[ Action, Voice ] .022

[markofthebrave]

[Today, Katara is on a mission. There are people she has to thank for giving her presents, and to that purpose she has prepared small pressed impressions of dried goldenrods in glass (thank you, Usopp and the item shop) or pressed into paper with the words 'Thank You' written on it, depending on what she thinks you'll like more. Yes, this has

Comments

[Action]

[oda_hates_me]

[If she stops by the SH house, she'll no doubt run into Sanji, who will be playing the role of an exhausted-looking door greeter today.]

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

[She does indeed! Have a pleasant smile, Sanji. Pay no attention to the fact that this the first time she's been out and social since Roku went home, and she will attempt to ignore the fact that you look terrible.]

Good morning, Sanji! Can I come in?

[Action]

[oda_hates_me]

[Sounds like a fair trade! And Sanji's expression lifts anyway, into something much more amiable]

Katara-chan~! Of course! [Moving to the side, now]

Stopping by for a quick visit, or was there something you needed?

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

[She enters the house and waits for him to shut the door behind her.]

Not really? I just wanted to stop by to drop off these 'Thank Yous.' [And she reaches in her bag to draw them out - one for Luffy, and Brook and Nami and Sanji - it's a little awkward seeing him again after that note, and Roku leaving, but - here. It's a pressed golden rod on a sheet of paper for you to hang up in your kitchen or the like, Sanji. Her smile turns a bit shy.] Thank you very much for the present.

[Action]

[oda_hates_me]

[He takes the paper, eyebrow shooting up. But he does look honestly delighted] Oh, this is lovely! Thank you.

[His own smile turns warm, though a tinge embarrassed] I hope one day you can use it.

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

I'm sure I will! [Yes, so, glancing down and back to practical matters so as to not prolong the awkward.] Are any of the others here? Or can I just leave these for them?

[Action]

[oda_hates_me]

Most of them are out - I'll hand these to them later.

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

Oh. [She's a little disappointed by this, but she hands them over quickly enough.] The one in the glass is for Nami, this one's for Brook, and this one's for Luffy.

[Action]

[oda_hates_me]

[Daw, now he feels a little bad. He'll yell at Luffy and Brook for not being around]

Got it.

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

Thanks, Sanji. [She gives him a searching look - wasn't there something she had to ask him? It's on the tip of her tongue, but with - everything - it's hard to remember.]

[Action]

[oda_hates_me]

[Sanji hasn't forgotten. And maybe he reads too much into that look, but he doesn't walk her to the door like he'd planned to do a second ago.

Is this even the best time for it? After she's lost so much? He personally doesn't think so, but that's not his call to make - it's hers.]

You wanted to talk about your brother, right?

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

[...and there's that sinking feeling.]

Oh. Yeah. I did. [She glances around and... starts to move to go into the kitchen. You've got stools there where a girl can sit down, don't you Sanji?]

[Action]

[oda_hates_me]

[He does. And he'll follow Katara into the kitchen, half-wishing he'd kept his mouth shut today]

Would you like anything to drink? [Before they get started.]

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

[...and small sigh.]

Do you have any iced tea?

[Action]

[oda_hates_me]

There's some in the fridge. [He'll busy himself pouring her a glass. After a quick debate, he gets one for himself, too.

The chill will help keep him attentive for this.

Katara gets a tall glass placed in front of her before he sits down]

... Would you like me to start?

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

[She takes a sip, sighs a bit, and nods.

Whatever it is, it can't be that bad, right? It's Sokka. And Sanji.]