Potion Approaching [Event w/ Kurou]

You don't bring me flowers . . .

Holidays were always awkward for Reine, and being in a foreign country made them worse. Back home in Scotland, she had to worry about her family rattling off at the mouth every time she visited, dropping questions about when she’d find a husband, if she planned to marry a Japanese man, and whether she found a nice, humble Japanese church to go to. Then, once everyone had a few drinks in their system, the questions would get more direct and accusatory, like “who’s the guy” or “did you use protection”. And before Christmas Eve would even arrive, Reine would be booking an early ticket back to Fukui just to get back to what she thought she was getting away from, but what felt more like home than her actual home. This year, she didn’t have the energy to dodge all of the ridiculous questions, and didn’t want to waste her hard-earned money on a trip only to be harassed. So she stayed.

Christmas in Japan was different, but not much more cheerful usually. There was always at least one friend inviting her out to do things for the holidays, or inviting her to spend awkward time with their family. While she always appreciated the offers, she didn’t like sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with other people’s family, pretending to belong. The offers felt like they were out of pity, and the last thing she wanted was to be pitied. She was content with sitting home alone, drinking and watching cheesy, old Japanese films.

But instead of locking herself away in her condo, Reine decided to hobble her way to a party being held by a friend of a friend. Fortunately for her, it was being held at an apartment complex within walking distance, so when she decided last minute to stop lying around stuffing her face with cheap snacks, she still managed to arrive on time. It also meant that she wouldn’t have to shell out cash for cab fare when she inevitably got sloshed and needed to get home.

The woman stood, leaning back against the marble bar top, making small talk with a few familiar faces while the hostess of the party mixed drinks. She was clad in all black, her choice of attire made in hopes that she would blend into the background until the end of the night, but that didn’t happen. Reine was usually a wallflower when it came to crowded parties, and even though she barely knew any of the other guests, a few drinks had her more than willing to chat. Most of the crowd seemed younger than her, many of the attendees still in their college years she assumed, and a few of them she recognized simply as her neighbors. A few were acquaintances her age, but none of that mattered. As long as the free food and drinks kept coming, she had her drink in hand and was ready to mingle with anyone.

. . . anymore
Tags: Kurou Tanai || Notes: Apparel~ <3

(made by twitchums of gs)

Kurou loved the holiday season - it was so much more exciting than any other time of year. The lights, the parties, the adorable girls in sweaters, the festive drinks, she couldn't be more . It was her first holiday party of the year, and the girl who invited her ended up not even showing. She copped a date with some local guy, and here she was thinking this invite was a date... She was dressed in a button up top and a thin suit jacket with black pants. She rarely looked like this, only when trying to impress. So now, alone at this party and knowing no-one, she probably just looked ridiculous. She frowned and pulled down her sleeves. She glanced around at the unfamilliar faces. Most were her age, luckily, maybe even younger. The girls were lovely and maybe even familiar... from school... from home... from... 'Oh no...' she whispered to herself. In the distance, the blonde shimmering hair and crystal blue eyes of a girl she dated a year ago. She was small, gorgeous, but oh so jealous and refused to break up when Kurou tried to end it last year. She'd go from begging and crying for Kurou to come back to expressing anger and hatred toward her. Eventually, to her relief, they'd lost touch and she was sure she'd never see her again. Heck, she even forgot her name by now... But she knew she'd remember her, and she knew she'd act as her date if she saw her.  Suddenly, their eyes met. Kurou's heart leapt in fear as she looked around her. A date, I need a date, she paniced. Around her most were conversating, but to her right was a quiet red-head who was small and beautiful and didn't seem to be with anyone. Reaching out, Kurou grabbed the girl's arm and pulled her into herself. "Please, go along with what I say, I'm begging you," she hushed into the girl's ear. Just in time. "Kurou!" a voice squeaked in front of her. The blonde had wide eyes and a tilt to her eyebrow. Kurou could tell she was trying to hide anger. "I didn't know you would be here with..." the girl eyed the random red-head, "whoever that is..."  "My girlfriend," Kurou snapped, placing her arm around her waist.  "I see...," The blonde said, eyes not leaving the red-head. "How did you guys meet?" It was clear the question was directed at the red-head, but Kurou tried to answer. Before she could even let out a word the blonde sputtered, "I was asking her." Kurou squeezed her hip a little as an apology and as a please. This could go so so wrong if the girl didn't play along...

