Beautiful Strangers [Closed]

Subject: Beautiful Strangers [Closed] Sun Mar 03, 2013 7:26 pm

((RP set in Japan, with a geisha and a traveling businessman~ A closed RP for:

Kiku as Kiku
Alfred as Arthur))

***

Kiku sighed, examining his reflection in the glass. The man staring back at him wore no expression, though his lips were still slightly parted and set in a small frown. His raven locks were trimmed, perfectly mimicking the roundness of the rice bowls and framing his face in a way that gave it a slight, androgynous look, with the rest pulled back and held with a silk ribbon. Kiku was certainly male; his lord knew this. But his focus, or rather, the focus of the visitors, was to be on entertaining.

He reached to straighten his kimono, smoothing his hands over the rich, embroidered fabric. The flowers reminded him of spring, which he supposed had been the point. Spring meant new...fresh...and always brought on optimism in business ventures. He knew his lord wished for this venture to be successful, and that success would mean more wealth for them all in the long run. He plucked a loose thread, examining the gold and placing it aside.

He needed to appear perfect, in order to best serve alongside his lord. With the trade routes open and riches flowing freely, it was not uncommon for his lord to summon him to serve visitors. He would attend the visitors, showing the refinement and grace of his land's culture, while simultaneously demonstrating his lord's wealth. The trade so far had been mainly with smaller nations. But that night, his lord had the great honor of serving a group from the British Empire.

He tilted his head, his lips slipping into a practiced, coy smile. He immediately shifted into a pout. His lord wold surely be pleased. He turned from the glass, ready to answer his lord's summons. He allowed his nervousness to show, knowing he had another moment yet before he would need to act composed.

((I hope this is okay...and I am so sorry it took me so long to post this up! D: Also, sorry for any errors...did 99% of this in my ipod orz))

Posts : 139 Join date : 2013-01-15

" HAH you work too hard Kirkland , you should take in the sights enjoy what this land of mystery and beauty have to offer. This is your first time here yes?" Those words his guide had said to him drifted through his mind. At first he thought he would just be doing business with his boss's client but the man seemed to be so happy with him he told him that he should relax and he would soon send someone to entertain him while he looked over the proposal.

He didn't know much about these lands.. Nippon.. a country shrouded with mystery and beauty.. a nation very similar to England itself yet different in many ways. He would be the first to admit that the nation did intrigue him. When his boss picked him to do his trades for him Arthur was ecstatic but there was also a shred of nervousness. The language and culture was rather different from his own. He could only hope he wouldn't offend too many people during his stay here.

Arthur sighed and took a sip of the bitter tea one of the maids had made for him. this was yet another thing he had to get used to. He was used to having tea with lots of sugar and milk. In Nippon however it was a different sort of tea. He would get used to it soon enough, the tea was different in a good sense. Pulling a piece of lint from his waist coat he wondered why he was sitting here alone for so long? Did something happen to his host?

Subject: Re: Beautiful Strangers [Closed] Tue Mar 05, 2013 4:22 pm

Kiku masked his surprise as one of the maids appeared through one of the side doors. He approached her, keeping his voice low as he asked what was happening. The maid quickly informed him that their guest was already in the main room, but that his lord was not yet ready to greet him. He marked this as strange, since his lord so rarely kept his guests waiting (unless he needed to). He wondered if his lord was perhaps keeping their guest waiting as a business tactic, but quickly dismissed the thought. From the things his lord uttered about this trade, keeping their business partners happy was of the utmost importance in this situation. He nodded to the maid, noticing her quick and furtive glances towards the door. He presumed their guest currently sat alone, which would not please his lord at all.

"Please do not worry. I will go at once. Hopefully, all is well with our lord." He nodded to her, checking his outfit once more. He hoped she would use the time to check on their lord, while he entertained their guest. He ran a hand through the short locks framing his face, trying to hide his nervousness. He had often entertained for foreigners, but apparently this foreigner was from a new land. His lord had reminded him to hide his shock over the foreigner's appearance, and he had bowed and promised that he would not do anything to jeopardize his lord's chances of securing the trade. He took a deep breath, calming his nerves and pulling invisible wrinkles from his kimono. Berating himself for stalling, he shook his head and lowered his hands to his sides. Slowly, he crossed the room and slid open the door, stepping through to the other side before sliding the paper shut again.

He pressed a hand to his lips to stifle the gasp that nearly flew from them at the sight of their visitor. Though it was not his first time seeing a blond male, none had ever possessed as vivid a shade of blond as the man seated on the low cushions. Strangely, the slightly messy locks did not match the color of his eyebrows, which were arched upward in some form of surprise or curiosity at his entrance. A slight frown tugged at the seated man's lips, though Kiku guessed it came from being kept waiting for someone to greet him. The frown perked to surprise (or curiosity, he couldn't quite tell) as the silence stretched between them. From somewhere--perhaps he was imagining it--he could hear a steady ticking. He attributed the quiet sound to the small object in the foreigner's hand, which he assumed was a watch of some sort.

The man raised his eyes from the thing in his hand, and Kiku thanked fortune he had not removed his fingers from pressing his lips together. The man's gaze met his own, and for a long, improper moment he held the contact, admiring the brilliant and unique green of his eyes. Kiku had seen other foreigner's many colored eyes before, but he could not remember a green that reminded him of spring, of lush forests and fields, or of nature so strongly as the man seated across the room. He wanted to see them light with emotion, or blaze with some unknown passion or belief. Reluctantly, he dropped his own gaze to the floor, bowing lowly in apology for both his lateness and for staring for so long. He raised his eyes again, careful to avoid the man's gaze because he felt if he looked again, he would not be able to look away.

