Castle of Loch Ness

[Apollymi]

"Yes, they are a bit more like dumplings. Just flour and egg pastry wrapped around a bit of meat, then boiled or fried. But... the internal texture of meat is quite similar. So I like it..." she explained of her own culinary understanding. It seemed that Arthur was indeed very interested in cooking. She wondered if food was enough to get his mind wandering away from how crappy life in this world could be and back towards its potential benefits. What was more he seemed to be very interested in Guinevere's original nationality and life. She was a bit surprised by this interest, but she'd still very easily answer his questions. "Yes, traveling and seeing the world is easier while you're a student. Besides, it does wonders for ones world view to meet new people, or at least that is the major selling point of study abroad programs," she explained of her random traveling to the UK. "Well, aside from the ability to practice one's English on native English speakers..." she mentioned with a quick turn of her head. As for what she was studying she could only smile thinking about it. "I was a history and literature double major," she said. "Did you not have study abroad in Japan?" she asked, it seemed curious that he wouldn't have at least known about it as a possibility. Whatever the case, talking about things which were less worldly was good for both of them.

[Bloodedge]

Yes, something like dumplings; those could be very useful. Topping a rice bowl or filling a soup would perhaps work then, or maybe they could be thrown into a salad of some sort. Arthur was actually having a difficult time avoiding thoughts of cooking; it was just such a perfect method of satisfying the masses, as it always had been in his experience. Consideration passed quickly yet again, and in the meantime, Arthur learned exactly why Guinevere had been studying abroad. History and literature were an interesting combination of things, he supposed. She did previously mention being one to take an interest in history, so both of her majors were quite fitting with her obvious preferences. "Not just for a career then, huh?" he spoke appreciatively. As for whether Japan offered such a luxury, well, the situation around Arthur himself had been a bit too... specific for such allowances. "It's always possible. Not for me, though. I learned from home until high school, and I only went there so I could be adjusted to normal teen life. My family has always been in a sort of... weird situation, to say the least."

[Apollymi]

Arthur was doing pretty good at this lighthearted conversation thing. That was a bit of a relief. As Guinevere finished another rice ball, her studies and ventures were commented upon. He seemed to appreciate that she didn't leave her home country just looking for a career or something like that. "No, not just for a career. To be fair, there are like 3 grand active libraries in the UK and I was using my study abroad as an excuse to visit them all. There is also the quick and easy transport all across the the mainland of Europe, especially given my part-time work. Between libraries and museums I was hoping to figure out what my calling would actually be. And hoping to have learned enough of whatever language was necessary by the time I found a place I fell in love with," she explained the desires of her old life without much thought. When she'd last spoken of such things... it'd been to Nerys when she was much smaller than she was now. Nerys for all of her good qualities mentioned that such dreams were still possible if she had the will to make them happen, but also mentioned the virtues of trying out a new kind of life however Guinevere saw fit. Hm, conversations like this put Nerys into a different light. No longer the angry teen oppressed Guinevere found herself wondering if Nerys had ever actually been as bad as she seemed those last five years. She hadn't actually had much contact with her that didn't involve spiteful glares and angry teen nonsense. She regretted not thinking a bit more rationally.

Oh, right conversation. Arthur claimed that travel and study were possible in his home country, but explained a bit of complication around his personal situation. Apparently, home schooled until he was in high school, only then got adjusted to normal teen life. Actually, that kind of combination could lead to a whirlwind of social issues thinking about it logically. Guinevere had run into a few massively homeschooled kids in her life and they all had kind of weird relationships with their families. She could now, more fully understand the plight of Arthur and his siblings. "I see. Specific family obligations are always strange when you meet people who have been part of such things. I knew a couple of kids like that growing up... the first time. I sort of became a kid like that the second time, so I understand. At least you didn't end up one of those people with no personality at all~" she mused as if it was fine.

[Bloodedge]

Of all the reasons Guinevere could've offered for why she'd gone abroad to study, having an excuse to enter a few libraries was hardly on the list of Arthur's assumptions. It was strangely innocent, and frankly laughable, though not at all in judgement of the decision. "Interesting path. I considered going to university or culinary school to be better at my potential job, until I was actually hired for one. For a while, I thought I would have to do just that," he commented. Ah, the path he would have taken, had one Ashikaga Tokiomi not called upon him one day. The young Hoshimi Kei had much to be grateful for, as far as opportunities were concerned. Now, here he was, sharing the most random experience that he would one day view in hindsight as yet another thing to be thankful for. "You worked part-time? What sort of part-time job could cover you studying abroad?" he wondered.

