[Action] HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUFFY!

[gourmet_gams]

[The Sunny is docked at a spring resort island that has a village within a short walking distance. It holds enough population for an easy access TRAVERSE point to be there, but isn't so crowded that it attracts large crowds of the rougher sort of people. The entire island is on the small side, but manages several decently bustling villages with restaurants and shops due to it's infamous spas. So there are options if somehow food runs out, no one will be without options as long as someone is willing to stop partying long enough to run out for more supplies.

And the plans are set for partying, there's enough food for every known Luffy in the contacts to enjoy and then the guests too, a treasure chest cake that is sized correctly and a whole hoard of cupcakes to go with it, fireworks planned for once darkness falls, live music, and enough alcohol to start up a liquor store and then some. Tents have been set up, tables arranged, and everything is ready for the celebration of the year.

Friends, allies, family and all Luffys have been sent the information to access the TRAVERSE point, and information on the islands location for those who wish to sail there instead of relying on the TRAVERSE SYSTEM. And no detail has been missed, no potential whim unseen to. Their treasured captain's birthday has to be perfection. And nothing less than outstanding and spectacular will be tolerated by the planning committee.

A future king deserves nothing but the best.]


((OOC: OPEN POST, Come celebrate, tag around, make toplevels, whatever. Time for one hell of a pirate party.]

Comments

[gourmet_gams]

[Sanji just stares for a moment, and sighs. And god, it's a good thing that Zoro is built like a brick shithouse, because with his lack of brains he's not going to catch a lover otherwise.]

No. Now listen, carefully. I'll go slowly. [Ahem.] If you. [Gestures at Zoro.] Tell some asshole man you want to sleep with him. Like, sex. Not in bed. [Seriously considers the good old fashioned o shape with one hand, and his pointer finger with the other for demonstration purpose but decides against it.] And he doesn't want you? He will tell everyone you're an okama! [There.] Does that get the point across?

[yourotherleft]

[it does, but the conclusion just makes him frown even more deeply]

That's a pretty big leap from A to B you got there, cook. Pretty sure I gotta do a lot more than proposition some shithead to get labeled an okama. But even if I did, what's the problem with that?

[it's a sincere question. like, dude, even he appreciated Bon Kurei to a point...his okamaness wasn't what made him annoying, really]

CW: mentions of homophobia, child abuse, and Sanji being Sanji

[gourmet_gams]

[Sanji wheezes and shuts his mouth, because he doesn't want to get loud and he doesn't want to draw attention but his first instinct is to loudly deny and loudly deny and he's so upset that he's starting to look a little distressed. So he just takes a deep breath, gets his shit together mentally, and stands up.] I need a drink first. Give me a minute.

[Each step towards where the wine is being stored for the party feels like he's wading through knee deep mud, like his limbs are heavy just from how stressed out he is. And it makes a short walk that keeps him within eyeshot of Zoro seem like a marathon journey back and forth to the other side of the island. But he's got a bottle of something he particularly enjoys now and a glass to go with it, so he's ready to deal with this. He's too far into this conversation to back out now.

Once he's seated again, he pours himself a glass, and drinks the entire thing in one go. And then he pours another for sipping while they talk.] It's not about if there's a problem with being an okama or not. It's about how people treat okamas, and people like them. And what people will do if they think you're that weak or sick that way. Because they'll see it like that. It's not normal to them. [He's tilts his head, eyeing Zoro.] Zeff taught me about women. About what a man should be. And how women should be treated. There was an honor of manhood and a man's responsibility, and there was a standard. Men love women, and should treat them a certain way, and that's just how it is. There wasn't room for anything else. And... [He sets his glass down, and fumbles for another cigarette. He's going to go through a whole pack tonight easily.] He kicked the fuck out of me for messing up, for not understanding right off. And it kept up that way, you know? It's a father's responsibility to beat the lessons in until they stick, and he's got to take his own life if they don't. [He's got his cigarette and his wine now, and he's not even sure where he's going with this.] I wasn't like this around women at first. But it makes them know they're pretty and perfect, and it makes me look like I'm not wrong. [And he's so scared of being wrong.] So if that's how loved ones deal with that sort of thing, how much worse is a careless stranger going to be?

[yourotherleft]

[well then. After all that, Zoro needs a drink too - straight from the bottle, as he do]

That's fucked up, cook.

[just...a general statement. Was it really so bad? He never got that impression from the old man but they were there, what, a couple days? and he was in the kitchen the whole time while Zoro napped on Merry so...