"Please forgive me for keeping you waiting." He made his way across the room, seating himself appropriately distant, but not too far from the man. "I did not realize that you would be alone. If I had, I would have come sooner." He let the corners of his mouth play into a shy smile, as he tilted his head. He was not entirely sure of his competency with the language, or if the man could understand his words. There was no sign of a translator, but if the man could not understand him he could attempt Dutch or Portuguese. He inwardly berated himself for not asking the maid which languages the man understood, though perhaps the man knew several and therefore did not need anyone to translate for him.

Posts : 139 Join date : 2013-01-15

Arthur looked up when the door slid open again and someone else entered the room who wasn't the man who Arthur was suppose to meet with. Instead the male who entered.... well Arthur was just guessing he was a male. He was really pretty though with dark ebony hair, that pale skin almost like ivory and lips that looked as smooth as a rose petal.The Kimono he was wearing added an exotic aura to his appearance. Was it even possible for a man to be this beautiful? Arthur flushed when he realised he was staring an quickly averted his gaze away from the attractive male.

" N-no.. that is quite aright.. I had no idea my partner would be away for so long even after being informed I had arrived." The male had a rather cute way of saying his words and Arthur found that rather.. alluring.. wait what was he thinking? He was obviously a male.. he might even get offended if he knew Arthur was thinking of such things about him. He found himself sneaking a few peeks at the male as he settled himself not far from where Arthur had placed himself.

" I apologize for not introducing " He had been so distracted that it didn't even occur to him that he had yet to introduce himself. " My name is Arthur Kirkland. May I have the pleasure of knowing who's charming presence I'm graced with?"

Subject: Re: Beautiful Strangers [Closed] Thu Mar 14, 2013 11:01 pm

Kiku felt a small, apologetic smile tugging at the corners of his lips at the blond's words. It seemed that he was just as unsure of the situation as Kiku was, though it still did not excuse his long wait alone. He quickly produced a small fan from the sleeve of his kimono, unfurling and hiding behind it. From behind the fabric, his eyes met the inquiring green of his visitor. His stomach fluttered nervously at the intensity and brightness of his eyes, and even as he lowered the fan and replaced it in his sleeve, he could feel the gaze subtly following his movements. The temptation to meet the man's gaze grew with each passing moment, but he stifled the urge. He did not wish to appear rude to his lord's guest, after all.

He bowed again after sitting, though this time only dropping his gaze to his lap for a moment. The gesture hid the small blush that momentarily dusted his cheeks as he fleetingly reflected on the man's accent. At first, the words had been strange and difficult to understand. However, he had not failed to catch the small stutter in the man's speech, which he silently decided made the man sound cute. 'Ah, I should not be thinking such things about our guest!' He inwardly scolded himself, simultaneously trying to keep another light flush from dusting his cheeks. He reminded himself to focus on his guest's words, not just on how the accent made his stomach flutter pleasantly. 'He is my lord's guest. I am to entertain him until my lord arrives...and I do not think my lord would approve of my thoughts about this man.'

He carefully sounded out the man's name after the blond introduced himself, a light blush dusting his cheeks as he stumbled over the pronunciation. Foreigners often had difficult names. "Asaa...Kaaku...rando..." He murmured it quietly, then mouthed it a few times on his own without sound. "It is an honor to meet you, Kirkland-san." He bowed again, hiding a smile as the blond's name rolled more easily off his tongue. He straightened, his gaze meeting Arthur's brilliant green once more, currently shining with curiosity. The quiet stretched between them for a moment, as Kiku considered whether to introduce himself to the blond by his true name, or under an alias. He often called himself 'Yuki' when attending meetings with his lord, simply because the name did not necessarily give him a definite gender.

"I am called..." He hesitated a moment, then decided to simply give his alias. If his lord entered and called him a different name, it would only serve to cause them distrust. "Yuki, Kirkland-san." He gave the blond a shy smile, meeting his gaze through his lashes. He hoped that the blond--Arthur--would be remaining in the country for some time. He could possibly arrange to meet him outside of work, if the blond wished to know more about him. "I am here to answer Kirkland-san's questions, at least until my lord arrives to conduct the business portion of your visit. Is there anything that I can do for you, Kirkland-san?"

((I know the romanized spelling is incorrect up there...it's just him sounding it out ~~and me hopefully not butchering it D:~~ He'll call him 'Asa-san' once the RP progresses some...since...formal relations right now x.x And I'm sorry if this one isn't as good as the other ones and also so late *clings to*))

Posts : 139 Join date : 2013-01-15

Still pondering the gender of the person infront of him Arthur watched the male's soft graceful motions. It was almost like.. branches of a tree swaying gently in the breeze..yes.. he was really starting to get rather sappy as time went by.. he just met him and already he was thinking even his movements were graceful. He only wished that the male allowed him to look into his eyes more. The soft brown colour reminded him of melted chocolate...He didn't think he could get tired of just looking into them.

What is the matter with you Kirkland? Is that all it takes for you to be smitten with someone?

He had to mentally slap himself from the notion that he quite loved the way the male said his name. Sure it didn't really sound like what his name should but still...he much preferred it being pronounced this way. He didn't think he could get enough of hearing his language being spoken through pale, soft looking lips. He wondered if they were as soft as they looked and it took all of his will power to not just reach out and run his fingers over them.

Yuki... that meant.. snow wasn't it? Arthur racked through his brain for the meaning of that word. Yes that was what it meant.. somehow it was suiting given the pale ivory smooth skin the male had. Though he felt that if he held the man in his arms his body would be warm and inviting.. unlike snow itself. W-wait what was he thinking? Was he really considering feeling the other man's body? He resisted the urge to hang his head down in shame. He really had no restrain sometimes... if he was already thinking of such perverted things about Yuki.

