Out and About Under the Starry Night Sky [Social]

[Shizuka Sanamizu ✮]

Different, yet somehow so similar. The baggage that this man carried with him weighed a good bit as Shizuka had made note of his reactions after she played with his clothes, though she did her best to calm his nerves. He was such a good one. I haven't met many good ones like him, she thought to herself, taking another sip of water and eyeing the bread placed on their table. Should she indulge? Would she regret it later? With the amount of activity she performed on a daily basis to stay in shape, surely a little bread wouldn't hurt. She picked up a small piece and tore it further, only taking about half. Then she drowned it in butter and still somehow managed to consume it like a proper lady.

He was so intriguing, yet the Fullbringer found herself hoping she wouldn't be overstepping any bounds on their lovely night out together. These bounds, of course, would be the obvious things like... unwanted physical attention, or perhaps he would get bored of her, or maybe he already was and happened to be really good at hiding it. The insecurities surfaced every now and then when it came to meeting new people, especially because Shizuka was so desperate to make good impressions. The only benefit she had here was the fact that they'd met previously and he still somehow wanted to see her again.

What really gathered her attention, even more so than these stupid insecurities, was how he referred to the two of them as a couple. She realized her smile still had not died down, and as she finished her piece of bread, she continued looking at the man sitting before her. He was kind. He had his demons. He had his past that she sincerely wanted to hear more about. And she had her own darkness that she choked down day by day, avoiding the guilt and harshness of reality when it came to the job she performed. She couldn't quite remember if she had been so explicit with him or what details she'd shared, but he had to have known of Xcution, right? He had to have known what she did. And even so- a 'couple?'

How long had it been since she'd actually been a couple with anyone? Three years. Basically an eternity. Thinking back, she hadn't been with anyone in any sort of way aside from casual hangouts with her friends to pass the time. Leon would probably laugh at her inexperience or something, or maybe even feel as if she weren't good enough. Wouldn't he? Even after making note of his kindness, she still worried, still allowed the negative thoughts to overshadow the positive ones. She felt this constant tugging and pulling at her mind as she tried to make sense of how she felt. This couldn't possibly be anything serious after only meeting twice, could it?

But the voice that she'd grown to recognize affectionately continued to speak, breaking the massive jungle of thoughts growing more and more wild inside her head despite the fact that only seconds had passed, if much time at all. Maybe she was overthinking what he said, or maybe it was her being more wishful than anything else, but when he mentioned his curiosity at what other things she could do in response to the talents she used upon his clothing, she decided to take a plunge. She was human, after all.

"Well," Shizuka started, that same smile now shifting into a smirk as she spoke low enough for only Leon to hear, "I can do a lot of fun things with my abilities. Like..." She flicked her index finger a bit on her left hand, right hand back to supporting her head by her chin. Water raised itself from his cup in only a pea-sized amount before splashing playfully against his nose. "This. Or even this." Another flick commanded Leon's woven napkin to stretch outwards and be sent flying to his lap where it settled quickly.

She laughed lightly at her little game, enjoying the casual use of Soul Command since she rarely ever got to just play with it. Even at home, she found herself so used to doing things on her own that she forgot she could control the souls of anything. She was even doing her own dishes rather than loading them into the dishwasher with her powers, though that was kind of easy to do since she typically only cooked for herself. It was amazing how little she realized what she could do except for when it counted, like when they were at the beach or here at dinner. She made a mental note to try out other things at home to see how far her abilities would take her. But at this moment, Shizuka wanted to see what was truly on his mind.

"You've gotten me curious, too. How much do you want to see? Both of my powers and... perhaps of myself, as well. I can do more than just fix your clothes."

Shizuka's third hand movement went slowly downwards, Soul Command gripping Leon's shirt as some of the buttons were getting gently undone. She reveled in the moment, loving the fact that she could see every contour of muscle he had on his upper chest before that damned undershirt blocked her view. She wouldn't mess with it just yet. It wouldn't be fair to him or the clothes if she were to tear it apart, but she wanted to. Shizuka didn't realize what teasing Leon would do to her, and she soon figured she was about to cross one of those bounds she had mentally mentioned to herself just before. Might as well, right?

"I can take them off without even touching you." Only seconds later would the buttons redo themselves once again, giving him control over his own fashion. She made her point. "Of course, only if you asked me. But Fullbringers can do all sorts of things like this! We're kind of fun that way. I guess it sort of makes up for the fact that we're a bit more squishy than other races and all."

It's true that they die more easily, but Shizuka's true intention was to snap Leon's attention away from what she just did using some knowledge about her own race. Back to her bubbly self, still burying the nervousness and doing everything she could to be tempting rather than awkward. She was also just glad he couldn't read her mind. She would have a lot of explaining to do. She definitely embraced the 'fake it 'till you make it' mindset and certainly tried to fake it now, hoping she would come to believe that she was a perfectly capable young woman who could definitely hold herself together in front of an attractive man. Well, maybe eventually she would be that person.

"I know you told me about where you grew up and stuff, but... I still want to know more about you. What about your powers? You have a Doll, right?"

Shizuka did see the Doll in passing, though really only had the assumption that she belonged to him somehow. This was also very long ago, back when they were at the beach, so it wasn't surprising that Shizuka was unsure of the details. She hoped Leon didn't mind talking about himself because she was ready to listen. She also hoped that he didn't mind her teasing him a bit, especially now that she found herself wishing she could have done more. Alas, they're both in public. She isn't going to put either of them in that type of tough spot. She certainly knew better. Controlling herself was honestly the hard part. But she made her move and extended her branch despite only knowing each other a short time. She was interested to see what he thought.

[Leon Strife]

What Shizuka demonstrated was not something that Leon had a firm grasp of. At least at first. The partial gathering of information that the Bount was able to decipher was the manipulation of the objects around themselves. Water. Clothing. Napkins. Nothing about them added up in terms of actually having a relationship with each other. The fabric of his own clothing from earlier was altered on behest of the Fullbringer, bringing imagination to reality. Metal, fabrics, water, none of them had a relation that Leon could not think of at the very moment as he thought about it. Even with the little flare that Shizuka playfully committed to at the moment still didn't make much sense as much as the Bounts did. They held a single relationship; shadows. As such, fundamentally, Shizuka was capable of all sorts of things.

But that was his creative side talking again.

