[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.
[It's an idea. Hopefully it's one that nudges Sanji toward a favorable move for himself, but they haven't got the time right now. It's about time for the family to begin the journey on land.
Reiju heads for the door. She'll trust Mark with this much.]
Remember what I said. We'll be heading out soon; you'll know when by the noise.
[True to her word, before long a commotion stirs outside where the kingdom's many soldiers not assigned to security detail have convened around the castle gate to send off the royal family in affectionate and proud cheers. Nyasha is there to pull the carriage. The Vinsmokes board one by one, all draped in similar finery of white against red. Neither Sanji nor Reiju looks back or so much as glances in Mark's approximate direction . . . and then they're off, leaving behind the massive snails on which Germa sits and being pulled across a land of vibrant greens against a hilly backdrop, overlooked by a blanket of white clouds that dot the sky.]
[ He really doesn't have a choice but to follow Reiju's instructions, so that's exactly what he'll do. He stays in her room, looking around, but there isn't really much there— until he perks up at the noise outside, and he peaks out of the balcony to see what it is. Sees the carriage, which looks like something out of some fantasy story. Sees the... giant cat?? Only this one walks on four legs and probably won't try to rip his face off, so that's cool.
Sees them take off, and then he does the same, flying up into the clouds and following them from a safe distance up above, peaking down every now and then to make sure he's staying with them.
He did notice the snails, and with that understanding clicked into Mark's mind, about everyone drowning if he destroyed the place. (Would he end up destroying the snails, too? Surely they didn't do anything to deserve that.) Everything about where Sanji comes from is so odd, but he supposes he shouldn't judge, considering his entire deal.
At least the landscape is gorgeous when he takes it in as he follows along from above. It feels normal, untouched by destruction, pristine, and he's hoping it can stay that way... but who knows, considering where they're heading. Because as far as Mark is concerned, Sanji is by far the most important person here, and he isn't deviating from that. ]
Speaking of, the hills and mountains all have faces that make expressions at the passing royals and their entourage. Luckily for Mark, they've yet to notice him.
When Reiju met him alone and empty-handed at the castle prior to departure, Sanji hoped it meant that Mark had left. To where, he doesn't know, but anywhere is better than here. Even the Baratie isn't all that safe anymore. Mark has a home and loved ones to protect beyond these waters, so it's better if they never cross paths again. Seated between two of his brothers with a stomach churning from dread, Sanji prays that this is the end of it—that Mark goes on to claim a happy future for himself and his family, away from this nonsense.
Because of this and the rather abundant presence of souls around them, he fails to observe the faint life signature overhead. For better or for worse, any attention is invariably drawn to Sanji when an enormous, topless tree rushes through the plain from the direction of a sprawling forest. Atop it sits Nami, and at the forefront is Luffy, who's already stretched his arms to latch onto the carriage door. Mark's distance renders the ensuing conversation mute, but the whimsical atmosphere soon sours when Luffy is sent flying back from a powerful kick. The leg that extends past the obstruction of the carriage's roof retracts, and Sanji descends from the carriage with a scornful bearing.
Nami leans forward from her perch on the tree, seeming to implore Sanji before recoiling from his response. He and Luffy then appear to exchange words, but neither side backs down when the former assumes a martial stance with both arms raised. Flames erupt around his right leg, and Sanji leaps forward at breakneck speed to deliver another kick.
A one-sided beatdown ensues, wherein Luffy continues to rise without fighting back while Sanji's kicks grow in viciousness, each one harsher than the last, until he takes to the skies. Nami's frantic shouts crescendo to tearful screams, loud enough that Mark can perhaps make out her begging for Sanji to stop—that they'll leave like he wants—but he shows no sign of stopping. He draws his knees up and hunches inward between the clouds, brow furrowed with eyes full of deranged intent, ready to kick off his descent as an executioner's blade.]
[ ignoring the faces in the landscape any time he happens to spot one.
There is alarm on his part when a tree??? rushes towards the carriage, though. Before Mark can so much as think to react, there's a lot happening below him — someone who reminds him of Shapesmith stretching out towards him and then going flying, Sanji's prowess and apparent new harshness on display, and Mark is left wondering if he should intervene. Seeing Sanji beat someone who isn't fighting back is
It's horrific. Everything that Mark's been through in the years since he got his powers, and he has never, would never. Angstrom provoked him and deserved worse than he got, he remembers. Conquest needed to die. Mark has had every justification in the world every time he's lost his shit and beat down on someone without mercy, and there's no way that what Sanji is doing is the same. He doesn't know who he's attacking, just that they aren't fighting back. Were maybe friends once, too, from what he can pick up. And it doesn't matter how good of a friend Sanji is or was; Mark has decided he's not letting him get away with this any further.
