[ He finally risks a glance at Reiju when she speaks, hurt and desperate and confused. How is there no time, who gives a shit about some stupid banquet when this is going on—
It's all he can do but keep his hands limp at his sides, shoulders slumped as Reiju takes charge of the situation. He could still stop them from leaving, he thinks, but then what — it would probably come to blows, and Sanji's already hurt, and it's not actually his goal to hurt him further. It's just, violence is on the forefront of his mind now, every problem a nail and he's a hammer. A very, very effective hammer. It's a unique feeling of helplessness, and all he can do is watch.
But he thinks Reiju might be offering him an olive branch. Isn't sure, but... ]
I'll come with you. [ He doesn't make any move to follow her, though; not at first. He's thinking. ] Sanji... we are going to talk after. You're not getting rid of me that easily.
[ Thinking. Shifting over and ducking down to try to force Sanji to look him in the eyes, voice quiet and serious. It isn't the anger of before, nor the manufactured cold, but blunt fact. ]
And I'm not bluffing. If I find out this fiancée of yours is hurting you? I will kill her.
[ With that he moves to follow Reiju, stopping only to pick up his bag on the way. ]
[Sanji doesn't recoil this time. His eyes narrow at the threat, his hands balling into tight fists, but says nothing as he turns away. Message received. Mark can go and stay away (wishful thinking).
Since the boys are so afraid of the thing, Reiju crouches down to pick up the phone on the way to the door. Then she leads Mark back to her chamber, which isn't too far from Sanji's. She lets Mark in first, then lingers by the closed door, considering the circumstances.
She would've liked for them to talk more, but she was honest about the lack of time. Sanji doesn't need more trouble by being tardy on top of everything else, hence the delay. As for Mark . . . he's something of a mystery to her. She doesn't know what to make of him yet.]
Pudding is a nice girl. Once he marries her, he can take her family's name and live a comfortable life with her.
[ He enters Reiju's chamber, sets his bag down, and finds himself exhausted.
He just stands there, feeling limp, back to Reiju as he stares out at nothing. Her breaking the silence does make him start, standing up straight suddenly before he slowly turns around to face her. ]
I— [ pause. Pudding? Like, the food?— ] I'm not going to hurt her if she isn't doing anything wrong. I just... needed a way to get him to take me seriously. So he doesn't think he can just ignore me.
[ Mark sighs, running a hand through his hair before meeting her eyes again. He still isn't sure about her, but so far her intentions seem to be good ones. ]
And you can't tell me he's actually okay with any of this.
[No, of course he isn't. This is as close to okay as Sanji will get, though. At least there's a lovely girl waiting for him at the end of the road. It's better than rotting in the basement, deprived of human interaction and sunlight.]
He's taking this more seriously than anyone else. Our father has high hopes for this alliance, and Sanji knows that. Having a third party present would only complicate matters.
[The corner of her lips curls up apologetically. She's sorry for that, because she's the reason Mark is here. It's plain to her that both he and Sanji are hurting.]
... Or having a third party present could get him out of it.
[ Especially when he's the third party. Him. Mark, who comes from a race of what are essentially violent gods.
Still, he sees what Reiju is actually saying, what she's trying to do, and he makes an attempt to match that apologetic smile. ]
You have other brothers, don't you? [ Except if they're the ones who actually hurt Sanji, maybe they won't have other brothers for long, if he gets any say in things. ] Why can't one of them handle this alliance? Why does it have to be Sanji?
He's the most suited for it. The Charlottes value culinary talent; if he's with them, he'll be able to cook as much as he wants.
[And because their father mistrusts Big Mom—an old bag, in his own words, to whom he'd submit only his failure. Their brothers are too precious to be offered in his stead. Reiju chooses to be more optimistic: Life with the Vinsmokes will always be hell, but at least Sanji will have a shot at fulfillment with the Charlottes. If he's not willing to forsake the people he knows, this is the next best thing he can have.]
Sanji no longer has any interest in leaving. Do you intend to force him?
[She takes measure of Mark from where she stands. Based on the show, she knows him as a soft boy, but there's been a change since. She needs to know how much faith she can place in his mind and body before making a move.]