Back to reality, what was ongoing with the pair was a natural relationship as they were peeling off the layers of the other. It felt real. Organic. That isn't the only thing you want to strip away. Slapping the intrusive thought again, "I can do a lot of fun things with my abilities. Like..." the light splash of water that sprinkled its moisture against the tip of his nostrils, tickling it and humorously chuckling at the gesture. Like playing at the beach again. "This. Or even this." What remained as a lifeless piece of paper sprung to action by the strings that Leon could not see. Puppeted by the will of the one who controlled it, what Shizuka flicked tended to be the white cloth that whisked its way onto his lap, with the hopeful thought that it could not feel what was rising up from below. He had to clear his throat to really wrestle the depravity away somewhat.

"Geez, with something like that why bother needing to get up in the first place.

The pair laughed, teasing the other with the abnormality of what their relationship was, with all things considered which came from other own awkwardness. Yet, Leon wouldn't have it any other way. At the moment, there were no titles, no ranks, no classification of what they were. Just two weirdoes as Shizuka would phrase it as another. For all that they were what was occurring now was simply normal.... at least to them. This is what Leon enjoyed the most, and didn't feel it as such many others let alone with his own "kind." And just as before, the pair played off each other with Shizuka ramping the situation along this time around. "You've gotten me curious, too. How much do you want to see? Both of my powers and... Huh, really? He first thought, looking to expand on his creative side a bit.....perhaps of myself, as well. I can do more than just fix your clothes." Nope.

Danger. Danger.

Danger, definitely could not phrase it any better.

The possibility of understanding what was said was certainly present. Shizuka, at least from how much time that he has known her, was a tease in a lot of regards, peeking back at the evening itself with a number of instances. Lightening the mood? Definitely. A constant jab at his sanity; totally. Okay. Take a deep breath. There was by means she meant it in that wa- One. Two. And three. Shit. Now the Bount was flabberghasted at what was currently going on. It was either a horny ghost that was haunting him at this moment, or Shizuka was guiding a plane to land on a very bright runway to her. The ball was swatted on his side of the court, and it was taped with a nuke at this point without a doubt in his mind. Leon laughed as he partook of the bread himself, leaning comfortabley against his seat without batting an eye at the ocassion.

"I can take them off without even touching you. Of course, only if you asked me. But Fullbringers can do all sorts of things like this! We're kind of fun that way. I guess it sort of makes up for the fact that we're a bit more squishy than other races and all."

"¿Y dónde está la diversión en eso, amor?" Leon began naturally, arching forward in his seat with the remainder of the bread hanging between his fingers. "Besides, nothing wrong with being 'squishy' in the right places, verdad?"

Shizuka was playing a game of tug of war, cat and mouse, without the realization that despite how much Leon had been enjoying the serene atmosphere that they have, it did not erase the fact that the Bount was still an energic hot-blooded man. Something was coming undone. A sensation that he had long forgotten, and which came naturally for him. ""I know you told me about where you grew up and stuff, but... I still want to know more about you. What about your powers? You have a Doll, right?" A shift in his posture while seated, kicking one leg over the other beneath the veil of the table cloth, "From what I know, what my powers are based on are not really good when in bright places. Much better in the dark, or with less lighting." Leons head straightened, resting on the rolled knuckle of his hand that faced upward against the chair arm.

Leon didn't feel hesitant in talking about these things. Not now at the very least. He felt calm about discussing what he could do, although not much at the moment. "I have them. 'Dolls,' like you said. Same thing that every one else calls them anyway. But right now, I have three, with one just sprouting out." The Bounts left hand reached out with palm facing down, forecasting a small shadow beneath. There was no stalling this time around about the subject matter, nor what was currently being upon. Among the Dolls that the Bount had in his arsenal, what was called was the smallest in its basic form. _{"Come forth."} he whispered under his breath. A small space of darkness was all that was required for this Doll to be summoned. Fit enough to occupy his hand did the shadow his palm cast peel away from the cloth beneath, formulating, structuring itself into a solid rotating figure.

It shifted in its form. Rows of miniature blocks shuffled.

A form that mirrored that of a Rubik Cube took shape, and eleviated itself from the table, and from Leons palm.

"DOTS, say hey." Leon greeted the small cube, and offered the small mechanical creature to the Fullbringer beneath the table. "From what I know, DOTS here is the smallest of what I have...." The small figure continued to rotate itself surfaces as its mirrored puzzle origins, floating towards the woman in utter silence. A size small enough to engulf the womans palm with nothing more than its stern surface. "...at least compared to the other two. But them, I will have to have a much bigger space to really call them out. Somewhere that we can really see how they, or much rather me, handle your....versatility." he added, eyeing the woman much confidently than before.

[Shizuka Sanamizu ✮]

Unexpected. That was the best word to describe their date. Unexpected, but very fun. The organic nature of their exchanges made this outing feel so comfortable, and Shizuka could tell that Leon felt similarly. He was reserved most of the time from what she saw of him, but when he was more willing to throw his wit back at her, she grew even more fond of the man. He did not seem like the type to go out of his way to make himself known by the world in the same way Shizuka was, which was obviously quite interesting because of her typical occupation. Despite being a mass murderer, she was somehow, very shockingly, known to be a friendly person who just happens to run a company at a young age.

Leon was not intimidated by her from what she could tell. Either he was good at faking it, or he simply saw her as an equal. She certainly had a preference between the two options, especially because she really just wanted him to be as authentic with her as possible, so she chose to believe he viewed her on equal grounds. Interactions like these, and even the way the two were at the beach, were so incredibly enjoyable that it had the Fullbringer almost wishing the two of them could just be normal humans. They could go on dates like these whenever they wanted, completely free of responsibility with the spiritual world, and indulge. Did she hate this situation, though? Of course not. She still loved it. But how nice would the simplicity be?

Leon was a good sport when she teased him, as she expected, but she didn't realize he would be as good at playing along as he was with her. The small tricks she performed were easy and effortless, but she noticed that he was having a bit of fun, too, so it made her start to relax even more. She wished she could do this with him again and started to wonder if he'd let her, but her thoughts were interrupted only briefly by the Spanish he spoke to her. Shizuka understood since that was one of the five languages she'd committed to memory, but she couldn't compete with a native speaker and chose not to respond. Instead, she had to fight down the seductive heat that was welling up inside of her, threatening to escape.

He wasn't making this easy. They were in public. Shizuka couldn't do much with her powers without exposing the two of them, or at the very least, exposing herself. She was certainly well-known in the spiritual world for obvious reasons, but regular people didn't see her that way. She was just a particularly well-dressed woman who had gone out to dinner with her... friend? We've only hung out twice, so he'd have to just be a friend. Yeah, but even friends can eventually grow into something more. And from where she was sitting, clinging so hard to the last shred of control she had left before doing something she feared he'd regret, she knew changing the subject was the only choice she had. So she asked about his powers.

