Charles Patricius

[Apollymi]

Hiruko seemed to be doing a decent bit of flirting but he also seemed to have a lot more practice at it. Miko didn't mind this, because it meant if she was successful it was a meritorious victory for her. "Tokyo is upbeat. I always enjoy the city..." Miko mentioned seemingly amused by the entirety of this conversation. Apparently they both enjoyed challenges but took two very different routes to their enjoyment. Hiruko mentioned never taking bets he couldn't win and wished her luck in making him 'rue' anything. "Ah, there it is... I take bets I never expect to win and then I win in a very different way than I expect♪~" she said in an almost sing-song voice. She couldn't help it. This man was rather easy to talk to. She realized if he was trying to get information out of her... he'd likely have it way easier than most. She could see herself accidentally confession to many things in this man's presences, not the least of which were directly related to him.

As she'd so recently mentioned... he was soon subject to one of those random things she said that she didn't think would get her anywhere and he had a reaction to it that she noticed. He seemed almost struck by those words and her directness in the moment seemed to tease him a bit more than she thought it would have. "It sounds like you got exactly the idea I meant to convey~ Look at me, winning accidentally!♥~" she said playfully. Though it would go without saying that she meant exactly what she said, perhaps the directness of her mentors was rubbing off on her? Or maybe flirting was much easier to do than she realized when she knew it was happening? She supposed it could be considered a normal part of growing up in this case. Regardless within the store she'd found a wall of shoes and was examining each for the type of thing she was looking for. "I am looking for something like that to match my general look, as long as the heel is at least 10 centimeters. I saw one when I was browsing earlier..." she mused while looking up the wall. And about a foot above her head there it was. A cute black heel, open toed with straps and the ability to tie an intricate bow at the angle. It had the necessary heel height and the golden insignia of Chioriya stamped onto the bottom of it. They were perfect. "Those!~" she squealed excitedly.

[Bloodedge]

Miko alleged winning her bets in ways most unexpected. That claim could have been either very literal, or very flirty. Hiruko interpreted... both. How she meant it exactly, he couldn't tell without a bit of purposeful prodding and/or longer discussion, but it was definitely both. "Wonder how that'll play out~" Hiruko decided to say. "By the way, you should be a singer. That's a great voice!" he added.

One way Miko claimed to win accidentally was by having Hiruko interpret her talk of riding as originally intended. It seemed she was quite good at keeping up banter while leaving a bit of room for one's brain to work, as opposed to being so direct. She'd be pretty good in his line of work, Hiruko thought. "Maybe I did, maybe I didn't. Maybe we'll find out at some point," he teased. So long as their banter continued as such, he'd likely refrain from being too forward. After all, there was no point in going to extremes; Hiruko was not one to act until victory was assured. On the other hand, Miko's talk of riding combined with her shoe selection in very interesting ways. The pair she pointed out, Hiruko reached out to grab one of. He held that one shoe, looking at it and Miko simultaneously and imagining it applied to her person currently. A whistle of appreciation was given. "Kocchi, that's an interesting choice. Powerful statement for just walking around... among other things. Good thing I know why you came to buy these, or I'd get the wrong idea from that too♥~"

[Apollymi]

Hiruko wondered how the flirty words and maybe the situation at large between himself and Miko would play out. Miko on the other hand at least one idea. Though her standards were quite high in general she was oddly certain this man met them. Perhaps it was something in the way he carried himself or maybe her still jarred senses got a touch of something while being pulled into that princess carry? No matter what she'd be finding out eventually, of this she was certain. Regardless, there was the matter of her apparent nice voice which she knew to exist simply by virtue of her chosen carrier. Oh? She might have gotten a bit to caught up in their conversation, her self was slipping just a bit. She couldn't help the blush that appeared on her face, it was quite odd to have such a thing acknowledged outside of nudity or said voice not being connected directly to her face. "Arigatou..." she managed shyly. Such an odd contrast existed between this girl as she displayed herself and the one she kept separate from her general identity she almost didn't know how to handle it. Still she would be pleased.

