Capulet's Garden. (Hokori & Amaya Social l R)

[Hokori Kuchiki]

This is a Date Social for Hokori Kuchiki and Amaya Azarola, the time since Not so Common-er has been three days. This is simply a date thread. So let's have some fun, Hokori has the first post.

[Zou ۞]

Somewhere in Hueco Mundo.

Kuroi's head perked up. He looked around in a daze, and a look of repugnance filled his eyes. He glared down coldly, and yet almost savagely and hatefully at a subordinate of his, whom he had brought for business. "Something wrong, Boss?" the subordinate asked Kuroi inquisitively. At first, Kuroi did not respond, but for some strange reason he felt the need to voice this sudden feeling which he had. "I sense a disturbance..." Kuroi admitted. "As if I should be disgusted by something, and yet I am uncertain of quite what it is..." A few more brief moments of conversation revealed to them that neither was sure quite what it could be. That said, with the feeling still in mind, Kuroi and his subordinate shrugged their shoulders and pretended it did not exist, and then returned to their work.

OOC: Just kidding. That said, I can't wait until Sozen finds out about this.

[Hokori Kuchiki]

OOC: Of course, Kuroi is now part Jedi. Wait, he'd be Sith. He's dark!

SPOILER: Click to show

It had been three days, three days since he had fallen asleep with his eyes facing upwards towards the canvas of his four poster bed. Hokori had woken that moment with a open book on his chest. It was 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' As she had made her jokes, walked to his balcony and used shunpo to disappear into the evening night. Hokori finally managed to choke out a "wait.." But it was too late, she was already gone. He had taken his jacket, the haori. He had then taken out her dress and her panties, he called for one of his handmaidens, upon her arrival He had her thoroughly wash all of the articles of clothing and return them to him without telling anyone. She took the articles, and so he went to his wall drawer and pulled out sleeping clothes for himself.

The shower was amazing on his back, steaming hot it almost burned. His mind was a mess that night, images kept flashing throughout it. Images of Amaya, and him. He felt the warmth again in his chest, followed by a pang of sadness. For she had gone away, but he wouldn't force himself on her. Wouldn't seem clingy to her and make it seem like he didn't know what he was doing. He remembered the gossip, wait three days they said. If you waited too soon, you seemed clingy, If you waited too long you were uninterested. He wanted to try to nail it just right, and seem worth the effort.

Hokori had shut off his shower, a thought occurred to him and he felt unsettled. He was a noble, why would he be so interested in such a girl. But the answer was there as soon as the question came. It was because even though she wasn't Nobility, she was far from common or normal. She was unique, different. From her sparking personality, to the way she spoke in a bubbly passion. To her external feature, he remembered her ears and her tail. They weren't normal, but they weren't bad either. Something that he shouldn't be worried about, but he couldn't completely squash that thought in the back of his head. It was frustrating enough as he towelled himself off. He walked into his room, still toweling himself off.

It was good to be clean, grabbing his undergarments. He slung them on followed by his pajamas. Perhaps had he not been foolish enough to say his mother came to see him, she would have stayed. He sighed, taking out his book. He had the lamp still going, his book now opened and his doggie ear bookmark smoothed out. It was odd, he respected books more than anything. But he had an odd fascination with Doggy earing books. It was like they told a story, someone at some point had been on this page when they had paused in their journey throughout their literature quest. He was enthralled with the stories of spells and magic, love and lust. Infatuation and rage, these were all.... interesting now that he had come to experience them. Some of course more fresh than others. But it was while reading that he had fallen asleep.

The next three days were a blur, it was easy enough to find out trivial things about amaya during his down time while doing his squad duties. He had a romantic plan in mind, and he needed to know her dorm room number and when it was certain she wouldn't be there to catch him. He took out one of his personal note pages, and wrote a letter. However, given to his perfectionist nature ended up writing the letter eight times to get the letter to express everything he wanted exactly the way he wanted it. He slipped it into his breast pocket then, it would only have to wait until three days had past. Though it seemed then that time slowed, waiting. The impatience ate at him, and seemed to make him a little more irritable than normal. However, he was also showing signs of being in a better than normal mood when the time wasn't eating at him, and people were noticing.