True enough, familial obligations were strange... though Arthur felt his were a bit more unorthodox than most. The Hoshimi family was none too conspicuous in their dealings, and given what they did as a whole, becoming someone with 'no personality' as Guinevere put it, wouldn't have been so strange at all. Actually, Arthur was surprised none of his immediate relatives, bar one of his parents, turned out that way. Oh, if only he knew. "I could've been a shell, you know? I spent most of my life being indirectly taught murder and espionage, and then I, an absolute weirdo, was thrown into the life of normal teens for three years. I almost shut down completely in the first term."

[Apollymi]

It seemed that Arthur in his former life had considered more schooling than he ended up needing. That was interesting, "A job that you thought learning to cook for would have prepared you better for?" she questioned only slightly curious. How strange this lad's life must have been. He was basically homeschooled, some kind of weird family obligation, and then a sudden full-time job? He didn't look like he was much older than her. Ah, now about her finances, she'd slipped up though huh? She supposed since she had him talking it was far from the worst time to reveal what her prior employment entailed. "Well, the trip itself was covered by my parents, but spending money and the like I had to pay for myself... besides like money to eat and whatnot," she said it seemed like a pretty fair deal to her. Beyond this, Arthur explained his family situation a bit more, it seemed he'd turned out a bit closer to normal than maybe his older sister, but that was a thought for another time. Since he'd given her enough consideration to explain such a thing she'd make sure she gave an explanation of her own. "For a second I thought you were about to explain that your family is like KGB. I can understand why high school was a culture shock... homeschooled kids without that kind of pressure often break down from the sudden influx of social interaction," she said knowing from experience with such people. Ah, it was her turn now wasn't it?

"I'll tell you what my job was, but you have to promise not to laugh okay? Because it's probably pretty weird..." she explained. What was this? Guinevere was blushing and glad right at the moment that she wasn't facing Arthur at all. "Alright, so and I can't stress enough that it isn't as bad as it sounds... I was a kiss-o-gram. Like a person who delivers, letters and congratulatory statements. But like dressed up in costumes, for laughs and jokes you know? Like, showing up as the lost Tsarina, tiara and all. Or scaring some guy by showing up dressed like a police officer. Or a foreign exchange student, uniform and all congratulating some guy on his promotion at work, paid for by his coworkers? Give a letter, a smile, take a few pictures... that sort of thing..." she said. Oh gods, even explaining such a job was absolutely embarrassing. She knew now why Nerys had laughed so hard. Strangely her face was beet red and she was now resting her head against her knees. There was nothing wrong with the job, but it definitely wasn't the sort of thing an absolute bookworm like herself normally chose as work, but it paid well and wasn't terrible. Plus she was delivering good news so... like that was good right.

[Bloodedge]

"Well, yes. My job requires all kinds of skills, and cooking is one of the most important ones. That's why I've become so passionate about cooking; I had to dedicate a lot of time to it, beyond the fact that I did most of the cooking back home," he explained before biting into another rice ball. As he chewed, he gained understanding of how Guinevere managed her trip to the United Kingdom. Her job was merely for spending money, apparently, so it seemed she had a very lovely setup overall. As for the culture shock he experienced, well... her initial assumption was more accurate than she clearly believed. So then, why not? Why shouldn't Arthur be forthright about it; it wasn't like they were even in that old world, or anywhere near one another even if they were to return. "Uh─" he interjected, thinking it best to make the point clear quickly. "My family has always been part of a uh... special subdivision of Naichou. I'm pretty sure that's the same as your KGB. Though, my fear of getting a job was because of that organization. When the last Prime Minister died, nobody would give us the time of day."