Apparently, Hiruko wasn't willing to fully commit to his understanding of Miko's statements. She could only smile, "That's a lot of maybes Hiru-nii. I'm starting to think your maybe means something different~" she flirted just the same. He was allowed to play his cards close to the vest. She understood the logic but he could have a bit more faith than that... she was being what she considered to be just shy of her version of shameless. Miko's shoe choice apparently did something else. She'd give a powerful statement and apparently some other ideas if he'd not already been privy to shopping choices. "Oh? I didn't know they'd do something like that. I just want to be able to walk without tripping over my own feet. And again I doubt you'd get the wrong idea from me, Hiru-nii~" she continued to flirt. She'd take that shoe from his hands inspecting it and getting a sales clerk to bring her a pair in the smallest size they had. She knew her feet were way smaller than the display but she was also certain this was the pair she wanted, she only needed to make sure they fit. After a few minutes, that same clerk emerged from the back with a fresh box pair of these same shoes and Miko was sitting down to slip out of her own and try them on. As she was now barefoot except for the thigh highs she wore, it became obvious why she wanted such a shoe. Her feet, while bare were poised on the balls of her feet, the arch present in her foot, rather intense even in the resting position. She'd easily slip her first foot into the shoe of choice and look at it on her foot while smiling. "I am pretty sure I like these. What do you think Hiru-nii... I still have to tie the bow but they definitely fit!♪~" she chimed happily.

[Bloodedge]

These two were going to end up in a very interesting position... and a very interesting place to execute said position, by Hiruko's assumption. The amount of 'maybes' Hiruko gave were for Miko's sake. She was obviously a bit more reserved normally than her current demeanor implied. If he had to assume, he'd say she was at a high point lately, or perhaps breaking out after a long period of reservation. Either way... "I already told you, didn't I? I never show my hand until I can call my opponent's bluff. And, to add another maybe... maybe you're bluffing," he said coyly, a challenging gaze sent Miko's way. There was always a chance of her being something else, something that wouldn't lead down the route one might naturally assume. Hiruko had that at a very low percentage, but it was a chance nonetheless.

Apparently, Miko didn't think he could get the wrong idea from me. That single statement spoke a lot of things, but it was not yet time to act... at least not fully. "If that's the case, everything has to be right then. That's always good," he commented absently, whether to Miko or to the open air. Moving on though, the girl had those shoes acquired in a size she could try on. Off came her existing shoes, showcasing a ridiculous arch before she slipped one of the new shoes on. "Not bad, Kocchi♥ You've got a pretty pair of puppies on you, thigh-highs and all. I think they'd go better with something besides the sundress... or maybe not a dress. Maybe something like what's in your bag. Just, you know... randomly throwing out more maybes, but maybe it's just that kind of day♥~ What kind of day do you think it is?"

[Apollymi]

Ending up in an interesting position was about what Miko wanted out of any interaction with a guy she liked and found attractive. In the last few minutes she knew she found Hiruko attractive, and after speaking with him and flirting a bit she also figured she liked him. His personality was a bit mysterious and fun-loving. He had the disposition of someone used to hiding aspects of himself but also of someone who'd throw themselves all in on the right situation. "Maybe♪!~ You could call my bluff if you want. If I'm not mistaken the house pays out in moments like these~" she said. If this was just a poker game then calling on someone who wasn't bluffing just meant losing, but as far as she saw it, even losing in this case wouldn't be a loss, in any conceivable way.

Still, Miko had nothing to say to his absent comment. She knew what it was to process a bit aloud. She quite enjoyed the white noise of other people's voices. Still Miko tried on the shoe in question and received a compliment in turn. Actually, several in quick succession along with a bit more flirting. "Oh? I hadn't imagined that being a thing to get complimented over. I am usually just tripping over myself tiptoeing around all the time..." she mused. "I'm glad you think so Hiru-nii... who knows you might be the first one to see. It's that kind of day~" she claimed about the idea of her in nothing but those thigh highs and heels. Well in order to make that happen she would definitely be wearing these. She supposed there was something she should do. She sat down and slipped on the other shoe. She spent a moment or two tying the bows and then she did something she'd not done since coming back to Gaia. She stood and felt like her equilibrium was immediately restored. Three steps were taken and none of them were shaky and beyond that her whole of her body seemed to almost visibly realigned. "Wooh, that is so much better!" In this moment her posture was also fixed and the balance of her figure became even more obvious. "Yep, buying these..." she said taking the box up to pay for it and each step seeming to have an extra bounce to it. Her strides and lengthened and all. She supposed three hundred years of running and fighting in heels likely had a lot to do with her choices. The price of these shoes was 123,000 yen and Miko oddly enough had enough money to pay for it, on the credit card, in her own name.

