hollower | Appointments

[You'd think as a chef, Sanji would have a hard time turning off his brain and any meal would be subject to the ridiculously high standards he's set him for himself... but no, it's relatively easy just humming in quiet delight at the sight of the food]

Any wine you have is fine, Perona-chan -- and it looks delicious~! [He's impressed, truly] I bet you could teach some of my shitty cooks a few things about presentation.

[Okay, maybe he's just inflating her ego for the hell of it, as Sanji is nothing but proud of the work his chefs put into their dishes - but he grins up at her all the same.]

Really?! [Yes, yes, Peorna's face did just light up brighter than Christmas day at the compliment. She's practically sparkling, and her smile takes up the whole of her face as she sways back and forth pleasantly. Hehe, he said it looks nice - delicious even! Hee~! Hehehehe! ♥♥♥ Now why was she ever worried about him coming over?] Please enjoy more than its looks, Mr. Cook!

[She floats, literally, to the cupboards to fetch a good bottle of wine and touches down on one foot, pouring him a glass of white wine. It goes better with lighter meals like chicken. Red is more for the thicker, richer meats.]

Mmmh, but I've never been displeased with what I'm given at your restaurant... It's always looked delicious to me. I don't think I'd improve anything, really.

[Aaah, a white wine. He'd insisted she use whatever she had on hand, though being something of a wine connoisseur means Sanji is able to appreciate the attention to detail. He rests his chin on a propped hand and picks up the glass, glancing over the rim.]

Well, the shitty place has come a long way since I took over. [Sanji remembers when Cloud Nine was just a concept, and he the only chef pulling regular hours. Heh... Just thinking of all those crazy months and the ridiculous amount of time and effort he put into the restaurant sets a satisfied curl on his lips.] Doesn't even feel that long...

[But he's getting caught in his thoughts. Sanji blinks, then glances at Perona. There's a moment where he feels disoriented being served like this, and must fight off the urge to fetch the woman a plate. He'll just play it off with a grin] Perona-chan's joining me, right?

[Living with a wine addict makes one rather aware of the posh taste and delicacy of wine and its many flavors. Perona's become a bit more knowledgeable about the drink herself, after living with Mihawk for two years...and raiding his wine cellar a few times when he was out... H E H. She's come to learn more about it mostly through him, and from her own poking through texts and guides on cuisine. Just a bit of curiosity that grew into a sort of awareness and appreciation.]

Has it? How long have you been manning the restaurant, Mr. Cook? [She's genuinely curious. He must've...been here a while, then. Possibly a few years. Aaah, that's so strange - not being out on the open sea for so long... At least on Kuraigana, they'd sail for supplies sometimes.] Ah--eh? What? Oh!

[Ffff, she got so caught up in serving him she forgot about herself, whoops. Perona sputters, turning pink all over again, and nods quickly.] Y-Yes, of course! Eh, but don't wait for me, it'll get cold.

[And she put some hard work into that dish, she doesn't want it to go to waste. But Perona will serve herself a plate and take a seat across from Sanji in just a minute or two. Wow, they're...actually having dinner...t-together. Heh.] Please, tell me what you think of it.

Let's see... [He pauses, taking a slow sip of the wine first before continuing on] How long has it been... At least two years, maybe a little longer than that.

[Which means he's been in Luceti a good three years or more, even counting his disappearance for two months. That's longer than he spent on that forsaken okama island, he realizes, and longer than his time with the crew back home. Nami-san, Vivi-chan, Luffy, the shithead... save Franky, he's known the Straw Hats longer in this prison than outside of it, and the chef stills from his own silent musings.

Hell, if not for Luceti, he wouldn't even be having dinner with Perona, would he? She'd still hate him, or just not care, and her image would only cross through his mind on some odd whim before vanishing without a second thought.

Head slightly bowed, his sightless gaze wanders along the table until resting at the plate in front of him, and it's with some effort that Sanji stirs back to himself. He picks up fork and knife, cutting off a piece to sample.]

... Delicious~! [Not surprising at all. It's flavorful, and tender, and even if he were in a position to seriously critique her work, Sanji would still praise the taste and effort]

[Wow...two years or longer? That's insane, to think he or any of the others of that crew have been here for so long, and not out on the sea. It's just such a strange concept to think of - pirates not being out on the ocean. It's where they belonged, and even Perona was longing for her mother sea a little bit.

She makes a noise in her throat, to show she heard him, but nothing more than that. Two years...that's just as much time as she spent with the two swordsmen. Ugh, to be landlocked like that. It sounds almost torturous. Though he at least has a lot of company, and some of his crew, too. That's something to look forward to, she guesses.

Cutting into her own food - albeit slowly and with a few winces here and there due to her still painful cut - Perona pauses before taking a bite for herself and delights in the chef's approval.]

