chiffonades | inbox for golden peacock

did I say that? I think what I said is, it didn't count~

( silly sanji she would never admit his food drove her right into his arms, sharing up and being so emotional about one of her many worries. )

but in that case, should I come to your place or mine? I have the kitchen setup, hope you don't mind my recording equipment.

my apologies madame, then i'll have to do my best to make you a meal so delicious, you won't be able to stop from asking for more.

[ That seems as good of a tactic as any— anything that will drive her back into his arms is. ]

how about i come over to your place? you can give me the grand tour before i cook the best damn thing you've ever eaten. the equipment won't be a problem.

is that right? I guess we'll see.

( in the meantime, she sent him the address to her suite along with the fact this month it seemed the elevator was opening up right to her door. )

there's my address and sure, just don't make me wait too long, I've got drinks on ice and I'll be upset if they melt before you get here ♡

don’t you worry, reira. a gentleman never makes a lovely lady for long. i’ll be there before you know it ♡

[ He’s true to his word, too, not wanting to hesitate or delay, that familiar tingle of anticipation darting along his nerve and his skin. It’s not that he’s nervous— no, he’s too confident in his skills as a cook to be that— but he also hasn’t been able to stop his thoughts from drifting back to her during odd hours of the days.

Before long, he steps out of the elevator— a nice bottle of wine tucked under his elbow— and gives her door a gentle knock before quickly shooting her another message. ]

i’m here, reira. come let in so i can wow you with my cooking.

( for the time being, she doesn't reply to him further, simply staring off towards a mirror in the entryway of her suite. she isn't entirely sure if this was a good idea given their history and while they were able to reach a genuine turning point in whatever it was they were [friends? acquaintances?], there was also something embarrassing about being so vulnerable with someone like sanji. she wasn't sure how he would handle hearing about her concerns and while she hadn't told him about her terrible love life back home and how it ended, she told him about ren. the last time she saw him was through a door where he was doing cocaine again and she was helpless to help him.

despite her nerves, she took a big sip of whiskey she had in the room and brought two cocktails towards the kitchen table and made her way towards her door. she stood in front of it, waiting for the knock with an endless array of nerves eating at her but when the knock finally came, she opened it and all of her distress melted away. opening the door, sanji would be greeted by reira in a short pink dress and heels, her long pink curls pinned back into two ponytails. she looked at him with a confident expression and simply smiled, stepping back for him to enter. )

Come on in, I wasn't sure what you wanted to make so I picked up a steak, salmon, and some vegetables. Hope that's enough?

Edited 2025-04-11 04:45 (UTC)

[ It’s been weeks— nearly months— since they had first crossed paths, back in the pods, and while Sanji never forgets any woman he’s met, the way she’d reacted to him straight out of the gate had been particularly memorable. Enough so that every time they’ve crossed paths since, he’s been absurdly grateful for the chance to try and redeem himself a little more in her eyes. Things are different, now, after that evening he’d spent holding her in his arms, listening to her recount her awful experiences back home, and while everything around them might have been fake, she’d felt real enough to him that it didn’t matter.

When she opens the door, his face lights up in a wide grin, a faint feeling of fondness rising in his chest as he lets out a quiet laugh and dips his head in a quick nod. ]

Yeah, that’s perfect. Not like I’m gonna need much else to make you a meal that’ll taste as wonderful as you look. [ There’s an earnestness to his words even as he shoots her a playful little wink and takes her invitation, stepping past the doorway and into her suite. This isn’t the first queen suite he’s been in— he’s lived in one since arriving here and been in a couple of others, besides— but he is curious about what hers looks like. Given how this place likes to cater to those with status, there’s a lot of each person reflected in their suite. ] Do I get a grand tour or is it straight to the kitchen for me to wow you?

You're so quick with the compliments aren't you? You're just too much!

( as he stood there flattering her and winking with all of his effortless charms, she simply patted at his arm as if to sway away his words with a simple brush of her hand. she then guided him inside, where the walk-in closet was to the left filled with endless sexy costumes gifted to her by 'fans' [but at this point she's assuming it's the resort doing what it does]. further in was the actual kitchen itself and that's where she stopped—

she spun around on her heels, arms behind her back as she playfully looked around her suite and thought about his question. )

You can have a tour but you can't go into my bedroom, that's the only caveat okay?

