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☠ 1st Haunt ☠ - [Voice | Action]

[Waking up in a forest is definitely not a common occurrence for Perona. She remembers being in Sabaody, ~~moping~~ bidding that green-haired imbecile goodbye once and for all. For a moment, Perona thinks she's been blindsided by auctioneers, and sits up straight, hands flying to her neck, thankfully finding nothing there. She heaves a huge sigh of relief, and actually begins to look around her.]

...This isn't-- [Fluttering, and an all too familiar aching on her back clue the young woman in, and her teeth grind together as she reaches back gingerly and feels feathers.] Mmhhrm...it would by my luck to be brought back, wouldn't it? Now where is that stupid boo--Bearsy! They didn't take you awa--eh? Oh, there it is! You were holding my journal for me like a good boy.

[And finally, after removing her journal from the back zipper pouch of her stuffed teddy, Perona's face comes into the journal camera's viewfinder, looking rather unimpressed.] Oi, I've come back. Can someone tell me the date, and who's still here that I may know? You Straw Hat people, too, check in as soon as possible if you're still here! And anyone else from the grand Line, for that matter.

[Though Perona's not going to be too talkative right away. She snaps her journal shut and sends out a hollow scout up into the air, to scour the area from above. Seeing through its eyes, she heads toward the direction of the plaza, grumbling as she goes. Why did she have to come back here?! She was finally home! So...s-so what if she was alone there now, at least she was on the sea, and she had a ship, and she was safe, and--]

I wonder if he's...mm.

[When she does finally get to the clothing shop and into her clothes (after a lot of searching and hissing at how her hat could have gotten crushed under a mountain of other clothes), Perona exits the store and snaps opens her parasol. That should help keep the sun off her now, not that it'd do much good now after all that walking and floating she did. Stupid Luceti.]

How annoying, being back here again... My room had better still be unoccupied.

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Do you? [Not that liking pumpkin points to strange tastes, but Sanji feels like this is something he should know.] Maybe that's why my cat took to you so well.

Oh, yes, though I don't have them as often as I like. But I love the spicy-sweet flavor of most of the goodies...and the aroma of the drinks with it.

[Seriously, pumpkin spice smells and tastes delicious in more occasions than not. Apple, too. Hell, fall islands and the season are Perona's favorites for reasons like this - the foods pile high and both smell and taste fantastic. Plus, there's so much fun to be had in the fall. Halloween, especially.]

Oh! Yes, you have a kitty, don't you?! I almost forgot. How is she doing? [Kittyyy... ;u; Perona subconsciously pulls her own cuddly creature onto her lap, giving the stuffed bear a loving hug.]

Pumpkin-chan's just fine! [And the same demanding, adorable, bundle of fur that takes over his bed the moment he looks away... and sometimes even when he's staring straight at her.] Though I think she misses all that attention you showered her with.

[Seriously, the moment Perona left during one of the last shifts, his cat had clawed at the comforter, showing off her displeasure. Only food had sated her bad mood.

... Sanji's expression twitches slightly in amusement the longer he thinks about it. My my, but doesn't that sound familiar? A sometimes irritable and cute lady being pacified once he makes her something.]

[This is why Perona loves your kitty, Sanji. They are kindred spirits. She smiles and chuckles at the mention of Pumpkin missing her, and leans forward to lay her chin on the back of one hand. Odd as it seems...Perona's glad to be back. For all of Luceti's bad points, a bit of good company is well worth returning for.]

I'll have to visit her sometime soon, then. Your crew...won't mind, will they? [She's still not sure how the others will take to her being back.] How have they been?

Oh, they've been alright, too. [Save that Sleeping Beauty nonsense that had his best gay friend kissing Nami on the lips (and he's not even going to think about Ling for fear of breaking something with his foot), Luceti's been relatively kind to them. It's suspicious.] We had some shitty issues to handle when Nami-san got back from her kidnapping, but everything worked out. [He says this with only the barest hint of ire in his voice]

And of course they won't! You're just visiting my cat. [Oh true, they counted Perona as an enemy during their Thriller Bark days... and she wasn't exactly well-received when she first showed up in Luceti, either, but Sanji doesn't consider his crew to be one that holds a grudge when it's unnecessary. And anyway, she's on their side now, in a manner of speaking.

Though on that note, the chef's expression takes a turn once that thought comes full circle. He's no longer smiling when he looks at her] Neh, Perona-chan. [A pause, one dipped in unhappy connotations] About Zoro...

[Ah, Perona had indeed heard about this predicament, but she keeps her mouth shut. While Sanji isn't being overly upset about it, she knows better. ...And the chef probably wouldn't take well to her snickering about the whole ordeal, as hilarious as it sounded (come on, it does if you weren't there to witness). She's just glad no one was overly hurt or anything, that would have been a disaster to come back to.

