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 Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2004 6:15 pm
-RP records begin here-
Color Coding:
RP with Aishiki/Aishiki and Xue
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 3:22 pm
Aishiki sighed, tossing her bangs back as the wind whipped them around. She was dressed in loose jeans and a t-shirt, the pants cut to allow her tail freedom. Decorating the outfit was her ever-present scroll, wrapped around her as the sashes she'd often seen around Gaia. She liked the look, and the soft touch of the magical cloth always made her smile. One hand held a back at her side, weighed down by several thick, hard-bound books, while the other lifted to rap sharply at the door before her.
The house was large but seemed empty, it's gardens elaborate and finely kept. It was made largely of white-painted wood and felt light and free- but somehow very lonely. The door swung open at her touch, revealing the tall owner of the house walking towards her with a book- he paused, surprised to see anyone, and tossed his hair. His robes were elaborate and regal, matching the perfect cobalt blue of his hair. "Is there something I can help you with?" he asked distantly, blue eyes wary.
A rooster, she noted, catching the crest of feathers above his hair. She looked up at him - while he may have been tall, she was definitely shorter than average, though not extremely so - and smiled quietly, a slightly shy cast to her features. "Is... Irasiel here?" Her soft voice managed to pronounce his name perfectly, the only hesitation as she looked down at the paper the name was written on.
"I am Irasiel," he said, still suspicious of her unexpected visit and breed. Of course I would be inflicted with a cat, he noted to himself with annoyance. Still, basic courtesy required that he be civil, and he would not sink to discourtesy. He bowed formally. "What may I help you with this day, gentle lady?"
Aishiki raised an eyebrow at the title, glancing between his fancy robes and her own rather plain garb before offering a slightly wider smile. "You ordered some books from Shisei? They came into the shop yesterday, and I thought I'd deliver them, since I was going to be out anyway." Out, yes... out at the bookshop, spending far more money than I really should have. Thank goodness Trio and the others have ways to exchange Shisei money for Gaian...
His control was obviously rigid, but even so his eyes brightened at the mention of the books. "Ah, yes- please, come this way." He set his book on a side table that already contained a small basket of garden supplies and moved towards the back of the hall. When he moved, the 'formal' robes proved to be lightweight and free-flowing. "it is...kind of you to go out of your way to bring them," he stated, sounding a bit surprised that she would bother.
She shrugged, not quite sure how to answer the statement. "Well, I've gotten to know where things in Gaia are, thanks to my bonded. And... I wasn't going to be far away myself. It's not that far out of my way, I assure you," she eventually said, padding behind him delicately, even as her eyes traveled over his house.
He seemed...unsurprised that he wasn't stirring herself far on his behalf. In fact, it seemed to confirm his cynical suspicions; even so, he couldn't help but quiet his arrogance around her steady calm. He stepped into the redwood library, revealing it to be full of books- largely Gaian, with a small set of shelves lined with treasured books from home. "Set them on that table, please," he said with an absent gesture, and went to retrieve a small purse from his desk.
Aishiki did, her eyes brightening at the sight of so many books by what was obviously another collector. Setting her bag on the table, she moved toward a shelf, finger trailing through the air before it as she ticked off in her mind the books she had yet to find. Normally, she was somewhat shy, but faced with books... well.
He returned his attention to his guest, purse in hand, and blinked in surprise. A change indeed from the quiet thing he'd found on his doorstep; he found himself warming to her despite his dislike. "I take it you like books?" he asked dryly, hand on one hip.
"Not precisely," she threw over her shoulder, before turning to peer at him. The dark hue of her skin didn't quite manage to hide the blush she wore at having been caught, but she smiled up at him gamely. "It's... more along the lines of love. Satoshi and Tamako say I'm obsessed." Shrugging, she clasped her hands behind her back, watching him.