"W-well I am rather new to these parts.. I've been in england most of my life. Nihon is very different isn't it? Its almost the same as where I come from yet.. some what different. I have yet to find a decent place to stay while I am here aswell as know about the sights I should see.. If you would be so kind as to tell me where I ought to go I would be grateful"

Subject: Re: Beautiful Strangers [Closed] Fri Mar 29, 2013 10:20 pm

Kiku blinked a few times slowly, watching as Arthur's expressions subtly shifted. The blond's cheeks glowed pink, and Kiku wondered briefly if perhaps something was upsetting him. He was in a new land, and he did have some right to be upset since his promised meeting was taking so long. He dropped his gaze to his lap, though he could feel the Briton's eyes on him. Was Arthur's embarrassment because of him? His mind raced, attempting to pinpoint anything that he might have done that could have upset their esteemed guest. He had only entered the room (late) and sat down an appropriate distance from the blond. 'Perhaps he is not comfortable sitting this close, or perhaps he is upset because my lord is taking so long.'

He kept his gaze on his lap, still feeling Arthur's eyes on him as the moment of quiet stretched between them. He resisted the urge to shift in his seat, not wanting to appear rude to his guest. But the intensity of the gaze on him was enough to be felt, and it made him feel both embarrassed...and as if he wanted to remain the subject of Arthur's attentions for longer. He inwardly chastised himself, bringing his eyes to meet Arthur's own. Such thoughts were not proper, especially of an esteemed visitor. His lord would not be pleased with him, and he dared not risk his lord's chances at betterment over a sudden and strange (but not unpleasant) mixture of feelings.

'I must compose myself...for my lord's sake. But perhaps I might see Kirkland-san again...away from the world of business. I find that I am curious about him.'

He was brought back to the present as the blond spoke, his words bringing a soft smile to his face. "Ah, so you are from Igirisu...England. My lord mentioned that Kirkland-san has traveled far in order to solidify this agreement between his land and our own. It is truly an honor to be in the presence of someone so well traveled." He bowed his head, returning his expression to a kind, yet neutral one. "Ah, Kirkland-san is kind, thinking of our land as one like his own. I am afraid I do not know much about England, but it would be wonderful to learn." He found a soft flush threatening to dust his cheeks as other implications jumped into his thoughts, but he pushed them aside quickly, hoping that Arthur had not noticed.

He blinked in surprise as Arthur mentioned his lack of accommodations. 'Strange...usually my lord provides for all of his guests. Perhaps he is waiting to see whether the agreement will go well, before investing in housing. But that does not seem like my lord at all. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding of some sort? Still, Kirkland-san will need a place to stay, and--' His thoughts were interrupted by the slight sliding open of the paper door. His eyes met those of the maid, and excusing himself from the blond for a moment, he moved gently into the other room. The maid seemed highly distraught, though he could not understand why. After her brief and hurried explanation and a small exchange of money, he nodded and returned to the main room. 'The lord needs to postpone the meeting until tomorrow...and I am to see to Kirkland-san's arrangements.'

"Please forgive me, Kirkland-san for leaving so abruptly. I was informed that my lord is most eager to meet you, but worries that perhaps the travel has taken its toll. He has instructed me to arrange for anything that you will need until your meeting." He took his seat near the blond once more, nodding his head in a small bow of apology. He felt a little guilty for not explaining the entire situation to the Briton, but at the moment his lord simply needed a little more time. "I suppose this means that I will be able to show Kirkland-san the sights and best places in person, if Kirkland-san wishes." He felt his heart tighten as he waited for the blond's reply. 'Why do I hope that he will allow me to accompany him?' He kept his expression neutral, though nervousness and a hint of fear raced through him as the quiet settled between them once more.

Posts : 139 Join date : 2013-01-15

This whole business meeting was just becoming more frustrating and.. well dumbfounding.. as far as his boss had told him. The client was indeed more then eager to do trade but so far the so called eager client was no where to be seen. Perhaps he was testing him or something..it could be a Japanese custom.. one he couldn't understand since he didn't come from these lands. Then again... he found his gaze going back to Yuki. Perhaps this wasn't a bad thing at all.

It was as if lady luck was shining on him today however since it appeared all the wishes he wanted had come true the moment Yuki returned and stated he was to go with him and show him whatever he wanted to see. " I would be delighted to have your company Yuki..taking in the sights is more enjoyable with beautiful company" With that he took Yuki's hand into his and brought it up to his lips giving a light kiss upon the skin. He hoped that Yuki wouldn't think it was too forward of him to do such a thing.

" I shall wait for you outside then while you prepare to leave" Arthur released Yuki's hand reluctantly and headed outside to wait at the garden entrance. He found himself fascinated by the pink blossoms which were currently in full bloom on the trees through out the gardens. This was the same type of tree he had seen while the rickshaw brought him here. Picking up a blossom which fell onto his jacket. Arthur wondered if it was possible to bring back a tree to his homeland.

Subject: Re: Beautiful Strangers [Closed] Fri Apr 12, 2013 8:25 pm

Kiku's gaze never left Arthur's face, his eyes taking in every small change in his expression. He could not blame the blond for feeling frustrated (at least, he appeared to be so) over the lack of meeting. The Briton had traveled quite some way, and through every correspondence up to that point, had been expecting the meeting with his lord to occur upon his arrival. He too found himself wondering at his lord's thoughts, but knew it was not his place to question his lord's wishes. Still, he could not help the guilt that fluttered through him, as though he was partially to blame for Arthur's frustrations. 'Please forgive me, Kirkland-san. I do not know what my lord is thinking, postponing the meeting...but I am sure he has his reasons.' He blinked once, suddenly realizing that he cared that Arthur was not happy about his current situation. 'This is...not simply because I am to entertain him, is it? No...I am...actually not happy that he is unhappy, even though we have only recently met.'

