Twenty-Third Strike - [Action]

[not_klonoa]

[Today, in the brush close to the forest, a very small, furry, white creature is playing. It's a baby polar bear. The little bear rolls around on the ground and grass, paws reaching for its feet, which are waving in the air. It seems to want to grab them, or what's on the bottom of them

Comments

[oda_hates_me]

[Sanji is only passingly familiar with the polar bear thanks to the wide range of crazy animals from his world, but he's smart enough to leave well enough alone when it comes to creatures he's uncertain of whether or not they'll bite his face off.

Yet when it tumbles closer to where he is, he stops and quizzically hands it a stare. What the hell is it doing?

... And alright, maybe it's cute. >_>]

[pawpadsomg]

[Nah, this little baby bear wouldn't hurt a fly so long as it didn't pose an obvious threat. Plus, being so disinterested in the outside world right now, it really looked more like a playful, squeaking ball of white than anything really ferocious.

The baby polar bear waved its feet and arms, rolling a few inches in the grass, before flopping onto its belly and--...oh. Hey. It's a person. Hm, Presea thinks she knows that person, too. ...Yup, it's Sanji. The same Sanji she fell in love with some time ago, and never got to really apologize or speak to him afterward (stupid Malnosso). It didn't bother her much anymore, but still. If Sanji felt upset, then...she should say something, right?

Presea lay there, on her belly, quietly staring at the chef, and thinking about just what to say.]

[oda_hates_me]

[This makes one of them aware, because Sanji can't recognize his tragic lover in this cute, tiny (sorta) form. But aaah, such a tale of heartbreak, sadness and woe that was - brought together under the Malnosso tree, the very picture of star-crossed lovers, only to be terribly separated not ten minutes later because fruit doesn't taste as sweet when it's shitting with your cognitive skills. u_u Storybook stuff, srsly.

Though while Presea rolls over on her belly to contemplate the small dilemma, Sanji finally wanders closer when he's spotted. His "avoid strange animals" rule doesn't hold the same type of weight when said strange animal is cute and staring at him quizzically]

You look new to Luceti. [A small breath of amusement; yeah, he's momentarily forgotten about the experiment. Good job, chef]

[pawpadsomg]

[Alas, poor Presea has tasted love, only to have it be a false love! Truly tragic indeed...especially for one who does not understand the complexities of being in love with another! Perhaps another day, love will come to her, and it will be pure and not associated with horrible Malnosso experiments.

Presea doesn't move much when Sanji approaches, as she knows he poses no real threat. He was a good person, just...not really the one she wanted to speak with right this moment. But there's no better time to get this off her chest than right now, so she opens her mouth and corrects him.]

Incorrect. I have merely been returned with an altered appearance. [...] Hello, Sanji.

[oda_hates_me]

... Presea-chan!? [Oh. That adds an unfortunate level of awkward to this meeting]

Ah, I see-- I didn't-- uh. [His mouth nearly runs off without him before he puts a clamp on it, and if Presea was wondering how much of the experiment Sanji remembered, his reddening face is her answer]

Are you alright? [pause] In that form, I mean!

[pawpadsomg]

Yes... [Nggh, don't do that, Sanji. Presea may be emotionally withdrawn, but even she can tell when someone's uncomfortable - you're making it pretty obvious, too - so she lays back down on the grass and keeps relatively quiet. If she weren't covered in thick, white, fluffy fur, she'd be blushing a little bit as well.]

I-I am unharmed... I feel no discomfort in any way.

[oda_hates_me]

Aah, that's a relief. [He can take that to heart and relax through his tension. Though if she's alright, maybe he should...

The thought of retreat calls to him, nearly straightening his body back to wire tautness, but Sanji stands his ground until his face cools again. He starts, hesitates, then continues firmly] This might not be the best time to bring it up, Presea-chan, but-- [pausing. An apology is too simple, he thinks - they both couldn't help themselves - but even still, he's ready to hold himself accountable if she feels slighted in any way]

I'm sorry if what happened upset you. [stupid shitty shitheads messing with a lady's heart.]

