I choo-choo-choose you!

[never_go_back]

Who: Kodachi Kuno, Sophie Lhant, Hubert Oswell
What: Ooooh, it's a date! Though it's not a date. But it is! Not. Poor Hubert.
Where: Orelia
When: 5/1


A note was sent to Hubert.

No, to call it just a simple note wouldn't be accurate; It was a message sent via communication device, but the text attachment was sent with a lovely (yet terribly black) stationary design of roses and thorns, with an invitation, in cursive, to meet Kodachi at a Cedergrove Common (a sizable public park in Orelia) at 2 in the afternoon.

And fortune was most certainly on Kodachi's side since upon meeting Sophie, she had learned quite quickly that the two were connected and came to the conclusion that so long as the girl is around, Hubert would be less inclined to make any hasty retreats. It's time to put the theory to the test!

Kodachi, sure enough, is at the very center of the very green, flowery, and decently occupied park, seated upon a bench near a tall fountain designed as two people she's never met playing on guitars- With water spraying from the guitars and open mouths. But more important is Kodach herself whom is adorn in alarmingly victorian attire; she's adorn in a navy blue bustle-dress with black lace, and she's with company! None other than the chipper Sophie Lhant is with her, in which she's offered some bread to feed the ducks circling about in the fountain.

And no, she didn't tell him that she was bringing her along with her. Let the games begin!

(OOC: Prose or action is ok with me- Go nuts!)

Comments

[ex_protegere334]

Sophie is kneeling by the fountain, breaking off some of the bread and offering the ducks some to eat while she waits with Kodachi for Hubert to arrive. Her pigtails trail on the ground a little since she is kneeling, but she doesn't seem to mind. She's quite content to stay and wait while feeding and watching the ducks like this, having always been curious about animals even back home.

"Do you think Hubert will be here soon?" she asked, turning her gaze from the ducks to Kodachi for a moment at the question. She hoped he was okay if he was a little late.

[never_go_back]

Kodachi lifts her parasol from her lap and opens it, to block the sunlight of course. A glance is given to Sophie as she smiles, "Well now, I should be the one asking you that, should I not? But yes, Lieutenant Oswell does not seem the type to be tardy- he should be arriving quite shortly."

She then raises a finger thoughtfully to her lips, "Or could it be.. Is he the type to get into trouble often?"

[lieutenant_lineface]

Well, he certainly has a bit of a bad luck streak going for him. This time, it's started with this whole a-date-that-is-not-a-date mess. While getting to Orlea from Crystalden is uneventful enough for him, said streak continues (from his point-of-view) when he approaches the designated meeting place and realizes that Kodachi isn't the only one waiting for him.

"Sophie?" he asks in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"

[ex_protegere334]

Sophie shakes her head in answer to Kodachi's question. It was not that any of her friends went looking for trouble, after all. And if anything it was more Asbel that others might say he was the type that got into trouble. Especially when he was younger.

Her gaze turned to the familiar blue hair when she heard Hubert's voice, her lips curling up into a smile in greeting. "Hubert! Kodachi invited me." She explained in answer as she lifted a hand to wave hello, imitating Pascal's wave even if the Amarcian was not currently with them.

[never_go_back]

"Oh, Lieutenant!"

Kodachi greets the young man with a bright smile, and one can almost see the rose petals drifting by like some sort of shoujo manga.

Oh. Well. They actually were rosepetals, she just happened to have a hand full in her palm.

"Yes, I did. When I found out how close you and Sophie were, well, it would have been simply wrong not to invite her to join us today. We will have so much fun this lovely afternoon!" And with that she pats the empty space next to her on the bench.

[lieutenant_lineface]

Hubert goes even paler than he already is. "You didn't think it necessary to inform me that you'd be modifying our original plans?" How rude of you, Kodachi!

[ex_protegere334]

Sophie tilts her head, attention obviously diverted from watching the ducks in the fountain. She's not entirely sure why Hubert appears to be mad at her joining them. She stands, the tips of her pigtails getting a little wet as she moves.

"Is something wrong, Hubert? You don't look very well. Are you sick?" Because he does seem a little paler than usual. Maybe he was ill?