Mark's brow furrows, trying to take stock of Reiju once again. He doesn't know a single thing about her. For all he knows, this is an act. For all he knows, she's stalling for something.
But it's better to believe in the best in people — at least until they prove you can't, and she hasn't done that. (And neither has Sanji, for that matter.) ]
You can't tell me you actually believe that. You...
[ pause. His mouth forms a little o, recognition coming to him, he thinks. ]
You helped him escape before, didn't you? When you were kids. I know he wants to be free, and all of this? It doesn't sound like freedom.
He chose to turn his freedom in for something else.
[It's something she struggles to grasp even now. Sanji could've sailed away and chased his whims across the seas if he'd just given up his mentor. Reiju knows what it is, recognizes the love in their mother's eyes reflected in his, but she's always been more selfish than them. She knows that she could never.
She turns her head away to look at a nondescript spot on the wall. That's the thing about children: They're more honest than adults like to be. Mark knows so much, though, and that's enough for Reiju to volunteer this much:]
Sanji is trying to make the best of his situation. If he leaves now, others will face the consequences in his stead.
[ He follows her gaze, trying to see what she's looking at. Mark narrows his eyes, like that'll help him identify it, but... nope. He has no clue.
Turns back to Reiju with a little tilt of his head. ]
So... what are the consequences? How bad could they be? Because I don't think it's right or fair to let him fall on this sword. Not if it's going to turn him into a shell of himself like this.
What's right and fair hardly matters in the Underworld. Sanji will marry, or people will die.
[There, she's said it. She's curious to know what Mark will do with the information. He comes off as harsh when he wants to, but it's apparent from this that he has a straightforward way of looking at things. He's right about Sanji, at least—her brother's rapidly becoming more like a shell.]
So long as he remains with the Charlottes, though, he won't have to worry. Luckily for him, his fiancée is as sweet as they come . . . and she comes from a family of pirates, so he can continue being one.
She puts it so bluntly. And when he's not puffing himself up, channelling his natural anger to make him seem tougher than he actually is, Mark's heart will just about always be on his sleeve. He pales, looking at her with something akin to desperation, arms hanging limp at his sides. ]
I don't— no. That's great that his fiancée is nice and all, but if he's not going to be happy or free, if he's just going to Stockholm syndrome himself into this—
[ because obviously that term will translate across worlds. His brows furrow as he looks around the room, like there will be something else here that will help. ]
Why are people going to die? What can we do to make sure that doesn't happen without Sanji marrying someone he doesn't want to?
[ A beat, staring pointedly at Reiju again, desperate but dragging up a determination from within himself. ]
["Stockholm syndrome"? She's not familiar, but context clues help. More importantly, the sobering display is a clear admission that Mark truly cares about Sanji's happiness, which is all she needs.]
There are powerful people behind this alliance. It's natural for those who stand in the way to be punished.
[Sanji's strength is his weakness. He cares too much about people, so he can't leave without trading in his peace of mind. In light of this, Reiju doesn't have a simple solution for Mark.]
I'm saying this, because you're his friend. As of now, the banquet is an inevitability. If you want to help Sanji, stay here and don't let anyone see you. There's something I want to check first.
[ He really needs to do something, but all he's done so far is rush into a situation he knows nothing about and threaten innocent people to try to get a real reaction out of his friend, so it dawns on Mark that maybe he should take a backseat.
To that end, it's all he can do but nod, despondent but not leaving room to make her think he's going to disobey. ]
Okay.
[ He's kind of out of choices here. But — ]
But if you see anything I can do, tell me, and let me do it. I don't care how powerful anybody here is. I can take them.
[ In a fight, right? Yes of course. But considering where he'd been mere weeks ago, Mark has pretty good reason to believe he can beat just about anybody, so the confidence is actually earned. ]
[That's for Sanji to decide. She's already said too much; having said that, a no small part of her is grateful. Whatever Mark's strength is, his care means more in a place like this, especially when he isn't afraid to show it.
Reiju strides over to her wardrobe, where she retrieves a red cape with a golden tasseled cord. Then she approaches Mark, to whom she offers Sanji's phone.]
You can hold onto this for now. How adept are you at traveling discreetly?
[The cape is for herself—after all, they've got a social function to attend. She drapes it over her shoulders and fastens the two ends.]