Only for Sanji to shoot up into the sky, and that makes his life a little easier.
Before Sanji can start to descend Mark shoots out from his spot, aiming to grab any one of his limbs, whatever's closest between ankle or wrist or whatever. (If one of them lights on fire again he's pretty sure he can withstand it. Probably.) If he can he'll try to lurch Sanji in towards him, bringing them face to face so he can hiss, rather than yell (though he'll do that if he has to, too), ] What the fuck is wrong with you?
[ This is sick, he feels sick. But he's also pissed, because nothing justifies this — and it's probably better for him to lean into his anger than his morals, because that's just the way the world tends to work, what the universe tends to reward. ]
A hand clamps down on his wrist, right where a golden bracelet sits. Sanji freezes as he's whirled around, and his eyes widen in recognition of the increasingly familiar fury on the face of someone who isn't supposed to be here. Panic sets in. Are the clouds providing cover? The carriage has a roof, but what of the soldiers among the audience—can they see what's happening overhead? Has Mark been sighted?
(What isn't wrong with him?)
The fire around his leg dies out. Sanji yanks his arm back in an attempt to free himself, his chest clenching tighter insofar that it's starting to hurt. It's hard to breathe, yet he spits out his indignation all the same.]
[ the landscape is sometimes creepier than any landscape should ever be??
Sanji yanks his arm back and the movement only inspires Mark to tighten his grip, letting himself be swung along from the momentum but refusing to let go. He's pissed off enough to fail to recognize any distress Sanji may be in. It's easier to respond to the indignation with his own anger. ]
Go where? [ He moves in to really crowd Sanji's space, refusing to give any quarter. Maybe Sanji can see his own reflection in Mark's goggles, tinted as they may be. ] You're the only person here I know, and you think I'm going to abandon you when something's clearly wrong? Really?
[ If he takes the time to think about it, he could pinpoint his anger to the fact that such a thing would be insulting, but mostly he's just mad in general about everything that's going on instead, and Sanji's the only one around to take it out on. ]
[It's not abandonment when Mark wasn't invited, he wants to argue. Sanji has already said and done some truly unforgivable things in order to spare him that awful sense of responsibility, but the guy's too stubborn for his own good. He kicks back against the air, keeping himself afloat and pulling Mark along while his reflection in the goggles chases after him as if in mockery of his futile efforts.
Stop being selfish, he wants to say, only for the words to catch in his throat when the pressure around the bracelet sets off a series of muffled beeps. While Mark's palm mutes the alarm, it pierces deafeningly through the roaring rush of blood in Sanji's ears. Wide-eyed, he jerks his arm back again with more force, panic rising in his strained voice.]
[ Until Sanji starts slaughtering innocent civilians en masse, Mark is going to be able to handle whatever he throws at him. He might hate it, sure, but he's also not going anywhere.
Case in point, Mark's still holding on as Sanji jerks his arm back, his own direction changing from the force of Sanji's movements. And also probably pulling him along with him. And because Mark doesn't need to get his bearings, he can just keep on talking like nothing's really the matter. ]
I'm not letting go—
[ wait ]
Wait. [ He's righting himself mid-air so he can take a closer look at the bracelet near his grip. ] Is this thing hurting you?
At this point, it doesn't really matter what happens to him or his hand. He just doesn't want Mark to be caught in the blast. It could amount to nothing more than a scratch, if that, for someone so durable, but that's not a risk Sanji is willing to take—so no, he's not going to wait.
Unfortunately, the bracelet's sensitivity to perceived tampering means he can't apply any more pressure than it's already under, no matter how incidental. Using his other hand to pry Mark off is out of the question, and that leaves Sanji to go rigid, buoyed by small stiff steps. The beeping persists, louder now that the cuff is better exposed from Mark's shifted grip.]
[ But smashing is such a good solution? For so many of his problems, especially these days?
