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 Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 2:18 pm
 As the oddly patterned Gehaka met his gaze without even a flinch, Arisu inclined his head a bit more, not allowing his lips to curl into an amused smile by the other's boldness. Though his words seemed to be aimed at flattering Arisu, the Haka could keenly detect just how confident the other was. Confidence never hurt anyone--it was how Arisu had learned just how easy it was to get one's way. They simply had to try hard enough--and if he played his cards right (though he didn't need to) he may be able to win over this fairly arrogant acquaintance.
His small hands idly twirled the parasol that they were grasping, his cool eyes never looking away while he mentally stored the Gehaka's memory in his mind. A good name, at least. It fit his handsome appearance. Arisu also found that he enjoyed the quality of Jiro's voice; it was much better than listening to a quavering, gutless creature who could barely stand to be in the same room with him. One delicate brow quirked upward at the request for his name, but Arisu found no reason to deny it.
"Ume Arisu." He responded in that same soft voice, and one could hear the unmistakable purr within it. Yes, Jiro had pleased him with his actions thus far--but now could he continue it? "Is there no work that you need to be finishing?" He was simply curious, keeping his tone as cool and smooth as ice. He would not allow the other to guess what he was thinking; if Jiro was clever, he would be able to respond in a manner that pleased the Haka. And if not, no loss. Plenty of fish in this little sea.
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Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 2:31 pm
At the sensation of Zurin pulling away, he grew worried. Had he done something wrong? Maybe his comment was out place. Or maybe it was just him or his awkward attempt at courtesy. He didn't really know.
Agnija kept up his placid expression, though his ears sank lower than one would think possible, almost disappearing from sight under his azure hair. He wondered if he should ask, but the Haka might take offense at being questioned, he rationed. But not one to listen to his instincts, he bowed and, keeping the umbrella over Zurin, opened his mouth.
"I can't follow your logic, you Grace. I can tell you it will be the talk of evening when I get home, how I escorted such beauty home. I don't even think my Mother will even believe. He will probably chalk it up to flights of fancy." He paused to laugh at himself. "But if you want me to leave... I will. But at least let me escort you all the way to your door. I'd hate for you to burn."
[Isn't he jes the gentlemen <_<]
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Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 5:13 pm
 Jiro watched Arisu carefully as the Haka scrutinized him. He was used to such actions and, since he was not leaning against something, placed one hand on his waist as he bit into the apple again and held himself to become all the more appealing to look at. He thought to himself - would My Lord have me dance for him next? - but didn't let the sarcastic remark escape his smirking lips. He simply stood there, staring at Arisu as he was looked at.
"Does My Lord find this being pleasing?" he asked with a smile, finally breaking the silence. Then, Arisu gave his name and Jiro grinned fiercely, "A most fitting name for such a beautiful one... And, no, great one, I have finished what tasks my mother had planned for me today. They were so simple that I finished with much time to spare." It was partially true. He had finished at least a few of the simplest chores he was given, ignoring the more strenuous without a second thought. "You may have heard of the Tsukiko Boat Carving shop, perhaps? It is a small shop, but a trustworthy one..."
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Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 5:33 pm
Oh yes, it was a good thing that Jiro knew how to hold his tongue. Arisu didn't like being ridiculed--not when he was in a somewhat foul mood like this. Though, he did have to admit, this cocky Gehaka was cheering him up a tad. He certainly wasn't hard to look at. On the contrary, Jiro seemed to like being looked at. He was about as vain as a Haka, but Arisu wasn't offended. In his own way, Jiro was beautiful--though he had none of Arisu's delicate qualities.
Lips curled upward in a rather feral smirk, and Arisu dipped his head. "Indeed. It is not often that my eyes find sanctuary on which they may rest." Nothing wrong with a little flirting; Arisu hardly stepped out of the house, and it was always nice to relieve some of his bordom on nearby victims. Especially when they were confident enough to play back. When Jiro complimented him on his name, Arisu hummed softly in pleasure, offering another cool smile.
"I may have passed it a few times. The name sounds familiar. Perhaps I should stop by more often." The last bit sounded suggestive, but Arisu simply looked away, as though something else had caught his attention.
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Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 5:52 pm
"It's not often that mine find such a pleasing form either, Arisu. Your beauty is most astounding," Jiro replied slyly, taking a step closer to the grey-eared Haka. "In fact, I feel so deprived of such a sight that it's as if I've seen a strong light suddenly shine into a sea of darkness. You're a captivating one..." he said, continuing to flatter the Haka. It was in his nature to flirt, not shy at all was the Gehaka. That he had left to his younger brother, while nobility gathered at his older brother.