Once we dock, we'll make our way to Whole Cake Chateau by way of a carriage. It's where we'll be meeting the Charlottes' matriarch and staying until the wedding is over.
[She looks in the direction of the balcony attached to the room, where Mark will have access to a sprawling view of their surroundings.]
I want you to follow us from above. No one will be expecting a visitor from the sky, so you won't have to worry about being noticed. Can you do that?
[ Oh, it's for her. That makes more sense. What was he going to do, put on a cape that would have clashed with his costume?
Mark follows her gaze, catching on well enough to the plan. The beginnings of a plan? He isn't sure, so he just turns back to Reiju and nods. ]
Yeah, I can do that. I can stay quiet up above. Just, you know we aren't letting this wedding go through, right? [ Apparently it's we now. ] So... how will you signal me when it's time to put an end to things?
[ And how is he going to put an end to things?? He can't help the hope that slides into his gaze though, ready and waiting for Reiju to have all of the answers. ]
[She understands, perhaps even more than Mark realizes. If it were up to her, she'd throw the old man under the carriage to save Sanji. It's not what Sanji wants, though, and she knows him enough to gather that he won't be able to cope with somebody else paying the price meant for him.]
Presently, the safest course of action for my little brother is to marry. Unless a better option presents itself, I won't stop the wedding. [She turns back to meet Mark's eyes. Hers must appear cold in contrast, but their intentions are the same.] In the event something like that happens, I'll find you.
[ No, see, he wants her to promise something. His gaze hardens at her initial words, like if Reiju won't guarantee she'll take action Mark will, other people's opinions be damned, because he's getting more confident when it comes to running the show himself.
Still, he hears her out — it's just that he's also thinking about divebombing the wedding if it comes to it. Mark's getting the sense that she's just really good at keeping her emotions (true intentions?) in check, but he'll take the steps nobody else will if it comes to it. Because he's invincible. ]
Alright. [ He juts his chin up a little, like he's establishing authority. Or at least attempting to. ] If you don't see any better options though, I'll stop the wedding myself.
[ Because as far as he's concerned, he can. He'll be the better option if there aren't any others. ]
[Mark's presence certainly introduces an element of unpredictability. Reiju doesn't know his strength, but he's clearly no coward. In fact, he might just be reckless. Does he understand the consequences of stopping the wedding as is?
There's a lot that he doesn't know. To be fair, she's withheld many of the details from him—and so, she gives him the benefit of the doubt.]
[ There's so much he doesn't know; even he would admit that. It's just that in the context of everything going on in this world, it feels unimportant. There is no context when there's a very black and white right and wrong here, and it's kind of refreshing to go back to that. What he doesn't know truly can't hurt him. It's a small wonder that he isn't a raging asshole or power-hungry lunatic who thinks he's justified in everything he wants to do.
He isn't that in part because, as soon as he's called out with a simple question — what is his actual plan — he falters. ]
Um...
[ Is he actually going to. Divebomb the wedding site, because that's the only thing actually coming to mind right now, and he should probably think of something better — it's just that he never claimed to be smart. ]
I can... create a distraction, probably. Something big enough that it'd draw people's attention away from the wedding. Like... crash through a building if it's empty, or throw a tree somewhere or something... I can move at supersonic speeds so maybe if I make people think the wedding is under attack, they'd stop it?
[ Think, without it actually being under attack. It sounds reasonable to him, actually? He squares his shoulders, like he'll impress Reiju with his wedding-postponing ideas. Maybe he is helpful after all. ]
[Were this a more reasonable wedding, his plan wouldn't be so terrible. Ordinary people are bound to be distracted by a flying tree or a crashing building. It's unlikely that Mark will be caught by most in attendance in terms of pure speed, which is an advantageous quality of his, but that doesn't account for the biggest obstacles—chiefly:]
Big Mom is one of the world's strongest pirates with an equally impressive information network. She's well-known for retaliating against inconveniences that vex her. Can you guarantee that your diversion will keep the hostages safe?
[Despite that, she can appreciate his single-minded determination to help Sanji. When her brother is so passive where himself is concerned, it's a refreshing change of pace.]
[ His first thought, unbidden and immediate: I could just kill Big Mom.