... Can he smash a bomb without hurting the person wearing it, though? Mark hesitates for a second, because he isn't sure if that's an option, before acquiescing. He lets go, flying backwards to give them a little bit of distance, but still confident he can grab Sanji if he tries to make a run for it. ]
Okay, [ and there's just a little bit of panic in his voice, all of it concern for Sanji. Mark is also confident that he'll be fine, but most people are not as durable as him. Including Sanji, ] okay. How do we, um, disable it?
[ That seems like the new top priority right now. ]
[The distance quells his panic. Sanji whips his arm back as soon as it's free, his hand swinging down to his side as he kicks off once in retreat. The beeping stops with the bracelet's dormancy; however, his breathing is labored and he's far from placated despite the immediate relief.
He glances down at the waiting audience with ragged, anxious breaths. Up and down, East to West—there are too many parties at play. Too many thoughts and voices and memories, all vying for his attention. The Sunny, the Baratie, the set, the castle, and the quaint cafe on Cacao Island. Laughter that's sweet and then sinister. Promises of joy and misery.
Sanji looks up at Mark, his expression hardening.]
You can't. [His voice is low again lest he scream.] I'm going back down. Don't stop me.
[ Mark's relief that the beeping stops is enough for the both of them at first. It has to be, as he registers that Sanji's still tense. And it's not like he can blame him, considering everyone gathered below, people probably wondering why Sanji is still up here — but that doesn't change the fact that he's still being an asshole, even with the immediate danger nullified.
At first, his expression is flat in return. ]
Why, so you can keep beating on that guy who wasn't even fighting back? [ Like a dick, he wants to say, but restrains himself, expression and voice both softening. ] You know you don't have to do this, right? We can figure out a way to deal with the bomb. Just let me help.
[ Back to being his regular, undeterred, goodboy self. There's a slight tensing to his body, though, like if Sanji does go back down Mark is ready to grab him and do this all over again. A subtle challenge he isn't going to voice now that he's gotten a little more context, but there all the same — just try me. ]
[Mark's intent may as well be rolling off of him in waves. Sanji's legs tense in response, ready to do whatever it takes to get back down and carry on with business.
He has to. There's no other way around it. He's made his choice, even if it means becoming somebody utterly hateful.]
It's a duel with a nobody. I don't need or want your help.
[The bomb's the least of his concerns. It'd kill him in more ways than one if it were to detonate, but that's unimportant in the grand scheme of things. Mark should be insignificant, too, because this has nothing to do with him—and so, Sanji draws his knees up to kick off and begin his descent.]
[ Mark sees Sanji draw his knees up, get ready to go back down after pretty much telling him to fuck off, yet again, and something in him that he'd been keeping buried finally snaps. ]
Fuck you. [ His voice is quiet, but he's glaring daggers at Sanji. Soft-spoken, but pissed. ] There's a literal bomb strapped to your wrist and you're saying you don't need help? It's not like you used my face to kill god knows how many people, so maybe try a little harder if you want to get rid of me so bad.
[ And with that he will swoop right back in to grab any part of Sanji he can to keep him up in the air. Preferably nowhere near anything that might beep or explode, but if that's the first part of him he can manage to get ahold of then so be it. ]
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no subject
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.
no subject
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?
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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.
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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?
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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.]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
Reiju heads for the door. She'll trust Mark with this much.]
Remember what I said. We'll be heading out soon; you'll know when by the noise.
[True to her word, before long a commotion stirs outside where the kingdom's many soldiers not assigned to security detail have convened around the castle gate to send off the royal family in affectionate and proud cheers. Nyasha is there to pull the carriage. The Vinsmokes board one by one, all draped in similar finery of white against red. Neither Sanji nor Reiju looks back or so much as glances in Mark's approximate direction . . . and then they're off, leaving behind the massive snails on which Germa sits and being pulled across a land of vibrant greens against a hilly backdrop, overlooked by a blanket of white clouds that dot the sky.]
no subject
Sees them take off, and then he does the same, flying up into the clouds and following them from a safe distance up above, peaking down every now and then to make sure he's staying with them.
He did notice the snails, and with that understanding clicked into Mark's mind, about everyone drowning if he destroyed the place. (Would he end up destroying the snails, too? Surely they didn't do anything to deserve that.) Everything about where Sanji comes from is so odd, but he supposes he shouldn't judge, considering his entire deal.
