[open] all is lost again

[deviledlegs]

Who: Those who helped build the ice cellar (Sanji, Law, Rey, Scott, Lup) + anyone who wants to check it out
What: High-fiving over a job well done
Where: As close to Sanji's kitchen as possible while still being located in the permafrost
When: Backdated to the day after the planet switch
Warnings: None

Also: Feel free to write your own prompts mingle-style.


It hasn't been easy, and they haven't exactly been the most cohesive team. But the moment that last nail is hammered into the last support beam, Sanji grins whiter and brighter than he has in days. Their underground permafrost ice cellar is complete. That means they'll be able to store his previsions as well as whatever their illustrious hunters catch from now on.

There is still a food shortage. Connor is right. He can't feed everybody in this town for long. It's just not feasible. But a food shortage is better than a complete lack. These people will never have to experience his months on that god forsaken rock for themselves. Not while he's around to prevent it.

He wants to shout to the heavens about their victory. Instead, he raises his hand for a high five. "You all get your favorite food for dinner tonight!"

Comments

[vocarrah]

Ianchus has wandered in, bundled in his collection of marginally-warm clothes with a blanket over him partially for warmth and partially to hide the fashion disaster underneath. Any place with a collection of people tends to draw him, though he's disappointed when it's not warm as he'd hoped.

Still, he looks around, pulling the blanket tighter around him. "Ah, this is impressive. And so quick! A preservation cellar is a fine idea."

[deviledlegs]

Unfortunately for Ianchus, the entire purpose of this cellar is to keep their food stores as cold as possible. It's a very different animal from an igloo. Knowing this doesn't stop Sanji from smirking at the guy's precious blanket. Even as his teeth chatter ironically.

"In an environment like this, it's a necessity!" he bounces back, full of energy despite all the hard work. It seems to be in large part how he's keeping himself warm. "You guys better put it to good use for as long as we're here! I'll come by every day to whip up some seriously amazing shit."

[vocarrah]

He can't help but laugh at Sanji's exuberance, though he hugs the blanket closer to himself. It's good to see someone so excited. The cold has certainly drained his own strength, so he's certainly relying on others for the feeling. However, when Sanji talks, his eyes light up for real.

"Ah, you're a cook, then? Truly?"

[deviledlegs]

"Of course! I don't lie about food." he asserts like it's an indisputable law of the universe. But then he's holding out a gloved hand, ready to shake if Ianchus doesn't mind poking his own hand out of his blanket. "Sanji, first rate cook of the sea and dashing knight to all beautiful women! Clearly I was brought here to make sure you bastards have more variety to choose from than water-flavored popsicles."

[vocarrah]

Ianchus laughs, taking his hand and shaking it eagerly.
"Ianchus Cepheos, currently a sad, sad bastard eating his fill of water-flavored popsicles. It's truly an honor."

Ianchus loves good food, but he's quite pathetic when it comes to cooking, frankly.

[deviledlegs]

Sanji can't help but light up. He's just found himself an enthusiastic taste tester for when he tries to cook these mystery meats. Since they're native to this tundra, he's yet to have the chance to figure out the best ways to prepare them. There's no way he could ever serve a lady something he isn't absolutely positive is his best work!

"Perfect timing then! I wanted to use the crazy animals around here to try out a few recipes." A hardy slap on the shoulder follows. "You can tell me how they taste!"

[vocarrah]

He's had his fair share of strange food--not the least his own attempts at cooking in the wild (the rabbit that was two-thirds charcoal by the time he finished with it comes to mind).

"In that case, let's get along, ah? I've a distinguished palate and a strong stomach, so I'm sure that I'm a perfect candidate." He laughs at that. "I just request that you remove any poisonous spikes, ah? Although if you say it will give a unique flavor, then..." A shrug. "Who am I to argue with a master?"

[deviledlegs]

"You won't find anything poisonous in my food. Ever."

Ianchus is joking. Sanji knows it. But that joke still earns the guy a sharp glance. Sanji is still a cook above all else, and while his crew mates know for a fact his food will always be safe, he can't count on that faith from strangers. Better to get it out there from the get go, establish just how serious he is about his craft right away, before anyone genuinely questions it.

"I'm not stupid or spiteful enough for that shit. As long as we're clear on that, you can eat as much you like."

[vocarrah]

Ianchus blinks in surprise at the forcefulness of the declaration, stunned momentarily...and then he breaks into a wide grin, one he tries to hide with his hand, bowing his head. He doesn't want to come off as rude, he's just absolutely delighted by that passion.

"Ah. Ah, I apologize. That joke was in poor taste. I have full confidence in your cooking."

He looks up, an extremely pleased flush on his face.

"And in you, as a cook." They're somewhat different after all, aren't they?

[deviledlegs]

Sanji will vehemently insist that the only praise he accepts is from the mouth of a beautiful woman, but when it comes to cooking, the simple truth is that even the most demanding acknowledgment is enough to send him preening. It's a dare the moment anyone expects good food from him, and he intends to blow his skeptics' minds anew each and every time. Ianchus' easy compliance wipes the scowl right off his face. The grin helps too, and Sanji matches it proudly, clapping his hands together and rubbing them in earnest.