[pawpadsomg]

[As she gets up onto all fours, Presea shakes her head to Sanji's apology. It really wasn't his fault, nor hers, that any of that happened to either of them. It was still strange, yes, but Presea actually felt happy back there under the tree with Sanji. Perhaps that's why she felt so strange now, discussing it. Because now she knew what it was like to be in love, even if she couldn't truly understand it all.]

It was no fault of yours. I...I had never felt such a thing before. Even now, I do not believe I comprehend it completely, but...it was not unpleasant. [She sat down, and instead stares at the grass. If she wasn't covered in thick fur, she'd be blushing.] I had never expected to...feel such a thing during my existence. I am...

[Unnatural, abnormal, undeserving, a monster.]

[oda_hates_me]

[I am...

He remembers, abruptly, some of the darker parts of their last conversation, and feels an unfocused indignation swell. Whatever you're thinking, it's not true, Presea. And he wishes it were still his place to say so... or that you'd simply believe him if he said it.

Not that this has stopped him before.]

Right~! Presea-chan's a wonderful person I had the honor of falling for~!! [His excitement and hearts do not lie. If she's okay with the experience, Sanji won't regret the time they spent together]

[pawpadsomg]

Huh?

['Wonderful', 'honor'... What? Presea blinks, and stares up at Sanji with a look of pure shock and stupor on her fuzzy, little face. Was he still under the influence of that fruit? No, he was normal just a moment ago, it couldn't be that. But...but it didn't make sense. Why did he say that? Was he really telling the truth? Presea had thought Sanji's words and actions had all been improvised. It no longer bothered her - not many things did - but to hear them, honest and pure, it was...startling.]

You...you are being honest? I-I...I do not require any sympathy...

[oda_hates_me]

[he shakes his head] I know you don't need sympathy. [Many things Presea has struck him as, but not a creature needing her pride reinforced by others] And I wouldn't cheapen what I felt by giving it to you like this.

The truth is... [A sheepish smile] I wouldn't change a thing. It was a nice feeling to share with you. [She always seems so sad to him - just getting the chance to make her smile made the experience worth it]

[pawpadsomg]

[Goddess, what does she say to that? He was being honest, wasn't he? She stares up at him, her black eyes large and round, and just can't believe it. Sanji enjoyed her company, and even thought it was nice? But it...it wasn't real. It was a fake love! And she wasn't...ugh. Her head was beginning to hurt.]

It...was? [Um.] I, uh, thank you... I cannot understand the greater meaning of being in love, but...thank you. For sharing that time with someone like myself. ...I think I understand this emotion somewhat better now.

[oda_hates_me]

I'm always happy to be of service to Presea-chwan~! [And with an answer like that, he wants to inquire further on the state of her emotional well-being in general. Love's no easy concept to pin down... and there are arguably harder ones out there than it.

Instead, he bends down again - not sitting completely, but resting on his hind legs - and asks, some of that eager cheer returning]

And forgive me for being curious, but what were you doing before I got here?

[pawpadsomg]

[Presea's still a bit boggled from before, but a change of pace is always welcome, especially after such an uncomfortable conversation. Sanji's cheer is nice, not not entirely returned. It's still too soon for Presea to recover from her shock at having someone enjoy her company. And say it so easily and honestly.

However, once that particular question is posed, Presea flops on her rear and looks at her front paws.]

...My paw pads. I was poking them.

[oda_hates_me]

Poking... Do they feel uncomfortable? [He wouldn't know; he's not a bear. Though it looked like she was having fun, before]

[pawpadsomg]

They are squishy... [So, so squishy squashy. She doesn't look up as she speaks, and begins prodding the pads with her claws, looking...rather pleased as she does so. Poke, poke, poke, poke. ♥]