Welcome to Gaia! ::

His champagne had made it as far as two blocks over, the high gates of the Botanical Garden approaching in the distance. The remains of the sweet liquid was tossed back, the flute disposed of on a window ledge of a passing building. A curious find, for whoever made the discovery the next morning but tonight was about embracing the moment - enjoying the moonlight that lit their path and the company they were keeping.

Fingers squeezed hers as the large, iron-wrought fencing drew near. He'd been to the Garden on several occasions but nightly visits were typically done by his other self and not the tan skinned brunette who was still reveling in the excitement of the evening.

It was only as they arrived at the gate itself that his hand dropped from hers, the young man's hands moving out to test the bars. They rattled, but remained firm. Probably eight to ten feet, more or less... but gazing over to the stone separator in the corner, he contemplated his ability to scale.

Several years had passed since he'd given thought to climbing fences - a past time for a mischievous boy and not a mature college student soon graduating. One foot braced itself against the ledge and he glanced over towards his date, gauging her reaction to the idea with a grin.

"Did you ever think that you'd be breaking the law by the end of tonight, beautiful?"

His head nudged in direction of the gate's top as hands gripped the bars tighter, hoisting himself up. "I can see if there's a side entrance for me to unlock, if you don't feel like trying your hand at wall climbing."

The grin grew wider as he watched her toss off her shoes and begin to scale the fence like a regular tomboy. It clearly hadn't phased her that she was in a formal gown as bare feet took to the wall - not that it had mattered much to him what was becoming of his suit, either.

"I wouldn't be much of a gentleman if I didn't assist a lady in need, now would I?"

One leg tossed over the edge and he gripped the side of the stone before swinging the other over. The drop wasn't exactly short but nothing his long legs couldn't handle after a short shimmy downwards.

Landing on the grass with a thump, boots turned as he looked upwards for the beautiful stranger who hadn't hesitated to join him on his little illegal escapade. Shoes dangled from her wrist as nimble fingers moved to assist in pushing herself over. It was a sight to see and Akio had absolutely no regrets on his offered adventure.

Arms reached up expectantly to catch the young woman, brown eyes doing their best to stay proper and not wander at the sight that dangled above. Dresses were lovely creations but glancing at one from beneath provided a bit too much loveliness, sometimes. With her green fabric blowing in the breeze, he sought to stare at the back of her head, clearing his throat gently as he waited patiently for his impromptu date.

His cheeks were flushed, but that could have been due to the alcohol as much as it was the view. Clearing his throat, his hands gestured a come hither motion.

"I'll catch you when you're ready, beautiful."

He watched her dangle from the top, clearly proud of herself. It was cute, if anything - Akio had stopped attempting to guess her next move, having found himself already surprised one too many times at her reaction. She wasn't a typical girl - shy one moment, adventurous the next. The champagne might have had something to do with it, but he wasn't going to question it.

Not when she was falling into his arms and being whisked around in a spin. His heart skipped a beat as she pressed her cheek close to his, but pulled back only moments later, warm arms leaving from around him.

"Well, we are in a garden..." He mused, slipping his hand into hers as he turned to lead them away from the gate and into the darkness of the garden. "I think it might do the flowers some justice if we were to appreciate them for their beauty, don't you?"

Despite the darkness surrounding them, the moonlight from up above provided a soft glow across the arches covered in roses, leading in towards the fountain and various collections of flowers beyond. He'd strolled down the lane a time or two before - there was a gazebo in the distance, if he recalled correctly.

As they passed under the arch, his free hand moved out to gently brush across one of the larger blooms dangling overhead. He was mindful not to tear the beautiful bud, though the idea of offering one to his date was rather tempting. The archway was darkened by the lack of moonlight, but enough rays peeked through various patches to guide them towards the exit.

"So what brought you to the Gala tonight?"

It was time to find out more about his beautiful stranger - Akio's eyes darted in her direction as dress shoes kept them following the path. "If you weren't there with a date, why were you there?"

