Sanji (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lileggplant) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
new_world_dr2019-02-27 07:01 pm
lileggplant) wrote in new_world_dr2019-02-27 07:01 pm
Entry tags:
[Action] Change in Fortune
[The little figure is hanging around at the very edge of the town's market square, trying his hardest to be absolutely invisible -- and probably not faring all that well, as a small child in a heavy iron mask isn't exactly subtle. He's also crying softly, audible only at close range -- not full-on sobs, but little shivering, hitching breaths and his one visible eye welling up with tears. This isn't where he was when he fell asleep, and he doesn't know where he is, and after so long spent in dim solitude, the noise and bright sunshine in the market are overwhelming.
He needs to figure out something about where he is -- what has happened to him, where his home has gone, what he's going to do with himself now -- even though the thought of approaching a stranger is frightening.
He looks around, searching for someone who looks unthreatening, or kind, or maybe like they're good at picking locks.
(After all, if he isn't at home, there is no guard with a key who can unlock the lower half of his mask so he can eat. That's important.)]
"U-Um. Excuse me?"
[When he makes his approach, his voice is thin and tremulous.]
"If... if it isn't too much trouble... could you please tell me where this is?"
He needs to figure out something about where he is -- what has happened to him, where his home has gone, what he's going to do with himself now -- even though the thought of approaching a stranger is frightening.
He looks around, searching for someone who looks unthreatening, or kind, or maybe like they're good at picking locks.
(After all, if he isn't at home, there is no guard with a key who can unlock the lower half of his mask so he can eat. That's important.)]
"U-Um. Excuse me?"
[When he makes his approach, his voice is thin and tremulous.]
"If... if it isn't too much trouble... could you please tell me where this is?"
Poke at me if I miss a turn.
And he doesn't exactly have a soft, perfect, comforting form to offer either, but that's neither here nor there.] It's locked on. I hired him to get it off. [His tone is stable still, but the locksmith is getting frustrated. His tools just aren't meant to handle something like this, and one of the more fragile pins he's trying to use snaps while he tries to pick it.]
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[ There's no hesitation; Law brings up a (relatively) small blue bubble as soon as that pin snaps, encompassing the entire inside of the building. He can examine the... the muzzle, the cage, like this, without getting too close, because not scaring the child isn't something he feels within his capabilities right now. He can usually control his anger, but this... This child locked up like a monster. The lock is complex, meant not to be picked, multiple interlocking gears and tumblers all focused around this single keyhole. He has no context for this little boy but it's too much like -
- wait a second. ]
[ The boy's body is small and young and not terribly strong but that entire bone structure is familiar, especially with what it reminds him of right here to glance at. ...Mirror worlds converging indeed. ]
[ He breathes out, the surprise actually mollifying his anger a little. So many questions, and none of them correct to ask. ]
Step back, [ he says with eyes on the blacksmith, thumbing Kikoku from its seat in its sheath with a clink. ] I can get it off without hurting him. You'll still be paid for your services.
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[ Just like the weight of the mask that these strangers -- three now, his blond rescuer, the locksmith, and now this swordsman -- are all bending their wills to get off of him. The sense of unreality makes the edges of his thoughts waver. To have help -- to have people around him, adults, who want to see him freed of it, who are concerned about him feeling the fear that has always marked him as less... ]
[ It's amazing. ]
[ But that doesn't stop him from shrinking back a little against that supportive hand. The clink of the sword being loosened in its sheath isn't reassuring. Is this newcomer going to cut the mask? ]
Thank you...
[ Cutting him or not, this man just showed up and already intends to free him. He never thought the world might be full of people like this. ]
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He's going to get you out of it. Hold still.
[Sanji moves away as well, hand leaving the kid's back. But he keeps himself close and in view in case that actually does something to help Sanji stay calm. And he's going to leave this in Law's hands now. If this was someone else, a normal kid in trouble maybe, someone he wasn't so intrinsically connected to he'd probably be fine just waiting for the locksmith or taking him to search for Nami with him. She'd definitely be able to get it off without traumatizing the brat further.
But now, it's about getting it done fast. So he watches, cigarette slowly burning down unsmoked, as he keeps a protective eye over the child that has already been through so much.
A thought comes then.] Be good and when it's off you can come with me and make something to eat.
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Close your eyes.
[ - it'll scare the absolute shit out of him if he figures out what Law's doing. ]
[ So when Law unsheathes Kikoku, wielding it one-handed, he holds out a hand toward the young Blackleg before swinging. A quick flash, a diagonal strike, cuts the mask in two - cuts the boy's entire head in two, but his empty hand closes with a murmur of Shambles to put it back together before it can shift, before it's separated by more than just the swish through of the blade. Invisible to the locksmith, though perhaps not to the cook. Half a moment later the ugly mask separates with an audible clank of angry clockwork and slips from the child's head. Another Shambles deposits the pieces unceremoniously into the locksmith's trash before they can fall far enough to hit the boy's shoulders, much less his small and so important feet. ]
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[ The swing of the sword startles a yelp out of him, and there's a moment of intense, painful cold in his head -- but then the weight of the mask is gone, gone for good, his head so light it could reach the clouds, and he puts his hands up to feel his own face, his own hair, fingers tracing his features as though they're entirely new to him, and the smile that breaks across his face is like the dawn, growing into a pure shining radiance of happiness. ]
It's gone!
[ And before he can think about whether this is a good idea, he flings himself forward and hugs the strange swordsman around the waist. He doesn't understand exactly how it all worked, but it's gone and he's free. ]
Thank you!!
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Still, he wishes that it didn't have to be dealt with at all, no matter what method got the mask off or how fast it happened.
Sanji turns to face Law as the kid hugs him, fuck that's cute, he's so happy. He probably would have felt the same way though, in this situation. Free of that prison, free of that genetic horror show, free of the mask. It would have seemed too good to be true.] Thanks. Means a lot. [Fuck, he is not equipped for emotional moments with men, this makes things a lot harder. He figures that he'll offer a meal as thank you in a minute too, for now he goes over to pull out his beri for the locksmith. He figures he owes him a little more for that tool too.]