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Post by Iyashii Hiroki on Apr 25, 2009 9:52:29 GMT -5
He released her hand and crooked an eyebrow. “If I recall correctly, my lady, it was you who would be rid of me.” Hiroki glanced around the room again, mostly as a reminder that now was neither the time nor the place for a repeat performance of what had happened that day in the shrine. Instead, he pulled out the now empty chair beside her and took a seat.
He turned to face her, his voice lowering. “Look, you of all people should know that I don’t do this often. But please, for tonight, can we meet in the middle and welcome the New Year together in peace?” His eyes met hers, and he began to feel as if he were drowning in a violet sea. He wanted to reach out, to hold her hand yet again. However as his mind swirled through a mix of emotions brought on only by her presence, he decided against it. Though he’d tried over the past few days, he still hadn’t gotten a full grasp on his powers and the last thing he needed to do was cause her to distrust him further. So for now, the only thing he had on his side was his honesty…though part his mind was screaming at him for using that as well. “I don’t expect you to forgive me for anything I have done in the past. I don’t expect anything of you at all. I just ask that we put these things aside for one evening.”
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Post by Hino Rei on Apr 25, 2009 13:52:58 GMT -5
She returned to her seat as he did, so that they could speak without the entire crowd looking on. Not that they weren't being given more than a few looks already--it was bound to happen, considering her position and the wall of suitors for them all outside.
Rei didn't want to admit how disappointed she'd been when he took his hand away. Instead she simply folded her hands on the table and considered what he was saying. At least he was being far more reasonable than he'd been a few days ago... and he was speaking sense. As surprised as she felt, the rest of her was reminded that he'd always been able to be serious when he'd had to be. He wasn't just an asshole.
As dangerous as it was to give in, even this tiny bit, Rei knew she was bending and couldn't find the will to fight it. Not tonight. "I suppose it... would be best.. for all involved." Rei replied after a moment, slowly attempting to keep the ends of her ruffled dignity together. She glanced up at him from where she'd been staring at her hands, "Alright. Truce."
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Post by Iyashii Hiroki on Apr 25, 2009 18:15:58 GMT -5
Hiroki nodded and grinned as Rei agreed to the ‘truce’ for the evening. He surprisingly felt more at ease now. No woman had ever gotten to him the way she could with a simple glance. If it were anyone else, they wouldn’t get the time of day. But she was so very different, and he loved that about her. He always had.
Re-learning things about someone you knew thousands of years ago was not an easy task. They’d just agreed to a truce, so now was not the time to ask lots of questions. It’d only annoy her, and that was not on his agenda for the evening. So what do you say to someone who doesn’t particularly care for you at the moment, but whom you shared many private things with in the past? He certainly couldn’t sit here and reminisce on times gone by, nor could he make plans for a future with her…not yet, at least.
So here he sat, in an awkward silence. Where the hell did his nerve go to? He’d waited all night for this, and now he was skating around all the things he wanted to say in order to keep from displeasing his lady. The sensible side kicked in again, and he did the one thing it told him to do. Speak the truth.
He took her hand in his again. “Rei, there are so many things I want to talk to you about. But I am willing to admit that now is not the time.” He stood again, still keeping a firm hold on her delicate hand. “Please save a dance for me.”
Reluctantly, he released her hand and turned to leave his lady in peace. ’Give it time Jade…give it time…
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Post by Hino Rei on Apr 25, 2009 19:39:31 GMT -5
And then he was leaving. All that talk about wanting to be around her that evening and he was leaving?! Rei felt her mouth drop open and knew she looked utterly ridiculous, but for a moment was powerless to do anything about it. He had asked her to save a dance.. but why he simply hadn't asked her to dance was beyond her.
Mouth snapping shut and wondering why she felt so... burnt, the woman couldn't even bring herself to stop him from leaving. She wanted to drag him off and talk to him, to leave this stupid room and know that her father wasn't going to corner her again. The next time that Usagi decided to throw a ball, Rei was going to claim it was against her religion.
