001. every reunion is a type of heaven // open post.

[kawaakari]

Take a prompt, take your time, post whatever you like.

Comments

just as planned. =w=

[kawaakari]

[Kasumi, on the other hand, seems perfectly at ease with the fact that there is a man in her office while she is changing.

The armor is draped over the screen. The kimono disappears. The shadow, in the meantime, is bending low, as she slips on a new set of underwear, a different bra.]

Did you enjoy Shin Yamatai?

[Because she wants to keep his attention focused on her.]

not quite.:))

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brigade is absolutely oblivious to what the woman is doing. He's not the type to take advantage of a situation. He's just smoking his cigarette at the patio, looking out at the garden and, yet again, the stars. She had such a great view here ]

Yes, I do believe I did. [ He thinks of all the things that had happened in the past day and half. The conversations, the sights. ] It was enlightening, in so many ways. Although I'm sure Taning is still dreaming of his own set of Stormguard armor.

well. you're here, aren't you, Brig? :3

[kawaakari]

That's good.

[Well, at least he has some manners. She's stepping out now, as she's undoing the clasps and pins in her hair, letting it loose.

The kimono (cherry blossom pink, with fine embroidered work of swallowtails and songbirds) she is wearing is loose yet again, and hangs just barely on her shoulders. The opening up front is wide, revealing the fact that she is wearing nothing but black bindings underneath. It's long, but the lower slit goes all the way up her leg.

Smiling now, as approaches Brigade.]

Their armor is rather impressive.

doh!

[atlas_shrugged]

[ He already expects her to be stunning, and already expects his expressions to give him away. He could have opted to lock his face into a certain expression with Autonomic Control before walking in here again.

But he doesn't really see the point. He's not playing any games. Just here to enjoy her company ]

Makes me wonder if they let Prometheans into the Stormguard. [ Brigade passes his phone, it's open on a picture of him, Taning and Brianna wearing the Stormguard armor ] It's not really my style but I have to admit it'd go well with my Demon Mask.

[ Goddamn she's pretty. He keeps his eyes locked above her neck though, never straying downward. He's also gotten used to the fact that when she dresses down, she dresses down ] That and I don't think I could get used to the Storm Queen constantly reading my mind. [ He makes a mental note to find mental shields in the Vice Armory or a way to block his mind with transmutations ]

[kawaakari]

[Looking down at the picture with open amusement. She makes sure, though, to have her gaze linger on him.]

As things stand, a man like yourself will, no doubt, find Shin Yamatai rather boring. The real fight lies beyond its shores.

WHAT IS THIS BAIT YOU HAVE DANGLED!?? WHAT IS THIS FIGHTEY-FIGHTEY!

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brigade looks at her face, then her eyes. This woman. ] I actually found it really nice, Ma'am. [ He wasn't lying ] Particularly the Shinta home.

[ But the words "real fight", as expected, pique his interest ] "Real fight", Ma'am?

LOL

[kawaakari]

[Now she'll just send you one last smile from over her shoulder as she's moving away, towards their usual spot outside.]

Shall we?

THIS WOMAN -____-

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brigade lets out a sigh and picks up the unopened bottles and the prepared cups. He follows her and re-sets the arrangement. He pops open the bottle and pours Arashi Sake into both cups, just like she'd taught him the two previous nights they drank. He waits for her to continue, taking a sip of the sake. Damn, it's good. ]

[kawaakari]

[Looking on with approval and just a tinge of (practiced) excitement as she takes her seat.]

You didn't have to buy that.

[She knows how expensive it is. The Stormguard brew the drink personally.]

[atlas_shrugged]

It was a want, really. Not a need. [ Brig never really purchased anything for himself in the past. There was just never enough money. He gave everything to M, then to M and J, then to J, and then to J and K. He could do without any little pleasures. He was happy that they had everything they needed. ]

But things have been looking up recently. I've found that... well [ He pauses and has a half-smile ] since I joined Netsach, and now Methuselah and Zangyaku, I'm actually allowed to spend on a bit of luxury for myself. [ It's a nice feeling. ]

[ He takes a drag from his cigarette and blows out the smoke, before he glances her way ] And I thought it would be nice to share some with you. [ He glances away, his head tilted to one side. ] It's the best sake I've tasted so far, and even my relatively untrained tongue can tell that.