His mother mainly among them. She asked him what had changed in the last few days, what had made him change so much. Apparently he had been in a visibly better mood than of late. Hokori, after much prying and sweet talking, caved and told her mother about Amaya. Not all of it of course, he was very careful to leave out the details that were intimate in nature. But He told her about Amaya's personality, the enticing bubbly nature and intelligence sided with a warm personality. It kept him guessing, and he didn't understand it half the time. He also mentioned her ears and tail, and while it wasn't normal. It was intriguing, for it also was endearing to watch her ears twitch once or twice that night. But more to that, he told his mother about how she kept him guessing. It was frustrating, he felt so not in control. He asked his mother why Girls were so hard to understand, she just laughed at him. Touched his face and told him welcome to being a man. As she left he asked her if he were to do something would she be opposed, to his surprise it was actually one which she approved of instantly.

With that, the game was set into motion. It was day three and for a captain, Hokori felt like a bloody teenager. During classes he had slipped into the "Old Lightning" Spiritual Arts Academy. It had been interestingly hard to clamp down so much on his reiastu. He had even gone without his Captain's Haori just for the sake of blending in. It was simple to make his way to the dormitories, slip inside the main halls and find her door number. Upon this he crouched down and lipped a folded piece of paper with the script 'To Amaya.' Once he had achieved this, he briskly exited the Academy. There was no need to draw that much attention to himself being there any longer than need be. Though he was sure one or two of the students may have recognized him.

As she finished her classes, Amaya upon returning to her dorms around four would find the letter, simple addressed to her. It was more than possible she would know whom it was from, but upon opening it it became very clear. The script was elegant and handwritten. The paper was thick and it was easy to tell by feeling the texture that it was high quality. The letter was written in a green ink, a ink that was a mesmerising neon green. The same color as a certain person's eyes. The letter was short and to the point, but it was somewhat clear it was written with a elegant flourish as if the person writing it was excited. The letter read,

Dear Amaya,
Tonight at sunset, I was hoping you would be willing to join
me in the Kuchiki gardens for an evening picnic of sorts. Just say
you’re here for me at the front door and they will show you the
way. I hopefully await your arrival.
Yours,
Hokori

Sunset was around two hours away, which gave her plenty of time to prepare. Upon arriving, she'd be greeted by one of the doormen. As soon as she stated her reason for being there, he bowed low and murmured, "This way miss, He's been expecting you." Walking in the front way this time, she'd see the grandeur that was the Kuchiki mansion. A massive double staircase wrapped around a center entry room. In that room she would see a platform in the center that matched the symmetry of the room. On that platform was a black grand piano, and it was being used. There on the piano stool, sat a woman. Clearly she showed to be in her mid to late thirties. She had chocolate brown hair done up into a bun, with it set neatly around her face. Her eyes were closed, but they were framed in thick long lashes. Her face didn't betray her age, for it was beautiful even for someone who as a whole looked to be older than her prime. Her lips were in a bemused smile. Her long slender fingers were playing along the keys.

The doorman took amaya through one of the side doors off of the main gala and down a hall, there were portraits of past Kuchiki heads. Including Ginrei Kuchiki, Mephisto Kuchiki, Onuya Kuchiki, and the most recent picture, Sozen Kuchiki. Hokori was of course not on these walls. But it wasn't long after that hallway that the doorman took her into another hall, it wasn't walled but filled with columns that allowed one to gaze outside. To the left and right were both parts of the garden. But turning right, the doorman turned and bowed "He is right inside underneath the Sakura tree." The man turned and walked away leaving Amaya there, when she walked into the garden she'd notice that flowers were still in full bloom. Despite it's later nature, everything was tinted with hints of Golden Orange and Crimson, making everything look to seem as if they were on fire.