He placed his own hands behind his back, and watched her in the same fashion. That admission...was simlpy something even his hardened hatred for Cats could not resist. True, he loved his gardens more than his books, but they were still dear to his heart- he could feel the pain that friendship might bring, but for the moment...he chose to ignore it. "I suppose, then, that you should introduce yourself," he said loftily. "I generally do not discuss things with people I don't know." A smile lurked in the corners of his bright eyes, no matter how arrogant he seemed.
Aishiki winced at the oversight, the faint pink cast to her cheeks ripening into a resplendent red. "I'm sorry. I'm Aishiki. My bonded works for the shop." She held out a hand to shake, feeling more and more unkempt in his presence. Grace, beauty, AND he was impeccably groomed, and all she had going for her was a messy ponytail, comfortable clothes, and her inherent cat's grace.
His eyebrows shot up and he hesitated just a moment- then bowed over her hand, kissing it lightly. "I would not have expected someone of such stature to be traipsing about Gaia delivering books. I am...honored, lady," he murmured, and found that he actually meant it. He straightened, raising a hand to his books. "My collection. Not what I would like it to be, at the moment, but growing."
Aishiki drew her hand back at the kiss, clearly flustered. Feeling now utterly ridiculous, she turned, peering around the room. "It's quite a bit larger than most have. I noticed you'd picked up a number of Gaian texts, so I suppose you must know about the bookshop nearby?" she added, one ear twitching slightly as she glanced at him.
"I spend most of my time here," he replied quietly, turning away slightly. "My bonded's husband is a collector and scholar himself, and one of her other residents is a writer with vast publishing contracts- most of my books arrive through them. I do not...enjoy leaving home, so I rarely partake in it." He smiled wryly, shaking his head; his feathers glistened in the light. "I do admit, however, that one of those rare excursions was to said bookstore."
Aishiki nodded, understanding well herself how easy it was to hole up. "I'm not surprised, if you've got this many around. And now some more Shisei books. Hopefully, you'll enjoy those." She hesitated, debating to herself whether to mention it before adding, "I recognized some of the titles... they're quite well done, most of them."
"Many of my reference works were left behind when I was brought here," he said with a shrug. "I've had a terrible time rebuilding, but Gaians simply don't have our system of magic. My research is impossible without texts from Shisei."
"You haven't considered retrieving your library from home?" Aishiki asked, watching him. "It's not necessarily easy, mind you, but it CAN be done..."
He turned away completely this time, resting a hand on a shelf and frowning at the books it contained. "That...requires a little more contact with a certain group of people than I would particularly enjoy," he said, his tone neutral and a little flat. "I have considered it, but, as you said, it is not an easy feat."
Withdrawing immediately at the cooling nature of his voice, Aishiki took an uncertain step back. "I'm sorry," she offered, brows drawn together. "I didn't know. If... if I may ask, what group?"
His fingers clawed on the books, and he forced them to relax- this little one was a definite exception to those of her kindred he had interacted with, and he had no right to inflict his anger upon her. He glanced over his shoulder with a rueful smile, and shrugged. "I seem to have difficulty- under most circumstances- dealing with Cats."
Oh... Aishiki winced, offering a weak smile before moving to head to the door. "I'm sorry. I wasn't aware," she repeated, sighing inwardly at the way she'd just stammered the same thing all over again and wanting to be away before she caused any more annoyance.
"No!" He said sharply, and blinked at himself as he faced her again. He seemed quite surprised by his outburst. "I...do apologize. I have found your company to be most pleasant, and I do not hold quite everyone responsible for his- for what occurred in the past." Showing the first signs of unease, he ran a hand through his hair. "Please, it would be a shame if you left without seeing the gardens...?"
Large blue eyes regarded him warily for a moment, before she nodded slowly. For a moment, she had the urge to apologize again, and she pushed it down, chewing her lower lip as she waited. "I'd like that. I... saw the gardening tools on the table down the hall. Do you do it yourself? Garden, I mean."