[never_go_back]

Oh poor Hubert. But Kodachi can't help but feel amused by his reaction though she actually raises her free hand to her cheek with an innocent look of shock, "Oh dear me; is it a problem that Sophie is here?"

Yes, she gets that he's hinting that it was an inconsiderate move on her part; but what's the fun in 'recognizing' that?

[lieutenant_lineface]

Hubert inhales deeply, pushing up his glasses as he does so. In truth, he's ambivalent. He appreciates not being left alone with someone like Kodachi (not that he would ever admit that to anyone), but on the other hand, why did his companion have to be Sophie of all people? Who knew what sort of ridiculous ideas she would pick up from this even more ridiculous woman that had snared him into this?

"I have no issue with Sophie's presence," he says. "I only wished I'd had advance warning so that I would know what to expect."

[ex_protegere334]

There's a small contemplative noise, and perhaps a brief small pout at that, but Sophie figures if there really was a problem Hubert would say something and it would be dealt with. For now, she was merely glad her friend had arrived, shifting to approach him.

"What were you expecting, Hubert? Were you expecting to see the ducks alone with Kodachi?" Since. That had been what Sophie was doing before, at least. She's not entirely sure she really quite understands this concept of dating, but she understands that Kerri seems upset about wanting Asbel to get married and there were letters from girls for him about that.

[never_go_back]

Good girl, Sophie. Kodachi is extremely pleased that the smaller girl would bring up that question instead of herself; but even still Kodachi raises a finger as if she were going to respond, then goes quiet with an amused gigggle. Finally she gestures toward Sophie with an innocent smile.

Go ahead and answer, Hubert. The Black Rose is dying to know what's on his mind.

[lieutenant_lineface]

Perhaps surprisingly, Hubert doesn't hesitate. "I was under the impression it would be just the two of us, yes," he says, waving a hand. "However, they do say 'the more the merrier,' so I can't say that I'm exactly disappointed."

Despite the fact that not moments earlier he had been quite shocked to see Sophie dragged along on this escapade. He sure shifts gears quickly.

[ex_protegere334]

"Oh. If you're sure it's okay that I stay then." Sophie didn't want to intrude, knowing how much privacy and personal space can mean after her experiences with Pascal trying to touch or hug her. But if Hubert was sure he didn't mind her coming along, Sophie was quite happy to do so, always enjoying spending time with her friends, regardless of what they might be doing.

[never_go_back]

Aw boo, that wasn't nearly as exciting a reaction as Kodachi had hoped. And because of that she isn't impressed by the flawless timing of his reaction. But that's fine, she'll get back at him for that later on.

That said, she smiles at Sophie. "What a little sweetheart!" she exclaims, "You know, I was surprised when Sophie told me she knew you. Though if I were to wager a guess, you two haven't spent a whole lot of time together, hmn? I only say that because I simply can't imagine how you can remain so straight laced around this little ray of sunshine~."

"Oh, there's a garden maze not far from here, the view at the top is wonderful! How are you at navigating mazes, Sophie?"

[lieutenant_lineface]

Hubert folds his arms with another glare. "I don't see what the length of our acquaintance has to do with my perceived inflexibility, but if you must know, Sophie and I have known each other since childhood."

Hubert is probably going to eventually regret mentioning that Sophie knew him (however briefly) as a child, but for now he just wants to put Kodachi in her place.

[ex_protegere334]

Sophie apparently does not quite click to the implications of what Kodachi means, her head tilting a little in confusion for a moment before she nods in answer to the question.

"I think we can manage, after we got through the Amarcian ruins back home. And we have spent plenty of time together!"

She doesn't consider the potential embarrassment this might cause for Hubert in acknowledging they knew each other from childhood. Or rather, Sophie knew him from childhood, given she was already older by the time they initially found her in the meadow.

[never_go_back]

And of course Kodachi doesn't seem the slightest bit phased by the glare; her playful smile remains as she nods, then she titters behind her hand, "Why that, exactly, is my point! You would think after all that time you'd be more.. Relaxed?"

She isn't really clear on the math when it comes to 'childhood' for these to, but it's a throwaway detail. Kodachi gets to her feet to join Hubert by his side; and assuming he doesn't slide away, take his hand to drag him along. "Well then let us be on our way!"