There were lilies, Roses, Gardenias, Tulips, all separated into different garden beds. In the center of the garden, there was a large cherry blossom tree also in full bloom. Upon walking towards it. She'd find who she was looking for, Hokori was laying on his back reading a book. The same book that had been pre-occupying his mind for the last three days. Next to him was a picnic basket, and a wrapped present. Hokori seemed lost to the world around him, it was even more so that on the air. Drifting through the mansion there were tunes of the piano being played even through the garden. It would seem that Amaya would have to make herself known, perhaps she would notice the book and comment on it.

Hokori himself was wearing a dark emerald green Shihakusho, there was no undershirts. He wore a black hakama and black sash tonight. His hair was feathered instead of slicked back, and his feet were clad in black socks with his sandals at the edge of the blanket. He was clearly in his more natural clothes, but even these looked high standard in comparison to normal attire. He turned the page he was reading and sighed almost absentmindedly. He glanced around at that moment and noticed her, "Amaya! You're here!" He swiftly stood up, taking care to not blur as he normally would. His book falling forward on it's pages, he blushed which made it obvious that he hadn't heard her coming. "I'm glad you came." He walked over to greet her and help her over. This Hokori hoped would be a wonderful evening, now that he heard it, His mother's playing seemed to be mirroring his moods.

[Deleted]

Stealing your music since it's playing IC

After Amaya’s first year at the academy, she knew she needed to improve. There was plenty on her mind that could distract her… but she was eager to focus on her work as much as possible. She definitely had the talent to be at the top of her class in several of her classes if she tried hard, but last year, she really didn’t give it her all. This year was going to be different. She was going to really buckle down and pull of those good grades! It helped a lot that she had made friends with the Vice Commander of the Kido Corps, and that she was dating a Captain. Well, they weren’t really dating yet… but it’s not like he was just going to break it off at random or anything. He was sooooooooo into her. Hah, into her. Yeah, Amaya’s mind was definitely in the gutter with that one.

A few days passed since the party at the Kido Corps, and Amaya was actually starting to wonder when she’d hear from Hokori. It wasn’t a matter of if she’d hear from him. Nah, he was just trying to look all cool and disinterested. Or maybe he was just planning something big. He seemed like the type that would go way over the top for a first date. Oh god, what if he actually made her meet his parents on the first date? She still didn’t know anything about him… that would be so awkward. On the other hand, if they were going on a date, there were totally upsides. He was rich, and he was chivalrous, so that meant he was totally paying for the date. Awesome! One less thing to worry about.

Thoughts like that filled Amaya’s head as she waited to hear from the Captain. When she finally heard about him contacting her, it wasn’t from reading the note he sent. Hokori had missed one vital detail when doing his research. Academy students didn’t get singles very often. Amaya shared a dorm with two other girls, one of whom had found the note first. "Amaya-chan~! You’ve got a love note from a boy again!” The teasing had gone on for a bit before the kitsune was actually allowed to read the note. Luckily, her roommate hadn’t actually opened it, so she didn’t know what the plan was. Amaya could’ve counted on the evening being ruined if her roommates knew where she was going. She just took the note into her room, read it, and then got a mixture of excitement and disappointment. A picnic sounded romantic and all, but if they were at his house, it’d be a bit harder to get him to forget his noble side and do something fun… especially in a garden.

Oh well, that was how life went. She didn’t have a ton of time on her hands, so she got right down to picking an outfit. She needed something fairly stylish if she was going to his house, but she couldn’t look too slutty either. If it was just Hokori there, sure, that would be fine, but you don’t really want to show off your boobs to your date’s mom too much. If what she’d been told last time was any measure, she’d probably be meeting at least some part of his family this time. Amaya ended up going with a semi-professional look. A light jacket over a white shirt and a pair of jeans was her choice. It was conservative enough because, well, she was wearing pants at least… but the shirt was kinda low cut and the jeans were tight enough to show off her ass. It was definitely a good way to look attractive without looking like she was a courtesan.