At least the landscape is gorgeous when he takes it in as he follows along from above. It feels normal, untouched by destruction, pristine, and he's hoping it can stay that way... but who knows, considering where they're heading. Because as far as Mark is concerned, Sanji is by far the most important person here, and he isn't deviating from that. ]
this canon point was a mistake for brevity aaAAH
Speaking of, the hills and mountains all have faces that make expressions at the passing royals and their entourage. Luckily for Mark, they've yet to notice him.
When Reiju met him alone and empty-handed at the castle prior to departure, Sanji hoped it meant that Mark had left. To where, he doesn't know, but anywhere is better than here. Even the Baratie isn't all that safe anymore. Mark has a home and loved ones to protect beyond these waters, so it's better if they never cross paths again. Seated between two of his brothers with a stomach churning from dread, Sanji prays that this is the end of it—that Mark goes on to claim a happy future for himself and his family, away from this nonsense.
Because of this and the rather abundant presence of souls around them, he fails to observe the faint life signature overhead. For better or for worse, any attention is invariably drawn to Sanji when an enormous, topless tree rushes through the plain from the direction of a sprawling forest. Atop it sits Nami, and at the forefront is Luffy, who's already stretched his arms to latch onto the carriage door. Mark's distance renders the ensuing conversation mute, but the whimsical atmosphere soon sours when Luffy is sent flying back from a powerful kick. The leg that extends past the obstruction of the carriage's roof retracts, and Sanji descends from the carriage with a scornful bearing.
Nami leans forward from her perch on the tree, seeming to implore Sanji before recoiling from his response. He and Luffy then appear to exchange words, but neither side backs down when the former assumes a martial stance with both arms raised. Flames erupt around his right leg, and Sanji leaps forward at breakneck speed to deliver another kick.
A one-sided beatdown ensues, wherein Luffy continues to rise without fighting back while Sanji's kicks grow in viciousness, each one harsher than the last, until he takes to the skies. Nami's frantic shouts crescendo to tearful screams, loud enough that Mark can perhaps make out her begging for Sanji to stop—that they'll leave like he wants—but he shows no sign of stopping. He draws his knees up and hunches inward between the clouds, brow furrowed with eyes full of deranged intent, ready to kick off his descent as an executioner's blade.]
huSH you're great with it
There is alarm on his part when a tree??? rushes towards the carriage, though. Before Mark can so much as think to react, there's a lot happening below him — someone who reminds him of Shapesmith stretching out towards him and then going flying, Sanji's prowess and apparent new harshness on display, and Mark is left wondering if he should intervene. Seeing Sanji beat someone who isn't fighting back is
It's horrific. Everything that Mark's been through in the years since he got his powers, and he has never, would never. Angstrom provoked him and deserved worse than he got, he remembers. Conquest needed to die. Mark has had every justification in the world every time he's lost his shit and beat down on someone without mercy, and there's no way that what Sanji is doing is the same. He doesn't know who he's attacking, just that they aren't fighting back. Were maybe friends once, too, from what he can pick up. And it doesn't matter how good of a friend Sanji is or was; Mark has decided he's not letting him get away with this any further.
Only for Sanji to shoot up into the sky, and that makes his life a little easier.
Before Sanji can start to descend Mark shoots out from his spot, aiming to grab any one of his limbs, whatever's closest between ankle or wrist or whatever. (If one of them lights on fire again he's pretty sure he can withstand it. Probably.) If he can he'll try to lurch Sanji in towards him, bringing them face to face so he can hiss, rather than yell (though he'll do that if he has to, too), ] What the fuck is wrong with you?
[ This is sick, he feels sick. But he's also pissed, because nothing justifies this — and it's probably better for him to lean into his anger than his morals, because that's just the way the world tends to work, what the universe tends to reward. ]
😭 merci beaucoup
A hand clamps down on his wrist, right where a golden bracelet sits. Sanji freezes as he's whirled around, and his eyes widen in recognition of the increasingly familiar fury on the face of someone who isn't supposed to be here. Panic sets in. Are the clouds providing cover? The carriage has a roof, but what of the soldiers among the audience—can they see what's happening overhead? Has Mark been sighted?
(What isn't wrong with him?)
The fire around his leg dies out. Sanji yanks his arm back in an attempt to free himself, his chest clenching tighter insofar that it's starting to hurt. It's hard to breathe, yet he spits out his indignation all the same.]
