kohvia.

            “i’m gonna go ahead & take that as a compliment. what, does this look like a costume to you?” amusement colored his features, posture leaning forward as he mirrored the other, chin cradled against his palms & bright eyes practically shining in his mirth. “i’ll have you know that this is grade-a, 100% SOLDIER uniform, thank you very much.” 

a second-class one, perhaps, but a SOLDIER uniform nonetheless — even if he was technically off duty right now. had been, as of a few hours ago. 

   “Hmmmmmmmm.......”

SAPPHIRE EYES GLEAM IN amusement, a teasing look ‘pon bright features. the simple fact that he hadn’t chastised her for making petty remarks at the mako-infused warriors ---- when usually they WOULD absolutely begin to protest at her words -- shows how good-natured he is. with laughter stifled, she pulls away to give him a look-over.

     “It’s unfortunate. They do so well in suiting up their pawns. As much as I       hate SHINRA, it does make you look striking. Maybe they should’ve hopped       in to creating fashion instead.”

DELICATE LIPS PURSE, a delightful hum leaving in mild vibrations as she casts a glimpse over to the man crowned in spiked, dark hair. his cheerful & relaxed disposition is unlike any of the other SOLDIERs she’s ever seen;; but she knows his fate is sealed ( it’s in the MAKO in his eyes. ) what an unsightly thread of destiny to have, she thinks. 

she rests her chin on upward palms, head tilting. caramel locks spill over her shoulder in a sweeping movement as her form sways forward, a teasing smirk on rosy lips.

      “Heeeeeh.....a SOLDIER boy?”

HER VISITS TO THE FLORIST are limited to one location & one person only ;; a slender, strong figure crowned with hair the color of the night sky. since her first instance with the floral shop nearly an hour away from her abode, the heart-yearning warrior refuses to go elsewhere. 

sure, the trek down from the forest can be a bit long -- but for a woman who’s lived too many years, having distant & scheduled interactions can be quite nice. ( & it didn’t hurt to have a nice bouquet of flowers purposefully picked  out for her. )

so imagine how terrible it must be to have those sweet blossoms trampled ‘pon by pesky hunters. ( must they insist on capturing her? it’s been generations. ) she had barely left the store & THIS had to happen!! 

at least the walk back around only took fifteen minutes. her hand presses along the glass door, pushing it open. & she purses her lips into a pout as soon as sapphire eyes meet the florist’s.

      oh, he could feel his face redden again , but her behavior did not draw him back . not at all . his hand went from the page to return the gesture, fingers gently wrapping around her hand . he then leaned his head forward and pulled her hand close to his face , allowing his eyes to flutter shut as his lips gently pressed against the back of her hand before their eyes meet again .  ❛  how lovely – it’s a pleasure to meet you, kohvia . you can call me … zen . it’s my stage name , but everyone calls me zen . ❜ he then let her hand go , straightening his posture back to his previous position , lips still curved in a coy smile . 

ONCE SLENDER, WARM FINGERS wrapped around her delicate, calloused hand --- she freezes. how many years has it been since anyone has reached out for her? offered her a human comfort? 

once sweet lips brush along the back of it, sapphire eyes widen just a hint. she should’ve known ;; should’ve expected such charming remarks from a man like HYUN. 

       “....Zen, huh? That’s unique.”

SHE’S ALWAYS BELIEVED in the system of “innocent until proven guilty”, but such a thing was hard to put in place when one side refuses to calm down. the heart-lost warrior so happened to stumble ‘pon an incredible sight in the dark mist of the night -- 3 hunters & their hunted. 

in silent, soft movements she had come between the party with a smile on her rosy lips --- is there a reason why you’re bullying him? & when the answers she had received had been volatile & hate-ridden, KOHVIA made her decision.

--- she’d rather let them go silent      & hear the other party’s story instead. 

the three are knocked unconscious, her blade ( not quite the BEST thing to be carrying around in such modern times ) sheathed carefully, gently. her attention draws back to the cornered blonde man -- & she kneels before him with a sweet simper.

     “ --- Are you okay? They didn’t seem very reasonable.”

     he lets out a gasp of fake surprise , letting one of her hands go in favor to put his own hand right in front of his mouth to cover it . how could she say something like that! he then brings the said hand down to his chest , tugging at the fabric of his shirt . 

        ❛ my dear , you’re going to break my heart if you keep saying that , i feel it aching already!!  kohvia , you’re not just a humble friend of mine! you’re … ❜ he makes a pause , teeth biting onto his lower lip – zen didn’t want to come out as too straightforward or make her feel uncomfortable . ❛ you’re amazing … the sweetest person i’ve ever met . ❜

NOT JUST A HUMBLE FRIEND. it sent a strangle tingle down her spine to hear it from him -- to see his expression falter. a delicate, little situation she’s caught herself in ;; 

to think that in every life, he would be drawn to her. ( like a moth to a flame. ) & what about her? ..... she can’t deny their peculiar pull. how many lives has he lived and found himself face-to-face with her? she bites into her lower lip, enticed by his presence & settling into his words.