Relieved at the change of subject, he nodded and ushered her out the door. "Not all of it- certainly this monstrous expanse is too great a challenge for one man- but the more delicate flowers, herbs, and plants in general are under my direct care. I have considered constructing a greenhouse, but at the moment I am content with what I have." He retrieved the basket and opened the door for her- absent courtesy that was part of everything he did.
She murmured a soft thank you as she stepped out, resisting the urge to reach up and smooth her ponytail. It was utterly ridiculous how much she felt the need to preen around him. The only person who had made her feel more was Xue, and by now, they were quite comfortable together. "Cooking herbs, or medicinal ones?" she asked, then paused as she finally looked out at the garden. "Ooh...."
Irasiel seemed to soften in the sunlit garden, his expression gentler in this place, his haven. He removed the outer robe and left it on a hook just inside the door; under it he wore simpler clothes, still in the same loose blue but of sturdier fabric and construction. "I have both a kitchen garden and a medicinal garden," he said brightly. "Also herbs and flowers that have no other purpose besides incredible scent."
"I can tell," Aishiki said, breathing deeply and almost purring at the heady mixture of scents that assailed her. "It's beautiful, Irasiel," she added, the soft murr to her voice still audible as she padded forward delicately.
I'm very proud of it," he said softly, and followed quietly. The flower of choice seemed to be the iris, but there were hundreds of varieties of it and many other flowers besides. Whole sections of the garden were given to plants with varying colors of leaves, plants that attracted certain types of birds or butterflies, and even plants that could be eaten just by sitting in the middle of that particular garden. "Thank you," he said, still soft- he wasn't used to sweetly honest compliments anymore, and certainly not from a Cat.
Aishiki resisted the almost overwhelming urge to bat at the occasional butterfly, enjoying the walk. "How do you possibly keep up with it all?" she asked, still watching everything with the delight of someone who'd never seen an extensive garden before. Turning to him, her eyes danced brightly. "You have help, right? I mean, I know you said certain sections were your domain, but you must still have help..."
"The smaller the plant, the more likely it is to be my personal domain," he noted, nodding. "The larger plants are usually cared for by Britain- my bonded's- staff. However, anywhere you see the smaller, intricate plantings I've been at work, and the design is all my own." He motioned to the left, where a sparkling fountain could be seen dominating a mirror-bright pond. "There are a few pools scattered throughout, as well."
Aishiki grinned, brushing her bangs out of her eyes as she knelt to examine a white flower curiously. "What's this one?" she asked, not knowing the first thing about flowers. "It smells wonderful."
He sat next to her with little regard for his clothing, flicking his tail out of his way absently, and touched the petals with reverent fingers. "Murasame," he whispered, and there was pain in his voice. "An iris...one of my specialties."
"They're all over the place," Aishiki said, curling up on the path beside him. "You must really love them." She wanted to say more, but slowly trailed off, recognizing the pain and unsure whether to say anything at all.
"Murasame is the name of one of my...companions," he said quietly. "I've lost so many...only a few remain, all back home. I bred a few of the variants here specifically for each of them- the white and purple ones there, the pale pink in that corner, and Murasame here. I wish I had been able to share them...before."
Immediately, Aishiki's smile faded, hand drawing back as she hunched her shoulders. "I'm sorry," she murmured, glancing away at other flowers as her eartails dropped to curtain her.
"You are, indeed, kind," he sighed, and shook himself. "I've sent a few home, so hopefully they have had at least some chance to enjoy them. Murasame, Miyoshino, Ayasegawa and her brother Hatsukurenai still wait for me. Perhaps my next project will be called Aishiki?" he teased, his eyes still hurting but bearing it well. He smiled at her, a true smile without the restraints of formality.
Aishiki rose immediately, shaking her head. "No... I think it'd be better named something else," she said quickly, arms curling around herself. "I'm sorry..."
He blinked, and followed her up, catching her hands and holding them tightly. "Please...what have I said to offend you?" His voice was genuinely concerned.
