[ 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. ]
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.
[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.
[ 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. ]
[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.]
[ 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.
[ 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 ]
[ 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. ]
[ 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.
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.]
[ 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. ]
[ Brigade keeps his eyes looking at the sky as he speaks ] Surprisingly, Ma'am, I do. Although, truthfully, I've never really been fond of sitting around and just talking. [ He recalls that day at the Golden Dawn office with An'yu-sama, when he was told by his sensei that maybe he should make time. ] Some people have told me that maybe I should learn to like it. Can't say I have. [ He remembers Baguio where he found himself running to and hermiting in Sagada to train. He'd just felt so trapped into being forced to stay at home, no matter how much he loved J and Kitty. ]
It's nice here, I admit. [ He looks back at Kasumi with pure honesty in his eyes. ] But I think only really like it because of these conversations with you.
[She lets surprise show on her features, and averts her gaze for a turn, as though it was both pleasant and embarrassing to hear such a thing from a man.]
I am glad that you have. One must be a good host in one's own home, yes?
[ It's so naturally done that it seems so real. So perfect, her reaction. It's impossible to tell whether she's being genuine or just courteous.
But patterns are things Brigade works with and he can't help but notice that it sounds so familiar. "One must be a good hostess, right?". Something she'd said the first day they drank. His eyes sag at the side even though he tries to smile. ]
I really do mean it, Ma'am. It's not flattery. [ Cause it really isn't ] Not trying to curry favor or get on your good side or anything from you. [ He turns his head away and looks to the ground on his side opposite of Kasumi. His brow furrows, thinking. ] I'm sorry. Maybe I'm doing something wrong.
[ For the first time since their first drink, he has this urge to just run. Not away. But just run. Do Brig things for the night; situations he knows he has general idea over? He doesn't want to. It just clicks somewhere in his stomach. He wants to stay. He's not sure if he's nervous, worried, or... well, he's not sure what he's feeling. ] I was thinking about you last night. I hadn't expected we were spending the night in Shin Yamatai. I was looking forward to drinking with you. [ He'd thought it was just going to be a daytrip. There was some disappointment when he'd found out it wasn't. ]
[Placing a hand now, on his wrist. It's meant to be a reassuring gesture, especially with how it's backed up by the look on her face, and her easy manner.]
As things stand, our conversations have been enjoyable... things that I look forward to myself. [Smiling a little.] They have reminded me that I really should take more breaks from work. Maybe it's a good reminder for the both of us. [Then, teasingly:] Even people like us look for companionship.
[ It's the first time she's made physical contact with him. He doesn't know whether to jolt his hand away. Kasumi's very different from Biscuit back in WWII. He fights the urge to pull his hand away. It would be rude. Like his thoughts of leaving awhile ago. ] I'm sorry, I'm just... I don't know. I just suddenly worried that I might just be a chore that you need to entertain. I don't really like being a nuisance to anyone.
[ Her hand's warm. Strong. Aside from J, K and his Blademates, Brigade hasn't really had physical contact with women except when it's a combat situation or they're an opponent in an engagement ] I'm glad to hear that I'm not[?], doing anything wrong, I mean.
[ Breaks are a foreign concept. It's all just wasted time which could have been used for something more productive ] You don't take breaks often either? I have to admit that Seigi's really been the first time I've really taken a break [ Aside from drinks. Those are normal for a soldier. ] and, well, found that I've been enjoying myself. [ I'm sure you have a list of people you can call when you feel the need for company, Ma'am. ]
I had to learn the merit of them, yes. The possibility of taking them also effectively disappeared during the Darkest Vigil.
[Pulling away now, apparently satisfied that she has quelled Brig's fears - or, at least, that is what she is showing for him.]
Drinking with you, though, has reminded me that I should take more time for myself. [Smiles.] So that is one good thing that you have done for me, for certain.
[ The Darkest Vigil. When he'd read up on it, it was just the shock of his life that he'd missed what could be considered WWIII. ] You were constantly on the field, Ma'am, like everybody else? Combat situations?
Well, I guess, I have to thank you, too. I haven't really enjoyed drinking like this. [ He thinks of drinking alone, or with teammates, or superiors, or someone he's fought with or against. J accompanies him these days when he drinks at home. But that's different.