"Damn right, you do. And it's about to be rewarded with the best damn chili you've ever tasted."

opennn

[hot_mes]

Law has come and gone and come back again as per his role in this endeavor. His ability was important at the beginning, for with just a few quick swipes of his sword he could cut the ground wide open and then dice it into cubes and slabs of turf. Effortless. But that was all he did, at least at that point; leaving the sod-slabs to the others, he disappeared, off to handle a million other errands. He's got a demon popsicle to guard, hunting to do (or try to do at least), and a wooden ship to continue to dismantle on land so everyone can use the wood, on top of his clinic duties.

But then he's back, right at the end, to see how it turned out and bring Sanji anything he's managed to find. It isn't much. He did try to get a carnivorous mammoth but they seemed to know he was trouble and evaded him, but here, have a sack of a handful of rodents and bats he managed to snag using his Devil Fruit.

"Is there enough water for rice?" is all he asks Sanji before looking around at who's all here. Did they all help build the thing? If so, good. Smart people.

[deviledlegs]

"Get me a few buckets of snow, and there will be," he snorts upon Law's arrival.

Sanji wouldn't even have to use up any of the wood Law has dismantled. It would be a pain, but it's absolutely possible for him to go without. Normally, he wouldn't offer his battle techniques up as potential kitchen appliances, but better to save those precious planks in order to warm the cold fingers and toes of Hadriel's female population.

[hot_mes]

Oh boy, more errands to run. Law shows his displeasure with that deep, put-upon frown of his, but if the alternative is to go without something filling and delicious...hmm. Tough choice.

"Probably faster to go get water from Curufin's thing." A shorter distance, less work overall. And yet, he doesn't move to go and do so. "So. What exactly is your plan for this cellar?"

[deviledlegs]

Errands are Sanji's life, man. He doesn't understand Law's aversion to them. He can absolutely understand, however, if he needs to wait until Caedra is thawed and have her ask Law to do some errands in order to properly motivate him. Surely that will work.

"It doesn't matter whether it's raw or cooked, meat can't store in temperatures above forty degrees. We'll be hard-pressed to find enough salt, and jerky isn't exactly a viable option right now. Anyone can store the remains of their catch in here, and it won't go to waste." He stretches then, trying to keep his circulation flowing. "My plan is to protect these people from starvation."

He'll probably need to appoint some kind of guard though. Not only against greedy people but to ward off this planet's animal residents as well.

[hot_mes]

"How very altruistic of you," Law says with all due sarcasm. How dare these Straw Hats be so nice. "Do as you like, then. Maybe if we stock up enough we'll be prepared to journey out further." He tosses his head toward the mountains and the tantalizing glint of metal structures somewhere out there. "It's not like we'll be any less well-off out there. But it's going to take a lot more preparation than building a ship."

Not that that hasn't already angered so many. Sigh.

[deviledlegs]

"I swear I won't let anyone else touch your precious supplies unless they are starving and/or a gorgeous woman who deserves them more than you," he offers sweetly, butting heads with Law's sarcasm.

Law really does raise an important though, and Sanji can't ignore it just for more playful ribbing. He surveys the innards of the completed cellar once again, as if memorizing every inch. Can something like this really be useful for travel preparations? There are a few ways it could be. Law's devil fruit abilities might make it even more workable, depending on his range.

"We'll have to put together a whole shitty army of portable ice boxes."

[hot_mes]

Law just gives him the deadpan look in return. Yeah yeah women blah blah.

He contemplates the cellar, not wanting to get his preparations mixed up with regular supplies but not sure there's a better alternative. "Trekking out there to see what the gods are hiding from us is going to be rough," he sighs. "Carrying additional clothing, bedding, food, clean water, maybe even firewood on top of just matches..." It's looking more and more like they're going to have to beg assistance from the gods again. If not vehicles then at least sleds to drag all those supplies along. It can never be easy, can it?

[deviledlegs]

Sanji is sorely tempted to reach out and tug Law's line face into a deranged smile. But no, now isn't the time for Straw Hat Shenanigans. They're Straw Hat Shenanigans precisely because they are only possible when the Straw Hats are together. As long as he doesn't have the others here to cover for his faults, he needs to take this shit seriously. Not as seriously as Law, but still. He shoves his hands into his pockets instead.

"We could manage for ourselves, and I could carry anything the ladies can't, given we find any packs big enough." Or at all. "Scouting shit should be fine, but we can't go the actual trek alone. Damn, you're right. That means a shit ton of additional supplies. Temporary shelter and plenty of tools too."

[hot_mes]

"It's going to have to wait." That's his only conclusion, after everything that happened with the ships and knowing what the gods can and can't manage when you ask them for a thing. Crappy run-down ships was never a good look. It clearly frustrates Law that he can't whip up a plan and implement it right now, but he has no choice. "It's like when we were in the desert. Surviving comes first. Exploration will have to come later."