After a slight adjustment in posture, he called forth one of his Dolls in such a way that made it incognito enough for those around them not to notice. He had pretty decent skills with stealth even just by doing something like this, or knowing that he had to summon the Doll in this way to avoid attention. She felt a slight bit of excitement from within as her pride in him grew even that much more. Within only seconds, DOTS was fully materialized, an ever-shifting cube of many colors. This was her favorite thing. Bounts were amazing. She could hardly believe that such a person existed who could create sentient beings such as Dolls. The closest thing she had as a comparison was having her own child, and she couldn't even do that anymore. One of the requirements of being an assassin, and she'd agreed to that surgery.

DOTS politely levitated over towards the Fullbringer, who held out her hand as if to give the Doll a place to rest. With awe in her eyes, she smiled with adoration at the tiny creature and brought DOTS up closer to her face, as if to give a thorough inspection. The form was unique, though even Shizuka knew to admit that she hadn't met very many Bounts in her life. She assumed Dolls took the forms of people or animals rather than objects, but anything was possible. She decided to remember this for the future as a learning experience. She can't make assumptions when it comes to these kinds of powers. Leon had since instructed the Doll to greet Shizuka, and Shizuka complimented DOTS in return.

"You are exceptional," she said, loving how active even a cube could be.

"From what I know, DOTS here is the smallest of what I have...at least compared to the other two. But them, I will have to have a much bigger space to really call them out. Somewhere that we can really see how they, or much rather me, handle your....versatility."

Shizuka's eyes snapped back to Leon's, a burning confidence within them to mirror his own. She smirked and bit her lower lip. A hunger grew within her, overpowering the rabid heat that she was so desperate to keep at bay. Noticing something out of the corner of her eye, she came to realize the waiter was approaching their table, and she knew he would be asking for what they wanted, so she lowered her hand down into her lap and hoped DOTS wouldn't mind being cradled there for a moment. The waiter, completely oblivious to the conversation happening between Leon and Shizuka, offered to take their orders and promptly leave them to continue their dinner. Shizuka, ever-loving the Italian genetics she was gifted by her dad, obviously ordered penne alla vodka. Something easy to eat for a lady such as herself. Once Leon would place his own, the waiter would pivot and leave to go let the kitchen know.

Shizuka raised DOTS up once more and continued to revel in the moment with the Doll. "Be careful what you're asking of me, Leon." Her eyes flashed back to his once again, the same cockiness flaring. "Right now, I want nothing more than to take you somewhere a little less well-lit than here and experience exactly what it is you think you can do to me."

Testing her strength was one thing. Testing the self-control she had right now was another entirely. Every time she thought she could bury it, he found some way to say something that would bring it right back. She knew he meant he wanted to spar. Probably. She knew he was talking about his powers. She just wished so badly that he meant something else. She never would have expected giving in to someone else this quickly. She was stuck between not wanting him to find out due to respect for him, and hoping he had no where to be after the dinner. She gripped the chair underneath with the backs of her legs in an effort to stop herself from doing or saying something that would make him immediately write her off as some sex-hungry fiend. The problem with this, though, was that she remembered how her last big fight went. And how it ended. And what happened afterwards when she got her strength back. But that was also many years ago.

"If you were to fight me, we could make a wager." Nice job, me! Just play it calm and cool. "I won't use my powers against you, but obviously I can show you anything you want. It's only fair since you showed me yours," she teased, though she raised DOTS up a little so that he'd know she was referencing the Doll. "What would you want from me first if you win?"

[Leon Strife]

Daring.. Very daring...

The silence words that were only able to be understood by telepathy, what the Doll had expressed was that of similar thoughts that the Bount had. It was though a weight was uplifted from his shoulders that he felt more at home with himself. A revelation that the man was unable to understand at the time. A scenario that was unscripted for him to follow as more of the past was brought to the present. DOTS expanded its outer shell, restructuring its surface with each new rotation in its cycle, as if to breath through the narrow gaps of the individual segment of blocks. Leon knew very little of the Doll, despite being born of himself, understanding that the Doll was not tenacious compared to Sarah and Colossus. A sense of tranquity came from its form, offering what seemingly was suppose to be a dangerous entity, was nothing more than a calm spiritual creature. Although, Leon knew better from both Auras and Eris' explainations; they made up Leons inner turmoils.

As Shizuka marveled at the small cubical creature, Leon gave further thoughts as to what the Doll may have been capable of. Despite the lacking of eyes or ears, let alone any form of sensory receptors, the Doll clearly knew what was going on around its environment. Even as the Fullbringer lowered its existence beneath the eyes view the Doll continued to remain active as it had before. Bobbing itself from the womans lap, peeking up with only the Bount to forcibly instruct it otherwise. Leon had to enforce some structural conduct with his Dolls before, but being the recent addition to the line up, DOTS remained curious to the world. So, it continued to bob up from the womans lap to peek; repeatedly to be forced by down through mental thoughts.

DOTS, knock it off. Keep that up and it'll look like she is having a...

Don't say it. Or think it. I don't want to know.

Too true, which would be quite embarassing if anyone were to catch wind of it. Alass, the orders were committed to, and to be served with Shizukas peene al vodka, and Leon with what he could manage being what he was use to seeing; pasta and meatballs. Very common with no flair to speak of considering he did not know what was going to be good, nor if it stomach was going to handle that much fancy. It was calling bs right away. Regardless of the casusl decision he made with his order, what lingered in the air remained, continuing with their game of Chess. "Be careful what you're asking of me, Leon." she glances with mirrored strength. "Right now, I want nothing more than to take you somewhere a little less well-lit than here and experience exactly what it is you think you can do to me."

Hijole
Hijole

Both mentally phrased the thought in unison.

He couldn't believe it. The Bount knew where the woman was leaning towards after taking the offensive several times over, solidifying the idea that the "casual" outing was leading into intimacy under a euphemistic purpose. Very bold. And actually courageous on her part. Was this what she was after? Or was it something that was spurred on by spending time together? While the Bount wasn't against the idea, a part of himself wanted something more to it. You're coming back now Yeah. He couldn't forget. He shouldn't forget. All the more reason why he had to..... To ensure that....

"If you were to fight me, we could make a wager. Shizuka began. "I won't use my powers against you, but obviously I can show you anything you want. It's only fair since you showed me yours," she would tease, though holding up the Doll up a little so that it was emphasized on the meaning of her words. "What would you want from me first if you win?" There it was. A means to confirm it so. Although it was too soon for any confirmation to be had, like honestly, two days of knowing someone to turn into something serious? If by chance...At least to... Leon considered what was offered, yet had to alter it, "No." he rejected the first notion of how the offer was first put. "I want you to show me everything, Shizuka. All of you."

