waiting game * ⁽ ᵃᵘᵗᵒᵖᶫᵃʸ ⁾

allowing a moment to pass, his expression remains as vibrant a the daylight itself, offering her nothing short of his usual smile. ❝ You've really never been to it before? Haha, I suppose there is a first for everything, whether you getting to see it, or me finding someone who hasn't, ❞ he chimes, moving to tug back a bit of his hoodie.

❝ But if that's the case, why not consider joining me for the day? It has been some time since I took a ride out on one of the marina boats.❞

“I would move aside if I were you.” It comes as a statement, bordering a threat, rather than a suggestion. There’s a smile on his town, but something isn’t quite right.

@esotericbladework​

        ❝   I love when the weather gets colder. So many opportunities to layer your clothes— and it always means the gift-giving season is on our doorstep ! Of course, then the real trouble begins… outdoing whatever gifts you gave last year. Hmm…   ❞

“Oh, I have certainly used it for my own pranks - but one should certainly see the effect such tricks may have before consuming it oneself.” He chuckles, knowing precisely what Tequila is referring to. He had never made the other subject to his own tricks, as it were, as they were calling them for this moment, but that was simply because any games he may play with the other were of a more elevated type. Such as this dance.

Evoking a previous encounter would evoke an image of their previous situation in which they had both been tricked into pretending to date. Acquiescing to the request to dance would provide a duel purpose - it would confirm whether or not Tequila had an enjoyable experience to repeat whilst not under the pixies’ watchful eye, but it would also confirm that the suggestion had power over them both. Useful information for the future. Additionally, it would either imply that the relationship status of their doubles was either something to not be overly concerned about, or had some measure of positive influence over certain decisions. Any negative or awkward influences would be confirmed as cast aside.

While was useful to Ayato, when considering a business partner.

And so he took the other’s hand in his and led him to the dance floor, observing his costume. “I will admit, I’ve not a clue what you costume is supposed to be. However, I would prefer not to be one of those asking about your ‘costume’, by which I do assume you mean your natural ears.”

“Which I do find charming, even if your outfit implies your costumed ‘job’ is likely something much more scandalous.” Although he was unsure what, exactly, it was supposed to represent.

SO HE’D USED THEM ALREADY, coming from an answer as that. not that he’s hardly surprised on the matter, given the mischievous nature that follows him, accented with that hint of mystery. and just as he did, it would seem he waited to note the effects before indulging in those habits. smart, or better yet, one with a pinch of common sense to it. ❝ You wouldn’t happen to be thinking of pranking me where I stand, too, would you? ❞ his question was an innocent one, guised in a form of carefree impulse than the underlying curiosity of if this man would do so. no, tequila knows best of all that he likely wouldn’t be exempt from schemes, nor would he expect to be. though their other selves may be involved, that had no bearing on who they may ever be in the future so long as he saw to it.

so he lets his casual smile remain, never betraying much beyond it, not unless you were one of the few who could see right through him to his very core

❝ That’s not a problem. It isn’t as if I was hiding it from people that I didn’t put much thought into it on this occasion. ❞ he may as well be forward with it, given his look is more normal than some others who have gone all out, ayato included. ❝ The costume, itself, is nothing special. I chose to be a card dealer mostly because I take an interest to poker. It was a fun game, and getting your opponent to fold was the real win beyond the poker chips, ❞ he explains, a relatively normal conclusion as he allows ayato to keep leading toward the floor.

Spending the preceding weeks in observation had him deem the candy safe to consume, particularly if he was careful about it. Nothing too bloodthirsty nor dangerous for others, which made this quite a conundrum, indeed. Thus, he considered whom he would ask to attend the ball with him, and had a mischievous thought.

A careful, and mischievous thought. Something entertaining, and something that would place a reminder of their ‘date’ for them both. Elegant wings came from his back, incandescent, glimmering like ripples on the water, that same clear of a blue spring that one could gaze into forever. His ears had gained a curve to them, playful as his hair, now perhaps a tad longer, curled around them.