You really think so?! [Oh, that actually makes her really, really happy. The two idiots would eat just about anything if it was cooked well enough, so having an actual chef say her food is good is a wonderful thing. And such a magnificent chef like Sanji, too...it's definitely boosting her ego.] Horohoro, that makes me so happy to hear! ...Eh, but you better not just be saying that to please me. I won't forgive you.

No, no, I promise it's not that! [As if Sanji would ever sing praises just to boost the ego of any pretty woman he happens across; what a ludicrous and unfounded accusation!

... >_> Right. Moving along.]

Give it a taste yourself! [He playfully waves his fork at her before cutting himself off another bite.] It really is that good.

[..... 8| Yes, moving on.

Perona considers Sanji for a moment, then takes a bite for herself, and is pleasantly surprised by her own handiwork. Hm, it actually did come out better than she expected! Seems her efforts paid off indeed, how good for her! A proud smile graces her lips and Perona raises her chin up a little. Heh.]

It is good! [And Sanji likes it, too. This is a wonderful day, huff.] Weeh, I'm so glad you approve of it, too! It's nothing like your food, Mr. Cook, but it makes me happy you enjoy it! It's nice having you here with me.

[Those are words to make a man freeze in place with a fork sticking out of his mouth. How he managed it, Sanji isn't sure, but somewhere along the way - between Perona inviting him inside and their cooking shenanigans - it had escaped his notice that he'd agreed to a home-cooked meal by the girl who probably has a crush on him.

Idiot. Because this really screams "We're just friends." Sanji glances away, torn by guilt and a few other emotions that are rendering his cheeks red. This might've been going too far, and he still doesn't know if that's good or bad. He can't pretend to know the woman's mind.]

It's always an honor spending time with Perona-chwan~! [He recovers quickly, though after a beat, he adds, testing:] I bet we should do this more often~!

[As friends... if that's what she wants.]

[In all honesty, if the question was posed now, Perona's really not sure what she would prefer. Staying the way they were before that...incident would be the safest and easiest route to take - where not much would change at all - but then again... It may be nice to be something a little more than friends, as much as her logical side is screaming at her to abandon such careless thoughts. She can't help it. It does sound awfully nice...

Perona spaces out a little, only barely hearing the words Sanji was saying. She filters out just a little, and nibbles on her food as she idly daydreams. More often? Yes, they would definitely be a thing she'd like to do. Having Sanji over more often to just do whatever they hell they want would be very, very nice indeed.]

Mm. I'd like that...

[Guess that's the best answer he can hope for: approval, however ambiguous it might seem. Well, he's a patient guy. Sanji looks on pleasantly, deciding that if nothing else, having dinner with her this one time isn't so bad. No need to overthink it.

That thought in mind, he abandons his self-doubt for the day and enjoys the rest of the meal with gusto, idle chatter crowding the table as they finish their meal. And once finished, Sanji scoots up from his chair before Perona latches onto the chance. He grabs his plate and hers]

Here, let me wash 'em. It's the least the guest can do after enjoying Perona-chan's angelic hospitality~!

[He beat her to it. Oi. At first, Perona makes a face, then sighs and nods her head with a resigned smile. He really can't sit still, can he? It's a little frustrating when she'd like to be the one to pamper him once in a while - he certainly deserves it after all the kind things he's done for her - but she'll let him have his way this once.

Kind of.]

You wash, I dry. [And don't you dare argue. She's already pushing her seat back and standing up.]

[Doh-- He grins over his shoulder like he's offering her an apology for acting like a fidgety ten-year-old.]

Yeeeeeees~! [But really, is he going to turn down her standing next to him while they perform domestic, household chores? B| Hell no. If he were less aware of the shit coming out of his mouth, he'd probably preen about the unspoken romance of such an act - washing dishes with your sweetheart.

My god, it's hard holding himself back.]

Next time it'll be my turn to treat Perona-chwan~! [He hands her rinsed dish] Maybe by the sea -- or at the hot springs~!

[Perona didn't exactly think about the novelty of what they were doing until she was standing beside the chef, being offered a dish and wiping it dry calmly. Wow, this is actually rather relaxing...and very, very cute. F-Friends can do this together, right? They can have dinner together and wash the dishes afterward side by side, right? It's fine...it's fine!

Her fingers brush against the back of Sanji's hand when he offers another dish, too long in her musing, but Perona blinks and snaps out of it quickly. Oh my, she's really got to stop that. He might start thinking she's crazy or something, or not interested in his company.]

Eh...d-dinner by the sea? [O-Oh my ahchvgd that's kind of really romantic, isn't it?! Perona huffs and turns quickly to put the dry dishes back into the cupboards.] It you really think it's necessary, then I won't stop you! I haven't been to the sea here in a long time...

[Is that a wistful, kind of gloomy sigh? Yes, yes it is. God, she misses the Grand Line.]