She tugged ineffectually at his grip for a moment, then lowered her eyes. "No... Nothing," she murmured, brows drawn together tightly. "It's just... I'm sorry we haven't gotten more over here yet." She looked up suddenly, eyes entreating him to believe her. "We HAVE been trying, I promise. There are just so many ill..."
Realization dawned, and he cursed himself for being so unobservant. He reacted as he would have with any of his companions, and pulled her close- a move he never would have made with a Cat before. "Shhhh, sweetling, it's alright! I know. I know you've tried, and look at everything you've done! I myself have looked into the matter, I know it is a difficult path to tread. I do not blame you for this in any way...I am simply saddened that it is necessary at all."
Aishiki grew tenser, tugging free of his arms as soon as they closed around her. As soon as she was free, she backed up a pace, arms hugging herself as she stared at him nervously. "I... don't, please?" she murmured, chewing her lower lip as she tried to pull herself together.
He released her without protest, his eyes anguished, and he looked down at his hands as if they'd betrayed him. First to reach out, then to have it prove such an unwise decision- this wasn't going well at all, and he felt the familiar bruising of his heart scream. "I...I'm sorry," he whispered, hair falling to shield his face. "Please forgive me."
For several long moments, she said nothing. Instead, she watched him hesitantly, eventually reaching out with nervous fingers to brush back the curtain of his hair and peer at his face. "I'm... not always good with touch," she admitted softly, tail twitching skittishly. "I'm sorry." A weak, wry smile graced her lips. "It's something that Xue rarely stumbles on... You're the first in a while... no, second. Seppen was the first." She shivered, tucking her other arm tighter around herself.
He snorted, raising his head slowly to hesitantly meet her eyes. "Seppen is a p***k. Beautiful, but a p***k," he said loftily. He smiled sadly, and closed his hands. "It's not something I do often, not with people I've...just met, at least," he said gently, and shrugged. "I suppose that means I must like you- therefore you are absolutely required to return to my home on a regular basis for tea, flowers, and books," he said with mock- firmness, but his eyes were soft.
Aishiki nodded, drawing her arm back and watching him hesitantly before murmuring, "I'll do my best. I... can bring a few of my own library, if you'd ever like to borrow any. Or... you're welcome to visit my bonded's home, where I live. Though," she looked around, noting the distinct lack of companions that habitually hounded her during her life at Trio's, "your place is much quieter."
"I have to say," he murmured softly, casting his eyes over his gardens, "that it is a...quiet place. Someday the irises won't be the only flowers here- you will like them, for all of my companions are scholars." Carefully, he reached down and clipped a long flower of the Murasame irises with a knife from his belt before straightening and offering it with a smile and an open heart.
She blushed, accepting it slowly. As her fingers curled around the stem, the petals fluttered lightly, revealing the faint shaking still present. "I look forward to meeting your... friends?" she said, the last word a question.
"Yes," Irasiel said with a fond smile, "my friends. Not quite a Court; more of a very colorful and hedonistic forum," he said dryly, with a touch of asperity but still with affection. "As I believe...that they will enjoy meeting what friends I have found here." He caught her eyes and held them, unsure. "May I count you as one of those, Aishiki?"
"I... yes," Aishiki murmured, swallowing and watching him for several moments before offering a faint smile. "I'd like that. Thank you." Uncertainly, she clung to the flower in her hand, watching him.
"WELL," he replied, some of his carefree arrogance coming back, "that certainly solves THAT problem." Nodding as if all the problems in the world had just been solved, he put his hands on his hips and grinned. "I'm afraid I'm expected for lunch with my bonded soon, but I would be quite honored if you considered my home your own- my gardens are yours to retreat to, should your own home become too...ah...noisy."
She tried to follow his lead and dismiss it all, but just couldn't quite manage it. So she settled for a slow nod and a quiet, "My bonded doesn't like to be alone. She collects company. Sometimes, I think at least one creature from every part of Gaia lives with her..." She backed up a pace, wishing for Xue, or someone else who could calm her nerves, though as yet, he was really the only one. "I should make myself scarce. The bookshop, and then back to the shop we run..."