His outfit was something to behold, robes draped across him in white, blue, and purple as jewelry glittered. Fanciful enough to resemble the pixies from the maze, and yet elegant enough to evoke the image of nobility among said pixies. His eyes seemed to change color, and with a bit of make-up to complete the look, he was finished.

And bowing slightly before Tequila, before holding a hand out to him. Stretched enough so the other could behold him in the glory of his costume.

“Were dressing for a festival always as easy as eating a treat, then perhaps I would be inclined to join more often.” A small chuckle, “As a representative of the pixies at this party, and out of fear for slighting them twice too many times,” a small wink before he continues.

“I must naturally ask you for this dance. And perhaps your arm for the evening after?” His smile was, perhaps, a tad more genuine than usual. Perhaps it was due to the mischief he felt he was up to? Certainly, it could not simply be the company…

@esotericbladework​

HALLOWEEN WAS A FOREIGN FESTIVAL, he’s come to understand. one certainly that belongs to here and other realms, far removed from terra itself. that hardly stops the vague curiosity in him about the overall situation. rather, the perro feels more inclined to participate, especially when he’s come to understand the candy itself is relatively safe after standing idly by and seeing others eat it first to witness the effects. and when he finally did partake before heading to the masquerade, the costume he chose wasn’t all that grandeur — merely the guise of a card dealer, casting aside his usual summer attire.

unlike some others, especially the man who had made his presence known to him with a flourished bow. maybe he should have come to expect it, with how bold a personality the yashiro commissioner has come to be seen as. not in pure action, but of wit and more intellectual games than not. so, he smiles, ears perking a little as he does. it was an impressive display, even when his own expression doesn’t reflect much of his inner thoughts on the matter.

❝ Really? I thought you’d end up using it for your own pranks. ❞ while he had never been prey to ayato’s love of questionable cuisine, he’d taken note of it all the same from the few times he’s caught on. ❝ It is convenient, I’ll admit. Having something like this would make it easier to change in the moment, ❞ he’ll acquiesce afterward, the smile never once leaving his face nor shifting even the slightest.

“Trick or treat!!“ Kay knows this tradition by now– she knocked on the door, and is now standing expectantly with her candy bag.

…she’s doing this right, isn’t she?

HE WASN’T USED TO HALLOWEEN, yet he’d become privy enough through the festivities to know about it enough. it was why he had stocked up candies for anyone who came around to be prepared, now looking at the young girl expectantly waiting.

“There are some, I believe, that have long lines with ‘animal like’ features who bear family resemblances. But, honestly, even though it’s relatively rare - I hear a rumor it’s even more rare in countries other than Inazuma - I’ve never been treated too oddly for it, although between my ears and my hair I…” A shiver runs down his spine at the Miss Hina standee, which he had been checking every book store to be sure it hadn’t popped up here.

“Well, it does certainly make me distinct.” The ‘doggy general’, as it were. “But you’re right. It doesn’t really change the fact that it’s nice to meet someone like yourself. Both of us having dog-like features.” By the wagging of his tail, which he was pointedly ignoring, it was clear that it was a pleasure to meet someone with similar traits.

“You named many different types - not many that I recognized other than ‘feline’. Among the general population - those not descended from more ancient lines - it’s typically canine and feline traits for my world - from your list, I presume that is not the case for you?”

THERE WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING INTERESTING when it came to hearing about the backgrounds of those from afar. rather, of those who were not of his own world - especially in cases as this. ❝ Even rarer? That must be tough on some. But it’s good you haven’t been treated as the odd one out. You’re right, though. It does make you distinct in a world where others don’t all share those traits, ❞ he’ll admit, whether for the good or the bad of it all. and yet it feels as if it wasn’t much of a worry in happening there, at least more so than it may already do depending on the ones you may run into.

cerulean glances down to the wagging tail of the other, a subtle note of his own contentedness of what they stated. well, he was pleased enough that this was a more positive conversation than where it started out.

EXHAUSTION

    “The heat is almost as insufferable as the damn bugs.”