37 → Action/Voice
[This isn't the first time in a week Sanji's slipped out of slumber, indicated by the immediate clarity of his surroundings when his eye opens. No blank moments, no gaps in understanding. No sudden shutdowns where he goes right back under.
He's completely awake, and that's noted with paramount relief.
... And under house arrest, if Nami's last ( Read more... )
He's completely awake, and that's noted with paramount relief.
... And under house arrest, if Nami's last ( Read more... )
to his question, she shakes her head. ] No, not yet, other than be really careful. I guess it ... really is a problem, because...
[ she frowns at the floor, folding her arms in her lap. after a beat, she frowns a little more deeply and looks him square in the eye. for once in her life, she's going to be painfully blunt about this. ]
Sanji, if Naoki hadn't arrived when he did, the thing that was controlling you would have killed me. And it wouldn't have taken more than a few minutes, if even that. [ a pause. ] Somehow... I feel like ever since I've come to Luceti, everything I ever learned about fighting has become totally useless. Back home I could fight, and I felt like I was competent enough... most of the time. [ her frown shifts a little, fades into something softer and a little more troubled, but she doesn't linger on the point. ] But then I got here, and suddenly... suddenly everyone outclassed me. Even my friends. I don't want to be left behind... but most importantly, I want to be someone that can be relied on. That can protect, instead of being protected. I want to become strong enough so that I could have shown up then and held my own. Been a partner to Naoki, instead of a burden...
But that's going to mean training, really hard, for however long it takes. And it might mean I get hurt. [ ... now, for the first time, a little uncertainty enters her expression. ] ... would you stop me?
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And then his mouth twitches once -- oh Xion. But you weren't a burden.
If not for her, there's a chance Sanji would've forced Naoki into drastic measures - her Blizzaga saved more lives than she realizes.
But at the same time he understands the sentiment behind her concern, and yes, she would've died if not for Naoki's intervention; there's no denying it. In a village where the strongest have seemed to gather, it's all too easy to get left behind.
That doesn't curb the frank surprise that her question brings] Why would I? You have every right to get stronger.
[Though he's quick to add] I don't like the idea of you being hurt, but if it better prepares you for whatever this shitty place tosses at us next, I'll do what I can to help.
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[ she pulls her legs up to her chest and wraps her arms around them, resting her chin on her knee. ] I want to learn archery. I think maybe fighting from a distance might be better for me. I already know some elemental magic, so I'm going to try and form pacts with the spirits of those elements... to get better, like Nala is helping me improve my healing magic.
[ she turns her head, so her cheek rests on her knee now, and she can look at him. her smile is faint. ] Maybe then ... maybe then I'll be able to keep up. Even with someone as strong as you.
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And I'm sure you'll get there eventually. [a grin] Archery sounds like a good fit for you, too.
Maybe Usopp can help. He's got the best aim of anyone I know, even if I've never seen him use a bow before.
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Thanks! I hope so. [ pause, blink. then she grins. ] Really? Okay, I'll definitely ask him.
[ also, gonna lean against him slightly. hi, sanji. ;; ]
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He has nothing else to say for now, and that's okay. It's nice just remembering what her company feels like]
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