He pushed the thoughts aside for the moment, resolving to think on them later. He needed to focus on Arthur, and he would certainly have time to sort things out on his own. His resolve became shaky as Arthur accepted his company for his journey, and then practically shattered when the blond's warm lips touched his skin. Pink stained his cheeks, and he quickly raised his free hand to cover his mouth and stifle his startled gasp. His heart beat wildly in his chest, and his thoughts raced as he tried to compose himself. 'He kissed me! Is this...normal in his country? Perhaps...perhaps it is merely something they do to...! He believes I am a woman?' He took a few noiseless breaths behind his hand, attempting to wipe the surprise from his features. He did not wish for Arthur to think he was offended, though he admittedly had no idea how to respond to such a gesture. He wondered briefly if this could be a reason why his lord had postponed the meeting, then quickly dismissed it. His lord's reasons were not his concern at the moment.

He dropped his hand from covering his mouth at Arthur's words, a light frown tugging at his lips as the blond left the room. As the paper screen slid shut behind him, Kiku began to notice the quiet and the emptiness. Was this what it felt like for Arthur to be kept waiting alone? He raised his hand--the hand Arthur had kissed delicately--and examined it. The limb looked no different than it had before, but the thought of Arthur's lips against his skin brought the ghost of the kiss to make his hand tremble. He stared for a moment longer, trying to suppress the flush threatening to dust his cheeks again. 'It must be a cultural thing! I cannot think too much into this...and I must be present with him until he meets with my lord. But...it was certainly not an unpleasant thing, though I am not entirely sure I ought to allow him to do it again.' Though he was to entertain the esteemed guests of his lord, he was certain that such...intimate contact...was only permissible if his lord allowed it.

He moved quickly out of the room, gathering a few of his belongings and checking his reflection once more before heading into the garden. He did not wish to keep Arthur waiting any longer than necessary, especially since the blond had been kept waiting quite often during his short time. He easily spotted Arthur near the garden entrance, the blond of his hair distinct among the pink of the blossoms around him. He paused when he had reached Arthur, bowing once more. "I apologize for keeping you waiting, Kirkland-san." He spotted the small blossom in Arthur's hand, and a soft smile touched his lips. "The gardens are filled with the..." He paused, trying to recall the word for the blossoms in English and finding he could not remember. "...sakura trees and blooms. My lord favors the flowers because they are said to bring good things." One of the small blossoms settled on his shoulder, but he paid it little attention as he kept his gaze on Arthur.

"We can remain here in the gardens for a little while longer if you wish, Kirkland-san. Or, I can show you some important places." He knew that eventually, he would need to work out where Arthur would be staying. His lord had given him sufficient funds to house the Briton well, but the maid had said nothing about arrangements being made in advance. Whatever was keeping his lord preoccupied must have been important, for his lord not to take care of such details for his guests. But Kiku could not allow Arthur to know of his lord's preoccupations, or else the business deal could be placed in a precarious position. "I admit, I am not as familiar with Kirkland-san's home, and I would not wish to show him sights he has already seen. But I have heard that many who come here enjoy visiting the various...hot springs...here."

Kiku's hesitation came partially from forgetting the English, and partially because offering the hot springs would force him to reveal his true gender to Arthur. 'Why did I say such a thing? Surely I could have thought of something safer that would not involve me seeing...! Perhaps he will refuse...perhaps he is tired, and simply wishes to retire for the night...or perhaps he will inquire more about them and I will be able to discourage him, at least for now?' His thoughts raced, though none of his inner panic showed in his expression as he politely waited for Arthur's response. He would simply have to deal with it if Arthur answered in the affirmative, and until that time he could do nothing but wait.

((Your Alfred icon is giving me a look...it's like "Mmh yeah, I know you're watching me drink this cola (water, beverage) all sexy like." O.O *plays with the random hairs sticking out everywhere* And pfft, don't mind Kiku muse...he was a bit caught off guard with Arthur's gentlemen-ly kiss, so we'll see if he does carry through with his threat to not let Arthur do it again *coughsprobablynotcoughs* Also, my sincerest apologies if I have anything wrong...like the sakura trees and symbolism and all of those things *sobs* I can always edit the post/make it better if I've done something truly awful *sniffles*))

Posts : 139 Join date : 2013-01-15

Sakura huh.. you don't say.. it was suiting to say the least. He had no idea what the name meant but somehow the sound of it suited the beautiful flowering trees. "Its not a problem it appears today seems to be the day for waiting " Arthur gave Yuki a small smile as he plucked the flower off his clothes. He knew he was being a tad snappy but he was kept waiting for no reason the whole day. " I apologize for sounding a bit.. harsh but it has been a long day and I have achieved nothing from it. Come lets leave this place. I wish to have a less tensed environment"

Arthur wanted to see a great many things but he didn't know where to start. So he started to put things in order according to how important it is. First thing first.. he had no where to stay and that was a huge problem on its own since he didn't know where to tell the person in charge of his belongings to send his things. Once that was done he could focus on the more pleasurable parts of sight seeing.