He noted the frown, but said nothing as she continued with her explanation. It was clear that she was having regrets - or guilt, perhaps? - over abandoning the friend she’d attended the Gala with. Akio hadn’t noticed anyone lingering around his mysterious beauty when she’d first bumped against him, presuming that this organizer was probably far too caught up in her duties to pay the young woman any mind.

Events like those aren’t made for people like me…

It was his turn to frown, the smoothness of his tanned nose wrinkling from the effect. While she hadn’t had the airs about her of an experienced socialite, it was almost insulting to him to listen to the woman speak so poorly of herself. Wasn’t every girl destined to be treated like the queen she deserved to be, at some point in her life?

Conversation quickly switched over to him - it seemed as if she grew uneasy talking about herself.

“I’m sure I could have found someone.” It was more of a statement than a brag - because it was as simple as that. A statement to acknowledge. “But if I had, then I would have never bumped into you, now would I?”

He squeezed her hand again, the serious look melting into a smile as he offered her a playful wink. “It’s nice to get away from the pressures of everyday life and enjoy oneself. Even if it’s just for a night.”

And that is exactly what he had done. Too many expectations had been put upon him - ensuring his grades were up to par all the while juggling the terrifying thought of being out in the real world and having no marketable skills to show for it, save for the voice that hadn’t done him many favors in the past. With Helios and Leopard’s Eye away from their posts, the dream world was in desperate need of what Guardians remained, adding further burden to his double-life responsibilities. All of this thrust upon a twenty-two year old… well, it was a lot, to say the least. So escaping away to a magical evening of balls and dancing had been a welcomed distraction from the real world - even moreso now that he’d found a mysterious princess to escort into the night.

The tunnel was ending, revealing a world full of enchantment as they found themselves surrounded by flower upon flower. A fountain sat in the middle of the display, surrounded by various marble benches that matched the occasional statue scattered throughout the garden. Roses, lilies and various other flowers that Akio failed to know the names of were found throughout the area, be it in on bushes, trellises or fencing. Despite the fact the fountain was turned off for the evening, it didn’t take away from the serene scene in front of them.

Leading her over to one of the benches, he glanced down at the fountain and noticed an array of coins scattered throughout the base. The glimmer of copper and silver reflecting off the moonlight gave him an idea and the young man released his hold of her to dig inside his trouser pockets. A moment or two passed before out came two quarters, one of which was handed to her. The large coin was pressed into the palm of her hand as the look he gave her was nothing short of impish.

“Make a wish. I hear this fountain grants them, to those who make an offering to it.”

"Might exist?"

The look he gave her was nothing short of quizzical, the young man turning to peer down at the woman several inches shorter than him. "Darling, fairy tales do exist - you just have to know where to look for them."

Grasping the coin in his own hand, he turned and stepped up onto one of the benches. Spinning around in a flourish with the tails of his jacket flying, the coin was pinched between two fingers as he leaned down, the passion of the moment flowing freely within him as he held the quarter out for display.

"Princes are real. Princesses and evil witches exist. Magic is all around us, whether we realize it or not."

His free hand gestured out towards the air, as if implying it rested with them right then and there, in the otherwise silent garden. "We are our own fairy tales and it is up to us to take the lead and vanquish the dragons and sorcerers that keep us from our happily ever afters."

With that he hopped down, boots landing beside her as his hand reached out to finally toss the coin into the water, watching it land with a bloop as the silver piece sank to the bottom of the fountain.

His voice grew quiet, but the confidence of his beliefs lingered in his tone. "Wishes are like dreams - you can never have too many, beautiful. Dreams are what make us who we are - and who we want to be."

Chestnut colored eyes remained on the fountain for a few more minutes, a silence befalling the couple until he finally broke the tranquility with his voice once more, head tilting in her direction as he asked slyly, "So... I'll tell you my wish if you tell me yours."

"If a dragon befriends the princess, then a prince of any worth will simply have to accept such a partnership." His confidence was unrelenting, though with the assistance of the alcohol in his system, there was no wonder as to why he continued to act the brave fool he knew he was behaving as. "His princess's desires come first in his heart, after all."