SPOILER: Click to show

Amaya eventually managed to make her way over to the Kuchiki manor, but that took her a few tries. The first time she had been taken there, she was basically unconscious… and when she had left, it was pitch black outside. Those weren’t exactly ideal conditions for remembering where a place was. Oh well! She managed to find it sooner or later, and her feet were only a little bit sore from all the walking. She got to the front gate, and she didn’t even have to say anything before being led inside. She was already freaking out a bit. Before, she had seen only two rooms of the house. He seemed rich enough from that, but now she was being led into a mansion by a servant. That bordered on ridiculous in her eyes… but that was nothing compared to what she saw once they got inside.

Once they were through the front door and into the entryway, her jaw literally dropped. ”Huge…” That was all she could manage to come up with in response to the interior. Coming from an orphanage before she went to academy, she’d never had a life of excess before. The fact that people could have a single room big enough to contain several hundred people was mindboggling to her. And that was just the entrance hall! There was like, an entire house behind that still. Her jaw continued to hang open as she was guided past the portraits of the Kuchiki heads and out into the garden. It wasn’t until a minute or two after she had been left alone that she finally managed to pull herself together a bit. The garden was nice, yes, but nature was less impressive to her because something like this could be made with nothing more than hard work. The house on the other hand, well that was just the result of money.

Still a bit out of it from taking in just how rich nobles were, Amaya wandered over towards her date. He was lost in the book he was reading it seemed. She stood over him for a second, and even waved once or twice, but he just sighed and turned the page. Part of her thought he was playing hard to get… but he was probably just so nervous he was oblivious. She could understand that. Rather than commenting on the book he was reading, since she didn’t know anything about it, she just plopped down on him. She was sitting with her legs off to the side of him, and she was right in his lap. Amaya never was known for subtlety.

Rather surprised at the sudden warmth and pressure, Hokori dropped his book and greeted her. "Amaya! You're here!" She simply returned the greeting by bending over, keeping him pinned down, and giving him a quick kiss. He seemed a bit flustered, but he managed to answer her advances. "I'm glad you came." Because of his choice of words, the kitsune couldn’t help but laugh and roll off him. ”Yeah… four times if memory serves.” To her, sex was just a normal human function. It was the same as eating or breathing really. That meant she talked about it openly, and had no problem making jokes about it. How he responded didn’t really matter, unless he tried to stand up again. If he didn’t then Amaya just snuggled up against him. ”So, what’s the gameplan for tonight Romeo?”

[Hokori Kuchiki]

SPOILER: Click to show

"uumpph!"

Oh hey look, an Amaya! His date had practically tackled/scared the living daylights out of him. Well tackled was a slight misinformation, she had sat on him. He wasn't hurt of course but he was taken off guard for a moment. He had great senses, so how the heck did that happen? Perhaps nerves? Yeah, let's go with nerves preventing him from noticing Amaya from walking right up and plopping on him. In side his head, he was making a little annoyed face. He wasn't annoyed at Amaya of course, he was annoyed at himself. However the annoyance was short lived! For her response to him saying she came was enough to make him turn beet red, and go "herrr mm" with a deep voice clearing. She had clearly caught him off guard once more, was this going to be a constant thing?

He sat up, his hand snaking out and grabbing his book. He doggy-eared his page and closed the book, its title now visible. He pulled the picnic basket closer, flipping one of the top flaps over. The smell that permeated was one of sugar and glaze. He pulled out two plates and a oven plate of cinnabuns. They were still steaming too, Hokori's stomach growled loudly. He looked down at his stomach in surprise and then over to amaya with a sheepish smile. "Guess I was hungrier than I thought, the plan my dear is a romantic picnic of sweets, followed by a gift and finally if you want to a walk around the garden as the sun sets." Hokori took a knife out of the picnic basket and cut into the tray.

The cinnabuns were sticky as always, and Hokori smiled as he put one on each of their plates. He looked at her sheepishly. "You never told me what kind of food you liked that wasn't sweet. So I didn't know what to get for the picnic. Hopefully you like these" He was very tedious with his eating of the sticky buns, why? Because if you weren't careful they got everywhere. And the glaze could ruin your clothes, so ladies and gents care was to be taken greatly with these. He chuckled a little as he chewed, he was too giddy right now. What was up with that, okay... too many tangents right now. Hokori steadied himself and focused on chewing his cinnabun as he reached back into the picnic basket with his free hand and grabbed two glasses.

