Charles Patricius

[Bloodedge]

"It shouldn't be confusing. I just told you what I almost did to you last night," Kusanagi stated blandly. The night before, he really was a hair's breadth away from masturbating while he watched her. He really did consider breaking into her house and taking advantage of her. Seeing how responded to that would have been excellent, though it would have ruined his overall plan and mission simultaneously.

Rita wanted the love hotel's name while she checked all manner of accounts and scheduled a doctor's appointment for any potential... complications from her husband's affair. Interestingly enough, Kusanagi already had the most important information. "Zen Hirano, the expensive one. Don't waste your time with the appointment; you don't have anything. Besides the fact that she gets herself tested regularly, this affair started about four months ago. You don't seem like you've gotten so much as a finger in you for much longer than that," he said, looking at the woman through the corner of his eye. "Check your things. I'll find you tomorrow with something valuable. That is, unless you want to be the one that goes into that hotel with me tonight. Either one works for me," he added. Kusanagi intended to show this woman the most solid evidence of her husband's affair, but he also entertained the idea of her reaction to seeing and/or hearing it directly. He did have enough connections to secure the room right next to theirs this night. Either Rita would accompany him, or... he'd find someone very unlucky to pass through check-in.

[Apollymi]

This man's utter calm in the face of his own oddities was a quality worth admiring in a lot of situations. While she was very comfortable in her own skin, Rita had never and would never had admitted to something like masturbating to someone or almost doing so as a sign of liking them. Nor did she think that her own potential 'rape' in this case was something worth doing but it was still oddly flattering for this man to maintain any amount of interest in her. "That only makes it more confusing..." she confirmed. Moving on from that though it appeared there was one silver lining in the life of the skank who stole her husband. Being as promiscuous as she was, she constantly got tested and there was no overlap between her husbands action with both of them as women. "That's sort of a relief, terrible though it is... " she commented absently. He'd be finding her tomorrow and until then a certain amount of rampaging would be taking place as Nara Rita put her life back together piece by piece. "I probably won't be meeting with you tonight, but... if you want you can have one of those cakes. I was still quite serious about not feeding him. Ja." Rita said as she walked away further into the city. Well... she still had to pick up some things and think about a lot of the information that passed her mind. She had to come to terms and that was going to take more time than she knew. Her heart was breaking, even if her husband wasn't the best at anything, she'd loved him without condition and he'd broken her for reasons she couldn't even understand.

Meanwhile, a different Nara descent had recently left the lingerie store called Peach John and had a great experience shopping though she wouldn't have said anything. A joking conversation with a different cashier about her misplaced sizing practices and she'd replaced the bras she'd purchased the previous day with some that would actually fit the growth she'd experienced over the last day. Though the sundress she wore flattered her, it also didn't show the truth of her body type beneath the clothes. And she was walking and thinking, finding it a bit difficult. Tiptoeing would have been how her walk was described by any who saw her barefoot and such steps were basically impossible within shoes. She'd managed it the previous day while walking and holding hands with Marisbury Animusphere but out on her own, it was significantly more difficult. She'd told everyone she'd be fine alone, because she knew her own mentor was working and she didn't want to take up too much of anyone else's time for just a trade in but... now she thought she might need to go shoe shopping as well while waiting for her parents to visit the next day. She was lost in thought and moving in an unconventional way in flat shoes and as such, she eventually tripped. Her shoe dragging on a crack that her foot wasn't touching leaving her to take a tumble during her approach to a rather busy intersection. 'Oh fucking great!' She put up her hands trying to block her fall and hoping it wouldn't hurt too much and that her unmentionables didn't end up all over the street.

[Bloodedge]

Rita would not be joining the green-haired male at the love hotel tonight. Though that was a shame, it was only a minor loss. Maybe he'd get another chance to see that sort of expression from her? Whatever the case, he'd easily find some random woman to accompany him. Maybe he'd even find someone to eliminate that same night. Rita offered him one of the cakes she'd recently made instead of a visit, and indeed, he'd enjoy it. "That'll do. Sayonara," he said as they both went their separate ways.