She could leave, she knew. Slip out and pretend she had something to take care of... but she'd made a promise to Usagi to be here. She would have gone out into the gardens, but for their destroyed state and the chilling promise of winter cold. Perhaps the hot Kitchens.. but then she wouldn't be here to watch Usagi, and she'd get in the way of the staff.
Somehow that brought up a point which was beginning to bother Rei more and more. Usagi. Even now she could see the security detail at their posts around the room, and the ones moving through the crowd. This was probably the safest place in the world... but Rei also wondered how much the Senshi were even relied on anymore... or needed. The back of her mind poked her with knowledge of another time, back when the four of them was all it took.
God she needed a drink.
Looking up, the woman managed to catch sight of her father about to bear down upon her again. He looked grim--probably because he'd witnessed the little interaction she'd just had with her... ex-lover. Not that he would know the last part. Rather than have to be faced with him, Rei got to her feet and managed to weave through the crowd at a fast enough clip to catch Hiroki's arm.
Feeling somewhat a fool, and hating herself for it, Rei managed to babble: "I hate dancing. ... but I wouldn't be opposed to a talk."
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Post by Iyashii Hiroki on Apr 25, 2009 20:09:35 GMT -5
Hiroki held his head high and searched for Mamoru. It wasn’t long before he found him in a corner speaking with the Queen. He nodded to himself, knowing he was in a safe place and decided to help himself to a bite of food.
It was then that his arm was suddenly snatched and a firm yet angelic voice spoke to him. He’d been startled but suavely looked to the woman now holding on to him. “As you wish, my lady.” Glancing around the room, he noticed several pairs of eyes upon the two of them. One pair seemed to be a rather stern glare. He returned the glare with just as much ferocity as it had been received; neither knowing nor caring who it was that he was staring down. Hiroki decided enough was enough and this man did not deserve another second of his attention when he had a lovely woman holding firmly to his arm.
He looked down to Rei and smiled, but spoke firmly as well. “There are eyes and ears aplenty in our current locale. May I suggest a retreat to somewhere that we may be allowed to carry on conversation with some semblance of privacy?”
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Post by Hino Rei on Apr 25, 2009 20:25:14 GMT -5
Rei didn't know who he was glaring at and didn't turn to look. Instead she threaded her arm around his, as if all were well, and began to lead him away. "Privacy?" The priestess shook her head, "I doubt that. But a semblance, perhaps."
Their original table was behind them, but she noticed one stuck behind a column near the front of the room. Most people were ignoring it... probably because there was standing security so close by. Even innocent persons didn't care to be around them. She trusted Lucan's staff implicity, and Rei guided Hiroki towards it. "I think that's the best we're going to do." Besides.. still being in sight of the guests would help her to curb her tongue. She hoped.
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Post by Iyashii Hiroki on Apr 25, 2009 20:47:42 GMT -5
Hiroki nodded as Rei agreed to look for a quieter location. He followed her lead as she guided him to a table near the front of the room. Upon approaching said table, he lightly pulled his arm from Rei’s grasp in order to pull the chair out for her. He then seated himself beside her, but turned his chair slightly so that he could look directly at her, and to keep an eye on the rest of the room. While he greatly appreciated the opportunity to speak with his lady, he was still a Shitennou and needed to be able to react to protect his prince should the need arise.
Once he was satisfied with the view of the ballroom, he turned his attention back to Rei and grinned. “I am all ears, my lady.”
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Post by Hino Rei on May 10, 2009 18:25:17 GMT -5
Rei settled her elbows on the table and cupped her chin in her hands. Her eyes roamed the area around them, trying to keep from looking at Hiroki... But only succeeded in catching her father's eyes. He was pissed. She rolled hers and settled on staring at a spot on the table close to where Hiroki was sitting.
There aws silence for a few minutes and then she sighed faintly. "I have no idea what to say." Since they were being civil, and it wasn't something he wouldn't deduce for himself with a bit more information, she decided to tell the truth: "There are people at this... party... that I would rather avoid. But leaving isn't an option, even if Usagi understands how much I hate these things."