He set them down and pulled out a thermos, opening it. He poured orange juice into their glasses. "I remember you also saying you liked fruity stuff, so i brought orange juice as well. Hopefully it's the right kind of fruity for you." Well, Hokori had just brought a sort of Breakfast for dinner picnic for his date. Of his favorite foods no less, but it was only on a hunch all things considered. He was unsure of her actual favorite regular food, and just day to day drink. So he tried to be spontaneous and bubbly. Honestly he felt like he kinda failed hard, but maybe she'd tell him he did otherwise. It was all up to the lady, Hokori ate more cinnabuns and drank orange juice. Man, was it good to have such tasty things.

Throughout the garden the cicadas were starting to sing, and the fireflies were coming out. Hokori stopped chewing as he realized that his mother's song had changed. She.... was either trying to help him or embarassing him?! She was playing that love song she taught him on the piano, but she wouldn't go out of her way to embarrass him. He then notice that his father was playing his cello. They were playing together, that never really happened anymore. Father was always so busy, or exhausted. Just his mother playing tonight was a treat, but now he had both his parents playing. Perhaps it was their way of showing support for him. If that were true it was a kind gesture, but it didn't stop him from turning beet red again. Hopefully Amaya didn't know the song, or perhaps she wasn't paying attention to it.

[Deleted]

I really like how IC justifies me not having to find music.

Dang he was adorable when he didn’t know what to do. Making a Captain turn red was just an awesome feeling. She was definitely going to have to try and keep catching him off guard like that. Sadly, it seemed like he wanted a proper date. That much was obvious since he actually sat up when Amaya was curled up against him. The kitsune gave him a disapproving groan and rolled her eyes in response before sitting up as well. It was more polite than saying “do we haaave to?” but not by much. She would’ve been happy enough to just skip that part entirely and save the conversation for pillow talk, but it seemed she was being made to work for it a bit.

At least she was getting fed though. Whatever it was smelled good… but not like dinner. That thought was pushed from her mind by a growl coming from Hokori’s stomach. "Guess I was hungrier than I thought, the plan my dear is a romantic picnic of sweets, followed by a gift and finally if you want to a walk around the garden as the sun sets." Before the Kuchiki could even start to cut into the food he had pulled out, which Amaya didn’t recognize, she made sure to do her best to keep Hokori off balance a bit. All it took was a quick glance down to his lap accompanied by a few words. ”Mmm… I’m pretty hungry too. I guess dinner will hold me over for a bit though.” That sentence paired with a suggestive tone couldn’t be much clearer.

The Kuchiki seemed to hold onto his control well enough though. He somehow managed to keep the topic on the food. "You never told me what kind of food you liked that wasn't sweet. So I didn't know what to get for the picnic. Hopefully you like these" Amaya took the food she was offered and sniffed it a few times before giving it a cautious lick. She was sold on whatever it was and instantly took a huge bite out of it. She didn’t have any of the noble’s sophistication or grace, but she did have a healthy appetite at least. A chuckle from Hokori didn’t escape her notice either. The kitsune swallowed her food before sarcastically asking, “Do I amuse you milord?” Since Hokori still didn’t know Amaya that well, it might’ve seemed she was offended at first… but she started laughing after only a brief pause. The healer was never very good at staying mad, even if it was just for pretend.

“Dinner” was accompanied by some sort of beverage that Hokori poured for both of them as well. "I remember you also saying you liked fruity stuff, so i brought orange juice as well. Hopefully it's the right kind of fruity for you." Ah, orange juice. The glass was half full at first, but that just meant it was ripe for mixing. Luckily, Amaya just happened to have a flask of Vodka in her jacket for just such an occasion! ”It’s good, but it’s missin a little something right now though. Lemme fix it for ya.” With that, she grabbed both glasses of juice, turned around, and, behind the cover of her tail, added the liquor. Only a splash was added to Hokori’s, hardly even enough to notice the taste, but hers was made plenty strong.

