[action]

[faterecanted]

[It's been a few days since Van arrived, under less than ideal circumstances. During that time, he felt it was probably wisest to remain incommunicado. The easiest way to assure the others from Auldrant that he was doing nothing threatening was to appear to be doing nothing threatening; and he wasn't... strictly speaking. For the most part, all he'

Comments

[oda_hates_me]

[Sanji has little need for the battle dome or the clothing shop, but he will pass Van on his way to work, in the streets. In most cases the chef wouldn't spare any man a glance, their luck for not being the sex Sanji fawns over. Today, however, his eyes do stray - just a flick, but if Van is paying attention, it'll be clear from the assessing look-over that this sharply dressed man knows of Van's newness despite his attire being something besides the New Feather garment.]

[faterecanted]

[Van is always paying attention. He gives Sanji a polite nod, not ruffled in the least by the attention.]

Excuse me? [It's far from rebuking in tone. It's as genial as if he's apologizing for bumping into him, in fact; although there is that certain inflection that marks a person who is important, and knows it well.]

[oda_hates_me]

[Sanji responds frankly and with only minimal interest, though at least he's polite in his delivery and nods back. There's no reason to be an ass.]

You're new, I take it?

[faterecanted]

Is it that obvious? [Of course it was. He certainly wasn't trying to hide it.]

[oda_hates_me]

Obvious enough. Never seen you around before. [Small town and everyone knows everyone else]

[faterecanted]

Are there really that few people here? [Valuable bit of information to have.]

[oda_hates_me]

Yeah. Can't be more than 400. Maybe. [He has to run a few numbers in his head, but a second after he gives a decisive nod] Around that or less. If you're used to bigger shitty pastures, you might have some adjusting to do.

[faterecanted]

This must be a close-knit community. [He hopes not. That could prove a problem.]

[oda_hates_me]

We're close enough to not cause problems for anyone else. Usually. [There have certainly been dissenters, and the brief flash of displeasure says as much]

[faterecanted]

And when there are problems? [The concern is genuine, at least, even if the reasons are disingenuous.]

[oda_hates_me]

Depends on who started shit in the first place. [The chef's being free with information, and so elaborates]

If it's the Malnosso, sneering at the common enemy is habit. [He shifts his footing, rolls a cigarette between his fingers in thought] If it's someone inside Luceti... sometimes it boils down to how many friends a person has, or how morally corrupt the act was.

[And then he shrugs] There's no formal government here, meaning anyone who poses a problem'll be poking the beehive. And a number of us don't stop stinging until the problem's solved.

[faterecanted]

An inefficient system at best. [Which means he can't protect himself with the law. On the other hand, it can't hinder him, either.]

There've been attempts to organize, I'd assume.

[oda_hates_me]

You'd think so, but surprising how nearly everyone abides by it. [It's what happens when you have a bunch of hero types in one place]

... [A humored snort] If by "attempt" you mean talks, then sure. And we've got some groups charged with keeping an eye on the village during strenuous times.

[Flatly] They're pretty damn useless.

[faterecanted]

How [excellent] distressing. The sort of place a man needs friends he can count on, then.

[oda_hates_me]

You got it.

[... And since they have managed to talk consistently for five minutes, might as well ask for a name]

And you are?

[faterecanted]

Van. [He offers his hand out, if Sanji's inclined to shake it.]