She opens her mouth to reply about Sanji's kitty, and possibly the same thing about her "relationship" with the Straw Hats previously - she owes Luffy a kick in the ass if she recalls - but her mouth shuts and thins into a tight line at the mention of Zoro. Ah...ahaha...ugh.]

Yes? ...What about him?

He's not from the same time as you and me. [No beating around the bush today. He brought it up, and so delivers the news with subtle sympathy. Though he's uncertain as to how far their friendship goes - or if "friendship" is even the word to call it - Sanji thinks it fair to assume there will be an ample amount of sting to the comment. The guy she'd spent two years with won't realize he's supposed to give a shit about her well-being.]

[Ah. That.

Perona's expression darkens, changing like a fast-forwarded movie - going from quiet shock to irritation and frustration, anger, sadness, then pure silence. She pulls her stuffed bear closer, hugging him close to her face and averting her gaze from Sanji's. Yes, she knows. Even if no one else had told her already, Perona just felt in her heart that she wouldn't be so lucky. She's been alone in Luceti all this time with just a handful of people she likes enough to call friends, why change that? Hmph.]

Oh...yes, I'm aware. I can't remember what he knows already, but don't say anything to him. ...Please. It'd only be troublesome for me.

I won't. [No worries there, Sanji wasn't planning on saying anything. It might be his crew mate they're discussing, the one guy able to inflame his nerves to the point Sanji's unsure how they can be in the same room without something breaking... but this is between Zoro and Perona - he's just the unlucky bastard who decided to detonate the bomb before it exploded under more unfortunate circumstances.

He makes a mental note to kick the Mosshead later, before deciding that no, that's unfair; instead he'll entice him into an argument and kick him for that.]

Would you like your dessert now? [They've gotten the worst news out of the way. He thinks she could use something to distract her again]

...Thank you.

[And she really means it. It's bad enough that Perona had to return to Luceti from the point of watching the idiot walk away with his crew - even if it was where he belonged - but coming back, having a chance to see him again, and having it just ripped away is a little heartbreaking. It'd only further complicate things if Zoro knew about his future, too. She's not exactly ready for that kind of talk with the swordsman. She can barely go a few minutes without wanting to raise her voice at him, that kind of talk would not boil over well in any way.

Perona's thoughts are broken by Sanji's offer, and she nods mutely. Yeah, some food would be awesome right now. Maybe a drink, too.]

And a strong cup of coffee to go with.

[Sanji nods just as mutely, only pausing long enough to place a comforting hand on her shoulder, giving it a soft squeeze before he straightens and disappears for the kitchen. He's gone a total of five minutes, if that, returning with a tray in hand.

As promised, he brings her a delectable dessert, fresh from an hour ago. There's also cream and sugar, should she desire it for her coffee.]

[Perona lifts her head at the reassuring gesture, mildly surprised by it, and gives Sanji a warm but fleeting look at her heads toward the kitchen. Once gone, she sighs a little and begins to mull over her thoughts, and just what she's going to do about the idiot swordsman. Ugh...if only she could easily forget about him and have that be it, but no. No, she just has to check up on him. Stupid man... Maybe she can ask Sanji to keep tabs on him for her, and kick him once for her or something.]

Oh my... [YEP. That's about all Perona can say once she gazes on the treat presented to her. And quickly straightens up and nabs her fork.] Is there anything you can't make?

There's no such thing as a chef who can make everything~ [He sounds almost teasing when he says it, and grins in visible delight from Perona's response to the dessert.] Not until recipes stop being made. [And that's a day he is sure - and grateful - will never come]

No, all I know are a few shitty things about presentation and preparation. [And really, that's almost all you need to make a good meal. Prepare well, present well - make a feast for the eyes and for the stomach. Feed the soul and the body. He smiles fondly at the dessert, seeing past the laborious hours and down to the ingredients, the concept, and the honest love that comes from wanting to cook for other people]

I can't make anything this good...

[Seriously, it just looks nice. And as she digs in and takes a bite, Perona just melts in her seat at the fluffy texture and sweet flavor. Hnnn...it's like take a bite of a cloud! So soft and wonderful, and the sweetness of the cream mixed with the tart of the strawberries...it's like true perfection is confectionery form. Haaah~! It's been too long. Too damn long since she's tasted food like this. It's not like she hadn't had good food mind - but nothing to fit her own personal tastes exactly. So this is a rare and godly gift from above.]

Mmmhh...! I've missed your cooking so much! Please, can you teach me to make sweets like this? I can only do basic things from what I had to do for myself. [A journey in and of itself, learning to cook.]

Perona-chan wants to learn? [That wasn't a request he expected to hear at all, always figuring Perona set in the ways of being pampered.]

I have a class I teach every Sunday, so why don't you drop by? I'll teach you whatever your heart desires~!

