ㅤㅤThe building and its grounds are sprawling, hidden nooks and crannies awaiting their respective discovery at the discretion of the man’s leisurely gait, opposing watchful eyes about the space peering at the Strawhat and yet seemingly doing little to deter him. Given a disinclination to overly engage with this apparently esteemed ‘ guest ’, their forced figurative distance and lack of familiarity makes it evident that they silently search for an ulterior motive for his ongoing presence in a similar vein as their boss, efforts that Sanji made a point of not reciprocating with, hands delved within the depths of pockets ( comportement distant à son tour ) with blunt and curt responses negating any satisfaction to glean anything useful. But these meandering walks with a searching gaze repeatedly brought the cook to an area which seemed a little more lived-in, a differing and somewhat brooding style of decors about the space, a stark contrast compared to some rooms the blond had been privy to where Crocodile frequented.
ㅤㅤㅤㅤVegetation aside, bottles of wine were perused, a curled brow raising in surprise given some of the vintages, rarities alluding to the possibility that this collection, in fact, belonged to the world’s greatest swordsman… a factor that doesn’t stop Sanji from grasping the neck of one of the beverages to take with him, a greater sense of purpose present about the blond’s trajectory while treading back to where the journey had begun ( retour à l’endroit où l’amante de l’homme était toujours préoccupée ). Beneath the thickened haze of smoke and dimmed lighting, Crocodile’s calculative eyes lap up the inked figures from the page in a manner akin to all encompassing dunes meticulously rolling over an oasis, momentary pauses giving way for an engulfing deluge of understanding - barring a certain insignia, the cook doesn’t have a clue what the other’s looking at and doesn’t particularly care within that instant, soundless steps bringing him to delicately hover, the gentle contact proffered scantly tangible ( les ailes d’un papillon de nuit effleurant un pétale ).
ㅤㅤThe ghost of a smile plays on Sanji’s lips while basking in the newfound attention, promptly making himself comfortable with the fold of pliant limbs, the shift of his frame causing for a glimmer of light to spark against aureate hued metal. It’d be rude not to wear the gifts bestowed upon him during such visits, but every now and again, the cook takes his chances to mismatch some items, a double barred tie pin missing one of the segments, instead paired with another entirely - it stands out like a glaring infraction for those with an awareness for finer details, the deeper contrasting tint of a suit of Byzantium purple creating a silent visual klaxon, the blond wearing it like a broken yet goading badge of pride ( il a ses raisons ). There’s barely a flinch as they draw closer, glaucous gaze inching across the immediacy of strong features, the coveted scent of the cigar comfortably engulfing senses and willingly taken in. The wine is set aside on a nearby table, avoidant of the surface’s ornate edges to hinder the potential for an undesirable accident.
ㅤㅤㅤㅤ“ Depends. Should I be? ” A singular note of breathy laughter manifests between the few syllables, the formation of a lopsided grin edging into place with the other’s question, the gesture dampening a tone of provocation ( ce dernier souvent adopté pour l’amusement du cuisinier ). “ I got curious. This place— ” The words are cut off as lips are suddenly confronted with the touch, naturally parting with a sudden stillness imposed by a sharp intake of breath, a ladened weight bearing down upon the blond’s chest with an uptick in the tumult of his heart. There’s the consideration of acting upon this, the desire to take things up a notch always present within the unfettered ribbons of Sanji’s lovelorn periphery. But he instead softly mutters against the splay of the large digit, an air of indifference betrayed by the rapid flush about the pirate’s visage, a contentious storm present within the depths of his gaze. “ It’s huge. You always stay on this side, or do you ever visit the rest? ”
