thatsnotcute | ☠ 3rd Haunt ☠ - [Action

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☠ 3rd Haunt ☠ - [Action | Voice]

[So this past week had been unkind to Perona. She'd been seen practically naked and transported to a manner of places, made a fool of herself, and was scared half to death again. She'd even been self quarantined to her apartment out of fear of burning up in the sunlight. So, now that the experiment's ended, she's going out at last to do some shopping and to actually enjoy the warmth of the sunshine. Maybe get some cake at the bakery, too.

Unfortunately, her shopping journey only nabs Perona a few simple striped shirts and some gorgeous heels (what a find, squeeee!! ♥♥♥) so she stops by the fountain to make a request in her journal. The boots were a great find, so she has an honest smile on her face as she speaks, which is rare in most cases.]

There are supposed to be custom tailors here, aren't there? I want to put in a request for something cute, and classy! A little dark, with some frills or lace... Ah, yes, a gown! I want a gown to dance in! And some matching gloves, too!

[Aaah...a dark gown - to dance around in the moonlight in a dark gown and sing a song. Even if there wasn't a castle around, Perona doesn't care. She deserves a good night for herself to have fun and let her hair down. In fact, that sounds like a wonderful idea, and she's already thinking on what to wear and sing and where to do it. The roof of her community housing building? Or the Battledome? Maybe even the ocean! Yes, yes, dancing along the ocean under the moon while singing a haunted song~!!! Yes, yes, that'd be perfect.

So, once it's dark, Perona leaves for the ocean with her parasol and journal in hand. Though she doesn't have a dark gown, the white sundress worn by most New Feathers that she kept for whatever reason since she came to Luceti (it was torn and stained a little, it fit the haunted feel she so dearly loves) serves well enough. Tossing her journal - which falls open and begins to record and parasol aside, Perona breathes in the salty air and removes her shoes. Mm, the cold sand felt nice, and the seafoam was pleasant, too. Why hadn't she done this before?]

OOOOOHOROHOROHORO~!
So, shall we start? ♥

[And so Perona sings and dances, well into the night. A few of her hollow ghosts join her after a while, which she conjures herself, dancing and swaying around their master, but the girl herself seems to be having fun at last.]

Evil flowers steadily bloom,
With an array of colorful doom!
Now the people speak of her without a second thought,
The daughter of evil received what she sought!

[And curtsy!]

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[Oh jeez. Unbidden, Sanji worries his bottom lip with his teeth, which is sorely lacking a cigarette right now. Regardless, he keeps up a steady pace despite his apprehension and lack of energy, following Perona all the way to her apartment, all the while tossing glances this way and that in the hopes he can hail down Nami or Vivi or Robin to save him.

No such luck, but then again, he wasn't expecting anything but. He closes his eyes briefly with a masked sigh of dejection before commenting to fill the silence]

I think this is the first time I'll have ever seen Perona-chan's room...

[Perona's apartment is actually rather tidy, and furnished more or less to her liking - at least in terms of small appliances and the like. There's also a vast amount of stuffed toys, dolls, and...ghosts. At least seven turn their heads toward the two people once they walk in through the door, and waft over to greet them, cackling their usual, echoy "horohorohoro" giggle.]

It serves its purpose. [Meaning it's nothing like home.] You can stay on the couch if you like, or my bed, if you prefer. Hayate-kun should have made it by now, I think. I'll make tea for you, too.

[Lalala, gonna leave you alone to do that now. Alone with the ghosts. 8)]

[Perona takes off before Sanji has a chance to insist he make the tea, leaving him to trudge over to the couch with a world-weary sigh. Her offer was kind, but Sanji doesn't think it wise for him of all people to sleep in a lady's bed. He's not about to let his mind stray down that line of thought.

Also - don't get any funny ideas, ghosts. B| Sanji shoots the giggling, floating specters a sour glare while shrugging out of his jacket, idly wondering if he can just kick them into ribbons with his Haki now. Except even if he succeeded, Perona would beat him for massacring her friends. The shit he puts up with to keep a girl happy. B|]

[The ghosts don't do much of anything, really, just get a bit too close for comfort, more like they're inspecting him than being overly malicious. They're just curious and playful, and back off the moment Perona comes back into the room after a few minutes, waving their arms enthusiastically.]