Only 'cause they're deserved, yeah? If you don't wanna get complimented next time, wear a dress that suits you a little less.

[ With a bright grin plastered to his face, he chuckles softly at the almost casual way she waved away his easy flirtation and compliments. Not that there was anything unusual about that as she led him deeper and deeper into the heart of her suite. As curious as he'd already been feeling, he's quick to look around and catch all the small details he can during the short walk to the kitchen. ]

Deal. [ He's laughing as he says it, grinning at her as he briefly bends forward in a playful bow. ] Wouldn't be very gentlemanly to go prodding where I'm unwanted.

[ He does take an extra long moment to glance around her kitchen, taking in everything he can. There's no such thing as a kitchen Sanji doesn't feel at home in and it's doubly true when the kitchen belongs to a friend. He's almost itching to get started, to make a meal that was as good as the song she'd sung for him had been, but— well, he'd asked for the tour. ] Lead the way?

Does that mean I'll have to dress like a nun next time? I kinda get the feeling if I were wearing a potato sack you'd still find some way to compliment me.

( she doesn't laugh in return, but her tone of voice certainly suggested she was certainly enjoying this brief joke between the two. once they were further in, she stood her ground for a brief moment as she waited for him to look at the kitchen. the overall layout and design wasn't anything unusual, a simple soft blue and white pallet with the usual devices— a large island for food preparation, a posh modern fridge, a stove and oven set, and a dishwasher and sink layout. the only things that truly stood out were a few personal items belonging to reira, primarily a few journals and sheets of music paper scattered away in one corner.

when he finally asked her to lead the way and returned his attention back to her, the space beyond the kitchen seemed to illuminate, revealing that the space that was suppose to be a living room was a mixture of that and a small recording studio type setup with more neutral colors. a full liquor bar was to the side on a glass display, and beyond the walls of living room were her bedroom, a dedicated bathroom, and a few other rooms filled with things he would soon come to see. )

Come on, follow me. I've been thinking about what kind of song I should sing just in case you do end up impressing me with your food. I thought maybe I should sing a song I really like or one of the old ones from my band, or something original. I ended up finding just the right song in one of the shops here and was able to extract the melody so I could sing along to it.

That is.....( as they walked further in, she turned on her heel and simply looked up at him with a smirk on her face. ) if you impress me of course. Otherwise you'll just have to leave with your tail tucked between your legs. ( or given the nature of the resort, he'd have to leave immediately and accept the warm embrace of a cold shower. )

Mmm, maybe? Not my fault you’re just gorgeous enough that most every dress suits you. [ Still grinning at her, he gives her a playful little wink, too, highlighting how at ease he actually feels in the moment. Not that he’s really joking— she really is gorgeous and seems to have enough fashion sense that he doubts she’d ever really wear something that didn’t compliment her beauty— but he’s being playful, at least, and that certainly counts.

The kitchen is just about everything he’d expect in one of these suites. It’s not as extensive as the one in his suite, granted, but he doubts anyone else with a royal suite would want a kitchen as decked out as he would. It’s quaint and cozy and it feels like it belongs in a home— her home— which is really what matters. Sanji does linger perhaps a second too long, drinking in the little details with an appreciative eye before following her into the rest of her extensive suite.

While he’d been looking at the kitchen with the eye of the cook, he takes in the rest of her place with a much more curious gaze. The recording studio isn’t a surprise— well, he’s never seen one before, so it’s maybe a little surprising, all things considered, but it’s presence is natural— and he whistles appreciatively at it and the rest of her living area. It feels nice, without drowning in extravagance, so far lacking some of the more jaw-dropping impossibility of some of the more surreal suites he’s visited. ]

If you’re gonna dangle a prize like that on the line, guess I’ve got no choice but to give this the very best effort I’ve got, yeah? [ He laughs softly, but there was never any chance of him giving this anything but his best effort. It’s a matter of pride, really, of pride and wanting to put everything he feels into his cooking, to show her how much he’s come to enjoy her company. ] My poor tail couldn’t take it, so— better make sure you warm up that beautiful voice to make some sweet sounds.

