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Location: Ausica's Townhouse - First Floor

The interior is minimalistic and elegant, the color scheme consisting of reds and white with other neutral tones offering interesting pops of color to entice the eye. The interior decorations consist of various framed pieces, pottery, and trinkets put on display. Upon entering, there is a small alcove to place belongings before stepping into the living room. A staircase is to the immediate right and a few steps beyond is the spacious living room area. A simple table sits in the middle with various seating options placed strategically for relaxation and entertaining purposes. Just beyond is an open kitchen artfully condensed with a dining area tucked to the side beside two large windows. A flowerbed and a small pond is visible from this area.

There was a certain level of apprehension going to someone new's home for the first time when it was a cordial visit and not one where a lot of blood was to be spilled. This was also a friend of Amarante's, so any faux pas committed would invariably lead to her getting shot. Hyde was going to try to be on her best behavior, though her first encounter with Ausica kinda saw the two of them undressed together with Hyde as her servant. They did since start anew, but things were a little different here. She just had to focus on baking and making friends. Baking and making. Baking and making.

The home was incredible on the outside. Much nicer than her own that had seen countless people breaking in through the window and the roof, not to mention odd parcels and people left on the front porch. What the heck was up with this place? "Hopefully you remember everything you were boasting about, you pointy-eared dumbass." Memory not good. Baking from memory may not have been the smartest idea, but she was showing her confidence in a different way since she couldn't really dress like normal.

Slowly she approached the front door. This was her last opportunity to back down. She could either look like a welcher or an absolute idiot. She wasn't sure which was worse. But she did want to get to know Ausica better, so. Gently as she could manage Hyde knocked on the door. "Ausi-ki~? Are you in?"

Any opportunity to flee was pretty much gone once confronted with her host. Her host who looked like she was in a high school cooking class as opposed to a upper-end home kitchen. It was unexpectedly cute. The woman in the outfit was gorgeous, but the outfit made her cuter. Maybe the evening wouldn't be so bad. "Ah, Ausi-ki~ You look wonderful tonight! Is everything ready for us?"

Taking up the invitation Hyde gingerly stepped across the threshold. It was always interesting coming into a new place for the first time. The first step was always important based on how loud the 'creak' was when she put her weight on her foot. Most people were not seven hundred pounds of compacted muscle. There was little noise as she came through, so all was off to a good start. If it sounded like an old galley at sea then it might have been better to call it a night. Instead Hyde continued through and took in her surroundings. This place was so... organized... compared to her own home that it was almost embarrassing. But she didn't care about the state of her stuff as the only people allowed in - those that were actually invited - generally didn't seem to care about the clutter. But she didn't always have the time - or mind - to put things in their proper places.

Some of the pieces in Ausica's home looked fragile. So very, very fragile. The elf made it a point to stay at least a body's length away from anything that looked like it would shatter. Most of her own things were reinforced or made special for her to resist her strength. None of this looked to have the same treatment. She was the proverbial 'bull in a china shop' here. Maybe this wasn't a good idea.

"Ara~ Ausi-ki, your home is so lovely and... delicate looking." Why did it seem like her voice boomed in here? Nothing could actually break from sound vibrations, right?

Where normally there would have been a look of sheer confidence, Hyde's face seemed a bit flustered. "I-I wear clothes! Normally, I do! I-Its just that I prefer to... not." Indeed she had figured just an apron would have been preferable - were this her own home. Instead she had to put more on than usual and it made the elf wonder if and when she would burst a seam from the tightness in some locations. There wasn't really much time to get alterations on clothing one didn't think they were going to need. "You look-er, wait, already said that. Nevermind!"

Ever aware of her surroundings and taking care not to damage anything Hyde couldn't help but be aware of Ausica's eyes on her at all times - like she was being appraised. Hyde knew very little of the demon, which made her wary, but they were a friend of Amarante's, which made her more relaxed. The two feelings were having it out inside and it made her really want a distraction. "Ah, tea would be lovely. Alcohol is for celebrating and forgetting. We can find something to celebrate later when we don't need fine motor skills." That sounded weird. Was it weird? That sounded really weird.

There was that feeling again. It was as though Ausica was the predator stalking Hyde, waiting to pounce. But it was so indirect that it reminded her of Amarante. Were all demons this way? Weren't they different? Then why didn't it feel that way? "Indeed, Ausi-ki~ Victory is that feeling of crushing the opposition. The stronger the resistance, the better it feels." She practically laughed those last words. It reminded her of combat adrenaline highs long since gone.

Hyde spent the few moments it took Ausica to bring the tea lost in her inner revelry. She really wanted a fight now. Most of the people in Durem were either too peace-y or weak. That really sucked. And it also meant she had to go somewhere else completely for a good fight. Before she could get further into thoughts of fighting Ausica came back with tea and a question. "My current situation? You mean... this?" She even saw fit to point down to emphasize her current setting. "Or... Yeah, no, this. I don't know for sure. Delicious baked goods made right?" Was she driving at something? Or was that just a way to start a conversation. Things were just so awkward for her tonight.

Very gingerly did she take the tea from the demon. Glassware that was likely not as strong as she would like. As a result all of her movements were slow and calculated. The cup seemed like it was tiny in her hand even though it was normal sized. "You have good taste in tea." Hyde still felt very awkward. But so far it just seemed to amuse Ausica rather than dissuade her from their plan for the night. There was that, at least.

Hyde simply shrugged at the comment. "In battle things are far more simple than anywhere else. If they are not your ally, they get killed. They die and you live on to fight again. It's been that way for millennia." What kind of life did Ausica live if she never fought for pleasure?

The urge to make herself small was strong, but she was already restraining herself rather well. Everything still seemed so fragile even though she had not actually touched anything but the tea cup and saucer. The chair was holding her quite well as well. Maybe she would chance relaxing a little and actually interact. "What do you mean by partially?"

A good sip of tea and she replied to the last question presented to her. "A competition? What kind of competition? Against whom?" Admittedly, Hyde's interest was piqued and it showed.

Ausica's idea of simple sounded a little more like 'boring'. "Fighting is really simple. Any idiot can kill someone. But those who survive a fight have a little more reason to be glad to be alive and appreciate the simple life." That may have missed the point. Hyde was still a little edgy in here, but it was progressively fading. It was difficult to not pay attention to her host's movements. Ausica was very elegant and very particular, so every movement had some meaning. Not that Hyde knew all of the meanings behind them, but nothing was offensive. Not that she felt like anything today would require violence, but she didn't live this long by letting her guard down.

"I see. I am interested in this competition." It would be interesting to see just what the demon would come up with. She was nowhere near as old as Hyde, but she had different exposure during her life that the elf had not. Another drink of her tea had her emptying the cup. Not a sipper like most when the tea was good. Especially if they were to be doing something else. Or there was the possibility of another cup. "I will be curious to see what you come up with."