He talks like a gentleman, like you imagined when you were young (closed, in progress)

[spiaconcioccie]

WHO: Izumo-no-Okuni (spiaconcioccie) and Giuseppe Adama (l-giuseppeadama
WHAT: A friendly (??) walk and talk
WHERE: The beach
WHEN: Afternoon, December 26

Comments

[l_giuseppeadama]

So she had no need for the extravagant. That did have it's place. It often made sense if one could be satisfied with comfortable to not push for more. He had the resources to do either, but other than the indulgence of taking a larger room at most places he stayed rarely exercised it. His party was the one other contradictory example that he allowed himself and this one had been rather quiet in comparison to past excesses.

When he'd turned her toward him and eventually noticed her eyes widen he had looked away shyly. After she answered his question he looked up at her again. "Did I offend?" he said his voice quiet. He still felt the urge to reach out and touch her cheek with the other hand. Something about her answer spoke of a pain such as his was. It had been so long though. Maybe he was misinterpreting her reaction. To touch her further would probably be unwelcome in any case.

"He was obviously very important to you." That much was clear. To ask her why though, that would most likely be a gaffe similar to his touch. So instead he said, "Where and when did you last see him?"

[spiaconcioccie]

Her reaction had been surprise more than real pain. That had been dulled over the years, but people rarely seemed sincerely interested in her as a person. And Okuni had turned the last one who did over to his death. She didn't know if she was capable of doing the same thing again, if circumstances repeated themselves completely.

"You did nothing wrong. I wasn't expecting a personal question or the touch, that's all." The look on her face was normal again, the traces of hurt back under her working face and tone. Okuni didn't pull her hand back, to show that it really didn't bother her.

She thought for a moment. "When I ran into him last, he was passing himself off as an herbal healer in Rome, probably looking for the next conflict to get himself involved in. The side he chose would have won, given his skills in combat."

[l_giuseppeadama]

He allowed the smile to return to his face when she told him he'd done nothing wrong. Noticing she didn't pull her hand away he let one of his fall so that they could continue to walk hand in hand. He wasn't sure if it made sense but right now it felt right. That scared him a bit.

An herbal healer with combat skills now there was a potential contradiction. "So was he a mercenary then perhaps? Not an easy type to be involved with I wouldn't think." He realized that perhaps what he was asking now might be much too personal, but if she answered he'd add it to his information all the same.

"Yet he apparently was good at what he did which probably meant he didn't care as much about you as you seem to about him. Otherwise he could have done everything in his power to keep you around in any case." He wondered if he had finally said too much and potentially hurt her feelings or even more.

[spiaconcioccie]

She didn't mind still holding onto Gipo's hand as they walked. If nothing else, he would be happier to get the contact he wanted and happy men usually wanted to enjoy her company again; this wasn't business, but her mind still treated it as such out of habit.

"I suppose he could be considered that." One with two very different personalities, but still a mercenary. His next words, though, made her visibly flinch. Okuni knew it was true, of course. If he really cared for her at all, he would have come back to town long ago or at least not totally abandoned her, but she still cared and would still try to prove to him, somehow, that she wasn't useless and she was worth his attention. "Eventually, I'll be able to do something useful for him and he'll understand my devotion." The words came out fast and upset.

[l_giuseppeadama]

Her flinch confirmed for him that his words had gone too far. What she said after that...the woman was clearly in love and terribly hurt. As much as he hoped she could do what she wanted he wondered if she would ever get the opportunity. It was not something he would even begin to say though. He'd hurt her enough this evening.

After they'd walked in silence for a good deal longer he turned to her again, "You're probably getting cold again, is there somewhere else you'd like to go? Maybe somewhere we could get a good cup of coffee, you can tell me what you like to do when you're not working."

[spiaconcioccie]

The silence gave her time to cool her head. He hadn't meant to hurt her with his words, Okuni knew that, but that didn't change that he'd read the situation entirely too right. Gipo was more perceptive, and thus more of a danger to try and toy with, than she'd initially thought.

"Coffee would be nice. There are a few small places nearby better than the chain that seems to be taking over." When she wasn't working, Okuni's interests weren't all that interesting, or so she'd insist to most people.

[l_giuseppeadama]

"You chose then, you're the lifelong resident right?" He chuckled lightly, he needed to change the mood. "But you have to tell me why you've chosen the place we go to. What makes it the best choice tonight?"