@suehiro.

[pricelesstears]

[ Tetcho's companions had dragged him along to this particular okiya, shielded in a shady spot in the woods on the edge of a small village they were traveling through. Sunlight peeked through the trees, beams stretching past the paneled doors into the hallway, almost framing the geishas that greeted them.

One such geisha is a woman with short white, red-tipped hair and an elegant red kimono, embroidered with a lovely fox design. She rests a well-manicured hand on Tetcho's arm and offers him a smile. ]

I believe I'll be your company for the evening.

Comments

[suehiro]

[ battlefields are more comfortable than a place like this. within the elegant, perfumed corridors, and brightly-clothed women, tetcho is feels like a bull in a glass shop. the merest misstep and he's going to cause trouble for everyone here, and of course, this is also not forgetting the fact he's never been in a place like this before.

maybe he can make an escape before he makes a fool of himself and oh-

no. no. no.

a hand is on his arm and the most beautiful person tetcho has ever seen in his life is smiling at him and the only he can do is stare at her, jaw slack, eyes wide. ]

Uh...[ very intelligent reply ]...Yes?

[pricelesstears]

[ A soft giggle escapes painted lips; she’s clearly amused that he seems to be struck speechless. It’s her favorite kind of client, really — the ones so taken in by her charm that they’re practically useless. They’re the easiest to feed from, at least.

Just thinking about it, Jouno licks her lips. ]

Sorry, did I startle you? [ It’s a false kindness, one Jouno has learned to wield to lure in her victims. ] Here, follow me. I can take you to a private room.

[suehiro]

...Yes? [ again, very intelligent conversation but tetcho isn't really paying attention to her words or even where they're going. it seems along with his vocabulary he has forgotten all common sense.

all he really wants is to keep look at that face. tetcho isn't even thinking of touching--how could he when his hands are so stained with blood? he'd ruin all that grace and elegance and--


there is something particular about her though. tetcho can't quite put his fingers on what as they find themselves alone in a room, with only the sounds of music and raised voices elsewhere. ]

Is this appropriate?

[ because, of course. ]

[pricelesstears]

Forgive me then. I only meant to catch your attention.

[ Attention which is seems she has ensnared. The smile on her painted lips is closer to a smirk as she leads Tetcho down the lengthy hallway. She’s always liked this part of her little game, where her victims are so taken with her that they stumble for words. It’s a silent sort of praise, but one she likes nonetheless.

The room is well decorated, carefully designed with entertainment in mind. Jouno turns her head to face Tetcho as they enter the room, even though she can’t see him. ]

Hmm? I would certainly think so. Are you uncomfortable?

[suehiro]

[ there are many things in this world tetcho does not know, but he does not view his lack of knowledge in certain areas as something to be ashamed of. no one person can know everything, if they did they would no longer be human, or they would be higher up--like his commander, like the emperor, not a simple samurai on the frontlines of a losing war. except, tetcho's colleagues do consider the man an oddity, nothing simple despite tetcho's insistence on being so. darkly unremarkable, he'd describe himself if asked.

that is why the attention of this woman, in her fine red kimono with the fox pattern, she's beautiful. (and a whole lot of adjectives that tetcho does not know but would like to know if only so he could offer them as praise).

a cursory glance is sparred to the room but tetcho is watching the curve of jouno's mouth when she speaks. he's sure this isn't appropriate but— ]

No. [ because he's not despite the hammering pulse and the red warmth creeping along his stomach. it's unusual but not unwelcome, it feels a little like the haze of battle, the excitement before unsheathing his sword and swipping down on the enemy. ]

I have never been to a place like this.

[ what even IS the name of a place like this? he knows the word but again, jouno is very distracting. ]

[pricelesstears]

[ Jouno would agree with simple. All humans seemed that way to her, after all, and Tetcho had done nothing to prove himself an exception. In fact, she think he may be on the dumber end. Not that she minds (at the moment); food all tastes the same regardless of how smart it is.

She can hear his quickening heart beat, and it bodes well for her dinner. Nonetheless, she offers politely: ]

We need not do anything that makes you uncomfortable then. [ Another hand on Tetcho’s arm, and a warm smile that betrays her true nature. Her painted nails are long enough to resemble the claws she has in her true form. ]

I’m more than happy just having a chat.

[ It’s a lie —- Jouno is here precisely because she feeds on the sexual energy of the geishas clientele —- but she can’t very well be honest here. ]

My name is Jouno Saigiku, by the way. May I have yours?

[suehiro]

[ what is he actually supposed to do here? tetcho feels the weight of her hand, and that smile— he thinks he would like to press his mouth against it and see if it feels as lovely as it looks. but he does not, he would not take advantage of someone who was offering company, and besides this is a brothel, right? surely there is broth, they can eat and talk.

yes, that is what is appropriate in this situation.

his musings have taken him a little too long and so the reply to her question comes a beat or two too late. sorry, jouno you have caught a dumb one tonight. ] Tetcho Suehiro. I am very honored to make your acquaintance, Jouno.

[ ...because his brain has not reminded him to be polite, he just wants to say her name again and again and--is this even normal? he's pretty sure he's never been this distracted before. ]

I'm afraid that it is me who might cause you discomfort, I only want to spend time with you. In...whatever way you prefer.

[pricelesstears]

[ Jouno isn’t expecting the brief silence, and for a moment, her eyebrow twitches in annoyance. She’s just about to ask if he heard her when he speaks up, and just as quickly, her forced and practiced smile is back on her face. ]

Tetcho-san. [ A light laugh follows and she runs her fingers along the sleeve of his kimono. ] The pleasure is all mine.

[ He’s not very bright, she can tell. Even stupider than most of the humans she ensnares in her trap, she thinks. She’s used to men being enamored by her beauty, but usually, they want to quickly get her into bed with them. Tetcho truly seems content just to talk.

It won’t do, she thinks, but she can work with it for now. ]

Have a seat then. I’ll fetch you some tea and perhaps you can tell me about some of your adventures.

[suehiro]

[ he reaches over to take her hand in his own, a firm grip but not suffocating. he is apparently very serious about respecting her space and just spending their time together comfortably. ] Yes, I would like tea. [ and then he releases his hold. ]

But I would prefer to talk to you as much as possible, so the tea isn't that important.

[ smitten? yes. ]

[pricelesstears]

[ Tetcho’s grip is strong in a way that catches Jouno’s attention, though she says nothing about it. Instead, she pulls her arm away and starts towards her tea kettle, only to get interrupted on the way. ]

You wouldn’t prefer to talk over tea? [ She brushes a strand of white hair behind her ear. ] I won’t bother to make it if it’s not that important to you, but… I am quite talented at it.