because this is a mix of cute, sexy and awkward and hey! idc, this is a test drive BT

[embracethewind]

Who: A doofus bushi and a goddess incarnation
When: Any day lol
Where: Sasha's apartment
What: Souji's b-day eeeee
Warning: All the possible keysmashing and sexy tiems!


[ For this day Souji had never expected something in the slightest, but getting that message in his voicemail from Sasha certainly brought out the best of smiles.

They have been closed friends since the very first day of their meeting. It's refreshing, different from being with Kamiya (he still misses her bossy ways). One of the things that keeps him at bay of running away from her is the girl's serenity with the people she knows; a girl whose presence he's comfortable having around, who will never fall for him...

During his stay, he dared to approach males just for the sole purpose of worship. A risky, maybe biased, self-imposed policy which luckily has worked until now. However, there's great conflict every time, it leaves him shaken -- worse, even.

Better not say anything to this dear lady. This only pertains Souji in the end...

Standing outside her door, his smile is bright as the sun it makes him look unique. ]

Sasha-san! I'm here!

Comments

[embracethewind]

[He leans both hands on the table to look at the cake with interest.]

Is this some kind of confectionery to celebrate?

/snugs ♥

[deadellaguerra]

[ Sasha giggles at her friend's reaction. ]

I am glad you are pleased, Souji. Please, have a seat!

[ Seeing his interest in the cake -- ]

It is customary in some countries to serve cake with candles on them for birthdays. The celebrant makes a wish then blows the candles out-- and he should extinguish them in one breath or the wish won't come true!

(ɔˆ ³(ˆ⌣ˆc)

[embracethewind]

[Removing his daito from his obi and setting it standing beside the table, Souji sits, making himself comfortable. Who would've thought these type of celebrations happened in such manner?]

Ah, now that sounds joyous. In my country, we grow older in every New Year's celebration and pay our respects to the gods for the good fortunes at the shrine. [Glancing at the cake.] Can I?

[deadellaguerra]

Of course!

[ At his request, Sasha smiles brightly. She brings the cake closer to Souji, softly singing a birthday song in Italian. When she finishes -- ]

Make a wish and blow the candles out!

1/2

[embracethewind]

[///] [There‘s a tiny flush on his cheeks at her singing. Sasha does have a beautiful voice~ (￣▽￣)

Souji closes his eyes, thinking about his loved ones and those he cares for. He wishes for their happiness more than his own... more than anything: for sensei, Hijikata-san, Saito-san, all the members from the Shieikan, his family back in Edo...


For Kamiya-san.


For Sasha-san now.


Once finished, he takes a breath in and lets out, making the small flame disappear in a blink of an eye.]

[embracethewind]

[Claps enthusiastically.]

I‘m hungrier now after blowing at the candle~

[So-chan, so obvious.]

[deadellaguerra]

[ Sasha claps her hands at the successful attempt! ] Congratulations, Souji! Tradition says not to tell anyone of your wish for the rest of the day~

[ She sets the cake back to its place of honor and she takes to serving their first bowls of rice. She especially got chopsticks for the occasion, though she did have spoons handy... ] Here you are! Do tell me if it's any good?

[embracethewind]

I see... [Well, he knows it is a very personal wish but somehow...]

[By the time she's serving him his thoughts are set aside because eeeee food food food!~ Souji brings his palms together in a gesture--] Itadakimasu~! [--holding the bowl and taking a small portion of rice with the chopsticks to eat it immediately.] Mm... the rice is good. [and another] Sho goo'... hmnmn...

[deadellaguerra]

[ Discreetly, Sasha observes as to how Souji holds his chopsticks, but decided not to do so just yet. She decides to use a spoon instead, scooping the rice from her bowl. ]

I am happy you like it! Just tell me if you need some more!

[ Though there is a pressing question though -- ]

Souji-- did you get a card from the Twelve?

1/2

[embracethewind]

[One thing Sasha is able see is that he's a fast eater. About to finish his first bowl of rice, he pauses all of a sudden.

Souji holds his gaze on her, more of an unsettling sight, with not a single word.]

[embracethewind]

[Placing the bowl and chopsticks back on the table, he digs a hand inside the collar of his kimono, then handing the card to her. What to do if only look away in a bleak expression?]

[deadellaguerra]

[ A good appetite is good to have, Sasha believes, and she's glad to see Souji enjoy her cooking. His reaction to her question however, gives her pause -- surely he wasn't given an awful card? She had seen some that might not fit with their sensibilities but-- ]

...?

[ Sasha takes the proffered card and immediately her cheeks color. She doesn't think she'll ever get used to seeing erotic art but she does her best to look at it in an impassive manner. Figuring out the imagery, she supposes it's not so bad. ]

Is... this something you have done before?

[embracethewind]

[By the looks of it, it‘s quite obvious any interest in said erotic pictures is lacking, something Harada-san and Nagakura-san are more experienced with, he recalls. Shouldn‘t come as a surprise, given what he has seen and done here, yet he can‘t help feel sensitive everytime.]

T-This is a private matter! Why would I have to do it before someone else‘s eyes?

[Completely different from being touched by another person. Being touched by another‘s hand in a similar way.]