The journey of one Iino Miko seemed to be an arduous one. Suffering from her unique constitution even as a human on Gaia, her altered proportions over the course of a night probably weren't doing any favors. Luckily for her, fate would help her out a bit. A random tumble was taken ─ one which surely would have made a scene... but a different scene would be happening instead. "Whoa there!" shouted the voice of a man which sounded a little too far away for what he was about to do. What Miko landed on was not the ground, but an outstretched pair of arms belonging to a tall male with silken blonde hair, the most dazzling suit featuring a green top with a black choker around the collar, a keyhole cutout in the shape of a spade, a dark blazer, and a long dark overcoat with fur trim and a roulette wheel detailing on the back. He had card suit imagery and roulette wheels in various places in his design, including the tops of his shoes and the checkered patterns on his lapels. He also sported black gloves, rings on his right hand, a white bottom, with black loafers, He sported a red-tinted pair of aviator sunglasses that barely did anything to conceal two-toned eyes of neon pink and blue. Miko would find herself having her downward momentum turned into a guided ascent into a sudden princess carry, at which point she'd be confronted with those unusual eyes directly. "Don't worry; I've got you. You alright, ojou-san?"

[Apollymi]

At some point, a strange assassin would be receiving a cake. For now... a certain petite young woman was out on a shopping trip about to take a tumble that would have at minimum embarrassed her to death and at maximum been the cause of a swift trip to the underworld and some time spent respawning. But... before Miko could hit the ground she heard first call that seemed to imply someone was witnessing her strange misfortune only to become rather lucky. It would seem that Miko had been saved. Scooped up. she opened her eyes her body a bit tense as she found herself in the arms of man. Well, that was the most literal form of what was happening. She was currently being princess carried. She was completely off the ground and going up. When she opened those eyes of hers she looked into the face of one of the most gorgeous men she'd ever seen. His eyes were mesmerizing especially for them to be present in this world instead of the other. She also felt like his words were truthful, he'd caught her and she was alright.

Miko's heart would however skip a beat when he used the term 'ojou-san' to speak to her. Her brain needed just a moment to catch up. 'Oh my Seimei,, random hot guy just popped up out of nowhere to save my life!' she chimed mentally. "I... uh... you are amazingly attractive." she said first only to cause her face to flush red while the light jumped in her eyes. "Gomennasai, that one was supposed to stay in my head. Not that I am taking it back. I still think that..."she murmured quickly. "Ignore me though, I feel like I am digging myself in deeper here. I didn't mean to make you save me or anything. I've just been having some equilibrium problems lately. I really am fine though. Arigatou gouzaimasu," she offered.

[Bloodedge]

Upon catching the strange girl, the blonde was... not thanked in the way one would expect. She stared at him, and the first words from her mouth were about his attractiveness. How strange. How... laughable. Indeed, he could do naught but laugh for a moment. The girl apologized for her sudden outburst, but claimed to still believe those words. "Well I hope so. If someone like you gave me a compliment and took it back, that'd ruin my day. If you meant it, my day's better now. Arigatou♥~" he chimed, a slightly flirty wink showing beneath those sunglasses.

Apparently, the brunette had been experiencing some issues with her equilibrium. Strange as that was, she luckily hadn't been harmed by the fall. "Got vertigo or something? I hear it can be terrible," he said. As for ignoring her words, his response was a headshake. No way was he going to just ignore that giant can of worms. Ah, but that would have to come just a bit later. A quick look around the packed shopping district, and he saw a lot of potential dangers for a lonely and attractive girl like this. Worse still, there were a lot of ne'er-do-wells around Osaka as of late. "Well you didn't make me save you; I decided to. Don't worry about it. Though... if you're looking for an escort, which you might want around these parts nowadays, you might want to strike a deal with someone who can look out for you," the male suggested.

[Apollymi]

'He's so nice! And fucking hot!' she chimed in her head. Of course, he seemed to be flirting with her and she was aware of this fact now more so than she would have been a few days prior. How interesting, did he really want to do that? Perhaps he was one those who just sounded flirty regardless and everyone did like compliments. "Hai, if you say so, I won't worry about embarrassing myself by having thoughts like that slip out. Glad I could make your day better," Miko said happily. Interesting she'd not intended to be out so long today, and apparently almost falling had been enough to get a man to catch her and completely derail her normal thought patterns. She'd never before thought about the idea of a human even potentially showing interest in her. All the men who liked her currently were bound to her by the soul and magically influenced to do so... she had no reason to think she could or would attract a man like this one for any reason even just some strange instinct to protect.

