Once in a Lifetime [Day 8, LM, Closed]

[Kuni Koyuki]

Morning air. Morning rays. Even without the immediate presence of a window nearby the light of morning just manages such a certain quality to it that eases a body awake. Koyuki was a woman who never grew too comfortable in one place as to be discomforted by waking in a new location entirely. Though this was almost certainly not one she had considered to be on the list of her possibilities. There was undoubtedly something different about waking up in this place as compared against all others.

Koyuki was a Meishozo now, and one a member of the Crab expeditionary forces before that. Had she ever been used to lazy mornings she wasn't quite so anymore. Soon as she woke that was all that was there to it, she was awake. First opening of her eyes she pushes herself up from the bed with hands for support on either side of her, just taking in her surroundings while fighting a yawn and losing.

[Susumu Yakumo]

The space beside her in the rather large and extremly comfy bed was empty, though there were plenty of tell-tale signs that someone had been there until recently. The way the pillow sunk down in the middle, indicating someone's head had rested there until recently, the fading warmth where the body had been, and how the covers had been gently folded over when the person had left the bed. The door to the bedroom was open.

There was a sound of a door closing. The door to the suite, judging by the heavier sound it had than the doors inside it. Followed by the soft padding sound of bare feet on wooden floors approaching the bedroom... And there was Yakumo, carrying a large tray with breakfast on it. Her black hair had been bundled up at her neck in an effort to look a bit nicer even if she hadn't yet brushed or done anything with it, and she wore a silk dressing gown over her pajamas.

"Oh, you're awake," her face broke into an effortless smile as she saw the now awake Koyuki in bed. "I ordered us up some breakfast." Indicating the tray in her arms as she said it, Yakumo placed it down on a nearby table.

[Kuni Koyuki]

Sometimes, in life there were those moments where you can feel something meaningful transpire right as it happens. Before the first camera was developed it must have felt impossible to describe such a feeling, the way that you can just feel the snapshot being taken as your eyes settle on something. That feeling gave Koyuki a seconds pause when Yakumo walks into the room holding the tray of breakfast, the effortless smile she wore. One that encouraged Koyuki to allow the same. A smile in response as easily worn and as noticeable as if she had reddened her lips to their usual dramatic effect.

"Get back over here then," she says, smile yet worn. Shifting her position on the bed Koyuki quickly figures out the best way to smooth out the sheets and make a surface for both them and the tray. Gathering up any errant pillows about as well to have them on hand and create a little comfortable seating arrangement however they decided to manage it. "I must have overslept. Would have thought I would notice you getting out of bed..."

Though Koyuki scarce can manage to recognize it, she was just far too relaxed not to oversleep a little for the first time in a long time.

[Susumu Yakumo]

"Well you were pretty hard at work last night," Yakumo teased, and through their combined efforts they managed to find a nice way for the legs of the tray to stand steadily on the bed so they could enjoy breakfast in bed together.

The breakfast serving was as one could expect from the place; luxurious and with a flair for the traditiona. There was fresh fruit and berries, steaming white rice, fried eggs, red miso, some pickled vegetables, grilled fish, tofu, and of course tea. A more modern addition was also the pitcher of fresh-pressed orange juice.

"I just ordered breakfast from bed and slipped out when I knew it would arrive. Seems like you woke up not long after that." Leaning in close as they sat beside eachother, Yakumo gently placed a kiss on Koyuki's forehead, smiling warmly. "You spoiled me last night, so let me spoil you a little now."

[Kuni Koyuki]

With a little glow to her, Koyuki meets those eyes as Yakumo smiles at her following the kiss. Nodding, but gaining a smirk reminiscent of that dangerous one she so seemed to enjoy wearing. Leaning in with her own teasing tone, "As my princess demands," and smiles far more warmly.

Shifting, she properly takes in the spread before them. What they sent up for a breakfast sure seemed a bounty by her perception. Lingering a gaze over that food with less excitement, and more simply daunted by the spread of it all. Where she would even begin being a rather chief concern as far as diving into this breakfast brought for them was concerned.

A thought dawning, "What were you doing all that time while you were waiting?" she asks, idly curious as a hand searching out a couple of those berries.

[Susumu Yakumo]

Yakumo her self started with one of the small bowls of miso soup. "Mm? Oh, I read the news on my densai. Catching up on the latest stuff there... and watching you sleep," she said with a small touch of shyness, looking first away from Koyuki, then back at her with a sheepish smile. "You're cute when you sleep, and seem so... at peace. And relaxed."

Nervously, she brought up a hand to her cheek, fiddling a bit with a lock of hair. "Sorry, that probably sounds a bit creepy."

[Kuni Koyuki]

Any other time of day Koyuki would have been comfortably assured that she was wearing her makeup, but she wasn't. Which meant the blush that hit her cheeks was visible. A condition which only served to further deepen the reddening of her cheeks a great deal. A soft anxious laugh realizing that for herself, "Oh-"

Looking down at the assorted food, one of the berries still in hand. Rolling it between her fingers she focuses on it for a brief bit of fidgeting. Lingering like this for only a couple of seconds and no longer. Yet, for her it felt like a brief eternity. Realizing where Yakumo's admission was left off there was that little jumpstart in her chest, "No- no, that's fine. Not creepy," she stammers out.