[Bloodedge]

In the right moment, Hiruko would definitely call the girl's bluff. The house was the one paying by Miko's analogy, but... there were some caveats. "That's true, but the house paying out is what attracts return business. Even if I call your bluff and lose, I win, Kocchi♥~" he argued playfully. There were no losses to be taken in this situation; Hiruko was becoming sure of that. By now, it was clear the only way he could lose would be by not playing his hand. It seemed Miko was playing hers, after all. . .

So then, what did the brunette's hand contain? A chance ─ one for Hiruko to be the first who saw those heels in a way kept from the general public. If that was the kind of day she thought it was, who was he to argue? "That sounds like my kind of day. That'd be one for the album, I think," he commented. Hiruko would then have the most interesting time of watching Miko don the other shoe, seeming infinitely comfortable to be sauntering around in a pair of heels. Some women were built for heels, he supposed. By the look of her arches, there were probably few who could be called better suited. Better still was the improvement of her legs in a visual way, obvious even through those thigh-highs. If it was that kind of improvement, Hiruko thought she'd best buy more than a single pair. Along the way to checkout, Hiruko snagged a pair of 12 centimeter heeled shoes, a light brown in color with a single strap at the toe, looking as if they were inspired by clogs while being embroidered by the Chioriya insignia across the straps. The heels themselves were even in the shape of that same pair of scissors. "Kocchi~ what do you think of these?" he called out, thinking this pair was a better compliment to Miko's current ensemble.

[Apollymi]

There was logic being shared by the pair of individuals within this boutique. They were both of the opinion that their current line of thinking wouldn't or couldn't be considered a loss for either of them. Hiruko even expanded upon the analogy. The smile on Miko's face couldn't be shifted at all. "Return business~ Future forecasting, Hiru-nii~ How forward of you~" she teased gently. Of course, she absolutely didn't mind this at all. In truth she'd not really thought about the idea of returning, but she could definitely see the benefits of it. At the very least, it could be fun considering she had no idea how long her stay would be nor how often anyone else would be available. Moving on from this the apparent win for the day was a good one. "My kind of day too~" she seemed pleased. For someone who assumed she had negative male attention it didn't seem to be the case at all that Iino Miko was actually unattractive.

Ah, but her shopping wouldn't go without some strange alterations. Hiruko remained looking around the boutique even as Miko went to pay for the pair of shoes she was currently wearing. He drew her attention towards another pair which she looked to with wide eyes. The heel was even higher and it seemed to have a very unique look as a pair of shoes. They would indeed match the dress she was currently wearing, "They're really cute. Like statement pieces... the kind of thing you build a wardrobe around~" she mused and this was the truth as she saw it. Of course she said that but that didn't mean she planned to by them, her own choice had been made for functionality and her ability to wear them with most of her current attire. Though she had money to blow in most cases, she had a habit of budgeting and buying only what she needed along with a few things she just liked.

[Bloodedge]

"I just figured my odds have become pretty good today. Why not gamble a little?" Hiruko replied. Indeed, things were looking up for the blonde male. Miko being so responsive to advances while having some of her own meant there was a surefire major event in his near future. The only question, of course, was in regards to how that would happen. Some loose ideas had already been tossed around, so Hiruko could compare it to knowing the odds at a race.

With that in mind, there was nothing wrong with some investment. He showed another pair of shoes that Miko found appealing, and that he found suitable for her current sundress. One thing to note, however, was her lack of reaching. It could be assumed she had no intention of making a second purchase, but that was fine. Hiruko stepped forward to place those shoes at the register, adding a black credit card to front the cost of Miko's choice and his own. "Glad you like them. If you're shopping at Chioriya Boutique, there's no point in buying just one thing. And, no ─ I'm not taking no for an answer. No, I'm not putting you in my debt. I'm just putting a few chips on the table," he uttered before any of the typical naysaying that came with making large purchases for another. Hiruko was the type who enjoyed having others in his debt, but this situation was a little different. He had a certain amount of additional funds allocated for this trip, and he had no intention of using it. What was a total quarter of a million yen? He could earn as much on a pitstop. "Or just think of it as one form of payment for the escort, since you didn't take my deal earlier♥~"