"Or something. Vertigo is way worse... but kind of similar... I'd more liken it to... having a weird late growth spurt," she explained of her current situation. "My limbs just feel a bit different than I am used to... I also walk a little weird so I trip a lot but I know how to fix that part!" she explained. She didn't figure it would make complete sense, but it was definitely basically what she was feeling, between the influx of mana causing an increase in her base body size, to trying to move around in flat shoes when she'd literally been wearing heels for 300 years straight... she was having an odd time converting back to life on Gaia. Strangely, this man spoke of danger, and though Miko herself tended to avoid danger, she had no idea how people of this world were currently viewing her. In her own mind she was still just an undersized girl who was barely able to avoid being knocked around in crowds, nothing else was ever really a problem. He'd claimed the decision to save her, was his so she shouldn't worry about it, and instead claimed she should look for an escort to avoid danger. "This was supposed to be a quick shopping trip, nothing too crazy," she murmured. She supposed it was always possible to wait until her parents showed up the next day. Since all she needed was shoes. "Wait was that an offer because all I need right now is more shoes... well I was going to go for a few more outfits. And though I really don't see much potential danger to me... I am not the type to ignore good advice or anything..." she said quickly. Thinking about it more. "You could put me down too... I wouldn't want to impose." she said finally. Though he was obviously a strapping young man she definitely wouldn't ever ask anyone to just princess carry her around or anything.

[Bloodedge]

What a lovely girl. It wasn't often one made a random pitstop in Osaka and found a good-looking girl who wasn't an obvious bitch or whore. He was content to wonder if there was anything hidden beneath the surface of this one, but that didn't seem to be the case. Apparently she didn't have vertigo, but had some issues with the state of her body. He assumed the strangeness may have come from a normal growth spurt, and he would believe that... until Miko mentioned being on a 'quick' shopping trip. The man's gaze fell upon her bag, and there he saw some very interesting undergarments. He couldn't even keep himself from a quick once-over of the girl's body, making new and different assumptions about the kind of growth she'd suddenly experienced. "Sou..." he murmured. "Well... it looks like someone is about to be happy."

It was easy to assume a girl like this had a boyfriend. He'd have to be careful around her, though the offer of an escort would not be retracted. He did, however, gently let the lass down to stand on her own. "Hai hai. It wouldn't bother me, but I wouldn't want to upset your boyfriend. Lucky man, and it looks like he's in for a good time. Gambarre yo!" he said while offering a thumbs-up to the brunette. "I am still offering. I don't do anything for free, though. Hmm... my first idea has changed, but I could use someone to show me around. How's that sound?"

[Apollymi]

Miko was having a fun conversation and aside from the fact that she was being princess carried, it was simply happenstance that brought her here. Whatever the case, it seemed that her speak of growth spurts as she made them was understood but had a strange reaction applied. He claimed that someone was about to be happy after having his gaze travel into her bag and apparently giving her body at least a once over. Many people would be happy, not the least of which would be Miko herself whenever she actually adjusted and gained at least some of the confidence that would go along with her new body.

It would seem that she was being placed back on her feet, and she found herself missing being held. Perhaps that was something to be added to her weird kink list later. At present it would appear that Miko was having a strange amount consideration being given to a personal life that legitimately didn't exist for her. Admittedly her sex life was kind of complicated but she didn't have a boyfriend to get jealous over her actions in the way a human might think of it. Nor was she on her shopping trip for the sake of any particular man to see her. What was more, even while he thought something like that, this man that had saved her was content to still help her a bit and even wish her well on her little shopping adventure. There was a profound mix of emotions in Miko's soul. "I have no problem showing you around or anything. I have only recently gotten to the area myself though so I only really know where stores and restaurants are right now. I do like the area so far..." she mused thinking about it a bit more. "Also I don't have a boyfriend. Boys aren't really into me like that... so you have nothing to worry about. Though I wouldn't want to put you in any weird situations, we could just explore as friends while I finish my shopping and help you look around..." she offered the man a non-commital way to continue being helpful without having to put himself out too much. While she thought him to be exceedingly attactive, she figured a man like that would definitely have a girlfriend or some kind of obligation so she wouldn't be interfering in his life if he didn't want to make it complicated. People shouldn't have their niceness mistaken for ulterior motives when they were simply being kind. "Iino Miko desu, hajimemashite." she offered her own name and a little bow before smiling at the man. It was a shame... he was just being nice. She thought she might have enjoyed him in a more direct way.