Arms had fallen to his side as his body turned to follow the direction of his gaze. She'd already moved to face him, small hands reaching out to smooth the various wrinkles he'd been busy subjecting his attire to.

His heart, on the other hand, was busy betraying him - beating in his chest at such a level that he almost feared she'd feel it, her fingers gently brushing against his shirt. The proximity felt nearly as close as it was when they were dancing - only this time, there was no audience around them. No idle chatter of partygoers, bright lights overhead or the soft melody of waltz music. It was just them, a simple, silly boy staring down at a beautiful girl in the quiet of the garden in the middle of the night.

Hands rose, one sliding to rest on her waist, not unlike their earlier dancing. This time, though, there was no swaying as he looked down, attempting to catch her gaze as he murmured softly, "I wished for the chance to kiss a princess, tonight."

He was playing with her hair then, his other hand having risen to the side of her face. The color of her turquoise was even more beautiful under the pale moonlight as the soft strands fell between his fingers. His thumb brushed her jaw gently, forcing her to look up at him as he gave off a small laugh.

"But perhaps...that's a bit presumptuous for this prince to hope for, of a mysterious princess he's just met?"

"I would have to be careful, lest I find myself burned by the likes of a dragon princess...but that would certainly keep things interesting, wouldn't it?"

She rose on her toes, drawing them even closer together than before. His heart skipped a beat as the intoxicating sweetness of her scent surrounded him, arms draping around his neck almost possessively, quietly implying don't leave.

Flirting had never been a hard sport to pick up on, but there was something different about this girl that had drawn him to her. There was something sweet and innocent, a feeling that caused his mind to scream for him to run away, that he was tainting someone pure and naivë. Someone who deserved better than the likes of Akio Yoshida.

He hesitated.

She was so close - so incredibly close - that a simple nod of his head would have both of their wishes granted. Her eyes were closed while his remained open, wide and almost terrified as he found himself sobering up nearly instantly.

What was he doing?

He needed to be a better person. Who was to say that there wasn't someone out there, already, pining over this beautiful girl who seemed new to the world of love? What kind of man would he be, to kiss her and continue the fairy tale illusion, when he couldn't promise what was to come in the days ahead?

As she leaned in for the kiss, his arms moved up and gently untangled her arms from around his neck. Hands moved to take hold of hers, Akio’s tongue searching for the words to redeem his whimsical teases. His eyes had softened, sadness evident as the yearning was there, but responsibility had taken precedence.

In the distance, the large clock tower of Destiny City began to chime, echoing throughout the city to announce that the midnight hour was upon them.

Midnight.

Taking a second deep breath, he shook his head and gently dropped his grip on her soft fingers. It was his fairy tale as well as her own - what came the next day would simply be waiting for him when the next day arrived.

Tanned fingers reached out to gently cup her cheeks as he leaned down and pressed his lips firmly against hers.

He may not have a Happily Ever After destined for his future, but he would make one for himself tonight.

It was sweet and it was tender, despite the passion that Akio was doing his best to reign back on. Her lips were soft and tasted of champagne - perhaps a reminder that she too had made the decision to kiss while under the influence?

While Akio would have loved to blame his carefree attitude on his intoxication, he was as sober as could be...which was the dangerous part, he realized. He found himself wanting more: wanting to know all about this mysterious young woman, wanting to feel her body pressed against his. He wanted to whisk her away on adventures, he wanted to learn what she loved and then shower those loves upon her, tenfold.

The knowledge of his desire terrified him, the suddenness an unexpected turn from his normal flirt-and-conquer approach. How had someone managed to dance into his life so quickly, drawing his attention and his desire in one fell swoop of her wispy skirt, one glance of those jade eyes that stared back at him innocently?

Slowly, he pulled away, eyes opening to meet hers as hands moved to brush back through her hair. He couldn't get enough of her hair, her height, her beauty. Akio simply couldn't get enough of her and instead of panicking as his brain instructed him to, he followed his heart and basked in the moment.

"It appears that neither of us have turned into a pumpkin." How fortuitous. "I wonder if that means our fairy tale is destined to continue, beautiful."