Legend of Ransera

Jealousy was — it was new. A slinking, mewling creature that rubbed up against him and he wasn’t sure if he could truly call it what it was. It couldn’t have been jealousy — he wasn’t even sure what he was jealous of. It only helped that he had won that battle, even if it wasn’t really a battle. Little victories. He licked his lips, considered her words. “Is that so? Are you saying I should bring you flowers from now on?” He would have wanted to lay in the sun with her. He could — he could do that now, with the turn of weather in their favor.

Mino shouldn’t say anything. He really had no business saying anything, really. His jaw clenched as he smiled, let her finish. Disappearing at night...sounded familiar. Sounded like something that he would have done at one point. But he would have never come back. That felt like giving someone too much hope of something that would never happen. Marina — she had her tells. Her faults he could smell at a distance and that worsened the closer to her he got.

“Oh, they would love you.” Mino might have said that too quick. Too eager. But his gaze dipped down to the bit of ice cream on her lip. “No reason to turn you away, I’d say.”

He took another bite of his ice cream, glanced down at the kitten then back to her. “I have...many sisters. Heather, Violet, and Iris are just three of them.” He scratched at the back of his neck, gave a half shrug. There really wasn’t any telling how the others would react to Fawn, but he knew they wouldn’t be so direct about it as those three had been. The girls of purple weren’t as versed in hiding their dislike in anyone. They hadn’t really had need to; not any longer. “Not all them are...as bad. They’re a special case. And you’ve met Candy; they were nice, weren’t they?” It felt an awful lot like he was trying to present his family to her. Not quite like he wanted her to like them, but to not think badly of them. Lest those same thoughts be reflected on him.

His shirt rubbed against his collarbone, the raised flesh of his healing brand reminding him that maybe she ought to think badly of them. That she should stay as far away as she possibly could. Havershim was just one of many, not even the worst. Would he be considered the worst?

“They’re an acquired taste. But not all my sisters are like that. We’ll definitely pay you for your time, if you do.” He reached up, brushed his finger over her lip to wipe the ice cream from it. There was no hesitance as he popped his thumb into his mouth. His brows rose, a sound of pleasant surprise leaving him. “That’s pretty good.”

Flowers. Flowers from a man who had stuck by her side day and night for the past few weeks, who had let her cry into his shoulder and fall asleep holding his furry form. The thought of such a person, of such a Mino bringing her flowers made her cheeks flush and mouth open with a short chuckle as she imagined the large caracal prancing towards her with a mouth full of broken daisies.

But she liked the thought. It was innocent, romantic, it was the kind of thought that brought on another; did he perhaps think more of her, too? She let the laugh fade but the flush stayed. Was she being obvious? Would it have been more obvious she were to have leaned up to kiss him then, even if it was just on the cheek?

Distracted by the fluting of his voice she blinked at his response to her with a raised brow. "Didn't seem much like they fancied me." She said, another light giggle leaving her lips. But if he thought so, she wouldn't doubt him. After all he'd never lied to her before and if it came down to it, she could just focus on him instead. But he had other sisters, apparently. In some ways his family was similar to the Mactire's in her hometown. She wondered if Mino's mother was also crabby about her 'lost beauty' from so many children. If she was anything like Mino was, she doubted that was possible.

Fawn shrugged with a giggle. "I suppose she was." She said, brushing a strand of copper that tickled her nose from the gentle glade breeze. As her hand dropped, his followed. The gesture all too intimate and yet casual causing her to freeze in place as her breath caught in her throat. With gently parted lips the flush that had taken over her face from before deepened.

He had to. Had to. Even she wasn't that wrong in her perceptions, right? Her suddenly throbbing heart couldn't be wrong in what it felt, couldn't have been mistaken about the way the softness of his finger had lingered just briefly upon her lips. How his eyes had dilated and ears had twitched in response to the touch. Or was it her hopes running her imagination wild? Had time simply stopped in that moment for her?

Her tongue reached out to lick the space where his finger had been as if he'd have left some of himself behind. He had. Slightly sweet, salty, and perfectly Mino with a hint of caramel from his own ice cream. Would he be mad if she... she shouldn't.

Before truly making a fool of herself, Fawn took a deep breath and smiled widely at him. "Told ye!" She uttered, taking another bite of her cone. Just forget about it- just forget- at least for now.

"So, how exactly do I apply for such a stage?"

There was this flush that had settled over Fawn’s cheeks that only prompted him to want to see more of it. To lean closer to her, invade her space the way he’d done so effortlessly before. He scooted closer, even if there was already minimal space between them. Lifted his hand to brush more hair from her face. “There you are.” Like she’d gone somewhere.

She had.