[Oh, she does very much love being pampered, yes, but having the skill and knowledge now... Well, practicality talking, Perona's not just going to let her new-found skills go to waste! Why learn if you don't intend to use what you've learned? Sure, learning to cook, clean, and sew were necessities she had to learn if she wanted to really make it far in life, but after two years of daily routine...it's hard to break away from that norm.]

Ah...mmh. [She was kind of hoping for a private lesson, but oh well.] All right, I may attend a few sessions. I'll have something less formal to wear by then, I think.

Less formal? [His stare slides up and down her seated figure - and he deserves a gold star for resisting the urge to linger in certain spots. He can't have Perona ruining her appetite due to a fit of rage - and the fact he'd be curled up in the fetal position might also have something to do with his wise moment of self-preservation]

Do you usually shop with anyone, Perona-chan? [He wonders how many girl friends she has in this place.]

[Perona feels a little put on the spot when Sanji looks at her, glancing off to the side a little self-consciously, then down at herself. She really is dressed formally in her ruffly gown, heeled boots, and top hat... Not to mention her makeup and hairstyle. It's what she chose to change to as she grew and matured, of course, but for something where she'd most definitely be getting a bit messy...well, that'll just be something she'll have to think on when she goes to resupply her wardrobe.]

No. Not usually. I do most things by myself here in Luceti. Or I did before... Why? [She's not doing anyone's shopping, man. B|]

I was just thinking it might be a nice way to relax if you take a friend with you! [At least, he wonders if Perona would be into that - a shopping trip, trying out clothes, stopping for a bite to eat after she's finished. He knows Robin and Nami enjoy their little trips together, so he's working off that knowledge. He'd offer himself, but, ah well... it might not have the same flavor of interest if she's shopping with a guy]

Mmm...that would be nice. [Would be nice if she had a girlfriend, at least. There's always the luxury of having a familiar female there to compare thoughts and feelings on dress. ...Though Perona does give Sanji a long, hard look from head to toe. While a female presence is nice, so is a man's - to carry everything that she gets. She's never been a light shopper.]

I'll have to find someone to go with me...other than Bearsy. [Casting a glance at her stuffy sitting next to her, yup.] Though I have made do on my own in the past as well.

[Sanji mimics Perona's glance at the stuffed toy, but whereas she sounded contemplative, Sanji mutters the name under his breath in confusion. Wasn't her Bearsy bigger than that? If he recalls correctly, Usopp, Nami and Chopper had gotten stuck in him at some point on Thriller Bark. But he doesn't question it, and instead shakes his head briefly to clear his thoughts]

Why not ask Vivi-chan? [He's already noticed the two of them seem to be, if nothing else, cordial with each other - to Sanji's endless amusement.]

[Yes, please don't ask about the bear, it will bring up a bad conversation that neither of the two want to get into, okayokay. Regardless, the teddy stays where he is and Perona actually tilts her head again, then blinks. That's right! The Alabasta princess!]

Oh. Do you think she'd go with me? We did speak several times, if I remember... [And she needed really nice.] I'm afraid I don't very much get along with the other two in your crew.

I'm sure she wouldn't mind~ Vivi-chan's one of the sweetest women I know! [Oh yes, he's well aware that out of his three favorite ladies, Vivi stands the greatest chance of striking up anything resembling a friendship with the ghost girl. And if he can help make that happen? All the better.

... But then Perona has to bring up Nami and Robin. Oi. His smile turns a little brittle from sheepishness and awkward. Time to search for the most neutral response he can muster] Aah, well, Robin-chan and Nami-san are pretty... set in their ways.

[AKA they don't put up with bullshit and don't have the patience for attitudes. To be honest, Sanji's surprised Perona and Nami haven't gotten into a verbal cat fight yet (that he's heard of). Thank the shitty gods for small favors, he supposes.]

[Perona nods absently to the bit about Vivi - she was a nice girl, they talked only a little bit during her stay, but each time was enjoyable. Heck, even when she made the announcement today that she came back, they shared hair tips together. That seems the best option, indeed, hm. Though she never did have that big a problem shopping alone...

Raising her eyebrow, Perona sets Sanji with a flat look and snorts. She doesn't really want to bad-talk the other two, but they did kind of tick her off a few times, yet Nami also helped her out that one time as well...damnit.]

So I've noticed. Though your Pirate Woman is better than the dark-haired one. A little bit. [Robin's just a troll. B|] ...Though I could punish them both if I have to.

[PERONA, YOU SAY THAT SO NONCHALANTLY.]

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☠ 1st Haunt ☠ - [Voice | Action]

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[Action] - matching icons, gooo

[Action] Yes good. /me gusta

[Action] /SLAMS THIS SHIT DOWN FINALLY.

[Action] Best thing to wake up to.

[Action] th-that doesn't make me happy, asshole!!

[Action] Bwuahahaha EMBRACE IIIIIT.

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[Action] /HOLDS ♥♥♥

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