"I want to see everything about you, Shizuka. Nothing reserved. Mind, body, soul. Fair, since you are going to see all of me as well. I'll accept the wager on that condition." Leon declared, beckoning to the Doll to retake its position at the Bounts side. Among the Bounts that were residing with Aura, Leon didn't know much of their own abilities, nor spent much time refining his capability in utilizing them. Much of the time given the man spent the visits to the Covenant cleaning up loose ends, with basic physical force. Killing was out of the question, although not requiring him to do so in the beginning. No. Leon kept himself from learning the abilities of his race with the upmost prejudice, linking them with his violent tendencies. Leon refused to use them to bury much of his past actions in America, giving greater distance from whom he was. But with Shizuka, maybe...

"And what I would like IF I acutally won.... Leon paused, thinking for the moment. Then, he answered as he looked to the blonde woman across from him, "..To have you..... you to be there when I wake up in the morning.......Every morning."

Confliction. That would be the word best to describe Leon at the moment. Falling back into some old habits of his, driven by the confidence gained by the past experiences of survivual, the Bount found himself driven by that high. It still coursed through him even now. Given the ability to do much more, knowing full well that what his kind was to be driven home to how much destruction he could cause. The level of damage and pain that he can inflict if he fell back into his old ways. He was a killer. Nothing was off the plate for him. To engage himself into his races abilities would mean that he would accept himself as a weapon. That killer again. But, if they could used to do more. To repurpose them.. Quite possibly he was denying it all. Just an excuse to use. However, what the man wanted was something different than what did then. Possibly....

...a difference.

"I'll accept the wager if we can agree to that. And in turn, what would you want?"

[Shizuka Sanamizu ✮]

"No."

'No??' The hell do you mean 'no?' If he seriously thinks he's going to reject me like that then I have no problem making his life horrible as fu-

"I want you to show me everything, Shizuka. All of you."

Her eyes widened in surprise as she found it totally unbelievable that he would be so forward. He had been the same as she was up until now, sticking to innuendoes or somewhat vague speech. But this was way more specific. This was way more definitive. This was... making it so impossible to resist him right now. That's true. It really was. She already had thoughts flying around in her mind, things she wanted to do, try, show him. She was seconds away from throwing her professionalism out the window - as if she had much left at this point. He was good at this. He knew exactly what to say to make her come unglued, and it only got worse.

"I want to see everything about you, Shizuka. Nothing reserved. Mind, body, soul. Fair, since you are going to see all of me as well. I'll accept the wager on that condition."

DOTS left the Fullbringer and returned to its master as Shizuka offered a silent goodbye. She was curious about the others he mentioned, so it sounded like he had three Dolls in his arsenal. Interesting. Three Dolls, and wanting to see everything she could do. Could he handle her? Could he properly defend himself if she were to truly go all out? She had trained for years to get to the point she was at. And when she got into fights, even when they were just spars, she wanted nothing more than to have fun with it at any cost. She ached to see if Leon would be able to keep up with her.

Then there was the focus on his words. He wanted to see everything, right? So I can show him. I want to show him. I want to finish our food, invite him to leave with me, take him home, and- No, no, no. She may want to do that, but she didn't want to give him the wrong idea. Despite the desire she had, it would be happening a bit fast. She still didn't know if he'd ever be open to that, so keeping those visions in her mind to herself was her only current option. She never wanted him to feel anything but comfortable around her. Well, that was her intention, but when he answered her question about what he would get if he won, he confirmed something for her that made the Fullbringer's heart soften.

"And what I would like IF I actually won...."

Here we go. This is what's going to make the terms interesting. "..To have you..... you to be there when I wake up in the morning.......Every morning."

That was it. That was all it took. They had spent a good bit of time together tonight and she felt like she was making progress with getting to know him better, but now she wished to get to know him in other ways. She didn't want to keep it to herself. It took all of her strength to hold herself back and maintain even an ounce of self-control, but his words were so sweet, so caring, that she was so desperate to give him exactly what he was asking for even without the fight conditions applied. The shocked expression Shizuka had been sporting until this moment softened as she smiled and averted her gaze from his, placing her fingers against the top of her forehead in an effort to hide both her face and the extreme amount of red that painted her cheeks.

"God... Am I really this easy?" She spoke at a low volume, though she knew he would still hear her.

Truthfully, no, she wasn't. It was just the circumstance. Leon checked a few of her boxes anyway, and she had every intention of teasing him just as she did when they were at the beach because that's just the type of person she was. She was light-hearted, bubbly, happy, and wanted to enjoy life to the fullest. She didn't have slowed aging like Bounts or endless lifespans like Shinigami. She was just a human. She was going to die one day. So why should she stop herself from having fun with people who attracted her or even fall in love as many times as she wanted? WHOA. Nope, I'm not there yet. I seriously just want to get to know him. And also maybe see what's under that shirt. Right, right. But he was definitely very exciting.

"I'll accept the wager if we can agree to that. And in turn, what would you want?"

Oh, yeah. She had a say, too. Peeking out from behind her hand, she looked at the man in front of her and really observed every inch that she could. He was in impeccable shape which was certainly not uncommon for people like them. Shizuka had conditioned herself for years to keep up with her job and make sure she was as fit as possible. Her friends had commented on her figure, mainly talking about how jealous they were that she looked the way she did, but she knew it took infinite amounts of work to get to this point. As much as she loved to say it was natural, it wasn't.

But back to the wager! If she could have anything... she knew exactly what she wanted from him. "Do you remember the time at the beach? We talked about our pasts a bit. I learned a lot about you and about your life which made me feel so strongly about how resilient you are. I told you the truth about the company I run." She grabbed her napkin, dipped it in the water, and gently rubbed it against the skin in the middle of her chest, just above her cleavage. "You didn't even bat an eye, but I didn't go into much detail before. I was focused on you and your story. Your pain. Your loss." She thought back to when he hinted at a baby and remembered how her heart sank when he told her. The napkin had done its job, erasing the makeup that hid the "X" tattooed on her skin. Hers was not Reiatsu-based like the others. Hers was permanent, and the only one she had.

"I want to keep you from feeling that pain and loss again. I want to bring you to a place where your abilities are celebrated and where you can unleash every ounce of power you have. I want to be your support system, your biggest fan, and one of the greatest friends you could ever have." Just friends? For now. The two of them could always decide later on what it was they were willing to try.

