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Post by Shibatsu Eito on Jan 15, 2018 11:44:07 GMT -5
Eito sits in the car he had ordered, a single red rose made of what looks like glass in his hand and wearing a very fine suit as he waits for Umeko to join him. He sent her a text and invitation and arranged for a private room in the restaurant which he had learned was run by a former Mantis so he hoped they would be able to get the food of her homeland right. The Spider was dressed to the nines and looking sharp as he texted his presence from inside the black car he had chartered to drive them. Waiting till he could see the Ronin before getting out to open the door for her.
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Umeko
Ronin/Other
Posts: 295 Likes: 0 
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Post by Umeko on Jan 16, 2018 10:38:04 GMT -5
Umeko nervously tugged on the hem of her dress as she stared at herself in the mirror. It wasn't TOO bad, she thought. She was grateful she still fit in the dress. And that she had a full period after lunch to find the damn thing, and then make some attempt at putting make up on. It had been years since she had any reason to, after all. The gardener barely ever wore any make up. It wasn't that she hated it, but more that it simply was impractical. Unless a courtier whose job was to look good and who would have to compete with their fellow, HER job was to get elbow deep in the dirt and toil the ground. Hardly something you want to do with a face-full of powders. Still, she hadn't used much. Especially because she never used any, it didn't take much for it to be obvious when she did. A light touch of it to cover her scars, and some around her eyes. She frowned as she stared at her reflection, running a finger along her lips. Would lipstick be too much? She would forget that she was wearing any and smudge it everywhere, probably... Plus, it might look like she was begging for a kiss. Her cheeks turned red at the thought. Heavens, the man wasn't even here yet and he was making her blush! She groaned, deciding against the lipstick. A quick glance toward the clock told her it was almost time. Gathering her courage, she rose, hands moving to smooth any wrinkle in the dress. The woman picked up her handbag, and with one last glance at herself headed outside, toward the parking lot. The walk was short, thankfully. The sun her decided to peek out, and it was warmer then the day before. She spotted the car easily, smiling when Eito stepped out of it. With a slightly exaggerated flourish, she bowed to the man. "I hope this is to your standards." She spoke softly, glancing up at him. She wore a long sleeved dress, which was more traditional of the old Mantis style then of any other clan. It had a different cut then the usual kimono, with a much simpler obi. The top part was flowery, and gave the illusion that she almost had a full bust, though closer inspection would reveal it to be mostly a trick of the folds, and the bottom part was a long, dark green skirt. She wore an elbow-length white silk glove on her left arm, which hid away her hand as always, though her right hand was visible. |
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Post by Shibatsu Eito on Jan 16, 2018 11:26:11 GMT -5
Eito is waiting there outside the door, his smile widening as he spots her and gives an exaggerated bow as well. "Far surpasses them, were you to stand in a garden filled with the most beautiful of flowers I would never be able to find you." he offers gently. Getting the flattery out of the way early. He offers her the flower with a bow. "I would never think to challenge your expertise so I decided to give you a gift of mine. It's a sugarspun sculpture infused with rose flavor. I hope you enjoy."
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Umeko
Ronin/Other
Posts: 295 Likes: 0
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Post by Umeko on Jan 16, 2018 12:38:30 GMT -5
The gardener smiled at him, reaching for the candy before freezing, staring at what was almost a perfect representation of a red rose. A RED rose. Oh kami. She felt the color drain from her face, looking back up in disbelief. There was no way the man didn't know what the flower usually stood for.
She hesitated visibly, unsure what it would mean if she actually accepted the gift. She silently prayed he meant it more in the passion or beauty sense the the more usual 'I love you' meaning, before accepting it with a bow of her head. "The craftsmanship is absolutely exceptional, Eito-san... Did you make it yourself?"