[Susumu Yakumo]

"A--are you sure? I mean, you often hear guys saying stuff like that to girls in serials, like I've been watching you sleep for the past month and it sounds so ultra-creepy. And I didn't mean for it to come across like that at all!" It was rare for Yakumo show that anxious side of her, the awkwardness to her being unused to these tender moments shared in private, but this morning it was on full display.

[Kuni Koyuki]

That catches Koyuki by surprise, and it's entirely evident as she starts bursting out into a soft laughter. Hand coming up to her chest at first, holding herself there as she tries to maintain some level of decorum but can't keep the laughter back. Though Koyuki's voice was far from ever being something melodic there was a charm to the almost breathy edge to the way she laughs like that. Smile beaming, eyes squinting, and a hand trying to already ease Yakumo without a seconds thought.

Settling from it, the soft warm chuckles, she leans to her lover and lays a hand down by her side. Aiming to rest on Yakumo's own but missing by about an inch, leaning in with it anyway she gathers herself together enough to say, "Yakumo," she says her name with a great deal of affection, "I may draw the line at peeking through my window in the middle of the night to watch me from some tree, or the next building over," she laughs briefly, little affected chuckles. "But- no, this is different. Very. I-" Koyuki's heart warms at the thought of admitting such a thing, a little spike of panic. Still she commits, "I like that you do," and the blush returns.

[Susumu Yakumo]

There they were, just two women blushing awkwardly over their fondness for one another. Few would believe one was a Spider and the other a Kuni - two sides most would say were so directly opposed to one another.

"I'm glad... and relieved," Yakumo said after a moment with a chuckle, helping herself to some of the tofu as she liked to put it in her miso. "Considering I had your kinsman barred entry to the club at the night of the concert, as I felt he had been acting kind of... creepily, I didn't want to have any misunderstanding between you and me."

Because she found herself really nervous at the thought of Koyuki thinking her creepy. "But, to ask about something nicer. How do you usually start your mornings, since I imagine breakfast in bed isn't common for you?"

[Kuni Koyuki]

Shaking her head, breathing in this moment, "It is not. My mornings are most often marked by rising from bed and dressing quickly. If my room-mate is there I will tend to do this faster, as we prefer not to interfere with one another's day and life if we do not have need. Then I leave and find something to eat on my way in whatever direction that I need to travel that morning," she says. Morning was not quite right, but felt right, despite it almost always being in the afternoon when she was merely catching up quickly with the rest of the worlds hustle and bustle.

Pausing, claiming herself a bite or two of rise and swallowing before she'd even think of continuing. "Which was how I had not eaten yet when you sent me the message the other day," she admits, looking to her for a moment. That thought sitting on her mind still. Reaching a hand to take Yakumo's own, brushing it gently with her thumb, "I am sorry my kinsman made you uncomfortable. I would fix it, if I could."

[Susumu Yakumo]

"Don't... it's not your job to fix the personal problems others create," she reassured her, and the hand Koyuki was holding locked around it with comfort, as if to show she'd still hold on to her despite the politics between their clans.

Because they really could not be anymore opposed politically than a Crab and a Spider.

"Mm..." Yakumo took another sip of the miso, focusing instead the more interesting topic. "I remember having a roommate back at the Kakita Academy. Though even then we were still sharing pretty big rooms, with more than enough space in between us, like separate sleeping area. Thankfully I've not had to deal with that since those days."

[Kuni Koyuki]

Koyuki nods, and yet the feeling remians all the same. Little movement of her hand when Yakumo grasped it fully in that shared connection between them. Lingering on her for a moment to make sure Yakumo knew she understood before looking away and taking up a few more of those berries for easy eating while they spoke.

"Having just one other in the room is better than I have had most of my life, schooling years were different. A general academy, with a sort of after school activity which was just more lessons with my proper sensei. Kuni Shugenja still try best to maintain to at least one student per teacher, something we have kept forever. When the situation can be afforded, of course. Always a pragmatic bunch we are.." she says with a slight smile.

Shaking her head, "But after I left home I served in the expeditionary forces. Any privacy was gone, and the only bit we got, we got because we came together like a family, as a team. Tats, Toma, Rikako... and Moriko eventually. All of us," she says, a touch of melancholy. Heart finding it hard to speak of, to say that name and yet she had Yakumo's hand to squeeze.

[Susumu Yakumo]

She could sense Koyuki's feeling of unease in bringing up that name, and continued to hold her hand with a gentle firmness, reminding her that she was here for her.

"That sounds nice, actually. I do like my privacy, and... I like solitude a lot of the time, but... what you describe, with your team. It sounds very nice. I wish I could have something like that some day." Feeling a tad emotional herself, she placed down the bowl of miso. "I wasn't always popular and desired like I am now, you know. I never did the things others did in school, like having parties or sleepovers. Going on dates. Just hanging out like this with someone I like."