SHIN OF ADOX

You don't bring me flowers . . .

Reine was in the middle of knocking back the remainder of a drink when she felt a light tug on her arm. Her mouth filled with Rosato punch made her unable to object, but she looked over at the handsome stranger, the source of the tug, with an alarmed expression as she sat her cup down on the bar top to keep from dropping it. But before she could even swallow, the stranger leaned in and began whispering to her. In her absence of mind, her head mostly filled with all the names she was ready to call the woman for grabbing her like she was some floosy, she ended up missing most of what was said to her, but the words “go along” stuck with her. Her first thought was that she was about to be kidnapped, but that soon changed when another girl approached them just as she swallowed.

She tore her gaze from the woman’s beside her, “Kurou”, she assumed from the greeting given by the tiny blonde girl now standing in front of them. Was she supposed to be the one here with this Kurou person? Reine looked up at the other woman for an explanation, but her eyes were on the blonde and offered no amount of help. What made her think she could just grab a stranger and have them pretend to be her date? It would have been easy for her to spill the truth to the little blonde and remove herself from the situation.

Now, normally, she would have backed down just like that, but when she fixed her eyes back on the girl who approached them, she caught a quick glimpse of the rude stare being shot in her direction and the liquid courage in her system was not going to let her take that. Not from some snot-nosed kid.

Her eyes narrowed slightly and before she could think of how to react properly, she felt herself lean into the stranger, her body pressed up at Kurou’s side just as she felt a generous arm fall around her and hold her waist. ”We met at party actually.” she muttered, clasping her hands together and resting them on Kurou’s shoulder. ”It was a lot like this one. Kurou can be a bit… assertive. I didn’t think I liked girls like that, but I guess she made me change my mind because here we are. Together.” She tilted her head, resting it on her hands that were on the other woman’s shoulder as she let out a soft, airy laugh.

. . . anymore
Tags: Kurou Tanai || Notes: Apparel~ <3

(made by twitchums of gs)

The little bitter blonde had a hard time keeping a sneer off her face, it was easy to see. She hated that the red-head had a seemingly honest response, and her focused blue eyes were looking for any hint of a lie that she could catch them on.  Kurou wished she could pick up this girl next to her and swing her around in a celebratory thanks. She almost expected the worst, something along the lines of "who the hell are you, don't touch me! etc, etc" which would have not only ruined her cover, but shown that she was actively trying to not be available to the blonde. Her name still escaped her... "Hmm. I see. Well, you two look very happy together," the blonde remarked through gritted teeth. She started to turn away, but before she did she got closer to the red-head. "Just be careful, happiness is fleeting. Before you know it, it's ready to stomp your heart to the ground and run away as if it never knew you at all." she said. With one last longing look to Kurou, she made her way to the other room. Kurou didn't know what to say. Her ex's dramatic exit probably said everything. She wasn't sure if the red-head would suddenly turn on her, or maybe even have her thrown out of the event. She was prepared for anything at this point. "Before you kill me, I just want to say thank you," Kurou swiftly removed her hand from the girl's hip and took a step back. "I'm sure you can tell... she isn't the most wonderful person to run into unprepared..." She rubbed the back of her neck and look away for a moment. "Is there any way I can make it up to you...?"

SHIN OF ADOX

You don't bring me flowers . . .

Reine almost wanted to laugh, seeing the change in the blonde girl’s expression following her little white lie. Her advice, while misguided, seemed sincere. But it was unfortunate that she couldn’t take it. After all, this Kurou girl didn’t know her at all, and vice versa. There was no happiness or love to be snuffed out, and the girl being naive to that fact made her seem pathetic. Reine might have felt bad if it weren’t for the alcohol in her system.