He reached out a hand again, though he was not so unwise as to touch her this time. "Shiki! It's okay. In this place, no one will ask anything of you, and nothing is expected of you." His voice was soft, and calm. "You'll find...that there isn't anyone else here. I have been alone a long time, and your company is quiet- and well appreciated." His smile was honest, if sad and a little lonely. "Please return whenever you may."
She blinked at the nickname, finally beginning to smile again. "Thank you," she offered, her heartfelt words more in response to his reassurance than compliments. She watched his hand a moment, then slowly reached up to place her own in his palm. "I'm honored."
He brushed his lips across her hand again, aware now of what it must have taken for her to stand the gesture in the first place, and nodded solemnly. "No, Shiki, I am honored- you've gone a long ways towards restoring my faith in Cats in general." He shook his head, releasing her hand gently, and sighed. "That, unfortunately, is a story for another day. I really must be going; Freixe gets VERY upset when anyone arrives late for meals."
Aishiki nodded, drawing her hand back to her chest as she watched him for a moment more before bowing slightly and moving toward the door to the house. "I'll see you again, I'm sure," she offered quietly, as they reached the door outside. "Thank you for your welcome here. I'll... remember it."
He reached for her hand again, this time to place the purse he'd retrieved earlier in it. "Perhaps next time we shall visit this bookstore you seem so fond of? I look forward to it."
"Goodbye, Irasiel," she said, clinging to the iris as she slipped out of his house. With the door shut firmly behind her, she felt a little better - safer, and less... nervous. She padded off, heading in the opposite direction of the bookshop as she searched out Youkochylde's home... and Xue.
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 3:29 pm
It hadn't been an easy decision, but here he was, after all. Irasiel stepped into the main shop with decided tension, but he'd made up his mind to visit and he wasn't backing out now. He'd even worn something a bit more normal- he wore jeans modified to permit his tail feathers, a simple sleeveless white button shirt and a sleeveless blue trench coat that matched his hair. He looked around doubtfully, wondering where Aishiki was.
As though his thoughts had called her out, she appeared from the back rooms, dressed comfortably, with her hair only slightly more kempt than the day they'd met. She carried a cup of coffee... or at least the remains of one, heading straight for the coffee-maker on the counter like a zombie. As she passed by, she glanced up, then blinked, doing a double-take as she stared at him in surprise for several moments. "...Irasiel?" she finally asked, a faint smile on her lips.
He blinked at her, then smiled wryly. "Aishiki, coffee is terrible for you! Better just to sleep in, I say." He set the book he carried on the counter, leaning towards her and feeling a little less conspicuous. "I wanted to send another order through, and I brought you a gift from Britain's husband."
Aishiki's hands curled protectively around her mug, but her ears twitched forward curiously. "Gift?" she asked, then blushed brightly and added, "What books would you like to order?"
He winked at her, then opened the cover of the slim volume he'd paced on the counter. The list he handed her was long enough to warrant being written down. "Those. This one, however, is a volume of poetry Allamande thought you might like. The poet's name is Tennyson, I don't know if you've had the chance to read his works yet...?"
She shook her head slowly, shifting so that she could see it. The move settled her closer to him, and though her ears lay back, she seemed otherwise not to mind the closeness. "It looks interesting," she finally proclaimed, glancing up at him shyly. "I'll have to send him a thank you letter..."
Irasiel opened his mouth to say it wouldn't be necessary- then smiled faintly, realizing that it probably was necessary, to Aishiki. "I'm sure he'll appreciate the gesture," he stated instead. "The man doesn't get out enough, really...as if wings should keep a person at home. I enjoy Tennyson, myself," he said, gesturing to the book. "His work carries emotion."