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Post by Shibatsu Eito on Jan 16, 2018 12:42:02 GMT -5
"I wish I could say that I did. I am a courtier not an artisan. I had it made for me by those who work for me. I ask that you forgive me but nothing I could make myself would make a suitable gift." he says with a bow of his head. "We can do the refusals if you want but honestly, I save that for the more traditional folks. I wanted you to simply know that I found you beautiful and give you something you can taste to remind you of that."
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Umeko
Ronin/Other
Posts: 295 Likes: 0
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Post by Umeko on Jan 16, 2018 13:21:42 GMT -5
She relaxed slightly at his words, chuckling. "Well, I have to admit I find the tradition a bit of chore." Umeko carefully took the flowers between her finger, admiring it with obvious awe. "Thank you, Eito-san." Her cheeks took on a pink tint, and she glanced toward the car, then back at him. "Shall we?"
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Post by Shibatsu Eito on Jan 16, 2018 13:29:12 GMT -5
Eito nods and walks over, opening the car door for her before he walks around to get inside himself, giving her that same self assured smile. "Alright driver. Lets go." he offers with a nod which leads to the partition being raised. Total privacy. "I have to get your honest opinion on how you want this night to go. I could use flowery words and courtly glances which I know get you all a flutter and rile you up and will give you an excuse to act in certain manners. Or I can try to restrain myself and we can try get to know each other more casually and understand each other and you can be as blunt and rough as you want. Either way I want you to enjoy the evening."
He reaches into a compartment of the car and pulls out a mantis green fan, setting it between them in case she needs it. "I am under no illusion I have the upper hand with words. It's what I was trained for all my life. Just like if we got into a physical altercation you would snap me like a twig. I just don't want you to think I am being unfair."
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Umeko
Ronin/Other
Posts: 295 Likes: 0
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Post by Umeko on Jan 16, 2018 14:30:20 GMT -5
She shot him a suprised look, tilting her head slightly. "I wouldn't believe it unfair of you to use your own knowledge and training in a situation that makes use of them." She said, before smiling sheepishly. "Though, obviously, it is quite clear you have the upper hand, as you pointed out. If you give me a choice, I would probably enjoy the evening more if it were casual. I know of you, Eito-san, through my own research of potential allies, but so far what I have seen is very different then what I expected."
She bowed her head, glancing at him through her lashes. "Would you do me the honor of getting to know the real you?"
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Post by Shibatsu Eito on Jan 16, 2018 14:35:23 GMT -5
Eito gives her a small nod. "Really? Different how i'm curious. And of course. So you will get the real me, who I will warn is still very much of a flirt but not as aggressive." he says with a relaxed tone. "I like having the upper hand, but I also am no scheming sneak who wants to just charm my way into an advantageous position or your bed. Not that I would mind visiting either though." he adds. His posture is relaxed, almost casual as he glances at her with still a small hint of admiration. "So what do you want to know?"
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Umeko
Ronin/Other
Posts: 295 Likes: 0
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Post by Umeko on Jan 16, 2018 15:05:00 GMT -5
She relaxed as well, this time rolling her eyes playfully at the getting in her bed bard. Umeko shrugged, tapping her finger on her chin as she thought. "Well, I of course expected you to be charming, as someone of your wealth would be. But I admit I didn't think you would be this... I'm sorry, I mean no offence by this, but honest." She glanced at him with an amused smile. "I have read about you in a few articles, and I know you started off with very little. I thought someone that had managed to make so much for himself would be a lot more.. Shrewd, and rude with those under you."
She leaned back against the seat, glancing up with a thoughtful expression. "I have been without a clan for most of my life, now. I can see it in people's eyes, most of the time... Sometimes it's pity, most of the time it's some form of disgust. Like I shouldn't be allowed to share the air they breathe. I've been confused for a servant more time then I can count." Her honeyed gaze fell back on him, a genuinely warm smile on her lips. "There is none of that with you. Or if they is, then I must bow to your amazing skills at covering it, because I never saw a flicker of it."
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