But not knowing anything about Sanji's past, aside from vague notions of sacrifice and owing a life, and now this Vinsmoke shit that he hasn't even dared to ask about yet, only makes Zoro realize that even his loneliness as the only student training light-years ahead of anyone his age in Shimotsuki was pretty normal compared to some people.]

You're so caught up in that, you haven't stopped to look around and see that it's not like that out in the wider world. People out here who've left their home villages and tiny backwater islands have seen enough shit that they don't really care what other people do. Careless strangers don't actually give a fuck.

[he's seen enough random liaisons in shadowy back corners of taverns to know, and that was even before leaving East Blue. He takes a deep drink from the bottle with his good eye aimed right at Sanji, daring him to call him a liar.]

[gourmet_gams]

[Sanji shrugs at that. It still doesn't seem fucked up to him, even if he's lived through it. Because it's Zeff, who loves him so much and sacrificed for and who would fight for him, and who Sanji has sacrificed for and would fight for and there's just so much powerful protectiveness between them. And yet, Sanji can't imagine looking Zeff in the face, telling him that he was in love with another man, and not getting beaten for it.

And while he absolutely does not consider Judge anything but a large piece of breathing shit, there's still fear that lingers from his time with him. And he still managed to impart ideas of masculinity and power and strength and bullshit that Sanji doesn't even want to deal with right now.

He needs to just blank-slate his feelings on things, work out more on his own, but who has the fucking time to sit and sort and think?

Yeah, he's going to work through that glass of wine faster than expected.] He did the best he could. It's not like he wants to hurt me. But if something is wrong to him, the only way he knows how to deal with it is through kicking it until it's fixed. And I'm not putting him through that. [Sanji gestures at his small counterpart, who's running around in the distance.

And then Zoro drops something that makes his stomach drop, a cold feeling through him, and what if he's right? What if it's all his raising coloring his experiences, leaving him fearful of what people will think to the point of twisting his reactions to other people...

What if all of this struggle has been his own fault, and he's made his own pain?

But he's also seen enough evidence to the contrary. People talk, and in the smaller towns it can still be something that absolutely ruins a person if the rumors go too far. And small town mentalities follow into the big world they live in now. So Sanji knows that he's not wrong, either.

But does any of that matter? Who's opinion is important enough to care about? And maybe, as long as the crew doesn't care, then that's good enough for Sanji...

Shit. It's a lot to think about.] Fuck. I don't know.

[yourotherleft]

[yeah the kids on the ship sure is a thing, Zoro squints in the bitty's direction and then shrugs]

You're overthinking it. We're pirates, words are just words and who the hell cares what anyone thinks? You're not the old man, you're you. Do whatever you want and fuck the world.

[DRINKING TO THAT]

You need to unclench, cook.

[gourmet_gams]

[It's gotten really busy on board as of late. Sanji isn't complaining about the extra mouths to feed, he has no right to anyway considering that he's the one that brought the mini-him onboard, but he's also pretty sure that the small Law is plotting his demise. The brat is scary and stares with a gaze that makes Sanji feel like he's already figuring out what organs to remove.

And then Zoro has some serious advice that he really does take to heart. They're pirates, they're not supposed to care what people think, and this is good and a starting point for moving forward. This whole talk has been important to Sanji, even though he's not going to thank Zoro for it or anything. The good booze is thank you enough in advance anyway.

But...

Fuck the world.

Unclench.]

Don't say it like that, it sounds gay. [And then he blinks, he's doing it again. Gotta get past that stupid wall of fake heterosexual armor that he somehow thought convinced everyone that he was the manliest of men.] Shit. It's going to take some work.

[yourotherleft]

[WOW YEAH COOK WHAT

Zoro sits there for a long moment glowering at him past the bottle before slowly and deliberately tipping it up for a sip. Yeah you know what you did.]

If you say that again I'll kick your ass, how's that for work?

[gourmet_gams]

[Oh, that gets a firm look and a growl from Sanji, and a massive feeling of relief. Banter, bitching, and threats are way easier to deal with that the sheer amount of emotions that he's having. And while he had been set on not fighting on Luffy's birthday, it's not like anyone expects less out of the two of them anyway.

Back to what's easier to deal with than years of internalized homophobia and coming out to Zoro.]

Like you could, bastard. I'll stomp you down any day.

[yourotherleft]

Keep tellin' yourself that. You haven't beaten me yet and I'm not about to let it start now.

[he sits up rather than hunch there scowling, getting all manly and tough as he do. Hey cook let's fight, it'll be great]

[gourmet_gams]

[Sanji leans in, shoulders hunched, glaring now.] You think you're really any better? Neither of us have gotten serious, you moss-headed muscle brain. If I really tried, you wouldn't stand a chance.