She returned the drinks with a devious smile. The kitsune was unaware of anything like the music or how high-culture was supposed to work. All she was doing was ensuring they had a good time, and that was way easier if they get a bit drunk. Amaya raised her glass towards Hokori and proposed a toast. ”Well, here’s to a wonderful evening. May the food always be this delicious, the garden this colorful, and the sex at the end of the night just as good as last time!” She certainly didn’t hide her intentions… or make any effort to act in a way more acceptable to those in high-society. At least she was up front with what she wanted out of the evening.

[Hokori Kuchiki]

OOC: Sorry Pie. Short post ahoy!

SPOILER: Click to show

{Play this}

IC: Lost in thought and wonder, worried about his own selfish thoughts and desires. Hokori didn't really register that Amaya had spoken something regarding the drinks. The only thing he could really think about was his parents playing that song. He looked over in time for Amaya to hand him the orange juice, she was kind enough to hand it to him since his mind was kinda fogged over at the moment. ”Well, here’s to a wonderful evening. May the food always be this delicious, the garden this colorful, and the sex at the end of the night just as good as last time!” Hokori's eyes snapped forward and he blushed again before almost choking out in a sputter, "To a wonderful evening indeed, cheers." It was only orange juice, and so Hokori had no qualms about downing the whole thing in one gulp. He needed something refreshing to get his head together. That was when his superior sense of taste and non-existent tolerance for alcohol kicked in.

He could tasted the bitterness of what could only be alcohol, but in his orange juice...? Hokori's eyes started to water as he blinked rapidly. He wasn't drunk but he couldn't help but try to blink away the burn. He took a deep breath and shook his head. That was odd, there was a slight red pigmentation on his cheeks showing that he was starting to be buzzed. Hokori hated alcohol, and so he was slightly angered by the fact that somehow it had gotten into his orange juice. Yet he was trying to seem well mannered and what not in front of Amaya. ...What..not..? Oh dear... He was already slipping a little. He decided he needed to throw himself into making sure that if the rest of the Orange juice was tainted he get rid of it as soon as possible. He poured himself another glass and brought it to his lips but did not drink, instead he inhaled. There was no smell of alcohol on this glass, so why? He drank the orange juice without pause this time. "As I said before, I have a present for you." His hand drew back and patted a wrapped square box that was lined with white paper and black lace for the fabric that entwined around the body of the present.

He noticed now that the music had stopped from the foyer as the cicadas took over the air as the sun began to set. He felt a need to hurry and he felt himself also wanting to lay back and take in the sun, GAH! Why did alcohol make him seem so foolish, Why!? Without him realizing it, he had sank backwards as he nudged the gift to her. When she opened it She would find that her dress and undergarments were cleaned, pressed, and folded. Underneath was another haori, this one was like the first in the fact that it was made of the finest silk. But that was were the similarities ended, for this Haori was varying shades of Bright Crimson, oranges, and Yellows. It also had warm brown hues, for the haori detailed a setting sun and the colors it imprinted upon the land and sky. He turned his head so his un-obstructed eye could see her reaction to it and he spoke. "I thought that, since you know, you couldn't keep the other Haori i wanted to give you. I would give you one of your own, one that you might prefer more. Hopefully I picked a good one. Normally I'm pretty bad with those kinds of things." Who knows, maybe he had done something right for a change.

[Deleted]

Well, that definitely could have gone better. Amaya was totally planning on getting a bit tipsy, because, well, it was fun! Hokori seemed to not be in the mood for it though. She’d only placed a little splash of Vodka into his juice. Heck, it wasn’t even a full shot worth. It shouldn’t even have been in the range of what was noticeable, but the Kuchiki definitely seemed to have noticed it. His eyes watered up, and he started blinking a bunch. Before too long, his cheeks were tinted a bit red. It didn’t take a medic to figure out what was going on there. Somehow, he had tasted that alcohol, and even more bizarrely, he seemed to actually have gotten a little drunk off it!