Oh yes, yes, yes, whatever you say.

( she waved her hand back at him, nearly clapping her fingers together in a playful manner as she dismissed his words and winking, yet again. he was far too outrageous for a woman like her who so dearly held onto the idea of true love despite all of her own mistakes back home, but now where things had settled down just a bit, she simply swayed away his efforts.

the focus was on the tour and his cooking, simply that and no more. she was so confident she wasn't going to sing for him, that she hadn't even practiced nor taken much preparations [yet there was always that nervous energy biting at the back of her mind that he would actually impress her].

once they reached the back of the living room, she opened the door to the guest bathroom, revealing a more tender kind of set up. in addition to the heart shaped tub and few other vintage looking trinkets, there were roses scattered around the floor in vases. once he got a good look, she closed the door and then opened another, revealing a strange room with a few projectors in the center of it, all four walls displaying her memories of various sub cities of tokyo. )

Well that's it for now, I'm still kinda working on getting more going on in the suite. I'm still pretty new to all this, actually having a home so I'm still....working on ideas.

( pretty much since she turned eighteen, she had been living out of a suitcase, going from hotel to hotel as her band took off. )

So should we get to cooking? I'm quite famished, I could faint at any moment~ ( and to emphasize her point, she placed the back of her right hand against her forehead, leaning back as if she were truly about to faint. )

Fine, don’t believe me. You’ll see in the end.

[ Soft, rich laughter rumbled in his chest as he shook his head, amused by her stubborn refusal to give even an inch on this. It didn’t really matter if she believed him or not, not right now. They’d already come a long way— longer than he’d care to admit— but he knew she didn’t hold him in the highest of esteem just yet. And while it would be fine if she never did, something about her just made him want to make her see how wrong she’d been about him after their first meeting.

That thought lingered in the back of his mind the whole time she showed him around her suite. Just like her, he was confident in his eventual victory in this little contest they were having, certain she’d have no choice but to sing a sweet song just for him. A customer’s appreciation was usually its own reward, but tonight, he was willing to make an exception.

The tour itself seemed to pass by in a blur. He smiled at the intimate set-up in her bathroom— and maybe let his thoughts wander to a what-if that sent a thrill down his spine— and whistled appreciatively at the unusual room with the projectors, asking more than a few questions about her home and the impossible sights that make up those varying subcities. ]

Well, shit, Layla– [ It's obvious that she's playing around, but that doesn't stop him from moving, two strong arms wrapping around to hold her steady. Winking, his lips spread in a playful little grin, a tempting thought blossoming in the back of his mind. ] –can't let it be said I let a lady go hungry under my watch, can I? Let's get you to the kitchen. And since you're feeling faint–

[ Before she can do or say anything, one of his arms hooks under her knees while the other wraps firmly around her just beneath the shoulder, lifting her off her feet without batting an eye. ] –I'll carry you there myself. It's what a proper gentleman would do, yeah?

( the moment his arms wrapped around her shoulders, she found herself nearly breathless. it had been a long time since she had been held in such a playful manner, memories of her last relationship suddenly flooding her mind— but considering who she was dating, it almost seemed unfair to call it a genuine relationship. she remained silent for a moment, a deep blush filling her face as she found herself overwhelmed with a rush of emotions and sensations. it was only when he began to lift her up into his arms that she finally let out a shaky breath before she lifted her arms up and put up a playful fight against his actions. )

Hey you....you...can't just pick me up anytime you want! I don't even know you that well!

( she had a million other words she could use but eventually she relented and simmered in silence, face as pink as the heart shaped tub in her bathroom. there were so many thoughts running in her mind over the situation and for once she wished she were more like red— too tall and too muscular to be swept up so easily.

eventually though when he finally did set her down on the chair by the dining room counter, she looked up at him with a very adorable but annoyed expression. )

Really funny, amusing even. Now get to cooking before I kick you out!

Edited 2025-05-01 21:10 (UTC)

[ Normally, Sanji would never dare pick up a woman unless she asked him to or he knew her well enough to know that his actions were welcome. But Layla, in many ways, is an exception thanks to their playful, banter-fueled relationship. Knowing that she might find it embarassing was reason enough to scoop her up, that amused grin growing wider as she joins in by putting up a playful fight, pounding her fists lightly against the broad expanse of his chest. Rather than saying anything, he just laughs softly as she does it, tightening his hold on her shoulders and her legs. ]

You really do look so damn pretty when you blush like that.

