[prologue] post-investigation, w/ sanji

[asswipe]

[Hey, Sanji.

Veronica hesitates at the door when she spots him in the kitchen, but after a moment, she walks in.]

Hi... [Sighing. She just wants a break, for once.] Think it's safe to grab a cup of water from here?

Comments

[concasse]

-- Oh. That shitty thing.

[Ugh. Sanji is... not looking forward to it, and it shows plainly on his expression.]

Not sure if I should be grateful or pissed off this is turning into a spectacle. More chances to catch the bastard who did this, but-- [Y'know, a stupid trial forced on them by their hosts. Kinda hard to be grateful.]

[asswipe]

[Same, pal. Same.

She genuinely wants to find the culprit. She really, truly wants to bring Gi-gan's murderer to justice, but... There's still that little voice inside her head. The one that tells her this can only go south.]

... But what if we screw it up? The rules account for us fucking up and pinning it on the wrong person.

[concasse]

... Then someone innocent dies.

[No sugar coating today. It won't help either of them to pretend failure isn't an option.]

We gotta review whatever we find carefully. It sounds like we only get one shot at this.

[asswipe]

No pressure, huh?

[Oh, god. She can feel a tension headache incoming. Time to take another big gulp from her cup, like it's a lifeline.]

Just... gotta let a gaggle of thirty seven confused, angry individuals decide the fate of one of their own. No problem.

[concasse]

[37-1 odds.

... Yeah, it's gonna get ugly.]

S'why it's better to get as much of that confusion and anger out before the trial starts.

[His words might be strong, but Sanji stares hard into his glass like he might break it if he doesn't concentrate]

[asswipe]

I agree with you, but try telling that to everyone else here.

[It's definitely going to get ugly. She's already dreading the meltdowns some people are going to have depending on how this goes — and that might include herself.]

Everything about this is a complete recipe for disaster.

[concasse]

I've told a few... mostly the kids.

[The words sour in his mouth]

Tch, they shouldn't need to be apart of this shit in the first place... Not that my bitchin's gonna change anything.

[asswipe]

Even if it doesn't change anything, at least it'll make you feel better.

[Not by a lot, but. It's something. Cuss the world out. It's all they can do, isn't it?]

[concasse]

That's probably why I curse all the shitty time.

[God lord, he can be self-aware]

[asswipe]

It's as good a reason to curse as any, if you ask me.

[Stress relief is good. Curse to infinity, Sanji.]

[concasse]

Ain't it?

You got a good source of stress relief?

[He'd offer her a cigarette if he wasn't already down to like... six.]

[asswipe]

I'd usually curse my friends out in my diary, but... [Said like it's meant to be an (unfunny) joke, as she gestures at herself.] No diary. No friends here, either.

[concasse]

Nonsense~!

I'll be your friend, Veronica-chwan~!

You can curse me out in your diary anytime~!

[-- THAT'S THE TAKEAWAY, RIGHT?]

[asswipe]

[... GOD.]

You really change tracks fast, huh?

[concasse]

Such is the power of a pretty lady~! How am I supposed keep down?