Nightshift 44: Kitchen

[ran_on_empty]

[From here.]Since there hadn't been anyone else in the Sun Room when they arrived, Sync figured they were the only ones that managed to get this far this early in the night. The God-General couldn't complain; after all, that meant less people getting in his way

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[gavemyword]

"I guess you could say that," Zoro smiled with a soft, wry look at his companion. He didn't think it possible that someone didn't know about the Grand Line, but he was starting to get a feeling that a lot of the people here weren't sailors, let alone pirates. Howl himself had proved it. Any sea man worth his salt would have known of the four Blues.

He gulped down another mouthful of juice, leaning against the counter leisurely. Either way, it really wasn't that important. A look at his surroundings and Zoro'd given up hope that he'd find at least Luffy trying to raid the pantry for a pre-adventure snack. With no signs of damaged equipment or misplaced food, Zoro doubted any of his nakama had been through the kitchen.

There was a small voice at the back of his head that wondered if Howl needed anything else, but Zoro figured the other man would just have to speak up if he did. Zoro's mood was light, almost at the borderline of content, though he held some reservations about how easy their trip had been. No armies of monsters chasing them, no Marines shooting ineffectively at them; admittedly, there'd been the customary weirdo spouting nonsense, but the boy hadn't even attacked. Zoro didn't know whether to feel grateful or annoyed.

"You want some?" He offered, thrusting the half-finished jug of juice at Howl.

[slipperymagic]

Howl eyed the juice for a moment, but soon accepted it and helped himself to a swig. It was simply unremarkable apple juice, while Howl was half-hoping for the bite of alcohol. It would have been nice to take the edge off of this place. The details of his fear would become blurry, and he'd be able to focus on facts. On actions.

That, or he'd let his emotions get the best of him and end up in a heap on the floor. Howl sighed miserably.

"My thanks. Unfortunate that this is so tame, hm?" he said, swirling the apple juice as he voiced his disappointment in the nonalcoholic content. "Not that it would be the wisest thing in the world to consume right now, but I could certainly use a stiff drink. I'm already tired of being here." Tired wasn't the right word, but it seemed to fit his long sighs and the way he leaned on the wall. He offered the bottle back to Zoro.