Here. [She sets down a tray with two teacups and a teapot, which she'll pour for Sanji in just a minute. There's something else for him, tucked under her arm.] ...After you rest, take these home with you. I forgot about them until just now.

[Or she was reluctant to give them up. It's Sanji's folded clothing that she borrowed during their...unfortunate meeting last shift.]

[Huh. Sanji tilts his head curiously, it taking a full second before he recognizes what Perona is offering. That's right, he'd let her borrow his clothes, hadn't he?]

Aah, thank you~! [Visibly grateful, he takes them and sets his pants and shirt down on the couch by his side.] I hope they were comfortable enough.

[The clothes aren't dirty, but neither are they freshly laundered either. Perona had been honest when she said she forgot about them until now - they were folded amongst all her other clothes, and thus retain the faint scent of her perfume and the shampoo she used to wash her hair. Though, of course, she doesn't seem to notice or care much at all. Perona's busy pouring tea for herself and Sanji - a fragrant red tea served in some spooky teacups.]

Oh, yes. You have a fine taste in clothing.

Aaahn, Perona-chan approves of my clothing~? [Even tired, he has the energy to swoon! Marginally. He quits soon after a yawn overtakes him, another telltale sign that he really shouldn't have been out and about in the first place, but he covers it up as best he can by sampling the tea as soon as Perona's done pouring it.

Actually, he's fairly impressed with her presentation. Being something of a tea lover, he hums in approval at the firm flavor and fragrant aroma, and takes another sip, warmth flowing through his limbs] Oi, this is delicious!

Better than the others... [The "others" being the other members of the crew. The two women, obviously, would have been more preferable to snatch the clothing of, but if it had to be one of the men, Perona's glad it was Sanji. He at least had some class about him. ...Well, most of the time.

Perona smiles, both happy and rather proud of herself. Tea's among the few things she can actually make very well, and she feels a swell of her ego at being praised for it, especially by someone even she considers being culinary-fabulous.]

Ah, do you really think so?! I'm sorry there's nothing else...but you can stay here for as long as you need, Mr. Cook! Until you're better.

[Sanji silently and wisely circumvents that first statement for his own varying reasons. Things are odd enough without his brain imagining Perona modelling Zoro's damn haramaki. And apparently his comment was well-received. He gives her a nod, grinning lightly behind the rim of the tea cup]

No, it's fine! I'm the one imposing on a lady's free time. [Even if he was sorta dragged here against his will. *_* Ahaha...] I'm sure I'll be out of your hair within a few hours.

[Picking up her own glass, Perona sits on the arm of the couch, kicking her legs lazily. Mm, she really did do a good job with this batch, hoho. Though it is a shame she can't cook much at all, otherwise she'd have some snacks to offer up. Sanji treats her so well, it's the least she could do to repay him with a few bites herself. Ah, well.]

You're not imposing. I have all the time in the world...and I don't get many visitors. [Another sip, mostly to hide the tiniest of frowns that appears on her face.] I don't mind taking care of you while you're here, Mr. Cook. You'll just sleep, so you're not bothering me.

[Speaking of, should she get a pillow and a blanket for him? She could hang up his coat, too.]

[... And again, this concern knocks him for a loop. She's being downright hospitable here, when she could have gotten away with showing him the couch and telling him to sleep off his exhaustion. Or punching him full of negative hollows until he couldn't move and had no choice but to pass out. Not that he finds Perona cruel by any means, oh no, but those would have been the reactions he'd be expecting - not tea and easy conversation along with some obvious pleasure from his company.

Some of it maybe shows on his face, especially as he's watching her with a clear, almost awestruck gaze. But then he glances back down at the tea cup he's holding and... smiles. Just smiles.]