[ It's said with a quick wink, but the compliment is genuine as he sets her down on the floor, trying to ignore the way his heart gives a quick flutter at how cute she looks. Chuckling some more, he's already rolling up his sleeves before she threatens him, prepared to make her the finest meal he can. ]

Yes, ma'am. One meal so delicious, you're gonna end up in my lap before you know what's happening coming right up. [ Grinning at her over his shoulder, he round the corner and opens up the refrigerator, pulling out the salmon, steak, and vegetables she bought for that night's dinner. ] You don't mind if I make use of some of the other stuff you got, yeah? Wanna have a full range of options so I can make you the tastiest dish possible.

[ Not quite waiting for her answer— there's other prep to do— he busies himself grabbing a few plates and racks, already making a checklist of everything he needs to do to get dinner made. ]

If it'll get you to actually start cooking, then please go for it.

( that blush he managed to draw out from her originally seemed to insistently cling onto her face, driving reira to simply keep her gaze away from sanji as he went about finding his own way through her kitchen and through all of her ingredients. even in a resort like this, where the expectations of being perfect for the sake of maintaining her image as a celebrity, her kitchen was full of nothing but fresh fruits and vegetables, bottles of wine, and a few lean meats here and there but truly it spoke about what kind of person she was. scattered but clearly deep into maintaining herself.

regardless of whatever thoughts he might have had about her in that moment, reira remained mostly quiet with a glass of wine in her hand during the entire time he was cooking. whatever flirtatious banter he filled her ears with, was subtly drowned out by her hiding her face behind that glass, a barrier to still separate them. no she wouldn't allow him to crawl further into her good side if she could help it— she had already been too vulnerable with him before and this was the last shred of control she had.

at least that was what she told herself, yet as the scent of his cooking began to waft and drift to her, she began to become nervous. his movements, passion, and dedication for his craft began to shine through and it was starting to be noticed by her. it was becoming clear that their silly little bet would truly end with her in his lap, singing and filling his ears with every bit of talent she had. the tides were truly starting to look to be in his favor that she began to drink more and more, nearly getting to the halfway point in her bottle.

before long, it had become clear she had lost the bet. )

No touching Sanji, you just sit back and relax....let me use your body as my stage.

( by now the food had been eaten, few playful words had been exchanged, and reira was left endlessly flustered by the fact that she had been so confident and yet so wrong. it wasn't like she found it difficult to admit she was wrong or that she had never been teased before— her uselessness when it came to real life affairs beyond her little bubble had often been called out on. no, this was different. there was something in the air, a deep tension between the two that seemed to only escalate the more time they spent together and avoided the very thing that brought them to this resort in the first place.

so now, with the clutter of dishes in the sink and her head light from the alcohol, she sat on his lap on the very same chair she had been seated in, waiting for him to impress her. now truly impressed, she hitched up the ends of her dress as she straddled him, playing a dangerous game for a woman who seemed insistent on keeping things professional— but did she really want that? )

I know just the song for a man like you....a very fun and sensual song.

( as she stretched and craned her neck in preparation for her performance, her left hand gently reached out to touch his chest, fingers spreading and using him for support. there was no reason to touch him like this, to let her dress hitch up and her lower half to press so tightly against him, seated on a very questionable spot— yet before he could protest or do anything about it, she began to sing. )

'Diamond life, lover boy....
No place for beginners or sensitive hearts....~♫'

( and as her voice stretched and swelled up the room with her loud and demanding vocals, she began to slightly grind herself against him, hips rolling back and forth, matching the rhythm of her song. though she wasn't quite focused on an exact goal here, it seemed that just as he drove her mad with his delicious food, she wanted to drive him mad with her singing and movements. he wasn't allowed to touch but as the tensions rose and escalated further, her movements far more sexual now....it was clear things were heading in a new direction. )

inbox for golden peacock

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cw: drug mentions

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sorry for the slow!! rl stuff kept me very busy the past couple weeks

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