Guinevere's job in her former life was one worth addressing with a certain amount of care, it seemed. She claimed it was weird somehow, and that she wanted him to avoid laughing. Oh... so this was going to be something incredibly hilarious, obviously. Whatever a kiss-o-gram was, he could find hilarious by the name alone. It didn't sound so terrible after a bit of explanation, but he couldn't imagine someone not being the butt of many jokes for having such a job. He laughed; why wouldn't he? She was like a celebrity guest, but merely someone in costume for looks! Now, Arthur did try his damnedest not to laugh, but it was squeaking its way through his nose despite great effort. "Sorry... sorry, I─" he started. "So you worked as eye-candy? Why call it a kiss-o-gram? Did you have to kiss people?"

[Apollymi]

According to Arthur his job required lots of skills not including cooking. But apparently his love of that extended to home, and she could have come to a bit of a conclusion to that effect by herself. A grin crossed her face knowing this, finding me who liked to cook was rather rare where she was from, it was quite good to know. Whatever the case, he felt the need to interrupt, to explain that her slightly joking jab about the KGB was a bit more accurate than she would have thought. "REALLY?!" she exclaimed seemingly surprised. "Oops, sorry. It's just... that's pretty surprising. You are amazingly normal considering you have been raised as basically an agent of the government," she said with approval in her voice. She was always happy when people could overcome things like that. It was a shame though, that he'd initially had a hard time getting a job. "Well, things like that do tend to put a damper on things, it's not really fair you guys got shut out because of something like that. But it's good you were able to find some work for yourself that you could use your countless skills on~" she mused as if pleased by this.

Alright they were moving on, moving on to something terrible. There was so much heat in Guinevere's face she could hardly control herself. She was probably going to faint, and yes... he was laughing. Still, hearing him laugh was pretty comforting and she knew he was actually trying. Ugh, it was such a good job but it did pretty much come down to the fact that she was good-looking. "Yes, well... yes basically. I was a girl who spoke fluent English with a Russian accent named after a lost princess. The whole gimmick sold itself," she said rubbing her hand over her face. "And they called it a kiss-o-gram because 'Attractive Girl Message Delivery' does not inspire faith," she said she'd been skeptical of the job as well, but it was pretty good. "And no, I didn't have to kiss anyone... that isn't part of it at all. It's really clear in all the contracts so that no one complains about anything. I show up, say nice things, with my nice accent. Hand off a letter, take a couple of photos and add to the atmosphere of a party. Like a costume character at a birthday party..." she said giving her final bit of information on the whole thing. She was beyond embarrassed but she could foster this without saying much of anything about it, mostly because Arthur's own mood seemed to be quite lifted for much of the duration of this chat.

[Bloodedge]

Surprise, surprise. Arthur figured it should be taken as something of a compliment, that one didn't realize his family was so directly connected to the country's government and its... less public dealings. If it wasn't obvious, then he was a success in that aspect. "Normal, huh? I can count with no fingers how many times I've been called that." Perhaps finding work would have been easier in the past, had he been a bit less normal. Oh well; he didn't hate the one job he wound up with in the end. If he could go back and change things, he likely wouldn't.

More detail was revealed regarding Guinevere's former job of choice. Kissing not being part of the job made the title sound stranger yet, but he supposed he couldn't think of a better alternate name for grabbing attention. Still, it was a fair bit misleading. If he had an attractive girl show up to his birthday party, in costume, and she introduced herself as something like a kiss-o-gram of all titles... he'd be disappointed, if only slightly. "That's... absolutely terrible!" Arthur exclaimed, seeming to even be a tidbit serious. A few grains of rice flew from his mouth even, though Arthur personally paid this no mind, and simply kept talking. "Nothing against your job or anything, but if someone hired a person called a kiss-o-gram for my birthday party, I'd be furious with them after finding out the person they hired wasn't going to kiss me. The tease there is just too much."

[Apollymi]

According to Arthur he could count on no fingers the amount of times he'd been called normal. "Hm, well... I am certain people who wouldn't call you normal would have to know, people who were basically boring..." she said seeming to think nothing of it. Of course there was nothing innately wrong with being boring, it was just wrong not to see how absolutely normal Arthur was considering how crazy his upbringing had been. Granted, given what his previous meeting with his sibling had to have been like, she imagined they were a bit less than normal if all of them were in the same room. Whatever the case, it seemed that Arthur had found his appetite and his humor enough to pick at the situation which surrounded Guinevere's previous life's employment.