Of course it's necessary~! Only the very best for Perona-chan~! [The more he dwells on the idea, the more set he becomes. He could pull it off, no problem. And maybe they could make an afternoon of it too.

Though the real question would be can he keep it rated PG for their entire dinner? Shit, it seems ever since she kissed him, Sanji has found himself examining every aspect of his actions and how they can be interpreted. It's exhausting work.

He pulls himself out of his thoughts long enough to catch the tail-end of that sigh, and blinks down at her with curiosity. That's a sigh he's familiar with, in his own way, and a smile forms on his face]

Why not? It doesn't take any time to reach it.

[He turns back to the dish in his hand, watching the suds dry and dull] I can't stand to stay away from it longer than a week.

[Ah, he really does spoil her. Perona doesn't mind, but she still wishes she could give back half as much as Sanji puts into to making her happy. It doesn't seem very fair now, does it? She never used to care about things like that, she'd always just take and take, but now that she's grows a little (or a lot) closer to him, Sanji really does deserve to be rewarded sometimes.

And the more he goes on about it, the harder it is for her to find a reason not to accept. It'd just be a friendly dinner like this was! M-Maybe.]

It's been too cold these months, and with everything that happens here, I haven't had the time, really. Or my plans get ruined. ...But I would like to spend time with you there, if you'll have me, Mr. Cook, thank you. Oh, and for coming here, too.

[Sanji slowly nods along to her words. Yes, the shitty cold would be a reasonable deterrent (being born in North Blue doesn't mean he loves the stuff).]

In that case, would you rather wait until shitty spring gets here? [He hurries up and cleans the next dish before presenting it to her, that smile from before sharpening into a pleased grin.]

Maaah, you don't have to thank me for that! I already told you how I wanted to see you.

[They're really going to have that beach-side dinner, aren't they? He's not kidding. Perona can't help the breathy chuckle that shakes her shoulders and can't look at Sanji for fear he's see the color on her face. He's just...ugh. She can't stand how good he is. Stupid man. ♥]

Whatever you'd prefer. [She takes the dish after another moment, and begins drying it clean, fighting off the urge to want to lean closer against Sanji's side and possibly give him a kiss on the cheek. That's much too much if she wants to keep their relationship friendly only. B-But a hug...maybe she can get away with a hug later?] You spoil me too much! I'm starting to feel guilty that I can't return the gesture, or that I just take it without anything in return! ...I don't like having to to do that.

[She usually just likes taking things from people, but it's different when it's him.]

[Yes, yes they are. There will be beach shenanigans, so help him. He's already got half the evening plotted out in his head, too.

That said, those are words Sanji never thought he'd hear uttered from this particular girl, and when he turns, he comes dangerously close to asking her why, when he's obviously more than willing to kiss the ground she walks on. He's met women who take advantage of this fact, or outright reject it, but never someone who wishes they could return the favor.

... Except he knows the reason why; it's the same reason he dots on ladies in the first place - because he cares.]

But wouldn't you say treating me to dinner is returning the gesture? [He smiles, offering his statement like a truce]

[Good lord, man, you're kind of giving her mixed signals here. 8| But at least she'll enjoy it to the extreme.

Perona frowns, more a pout really, and crosses her arms over her chest. That seems like a bittersweet deal, but she'll accept it. There's really no changing his mind that she can see, so she may as well. It's hard enough just to get the crazy cook to sit still and let himself be waited on and pampered a little, so she'll just give in this one time. But goodness, he's killing her here.]

Mmhhm...fine. You're very difficult, you know. [And she's kick you for it, but you're too darn nice and she loves you. BT]

... Am I that bad? [A little frustrating at times, that he can live with, especially if the subject up for debate is enthusiastic pampering. Being called "very difficult" is another matter.

Beware Perona, he's not adverse to pulling out some of his puppy expressions.]

You are! [Yes, she's exaggerating, but this is a serious issue! She loves being pampered, yes she does so very much, but it's a little strange now, to be doted on, when she wants to return just as much love and care that Sanji gives to her almost daily. It feels unfair of her to just take his affections and not give back.]

Let yourself be selfish, and stop catering to me once in a while! ...Even if it is nice being waited on by you... Eh--but! It's still exhausting just watching you twirl about sometimes!

[HUFF.] Next time you're not allowed to lift a finger, do you hear me?! Not one! And no complaints!

[It's like she's speaking words but they don't make sense by the time they reach Sanji's ears. Haha, not allowed to lift a finger?

The fuck does that even mean?

He nods swiftly only because it's clear this is important to her, and a lack of comprehension won't snuff out his inclination to keep Perona happy. Not lift a finger. Right. He can... do that. Sit still and let her do the work. That's not going against his nature if it's a request!]

...

So I shouldn't do the dishes either?

[8D;; Defensively holding a plate in front of his chest, just in case that question unleashes an unholy amount of rage]

[...Really?]

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