[Bloodedge]

She could show him around, but not very much. As a newcomer to Osaka herself, the girl knew only of places relevant to her stay thus far. Well, that didn't matter. Much more important to note was her mention of having no boyfriend. Ah, she must have been a lesbian... or not? No, apparently boys weren't interested in her. If it were possible for something to make negative amounts of sense, that declaration fit the bill. "Hmm, no. There's no way I'd ever believe that. Sorry to say, but you must just be oblivious," he countered. Not having a boyfriend was one thing, but there could only be one of four reasons for that in the case of a girl like her. As if to explain, the man raised one finger at a time to make points in sequence. "No guy good enough. Never noticing guys' attention on you. Lesbian. Not interested in relationships at all. Those are the only ways to make sense of you not dating anyone. Don't go around acting like nobody's looking your way. Just look around you right now," he added. Just as he said, there were many eyes on her right this moment ─ his included.

Ah, his original thought process had returned. Everything was some sort of deal or exchange with this man. If she didn't have prior engagements to another person, he could possibly restore the original plan. "Iino Miko? Sou ka. Daikichi Hiruko! Yoroshiku, Kocchi♥~" the man introduced himself, automatically addressing Miko in a very familiar way. "So, I make sure you keep balanced, you point out some key spots, and... one more thing I plan to collect later. Don't worry; it'll be great. Deal?"

[Apollymi]

According to this blonde man, Miko was oblivious. Rather he'd have to believe she was oblivious because he wouldn't believe that boys were not interested in her. Miko's brows furrowed, as this was far from the first time she was hearing such a thing. "You're not the first person to tell me that... I am trying to get better about it," she admitted sheepishly. Still, she figured by the time she noticed it fully it would probably be far too late. She was well past the idea of living a normal girl's monogamous fantasy. No, it seemed she was going the harem route without question now that it was a true option for her life and any fun she had was hers to undertake as she saw fit. As for his four reasons that one didn't have a boyfriend, Miko supposed she could see the logic behind each point. In the same moment she had to take a few glances around herself and actually notice that there were a lot of eyes on her. That could have been simply being in this attractive and flamboyant man's presence, but she figured he wouldn't be accepting just that as the reason. "Waah, well that could be for a lot of reasons. Though the way you look at me makes me think I am deflecting..." she managed looking a bit aghast when she thought about the sheer number of people actually looking at her in the present moment. "Though thinking about it, I could see being mistaken as purely a lesbian... all my friends are stunning so it'd be pretty easy to think something odd is going on," she murmured, not seeming to include herself in that list for random reasons. Granted she hadn't surrounded herself with pretty women on purpose and her sexuality was far from rigid... she didn't really need to explain that fully.

Whatever the case she did manage her introduction while remaining on her two feet. And beyond that got a rather cute nickname to go along with it. A version of her name she'd never heard before, 'Kocchi' was given as a term of familiarity and she found herself blushing just slightly at it. 'Yep! Definitely like that. I might be as bad as Kaya...' she whispered in her own mind. "Hai, Hiru-nii..." if they were being informal than she'd go with the most familiar way she'd refer to anyone. Of course she was still Japanese so there was only so much formality she was willing to forego while being in public. There was a deal in place but Miko found herself looking at the man as part of the deal was apparently hidden for later and great... in his own words. "Hm? Hiru-nii... we've only just met and I have trust part of a condition I don't know~" she teased gently. "Lucky for you... I'll roll an occasional gacha~ I have a good feeling about you so I'll agree to that... I was headed over to Chiorya Boutique for some shoes. It's about two blocks that way~" she said pointing across the intersection towards a certain high end place. She'd heard the shoes there were divine but the owner and designer was one of those shut in types who didn't like appearing places. Given this, she thought to support a fellow hidden identity celebrity.