"So, Mr. Strife," she cocked her head to the side, her deep-rooted arrogance showing, as she slid her plate forward on the table and rested her forearms against the surface. The tattoo was accentuated by her breasts as they were pushed up only slightly by pressure against her arms. This was intentional. "I accept your terms. I'll wake up next to you every single day and always do my best to make sure the first thing you do each morning is smile."

And she meant it. She wanted him to be happy after everything he'd gone through. No one deserves to have to live with that mental prison full of such horrendous trauma that it has them flinching and paranoid. She could help him cope, or at least try. Actually, it didn't take a wager to make her agree to any of that. She wanted to do this for him regardless. She almost considered throwing the fight until an idea struck her. "As for me, I would like to offer you a job. If I win, you work for me. If I win..." There's that smirk again. "You assist in my efforts to rid this world of the scum who poison it."

She was almost entirely uninterested in the food she'd ordered. Throughout their conversation, she had taken a few bites here and there, so it was about a third of the way finished. She had already planned on getting a box and wanted to invite Leon to try some, but she never found a good opportunity to feed it to him while they spoke. Instead, she was fixated on two things. The first thing was wanting to engage in one of the most primal actions she possibly could with this man. Don't make this sound like the priority, though! I was doing so good this whole time. It was definitely the priority. Son of a bi- The second thing was wanting to develop his talents in the only way she knew how.

"What do you say? How would you like to have me as your boss?"

[Leon Strife]

To say that Leon was an easygoing man would be an understatement. There were not many subjects or thoughts that were offputting to the Bount, considering where he originated from. Nah. Leon was the man that went with the tide, moving as easily as possible without making too many ripples of his own. Just provide him with a few necessities and he would take care of the rest. This is what enabled him to survive. What Shizuka thought to be resilience of his endeveaors was really out of desperation. Killing who he needed to kill, and earn his respect. Blood from anyone that would cross him, bestowing himself with the image of being utter merciless. It came with the environment if he wanted to survive. And just as easygoing as he was, it actually did help him turn his mind away from what he had done.

Yet, it was only after he had lost something precious to him, only then did he come to feel the weight of it all; of his past.

Hands that were stained with so much red could not be cleaned so easily, if it ever could be. When leaving his life behind in America, Leon vowed not to take another living soul away from the life that they have lived. He would not kill, regardless of the circumstances. To ease away from killing, seeing the past come to the present when drawing near to committing the heinous act once again. Although, he did not detest the action itself. It was a part of life after all. Everyone around the Bount will have their reasons to kill when pushed to the edge. To protect a loved one. To cease the evil that another would continue to commit onto the world. Self defense. Leon made a lot of excuses to allow himself to easily shave away any form of guilt he would have. Especially when dealing with cases involving younger human beings. Those were the few moments that he did not like what he did.

This time around, in a new place, a new city, Leon didn't wish to repeat the cycle of his old life again. So, when Shizuka spoke more intricately about herself, about her company, what she was capable of doing for him, it felt almost natural. "Do you remember the time at the beach? We talked about our pasts a bit. I learned a lot about you and about your life which made me feel so strongly about how resilient you are. I told you the truth about the company I run." A dab of water from her glass to swab the delicate surface of her chest, a slight inch above her bosom, did the Fullbringer unveil the mark in which her company was labeled by. A simple "X" that was branded on the womans soft creamy skin, emphasizing more of what the mark meant. Even going as far as mentally describing Shizuka as a beautiful rose with posionous thorns. Beautifula and deadly to the touch.

You didn't even bat an eye, but I didn't go into much detail before. I was focused on you and your story. Your pain. Your loss. I want to keep you from feeling that pain and loss again. I want to bring you to a place where your abilities are celebrated and where you can unleash every ounce of power you have. I want to be your support system, your biggest fan, and one of the greatest friends you could ever have." An offer had been formulating. Acculumating bit by bit with the tone of the womans voice, leading up to what Leon was suspecting to happen the further Shizuka began advertising. Yes, what he had to go through, his loss, brought life into perspective for the Bount. The weight of his actions, including the consequences of the same. Both hand in hand that would bite him sometime later. Something he feared.

Shizuka had coated her words with honey, building up just as much as she shifted her tone to one he could deem it as an Interviewer. The proposition, "As for me, I would like to offer you a job. If I win, you work for me. If I win..." That smirk again. "You assist in my efforts to rid this world of the scum who poison it." There it was. A CEO of an underground assassins society. A group that operated under the guise of an ordinary business suite to better eliminate the people who could not be touched under normal circumstances. Heroes what Leon could imagine people calling them, taking out the trash to make society better for the rest. Killing a few...

Kill hundreds for a few to live, huh..Just how much evil is out there you wonder..

That was the thought that went through the Bounts mind. Killing to make the world a better place, and his hands would be the one to do so. Again. The reason, the motivation for what would be done will be under a different pretense, but the result will be the same. Looking at the palms of his hands, after partaking some small portions of his meal prior, did he see the same coating of red trinkling down their shape. Red as the sauce that was blended with his food did the Bount regress, and delve back into his goals. His desire for that change. He will be killing again for a just cause. But it will still be killing. And that was made Leon conflicted. He could make any excuse he wanted, but it would be the same as back then. Making reasons, and go around the issue at hand, and all to keep himself guilt free of it all. How many bodies did he leave unburied?

The job that was offered to Leon was suppose to be an easy choice, considering that Uzaki Enterprises was operating under the defense of Humanity. A note worthy purpose, at least in Leons book of rightousness. Working with people who helped society prosper with the use of its finanicals, and research. All in which was also beneficial for the people in Karakura. But, there were also aspects to it that Leon didn't agree with. They operated as a military unti, much as the same as Xcution. Both groups did their work in spilling blood, yet one had to listen to rules and regulations from a system that is easily corrupted. Leon knew this from past experiences that there were a lot of corrupt politicians that were looking to abuse their authority, just as much as the Police were. Institutions that Uzaki had to follow while Xcution did so on their own accord. Both had their flaws as much as they had their benefits. Leon had to choose what suited him best, and with whom he could really put his abilities to better use.

"What do you say? How would you like to have me as your boss?"

The answer that the Bount was ready to announce tipped towards the end of his tongue, with lips following its suggestion. Yet, even with the answer literally on the tip of his tongue Leon had to find out one thing. The one thing that would enable to accept the offer fulheartedly, or deny it. "Thanks Shizuka. I think that I will be taking you up on that offer...Just.. he had to say it. The alteration to the proposal that was put forth, "...I don't want to kill anyone among the living." he added on, glancing up from the pair of hands that he hand resting on the table cloth, and back up at Shizuka. It was a selfish request. Leon knew that all too well. An assassin that wouldn't be killing wasn't an assassin at all. "I know it sounds contradictive to what the position is asking for, but it is not something that I can do easily any more."