Fortunately, the art teacher managed to hold a straight face until the blonde girl took her leave, and she let her hands drop from Kurou’s shoulder when she pulled away. Boy would this explanation be interesting, she thought to herself with raised eyebrows, her body turning so she could face her pretend partner. Normally, she took it upon herself to pretend to be in a relationship with someone to avoid these types to situations, or at least planned for it ahead. It was quite unusual for someone to thrust her into such a position so suddenly. After all, who knew what type of person Kurou was? She wasn’t extremely close with anyone attending the party, but if word somehow got out that she was supposedly dating the girl, how would that look on her? The handsome stranger could have easily been a player, and it was starting to seem more likely with how she had random girls coming up to her with drama.

Hearing the word “thanks” come from the stranger forced her to sigh. There was no point in being upset about it, not that she ever really was. She just hoped girl wouldn’t return. Why she went along with it in the first place was a mystery that even she herself couldn’t solve, but since she was already in on it, she knew she would be forced to stick to this stranger’s side for the remainder of the night. And that didn’t seem too bad. After all, they both came alone and the only thing on her agenda was to get wasted, so Reine wouldn’t mind the company. Kurou seemed harmless enough, but she’d definitely have to keep her guard up, in case this was some kind of scam she pulled to get girls.

Reine eyed the stranger for a moment. “Hm… Usually I would make someone buy me drinks for this kind of favor… But alas, there’s no need for that at a house party...” She shifted her weight onto one leg with folded arms, her eyes remaining locked on Kurou’s. “... What do you have to offer?”

. . . anymore
Tags: Kurou Tanai || Notes: <3

(made by twitchums of gs)

Kurou mostly expected the pretty red-head to say something along the lines of "no, you've done enough," or some other type of expelling comment. After what was an almost embarrassing situation, it would have been easy for her to push Kurou away and that would be that. She would have only remained a tool in Kurou ploy to escape her ex-girlfriend, and they'd move on with their lives, never a lingering thought about each other again. But to her surprise, the girl showed a little attitude and asked what Kurou could offer. At the request a little smirk pulled the corner of her lips back and she tilted her head. "The usual - I'm sure - fancy cars, women, a lavish apartment to spend the night," she teased. A smile flashed her face before speaking again. "Or if none of that pleases you, I can take you out. Show you something new, hm? What does it take to impress you?" Along the last two sentences she leaned in closer towards Reine, resting her finger tips on the girl's upper arms and speaking a breathy tone into her ear.

SHIN OF ADOX

You don't bring me flowers . . .

Reine recoiled slightly upon feeling the stranger’s touch on her arm. This Kurou person was awfully bold in acting so flirtatious to someone she was practically indebted to, but she figured that as soon as she first laid eyes on her. Reine intended to keep up the act as Kurou’s pretend girlfriend for the remainder of the night, but only until the party ended. Talks of spending the night together were out of the question. However, something told her the stranger was pulling her leg, and she certainly was successful. The blonde girl from earlier was right to warn her, but now she was curious to know exactly what she had gotten herself into by associating with the other woman.

Even as a joke, who offered such thing as payment for a silly favor? Was she rich, possibly famous? The latter was unlikely, but the former wouldn’t be too much of a surprise with the area they were in. And Reine couldn’t help but wonder if there was possibly some truth in what she had to offer, but she quickly pushed that curiosity from her mind. Even asking the stranger about her sincerity might give the wrong impression. In no way was she interested in hopping in bed with her pretend girlfriend. Not sober at least.

The woman quirked an eyebrow, her expression a lot more timid than she imagined. “I don’t have a use for any of those things…” she responded coolly, although the stranger’s words had her on the verge of collapsing in her nervousness. The seductive act Kurou was pulling was a cheap way of teasing. But whatever. She’d play this game too. Reine let her arms fall from their folded position and leaned back in, lightly pinching the bottom of the flaps of Kurou’s jacket in between her fingers. “But… I suppose I’m easy to impress.” Perhaps she was speaking a bit too honestly.

