thatsnotcute | ☠ 3rd Haunt ☠ - [Action

[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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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.]

☠ 3rd Haunt ☠ - [Action | Voice]

[action] /devours it

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

[action] ...deargod it is.

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