Thank you. [He's already said it once, but this time it's said without any frills, or vocal acrobatics. There's nothing but soft honesty.] I really do appreciate it. [He pauses, and then continues in a lower voice] To be honest, this is one of the nicest things anyone's done for me.

[Not a statement bred out of discontent, that, but like his opening thanks, it's just the simple truth. He's hardly caught in a position where anyone needs to do something for him. That's just not a role he often plays. Instead, he prefers to be the giver, the provider, taking solace in that role. Sometimes he... forgets how nice it can be, sampling the other side.]

Edited 2012-09-21 21:44 (UTC)

[At first, Perona's a little weirded out by the look, and touches her face absently, looking away with the assumption that she maybe got something on her face or in her hair, or something. But she didn't eat anything, so...what? Perona's suddenly feeling extremely self-conscious, and jumps a little bit once Sanji finally speaks. Fortunately, she doesn't spill anything onto her lap (that'd be a disaster), and instead casts Sanji with a look of surprise.

Wh-What...? Why was he thanking her? She was being nice, and returning the same kindness that was shown to her time and time again. Sanji was the only one of the Straw Hats who didn't treat her badly thus far - even if she maybe, possibly, deserved it. They were enemies, after all. Yet he...didn't seem to think so? It did seem that way. So, with that realization and Sanji's thanks. Perona's shoulders come up and she doesn't dare look at her guest, cheeks tinting red and lip puffing outward.]

Sh-Shut up...there's nothing at all to thank me for! Just drink your tea and lay down! I'm doing this so you can get better and cook for me again, don't think anything more of it! [B-BAKA, IT'S NOT LIKE SHE'S WORRIED ABOUT YOU OR ANYTHING!]

[Her reaction has the sheepish man shielding a grin behind his tea cup, to hide himself from her embarrassed wrath. Whoops, maybe he went a little too far with his thanks that time.

Not to say he feels particularly apologetic about it, mind. It was the truth, and he doesn't really think Perona angry so much as caught off-guard. Still, better not to push his luck; he hasn't forgotten whose apartment he's in, or the ghosts still lurking around. He switches gears, gaily rocking in his seat while a sudden trail of hearts shoot out of nowhere.]

Yes, yes~! As Perona-chwan commands~!! [GUZZLIN' DOWN THAT TEA NOW]

[She's still huffing and red in the face, the color spreading despite her best efforts to keep it under control, but Perona will deny her blush being anything more than heat from the tea she just drank or...or something! Whatever! She's not even blushing! Ugh. Stupid man. S-Stupid, idiot man... Why'd she even care so much to bring him into her home, and make him comfortable, and be sure he wouldn't collapse, and...tch!

...Felt nice to be thanked like that, though. Kind of.

Perona doesn't say anything else, and just watches Sanji like a hawk, chewing her lip irritably, and swipes away his cup and saucer once he's finished, standing up to deposit them in, and her own, in the sink. But not before turning over her shoulder and snapping--]

Go to sleep. [...] If you need a pillow or blanket, let me know now.

[Without the cup to hide behind, Sanji merely ducks his head when Perona grabs it and glowers in his direction, prompting him to amp down the volume of his cheer. Sort of.]

No, that won't be necessary~! I'll be fine. [All he needs is a surface to lie on, and she's provided that. Letting loose a fitful sigh, he shifts himself horizontal on the couch, weight sinking him further into the cushions. Damn, it feels nice to be completely off his feet; nowadays it's like a luxury he can barely afford. Though comfy as it is - or maybe because of it - exhaustion steadily overtakes the last of his energy until his eyelids weigh heavy and his body refuses to respond. He can't even manage to offer Perona one last word of thanks.

Just an hour, he thinks, mind drifting further away. Maybe two. Then he'll be off, out of her hair, do some more cooking, get back and fix dinner for the crew... A little nap is all he needs.]

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☠ 3rd Haunt ☠ - [Action | Voice]

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[action] and then I spit up tl;dr at you

[action] /devours it

[action] mwuhahaha also this icon is... scarily accurate

[action] ...deargod it is.

[action] ... so is this one, rofl