[Action] Change in Fortune

[lileggplant]

[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?"

Comments

[gourmet_gams]

[Don't scare him more was closer to what Sanji meant by it. He still remembers, still knows that sickening dread that bubbled up inside of him, how his existence was cruelty. And he's not going to let that pain continue here, in this world of worlds where nothing is limited to them.]

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.

[yamishogun]

[ Law doesn't have the time or patience to explain himself to the child right now, not when this is about an entirely different kind of mercy than medical life and death, when it's not a delicate procedure involving moving lead out of organs or poison out of blood. Still - ]

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. ]

[lileggplant]

[ The stranger doesn't say have something to eat, he says make something to eat, and Sanji brightens up despite himself, despite all the confusion and intimidation, because that's really the crowning glory on today! Out of his cell, freed of the hateful mask, and off to cook afterward? It's wonderful! ]

[ 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!!

[gourmet_gams]

[Sanji knows what Law is capable of, he knows he's trustworthy when it comes down to it, but that doesn't mean his heart isn't in his damn throat the entire time. And he's absolutely horrified as he watches, even though it's for the best and it's sure as hell getting the job done better than the locksmith's attempts.

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.]