It does scare him a little, that that's where his mind went. Not when he was trying to get a rise out of someone or make himself seem like the one in control, but in the privacy of his own head, the first thought that occurred to him was killing someone as a solution. Which, yeah, he knows now that it's a reasonable solution, but the very first thing?
Mark stops. Looks down at his hands, willing himself to try again. Only looks back up at Reiju when he thinks he's got something. ]
... What if my diversion is freeing the hostages?
[ That might be better as a first thought. He should try to get back there. ]
[He's doing his best and Reiju appreciates him for it.
If his claim to speed is true, she won't brush off the suggestion like it's nothing. In fact, there could be something there. She angles her head toward the door, past another set of which her brother stands somewhere with that tasteless portrait of their father on the wall. She knows there's more than just the mentor involved; question is, will he answer if she asks?
Behind and in front of her are stubborn men. Which one will outlast the other?]
I'll talk to Sanji. Until then, keep yourself hidden.
[ Wait, that was a good idea? Mark looks at Reiju, agape before collecting himself again. Of course it was a good idea. It involves helping people. Anything that involves helping people is good.
So he just nods, weakly. Realizes he should probably speak. ]
Uh... yeah. [ Clears his throat, so he can at least sound a little more like he means it. Which he does. ] I won't leave this room. Promise.
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It's all he can do but keep his hands limp at his sides, shoulders slumped as Reiju takes charge of the situation. He could still stop them from leaving, he thinks, but then what — it would probably come to blows, and Sanji's already hurt, and it's not actually his goal to hurt him further. It's just, violence is on the forefront of his mind now, every problem a nail and he's a hammer. A very, very effective hammer. It's a unique feeling of helplessness, and all he can do is watch.
But he thinks Reiju might be offering him an olive branch. Isn't sure, but... ]
I'll come with you. [ He doesn't make any move to follow her, though; not at first. He's thinking. ] Sanji... we are going to talk after. You're not getting rid of me that easily.
[ Thinking. Shifting over and ducking down to try to force Sanji to look him in the eyes, voice quiet and serious. It isn't the anger of before, nor the manufactured cold, but blunt fact. ]
And I'm not bluffing. If I find out this fiancée of yours is hurting you? I will kill her.
[ With that he moves to follow Reiju, stopping only to pick up his bag on the way. ]
/slides back in
Since the boys are so afraid of the thing, Reiju crouches down to pick up the phone on the way to the door. Then she leads Mark back to her chamber, which isn't too far from Sanji's. She lets Mark in first, then lingers by the closed door, considering the circumstances.
She would've liked for them to talk more, but she was honest about the lack of time. Sanji doesn't need more trouble by being tardy on top of everything else, hence the delay. As for Mark . . . he's something of a mystery to her. She doesn't know what to make of him yet.]
Pudding is a nice girl. Once he marries her, he can take her family's name and live a comfortable life with her.
sweet reiju
He just stands there, feeling limp, back to Reiju as he stares out at nothing. Her breaking the silence does make him start, standing up straight suddenly before he slowly turns around to face her. ]
I— [ pause. Pudding? Like, the food?— ] I'm not going to hurt her if she isn't doing anything wrong. I just... needed a way to get him to take me seriously. So he doesn't think he can just ignore me.
[ Mark sighs, running a hand through his hair before meeting her eyes again. He still isn't sure about her, but so far her intentions seem to be good ones. ]
And you can't tell me he's actually okay with any of this.
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He's taking this more seriously than anyone else. Our father has high hopes for this alliance, and Sanji knows that. Having a third party present would only complicate matters.
[The corner of her lips curls up apologetically. She's sorry for that, because she's the reason Mark is here. It's plain to her that both he and Sanji are hurting.]
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[ Especially when he's the third party. Him. Mark, who comes from a race of what are essentially violent gods.
Still, he sees what Reiju is actually saying, what she's trying to do, and he makes an attempt to match that apologetic smile. ]
You have other brothers, don't you? [ Except if they're the ones who actually hurt Sanji, maybe they won't have other brothers for long, if he gets any say in things. ] Why can't one of them handle this alliance? Why does it have to be Sanji?