Why are you still here? I told you to go!
no subject
Sanji yanks his arm back and the movement only inspires Mark to tighten his grip, letting himself be swung along from the momentum but refusing to let go. He's pissed off enough to fail to recognize any distress Sanji may be in. It's easier to respond to the indignation with his own anger. ]
Go where? [ He moves in to really crowd Sanji's space, refusing to give any quarter. Maybe Sanji can see his own reflection in Mark's goggles, tinted as they may be. ] You're the only person here I know, and you think I'm going to abandon you when something's clearly wrong? Really?
[ If he takes the time to think about it, he could pinpoint his anger to the fact that such a thing would be insulting, but mostly he's just mad in general about everything that's going on instead, and Sanji's the only one around to take it out on. ]
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Stop being selfish, he wants to say, only for the words to catch in his throat when the pressure around the bracelet sets off a series of muffled beeps. While Mark's palm mutes the alarm, it pierces deafeningly through the roaring rush of blood in Sanji's ears. Wide-eyed, he jerks his arm back again with more force, panic rising in his strained voice.]
Let go. Now!
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Case in point, Mark's still holding on as Sanji jerks his arm back, his own direction changing from the force of Sanji's movements. And also probably pulling him along with him. And because Mark doesn't need to get his bearings, he can just keep on talking like nothing's really the matter. ]
I'm not letting go—
[ wait ]
Wait. [ He's righting himself mid-air so he can take a closer look at the bracelet near his grip. ] Is this thing hurting you?
[ Probably implied: Can I just break it off?? ]
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At this point, it doesn't really matter what happens to him or his hand. He just doesn't want Mark to be caught in the blast. It could amount to nothing more than a scratch, if that, for someone so durable, but that's not a risk Sanji is willing to take—so no, he's not going to wait.
Unfortunately, the bracelet's sensitivity to perceived tampering means he can't apply any more pressure than it's already under, no matter how incidental. Using his other hand to pry Mark off is out of the question, and that leaves Sanji to go rigid, buoyed by small stiff steps. The beeping persists, louder now that the cuff is better exposed from Mark's shifted grip.]
Stop touching it! It's going to explode!
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... Can he smash a bomb without hurting the person wearing it, though? Mark hesitates for a second, because he isn't sure if that's an option, before acquiescing. He lets go, flying backwards to give them a little bit of distance, but still confident he can grab Sanji if he tries to make a run for it. ]
Okay, [ and there's just a little bit of panic in his voice, all of it concern for Sanji. Mark is also confident that he'll be fine, but most people are not as durable as him. Including Sanji, ] okay. How do we, um, disable it?
[ That seems like the new top priority right now. ]
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He glances down at the waiting audience with ragged, anxious breaths. Up and down, East to West—there are too many parties at play. Too many thoughts and voices and memories, all vying for his attention. The Sunny, the Baratie, the set, the castle, and the quaint cafe on Cacao Island. Laughter that's sweet and then sinister. Promises of joy and misery.
Sanji looks up at Mark, his expression hardening.]
You can't. [His voice is low again lest he scream.] I'm going back down. Don't stop me.
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At first, his expression is flat in return. ]
Why, so you can keep beating on that guy who wasn't even fighting back? [ Like a dick, he wants to say, but restrains himself, expression and voice both softening. ] You know you don't have to do this, right? We can figure out a way to deal with the bomb. Just let me help.
[ Back to being his regular, undeterred, goodboy self. There's a slight tensing to his body, though, like if Sanji does go back down Mark is ready to grab him and do this all over again. A subtle challenge he isn't going to voice now that he's gotten a little more context, but there all the same — just try me. ]
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He has to. There's no other way around it. He's made his choice, even if it means becoming somebody utterly hateful.]
It's a duel with a nobody. I don't need or want your help.
[The bomb's the least of his concerns. It'd kill him in more ways than one if it were to detonate, but that's unimportant in the grand scheme of things. Mark should be insignificant, too, because this has nothing to do with him—and so, Sanji draws his knees up to kick off and begin his descent.]
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Fuck you. [ His voice is quiet, but he's glaring daggers at Sanji. Soft-spoken, but pissed. ] There's a literal bomb strapped to your wrist and you're saying you don't need help? It's not like you used my face to kill god knows how many people, so maybe try a little harder if you want to get rid of me so bad.
[ And with that he will swoop right back in to grab any part of Sanji he can to keep him up in the air. Preferably nowhere near anything that might beep or explode, but if that's the first part of him he can manage to get ahold of then so be it. ]
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