[Action/Voice]

[skulljokelol]

[It has been a difficult week, and Brook is finding it difficult to sleep. As he is wont to do when this happens, Brook is looking for distractions. Around four in the morning he leaves the house for a long walk, so if for some reason you happen to be out near the edges of the forest, you might run into a skeleton. He'll probably be out there well

Comments

[Filtered]

[poppetry]

[ oh my.

When Xion sees this message a little later in the morning, she's not really sure what to do with it at first. SHE KNOWS HE KNOWS and this makes her feel Very Awkward. what to do.

but, well... it's Brook. It has to be okay, right? ]

Um... sure. I'd like that.

[Filtered]

[skulljokelol]

[About an hour or two later, after he's had his nap:]

I'm delighted to hear it! I have a delightfully red checkered table cloth we can use if you would like to have our tea outside in the sunshine.

[Filtered]

[poppetry]

[ what. Brook. that's adorable. Xion tries and fails to hold back a quiet laugh over his "delightful" table cloth. ]

Okay! That sounds really nice, actually. Where should I meet you?

[Filtered]

[skulljokelol]

Are you familiar with the spot in town where the river forks? It's not too far off from behind the clinic, but there's a large stone there that would make a decent table.

[Filtered]

[poppetry]

[ tea on a rock? in the middle of the village? with a delightful red checkered table cloth?

Xion can't help it. she's picturing this and she just starts to laugh. almost like she can't help it. it feels good to laugh like this; she didn't think she'd be able to, before the end. ]

Th-That sounds good to me! Did you have a time in mind?

[Filtered]

[skulljokelol]

[The poor girl deserves to laugh. He's glad that he can help with that, at least.]

Any time that is convenient for you! I have nothing planned for the day.

[Filtered]

[poppetry]

Can I meet you in about an hour? I have an errand I need to run.

[Filtered]

[skulljokelol]

That's perfectly fine! I will meet you there!

[And indeed, he'll be waiting there with a pot of tea - and pastries too! You can't have tea without pastries.]

[Action]

[poppetry]

[ hehe. works for her. Xion turns up in one of those cute dresses she's become fond of. You wouldn't be able to tell something was wrong, if not for how incredibly pale and tired she looks, like she hasn't slept in days. Which is probably true. Still, despite her wanness, she seems pretty cheerful. Lol, on a rock, srsly. That even makes her grin as she hops up to settle herself on it. ]

Hee. Thanks for this, Brook.

[Action]

[skulljokelol]

[He has been trying SO HARD not to start nomming on those pastries before Xion showed up.

He will just... not mention how tired she seems. If she's happy, that's the important thing for now. But dammit, he would hug her if he wasn't a skeleton.]

[He tips his hat at her arrival.] It was my pleasure! And you look positively lovely in that dress, Xion-san! Would you care for jam on your scone?

[Action]

[poppetry]

[ she is happy! which is something of a small miracle. she turns a touch pink at his compliment, pleased, and simply nods quickly in answer to his question, trying not to seem flustered and failing. still not used to compliments, this one. ]

What made you think to come out here, anyway? Instead of staying inside somewhere.

[Action]

[skulljokelol]

It seemed like a good idea! [Once the jam is spread over the scone, he hands it over to her before proceeding to do the same for a larger scone meant for himself.] The weather is being very agreeable today, and I thought that I should try for a tan while the sun is out.

Oh, but being a skeleton, I have no skin to tan! Yohohoho!

[But really? If Xion is going to die soon, he thinks she should have the chance to enjoy as many beautiful days like these as she can.]

[Action]

[poppetry]

[ good lord, she can't help it. she dissolves in giggles at his awful joke. Xion knows Sanji has probably told Brook, by now, what's happening, and she can guess at the real reason he asked her out here. But she's very touched, both by his thoughtfulness and that he'd even try to pretend, for now, like nothing's wrong. It helps. still smiling, she takes a bite of her scone, while something occurs to her. ]

A skeleton with a tan would look pretty strange. But ... if you don't mind me asking, how can a skeleton eat? [ headtilts in curiosity. ]

[Action]

[skulljokelol]

Oh, it's quite simple really! Please observe! [He bites off more than half of the scone - obviously a demonstration was an order. Visually, the food seems to just disappear, neither falling out of the bottom of his jaw or appearing in his rib cage.

He explains as best as he can, talking with his mouth full.] I hardly know the details of how it all works, but I find it easier not to question it. My Devil Fruit allows my body to do all of the things I would have been able to if it were still made of flesh and blood, and this is just one of them! A good one at that.

[Action]

[poppetry]

[ ... this is one of the coolest things she has ever seen.

Xion watches with obvious fascination, tilting her head from side to side as she just stares at him. ]

Wow, that's amazing! For having a kind of creepy name, that Devil Fruit sounds pretty useful... what is it, exactly? [ takes another bite from her scone, still watching him with big curious eyes. ]

[Action]

[skulljokelol]

[He swallows this time before talking.] What is a Devil Fruit? Or what is my Devil Fruit in particular?