Never casual drinking he actually sought after, with someone he'd just met. He admits to himself that the alcohol isn't really an issue; regardless of drinks, he'd be happy to join Kasumi in just randomly talking without a purpose. ] I've never really found myself looking for someone's company to share with no other purpose than to sit and talk. To waste time with. [ Cause there really is no purpose, no mission or goal, to his evenings with Kasumi. He just goes because he likes her company. It's not like his drinks with Hikaru which he spends because he sees them as Brotherly bonding, and trying to get through to his Brother on some things. ]
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THIS WOMAN -____-
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You didn't have to buy that.
[She knows how expensive it is. The Stormguard brew the drink personally.]
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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.
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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.
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[ 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. ]
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[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.
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[No, she wasn't going to tell him anything. Zangyaku was mostly an open book. The Whisperers were the one exception to the rule.]
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[Then, softly:]
There are only too many broken houses to fix, and only too many fires to put out.
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[ 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. ]
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[A light shrug as she's taking another drag from her pipe.]
Nevertheless, all things considered, it could be much worse.
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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.
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[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.]
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[ She seems so distant tonight. He feels concerned. ] Is there... anything bothering you tonight, Ma'am? Is there something wrong?
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[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.]
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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. ]
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You really like it here, don't you?
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It's nice here, I admit. [ He looks back at Kasumi with pure honesty in his eyes. ] But I think only really like it because of these conversations with you.
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I am glad that you have. One must be a good host in one's own home, yes?
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But patterns are things Brigade works with and he can't help but notice that it sounds so familiar. "One must be a good hostess, right?". Something she'd said the first day they drank. His eyes sag at the side even though he tries to smile. ]
I really do mean it, Ma'am. It's not flattery. [ Cause it really isn't ] Not trying to curry favor or get on your good side or anything from you. [ He turns his head away and looks to the ground on his side opposite of Kasumi. His brow furrows, thinking. ] I'm sorry. Maybe I'm doing something wrong.
[ For the first time since their first drink, he has this urge to just run. Not away. But just run. Do Brig things for the night; situations he knows he has general idea over? He doesn't want to. It just clicks somewhere in his stomach. He wants to stay. He's not sure if he's nervous, worried, or... well, he's not sure what he's feeling. ] I was thinking about you last night. I hadn't expected we were spending the night in Shin Yamatai. I was looking forward to drinking with you. [ He'd thought it was just going to be a daytrip. There was some disappointment when he'd found out it wasn't. ]
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[Placing a hand now, on his wrist. It's meant to be a reassuring gesture, especially with how it's backed up by the look on her face, and her easy manner.]
As things stand, our conversations have been enjoyable... things that I look forward to myself. [Smiling a little.] They have reminded me that I really should take more breaks from work. Maybe it's a good reminder for the both of us. [Then, teasingly:] Even people like us look for companionship.
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[ Her hand's warm. Strong. Aside from J, K and his Blademates, Brigade hasn't really had physical contact with women except when it's a combat situation or they're an opponent in an engagement ] I'm glad to hear that I'm not[?], doing anything wrong, I mean.
[ Breaks are a foreign concept. It's all just wasted time which could have been used for something more productive ] You don't take breaks often either? I have to admit that Seigi's really been the first time I've really taken a break [ Aside from drinks. Those are normal for a soldier. ] and, well, found that I've been enjoying myself. [ I'm sure you have a list of people you can call when you feel the need for company, Ma'am. ]
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[Pulling away now, apparently satisfied that she has quelled Brig's fears - or, at least, that is what she is showing for him.]
Drinking with you, though, has reminded me that I should take more time for myself. [Smiles.] So that is one good thing that you have done for me, for certain.
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Well, I guess, I have to thank you, too. I haven't really enjoyed drinking like this. [ He thinks of drinking alone, or with teammates, or superiors, or someone he's fought with or against. J accompanies him these days when he drinks at home. But that's different.
Never casual drinking he actually sought after, with someone he'd just met. He admits to himself that the alcohol isn't really an issue; regardless of drinks, he'd be happy to join Kasumi in just randomly talking without a purpose. ] I've never really found myself looking for someone's company to share with no other purpose than to sit and talk. To waste time with. [ Cause there really is no purpose, no mission or goal, to his evenings with Kasumi. He just goes because he likes her company. It's not like his drinks with Hikaru which he spends because he sees them as Brotherly bonding, and trying to get through to his Brother on some things. ]
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