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[And because their father mistrusts Big Mom—an old bag, in his own words, to whom he'd submit only his failure. Their brothers are too precious to be offered in his stead. Reiju chooses to be more optimistic: Life with the Vinsmokes will always be hell, but at least Sanji will have a shot at fulfillment with the Charlottes. If he's not willing to forsake the people he knows, this is the next best thing he can have.]
Sanji no longer has any interest in leaving. Do you intend to force him?
[She takes measure of Mark from where she stands. Based on the show, she knows him as a soft boy, but there's been a change since. She needs to know how much faith she can place in his mind and body before making a move.]
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Mark's brow furrows, trying to take stock of Reiju once again. He doesn't know a single thing about her. For all he knows, this is an act. For all he knows, she's stalling for something.
But it's better to believe in the best in people — at least until they prove you can't, and she hasn't done that. (And neither has Sanji, for that matter.) ]
You can't tell me you actually believe that. You...
[ pause. His mouth forms a little o, recognition coming to him, he thinks. ]
You helped him escape before, didn't you? When you were kids. I know he wants to be free, and all of this? It doesn't sound like freedom.
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[It's something she struggles to grasp even now. Sanji could've sailed away and chased his whims across the seas if he'd just given up his mentor. Reiju knows what it is, recognizes the love in their mother's eyes reflected in his, but she's always been more selfish than them. She knows that she could never.
She turns her head away to look at a nondescript spot on the wall. That's the thing about children: They're more honest than adults like to be. Mark knows so much, though, and that's enough for Reiju to volunteer this much:]
Sanji is trying to make the best of his situation. If he leaves now, others will face the consequences in his stead.
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Turns back to Reiju with a little tilt of his head. ]
So... what are the consequences? How bad could they be? Because I don't think it's right or fair to let him fall on this sword. Not if it's going to turn him into a shell of himself like this.
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[There, she's said it. She's curious to know what Mark will do with the information. He comes off as harsh when he wants to, but it's apparent from this that he has a straightforward way of looking at things. He's right about Sanji, at least—her brother's rapidly becoming more like a shell.]
So long as he remains with the Charlottes, though, he won't have to worry. Luckily for him, his fiancée is as sweet as they come . . . and she comes from a family of pirates, so he can continue being one.
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She puts it so bluntly. And when he's not puffing himself up, channelling his natural anger to make him seem tougher than he actually is, Mark's heart will just about always be on his sleeve. He pales, looking at her with something akin to desperation, arms hanging limp at his sides. ]
I don't— no. That's great that his fiancée is nice and all, but if he's not going to be happy or free, if he's just going to Stockholm syndrome himself into this—
[ because obviously that term will translate across worlds. His brows furrow as he looks around the room, like there will be something else here that will help. ]
Why are people going to die? What can we do to make sure that doesn't happen without Sanji marrying someone he doesn't want to?
[ A beat, staring pointedly at Reiju again, desperate but dragging up a determination from within himself. ]
There has to be something.
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There are powerful people behind this alliance. It's natural for those who stand in the way to be punished.
[Sanji's strength is his weakness. He cares too much about people, so he can't leave without trading in his peace of mind. In light of this, Reiju doesn't have a simple solution for Mark.]
I'm saying this, because you're his friend. As of now, the banquet is an inevitability. If you want to help Sanji, stay here and don't let anyone see you. There's something I want to check first.
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To that end, it's all he can do but nod, despondent but not leaving room to make her think he's going to disobey. ]
Okay.
[ He's kind of out of choices here. But — ]
But if you see anything I can do, tell me, and let me do it. I don't care how powerful anybody here is. I can take them.
[ In a fight, right? Yes of course. But considering where he'd been mere weeks ago, Mark has pretty good reason to believe he can beat just about anybody, so the confidence is actually earned. ]
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Reiju strides over to her wardrobe, where she retrieves a red cape with a golden tasseled cord. Then she approaches Mark, to whom she offers Sanji's phone.]
You can hold onto this for now. How adept are you at traveling discreetly?
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Blinks at the cape, though. ]
Uh... It depends? I mean I can fly, so if you need me where I can't be seen, I can just go in the clouds or something... Otherwise I'm.
[ A beat. ]
I'm not sure, I've never really had to be discreet before.