He turns away, since there's not really much more he can do here besides stare at a hole in the ground. But he pauses, lurking alongside Sanji facing the opposite direction. He drops his voice like he doesn't want anyone catching him giving compliments to anyone. "Good work. It's a pretty good idea."

[deviledlegs]

Sanji wasn't around for this desert planet, but he's run enough circles through Alabasta to imagine what it might have been like. A tundra like this isn't all that different, really. The cook sighs, resigned, hoping to loosen the tension from his shoulders.

That's when Law decides to be a decent guy. Quietly, secretly decent. Sanji snorts.

"Right. Surviving," he reiterates with a grin. "I'll use this place to keep everyone fed. You focus on getting us the hell out of here."

[hot_mes]

"That's the idea." Shh, Sanji, don't tell anyone about his moments of not being an asshole. You'll ruin his reputation. Law shoots him a vague smile and then brushes past on his way elsewhere. Clearly, the others handled the work fine without him, he's no longer needed. At least, until dinner-time. He'll be back later.

[deviledlegs]

Everyone comes back for Sanji's dinner. It's an immutable law of the universe.

open!!

[casualryder]

Scott's part wasn't super intensive at face value but repeatedly using his biotics to smash into ice could be pretty tiring. He spent the better part of this endeavor glowing blue and slamming his fist into ice so he's physically a little drained as well. When he couldn't biotically smash things so much he would use his biotics to instead levitate anything too heavy or bulky to carry, should the need arise. Still, for the most part, he's doing pretty good. The armor certainly helps with both the cold and the said repeatedly slamming his fist into rock solid ice thing.

"Team work makes the dream work," he says once all is said and done, lips pulled into a half smile because he's a little too tired to full on grin like an idiot. Sanji definitely gets a high five from him.

[deviledlegs]

That slogan earns Scott a rowdy round of laughter and a slap on the shoulder. Apparently, Sanji likes it. A lot.

"It does, it does!" he affirms as his chuckles wind down. His boundless energy seems to be matched only by his wide-ass grin. "I just never thought I'd hear someone around here spout a cheesy line like that!"

[casualryder]

Scott wasn't expecting that big of a reaction, if any, to his extremely cheesy line, so the laughter earns Sanji an incline of his brows, followed by an unrestrained laugh of his own. It's good to be in the company of someone so high energy and cheerful, honestly. Scott isn't as up there as Sanji appears to be, but he's definitely high enough up there that most people would sooner roll their eyes or give him shit for taking everything lightly than join in on his lightheartedness. At least, that's what he's used to.

"Oh, I've got a few of them," he informs with a lopsided grin. "After a month or two I'll start a trend...just you watch."

Not that he expects to be around here that long, nor has he even thought about it, but he's ignoring all of that in favor of making a shitty joke.

[deviledlegs]

Normally, Sanji wouldn't have quite so much fun with a simple, silly one-liner, but after several months of separation from his rambunctious crew mates, he misses their cheesy antics dearly. The others stuck here in Hadriel are much less prone to go all out on every stupid, little thing. That's been how Sanji has lived his life for so long that not being surrounded by his laughing assholes and daring ladies, not having to scream over constant stupidity or defend a scantily clad bosom's honor, leaves him dead in the cold. A cheesy slogan about teamwork is that familiar spark of home he needs to warm his weary limbs.

Not that he'd ever let on just how weary he may be.

"You start a trend, and maybe the cheese'll grow large enough for me to serve it," he snorts. "We'd have to implement some quality control though. Can't have your bad jokes stinking up my kitchen!"

[casualryder]

And Scott is in the same boat, more or less. He's far too used to being around his crew to the point where he misses them painfully, despite just getting to know them. But they were friendly faces in a galaxy full of things that wanted to kill him and politicians who hated him on principle. Even Lexi surprise stabbing him with a needle and telling him to eat his vegetables would be the most welcome thing right now. Needless to say, whenever Scott meets a friendly face he lights up like a Christmas tree.

"Hey, hey, isn't the stinkiest cheese the highest quality? That applies to my jokes. The harder they make you roll your eyes the better."

[deviledlegs]

"If my eyes are rolling into the back of my skull, I can't very well cook, can I?" he reasons dramatically, then moves to bop his fist atop Scott's head. "And I did promise you lot dinner, so if you're hungry, you'll damn well listen to your genius cook."

[casualryder]

Scott laughs lightly when his head is bopped, wincing exaggeratedly. His hands rise in a gesture of faux placation.

"Alright, alright — the last thing I want to do is cripple the genius cook with my awesome humor, you're right. I'll try to turn it off."

[deviledlegs]

"Yeah, you do that," Sanji insists, carrying this joke to its grave. Which, seeing as they're technically underground, is appropriate. A curt nod signals that he accepts Scott's efforts. "Like the world's shittiest joke-in-the-box."