"Perhaps you should... I know at least one Gehaka toiling there who will be very pleased to see a little light inside such a dark, dank, sweaty place filled with the useless and depraved such as have become less than civilized... my mother's Gehaka are like slaves there, but this Gehaka? No, he refuses to become one of her zombies..." he said strongly, the determination showing clearly as his brows narrow over his sharp, silver eyes. "... he hopes for more one day. Better."
His gaze was strong, captivating as a warrior looking determinedly over a field of battle. His wings were high over him, arching with the poise of one who has an unbeatable will, though is willing to obey. Jiro; Such a misleading creature...
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Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 6:15 pm
Another casual curl of his lips signaled Arisu's enjoyment of all this; his mother's Gehaka were so boring compared to this one. They had no spirit in them at all. Although Arisu was arrogant, he did like to have someone interesting to talk to. None of his mother's husbands even had a spark of life or anything that could keep the young Haka entertained. And Arisu was pleased with this attention, straightening and adjusting his kimono once more as though preening. Yes yes, he did like this Jiro, despite the fact that they had just met.
When the other began his monologue, Arisu glanced at him, interest captivated once more. Oh, so he had a way with words as well...yet another thing that was a plus. "Good." He said crisply, tossing his head. Yes, Jiro certainly knew how to win him over; he was tired of mindless Gehaka who's only purpose was to serve. Besides, Arisu needed a good first husband, one who could protect him. Mulling over this, he took in Jiro's determined stance once more, lips sliding into yet another smile.
"More and better, hm? And how do you plan to attain this?" He questioned, not quite through with poking and prodding for Jiro's responses. He did like to hear the other talk; it filled him with amusement to watch and listen to the spirited Gehaka.
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Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 6:36 pm
"Yes, more and better," he replied matter-of-factly. If you were in such a station of destiny that you were forced to work from dawn until dusk endlessly carving boats out of logs, wouldn't you tire of the strain and your spirit slowly break? I cannot endure such a task; one which needs no intelligence at all to those once they are trained. It bores me to no end. I need stimulation!" He said, throwing his hands up.
His eyes narrowed as he was asked such a deep question. He stood straight, his shoulders back with an air of grace and strongwill. "Attain better? Why, that's why I am here... As an unmarried Gehaka, I've the hope of finding a better life which can offer me more by finding someone of equal intelligence who will allow me to explore my intellectual needs and delve deeper in the subconscious. I stand in this very spot every day: watching and waiting for someone who seems worthwhile to pass... I have yet to find someone even remotely satisfactory to my needs..."
"Perhaps... you?" he quieried, looking deep into Arisu's eyes. "Are you exemplary, or are you just another rich Haka looking for slaves to do his work?"
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Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 7:39 pm
 Wavering between anger and pleasure, Zurin hesitated. Was the gehaka mocking him? Such outrageous flattery, especially directed at Zurin's looks. The slight laugh hinted strongly at mockery, but something in the way the gehaka stood, ears flattened, convinced Zurin of his sincerity.
Still filled with misgivings, the pale Haka bit his lip, careful not to break the skin but still echoing the gesture of agitation. He looked at the bright light outside of their circle of shade, then back to the grey gehaka's contrite posture.
Sighing, he reluctantly nodded. "You need not worry about that, I will give you a token of my household to prove your honour. I would very much appreciate it if you would accompany to the gates, but I fear I can offer little compensation for your time."
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Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 7:48 pm
Arisu had never been forced to work in his life, simply because of his status, but he had done so before. It was nothing too brutal, granted, but it had been enough to give him an idea of what Gehaka went through. It wouldn't earn them any sympathy; he had just been curious as a child. Why did they have to work, yet he did not? So, with that simple test, he had realized why Haka were not able to do heavy labor. His mother had nearly killed him for trying such a risky thing.
"Stimulation..." He mused over that, understanding the other's need. Life dragged on even when time had slowed to a crawl; nothing ever changed. Most Haka might have been offended that Jiro was comparing his intellect to theirs--but not Arisu. He had come to realize that this particular Gehaka was different. He was special in a way that most others would refuse to appreciate.
The last comment made Arisu tip his head wordlessly, studying Jiro intently. "Do I look as though I wish for slaves? For mindless drones who know how to do nothing but serve? No. I wish for someone with life, someone who takes interest me and I take interest in them." He tucked a lock of stray hair behind his ear, arching one brow. "I am not usually put in a position to judge myself. However, if you are as unique as you say, and you can continue to keep your personality, then perhaps I can be, as you said, 'satisfactory'. Arisu did enjoy Jiro's presence; why should he hesitate in taking him for a husband? So the Gehaka was willful; Arisu liked that, and the other was arrogant without being rude. Yes, perhaps he had found his husband after all.
