(Untitled)

[notadartboard]

WHO: Sanji and Lua
WHERE: the hallways of the MAC
WHEN: hey why not Friday
WARNINGS: not likely
SUMMARY: Lua's on her own while Ladd is in jail. Cue Mr. Prince wanting to get to know the lady.
FORMAT: as the lady pleases~

Comments

/sob so late forever. deepest apologies

[zarteblume]

Lua stopped in the hall when she heard someone coming, eyes fixed at the end of the hallway. She kept a hand still on the door handle just in case she needed to duck back inside. After all she still didn't have a good idea of what to expect from people around the city. This was the first time she'd tried to leave the MAC on her own. Ladd had always been there with her before, ever since he came to get her when she had arrived in the city. But even with Ladd away in jail there were things that needed doing.

yay, you found it!

[notadartboard]

Sanji emerged from the stairwell still humming, but brightened up considerably upon seeing a woman at the other end. He waved and called out "Hi!" in his usual friendly manner before he even got close, thrilled to see a lovely lady around and about.

And then as he approached, he realized he knew this face. It was the beautiful fiance of that complete and total asshole who threatened to kill her. Easy, let's not get too ahead of ourselves here, Sanji warned himself. Putting on a suave smile, he greeted her as politely as he could. "Good afternoon. I believe I've seen you on the comm device. It's...Lua, isn't it?"

yes... i just got randomly busy.

[zarteblume]

She blinked she hadn't expected anyone to call out to her like that. Taking her hand off the door handle to return a shy wave with just a bend of her fingers.

She remained standing by her door as the man approached, just watching him. For yes or no questions she would usually answer with a simple nod or shake of her head. This time was no exception, Lua nodded.

it's fine

[notadartboard]

Sanji offered her an elegant bow. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you for real. My name is Sanji." As he straightened up he managed a stealthy glance around, looking for Ladd, but saw and heard nothing to indicate he was around. "Er...how are you? How do you like this strange city so far?"

[zarteblume]

The bow left her at a little of a loss, but not so much that she forgot her manners. "Nice to meet you, too." She said in her usual soft tone as she offered a curtsy, it seemed like the thing to do.

"...It is strange... the city." Lua didn't usually speak that much, especially to people she just met so a couple short sentences is actually a comparatively good start.

[notadartboard]

Sanji edged a little closer, if only to be able to hear Lua's soft voice. He still kept a respectable arm's-length away at least, knowing full well that despite his wish to protect her from her fiance, she was technically engaged. "Ah, that it is," he said agreeably. "Noisy and bright and full of things you're not used to, is that it? Same here. As long as you're settling in all right..."

[zarteblume]

"No, Chicago wasn't much different..." The noise and lights of the city were one of the few things that made her feel at home here. The other was Ladd. "But there so many thing I've never seen."

[notadartboard]

"Oh...Chicago." Sanji had looked it up after she gave him the name suggestion for his ship. It was a city on a lake the size of a sea, not that he would ever sail there. "I read about that place. Lots of ships there - not as many as here, but still."

[zarteblume]

Lua nodded, there were plenty of boats on Lake Michigan as she remembered it. There wasn't anything else she could think to say, he hadn't asked for any further explanation or comment on her home city.

[notadartboard]

Sanji beamed. "Have you ever been sailing, Miss Lua? It's how everyone gets around where I come from."

[zarteblume]

Shaking her head, Lua answered, "We usually take the train." There were some unpleasant memories from one called the Flying Pussyfoot. "Or a cab." But the idea of sailing everywhere is interesting to her.

[notadartboard]

"Ah. Yes, those, I've gotten used to those, here." Sanji was actually pretty good with cabs, but he hadn't really taken the train. He tucked his hands in his pockets in a very non-threatening posture. "No need to be so shy, Miss Lua, I swear I'm a perfect gentleman. I just want to make sure you're all right. Do you need anything, at all? I'm a good cook, if you'd like to stop in for dinner sometime."

[zarteblume]

Lua blinked a few times before replying, "I-I'm alright." Her eyes wondered to the floor, feeling unsure about this sudden turn in their conversation. Why should someone she'd only just met be concerned about her well being? Unless...

"Did... Ladd tell you to check on me?" She glanced back up expectantly. It was the only reason she could think of.

[notadartboard]

With Sanji, the desire to be helpful needed only the pretty face of a woman. He smiled vaguely to cover the brief rush of distaste for Ladd. "Ah...no, actually, I decided on my own," he replied, picking his words carefully. "A real gentleman cares without being asked, you know."

[zarteblume]

She nodded to show she understood. Although it was still a little strange to her but maybe people really are just that nice here. "Thank you," she smiled. Lua's smile was almost always barely there, it was mostly in her eyes, a softer way of looking at things.

[notadartboard]

It was the kind of smile that made Sanji squee a bit inside. And maybe outside, too - he couldn't help it. "Ahh, you are a real ray of sunshine, Miss Lua! So golden and lovely. I'm glad I could finally meet you~."