puppycrush2 | week two

[She's so sweet. He can't believe he's here with her.]

I'm used to cooking large portions, so it's no skin off my nose. The smiling faces of my customers are enough to make the work worth it.

[He enjoys the process, anyway. Being in the kitchen is a privilege. Having said that . . . ]

But this is for you as much as it is for me. I hope you'll enjoy yourself, too.

Oh, I’m certain I will. Especially with such fine company.

[The flirtatious train does not stop.]

I think I understand what you mean about bringing a smile to people, though. Part of what I love about performing in the opera is seeing the joy I can bring to the audience.

[Aaaaah—

He flushes at her remark.]

Have you considered performing at the house? I'm sure everyone would love to see you, even if it's on a makeshift stage!

[It's always cute to get the boys to blush.]

You know, I hadn’t really thought about it…

[Well, she had a little. But primarily—]

I wouldn’t want it to come across like I’m trying to show off, but I think it could be a lot of fun.

I think so, too. You said it yourself—there's nothing greater than spreading joy with what you love. We could help you with the setup and everything. It'd be great!

[He just really wants to see her perform. He might even start sobbing from sheer happiness if she does.]

Well, when you put it like that…

[A thoughtful little pause, but then she’s beaming.]

I guess it couldn’t hurt to sing a song or two. Especially with a little help getting it together.

Yes!

[That was a little too loud. Sanji reels himself in, outstretched arms and all, and acts like nobody is looking at them when the first course arrives.]

Oh, it's cheese fondue!

[There’s an amused smile from her at the outburst, and she likewise ignores the looks they draw in favor of eyeing the arriving meal.]

Oh, wonderful!

[A polite thanks as the staff finishes setting out the course, then as she picks up one of the provided skewers, her attention returns to Sanji.]

Do you often dine at places like this? It wouldn’t normally fit my idea of a pirate, but you have such an eye for food…

[Sanji huffs.]

As if I could. I wouldn't be able to sit down for a full meal without the captain causing a ruckus somewhere!

[Even now, it's a miracle that he can pick up a skewer of his own without something collapsing or people shouting.]

I worked at a restaurant before I became a pirate. That was where I apprenticed, but I've been collecting recipes across our adventures, too.

[Pirates and ruckus, sure that sounds more like what she’d expect.

She spears a morsel with her skewer, giving it a hearty dip into the fondue as she speaks.]

I bet you must have quite an interesting collection, traveling like that. If you don’t mind my asking… what had you moving from a restaurant to the life of a pirate?

[He swallows the sourdough he was savoring, then lights up at the question.]

It's a dream of mine. You probably haven't heard of the All Blue, right?

[Setting the skewer down, he begins to gesture outward with one hand before the other joins it to mime a vast shape in front of him. While he remembers to keep his voice respectably low for the indoors, his eyes gleam without restraint.]

It's an ocean of miracles where the four seas intersect. All the fish in the world are said to be there . . . It might even house fish that have gone extinct, or haven't been discovered yet! Can you imagine what an ocean like that must look like? [He grins widely, nearly splitting his face.] It's a cook's paradise. I've been wanting to find it since I was a kid; becoming a pirate was a step toward it.

[She shakes her head at the mention of the “All Blue”—he’s correct about that, it’s completely unfamiliar. She listens intently, politely munching on some food as he describes it.]

Sounds like quite the tale. I suppose I could see the allure, in your position. Are there no regular expeditions out in search of it? Is that why piracy ended up being your course?

Something like that. Most people don't believe in it.

[Well, he used to be laughed at and ridiculed every time he mentioned it, but that's a thing of the past now.]

But I do. It's out there, and I'll definitely find it! That's why I set sail with the crew.

[She would hardly believe it herself, if it weren’t for all the strange things this show experience has enlightened her to. Anything might as well be possible, even strange oceans.]

Well, I hope you can find it one day. And for your sake, I hope it doesn’t end up being a terribly long journey. A search like that sounds dangerous enough, but adding the life of a pirate to it? I can’t imagine the sort of experiences it’s led you to.

[Sanji beams at the vote of confidence.]

Oh, it's not too terrible.

[Until it is, but he's not going to bring down the mood here. He helps himself to a morsel of fondue.]

We've gotten up to some grand adventures along the way. What about you? Are you interested in traveling at all?

[She'll just have to take his word for it. But the question turned toward her gets a nod and a somewhat contemplative look. ]

A little bit. Perhaps that's some small part of why I decided to leave the opera company for a while to enroll in the Officer's Academy. It's given me a chance at many new things, and seeing some of the world outside of Enbarr is certainly one of them.

Officer's academy? Are you training to join the military?

[That's what it sounds like, in which case . . . what a leap!]

Not with any real intention, exactly.

[She shakes her head, donning a little bit of a self-conscious smile.]

Truth be told, my dearest mentor at the opera company left to become an instructor there... I couldn't help but follow after her to see what the fuss was about. And the student body is filled with so many eligible bachelors and bachelorettes...

[Well, Sanji already knows that that's a rather important thing for her to chase, after their previous talk.]

[He lifts his head in dawning realization.]

Ah, I see. I have a mentor of my own, so I can understand wanting to follow in her footsteps.

[In any case, Dorothea's preferences don't escape him. Her heart is quite vast, isn't it?]

I know they're the reason you came this far, but is there anyone in particular back at the academy who stands out to you?

[She adopts a somewhat wistful look as she thinks back on her classmates at the academy. It already feels like an eternity since she’s seen them last.]

I admit, I find myself quite charmed by some of the ladies in particular. But they’re such important people that I fear it’s probably nothing but wishful thinking… I can’t imagine that a commoner like me could make for a tempting match.

[He so badly wants to hear more about these ladies who've piqued the interest of a beauty like Dorothea, but the latter's confession gives him pause.]

You can't control whose family you're born into; however, if you ask me, there are commoners who're worth more than some royalty will ever be. With a heart like yours, anyone with common sense should be able to understand that when they see you.

Oh trust me, we're in full agreement on that count.

[Still, she summons more of a smile because it remains heartening to hear.]

Anyone who can't see that doesn't deserve me. It is just a little aggravating how difficult it can be to get that through some nobles' heads. Too caught up in stagnant and useless tradition—even those that are more open-minded, sometimes.

[A little bit of a sigh, but she perks up, idly twirling her skewer between her fingers a little.]

So I certainly count myself lucky for the friends I've made there.

[He smiles anew at her confidence. She's worth more than her weight in gold. If she knows that, then the world's a better place for it.]

Nobles can be stubborn like that.

[He picks up another piece of bread with his skewer.]

Company like your friends' is the one that's worth keeping. What are they like?

They’re an eclectic bunch, that’s for sure. Some are excitable in different ways, another is so lazy I wonder how he can stand it. Strong, charming, determined, dedicated to their causes…

[It’s kind of a wonder they all get along sometimes. She likewise skewers another morsel for herself, brandishing it with a little flourish as she continues.]

And among them are even the Emperor and the princess of a foreign nation. A little unbelievable, isn’t it?

[So they're an eclectic, passionate bunch. Knowing what his own crew is like, he can get behind that. And while he can understand a princess in attendance, his jaw drops at the other mention.]

The emperor? Just what kind of institution is this officer's academy?

week two | dates

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