[Bloodedge]

Hiruko was certain Miko should have no issues attracting men of any sort, though her apparent clumsiness would likely appeal to the wrong variety more often than not. She'd have nothing to be concerned about today, at the very least. Hiruko was a man of his word; he'd surely look out for the lass so long as she remained in his company. Besides... he had some 'sightseeing' to do. "You're deflecting. The men looking this way wouldn't be so shy about it if they were looking at me," he assured. As if to prove a point once more, Hiruko glanced... or rather, glared at an adult male not too far from their current location. That man was content to believe Hiruko and Miko were in some sort of relationship, and kept his distance from that moment onward. Ah, but Hiruko himself had bigger fish to fry... like the utter ridiculousness of another claim recently heard. "Stunning friends? There are more of you? My, my; Osaka might have been a good investment after all," he mused.

Miko mentioned a place called Chioriya Boutique, a familiar name to Hiruko. With a light chuckle, he tugged at his coat to show its interior. On the inner lining was a symbol likened to scissors cutting through a single thread with a flower at its end. "Lucky find then, huh? If you like Oricchi's designs, you should visit the source one day. She's great♥~" he praised. Already leading the way toward where Miko pointed, Hiruko decided a bit late to comment on other matters previously broached. "Of course we just met, but I get a sense of chemistry. You like gacha, I like gambling. You're blushing over a name, I like the look on your face. It's all basic science~" the man teased. Based on what he could see along their path to Chioriya Boutique, Hiruko believed they were in the general vicinity of another place he intended to visit. "Are we in Chuo-ku? I need to get something from here. Say... not to sound like a creep, but are you far from the place you're staying? If so, I can show you something awesome~"

[Apollymi]

There was confirmation that Miko was in fact deflecting. Hiruko, as he was aptly named, seemed to think that if men were looking at him they'd be more direct. He also made it very clear with just a glare that he'd at least be good for, making sure Miko didn't attract any unwanted male attention. Which was likely for the best because although Miko had a pretty good idea of who she did and did not want to talk to... it was at least possible that she would mistake someone's intentions. "I have four really close friends close to my own age they are all great. Though only one of them is here with me. We all technically live in Tokyo," she explained gently.

Beyond this point, apparently Hiruko was familiar with the designer she seemed to favor. According to him, Chiori was a nice girl whom she should visit at her place if she ever got the chance. The way he said that implied that it would be quite an experience. "Sou sou... I'll make sure to do that if I can. I mostly was looking up shoes earlier and I saw some in her boutique I thought would match my current needs and functionality." she said happily. Of course she also liked the idea of supporting a fellow quiet celebrity. Moving on, it would seem that Hiruko saw in them a certain chemistry which Miko herself wouldn't be denying anytime soon. "I'll let you have that because I don't have any immediate comebacks, but when I do... the day you'll rue~" she mused. "Hm, didn't mean to do that... I might actually be able to write something," she murmured mostly to herself. "Hai, Chuo-ku desu. There is the best shopping and hotels around here. I spent yesterday exploring here as well. It was fun~" she mused. The rest of his sentence had been prefaced by the ideation that he wasn't being a creep but... she couldn't help but laugh. "Whenever I start a sentence with that kind of cadence I am usually about to say something crazy... I'm glad it isn't just me," she claimed happily. "Actually we are a decent bit away from where I am actually staying. Tezukayama is where that is. What did you want to show me, Hiru-nii?" she asked as they closed the gap between her and the boutique she looked to enter. Mentally, Miko was preparing herself for another bad shop experience, even though she'd recently had her previous one made up for by a very nice lady who seemed to be the caring big sister type.

[Bloodedge]

There were five total girls of Miko's ilk. Alas, they were not from Osaka, but from Tokyo instead. That made a bit more sense. "Ah. That explains it; Tokyo has all the good genes~" he mentioned in a way that may or may not have been flirty; even Hiruko himself wasn't sure which it was. He was, however, certain Tokyo was a place full of very good-looking individuals.