A moment was taken to take a deep breath. "Believe it or not, I never let anyone close to me until almost a year ago. There was a man I hit it off with, when we were working together on New Kalani doing diplomatic work. We both knew it was nothing more than something that could exist for the days we had while on planet, but... it was nice to finally experience something like it. That sense of connection we humans all long for. I didn't think I would find something like that again here. With Rei, and more importantly, with you. You just... make me feel like I exist for more than just the stage, when I'm with you." Blushing, she looked away with that same sheepish smile as before. "If that makes sense."

[Kuni Koyuki]

Felt a bit like her heart grew in her chest at that mention, that wish Yakumo had shared. Maybe that's where that saying came from. A bit like a jump in her chest that unsteadies her for just a bit in all those imperceptible ways, the shine of an eye for but a second perhaps. Exhaling calmly with some intent to keep that between herself and her silly little heart for now. Focusing first-most on Yakumo herself, and the story she told.

"That makes sense," she says warmly. Nodding. Letting that sit to really sink in between them. "Twice before, for me. One girl back in academy when I was still trying to learn how to like girls. I was pricklier then, and it didn't end well," she chuckles, slightly. Not amused, as it was, but it was such a unique feeling to be talking about that. "Since I came back I didn't think I could ever manage it again. Yet-"

"Do you want to go on a date with me?"

[Susumu Yakumo]

"Are you claiming you're not prickly now?" she teased with a wide grin, even nudging Koyuki's side gently with her elbow. Then the question caught her off-guard, as she stopped midway in reaching for one of the plates with eggs.

"Uhm..." Yakumo hesitated, picked up the plate as she turned her gaze fully to Koyuki. "You mean like... out in public?"

[Kuni Koyuki]

Smiling at the comment, and more at the nudge, Koyuki's question comes up and then hangs on that 'uhm.' Something about an uhm coming from her like that was more frightening than being shot at, and she unfortunately knew enough from having had that experience. That presence of Yakumo's gaze on her gaining far more weight. Had Koyuki the presence of mind she'd have realized she was blushing too, but she didn't. Just mentally stumbling over herself as if this was all a play and while the stage was empty you could hear the stage-crew crashing and cursing.

"Yea," she loses the next words. Swallowing. "A week ago I ran into this couple. Matsu Hide first, and Matsu Eriko next. First at the club when I saw you, and then the next the next morning when I was getting some caffeine. I'd prodded at them and-" You're losing track? Koyuki swallows. "Matsu Eriko invited me out or to dinner with her wife, on account of finding me as a friend. Matsu Hide recently suggested I bring someone with me. So- I- I thought of you."

[Susumu Yakumo]

Lions...

Yakumo held back the majority of her reaction, but some of the grimace did manage to find its way to her face. "I don't know... I am, ugh, it's kind of complicated." She didn't feel like getting into it, spoiling this good mood, this good scene, by dragging up the rather unpleasant incident that happened.

With a sigh though, she decided to go on. Koyuki deserved to know why she had reservations. Many of them. "I did kind of challenge another Lion to a duel yesterday, as she was basically dragging my Family and clan through the mud while trying to mask it all in a oh but it's just how the Celestial Order is that you are trash. Not a Matsu though, it was a Kitsu." Her chopsticks toyed around with the fried egg. "Going to have to explain it all to our ambassador later, get it all formally done and sanctioned." She pressed her lips together, committed to this path of communicating openly with Koyuki.

"I just don't want to make it awkward with your friends... wouldn't they already have reservations enough that I'm a Spider?"

[Kuni Koyuki]

Concern colors her gaze a little, but only a little. That little bit of sympathy granted at base level when you cared about someone and they were speaking of a recent troubles. Listening, first and foremost, and sealing her understanding with a blink of her eyes. Avoiding a nod considering the question.

Shifting, she forgets the food for a moment. Bringing her hand up to Yakumo's chin to guide it to look at her directly, meeting her. Letting her see the reassurance in the smile she offers. Answer first with a shake of her head, "No. I have known them for so little time, and yet I still I know well that neither has it in them to be so superficial. They are honest souls. They will see Yakumo first, the woman who I decided to have at my side. And if they did not, I would not care to call them friends," a soft awkward chuckle. Was a strange word to use, and she wasn't sure she said it right but she had. Friends, what a concept. "I was concerned you would not want to risk being seen publicly with me."

Not living much time, just enough to let that statement settle, Koyuki quickly adds, "And as far as that Kitsu? May the heavens grant you a good sword. Rub it in their face when they lose," she brings back that little reassuring smile once more.

[Susumu Yakumo]

"Well... that was a lesser worry, but," she managed a smile, finding assurance in Koyuki's words and presence, and then managing a small chuckle too, "considering how stupid the rumors have been about me the past week, I don't think anyone would believe it if the gossips talked about seeing me out and about with a Kuni, to be honest."

Yakumo's shoulders rose as she took a deep breath, closing her eyes as she did. She needed those couple of seconds to think it through. "Sure... let's go on a date." She just hoped it wouldn't be too awkward. "So... a casual date, or fancy date?"

Of course she was already thinking of what to wear.