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Once we dock, we'll make our way to Whole Cake Chateau by way of a carriage. It's where we'll be meeting the Charlottes' matriarch and staying until the wedding is over.
[She looks in the direction of the balcony attached to the room, where Mark will have access to a sprawling view of their surroundings.]
I want you to follow us from above. No one will be expecting a visitor from the sky, so you won't have to worry about being noticed. Can you do that?
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Mark follows her gaze, catching on well enough to the plan. The beginnings of a plan? He isn't sure, so he just turns back to Reiju and nods. ]
Yeah, I can do that. I can stay quiet up above. Just, you know we aren't letting this wedding go through, right? [ Apparently it's we now. ] So... how will you signal me when it's time to put an end to things?
[ And how is he going to put an end to things?? He can't help the hope that slides into his gaze though, ready and waiting for Reiju to have all of the answers. ]
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I'm not promising anything.
[She understands, perhaps even more than Mark realizes. If it were up to her, she'd throw the old man under the carriage to save Sanji. It's not what Sanji wants, though, and she knows him enough to gather that he won't be able to cope with somebody else paying the price meant for him.]
Presently, the safest course of action for my little brother is to marry. Unless a better option presents itself, I won't stop the wedding. [She turns back to meet Mark's eyes. Hers must appear cold in contrast, but their intentions are the same.] In the event something like that happens, I'll find you.
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Still, he hears her out — it's just that he's also thinking about divebombing the wedding if it comes to it. Mark's getting the sense that she's just really good at keeping her emotions (true intentions?) in check, but he'll take the steps nobody else will if it comes to it. Because he's invincible. ]
Alright. [ He juts his chin up a little, like he's establishing authority. Or at least attempting to. ] If you don't see any better options though, I'll stop the wedding myself.
[ Because as far as he's concerned, he can. He'll be the better option if there aren't any others. ]
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There's a lot that he doesn't know. To be fair, she's withheld many of the details from him—and so, she gives him the benefit of the doubt.]
How will you do that?
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He isn't that in part because, as soon as he's called out with a simple question — what is his actual plan — he falters. ]
Um...
[ Is he actually going to. Divebomb the wedding site, because that's the only thing actually coming to mind right now, and he should probably think of something better — it's just that he never claimed to be smart. ]
I can... create a distraction, probably. Something big enough that it'd draw people's attention away from the wedding. Like... crash through a building if it's empty, or throw a tree somewhere or something... I can move at supersonic speeds so maybe if I make people think the wedding is under attack, they'd stop it?
[ Think, without it actually being under attack. It sounds reasonable to him, actually? He squares his shoulders, like he'll impress Reiju with his wedding-postponing ideas. Maybe he is helpful after all. ]
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Big Mom is one of the world's strongest pirates with an equally impressive information network. She's well-known for retaliating against inconveniences that vex her. Can you guarantee that your diversion will keep the hostages safe?
[Despite that, she can appreciate his single-minded determination to help Sanji. When her brother is so passive where himself is concerned, it's a refreshing change of pace.]
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It does scare him a little, that that's where his mind went. Not when he was trying to get a rise out of someone or make himself seem like the one in control, but in the privacy of his own head, the first thought that occurred to him was killing someone as a solution. Which, yeah, he knows now that it's a reasonable solution, but the very first thing?
Mark stops. Looks down at his hands, willing himself to try again. Only looks back up at Reiju when he thinks he's got something. ]
... What if my diversion is freeing the hostages?
[ That might be better as a first thought. He should try to get back there. ]
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If his claim to speed is true, she won't brush off the suggestion like it's nothing. In fact, there could be something there. She angles her head toward the door, past another set of which her brother stands somewhere with that tasteless portrait of their father on the wall. She knows there's more than just the mentor involved; question is, will he answer if she asks?
Behind and in front of her are stubborn men. Which one will outlast the other?]
I'll talk to Sanji. Until then, keep yourself hidden.
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So he just nods, weakly. Realizes he should probably speak. ]
Uh... yeah. [ Clears his throat, so he can at least sound a little more like he means it. Which he does. ] I won't leave this room. Promise.
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this canon point was a mistake for brevity aaAAH
huSH you're great with it
😭 merci beaucoup
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