What he truly wanted was that change, from what he comitted in the past to a entirely new person. Someone that can be called a Human being; a man. "I will fight, and bring the people that you want taken down, at least to someone who can finish the job. That I can do. Just, I can't.... I don't want to be the one that does it." Leon had his reasons. Killing again will only revert the man back into what he use to be. Seeing the man that took so much away from families, and other loved ones. The man that was responsible for robbing the joy and memories that could have been made. What the Bount felt for dealing with the scum of the world was something that he could do with relative ease. Fists mashing into flesh was an easy task that Leon had no difficulty in doing, going as far as hauling their limp body to be dealt with. So long as it was not done by his hands.

"I know it's asking for a lot, considering it is changing what you want when you win. If I could change that one aspect of the offer. Then, I'm all yours, Chica."

[Shizuka Sanamizu ✮]

He was looking at his hands. Her heart sank. This type of reaction was familiar to the woman, even if it was still fairly uncommon. When she scouted, Shizuka looked for only very specific qualifications, and the main one was strength. She would know soon enough, especially since she still very much wanted to spar with Leon, exactly how strong he truly was. But when something like the thought of killing another was enough to hold him back, she questioned her own proposal and thought about taking it back. She didn't want to make him think less of her, even if he did still invite her own despite her semi-honesty about what she did for a living.

Still, his hesitations ate away at her. Why did she find it so easy and he found it so difficult? She had been doing this job for almost thirteen years. She supposed it made sense, in a way, given that she'd trained to be able to handle this kind of thing for that entire time. It was second nature. She'd met others who shared this same second nature with her and it all seemed so normal, but to come face to face with someone who did not handle it quite so easily made her pause. Was she wrong? Was he weaker than she thought he was? Or perhaps he's just too nice. If it was a choice between him and someone else, would he choose himself? Or would he spare their life?

Her expression softened in the time it took Leon to think as she observed his behaviors. He was clearly uncomfortable with the offer and it grew worse when she mentioned what her organization did to people, which was how she deduced he wouldn't be able to finish someone off. Honestly, it was either that or he didn't like his food, and she highly doubted it was the latter. They both had hardly eaten, but she knew it was because the conversation was entirely too dominating for either of them to focus on anything else. Shizuka had aggressively enjoyed the evening, so much so that she felt as if she knew this man for ages. It made her think about literally anything other than food the entire time. She hoped it was the same for him.

But now, he had to decide whether or not he was going to agree. It was a wager, after all. If he truly didn't want to join Xcution, he'd just have to beat her in the fight. She mentioned previously to him that she'd hold back on using her powers, but with his passionate insistence, she figured it would be just as well to expose herself to him. If he wanted so badly to see what her abilities were like, then he'd be sitting in the front row of the classroom while she taught him everything she knew about being a Fullbringer. She cared little if it meant he would be out of his league, though she wasn't going to discount him just yet. The tricks he has may end up being too much for her.

Before too long, Shizuka saw that Leon was about to speak and her heart stopped. She was nervous. She didn't want him to say no, but she felt so guilty at the idea that she made him feel so uncomfortable that he possibly wouldn't want to be around her anymore. She couldn't deal with that again. She didn't want to have to be abandoned by someone again. She may have only met up with Leon twice, but they'd grown so close during that time that she genuinely felt as if she'd lose a piece of her soul in his absence. With the words Leon began to form, she took a deep breath and prepared herself for the rejection.

"Thanks Shizuka. I think that I will be taking you up on that offer...Just..

She tilted her head, both in shock and curiosity. "Just..?"

"...I don't want to kill anyone among the living."

So she was right. She was right, but what made her figuratively drop her jaw was more so his phrasing. He didn't 'want to kill anyone among the living,' which meant... Is he okay with killing people who are no longer technically alive? Namely Shinigami. While it was true that Shizuka had quite a positive experience with most Shinigami she's met, she couldn't fight the invasive hatred she felt for them. She wasn't sure how to bring that up with Leon and chose to keep it to herself for the moment, maybe sprinkling in some hints here and there that could hint towards how she felt. If he picked up on those, then maybe he'd figure it out for himself.

"I know it sounds contradictive to what the position is asking for, but it is not something that I can do easily any more."

Contradictive? Yeah, maybe. But she knew only a bit about his past, or at least it was what he cared to share with her. She was open to learning more, obviously, but based on what she knew now, she considered his words for a moment. Tilting her head to the side, she pondered some options, wondering if he'd even agree to any of them. She had a few ideas, including just going on missions with him and being the finisher instead. She was a morally confused woman, but that was only due to years of constant reminders to dehumanize her targets. She was raised within this world in one way or another. She wasn't forced into it like he was.

"I will fight, and bring the people that you want taken down, at least to someone who can finish the job. That I can do. Just, I can't.... I don't want to be the one that does it. I know it's asking for a lot, considering it is changing what you want when you win. If I could change that one aspect of the offer. Then, I'm all yours, Chica."

All mine.. hmm.. Those words made her feel something that had become foreign. It consumed her more than when he said 'when' she would win, not 'if.' He didn't have much confidence in his abilities, or perhaps he wanted her to win. But she felt her heart pick back up again as she became nervous, though was able to calm herself down quite quickly. This feeling was different from the one she'd felt for almost the entire dinner with Leon. This one was... lighter. But even so, she smiled and nodded at the man, doing her best to present the idea she had in as professional of a way as possible.

"Leon, I desperately hope you know that I would never do anything intentionally to hurt you or make you uncomfortable. I might be morally ambiguous, but if your aspirations are to be a wholesome person who does nothing more than 'Batman' a few people, I can support you. Truthfully, that's all I want - to be able to give you my support. If you'll have it." She paused for only a second before something popped back up in her mind. "Oh, and don't doubt yourself! None of this 'when' I win stuff! You never know how strong you can be and I want you to show me everything you can do, too."

Feeling proud of herself, Shizuka mentally patted herself on the back. Not only was he actually considering the offer she'd made, he basically already agreed to be hired even if she didn't totally approve of the lack of confidence he had in himself. Besides that, did she really want to completely throw his terms out the window if she won? Well, no. But she wasn't going to tell him that. She didn't want to admit to him that she would want to be by his side even if he lost. Leon was probably one of the few genuinely good people she'd ever met, so naturally she wanted to keep him close. How close he was willing to be, though, was entirely up to him. But she knew where she stood with that much.