"I agree... it is terribly devious," she said about it being terrible. According to Arthur, he'd be furious if someone hired a kiss-o-gram for him and he wasn't going to get to kiss said pretty girl. She could see why such a thing was more than a bit misleading, but still she could only laugh at his outrage. "Hahaha~ Of course... but that is part of the laugh isn't. Like a prank phone call or whatever. Plus I am pretty sure friends who arranged such messages, did it for the incredibly humorous looks on the faces of their comrades when said girl arrives," she said giving it a bit more thought. "Actually, that's probably why the pictures~" she finished up. Hm, she found her job to be a perfectly devious little prank, in good fun among friends. Which probably meant it suited her tastes a bit more than she would have realized without her newfound magical upbringing.

[Bloodedge]

"That's one way to put it, I guess," Arthur agreed after a few moments of thought. What an interesting thing Guinevere chose to say without an ounce of reprehension. Frankly, it was a bit embarrassing to hear coming from the mouth of a woman─ he should be lucky they weren't facing one another, lest his face incriminate him. "Thanks for that, and for... well, everything really," he said at last.

Grateful though he was, nothing was going to stop Arthur from picking at the former job of Guinevere. It was hilarious, it was infuriating, but above all else, it was something that easily placed an image in the blonde's head. He would definitely be angry at anyone who called someone like her to a party of his, presenting such false titles upon her introduction and all that nonsense. However, he'd be lying if he said he wouldn't keep whatever photographs or recordings were taken of her arrival. "No! It's all fun and games, until some guy gets punched out by his best friend for handing over false hope in the form of some gorgeous girl in cosplay! It's decided. If I ever get a kiss-o-gram, she'll have to kiss me to stop the beating I plan on giving whatever dolt hired her in the first place. Hmm... that probably counts as blackmail though, doesn't it? Could I get away with that? Would you let someone get away with that?"

[Apollymi]

A nod came from Guinevere at the first of Arthur's statements. She doubted it would be seen but her mouth was full in the moment. By the time she finished chewing, Arthur had offered his thanks, both for her statement and then more generally for everything. "I was only being honest. There isn't any real need to thank me for anything. I only do and say what I think is right in a moment," she said softly. This was the third time she'd told this lad not to thank her for something she'd done which was simply organic to her being. She was feeling slightly abashed now. Actually, she'd chosen her seating position to give the lad quite a bit of comfort in their interaction considering his most recent habits. Of course, it was proving to be just as good to her, given the current shade of crimson her face seemed to be maintaining.

It seemed the former employment of Guinevere really struck a nerve with Arthur in his mind. The young blonde had a whole tirade lined up about what he would do in case such a young woman was ever summoned into his presence. He even claimed a friend who put him in such a position would be swiftly handed a beating. Now what was this? More of that interesting personality of his, a claim that he could solicit a kiss maybe by offering to stop beating that imaginary friend of his. "Hahahahaha~ Yes, that definitely counts as blackmail..." she said choosing not to question cosplay as that had been one of the random things explained to her previously. "And and and..." she was stuttering through her laughter at the moment. "The fact that you had to think about it... shows pretty handedly that odd upbringing of yours. Though I suppose if I didn't know about that, I might assume you just watch too much tv," she mentioned with a hearty chuckle. Would she have accepted such blackmail? Hm... that was something worth considering. She became quiet for a moment, taking an overly dramatic pause and making sure to play up her 'contemplation' of the subject. "Hm, I do wonder if I would. I suppose it would depend. Who is blackmailing me, is it still blackmail if you'd agree for a specific person?" she seemed almost quizzical but this definitely seemed like a philosophical debate. "I'd agree for you, knowing you now... but not some random stranger, who'd beat up his comrade, that'd be weird."

