Fresh Date, Now In Season (D2, EE)

[Kakita Ahiru]

"I really hope you don't snore..." she commented without thinking, and then the words kind of caught up with her and she realised she was thinking of the fact that they'd be... sleeping in the same bed.

The woman smiled at Hirame's more boisterous greeting, and judging by her smile she probably had figured out the nature of things between the two young samurai. "Hello samurai-sama."

Ahiru was busy blushing again as she tried to focus her attention on the designs. As for her own choice in jewelry, it was probably because she was not yet an adult, but she seemed to prefer simple elegance and did not cover herself extensively in jewels, though any discerning eye could see that her clothes and accessories were all of the best make. A wooden comb with silver-inlays kept her hair fixed in place, and the jade pendant she wore on her neck was carved to resemble the mon of the Crane clan.

[Funegao no Hirame]

Hirame flashed her a quick grin. "Hope you don't, either." He teased gently. From the way he pitched his voice lower and deeper, it was clear he'd been reminded of the same thing.

Some Mantis had all manner of finery, but Hirame just had the symbol of Bishamon that he wore around his neck. Well, and you could probably count the sharkskin, of course.

He let the rakish grin linger a moment longer before he turned the attention back to the designs. Slowly, he made his way over to stand next to Ahiru. "I think this fits your style quite nicely, actually. I can picture you wearing it in a number of ways." His green eyes studied her warmly, smiling a little as he tried to picture the pearl as part of a hairpin, or a bracelet, or as a different sort of necklace.

[Kakita Ahiru]

"O-of course I don't!" Ahiru protested quite intensely, though her current flustered state was a lot more about the indication that they would be sleeping together and less about the snoring. "I'm a Crane, I would never!"

Oh no, was she going to spend the rest of her life surrounded by others like him? Scoundrels and rogues?

She took a breath, obvious by the way her shoulders rose as she inhaled, and calmed down somewhat after exhaling.

"... I will let you decide on its design then. I appreciate someone with a good sense of aesthetics." Ahiru was doing her best to remain very proper and prim again.

For the shopkeeper, this scene was just entertaining to not-watch. Because you didn't watch your betters have scenes, after all.

[Funegao no Hirame]

Oh, crap. Hirame wasn't quite aware that he didn't have a good sense of aesthetics, but he did know that his sense and her sense was quite different. Like... sharkskin. The way she gathered herself, her shoulders rising and falling, likewise, was hard for him to read. A normal response to good-natured teasing, or actual upset? It was hard for him to say.

Eyes narrowing, Hirame studied her. He tried to imagine her wearing all sorts of finery, the sort he'd be able to provide if he were a proper successful Mantis captain. Earrings. Bracelets. A long stringy necklace. Maybe a tiara. One of those dancer's outfits from the Burning Sands... Hirame took a breath. No. This wasn't about what he wanted. This was about what she wanted.

She was facing the designs. "May I have a proper look at you?" Hirame asked gently, turning to fully face her. His green eyes still studied her, trying to see her, not just her exterior. Although that too, of course.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Passion Generosity: You can always identify a proper gift for a particular person that does not risk giving offense or slighting them publicly. Hope this helps!

[Kakita Ahiru]

That he had a good knack for reading others was quite helpful, as it was obvious the earrings, bracelets, long stringy necklaces, and tiaras would be very out of place on Ahiru. As she turned to face him and oblige with his request, one could tell she liked more the elegant aesthetics found in picture-scrolls.

Ahiru reached up a hand and tucked a few locks of hair behind her ear, looking at Hirame with... well, attempted stoicism. After all, she was still a bit red in the cheeks from earlier.

Yes, the dancer-outfits from the Burning Sands would probably make her aghast.

Getting the proper chance to look at her, he could notice the inclincation towards nature motifs in her clothing, and in the comb she wore. Flowers, branches, the beauty one could find in nature on land. But judging by the way she glanced a few times at the designs, perhaps she'd actually like something related to the beauty one could find in the sea. That did seem fitting for a pearl too.

[Funegao no Hirame]

Hirame's gaze, already gentle, softened further as he studied Ahiru. No, he shouldn't try to force her to be something she wasn't. So... what if she became a Mantis? Would those trappings fit her as poorly as all the previously imagined jewelry? Or perhaps could they find some third way; instead of making her wholly adapt, if they could help each other to find some pleasant middle ground? It seemed possible, and that made it worth trying. Never let it be said that Hirame shied from a challenge, even in marriage.

Slowly, he smiled, giving her a nod. Turning, he gestured with open palm to a design.



He turned back. "I think that this would incorporate a pearl quite nicely." He said. "And I think that you would wear it very well, Ahiru-san." Hirame said, inclining his head.

[Kakita Ahiru]

"Hmmm..." she looked at the design he indicated, then as her eyes lit up slightly she nodded with approval.

"Yes. Yes, I think that would do nicely." Turning her gaze from the design to Hirame, her sea-green eyes looked at him with a different light. "You have a good eye for detail, Hirame-san."

[Funegao no Hirame]

Hirame couldn't help but smile at that, with just the slightest hint of a smirk; his smiles just seemed to naturally go that way. "I'm glad you like it." He said, meeting her gaze, noting what a pretty green they were. Actually, their eyes were quite nearly the same color; his had a bit more brown, but otherwise they were quite nearly a match.

He shrugged. "I mean, picking something that would look good on you was the easy part. You're very pretty." It was a compliment, but it was also matter-of-fact. "But I wanted to pick something that would really fit you." He frowned as he spoke, once again trying to explain a concept he didn't quite have words for.

"If I did that, well, then I'm glad." He said, smiling again.

[Kakita Ahiru]

Casting her gaze downwards a little, Ahiru raised her sleeves again to partially obscure her mouth. "... Thank you," she murmured shyly, feeling a bit put on the spot with his compliment, even if she knew she should get used to it from someone who was going to be her husband!

Kami be damned, why did he have to be so nice and handsome? She had been much more against this marriage before! Was this the family's plan all along?

Still, Ahiru was perceptive of other people's emotions, even Hirame's. And she could tell thaat there was something behind that brief frown. "... I understand. And I appreciate it very much. We're both very different people, so... yes, I really appreciate it. Hirame."

[Funegao no Hirame]

Hirame's lips briefly parted in surprise, but then quickly curled up into a grin. He recognized the significance of what she said immediately, of course. Well, how about that? Did he and his future wife like each other? Like, like like each other? "Well. I'll have to keep doing it, then. Ahiru." The last was spoken low, his voice deep and quiet, like a secret shared.

Briefly, Hirame glanced at the artisan, who was carefully and obviously at work... and also pressing her lips tightly together to keep from laughing. He looked back at Ahiru with a smile. "Well, shall we place the order, then? After that, we can go back to the food quarter. When I scouted the market, I found some things I'd very much like to try."

[Kakita Ahiru]

Taking another deep breath, Ahiru composed herself and nodded. "Yes... yes, that sounds nice. I suppose it would be fun to try some of the stranger food that can be found here." Not your typical Crane cuisine, but it did smell good. At least from what she could recall from passing by the food quarter of the market.

The artisan looked up from her work, smiling from ear to ear, as it seemed the young pair was ready to speak with her.


/fade to more date?

[Funegao no Hirame]

/fadetodate!