[Apollymi]

Miko found this man's movements through life to be interesting. Even in the short time they'd been together, he'd observed a situation, sent out a few lines and only when he decided it was right, did he settle into thoughts. One couldn't say he was the type to be easily lead astray. Perhaps that was practice? Or maybe just luck? He had an interesting sort of smoothness to him, like he was just waiting for something to happen to switch gears to to speak. "Odds have become great today~" she chimed in. Knowing that she was getting exactly what she wanted out of the day without thinking too much about it. There was a certain confidence she would have only attributed to a certain face within her head.

Moving on from this, though she liked the extra shoes, it was obvious to all she had no intention of buying them so imagine her surprise when Hiruko produced the pair he'd spotted and basically began strong arming himself into paying for her other pair. Her mind raced, she opened her mouth to point out that she hadn't intended to do this and that she could technically pay for them herself even though she wasn't intended to. "But..." all her naysaying was put to and end in rapid succession she found herself staring up at Hiruko wondering how he'd so quickly and efficiently shut down every argument she would have offered. "I don't know if I should wonder if I am that predictable or if people argue with you a lot. It could be both..." Miko said while sheepishly rubbing the back of her head. Perhaps this was another of those oddities she was simply not understanding from her current stance. Marisbury had volunteered to take her shopping just to spend time with her, and this lad called it an investment which made it sound like this likely wouldn't be their last meeting. She wasn't planning to take advantage of anyone and she had been told she was hard to gift because she freaked out about a lot of things. It was difficult to break old spending habits, especially ones reinforced by three centuries of being a wage worker but... "Right, I suppose if that is the stance you're taking about it. I won't argue, thank you for your kindness~" she said with a smile and she did mean it. "Also I never said I wouldn't take you up on your offer, a bit of transparency and I still might accept. Though admittedly it seems like those paths converge anyway~" she said cheekily. She was trying to get better about accepting things she liked and rejecting things she didn't. Besides all of this, none would be questioning her own black credit card and since she knew why such thing existed and their non-existent credit limits she'd be far from judging this man on how he wanted to spend the average workers paychecks.

[Bloodedge]

Yes, Miko was predictable. Yes, Hiruko did encounter these situations a lot. Both of those things were true, but his reason for preemptively silencing her naysaying was something entirely different. Only a gambler could decide when it was time to fold. As long as there were chips to bet with, he'd keep betting until he was satisfied. Here and now, he decided to bet on his own immediate future. As always, he fully expected to win. "There's no need to think about it, Kocchi. Just go with the flow~" he suggested.

As expected, Miko didn't turn him down in the end. What choice did she have? All counterarguments had already been covered by the time she tried to speak. Regarding Hiruko's offer from earlier, Miko claimed she hadn't rejected it. While that was true, she also didn't accept it outright. Transparency was not something she'd be getting from Hiruko in the conventional sense. "That deal's off the table now, Kocchi. Should have taken it when you had the chance~" he teased. The original offer wasn't accepted, so something had to take its place. The single swipe of a card established a new arrangement between them for this day out. Another habit of Hiruko's was to take advantage of such openings to produce bigger opportunities. As for what that opportunity was, Miko would have to find out as Hiruko walked away from the register. "I still have a stop to make. Interested, or is there something else you'd like to do first?"

[Apollymi]

According to Hiruko there was no need for her to think too much about his offers. Instead she should go with the flow. "Hai hai, that one is pretty hard for me honestly... it's one of those work in progress things~" she chimed. She'd not be admitting to the fact that as a human she had both ADHD and OCD so she did nothing but think obsessively about all kinds of things that didn't even have to be related to anything in particular. No. That bit would be allowed to rest in her mind while she came to the realization that she'd not breeched either panic attack nor obsessive outburst since coming in contact with the Myouou. That bit of realization probably deserved a bit of extra thought at some point, perhaps a conversation with her mentor would be in order.