[deadellaguerra]

[ Sasha too, tries to make sense of it-- but, truly, if people are able to do... things together, unclothed and undone... ]

I feel that it is an intimacy that is shared between two people who are, well, intimate.

[ Her answers weren't definite, but she draws upon what she has learned from people in her many incarnations, and from people in Zodion. They're not, however, without a bright flush to her cheeks, as she hands the card back. ]

If you can touch each other, if you trust each other-- with your bodies, this can be seen as an extension of your honesty with each other-- that you can be honest with your desires to be touched, and you wish to show that to your partner.

1/2

[embracethewind]

[Could have been easier to avoid her at all. Could have chased her off and made sure to never see her again.

He couldn't. He just couldn't. She is worth everything and more.]

Is it... possible for us to be... intimate?

[Almost a murmur, which sounds more disgraceful only thinking of Sasha so vulnerable, the light in her eyes showing another kind of spark, voice singing a different song...]

I trust you, Sasha-san.

All the times I had to give in to my-- needs, I was afraid of looking out for you. You offered me your help many times and I... acted selfish.

It wasn't my desire to seek others I barely know or not. [He ducks his head in shame.] [...] I like you. Very much. You've been so kind to me since I first arrived to this place.

[embracethewind]

[He picks up the card. Icon ahaha.]

I'm sorry! Just-- forget what I've told you. There's no need for you to do anything.

[Nevermind him! He'll just keep on what he was eating in all goofiness, card still in between his knuckles.]

[deadellaguerra]

[ Sasha listens carefully to what Souji had to say, and truly, she is flattered as to how he regards her, and she is glad that his regard for her as a friend is steadfast. But his attempt at taking his word back makes her brows furrow -- ]

How can I forget such a thing? And how can I not do anything when I had been the one offering my help all this time?

[ Sasha's draw a tight, determined line. ]

I am your friend, Souji. The nature of this place is yet something we have to fully accept, but if there are people who are most out to help each other here, in terms of worship-- are they not friends, first?

[ She takes a breath as her eyes close briefly. She tries to catch Souji's gaze and hold it. ]

Of course we can be intimate.

[embracethewind]

[Putting the utensils back, Souji reciprocates her gaze, forcing a smile it barely casts off the shadow upon him, cheeks slightly colored.]

Thank you. I'll... try my best.

[A pause, followed then by a sigh.] I think I'll never fully accept it. We have no choice, of course! [Pretending not to be bothered, he hands his bowl to her for a re-fill--] Can I have some more, please?

[deadellaguerra]

[ That earns him a stern look. ]

We do have a choice, Souji. They are, however, fashioned to the nature of this place -- we are bound by its rules, and yet we are free to make our choices within those boundaries.

[ But she gently takes the bowl to give him another serving. ]

I do not do things with half a heart.

[embracethewind]

[Souji feels an involuntary jolt through his body at Sasha's words. She was right: even if it's hard to believe, they had a sort of a choice, but a choice anyway.

He gives her a slow nod and a brief, small smile, having the bowl in his hand.]

Sasha-san... I know you don't.

[Looking at the chopsticks while taking them--] Have they been kind to you?... Have they been good lovers?

[deadellaguerra]

[ The sternness in her eyes fade, returning to their usual kind look, albeit subdued.

She takes her friend's question in stride; and having to think of her... encounters with different men (and some women). ]

Yes. They have been-- kind and considerate. My encounters have all been... pleasant.

[ She takes a sip of her tea and -- ] How have you been fairing as of late?

[embracethewind]

[Not that his own situation has been any better...

Does he seem distracted eating a portion of yakiniku and rice and salads all at once repeatedly with such insistence? Yes, he does! And the pout on his face helps nothing to lessen the visible tension in discussing about his... sexual life.

Less his words--]

Since I don't perform anything troop-related, my shifts at the ryokan and the dojo have done enough for me.

In between, well-- you know. I'm sorry for not being able to visit you more recently.

[He's not avoiding her or his other friends. Just... everytime it happens he shuts himself for a while, only responding via device.]

[deadellaguerra]

[ Sasha tries to understand Souji's source of discomfort. Surely, with him asking her about her own sex life, he would be amenable to her doing the same. It's only fair, she finds. ]

You know you are always welcome here.

[ However, the constant evasion of her questions, his taking his words back, Sasha feels as if she hasn't earned her friend's trust after all this time. ]

Were your lovers good to you as well?

[embracethewind]

[Souji can sense a hint of disappointment on Sasha, he doesn't know. Since it was him who asked her first, fair indeed to answer back.

A pause, eyeing at the card back on the table.]

They... They have been so good to me, despite my constant misgivings. Men sure know how to satisfy each other and the ladies.

[Oh, yes. He forgot to mention...]

[deadellaguerra]

[ Ah, that bit about preferences had not been something that Sasha considered right away. How silly ~ ]

Ah-- well-- I suppose I understand as to how you would have second thoughts in wanting to be intimate with me. If you prefer the company of men, why not ask one of your male friends instead, if you would be more comfortable with them?

[ Need Sasha's social fail be spelled out? ~ A W K W A A A A A A A A A A A R D ~ ]