As they walked toward the boutique, that chemistry Hiruko spoke of was beginning to properly show itself. Miko even felt comfortable enough to joke around, despite the awkwardness she experienced during introduction. It was a good development, he thought. "Oh I'll rue? I'd love to see you try~" he retorted lightheartedly. Regardless, they were in the exact area he wanted to be for a major purchase. Miko was also quite a ways from home, or at least from the place she was staying. With that in mind, he could save her a bit of time, money and effort on the way back. "The cards are in your favor, Kocchi. If you're interested, you could be the first person I take for a ride♥~" he mused while delivering another wink to the lass.

[Apollymi]

Tokyo had all the good genes, Hiruko seemed to be flirting. At the very least Miko took it as flirting and wondered exactly how deep this well would go. "Are you implying something I wonder~" Miko flirted in response as the front of the boutique came into view. Still a happy chat and easy banter was something that Miko hadn't thought herself capable of accomplishing with anyone outside of her usual circle. She was actually a bit relieved to think that she might not be completely defective when it came to interactions with the opposite sex. Still, she joked about him and rue and it seemed that he took it lightly, a flash of deviousness crossed those eyes of hers. "Hiru-nii, I like challenges~" she said in a light hearted manner, but of course there was a bit more to it than that. The more they talked and matched on a deeper level in conversation and playfulness the more confidence Miko seemed to gain in her ability to flirt with and tease him. It was like watching her bloom into a flower from a bud in real time.

Speaking of blooming a certain quivering would be coming from the lass as Hiruko mentioned that the cards were in her favor. he claimed that she might even be the first one taken for a ride. And now, she knew that he meant a car, but that winking and his playful tone sent her mind into hyperdrive. Her most intrusive thought since meeting this man was shouted within her brain. 'We'll ride you, keep winking at us like that!♥~' Miko could only be glad no one could hear her thoughts right just now, lest she be given a rather odd look given how very aggressive that thought was. "Hiru-nii, I'm definitely interested in whatever kind of ride my cards have in store for me♪~" she teased as she entered the boutique, a wicked little smirk appeared on her face, as that strange desire to be domineering appeared in one of the oddest places yet. Upon entering the store she felt quite at ease and noted that this particular place had some very interesting pieces. She did come here for something specific though and found herself traveling towards it, while being very careful not to trip over her own feet. She looked over several designs of shoes carefully looking for the height and incline which would make it easier for her to walk, which was a great deal higher than the little wedges she was currently wearing for reasons that might not be obvious to any.

[Bloodedge]

Was Hiruko implying something when he spoke of genes? The answer was, in fact, both yes and no. Miko was content to flirt, but he was well beyond simple flirtation at base. "Implying, no. I'm outright saying, women who look like you are more likely to come from Tokyo. Kyoto's good too, but Tokyo's more upbeat," he chattered. Something of a challenge was on the proverbial table for them as well. Miko claimed she liked challenges. She was coming out of her shell rather quickly around this man. "So do I. But, I don't take bets I can't win. Good luck making me rue anything," he challenged further. This girl seemed capable of a lot of things. He doubted she could lead him to anything but the exact opposite of rue, but... time would tell where things went in truth.

Both parties were a bit beyond basic challenges to each other, it seemed. Hiruko spoke of offering Miko a ride, and she responded with... probably the most direct flirt he'd ever heard in Osaka. Hiruko nearly stopped where he stood. He didn't, of course, but there was a particular glance shot in Miko's direction immediately. "Oya? You should be careful with that kind of sentence, Kocchi; a guy might get the wrong idea♥~" he said. Hiruko was quite sure he had exactly the right idea. Miko confirmed she was single, and she was very freely flirting and responding to flirts in kind. He'd only come to Osaka on a rollover, but... there was time to spare if necessary. And so, he accompanied Miko on her little shoe-shopping trip, taking in the sights of Chiori's newest designs. "Looking for a nice open toe to go with that sundress? It'd suit you," he expressed simply to keep up casual talk.