[Bloodedge]

Yet again, a rejection of notions. At times, it almost seemed as if Guinevere's pastime was redirecting his thanks or apologies, but there was nothing he could do aside from insist otherwise. This wouldn't be the time he managed to do so, however. All this talk of kiss-o-grams and their misleading positions was far too distracting, and it had now become a discussion about blackmail and the like. Apparently, what he thought of was considered blackmail. Arthur, in his previous life, could have employed such a tactic, though not outside of a job. The way he was raised rose to the surface by the mere fact that he found it in question, but Guinevere had something interesting to say in regards to his final question. Well, interesting may not have been the word for it... rather, something worth questioning. She claimed she would accept said blackmail if he were the one presenting it, yet not from some stranger who would assault his companion. How... strange. "I just admitted that I would punch my friend if they did that, but you'd agree if it were me, instead of a stranger doing the same thing? I think I missed a point somewhere," he said as a potential bite of a rice ball was left waiting in front of his mouth. "And did you really just admit to a person that you'd kiss them if they blackmailed you? Probably not something you should say to someone being called king of the place you're living in."

[Apollymi]

Oh, poor Arthur. The lad seemed to be missing several points. It was quite true, Guinevere could count him as properly distracted, given the fact that he'd not mustered up a counter to her statement about not needing thanks. In the time she'd known him, he'd offered her random apologies and thanks for things that weren't even directly related to him in the least. He had some great amount of chivalry built into that visage of his. But she was finding him a bit more roguish by the day. Actually, there was no problem with that, overly nice people got taken advantage of, someone with a bit of rogue or impish tendencies at the very least wouldn't fall for the same thing twice. That was... well, more appealing in a 'king' than most things, especially if their moral compass remained intact. That impish nature of Guinevere was coming forward in the moment where Arthur seemed to not understand her meaning about accepting such blackmail from him specifically, "Hm, well the point was definitely there. I'm sure you'll find it eventually~" she said in a manner most playful.

Her obvious point was she'd accept a bit of bad behavior from Arthur because she knew him, and not take such things from a random stranger. With that piece of rice hanging in front of his mouth he questioned that she'd admitted she would kiss someone who blackmailed her, but that wasn't the full scope of her message. "No. I admitted I'd kiss you, if you blackmailed me. Though I think such a thing would be unnecessary overall~" she said with an impish grin appearing on her turned face. "And I didn't say it to just someone being called king in a place I'm living. I said it to you." Ah, maybe he'd get it or maybe he'd mull it over for a while. Guinevere had already admitted to a certain amount of interest in this lad, whenever he managed to catch up to that... it would be interesting indeed. Still, she enjoyed these exercises in futility especially when Arthur hadn't seemed to completely catch up yet. Lunch was all done for Guinevere and it'd been quite entertaining, now she just relaxed and stared up at the sky, seeming to have a bit of fun at Arthur's expense.

[Bloodedge]

Oh. There was a point after all─ something he'd simply been missing. What could it have possibly been, he wondered, though not for long. Arthur wouldn't even have time to rationalize an answer for himself, as Guinevere made it rather obvious with her next speech. Oh. Right. Her claim was far more specific than just someone she knew, or some monarch doing the hypothetical blackmailing. He'd been about to take that final bite, only to hesitate once more. She wasn't suddenly looking in his direction now, right? That would be terrible, considering he couldn't tell what sort of expression he was wearing... though it certainly couldn't have been a very attractive form of shock. What else was that? The blackmail wouldn't be necessary, so... "Oh," Arthur stated. His mind was racing a fair bit, but this definitely managed to classify as an incredible distraction from his previous thoughts. "So... no blackmail then? Not even a stern talking to? I never get to use my training for anything," he quipped. Apparently, Arthur had once again found it in himself to joke about. At the very least, doing as much let him push past the embarrassment of the situation.

[Apollymi]

Arthur was without question, a hilarious individual. It seemed that he had taken the more specific nature of Guinevere's speech after she spoke again. Beyond that point he'd managed to, rather laughably, come to a couple of conclusions. He didn't need to blackmail her. Oh, and she supposed she also wouldn't need anything resembling a stern talking to either. "Arthur Pendragon... there is no reason to pout~" she mused. She couldn't even see his face, but thought nothing of mentioning how such a thing sounded. She found the whole thing humorous, "I am sure you could find plenty of reason to use your training if you wish," she said with a knowing little smirk. Ah... she was all done eating. She put away the box that had once contained her lunch and seemed pretty happy about her life. Arthur was out here and even if it was just for a moment or two, he was happy and having a regular conversation. He was thinking and moving forward, she could hear the humor in him again... these were great things, worth being a bit pushy at the outset to attain.