"Hmn.. Did you mean 'American', Sophie? Either way, I hereby proclaim you the leader of our journey."

the things I resort to when 15 icons is not adequate enough

[lieutenant_lineface]

Hubert positively freezes when Kodachi takes his hand, and it has nothing to do with any potential paralysis powder (not that he'd know about her fondness for such a thing). Even given their first conversation, he simply had not expected her to be so...brazen. Especially given that there is a young girl (...well, young in mind, anyway) in the vicinity. Does Kodachi have no shame?

"What do you think you're doing?" he snaps, yanking his hand away once he recovers from the shock.

Aw. It's okay. That works too!

[ex_protegere334]

"No. I meant Amarcian. Pascal is one, and they have all this technology at their home and in their ruins." Sophie explained at Kodachi's question, not entirely sure what an 'american' was. It sounded close enough to Amarcian, so perhaps Kodachi had misheard her.

She gives a nod of agreement that she lead them, waving one hand in the air in imitation of Pascal as she turns. "Lets go!"

But then she is distracted by Hubert's protest at Kodachi reaching for his hand. Sophie turns, confused. "Are you okay, Hubert?"

a;ljn5ig I love it

[never_go_back]

That was the point, of course, to catch Hubert off his guard. When he snatches his hand away, she innocently raises her own to her cheek, "Whatever do you mean, Lieutenant? Did.. You prefer to be the leader instead?"

A glance is then given to Sophie, "Hmn, there aren't any Amarcians where I am from. That aside, well, would you be all right if Hubert took the lead instead, Sophie?"

[lieutenant_lineface]

"That's not the problem!" Hubert huffs. He sighs, shaking his head a little. "Miss Kodachi, you are the one who invited me on this outing, so of course I expect you to direct our activities.

"However," he continues pointedly, "such actions as the ones you have just taken are far beyond the boundaries of our brief acquaintance! Particularly since it is not simply the two of us here."

[never_go_back]

Kodachi looks a little surprised, and raises her hand to her chest, "Surely you jest!" beat "No.. You're quite serious. My goodness, Lieuteant, I must apologize for being so self-centered. I had forgotten that you and I are not from the same historical period."

"But that said, let us proceed!" She does have a schedule to keep. And soon things will get even more interesting for the Black Rose, and hopefully for the others. "Out of curiosity... When, exactly, would it be appropriate for us to hold hands?"

Once the group arrive at the maze the entrance immedietly splits; but it isn't difficult to tell which direction is the wrong way.

[ex_protegere334]

"Friends hold hands. I do with Cheria and Asbel sometimes. And Richard. What's wrong with holding hands?"

Sophie was still not quite sure she understood what was wrong. Perhaps though, Hubert was merely waiting to know Kodachi better, or just didn't like holding hands with her. She knows she doesn't particularly like getting hugs from Pascal. Mostly due to the Amarcian not bathing too often. But she doesn't seem particularly concerned with their conversation, merely following them and looking around when they get to the entrance of the maze. It seemed that going right was a dead end. In that case....

"Left. We should go left." she points, looking to the others for agreement but not expecting any argument. It seemes rather obvious that was the way they were supposed to be going.

[lieutenant_lineface]

"There isn't anything inherently wrong with holding hands," Hubert admits, turning left into the maze. He's mostly addressing Sophie now, since it's easier to talk to her than that infuriating Kodachi. "But it's improper to do it with someone you have only just met."

[never_go_back]

Ah, Kodachi knew it was a good idea to bring Sophie along! If it weren't for her, Hubert may have very well left at this point- At least that's what she suspects. Without question she follows along with Sophie with little more than a nod of her head and a, "Certainly!"

"Is that right? Well then perhaps this is a good time to tell me a little bit about yourself- Sophie told me her favorite food is crablettes. What's yours?" Kodachi then asks; and while she doesn't take his hand, she does make an effort to stand as close to him as possible with an innocent smile.


Once the group has entered the maze, a group of four japanese punks outside of it turn the corner. Two toting bats, one with a pipe and the last with a chain around his shoulders. "That was definitely her." the leader grunts. "Looks like this.. Is gonna be fun after all, heh heh."