" I suppose the first order of business would be to find a proper place to stay. I would be here for awhile and I would like a comfortable safe place I can rest at when my day is done." Though something else did catch his interest, Yuki mentioned hot springs.. that sounded relaxing.. and.. well he would have more time to talk Yuki. " I think that's a fine idea, why don't we look for a place and once that is done we can go to this hot springs you are speaking off"

( YOU KNOW ITS COKE

Subject: Re: Beautiful Strangers [Closed] Sat May 04, 2013 1:13 am

Kiku did not fail to notice the irritated frown that tugged at the corners of Arthur's lips, though the blond hid it quickly behind a polite smile. He felt that Arthur had every right to feel upset, especially at the way he had been treated so far. He felt irritated with his lord, for building up Arthur's expectations and then forcing the blond to wait. But he quickly pushed the thoughts aside. His lord surely had his reasons, and although they had arisen at a most inconvenient time, he surely would not have kept Arthur waiting if they were not urgent. Still, the blond's irritation and disappointment were justified. Kiku would not have blamed the blond in the slightest had he shown less restraint in his words. Still, he appreciated Arthur's apology, though in truth his lord owed the blond one instead.

He silently agreed with Arthur's logic. The blond likely had his belongings waiting for him, and would most likely need to have them brought to his place of residence before nightfall. However, he was most glad that Arthur had accepted his invitation to the hot springs. The blond deserved a relaxing night, especially after all of the day's disappointments. Kiku could think of the perfect establishment, one that contained both public and private springs. He was not entirely sure how Arthur felt about such things, and he did not want to embarrass him or unintentionally make him into a spectacle. Foreigners with Arthur's...unique (and handsome) features were unique. Still, the hot springs would give Arthur the perfect taste of his culture, while simultaneously giving him an opportunity to relax.

He immediately came up with an idea to rectify the housing situation, though he wondered if Arthur would mind such a thing. Kiku knew his lord would not necessarily approve, but he was following his lord's orders and would be keeping the blond entertained. 'The least I could do is pose the idea to him. If he wishes for me to find another place, then I will gladly assist him. But perhaps this way, Kirkland-san's opinion of my lord and of our land will be turned favorable again.' He could easily ask the establishment with the hot springs to house him for the night, but part of Kiku felt he owed the blond a truer taste of hospitality on behalf of his lord. The other thoughts threatened to bring a blush to hsi cheeks, though he suppressed it quickly. He was not some woman that giggled and blushed over a man, regardless of how handsome (and Arthur was rather handsome) he was.

It was then that the actual weight of his thoughts caught up with him. 'Asking such a thing of Kirkland-san would be most improper! But if he refuses, I am sure the housing at the hot springs will be adequate for him. However...' When Kiku had introduced himself as Yuki to Arthur, he had been under the impression that he would simply be entertaining the blond for a small period of time. At that moment, his gender did not matter. 'Kirkland-san may be uncomfortable once he realizes that I am not a woman. He may even become upset with me for hiding my true gender from him, though in truth I simply did not tell him. Ah, but with so many disappointments today, he may become angry and refuse to meet with my lord! I cannot allow this to reflect badly upon him, even if Kirkland-san ultimately does not wish to remain in my company.'

He took a small breath, exhaling and turning to face Arthur. He would take care of Arthur's housing problem first, or at least, address it, and then move on from there. "Ah, I understand, Kirkland-san. Please follow me." He brought the blond out of the garden, beginning to make their way to the gate. Before they exited, he turned to face Arthur once more. "I apologize for stopping once more, Kirkland-san, but it is my hope that I can be of assistance to you throughout your stay here. If it would not be displeasing, I would be most honored to offer my own home to you, Kirkland-san, for both your own comfort and as an apology on behalf of my lord for his inability to meet with you." He bowed deeply, awaiting Arthur's reply. "If this is not convenient for you...I do know of many places that would be honored to serve you throughout your stay."

He felt his heart flutter nervously in his chest as he waited for Arthur's reply. He mentally slapped himself for forgetting to inform Arthur that his own private home was close by. It was certainly not as lavish as his lord's home, but the place was private and could serve as a peaceful retreat for the blond, should he choose to reside there for his trip. The location would be easy to find, and he could have Arthur's things brought there immediately. But he knew the decision ultimately rested with Arthur, and he felt ridiculous for hoping (but nonetheless hopeful) that the blond would accept.

((*pets Alfred's tousled head and steals his coke to give to Kiku* It's totally Coke, 'cause Coke and hot days and shirtless Alfreds go oh so well together *babbles incoherently and wanders off to fangirl in a corner* BUT OHMYGOSH ARTHUR...I WANNA HUG HIM D: He's just...asdkf;jlskdjf Kiku's boss is a meanie and it's all my fault even though the thought of Arthur and Kiku in the hot spring talking (while Arthur subtly admires Kiku and vise versa) is just too golden an opportunity for me to pass up writing with yoooou *squishes* >w<))

Posts : 139 Join date : 2013-01-15

Perhaps this day wasn't all that ruined after all. If his business partner hadn't left him to his own devices with Yuki he wouldn't have gotten the chance to actually be offered a place to stay with the charming male. He would have even more time with Yuki.. and perhaps the room he would be given would just be a stones throw from his own.. right he needed to stop thinking that way. Arthur couldn't understand why he kept getting perverted thoughts about Yuki. He flushed and cleared his throat just to stop thinking that way.

" That would be delightful actually. Staying with someone I actually know more or less would be much more inviting then in an inn surrounded by people I don't know or know the language of. T-that is.. if you don't mind me imposing on you like this" He hoped he wasn't imposing.. then again Yuki did offer his place to him when Arthur was considering to look for his own means of a place to stay.