Before Hokori offered the present to her, Amaya had time to giggle a bit at his predicament. He was a complete lightweight. It made a bit of sense. He was fairly skinny and all. Even so, it seemed odd that someone so powerful could have such an easy “weakness.” Yeah, it didn’t really matter in battle, but it was super easy to take advantage of… and Amaya was debating just how much she wanted to do that. For now, she’d probably lay off. He didn’t seem super happy about it. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin her chances with such an eligible bachelor. It’s not like that meant she wasn’t going to have her own drink though. She only drank about a quarter of it right then, but there was still several times more alcohol in that portion than there was in Hokori’s entire drink. Tiny though she was, her first year at academy had helped her gain quite a tolerance.

"As I said before, I have a present for you."

That line was enough to bring Amaya back to the situation at hand. Honestly, it was a bit awkward in her eyes. A gift on the first date? Really? I mean, sure, it was sweet and all, but it reminded her of that voice in the back of her head. You’re just dating him because he’s rich. That’s what the voice was telling her. It was her own voice too, so she couldn’t help but acknowledge that some part of her was impressed by the wealth… but she didn’t want that to be the reason to date someone. She’d grown up pretty dang poor, and she didn’t want to just use her body and her charm as a means to change that. Money simply wasn’t as important to her as the other things in life. In a relationship, it was just a side note, but it was one that gave her a bit of a guilty conscience in this case.

Either way, she did what you do when someone gives you a gift. Even if you want it’s something you don’t want, you smile, open it up, and say ”Thanks. Upon inspecting the contents of the package though… well, things got a whole lot more awkward and embarrassing. She just realized that she’d completely forgotten her outfit from last time at his place… right down to her underwear. And it was cleaned... Hokori didn’t seem like he did much of the cleaning himself, what with the servants and all. As if he had sensed her disappointment, Hokori changed the topic to the actual gift that was below her other clothes. "I thought that, since you know, you couldn't keep the other Haori i wanted to give you. I would give you one of your own, one that you might prefer more. Hopefully I picked a good one. Normally I'm pretty bad with those kinds of things."

Unfortunately, this was met with nothing more than a sigh at first. ”It’s lovely. Really it is. It’s just…” Another sigh left the kitsune, and she placed the haori back into the box before she continued. ”I don’t want this to be about money. Let’s just be honest for a minute. You’re rich as hell, and I’m a broke academy student. I like getting things, sure, but I don’t want to feel pressured to like you just because you can give me things. I want to like you for you, so no more gifts for a while, kay?” Obviously, this wasn’t the response that the noble wanted to hear. He might like the bit about wanting to like him just for him, as that was something he probably wasn’t used to hearing. On the other hand, he was trying to be romantic, and it had pretty hugely backfired.

In an attempt to change the topic, Amaya threw a few questions his way. He seemed pretty smart, so if she could just get him talking, then maybe his ego could be placated. She did like him, and she wanted the evening to go well. That wouldn’t be the case if the topic of gifts lingered in the air for long. ”So yeah, I do love that, and I’ll definitely wear it around, but let’s focus on what matters for now and actually get to know each other.” She stood up, leaving her food untouched and her drink still mostly full. ”Come on. Up ya go!” She pulled Hokori to his feet as well, and started to aimlessly “drag” him, arm-in-arm, around the garden. ”So, I already figured out you read a bunch from the bookcase in your bedroom… but I don’t know much about what you like to read. Maybe something that’s given you good ideas for later tonight?” Amaya gave him a gentle nudge to accompany the joke about him reading erotica. Her tone made it fairly obvious the last bit was just her joking around, but she was curious what he read about. Hopefully that change of topic, and location, was enough to make him forget about the whole money thing.

[Hokori Kuchiki]

OOC: Kyo proded me about this thread today, I thought you were in hiatus. Sorry! I was letting it sit until you had said you returned. My bad!