. . . anymore
Tags: Kurou Tanai || Notes: <3

(made by twitchums of gs)

Kurou watched as Reine's fingers hardly grabbed onto the bottom of her suit jacket. The girl looked slightly nervous, but it was easy to tell she was interested. Or, maybe she would be if Kurou could impress her. But not every girl was the same, and it didn't seem her usual plays would be impressive. Maybe a little more effort and emotion had to be put in this time, since her looks and voice alone didn't melt her much. She stood silent for a moment while looking down at the red-head. She knew almost nothing about her, and her shy demeanor certainly wouldn't help.  "What brought you here, anyway?" Kurou asked, moving her fingers from the girl's upper arm to her bare shoulder. "I haven't seen you in Fukui before, is it holiday travel?" She asked, "Fukui is pretty small, yet I find there's many places that make it worth staying."  Her gaze moved from her eyes to her lips and back again. The red-head was just as pretty closer up.

SHIN OF ADOX

You don't bring me flowers . . .

The question the stranger followed with caught Reine off guard completely. She shuddered softly, her eyes fixed on the hand that moved to her shoulder, then let out a nervous laugh.

There were always two options in situations like this. She could either play into the assumption that she was just some foreigner, or she could be honest. Being too honest might leave her in a tight spot. She couldn’t just tell people that she worked at Fukui Academy, especially while out drinking. One slip up could lead to her losing her job, after all. The last thing she wanted was word to get back to her boss or her coworkers about her acting like a crazy lush and scuffing the school’s reputation. Feigning ignorance, on the other hand, usually proved to be quite fun. Normally, she’d opt for being vaguely honest, perhaps only revealing that she worked in the area, nothing more, but she was already pretty buzzed and in no condition to walk the tightrope of follow-up questions.

”A-ah, yeah… Holiday travel.” she blurted out. “Someone at a bar invited me.” Reine gazed off pensively and paused for a moment, thinking about her words. She hoped that didn’t make her seem easy. It was a lie, after all.

”But, um… What is there to do in Fukui? What do you like to do?” She looked back up at the stranger after quickly changing the subject.

. . . anymore
Tags: Kurou Tanai || Notes: <3

(made by twitchums of gs)

Her answer, although a little vague, was very much was Kurou expected to hear. Although, it reminded her that the woman was probably older than her, or at least not a student like herself. Her soft features wouldn't give away her age, so she'd have to guess that her ability to travel made her older than high school age. Ah well, Kurou thought, I've played grown up before.  "The bars and clubs around here are a little small... But worth seeing if you like such things," The blonde paused for a minute, trying to gather the things she did outside of school. She'd have to remember not to mention the school at all, or risk uncovering her age. "Everythings quite small... but very different from Tokyo and the south. We have regional baked goods and traditions that are pretty fun, I think." She tilted her head and smiled a little. "Plus, if you've never tried the hot springs while it snows, you're missing out. It's not like anything else." Her mind danced with the idea of inviting her to the hot springs, but let it go. She couldn't imagine the coy girl accepting. "If you'd like to see around before you leave, I'm sure I could find some free time," she laughed gently.

SHIN OF ADOX

You don't bring me flowers . . .

Reine blushed from the hot spring suggestion. She had lived in Japan many years now, and not just as a foreigner but as an adult living in modern society, hot springs were still a bit of a culture shock to her. She had gone several times before, all of the times with someone she already knew well enough to be familiar with their nude or semi-nude body, which made things less uncomfortable. But that never prevented the inevitable awkwardness of being around naked strangers. While most people kept to themselves out of politeness and etiquette, she could never avoid the occasional friendly old woman or wild child asking too many questions in too few items of clothing.

Reine tucked a strand of stray hair behind her ear and laughed nervously. ”A-ah. I’m more of a café and museum kind of girl, I guess.” She replied, unable to hide how flustered the hot springs idea made her. She could see in the stranger’s face how pleased she was with her suggestion, and admittedly, her own reaction was a bit funny since she was caught off guard once again.

“Buuut, whenever you’re willing to show me around, I’m more than willing to follow your lead.” She added, not wanting to sound like she was a stranger to fun. Reine had rarely been one to turn down a good time, as long as it was mostly safe and mostly legal.

”Oh! Uhm…” The redheaded woman then leaned in to the stranger and whispered, her voice only loud enough to be caught by the two of them. “I’m Reine, by the way.” It might have been awkward if people overheard the sudden introduction after the scene caused by the girl from before. They were supposed to be dating, after all. She smiled politely as she pulled away.

. . . anymore
Tags: Kurou Tanai || Notes: <3

(made by twitchums of gs)