" Please do lead the way, we can send for a messenger to go down to the port and give them directions to put my luggage." He stayed in step with Yuki as he followed him towards his house. Arthur wanted more then anything to take hold of his hand and feel the warmth from it seep into his own. He was sure that even such a simple gesture would be a wonderful experience on its own. He held himself back since well.. he was sure Yuki wouldn't appreciate such things in public once they had privacy however, he would try to hold his hand again.

Subject: Re: Beautiful Strangers [Closed] Sat May 25, 2013 6:10 pm

Kiku watched Arthur, curious as a light pink flush began to dust the blond's pale cheeks. He found this one of many interesting facets that made up Arthur, though he doubted he could express such a thing without coming across as rude. The flush made his eyes sparkle even more, and his eyebrows contrast more drastically with the blond of his hair. Kiku had seen others from the West, their faces flushed with alcohol or frustration (or perhaps infatuation), but never did the rose adorning their cheeks change him. He felt as though he was witnessing something private, even intruding on Arthur's thoughts by seeing him blush. He quickly pushed the thoughts aside, and he did his best to keep his gaze from becoming outright staring (though he hardly thought he was successful).

The fluttering in his heart spread to his stomach as Arthur accepted his invitation. 'Of course I do not mind! But now I must find a time to explain myself...to tell him my true name. I would not wish for him to think that we are dishonest...' He knew his lord had his reasons for postponing the meeting, but still, too many excuses could be easily misinterpreted as dishonesty. The last thing they needed was for Arthur to return to his home, convinced that everyone he met would never show him their true face. Of course, this was a ridiculous thought to begin with, but those in power did not necessarily view the ridiculous as trivial in their decisions. 'I will tell him before we arrive at the baths, though in my current role as his guide, everyone will refer to me as Yuki. I must be sure to explain myself carefully.' He often brought guests of his lord to one particular inn and hotspring. The use of his name would identify his lord, and any necessary charges would be handed over to his lord for settling later on. Kiku made enough to go himself, but his lord had insisted that he only present himself there as Yuki.

"It would be an honor to share my home with you, Kirkland-san. I wish for your stay here to be as comfortable as possible." He felt a genuine smile tugging at the corners of his lips, one not marked by the need to impress. His hands remained at his sides, finding no need to hide his smile in coyness. He was genuinely happy, even excited to be sharing his home with the handsome blond. He of course wished for Arthur to leave his home impressed with the hospitality of their land, but more than that, he desired to learn more about Arthur himself. His lord was responsible for presenting the face of Japan, the formal tradition that dictated their trade with the West. Kiku knew that by extension, both he and Arthur were also responsible to some lesser degree. But beneath that, away from the closed doors of the meetings, they could shed the politics. The potential for a relation, even over simple shared likes, was entirely possible for them.

The thought made the fluttering in his stomach increase as Arthur fell into step beside him. "Hai, Kirkland-san. It is this way." His feet (thankfully) remembered to direct them towards his home, and he began walking again. Their steps together contrasted as they moved through the gate. Kiku supposed he had paid little attention to Arthur's shoes, though all Westerner shoes were more heavily made. The gate gave way to another path, and the path spilled out into the more populated streets. The later hour revealed less people moving about, which made their passing less of a spectacle. The people were used to seeing guests of his lord, but foreigners still fascinated them. Arthur's blond locks would have attracted some attention, though Kiku suspected the emerald of his eyes would have been his most talked about feature. That, and perhaps his eyebrows...but Kiku sensed that translating something like that would not please Arthur.

The walk passed quietly, and they arrived after a few minutes at a more modest gate. Kiku paused a moment, then reached to push the gate open. The nervous fluttering in his stomach increased again, as the wood revealed the hidden garden behind. A path from the gate, shorter than the one at his lord's home, led straight to the home. The fence surrounding the home hid the flowers, trees, and the small pond from view, but as Kiku stepped through the gate with Arthur, he paused to allow the blond to take in the sights. He moved up the pathway, indicating silently for Arthur to follow. He needed to arrange for Arthur's things to be brought to his home, but he would need to find one of the servants first. Normally, Kiku preferred solitude, even in his home. But upon visits from important members of his lord's house, his lord required that he keep at least one servant in his home. He complied, though the presence of essentially a stranger in his home made him uneasy.

"I will have a messenger inform the docks so that your luggage may be sent here, Kirkland-san." He moved to the gate once more, exiting for a moment. He spoke in rapid Japanese to a young boy, who responded positively before leaving. The journey to the docks would take a bit of time, but Kiku had promised to pay him when he returned...and as long as all of Arthur's things were as they should be. He returned to Arthur's side, an apologetic smile touching his lips. "The messenger will ensure that your things are brought here safely, though it will take a little time. Would you like to remain here, or would you like to visit the hot spring?" His gaze traveled to the small garden, and his imagination darted away. He could see himself, sitting with Arthur on the step, sipping tea and speaking of everything and nothing. The steam from the cup flushed the blond's cheeks, and Kiku wished his imaginary self would reach to brush a stray petal from the blond's shoulder. He quickly pushed the thought aside, returning his gaze to Arthur. 'What would he think of such things?!'

