment that may go on for two or even three minutes -- for Xion to sink to her knees. only then does she finally, slightly, come back to her senses. she adds her final statement in a voice that, while even, is just barely above a whisper. ]
And ... and Sora ... Sora has also ... gone home.
[ if heartbreak had a sound, it would sound like her voice. for anyone who replies to her over the journals, it will be some time before she responds. housemates will likely get to her first. ]
[Voice]
She wonders, a little, if this is what it felt like.
Only, only for Sanji does Xion reply right away. Kairi was an exception because Kairi is ... Kairi; most everyone not in the house, quite a few people, had to wait. Except for Sanji.
Not that she knows what to say, or how to even say it. her voice is still so quiet and broken. ]
Sanji.
[Voice]
You want some company? It's not as if she doesn't have her best friends to grieve with her.
And he's silent the entire time, weighing each thought carefully before he finds what he wants to say]
If you're not busy later, I could use some company.
[Voice]
She doesn't really want company.
But if someone else wants company, well...
That she can do. In fact.. ]
... I'd like that ... Sanji. When...?
[Voice]
He's willing to bet she wants out of her house for a while]
You can meet me at my place.
[Voice]
But I will. [ with that, she simply shuts the journal. it ... might be a little more than two hours before she can make it there, Sanji. ]
[Action]
[Action]
for once, it doesn't take any courage to knock on the door, and she feels no nervousness like she otherwise might at going to him or one of the other Straw Hats for help.
right now she just feels tired. looks it, too. ]
[Action]
He's half-tempted to offer her a nap, not a hug.]
Thirsty? [Gotta get formalities out of the way first]
[Action]
... when suddenly she realizes she hasn't had anything to eat or drink in hours. not since some time before she discovered Sora was missing. biting her lip as she pulls her scarf all the way off, she nods. ]
Actually, yeah.
[Action]
He's more than happy to accommodate the request, though. There's something reassuring about keeping his hands busy and taking care of someone else]
Alright, I'll get some tea ready for us. [A nod towards the kitchen, indicating she should follow]
[Action]
she doesn't hedge as much, and she's not nearly as self-deprecating. asking for something like this isn't something she'd normally even consider; but because it's Sanji... ] Would you mind making something for us to eat, too? I'm starving. I haven't had anything since way before we even found out Sora was gone. [ she frowns a little in sadness and concern, starting to pull off her jacket. ] It's been a long day.
[Action]
Of course! Anything you're in the mood for? Or just whatever's quickest?
[He'll get to that last part in a second]
[Action]
Whatever is quickest. I'm sure it'll still be delicious.
[ she keeps her coat and scarf in her arms while they're in the kitchen, not wanting to simply set them down on a counter. part of her wants to ask if she can help with the cooking... but she'd rather just eat than have a lesson. ]
[Action]
He only asks one question as he works to put the sandwich together]
How's everyone coping at your house?
[Action]
Xion looks down for a moment, eyebrows knit as she heavily considers the floor. ]
... how would you all feel if Luffy left one day? If he was just gone? That's ... what it's like. No one's okay. We're not going to be okay for a long time. [ it's actually worse, in a way, as no one in Luffy's crew is actually another piece of his heart, soul, or memories. ]
[Action]
But at the heart of the matter, yeah - it's still the same. He can't imagine how the crew would immediately fare without their captain. And he's been in Luceti the longest, too.
He offers no words to that - there's nothing to say besides "sorry", and that doesn't cut it. It just makes everything hurt, sometimes.
When he does speak up again, it's to announce her sandwich is done, as is the jasmine tea he'd put on the stove. He places both on the table and takes her coat and scarf, giving her shoulder a tiny squeeze before he goes off to put them away.]
[Action] I hate you because now I want a sandwich that has fried egg on it.
[Action] I regret nothing 8]
As much as he wonders what she's thinking, he doesn't feel like pressing any more than Xion might want to be pressed. Sometimes, silence is better]
[Action] I went out and got a BLT with fried egg and cheese on it. If I die, it's your fault.
the silence is helpful. it doesn't make her feel guilty or sad. it just lets her be, one of those things she's always appreciated about Sanji.
once she's done, though, she'll take another sip of her tea, then smile shyly at him from behind the cup ]
Thank you, Sanji. That was just what I needed.
[Action] 8D
Feeling a little better?
[Action] /punts
[Action]
[Action]
[Action]
[Action]
... somehow I always seem to end up here when things are at their worst. Thank you, Sanji. But I shouldn't stay gone for too long, especially not now. [ a pause. ] ... I could use a hug, though.
[Action]
[Action]
[Action]