IC: A sigh, that sigh made Hokori's eyebrows pull together and his stomach feel like it had just dropped through his body and fifty feet into the ground. Something was wrong, even Hokori could notice that. But what? He thought that he had done making sure that her clothes were returned to her. That he had taken the time to personally go out and find that Haori for her. She didn't like it? Did that mean she didn't like him? But if that were true, what about the night they spent together? It was so confusing and his mind was churning so wildly that he missed the second sigh. His brain could barely process her first words. ”It’s lovely. Really it is. It’s just…” It's just what? What could it be? was it him? Was it not the right kind of colors? Did it remind her of something sad? He needed to know so he could make it up to her. God, why did everything have to be so complicated?! He made himself focus his sporadic thoughts.

She put the Haori back into the box instead of trying it out, another bad sign but at least she looked at him when she started talking again. ”I don’t want this to be about money. Let’s just be honest for a minute. You’re rich as hell, and I’m a broke academy student. I like getting things, sure, but I don’t want to feel pressured to like you just because you can give me things. I want to like you for you, so no more gifts for a while, kay?” Wait... what? That was what was troubling her? Oh no, she'd gotten the wrong impression from him. But something else was nagging at him, a sting to his pride and to his chest. He felt hurt because he didn't know if he had screwed up something that had barely started. He wasn't the brightest when it came to women in general, he wasn't even close to being as charismatic as Sozen. But she didn't want him to shower her with gifts? Who would think she was trying to get the better of him? Of course she wasn't? It hurt to think that she thought he was trying to pressure her into liking him with material things.

”So yeah, I do love that, and I'll definitely wear it around, but let’s focus on what matters for now and actually get to know each other.” She stood up, what did she want to do now? Hokori was looking almost like he was... well, glum. The alcohol in his system with his lack of any fraction of a tolerance was only enhancing the mood. He still felt in control, but his mood seemed magnified and he didn't know why that was. ”Come on. Up ya go!” She grabbed him to attempt to heave him to his feet. Reflexively, he rolled himself onto his feet from the laying position. He only needed her help when the blood rushed to his head causing him to be dizzy. His head spun and he let himself be towed around the garden. Still deep in thought, he could faintly pay attention to Amaya talking to him. ”So, I already figured out you read a bunch from the bookcase in your bedroom… but I don’t know much about what you like to read. Maybe something that’s given you good ideas for later tonight?" He was still too out of it to notice the innuendo, but it was enough to drag him from his stupor.

"Stories of Love and Sacrifice are my favorite..." he said almost absentmindedly. "There is no greater deed then to give your life willingly for those whom you love. I would do it for my cousin in a heartbeat. Not to mention my mother and father as well. I've read so much over the years, because knowledge is the greatest gift mankind has ever been able to receive, after fire at least." He looked at the different types of plants as they drifted around the garden, there were types of every color. As they passed by, his free hand blurred out and snatched a calla lily. "Amaya, I know it may seem awkward. But may i propose something?" He paused, "A sort of compromise if you will, you say i shouldn't give you gifts. But I give gifts to whom I like. As long as it isn't a material sort of gift and more of a gesture of the heart? May I give it to you?" he offered. "Lilies are my favorite kind of flower. There is a striking look to them, yet they are quietly majestic in their own unique way." He gently placed the lily in her hair. "I love to read, which does explain why it was that hobby that bonded Wan Shi Tong and I. If only he wasn't such a prude, we might actually get somewhere with our conversations nowadays."

What might distract Amaya from the lily in her hair and his suggest was the last thing he had said. He had just mentioned a new name. One that wasn't completely familiar with many people, and it was odd for a human name. Unless it wasn't a human name at all. "I loved coming to this garden and reading, it's my mother's favorite place in our home. It takes a second only to the library to me." He said with a smirk to her. "I promise, that for a while, I won't buy you anything more. You don't even have to take the Haori if you don't want to. But if I do feel compelled to give you a small token that is from the heart and not money, I hope you like it." He smiled again hoping to get the meaning he was trying to convey across. He was horrible at these kinds of things it seemed, was it always this dangerous when dealing with women. Like treading a minefield with one's decisions. One wrong move and you ended up hurt or you hurt the other person. Relationships were odd, odd but worth it Hokori decided as they walked the garden.