"Wings?" Aishiki asked curiously. "Is he like an angel, then?" she asked, then considered, frowning before adding, "Or demon?" in deference to Trio's friends.
"Neither," he said, wrinkling his nose. The story still sat ill with him. "Some foolish humans chose him and several others to be experimented on...his body was crossed with that of a blackbird. He's quite ashamed of his appearance, but I find nothing disturbing about him- he is very regal, and a good man, besides."
Aishiki shivered at the thought, her ears laying back against her head flat as she imagined it. Tail curling around her leg, she considered, then said, "You know, if all your feathers were plucked, you'd make an awfully handsome human," quietly, her eyes somber.
"What?!" He gasped, hand going protectively to his crest in horror. "The compliment is appreciated- I think- but I don't think I'll trust you around my feathers quite yet!" he looked shocked and yet amused- and definitely less than regal.
"Don't you think that must've been kinda what it was like for him," Aishiki asked pointedly, reaching to pour herself some coffee. "Turned into something totally different from what he was. I mean, they're all well and good, and can be nice looking, but I wouldn't want to be human, thank you."
A little uncertain of if he was safe yet, he nodded cautiously. "Indeed. My bonded is the liaison with those who were involved in that foul project- she lives with several." He eyed her again, and smirked. "Freixe could even pass as one of you; he was crossed with a white tiger."
"He's the one who would be angry if you were late to a meal?" Aishiki remembered thoughtfully, taking her mug and moving to curl up on a corner of the old couch settled in the lobby.
Ira followed absently, perching on the opposite arm of the sofa and nodding. "He was a chef of the highest caliber once- now, he frightens children. These humans can be so foolish sometimes."
Aishiki chuckled. "He wouldn't frighten Trio. She loves practically EVERYONE..." Her ears twitch forward, tail tapping happily. "Of course, she'd pile all sorts of lovely creatures on him..."
"Freixe would love it!" Ira crowed, cackling. "Freixe loves children and pets and attention and playing. He has a son of his own, and helped raise Britain's son, Aoshi. They're a very happy group, for all that's happened to them- a closely knit family of the strangest kind."
"You must bring him to Trio's home, then," Aishiki said, growing excited by the thought. "She's got tons of animals and little ones... A few aren't very friendly, but most are. It's loud a lot of the time, but... everyone works to help everyone else keep the peace, so it's a good place to live."
"It sounds a bit hectic," he said with a wince, and shook his head. "I prefer environments where I can be the center of attention! Most of Brit's...strays live separately, so we don't sneak off and kill each other in the night." He sounded vaguely wistful, though- living with your own kind was one thing, but when there weren't any of 'your kind' to live with...
Aishiki blushed, looking down at her hands. "I don't mind being part of the background, I suppose," she admitted softly.
"Hmph," he snorted, and shook his head. "The background is a boring place to be, 'Shiki. Just think of what would happen if you stayed in the background at the book store! Think of what you'd miss out on if everyone else got to the books before you!"
Aishiki snorted, shaking her head. "Books aren't THAT popular, Irasiel." She reached up, toying with the tip of her ponytail quietly. "I just... don't like to be the center of attention. It makes me uncomfortable. Nervous. Satoshi's the public speaker, not me."
Ira tilted his head slightly, but he knew arguing was pointless. "An example, silly goose," he said gently, and sighed. "I hate being ignored. I hate not being the center of attention...or rather, standing in the shadow of someone else's limelight. That's probably why I never...came to Court." Among other reasons...damn him.
That, and you don't like Cats, Aishiki recalled, raising an eyebrow. "I can imagine that from you," she said instead. "You seem like you wouldn't be happy unless everyone was admiring you." She smiled as she spoke, taking the sting from the words. "And you're certainly gorgeous enough to deserve it."
Ira almost preened- then looked at her suspiciously, caught in the act of running pleased fingers through his hair. "Why do I get the feeling you want something?"
Aishiki blinked, looking utterly and ingenuously confused as she tilted her head to one side. "Want what?"