((OUR ICONS ARE GIVING EACH OTHER LOOKS O.O *stares at them, stares at you, giggles and falls over* Also, I'm so terribly sorry this took forever D: I had a bit of writer's block (gasp, I know right x.x) but then I got this stunning idea for this and I really hope this makes up for it and I just...ajdklfjskldjfkasdjf *clings to* I also realized that I've been giving Arthur lots of choices...which I'm not sure if that's just me being nice, what would actually happen, or if I'm totally missing something in my interpretation of the wonderful culture of Japan. If I am missing something, lemme know...you know me, I don't want to do things wrong D: ))

Posts : 139 Join date : 2013-01-15

The walk to Yuki's home was pleasant, though Arthur himself was guilty of not really paying attention to his surroundings but instead to the beauty of his guide. While he was sure of the gender, it still didn't seem possible for a male to be so utterly enchanting.. was it? Arthur wanted more then anything to run his fingers lightly along that smooth skin of his face just to see if it was really as smooth as a rose petal. He didn't even realise that they had reached their destination until Yuki paused to open the gate. He really needed to get his head together.. if this kept up, his guide is going to think that he was either utterly spacey or just..odd.

The house infront of him was simple and yet elegant. Arthur was never one to like overly pompous estates which had so many rooms and things in it. Why would one person need that many rooms and things? Arthur never understood it, his own home was simple and big enough for a family if he wanted to. The only staff he had was a gardener and a maid. Arthur enjoyed gardening so he usually did most of the plant tending himself. The gardener stepped in only when he was away. " Your home is lovely, I like the fact its not overly done, like your lords home"

Arthur paused and listen to Yuki talk to a young boy in japanese. Somehow.. even though he had always found the language fascinating, hearing it from Yuki's lips made its sound more amazing if it was even possible. " Thank you for arranging that" He said as soon as the boy left to pick up his luggage. " I would love to visit the springs but first there is something I wish to ask you.. Yuki isn't your real name is it? You know my name and I've yet to know yours.. if its your lord you are worried about we can keep this between ourselves. I just wish to know the true name of the beauty who is standing infront of me now"

Subject: Re: Beautiful Strangers [Closed] Tue Jul 09, 2013 1:16 am

Kiku smiled at Arthur's compliment, humbly bowing his head at the flattery. His lord had attempted to persuade him to move into a larger estate in order to flaunt his wealth and influence, but Kiku preferred a home that he could manage. Still, he felt his home was far too large for just himself, but he simply did as his lord wished in order to please him. He admittedly did not mind the cleaning, though many of the rooms remained practically untouched. He would of course be giving Arthur a guest room close to his own room, a thought which made his heart flutter in his chest once more. His mind wandered, drawing images of the blond tucked beneath the blankets, his emerald green eyes hidden peacefully behind closed lids. He quickly pushed the thoughts aside, not wanting to appear inattentive to his guest.

"Thank you, Kirkland-san. I am sure that your own home is far more impressive." Curiosity tugged at him, though he suppressed any questions of Arthur's home. He would have loved to ask, but he did not wish to seem invasive of Arthur's personal life. Still, the blond fascinated him. He found himself wondering about Arthur's home, and his life outside of meetings and formalities. He considered himself lucky as well; he would be able to glimpse some of those things thanks to his lord's postponing of their meeting. He stole a glance at the blond out of the corner of his eye, noticing not for the first time Arthur's brilliant green eyes on him. A light flush threatened to dust his cheeks, so he found himself grateful for his task in making arrangements to have Arthur's luggage transported to his home.

Once completed, he returned his full attention to Arthur. "Hai, I am pleased that I could make the arrangements for you quickly, Kirkland-san." He knew the boy would be reliable, and that he would return as quickly as possible with Arthur's belongings. He would also inform his lord as soon as he could, and he felt certain his lord would reward the boy for being helpful. "He is reliable, and he will return with your things soon." He kept his gaze locked with Arthur's own, observing the way the light made his emerald green eyes sparkle as he spoke. The blond hair atop his head looked softer, though Kiku felt it would never compare to natural light. Still, part of him wished he could touch the hairs, to run his fingers over them to see if they were truly as soft as they looked.

He could not keep the surprise from showing in his expression when Arthur asked his question. 'How...how did he know?!' Taking a moment to compose himself, he weighed his options. On the one hand, it was truly unfair that Arthur did not know his true identity. However, it was as his lord wished. He was to be called 'Yuki' whenever serving his lord's honored guests. On the other hand, did he wish for Arthur to know him on a more personal level? Revealing his true name to Arthur would certainly do this, unprofessional and ill-advised as such a thing might have been in his lord's presence. 'Still...if I am to spend more time with Kirkland-san, it may be a good idea to reveal my true name to him. If he is in need of anything unrelated to my lord, he will need to know it. Since we will not be meeting with my lord tonight, perhaps...perhaps there would be no harm in telling him.' He admitted silently to himself that part of him, the same part that stared just a bit too long at the green in Arthur's eyes or the blond locks, wanted for Arthur to know him more intimately.

"I apologize, Kirkland-san for not revealing such things to you. My lord...when I am in his service, I am called 'Yuki'." He turned to face Arthur fully, his gaze locked with Arthur's own. "I am called 'Honda Kiku'...ah, Kiku Honda, in Western order." He flushed slightly, bowing to cover his embarrassment. As he straightened once more, he immediately searched Arthur's expression. He watched, waiting for any sign of displeasure or frustration...things he wished never to see cross Arthur's face as they had earlier in the night. His heart fluttered nervously at the thought, and he waited in anxious silence for Arthur to respond in some way to his name.

Posts : 139 Join date : 2013-01-15

Arthur decided not to mention that in his line of work, he had developed a habit of being able to tell if someone was hiding something from him or not. It was usually a hit or miss depending on what they were hiding and he would usually have to ask certain questions but in this case he hit it right on the nail. Sure Yuki was a very suiting name for the man infront of him but Kiku.. now that added more mystery. After all Kiku was the name of a flower which stood for remembrance.