He grinned. “Those three don’t fancy much of anyone but themselves.” He shrugged, took another bite of his ice cream. Only a few small scoops left. He glanced down at her bowl. “It’s kind of hard to get on their good side, but you standing up for yourself might have won you some points in their game.”

There was something easy in everything that had to do with Fawn. Something effortless. Not like shedding a skin, but maybe not not like it. He licked his lips, glanced back down at his bowl. He rocked back for only a moment, the kitten mewling in his lap as he rocked forward again. Close again; close enough to breathe her in deep.

“Well. You could either speak to Blush or Candy, best bet is Blush. She’ll...evaluate your singing to find you a day best suited to you.” While he tried, most often, to steer clear of the Reds, it was really only because of a certain Lady. Otherwise, he would have no qualms with the girls that bore the color. They were bearable; though, Blush was becoming more and more like the Lady Merlot with each passing day. The entertaining play of her attempting to be like the Lady had lost the factors that made it amusing when her intent became clearer.

Another rock back, then forward. “She’s kind of picky, but she likely won’t be too harsh. If anything, if she sees potential, she might find it in her to give you pointers and still hire you.”

And even if she didn’t, Mino had enough sway for it to be done.

Probably not what he should be doing, but what would be the point of not abusing the power he had? His lips pushed further up into a smile, forehead knocking lightly against her own. “And even if you don’t perform, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the festivities when you go with me as my date.”

Ah.

“If you go with me as my date.”

Whatever thoughts she'd been having prior to that moment vanished just as quickly as her voice had caught in her throat. His hand. His damn hand that threatened to caress her cheek after her hair had been brushed away taunted her with it's closeness. When it was gone she could feel the brief warmth it had left behind in the empty air where it had been.

Her flushing cheeks were pushed up by a proud grin as she settled into the space with him. "Well I'm glad for that, but truthfully I wanted to say more." Her smile faded only briefly when she thought about exactly why she'd hesitated back there. But he was closer now, her body fit like it was meant to and the comfort of that alone, of him pushed the harsher thoughts away rather quickly. Though stuffing the last of the icecream in her mouth seemed to shut them up too.

As the ice cream melted down her throat she licked a droplet of its purple cream from her lip. "If this event is supposed to be one for finding future spouses, then I got a few songs I think..." She said, thinking deeply about each one for a moment. There was her mothers favorite, a song about the light, simple love between a butterfly and flowers. But perhaps that was too simple, not meaningful enough, and perhaps too upbeat if the idea was to enable the minds around her to sink into 'attraction' headspace.
Then there was 'Ruby Red'- no no, too raunchy. It was artistic language, such of the type that up until her encounter with Rickter at the cabaret she hadn't understood fully. Now she did, and it certainly was no song for a nobles event. Unless she was trying to turn on the whole room at least.
There was also that one song about-

Her thoughts were cut off. Sliced like a hot knife in two as her heart ran head first into Mino's words. 'Date'.

Crystal eyes turned back to the man next to her. At first she didn't believe what she'd heard. But then it was repeated- she wished he would say it again just to make absolutely sure. Was it a joke? Perhaps a misunderstanding? Did 'date' mean something different in the city than it meant at her home?
Moments of silence passed before she finally startled out of her thoughts with bright cheeks and brighter eyes.

"Ah! Yes- I-" Fawn had stumbled before but not like this. Like the words were pebbles beneath her feet on a hill that she was falling from, right into his lap, his life, she couldn't seem to catch herself. But then again, she'd never had to worry about falling like this before.

"Are ye sure?" She finally asked, latching onto the first full thought she could grasp. Had her chest always been this light? She could swear her face was about to burn itself to pieces.

This wasn’t Mino’s first time at this particular rodeo, but it was a novelty to see Fawn’s reaction to such a simple question.

Simple, maybe, for him, but she was proving with her prolonged silence that it might not have been so simple for her. For a moment, he worried she might some sort of qualm with his asking. With him taking her as his date. He wondered if, maybe, she’d pressed on the matter of his regular appearances at the Cabaret and found that she didn’t want his company in that way. Or worse — that the memory of what had happened to her loomed fresh at some hidden trigger he might have missed.

But then she spoke — a fumbled answer that lit up her whole face — and the worry dissipated. His brow rose, though at her question. “Did you want me to be unsure?” He moved closer as if that were even possible. (The old man had eyed him with every inch between them sacrificed in the course of their visit, the small girl giggling before she was sent off to her mother.) “This is the surest I have ever been, little mouse.” And Mino would claim, wholeheartedly, that he’s always been sure about a lot of things. To varying degrees.

A soft purr had begun to resonate from him, echoed by the tiny kitten between them. Not quite squished, but comfortably wedged between the warmth of them. If the rathari had been paying any attention to it, he might have cooed. But his focus had landed fully on Fawn, unwavering.