Which was a bit of an exaggeration, but at the moment she did really hate them.
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Post by Iyashii Hiroki on May 10, 2009 18:54:11 GMT -5
Hiroki leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes scanning the room once again, always searching for his liege. Seeing that he was still in the same place he’d last seen him, his gaze fell once again upon Rei.
He listened intently, though she didn’t have much to say, and cringed internally at the mention of avoiding some people. “I’m sure I was…still am…one of those people.” It took a bit of restraint to keep from smacking himself over that stupid remark. ‘Oh way to go R-tard. Let’s just make the situation worse…’
“Look, to be honest, I wasn’t exactly looking forward to this evening either. I hate things like this. Rubbing elbows with the high and mighty. Just isn’t my cup of tea.” Hiroki sat forward in his chair, leaning against the table. “But now that I’m here, now that I’ve been reunited with one of my brothers, now that I have the opportunity to sit here and speak with you…” He lightly pulled one of her hands away from her chin and held it in his own, “I wouldn’t trade this moment for anything in the world.”
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Post by Hino Rei on May 10, 2009 19:05:56 GMT -5
Rei merely snorted at his first comment. It was true, so she wouldn't deny it... When he continued, at fisrt she nodded along and then took her hand. The woman blinked at him, caught more than a little off guard. Now he was all charm and silky sweet? The girl in her, whom had long since been swayed by Minako and Usagi, wanted to swoon and melt. The woman she was had to fight to keep from rolling her eyes.
She sighed, instead, and let him keep her hand against her own inclinations. "I would trade it for a quiet conversation in a bar room on the ass-end of the universe, personally, but if you like being stared at and gossiped about, then that's wonderful for you. I guarantee you there will be rumors flying tomorrow morning that would make a porn star blush."
Rei caught his eyes finally and frowned. "I know you're trying to be cute or.. sweet and.. you might actually even mean it. Unfortunately I've heard that exact line, and others like it, from too many men who didn't and don't know a thing about me. A good lot of which are all at this party and sizing you up I might add." Realizing how that sounded, Rei winced and covered her face with her free hand. The one still being held by his, squeezed about his fingers.
"... I was a noble in the last life, and somehow managed to be one again in this," She tried to explain, "My father has been trying to make arrangements for me for years. Please. Just treat me like... a friend."
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Post by Iyashii Hiroki on May 15, 2009 7:14:38 GMT -5
Hiroki narrowed his eyes at the remark of enjoying being stared at and gossiped about. ’Story of my life, sister…’ He lowered his voice, yet still maintained enough composure to keep from growling at the woman beside him. “I am more appreciative of the fact that we are sitting beside each other carrying on civilized conversation… and would like to continue to do so, despite what others may think or say. I hate to break it to you, princess, but people talk no matter who you are.”
He scoffed at the remark that she thought he was being cute. “I’m not entirely sure what you think I’m trying to get at here, but I can assure you I have nothing but the most honorable intentions.” Hiroki sighed and ran his fingers through his hair with his free hand, but stopped and looked down as Rei squeezed the hand she held.
Feeling somewhat saddened at first at her wish to only be friends, it lightened as he was reminded that friendship was at least a step in a positive direction. Definitely better than screaming at each other again. He squeezed her hand lightly in return. “I will be your friend, Rei. But that does not mean I will not treat you with the dignity and respect a lady deserves.”
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Post by Hino Rei on May 18, 2009 23:56:43 GMT -5
"I know you do," Rei shot back, in defense of his intentions. She couldn't help but bristle--he always brought out the worst in her. Schooling herself, the Priestess shook her head and forced her shoulders to relax. "I just meant--"
Shaking her head, Rei leaned forward to rest her chin upon the backs of her hands. "It doesn't matter what I meant. ... there's a lot of things that don't matter, these days, and so many that should."
The woman frowned and snorted at herself. "I might as well have been drinking, I certainly sound like it."
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