[kawaakari]

[Putting on a pleased smile, and ducking her gaze, just so. Pushing the hair back from one ear as well. Typical signs of embarrassment, of a woman surprised and touched by a kind gesture of someone whom they may be intrigued by.]

Thank you. It is one of my favorite brands of sake. I rarely get to go to Shin Yamatai and purchase it for myself, so I truly appreciate this.

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brigade smiles at her ] I'm sorry, I guess I should've bought more, for the next few nights. [ He's thinking of ways to purchase more for the rest of the stay in Seigi. So far, he's thinking of just going around the city to find if any stores carry the stuff, even under the counter ] If I'd known I'd have gotten more.

[ He glances away and takes a drag of his cigarette. Well, at least tonight he's done something more than be a bother to her with his presence ] Busy schedule? Or... busy schedule? [ He laughs softly, remembering the files on her desk the first night. And tonight her taking off of her armor when he arrived. She must've been on a sortie. ]

[kawaakari]

The latter.

[Shifting about, to sit with one leg drawn up and her back against the wooden pillar behind her. Pulling her pipe out of her sleeve, along with the pack of tobacco and cloves that she wishes to pack into it.]

Someone that required my personal touch.

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brigade looks at her, trying to read her mood ] May I ask what happened tonight? What your mission was? [ He remembers she is the Lady of the Night ] If it's not classified. Or if it is, I promise to keep it classified.

[kawaakari]

I prefer not to spoil my drink with talk of work, Brig-san.

[No, she wasn't going to tell him anything. Zangyaku was mostly an open book. The Whisperers were the one exception to the rule.]

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brig nods his head in acquiescence ] Apologies. [ He takes a sip of his sake ] So the "real fight" you mentioned earlier, is it work related to? Cause if it is, let's talk about something else. [ He smiles ]

[kawaakari]

It's simple, really. We are barely three years into peace time. It has been hard on everyone, friends and enemies alike.

[Then, softly:]

There are only too many broken houses to fix, and only too many fires to put out.

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brigade measures the meaning behind the words ] There's some unrest and lingering ill-feelings in Shin Yamatai?

[ Brig has never known peace time. He fights for it, always has, but has never been one to enjoy it. Only recently in his new Conspiracies has he found semblance of it. ] War is ever-present on all types of battlefronts. [ Brig knows he hasn't been trying to control his expressions since he first felt relaxed speaking to Kasumi on their first night. He hasn't bothered keeping his guard up. ]

[kawaakari]

Shin Yamatai is as peaceful as it could possibly be. Many other places are not.

[A light shrug as she's taking another drag from her pipe.]

Nevertheless, all things considered, it could be much worse.

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brigade thinks of Task Force: VALKYRIE and the United States. He thinks of the other areas of unrest. He thinks of Russia and Grendal ] Yeah, the world's got a long way to go, and it's been fifty years from the Darkest Vigil.

I'm glad though, that I can be of help to the bigger picture now. Hopefully I'll get clearance to help with Grendal as well after my work on Task Force: VALKYRIE.

[ He empties his cup and pours another ] I've read enough, Ma'am, to know you're very right on that point.

[kawaakari]

I would like to think that I am good at my job, yes.

[And good at keeping a close eye on the movements of her (former) son. Hikaru Shinta was a brilliant man, and a few steps away from being a god in his own right. People like him saw things, even before they understood what they were.]

[atlas_shrugged]

I don't think anyone doubts that, Ma'am. Your reputation precedes you as silently as your title.

[ She seems so distant tonight. He feels concerned. ] Is there... anything bothering you tonight, Ma'am? Is there something wrong?

[kawaakari]

I'm just a little tired. Don't worry, I'll be better soon enough.

[Smiling. If for anything, it's the truth. As exciting as the engagement was, it had been a challenge for the likes of her.

She wouldn't have it any other way, though. Rare are the times that she gets to go out on the field.]

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brigade tries to smiles at that, although the concern doesn't leave his face. He opts not to speak for a while. She'll speak again when she's ready. If not, then he'll be content to just drink in the quiet of the evening with her. It must have been something pretty heavy to tire someone of her caliber.

He really does hope she's okay.

Brig lights up a new cigarette after taking a sip of sake, leans back on both hands and looks up at the night sky. This spot of her's really is very calming. ]

[kawaakari]

[Watching him, letting her amusement join a perfectly crafted look of pleasure and pride on her face.]

You really like it here, don't you?