Maybe he should repeat it. Maybe that sugary sweet taste lingering in the back of his mouth wasn’t just the ice cream. He licked his lips, tipped his head to the side. “I can ask a more official way, if that would make you know how sure I am.”

Pink looked good on her. It filled her cheeks and nose with it's flush and would have all melted her ice cream had there been any left. She still wondered if she'd heard correctly. But his lips curving into a smile and the rise of his brow betrayed any notion that she had misheard. The pink deepened to red.

"N-not at all-" She choked out. Her voice was soft like a whisper, like the silken curls that cascaded down her back and tickled her flushing cheeks. Her eyes cast downwards at the kitten in his hands and she reached forward to pet it. But instead of soft fur, delicate fingers found themselves tracing his wrist. Had he always been so soft, and since when had it become so hot out?

Fawn's gaze shot up at him as he spoke and with nervous stutter so new to her usually composed self, she shook her head. "No! No- I understand." But she was smiling. He was bold. He was flirtatious. There was no denying now that she knew his affections for her, even if they were small or simply out of entertainment. But it didn't matter to her. He'd been there when she was hurt, comforted her for weeks without complaint, caressed her, kept her ribbon.. And now he was asking her to be his date.

And he was close. She could trace each eyelash, she could smell the sun on his skin and the cream on his lips. Crystal eyes lingered there. Could she taste him? Hot breath caught in her throat as she learned forward with the tiniest of movements and for the briefest second, lingered just millimeters from his lips. But no sooner had she leaned in did she pull away as the sound of a jostling cart rolling by snapped her back to reality. All throughout the street there were groups of men and women whispering to each other with hand fans and palms covering their expressions. They giggled and cooed before rushing off when Fawn whipped her head to face them, though there had been a few less than happy expressions in the crowd.

She could have kissed him.

Like a bullet Fawn shot up and cleared her throat.

"I guess we'd better get you home!" She said, adjusting the dress around her thighs and smiling off into the distance.

She couldn't look at him. If she did, she probably wouldn't stop. If she'd kissed him, she wouldn't have let him return home.

Mino could have spent the rest of his days locked inside, if for just one more moment of time in the sun with Fawn.

The dusting of pink that colored her cheeks, highlighted the sun’s kisses on her face. Shaded by a tree above them, surrounded by a cluster of cats. The pleasant drift of her scent in his nose with every lazy drag of the breeze pulling her curls closer. If Mino knew how to read, there was probably some poem written about girls like her. But there were none like her, so maybe he wouldn’t find any. He’d just be lost in a sea of letters with no tether but her. He’d like that.

The rathari swallowed, considered the light in her eyes. The touch of her fingers over his skin. Almost lit aflame, but not quite. A slow melt, like ice cream in the sun. The careful spread of his lips for a smile less practiced and edged in recklessness. Like he was back to being six years past ten, not yet confined to dress exactly as they wished when he showed face in public. Chasing pigeons, climbing on things he shouldn’t to heights where he could fall and do more than break an ankle.

“I can always make it clearer, if you’d like.” An invitation, possibly. A request, maybe. He licked his lips, glanced down at hers.

People be damned. He could care less if they stared, if they gossiped. If they carried the news of Mino Lekivian courting in public! He didn’t wonder what his gracious Mother would do to him, nor did he care in the moment. Nor did he mind the blooming of heat from the brand on his collarbone as it tried to remind him to keep his head. Which head — the real question.

But almost like in the cabaret — a time that felt like eons ago — she was up and out of his space. Having invaded it so thoroughly only to leave him. He blinked, smile still on his face as he hung his head a moment to peer down at the kitten. It blinked owlishly back at him. As if it knew.

“Get me home, or get me in bed?”

His grin was salacious, gaze flickering to the people around them as he stood. He tipped his head to the side, considered the way she didn’t look at him. He huffed out a chuckle, licked his lips again. “You sounded a bit too eager, so I have to be sure. No complaints about either, of course.” A beat, then: “Aren’t you going to offer me your arm to escort me home?”

What would have happened if she had, though? Would he have welcomed her into his lips, or been shocked at her boldness? No, he was too suave for that. In fact he seemed the type who had much experience in this sort of field. Was he a good kisser? What type was he? Did he like using tongue, would he hold her head or place a finger under her chin?

Thoughts of romance swam in her mind before his comment startled her out of her daydream. Had she said anything out loud? With a sudden sheepish grin, as if she may have been caught by him, she shook her head. She was flushing.

"Why, were you hoping for more than ice cream today?" A light tease. A bold wag of her little finger and a curl of her lips in his direction. But she grinned. She liked the banter they had, the way his eyes sparkled and yet somehow deepened when he looked at her. And especially the way his teeth glimmered in the sunlight hinting at just how sharp they could truly be.