[It's easier to beat the hell out of your buddy/rival and get battered in return than to actually deal with things. More fun too, honestly. There's been one too many breakthrough already today. And he's got to make himself feel more masculine through the ancient manly rites of a quality fight.]

[yourotherleft]

[so familiar and comfortable, this bristly thing. Zoro gets right up to him nose to nose]

And if I put my all into it, you'd be dead. But if you want it I can make it happen, just say the word.

[whoops didn't mean to accidentally admit to holding back but...it's true, they both know it. If they both actually tried to kill each other they'd both be dead]

[gourmet_gams]

[Just... uncomfortably close. Glaring and dramatic. Totally like bros do when they're not comfortable with feelings. Especially when they've admitted to each other that they're always holding back and it's not quite the violent death battles they'd like everyone to think they have.]

I'll take you on right now, and I'll make you regret those words. [Just gonna set the wine glass down, this is serious-ish now.]

[yourotherleft]

[he puts the bottle down next to the glass]

Bring it on, give me everything you've got.

[and he certainly implies more than he lets on with words like that, but that's for another discussion later. Good time to get some energy out, let's fight. He stands up and stretches his neck this way and that, man he is so ready.]

[gourmet_gams]

[Sanji stands, and steps away from the table. While he's absolutely fine with attempting to beat the shit out of his friend/rival/who the hell knows what to call their relationship, he's not going to do it so close to women and children, some of who are literally within reach of the other side of the table. And that cake, he knows that Luffy is going to inhale it and that the effort is a lost cause, but he's not going to be the one to destroy it. He'd never forgive himself for the waste.]

Come on. Over here. [Sanji grins, a sort of twisted version of his usual smile that shows just how high his emotions are running and how badly he needs a fight to get all of those feelings out of his system.] I thought you were going to kick my ass? [He's just out of the way enough to not involve anyone but Zoro, and he's pretty sure that this is going to get rough.]

[yourotherleft]

[must also protect the precious booze, so of course Zoro steps aside to match his movements, herding him away from the congested areas and people over to the nearest clearing. And that's when the first sword comes out.]

Damn right I'm gonna kick you ass, don't even bother standing still for it.

[it's a good time for ye olde flurry of slashes in attack mode, nothing special, just a lot of hack and slash. Come get, cook, he's got enough for everybody.]

[gourmet_gams]

[Gotta keep the booze safe, priorities man.]

You talk a big game for a pile of moss. You don't stand a chance.

[And Sanji dodges and counters, feet flying with that same speed that's expected of him, but there's nothing all that special in his technique. It's just what they always do, he does what's good enough for sparring against Zoro so they can bitch and bicker and get some of the restless energy and aggression they have out of their systems.]

[yourotherleft]

[there's still quite a bit of savage power and energy behind every one of Zoro's swings, as he pulls Shuusui to match Kitetsu and launches his usual fast-and-hard attack without any fancy moves. Always aiming for a foot, or where he anticipates a foot will be, certain that for anyone else he could easily sever that limb but when it's Sanji on the other side, it's going to be blocked. Oh well, that's why they spar - to push each other to the limit.]

Don't see you knocking me down yet, cook.

[smack talk is so beneath him but he might as well, in case anyone wanders past to overhear. Zoro hacks away as fast as he can, arms flexed, hoping that sooner or later he'll be able to not just block but parry and throw a foot wide enough to get an opening.]

[gourmet_gams]

[Sanji would be angry if Zoro didn't do at least this much, he wants at least the usual challenge between them, he's not going to tolerate being coddled in a fight. He wants Zoro to have that fierceness, that power, that skillfully harnessed energy behind every slash and swing. It's something that's an important part of this, and when Zoro launches at him Sanji's speed increases. The Black Leg Technique is absolutely dulled down here, this is a friendly enough fight and not something that's actually meant to end someone, but Sanji still wants to see how much Zoro can take, and the acrobatics are in full force.] And you're nowhere near that promised ass kicking. You might as well give up if this is the best you can do.

[Sanji moves faster, kicking harder as a block to those violent hacking motions with the added intention of pushing Zoro back. He wants to win, wants to see himself surpass Zoro, he wants to kick the blades away and overcome and yet...

It's just the same thing over and over. No matter how many times he kicks, or how many times Zoro slashes, neither of them comes out on top. Quasi and Queue mean little in the face of those blades, and he wonders if they'd actually have the same result if they were both trying.

It's a bit of a frightening and exciting thing to think about.]