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Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 8:06 pm
Agnija waved off the Haka's overly modest request. Maybe it was just him, but he couldn't understand Zurin's... well he couldn't quite pinpoint what it was, but it was almost dragging down his forever jovial demeanor which just made him just smile brighter.
"You don't need to give me anything. Your pleasing company is greater than any token offered, really." Most of his food had probably spoiled from being in the sun so long, but... for some reason... he wanted to help... Zurin. Why, he still couldn't understand. Maybe it was just simply a Gehaka's duty.
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Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 8:27 pm
Zurin smiled. "I merely meant this. It is worthless as anything other than a symbol of Wakahisa House." He slipped a hand into his pocket and then spread his palm towards Agnija, offering him the object that he had produced.
It was a small reddish stone, intricately carved in the likeness of a stylized leaf. It wasn't very beautiful, but it had a simple elegance that was appealing to the subtle tastes of the Wakahisa family.
Waiting for the gehaka to accept it, Zurin once again took the measure of the Bharu. Not bad looking, and so very polite. He wondered... no, far too presumptuous to think of such things only a short while after meeting him.
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Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 8:52 pm
The Gehaka hesitated for a moment, wondering if it was appropriate to take a gift from a Haka, but smiling instead he accepted it gratefully with a subtle bow. Holding it in his large palm, he studied the smal token thoughtfully, flipping it from front to back and ghosting a calloused fingertip across the glittering surface.
"It's very pretty, thank you." He commented appreciatively. His attention was interrupted by a trickle of sweat that glided down his forehead. Before it could hit the bridge of his nose, he balled up a fist and wiped his face clean of collecting perspiration. Keeping the red token tight in his fisted grip, Agnija adjusted the starting-to-get-heavy paraol and coughed.
"Ready?" Motioning toward the path.
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Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 3:42 am
"It's just a trinket." Zurin said quietly, wondering what the repercussions of giving Agnija such a token would be. Nodding at the gehaka's question, he started walking carefully up the narrowing road towards Wakahisa House. It would get much steeper as they approached the cliff face, so Zurin conserved his energy for that precarious climb.
As they walked under the shade of the parasol, Agnjia's presence a solid comfort at his side, Zurin considered that he could get used to this. A lone haka was always at risk, and he was doubly so because of his condition. Perhaps he should hire some bodyguards. Suddenly curious, he spoke up.
"How old are you, Bharu?"
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Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 1:07 pm
Agnija almost tripped at the question as his stiffened foot hit an upturned rock. Swallowing a hard lump in his throat, a croak of a reply escaped.
"Uhh... Twenty-seven..." He hated telling others his age. It embarrassed him since most gehak his age were already wed and even those muh younger. He was just one of those bad seeds that turned up every once in awhile.
[Kinda short, sorreh >_>]
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Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 4:29 pm
Jiro nodded, "Yes, exactly, my lord... my life is understimulated..." he said flatly, looking out of the top of his eyes as though he were trying to push the point home. Jiro was very relieved that he had not yet been beaten for speaking his mind. Though he never felt the pain enough to bruise or even to cry out, he was often punished for being so blatent, but it hadn't cured him. If anything, it had given him the gumption (sp) he needed to prove himself all the more. He wasn't afraid anymore. No one could touch his free will.
"No, I should think that you don't... but looks may be deceiving. The cover of a book may not tell what story it tells, so a person may look fair and like one who wouldn't have mindless baffoons in his midst, but what does that tell us of the inner being? I'm glad that you're not one of those Hakas who only wants workers, not companions or - perhaps, rarely - lovers." He watched Arisu turn the lock of hair behind his ear and Jiro looked the Haka's face over again before continuing. "I'm glad I've asked you to reach outside of your boundaries then, Arisu. Judging yourself may bring you to know yourself better... and thank all that be, I shall sooner lose my life than my personality, thank you, My Lord. No one may take that from me but with a sword; Even then he will fall before he nears me with his stale blade and closed mind."
"Perhaps you are satisfactory..." he said with a smirk. "You are surely easy one the eyes, and not of dull intellect. You've very much surprised me this far, mighty one, but words are words only without action..." Jiro threw the bare core of the apple he had eaten to the ground and then turned and strolled around Arisu in a circle, his arms folded across his chest. Now it was his turn to scrutinize. Wasn't it only fair? He had been stared at and prodded with questions.
"I can't imagine what it must be like growing up a Haka... perhaps you could teach me something I don't know?" he asked quietly, his voice mystical and inquiring.
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