Ira laughed, reaching out and hugging her impulsively. He let go almost as soon as he reached out, but he knew...she would never get used to it without practice. Besides, she was so CUTE. "Flattery will get you anywhere with me, Shiki," he said, and winked.
Aishiki blushed vividly, curling her arms and tail around herself as she watched him warily. She couldn't quite understand why it felt so much more comfortable to curl up against Xue than Irasiel, but she wasn't going to complain, when it was Xue she really wanted. "I was just making a point, not flattering," she protested.
Ira nodded soberly, ignoring her discomfiture in order to not make it worse. "Ah. Well, you should remember that for the future- I am a terribly vain creature, and easily bribed with compliments. And gifts. And flowers. And attention." ^_~
Aishiki chuckled weakly, nodding. "I'll remember," she promised, tail slowly beginning to unwind from herself. "At least you admit it... Some claim that compliments do nothing, and then they gobble them up."
"Pfft. Never let anyone tell you they don't like compliments- and always assume that those you give go deeper than they seem," he said distantly, with an air of authority. He shrugged, and gazed pensively at a stray feather, curling around his shoulder. "People are almost all a little vain. It's useful in politics."
"They make me nervous," Aishiki said. "I mean, I like Xue's... but he's different. He means it."
Sadness crept into the rooster's eyes, but he nodded, attention still focused on that feather. "It's hard to tell, sometimes," he said softly," who really means it. It took me...a very long time to learn."
Aishiki hesitated, then reached out, touching his hand softly. "If it makes a difference," she tried quietly. "I mean it." Wide eyes gazed at him, entreating him to believe her.
Startled blue eyes glanced up, and he shook himself to dispel the feeling of old memory. "I do believe you, Shiki," he said softly. "I never doubted your honor, from the moment I met you." He attempted a smile, and it almost came out natural. "That's a pretty high statement, from me."
She smiled softly, squeezing his hand before letting go again. "I'm glad, Irasiel. I... I like you. You're nice." She blushed, ducking her head to sip at her coffee as she waited for him to absorb the words.
Irasiel...blushed. She might well have been the first person in years to surprise such a reaction out of him. "I...thank you," he said in a small voice, not entirely sure what to say. His usual arrogance didn't seem to suit at all. He tossed her a strangely shy glance from behind his bands and nodded to the cup. "I still say coffee is bad for you."
She chuckled at that, eyes warming. "It's awful for me, actually. And I'm very addicted to it." Peering into her mug, she considered the dark contents before sharing, "Xue's addicted, too, actually. Anything that'll keep him awake." Her eyes grew slightly pensive before brightening again. "So we make a good pair."
Ira tilted his head again, studying her. She certainly seemed happy with this Xue...whoever the hell he was. He felt himself growing protective, and wondered vaguely why. "You should try chocolate isntead," he said mildly, eyes considering. "Much better for you and it tastes better, besides."
Aishiki snorted. "It doesn't have the same effect. It makes me all purry, not awake. Coffee makes my fur bristle." She grinned, by now wholly relaxed again, her head laying back on the couch to stare upward. "I should introduce you, actually," she added suddenly.
My sentiments exactly, he found himself thinking, and winced. Not a good start, and he didn't want to interfere with his little Shiki's happiness...but...what if Xue was just another one like him? "That would be nice, I think," he managed, grateful to not be looking in her eyes. Shiki made keeping his emotions under control difficult.
"You'd like him, I think," Aishiki nodded, a content and blissfully unaware note in her voice. "He's like us, a scholar. I think I fell in love with him the first time he admitted he loved books too," she laughed, finally lifting her head off the back of the couch to beam at him. "He's wonderful, Irasiel..."
Or he has you so completely wrapped around his fingers that you'd believe it was night at noon if he told you so, he thought with a growing sense of alarm, and he nodded with a slightly distracted smile. "Yes...he certainly sounds like someone I would like to meet."
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 3:32 pm
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