Fawn looped her arm in his gently. His skin was warm. He smelled like cream and sugar and sunshine and danger. There was a certain type of mystery to him still, though she was foolish. Because that very mystery, the same mystery that had gotten her in trouble before with so many others, was the same thing about him that enticed her so much.
With reddened cheeks, the girl began walking home with Mino.

"So..." She started, glancing at a dress shop on their way, followed by a few jewelry stores all of who's windows were lined with glittering gems and precious metals. "What types of clothing do people wear to this cotillion?" She'd be lying if she said she didn't want to impress him. And his family. It was the first time she'd realized, in fact, that she was nervous about it. So many times in her past she'd had performed for strangers, bars, friends, with not a worry in sight. But now.. she was out of her element.

What if she wore the wrong thing? What if she sang the wrong song? What if they didn't approve of her? Would Mino look worse for it? After all it had been apparent from Marina's brief visit and his families garments that she had some serious work to do if she was going to successfully impress him and his kin.

Maybe he should kiss her. It would be nothing to point off in the distance, a small what’s that? Wait for her to turn only for their lips to meet. Seemingly appropriate for how their relationship has fared thus far. And it would be interesting to watch the dawn of surprise rise over her face. But he could get the same effect kissing her right there without hesitance as they walked.

So many options.

But, no. He ought to do this right, shouldn’t he? Slightly more responsible than he was normally. Mino ducked his head a moment, cursing that same sense of responsibility for closing doors to opportunities. Possibly the greatest cuck of all time, in his opinion. He lifted his head as Fawn spoke again, breaking the comfortable (but somehow tensioned) silence between them.

“Well.” It brought up the thought that he himself would need to think about what he would be wearing. “It depends on the day. The first is when people tend to go all out. Make themselves look as grand possible to best their friends.” Appearances were important for all involved. He eyed the other a moment, a thought at the forefront of his mind. But didn’t voice it. “The other days tend to be less formal. More relaxed. Tea parties and games; so being comfortable is important as well as still looking good. There are even lectures. Lady Blue managed to get some folks to educate the youth of the future generation.” There was almost an attempt made to roll his eyes, but such was not the case. “The last day is definitely another day to look exceptional.”

A showcase, voluntarily done, of talent and skill. He’d seen plenty of young ladies and men make a show of themselves for the attention of others. While she wasn’t technically part of that all, Fawn would be doing much the same. But he wasn’t going to think about that.

The conversation, when steered ruthlessly away from mentions of the cotillion to something lighter, passed time quickly. Enough that the two found themselves in front of the estate without realizing it. Mino could already feel the headache of needing to explain his disappearance if he went in through the front. He toyed with Fawn’s hair a moment, as she said her goodbyes and he his. He waited for her to disappear in the crowd, her scent to be drowned in a sea of many others before he turned and headed inside.

Curious glances as others in the house realized he’d not been in his office were ignored. Around him, it felt like Fawn still lingered. A brow raised as he followed the trail back to the closed door of his office, toward his desk. The drawer he’d asked Fawn to get clothes from was slightly ajar, the glimmer of a chain catching the light. Pulling at it produced a locket, Fawn’s scent stronger than before. He sniffed, lifting the locket to his nose before opening it up.

Locks of red curls, bunched up tight. The source of the scent. The corners of his mouth pulled up, head ducked as he pocketed the locket. And to think — he hadn’t gotten her anything.

Mino

Lores: (15 Eligible, 12 Requested)
Animal Husbandry: Handling kittens
Detection: A liar
Detection: Signs of recovery
Etiquette: Interacting mostly civilly with someone you don't like
Etiquette: Being escorted home
Intimidation: Show them your teeth
Intimidation: Being rude can be a power move
Persuasion: Leave room to say no
Psychology: Don't ask if they're okay
Rhetoric: Choose your words wisely
Rhetoric: Changing the topic of conversation
Rhetoric: Asking someone out on a date

Loot: A locket with a few locks of Fawn's hair in it
Injuries: N/A

Points: 8, may not be used for magic

Comments: Mino was an absolute delight, certainly got that feline vibe. And oh so generous and friendly. What a great guy, looking forward to seeing the follow up on this singing endeavor and where this friendship goes.

---

Fawn

Lores: (14 Eligible, 6 Requested)
Socialization:
Mino controls ALL cats, apparently
Understanding Dress Codes
Famous people make spectacles wherever they go
Patience isn’t always a virtue
Just kiss him, dammit
Teasing is fun

Loot: N/A
Injuries: N/A

Points: 8, may not be used for magic

Comments: Well Fawn was just absolutely adorable in this. I truly look forward to reading more about here and hope her singing goes spectacularly.