     “Me...? Amazing....?”

nearly breathless, KOHVIA wonders if she’s succumb to his radiance once more. ( she can’t help it. ) the lack of a heart does not deny the logic of their bond. what they have runs so much deeper. 

her hands come to rest on his cheeks, a dainty smile quirking rosy lips. 

      he can’t help but burst into laughter , promptly shaking his head in response. zen pulls her closer to himself , leaning forward to press a soft kiss on the top of her head .   ❛ my – how am i supposed to charm all lovely ladies when i have you right in front of me?  ❜ 

      he draws his head back to look down at her face , giving her a wink .  ❛ but you didn’t answer my question yet … ❜

PERSISTENCE IS KEY to a woman who easily brushes off smooth advances --- but this is ZEN -- & he isn’t just anyone. not a passerby nor a fleeting companion ;; but someone who has come back into her life time & time again. without fail. ( as if they were fated to be. ) 

for once, she puts on a shy pretense -- eyes almost doe-like has she juts out her lower lip in a pout. 

  “Well, they ARE very lovely ladies...and me?     I’m just a humble friend of yours.”

      he couldn’t help but give a little pout as she pulled away from him and his hands immediately reached out to hers , holding them by the tips of her fingers before intertwining them together . 

       ❛ kohvia!! oh my dear , kohvia – can you stop being this cute for a second? my heart is going to explode! you’re the one making time for me . does that mean you’re my birthday gift~? ❜

IS IT POSSIBLE? she swore she felt her heart skip a beat -- despite her lack of one, KOHVIA felt strangely light. as if she suddenly remem- -bered how it felt to FEEL. ( but that couldn’t be it...could it? )

she basks in his lingering touches, comforted by their intertwining hands. eyes peer down at their physical connection before pulling her gaze back up at the tall, rising star. 

       “ --... Zen.....to ask if I’m your birthday          gift is..”

     his expression brightens and he can’t help but offer a wide , welcoming smile in return . receiving such a warm and cheerful birthday wish from her made his heart flutter in excitement since only a few did remember his birthday . with arms wrapping around her waist and welcoming her into a embrace , just as strong , he rests his head against her shoulder after receiving the kiss , allowing his eyes to flutter shut from a brief moment . he could stay like this forever .

❛ you’ve just made this day a thousand times better!!  thank you so much… ❜

THERE IS NO MATCH to his brightness, the softness his smile  evokes to those graced by it. the heartless warrior feels the corners of her own lips lift into a dazzling smile, sapphire eyes gleaming as she pulls away from him.

    “-- A thousand times? No way!!”

ONE WOULD EXPECT the sound to grate on ears, but it doesn’t. metal glides on metal & the resulting sound is smooth, rippling. it sings like a ringing melody over the other sounds in the forge. something about it appeals to the witch, falling over her like a spell.

the woman’s voice cuts through all else, bringing sheri back into her body. she blinks chestnut hues & brings her attention to the other with a slight jolt. 

“I haven’t– I’m trying to determine… A good weapon for someone like myself. I lead a–” she pauses for a beat,  “–complicated life some days.”

            “Defending myself is sometimes…              A necessary thing I have to deal with.”

COMPLICATED IS A MILD way of putting it -- especially when the sweet brunette herself is aware of what disasters can occur in any passing moment. it wouldn’t be the first time some- -one hid their intentions & the turmoil in their lives to lead them to her quaint shop’s doorsteps. 

a knowing smile spreads across rosy lips ;; & she sets her blade down to stand and formally acknowledge her guest.

   “If you’re having a difficult time deciding,      I can most definitely help you!!”

       crimson eyes were distracted by her presence , following each and every step she gave , as well the way her lips moved as she spoke – so distracted he could barely feel the light brush of her hand against his , keeping the book on his lap . untouched . but he definetly changed his posture as soon as she grabbed the chair and approached him , leaning forward . taking a deep breath , trying not to make himself look nervous , the man gave her soft grin in return , letting his fingers run through the page as she flipped them , dwelling over the certain pieces arts that got his attention .

❛ say…  what do you think about … stars? maybe something to ressemble the night sky – ❜ he let out a soft giggle escape past his lips , looking straight down to her face so their eyes met as he spoke .  ❛ i’m sorry – how rude of me . you’re being so helpful and i don’t even know your name … ❜

KOHVIA TRIES NOT TO think about their close proximity-- but the moment she peers up at him, she knows it’ll be a difficult task.  the breathless chuckle that slips out of him makes her lips curve into an endearing simper ( is it okay to be selfish & wish for more time  with him? ) 

“Stars...? I love the stars.”

it’s no coincidence -- his mannerisms, his personality. so similar to the delicate past she’s locked up deep within that KOHVIA nearly finds herself flashing back in time. ( the only difference is the attire they  wear & society’s evolution. )

“That’s right -- I never introduced myself, did I? I was so blown away by how lovely you are, it nearly slipped my mind.”

she extends a hand out to shake, expression softened by her sweet gesture.