"Now... as for your little negotiation, I only have a single question." She leaned a bit over her end of the table to get closer to the man sitting before her, smiling devilishly as she came to a conclusion that she truly felt would benefit more people than he'd realize. "Have you ever met Col Arana?"

[Leon Strife]

And just like that, everything was settled.

What the man was expecting was not the thought to what he wanted. Sure, Shizuka did not give off the aura of a woman who would force his hand, although, she could do so out of spite. Hell has no fury than a woman scorned after all. While not deciding to test that sense of curiosity, Leon did give in to the sense of comfort that was provided when his alteration to the deal was accepted. A great sense of relief did wash over the mans shoulders, removing an obstacle that he felt was going to push him back into his old ways. His demons would crawl up his legs to suffocate him, to pull him back into the depths of his sins. The temptation was strong, despite using the belief he would be doing something good for society.

"Leon, I desperately hope you know that I would never do anything intentionally to hurt you or make you uncomfortable. I might be morally ambiguous, but if your aspirations are to be a wholesome person who does nothing more than 'Batman' a few people, I can support you. Truthfully, that's all I want - to be able to give you my support. If you'll have it."

Why did the Bount feel as though the two were practically married? The way that the Fullbringer spoke was not only expressive, yet soothing. A motherly vibe if he could describe it, though, he didn't exactly knew what that felt like. Perhaps this is where the phrase came from. Leon wasn't aware of whether or not the CEO of Xcution did this to entice the offer all the more. Presenting a desire to support his personal endeavors to remain the man that he is now, merging what he desires with that of the overall group to be mutual; one in the same. It would make the Bount joining the organization of assassins a lot less conflicting, and to make him feel at home. Was this how Shizuka often advertised her group?

You're thinking about this now??

Having his own suspicions of people came with where he once lived, keeping it as an old habit akin to being second nature. Even as Shizuka spoke, what Leon felt in the back of his mind was a level of caution. A thread that was tugged due to instinct. Obviously, this was due to the fact that pair just met and only when for an outing for the first time. The time spent in this evening was more or less beyond the casual outing. An bond of intimacy despite the lack of physical touch, foreign to what Leon was familiar with. It gnawed at him for those moments when the thought came to him. But he wanted something different. He didn't want to be that paranoid man again. Benefit of the doubt. Shizuka had no reason to lie to him, being someone that could not give more than extra muscle. Something that he knew Shizuka would be easy in obtaining if she truly desired it. This was something else.

"Oh, and don't doubt yourself! None of this 'when' I win stuff! You never know how strong you can be and I want you to show me everything you can do, too." For some reason the comment really urked the Bount.

While feeling a bit irritated by the fact that Shizuka had more experience in dealing with confrontations of a spiritual variety, Leon couldn't help but feel a bit off by what was said. Did he really lacked confidence? Before he could comment on that line itself the Fullbringer continued on, even stating a name that she felt he would know to some extent. ""Now... as for your little negotiation, I only have a single question. Have you ever met Col Arana?" Who was that? "Can't say that I have? Who is he, or she? Sounds like a rapper." Pictured as the first thing when the blonde haired woman inquired about a meeting with this Col.

With hardly any time to go out and about, and recently moving to Japan, how would the Bount know about this person?

The Covenant would be the best means to gather information about Xcution members, especially now that Shizuka dropped a name of someone affiliated with her. Aura was someone who desired to push the Bount group under her control further up in the world. Looking to control organization and other groups, the Bounts within the city have already secured a means to keep themselves off official records. Money laundering, extortion, blackmail, mind control, erasing memories, the Bounts in the Covenant were growing at a frightening pace in becoming an expert manipulator of information, and espionage. The shadows were their bread and butter, coming in and out without much of getting a whiff of what was going on. With their ever growing network, finding information about Col Arana, or anyone connected to Shizuka, would only be a matter of time.

Another bite was taken from his meal before setting it aside, Leon adjusted his posture to match that of the woman, "Is there something I need to know about this person? Sounds like it if you are bringing them up." The womans smile from before didn't sit well with the Bount, when mentioning the name. He could only hope what he was hypothesizing wasn't the case.

[Shizuka Sanamizu ✮]

"Can't say that I have? Who is he, or she? Sounds like a rapper. Is there something I need to know about this person? Sounds like it if you are bringing them up."

Shizuka laughed a bit to herself as she started to speak. "Aw, no, he's not. But I'll pass that along because I think he'd like it."

Feeling the shift from earlier conversations to something a bit more serious, Shizuka put aside her feelings and tried to be a bit more professional with the man. He deserved that level of consideration, especially given what she had asked of them should she actually win on her side of the deal. Still, something about his expression or tone or some underlying mannerism made Shizuka suddenly become a bit insecure. Had she said something wrong? She could definitely tell that they were both acting a bit differently compared to earlier that night, but perhaps that was only natural with the progression of things so far. She pushed the thought out of her mind. Worrying now only meant she'd suffer twice.

"Col's a good person, no matter what he or anyone else says. He's been a newer addition to the family, so to speak, but he's been incredibly helpful. He's strong and careful, and I found him as a stray one day, so I decided to take him in. We got along, and he didn't have any oppositions to joining me."

Well, she didn't exactly find him. She invited him to Starbucks one day and he agreed to meet her there. Remembering that day, how easy it was for the two of them to speak with each other, made her miss him in the way you'd miss one of your closest friends. She didn't socialize with that guy as often as she wished she did and made a mental note to do so once she got some free time. It was the least she could do. He held her former position, after all. He was now the strongest of her Seven Guns, and it was weird to think something like that could ever happen. It was weird to think that Xcution was hers.

"He's a bit formal, but he's probably one of my favorite people!" If Arrancar can be 'people.' "He would likely be your best bet if you want to accomplish what you're telling me."

Col had an important job within the organization. He had a special talent that made him rather attractive to Shizuka, and they were able to strike a deal because of it. Col was a ravenous beast. If Shizuka ever took care of a target and needed to make the death scene effectively never have existed, he was exactly who she called. He was the one who cleaned it up for her when it was necessary. He was the one who was able to take down targets without leaving a trace. He was the one who earned the position she passed on to him, not just because he was strong, but because he was the only one who could handle what she asked of him.

"So I guess what I'm trying to say is you'd be just fine. You can simply capture your targets, who would only be genuinely bad people trying to spread their toxicity, and bring them to either me or Col. You would never have to force yourself to end someone ever again. There's also the possibility that their lives wouldn't end at all."