But not now. Now she was faced with Hiruko and the apparent offer she'd squandered earlier. "Oh, no... whatever will I do~" she replied back in a teasingly snarky manner complete with overly animated reaction. Still, if she was getting two new pairs of shoes today. She did like this boutique though, she'd have to make a note to come back later with Marisbury and buy some more things, since he was interested in her shopping and she figured he might enjoy seeing her some of the things from here. "Iia, I came out today to make some exchanges and get some shoes. I've done both and I agreed to go around with you already since you got me here in one piece and all~" she said after having her shoes packed up so she could take them with her and wear the new pair on her feet. So much more comfortably did her movements happen and with a swiftness she'd been missing previously she joined the man on his way out. "Where are we going then, Hiru-nii?" she questioned still pleased to be in his presence. It seemed interested didn't quite cover things, but Miko was the type to keep her word and also the type to continue to have fun where it presented itself, oddly this was such a situation even though she didn't fully understand it.

[Bloodedge]

Hiruko wouldn't have to wait for his own plan, it seemed. Miko had no other things on her agenda for the day, so she would be accompanying him on the additional trip. He realized Miko kept the shoes she'd initially picked. There were only three reasons he could think of for that ─ two of which were conscious decisions. Whatever the case, he stepped out of the boutique and pulled from his pocket a smartphone with a golden color, a diamond grid pattern and a special aventurine gem cover over its camera lens. A quick search utilizing GPS let him know exactly the direction they should be headed. Apparently, he never actually needed Miko's guidance.

"We're going... that way~" Hiruko said, pointing up the northern street. He wasted no time in moving forward, phone still in hand along the way. "Sure you're done shopping? Looks like you've got everything but another dress after what I saw in your bag earlier," he teased. It would take some time to reach the place he needed to be, so a bit more banter would have to fill the silence. After all, they couldn't just flirt all the time away... or could they? Ah, surely they could. "But I guess if anything happens, you'll just have to ditch the dress and make due with everything else you've got~"

Yes. Yes they could.

[Apollymi]

True enough Miko hadn't changed her shoes, but she'd made the active choice to do so. Maybe she'd don that extra high pair of heels he'd purchased for her later, in appropriately matched lingerie and thigh highs? It seemed like a legitimate plan if they weren't going to be separating anytime soon. She wasn't planning to spring such a thing on him of course, but she figured he might be interested in seeing his investments flourish... so to speak. Beyond that point, it would seem that Hiruko did have something he intended to do and he ever knew how to get there. What an odd thing to reveal that he didn't even need her help really. "Sou ka, odd to meet someone else so prone to pretense. Still didn't say where we are going though... is it a surprise?~" she murmured. She knew why she kept her guard up but wouldn't be further questioning this man's decisions. "I am done shopping for now..." she mused almost teasingly. "I suppose if I had to ditch this dress it's actually quite the shame I sent the rest of my clothes home ahead of my own little shopping trip. I suppose I'd have to get pretty comfortable. The things in the bag aren't meant for anything else~" she teased right back. She truly didn't mind flirting with this man and did feel rather comfortable in his presence. Yes, they could definitely continue flirting. She wasn't quite sure what this man wanted with her aside from their obvious carnal connection but... she assumed they could at least have a decent bit of fun and conversation in the meantime.

At the same time, Sakura had been out and about for a while. With a bit of time on her hands until Kauzhiko and Angelica returned she supposed she would continue on her journey of understanding humans. The girl walked about in her same modest dress, sweater and shoes, seemingly fine to take in some normal daily life observations. She watched as people snapped pictures of their meals with apathy in her eyes. She watched children play on playgrounds in large groups and she even watched the famous... 'Japanese Lunch Time Rush' happen at various businesses and stalls. By the end of it all her original purpose had returned and she'd been inside a love hotel or three. But also down a few alleys tucked behind dumpsters and the like. She received casual sex to figure out what humans had going on. And now was one such moment, Sakura had committed to sexual contact with several dozen individuals already and was now bent over behind a dumpster using a crate to steady her balance as something odd was happening at her rear, she seemed to be casually browsing her phone. 'Sou ka, what humans call back shots seems to give them the best possibility of impregnation. A demonic way to go about the act of creation. Also human women are amazing, managing to create anything with this paltry offering is a feat.'