" I must admit.. while Yuki did suit you. I prefer the name Kiku, it has more mystery behind it" Arthur gave Kiku a soft smile just to show he wasn't at all angry or offended he didn't reveal his name at the start. " Thank you for making all these arrangements for me, I as rather worried I would be stranded here with no place to stay since I didn't know if the inn had any room" He followed Kiku to the room he would be staying in and took a good look inside. After.. fumbling with his shoes, he kept forgetting he needed to use the slippers Kiku had provided him with and leave his normal shoes at the door.

The room was quite spacious, with its own viewing area showing the garden outside. It had sliding doors which led out to the garden aswell as the closets. He wasn't sure how he would be able to put all his clothes aside without any proper wardrobe but he was sure he would figure it out some way or another. Once he was alone, he didn't want Kiku to think he was too stupid to even figure out a wardrobe. " It is a very nice room, Once my luggage gets here I'll start unpacking but until then what would you like us to do?" Arthur was of course hoping for the baths but he didn't want to seem to eager.

Subject: Re: Beautiful Strangers [Closed] Mon Aug 05, 2013 9:48 pm

Kiku felt a small shiver race down his spine as Arthur spoke his name. The blond's accent had made 'Yuki' sound beautiful...but it was nothing in comparison to his true name. Inwardly, he felt a small pang of disappointment. Arthur would need to call him Yuki in public, which meant that he would likely not hear the blond speak his true name again. Of course, fate had given them the evening together, and Kiku supposed that Arthur might prefer to use his given name in his home. He felt relieved that Arthur was not upset with him. He would have given the man his true name from the start, had his lord not demanded he be called Yuki. Still, he could not quite suppress his surprise that Arthur had discovered this so early. Most simply accepted him as Yuki and cared little for the person he was while not entertaining for his lord. However, he instead returned Arthur's smile, leading him farther into his home.

"I am happy to help, Kirkland-san. I would not wish for you to be left without a place to stay." He paused as the blond struggled momentarily with his shoes, but eventually the two made it to the guest room. Inwardly, he also reveled in the chance to get to know the blond better; Arthur had fascinated him from their first moment, and fate had given him an opportunity to perhaps get to know the blond on a more intimate level. The thought brought a small blush to his cheeks, but he did his best to hide it as he slid open the door to the guest bedroom. He worried momentarily that Arthur would not like the room; he had heard stories of Westerners having large beds and many decorations. However, Arthur's compliment put his worries to rest. "If there is anything that you need during the night, my room is at the end of the hallway, Kirkland-san."

It was far too early for them to retire, though Kiku marveled that Arthur was not tired from his long journey. "I have heard that the hot springs are most relaxing after a long day of travel. If Kirkland-san would follow me, there is one not far from here." The baths were indeed close, and Kiku's lord held influence over the owners. If Kiku brought Arthur there, his lord would cover the expenses the next time he went there himself. He of course would take Arthur elsewhere, but the beauty of his home was best seen in the daytime, when the blond could enjoy it more fully. "I am sure that by the time we are finished, your things will have arrived here." He had instructed the messenger to have the things brought to Arthur's room (and that nothing should be touched otherwise). "I will give Kirkland-san time to prepare, and then we will depart."

He left the room, allowing for Arthur to gather anything he felt necessary. The baths would provide most things for them (thanks to his lord), but Kiku did not want to rush Arthur. Once the blond had joined him again, he made his way to the front of the house once more. As he paused to allow Arthur to slip into his own shoes, his gaze lingered on a few errant strands of blond hair that tickled Arthur's cheek. He wondered again how soft they felt, and the desire to run his fingers through the strands sent another flutter through his chest. He quickly averted his gaze, hoping not to be caught. 'I must keep such thoughts to myself! How will I manage at the baths if I cannot manage now?' The thoughts of the baths brought a light flush to his cheeks, though he hid it by movnig ahead of Arthur to lead the man to the hot springs.

((asldkfjklsdajf I'M SO SORRY THIS IS LATE AGAIN *sobs and sits in the corner of shame* I wanted to get to our Open RPs first before getting to this one but I swear I didn't forget about this! D:))

Posts : 139 Join date : 2013-01-15

... What exactly would someone bring to a bathhouse? Arthur normally had his own bath back in his home which didn't really matter if you forgot something and you couldn't exactly offend anyone when its your own home.... Right he could stand here all day and ponder about all these issues while he had an utterly enchanting male outside waiting for him. He was just going to go with the flow and just follow whatever Kiku suggested to him. He headed back outside and once again fumbled with his shoes... bloody hell Kiku made this seem so easy and the way the japanese male moved even just putting on his outdoor shoes was elegant. " I apologize for taking so long, I'm ready now"

He hurried abit till he was walking side by side with the other man as they made their way through the busy streets. Arthur still couldn't help but marvel at the architecture and how everyone seemed to have somewhere to go and something to do. He found himself holding onto Kiku's hand as a rickshaw started to charge through the streets carrying a passenger with it. Arthur flushed when he realised what he had done but he didn't pull his hand away.

It didn't take them much longer to reach the large public baths but as the owner spotted Kiku. He lead them both to a more private one which overlooked into the beautiful landscape of the gardens they had just for the private guests. Arthur examined the shower type of room which was attached to the baths itself. They had stools to sit down on apparently while you washed. Though Arthur had no clue why one would wash themselves if they were going into the baths. Was there something in the water? There was also a corner which held some sort of robes and various other types of what appeared to be bath things.

" W-well.. what exactly do we do ..? There is so much to take in I'm afraid I'm in an utter lost" Arthur found himself awkwardly asking. He wasn't the type to like to ask for help from others but in this case he had too since he didn't know the culture and he really didn't want to insult Kiku.

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» Work It (Closed)
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