This wasn't entirely a lie. The judicial system did serve a purpose, but Shizuka just found it easier to take care of the problem via elimination. They could be vigilantes, or perhaps this offer wasn't exactly up Leon's alley, but she knew how Bounts could be. She saw his potential and was enamored with the two Dolls she's met so far, first at the beach and now at dinner. While she didn't necessarily think what she did made her any less of a good person, she certainly didn't want to take that away from Leon at all if that's who he was striving to be. Fixing that stigma was going to be a challenge, though. She didn't blame people for feeling this way about her kind of job but that didn't mean she loved it.

[Leon Strife]

A way of operating without going through with it all. His hands would be clean, so to speak. What Leon desired was for a means of redemption, although he was not aware of such a thing. A desire to wash the red away from his hands by helping people, and without killing. There was purpose behind him once again. Though, not to say that there was not a purpose in helping the Bounts, or that of Uzaki. Both had their merits that did do Leon some good, bringing him back into society and away from his despair. Both groups put Leon back on track, as did the newly aquainted Shizuka. Yet, beyond what the two groups offered, it did not feel sufficient. It wasn't enough for what he was looking for. Looking back at the woman, Leon may have found what he was striving for, and without the limitation of aiding one group, or working under the government. He would be helping in removing people that lacked the empathy for life, like he once did.

Maybe, even I can find someone who is struggling.....like me.."

A choice. That was all that Leon wanted in this new life that was provided by the freedom in this new group. That was the hope for it he guessed, with all the details that were panned out based on what the Fullbringer informed him about. In her words, "So I guess what I'm trying to say is you'd be just fine. You can simply capture your targets, who would only be genuinely bad people trying to spread their toxicity, and bring them to either me or Col. You would never have to force yourself to end someone ever again. There's also the possibility that their lives wouldn't end at all." Quite a lot of words, yeah, but they carried weight beyond that of a corporation. He will give it his all, if not a try. "Then, ¿a qué estamos esperando, chica?" he referred to Shizuka as his plate was set aside, leaving the scraps behind.

The Doll in hand crumbled into itself, dissipating with fragments of darkness that it had turned into, signaling the end of what they were there for. What seemed like minutes passed the lengthy time in the restaurant, taking the few moments to glimpse out the window at the shining lights of Karakura. When did he actually get a view like this in his life before? Flickering with the fluff of white snow descending above Leon quickly shifted back towards Shizuka, and amazed by the moment that made her shine all the more. The man couldn't help but redden for the moment. "So, have a place in mind amor? Going to need plenty of room to show off what we have don't we?" Clearing his throat before speaking up to break the silence, Leon shuffled about in his seat to draw up the compensation for the meal, though, taking a last shot when the Waiter drew a menu for finishers. "Thanks.." Looking back to Shizuka, "..I already have desert waiting for me at home."

What was suppose to be a casual outing turned into a mashing of ideas, innuendos, promises. Far beyond what Leon did expect to happen after some chit-chatting and a nice meal. Going home to prepare for the next work day sounded so far fetched at this point in time, moving on towards the main event, if the dinner was not going to be considered as such anymore. The next place was to be where Shizuka designated after their initial clean up. To gather their belongings, and escort the woman back down to the lobby, there wasn't much for Leon to say considering what would be doing the talking next would be with their bodies. Anticipation came next, mixed with nerves and excitement. How else could the Bount describe the feeling? Horny maybe...

Shut up Not what he meant at all. But I can feel it in the back of your mind you know. Ugh.

Win or lose wasn't going to be an issue. Leon was more than familiar with acts of violence, practically breathed it daily, bathed in it, until it was a habit upon meeting opposition, or a threat. The man had no intentions of holding his punches, considering it to be the best way to show what he can do, and with Shizuka not holding hers, it was the best way to get to her to know him better. With an offered arm to the woman, their plans for the evening, perhaps to the next day or two, was set on Shizukas lap to direct.

[Shizuka Sanamizu ✮]

His Spanish had her reeling, going right back to the same place her mind had been before all the talk about work and wagers. As DOTS disappeared, Shizuka realized more time had passed than she initially thought, bringing her out of any daydreaming she was doing and back to the table where they sat. She followed Leon's gaze out the window and noted the snow as it fell, making her feel very warm and just genuinely happy. Aww... I love snow. It was fitting, and the Fullbringer made a mental reminder for herself to command the air around her body to stay warm, given her lack of jacket, once they left the restaurant.

"So, have a place in mind amor? Going to need plenty of room to show off what we have don't we?"

Shizuka's attention was drawn back to Leon and she slowly went back to facing the man. "Maybe a few." The easiest place would be Xcution's dungeon but do I really want to take him there yet? Or maybe the old underground fighting ring where I used to let off some steam. Something big enough to support the two of us. "Do you have any aversion towards enclosed spaces?"

Leon didn't have much time to answer since the arrival of the waiter signaled the need for payment. This had been really nice. She couldn't remember the last time she was able to go out with someone and just enjoy herself, so being able to do that now was appreciated. Leon was a kind man. But when the waiter had originally offered the idea of dessert and Leon made his comment, Shizuka blushed excessively, causing her to lower her gaze with a sheepish grin. Pulled her hair in front of her shoulder to play with it nervously, she blinked away the surprise quite a few times and couldn't find the ability to jab him back. No, instead she felt something like hope that he was actually serious.

Once the waiter left and the woman was able to calm herself down again, she felt proud that she was able to control her words. The two of them went to leave and she carefully considered the location where they could go, not wanting to invite him somewhere they shouldn't be headed to after only the second time hanging out. Maybe the third. Maybe sooner rather than later... Or after this little bet that they have since that always seems to be what gets her excited. Not always!! That only happened once! Twice. Whatever!

Shizuka took Leon's arm and silently commanded the soul of the air around both of them to warm as they stepped outside. The snow that fell didn't even feel cold as a few flakes touched their skin and quickly melted away, leaving dryness underneath. After checking the time, she realized it wasn't egregiously late, and she squeezed her company's arm as closely into herself as she could. She thought about things for a moment, noticing the silence growing between the two of them, and decided she didn't want to wait too long for what she wanted. It may not have been the primary thing she wanted from him, but it was probably the better option of the two. For now.

Tugging on his arm to follow along with her, Shizuka simply said, "We're going to one of my old stomping grounds."

[Kitai Yoru]

50% bonus awarded to Leon, to be used in a thread with Shizuka
50% bonus awarded to Shizuka, to be used in a thread with Leon