[D3 EA] Planning a Ceremony

[Miya Akari]

"I'm not worried about the dangers themselves. I'm more worried that others won't take them seriously," she replied with a sad smile. "The only people we've lost were those that were overconfident."

[Shiba Yukari]

"Well, you can be certain that I've no intention of running undue risks. So you do the same, hm?"

[Miya Akari]

"I prefer to avoid unnecessary risks. Especially since my duty involves helping Hiraku-sama not be harmed. The fewer risks the better," she replies, nodding her head as it rested on Yukari's shoulder.

"My turn again... What is your favorite food?"

[Shiba Yukari]

"I've been asked that before, by a rather charming young Dragon gentleman back on the mainland. I wonder if you'll be as surprised as he was... he thought with my gardening acumen I'd say something like peaches, or plums, but... actually, I love sushi. Especially ebi."

Yukari paused, sipped her tea.

"Do you think anyone would notice if we just stayed here all day?"

Plainly a joke, but a wistful one.

[Miya Akari]

"I love sushi. Kurodai is particularly pleasant to me," she agreed.

"I bet they would notice. And I am positive I would not care if they did," she replied.

Making sure the tea cups were out of the way, she readjusted. "I could definitely..." she slipped a hand around Yukari's waist, "...spend all day with you and pretend the rest of the world didn't exist."

She leaned in to place a gentle kiss on the nape of the Shiba's neck.

"You are amazing Yukari. Wonderfully, beautifully amazing. Speaking with you is just as pleasant as kissing you. A hard balance to find. I'm incredibly fortunate to have found it in you."

[Shiba Yukari]

Akari would feel the Phoenix's entire body thrilling to the contact.

And there was that lip-bite again.

"Motivation in all things, Akari-chan."

[Miya Akari]

Akari looks into Yukari's eyes and smiles. "I certainly feel that, but also inspiration. I know that it's only a want, but it feels like a need when you are next to me. Like breath or water. The sound of your voice makes my heart race, no matter the words or sounds it shares."

[Shiba Yukari]

"Wait until I get going on the subject of orchids, we'll see if you can stay awake without changing the subject..."

[Miya Akari]

"I may lose track of the subject you talk about..." her finger rises to Yukari's face, her thumb brushing her lips, "...but I won't lack focus for you. And I love hearing someone talk about the things they are passionate about."

[Shiba Yukari]

Yukari shivered a bit- and kissed Akari's thumb.

"You make... behaving... quite difficult."

[Miya Akari]

"Because I don't like to, even as I make myself. I believe it is your turn. Tell me what you want to know," she whispered.

[Shiba Yukari]

"Some questions will have to wait."

She cleared her throat.

"So. Ah... do you have a favorite play?"

[Miya Akari]

"The Flying Hairpin of Kocho," she said. "I am also a fan of the Kocho-Mai dance as well that goes with. Have you seen it? The dance or the play?"

[Shiba Yukari]

"I haven't! What's the story?"

[Miya Akari]

"A woman is falsely accused of and deals with rumors of adultery, so she takes her own life. A warrior seeking to avenge her cannot find the source of the rumors that led to her death. However, the hairpin of the woman carried by her avenger turns to a butterfly and acts as a guide to the villain. He is cut down for his vile actions," she summarizes. Taking one of Yukari's hands in her own.

"Part of the play, when the hairpin turns to a butterfly, involves a lovely dance. The dance itself performed annually in the Imperial City, it was so popular, usually around the same time of year as butterfly migrations. If I could dance well enough to do it justice, I'd show you. Instead, I invite you to visit there with me the next season that we can, and we can enjoy it together."

Akari gives her hand a gentle squeeze.

[Shiba Yukari]

The squeeze was returned/

"I'd love that... it sounds... well. Very romantic, but also a beautiful bit of artistry..."

[Miya Akari]

"Then I hope that I will be able to make it happen." She lets out a contented sigh as she considers her next question.

"What is your favorite song to sing?"

[Shiba Yukari]

"The one I sang the night we met. The one about the sea? I've always liked it."

She chuckled.

"Not that the sea is a good medium for a gardener, but it's always had a certain compelling quality."

[Miya Akari]

"It was a beautiful song," Akari agrees.

As she continues, she runs a fingertip over Yukari's ear and draws a line down her neck, over her shoulder, down her back to her waist, then dips between her obi and kimono before tracing around to the front. All of that happened, while she maintained eye contact and spoke.

"The sea is a vast and beautiful thing, bringing us many gifts and caring for us. It is also dangerous, sure, but that danger is appealing too. It's good to appreciate it in song as you do. Though that is also my favorite song as well now, after hearing it from your lips. But then, many things about your lips have me enamored of you."

[Shiba Yukari]

"You're not helping."

The lips in question parted slightly.