[Bloodedge]

Hiruko hadn't mentioned their destination yet. True enough, it hadn't even crossed his mind to be specific... but he figured the overall plan was pretty obvious. "It's like I said earlier, Kocchi. We're going for a ride~" he said in an upbeat manner. It wasn't a surprise per se, but he wasn't going to waste hype over something specific if what he sought wasn't in stock. Of course, Hiruko doubted that would happen, but being certain never hurt anyone. Moving on, the flirting continued between them. Miko confirmed having no other major clothing articles available, stating that if anything did happen, she'd have to get very comfortable with the obvious lingerie resting in her bag. She wouldn't be the only one getting comfortable in that situation. "Get as comfortable as you like for whatever reason you like. Best make the most out of your purchases, yeah?" he asked rhetorically, one more wink showing under those sunglasses as his head turned toward the lass.

Meanwhile, one particular innocent lad was being shown the time of his life behind a dumpster in an alleyway. It was broad daylight, but he obviously didn't care to waste the greatest opportunity life had ever presented. He was a normal teenager with short, black hair, no muscle to speak of or anything ─ just the average schoolboy. He was also... a virgin before today. The most gorgeous girl he'd ever seen presented him with an offer he wouldn't refuse, so here he was... roughly two minutes later, battering away at her ass while barely clinging onto her body. "Hngh-ahhh! It's so good! I... I'm. . ." Obviously, most humans weren't capable of handing the likes of a goddess. Alas, this was not such an easy situation to navigate. Deviance in alleyways was the territory of a specific type of group, and lo... Sakura and her current partner had been witnessed by a small collection of larger, adult males, some of whom carried wooden swords. Muscles and tattoos were put on display beneath open blazers. There was a bald man, one sporting a pompadour, one with a mullet, and two with more standard hairstyles, all black with a single streak of pink dye. "Look what we've got here, boys! A couple o' teens having fun a little too early for their own good!" said the man with the pompadour, prompting a response from the bald one. "Ain't that exciting? Oi, ojou-san, why don't you ditch the loser and try for some real men? That little twerp doesn't seem to know how to treat that nice body~"

[Apollymi]

No destination was mentioned again. Oddly enough, Miko was trying to live in the hype of the moment. Even if she didn't know precisely where they were going, she was pleased enough to be in the lad's company. "Oh right. I forgot I probably interpreted that sentence in the way it wasn't meant initially~" she flirted right back. She supposed he had a car, or maybe was about to buy one. With a black credit card one could do a lot of amazing and terrible things. But Miko also wasn't the type to pry into someone's personal life. She'd spent three centuries learning how not to get herself involved with other people's private lives while being a supportive friend and that wasn't about to be unlearned. "I suppose I will need to get the most out of such purchases. And you are far from a person I feel uncomfortable around so I suppose I'll be taking note of your advice, Hiru-nii~" she said with a devious smirk on her face as she looked at him out of the corner of her eye. He winked once more and she couldn't help the thought that played through her mind. 'You keep winking at me like that and I'll make sure I'm looking down into your face later. Or up at it... that probably works too~' she thought in an almost aggressively flirty way. Given the actions of her darkest self in her dreams she figured that an odd sadism existed in that one.

Meanwhile, Sakura was scrolling though her phone's functions while a boy was trying his best. 'Human virgin men aren't necessarily better equipped to give naturally. Most also don't have the strength or size to reach the womb. Of the five virgins I have had today... one wasn't completely incapable of making it past five minutes. Copulation also isn't worth while, as they haven't taken in any mana to boost themselves yet... they can't give any significant amount.' she thought. "That is fine. I understand." she said to the lad who was busy pounding away. "What is Candy Crush?" she wondered aloud and she was about to press the button when other voices showed up. 'Sou ka, not all humans shy away from sexual activities. I have been ignored more times than noticed so far... this lot however seems to think themselves more capable. It could be worth testing their words versus their output to figure out if bravado is some sort of boost for men.' She gave them a quick glance over her shoulders. "These men would hurt you. You should leave..." she offered the boy pummeling her undercarriage. Soon enough she'd be standing up and looking at them all with the same emptiness in her eyes that she normally had. 'Hm, Kaa-sama doesn't take mana from all my fathers at once. Perhaps there is some reason for that I don't understand. I haven't tried multiples yet.' she thought absently. "Do you want to do it here or somewhere else?" she asked as if she didn't much care what their answer was.