[yourotherleft]

[Yeah, he's aware of that, and grits his teeth in annoyance]

Maybe if you'd fucking stop flitting around like a butterfly!

[except no, because that wouldn't be any fun. Sanji is much more of a challenge and an entertainment when he's moving, and Zoro would hate to have him just stand there to be hit. So he keeps pressing, chasing after him, whipping out an Oni Giri here and there even when it gets dodged. He'll keep going until...until what? Usually something happens to distract them and that's when they stop. But this is a party where everyone else is up to their own things, what's to stop the two of them from going until they fall over in exhaustion?]

[gourmet_gams]

Maybe you're just too slow to keep up.

[They want a challenge out of this, both of them pushing further and pressing their luck in the name of what? It's not even a traditional fight. It's sparring sure, but it's more than just that. It's a ritual for them both at this point, because who's going to be able to take what they can dish out besides the other? But it usually ends before it gets too far, before they manages to wear each other out or actually hurt each other. And now, with the party away from them and people focused on Luffy rather than two bickering battlers, they're alone to deal with their nonsense together and unchecked.

It's the same old story, mixed up with different banter and moves, but still it feels good for Sanji somehow. Even if they end up passed out next to each other, still dreaming about who's going to win, this is something of a language that they actually know how to speak. When words fail, swords and kicks don't. And he doesn't have to think beyond his next move when they're fighting this way.

But no matter how much harder he kicks, or how much faster, it's not getting Sanji anywhere. And unless one of them really wants to hurt the other, or something happens, they're just not making any progress or change.]

[yourotherleft]

[Zoro knows it, too, he feels the same and while he understands their eternal dance on some level, on the surface it never ceases to frustrate him that he just can't beat the cook without killing him. And he would never, no matter what he mutters in moments of annoyance. At this rate, if he wants to pull out something flashy, it might end the fight but not necessarily the way he would like it to end. Ah well, at least it would be different.

He waits until the next time Sanji comes in high and crosses all three swords together into a triple block, catching the momentum of the kick and holding, unyielding for the briefest second. When he cuts outward with all three, it repels that motion, though the path of each sword is its own, leaving him exposed. If he's unlucky, Sanji will recover and kick him again while his shoulders and chest are wide open. The next moment should decide this.]

[gourmet_gams]

[Sanji sees the chance, that short opening that would allow him a chance to actually come out on top of things. It's just one moment, one potential opportunity to push through and try to defeat Zoro. Not that he's sure if that's even the goal in the end, even in his mind it's not about winning but proving. Even if he's not sure what he's trying to prove half of the time.

That he's good enough? That he's better? That he's stronger? None of that really fits. And even in his mind and without the worry of judgement of others there's not an easy fit for the mess of friendship and rivalry and feelings between them that are better worded with a slash and a kick. Those things rarely get messed up in translation. He can respect Zoro, believe in his strength, care about him but saying it? That's a lot to ask.

And that respect means that he's not turning down this chance. Not just for himself, but for Zoro too in a sense. He'd be so furious if Zoro had the chance for victory and didn't take it. So Sanji goes for it as soon as he's recovered enough to, kicking with as much strength and speed as he can safely afford for this.

Sanji knows what Zoro can handle, what he can take, and his heart is racing and his stomach is tied up in knots. He's excited and it's all adrenaline and motion when he closes in and makes contact. ]

[yourotherleft]

[as far as Zoro's concerned it doesn't count as defeat, if it's that close a finish. His left arm is coming in again for a follow-up but Sanji's foot is a fraction of a second faster, striking him in the chest hard enough to send him skidding back a few feet and for his swing to just miss. He keeps his swords, and his balance, and when he lifts his head, there's a moment where it looks like he's just going to keep fighting. But this is the first contact they've made that wasn't just blocking. Fair hit. Point to the cook.

Zoro abruptly straightens up, talking around the sword in his teeth]

I'm hungry. Think Luffy's left anything for us to eat?

[gourmet_gams]

[And just like that, it's over. And Sanji doesn't know how he feels about that, he expected more and further and it's amazing and anti-climatic all at once. He thought that there'd be more, a bigger fight after this, he didn't think that Zoro would just be done.

Shit. It's not hollow, it's not even a finish for Sanji, it's not anything but the end of it. Like a shift in conversation, with a lot more in the way of emotions rushing through. And Sanji's heart is still beating hard as he stands on his toes for a moment to get a better look at the food table.] He's still talking to Ace. Keeps reaching to grab at things but this is the fullest I've seen a feast stay with Luffy in the area. If we want something for ourselves we'd better get there fast.