Beauty and the Bowl [Asami, Kyo]

And just like that, he was moving around his plans for her sake. Which, of course, was to be expected for one that was sufficiently interested in pursuing this relationship further than a passing fancy. Not that it was all a one-way street, though. Asami had also mentally cancelled her previous plan for training with the 4th Division followed by an evening spent digging through the archives hunting down a rogue Zanpakuto's wielders. Perhaps it was hasty to cancel her evening plans, but it was equally prudent.

"Then, by all means, send the message. We can enjoy some light refreshments before we depart."

Adjusting her posture, she was growing more and more comfortable at the table now and was rather happy to show that. A smile sitting smugly on her face, a laugh quick to come to her lips. It was turning into a pleasant afternoon.

Taking in the whole of the Sawachika estate in passing was quite a monumental task, and so Asami focused in upon that which belonged or rather was inhabited by Kyo. She had wondered if they would be greeted by his family, and she had prepared herself for such to some extent, but it would frankly have been an insult to not only her own intellect but Kyo's as well if he had genuinely considered that this was a meeting for the benefit of his sister anymore. Their intentions were much more selfish, the matter of fabrics could be broached later when there was less addling both their minds.

"A place by the fire sounds quite lovely right now, but I must say you have a lovely home. I am glad you put such effort into keeping things orderly."

She was hardly fazed by the cold, and yet she made a show of bristling ever so slightly at the temperature. If that meant that they could share a seat close to the fire then it was a small price to pay, a little deception for a longer and larger gain. Besides, her high cut dress did expose a little more skin than many a woman might have been comfortable with for this season. She was just ever so practical.

"You continue to surprise me, Kyo Sawachika."

Her tone did shift for that last line, a note of honesty perhaps winning out over her generally serious disposition. And that, in turn, drew the colour to her cheeks, a faint tinge of red, as a smile once more found its way to her lips.

She let him lead the way, following behind at a slightly slower pace as her gaze danced in even measure between Kyo and those few precious possessions that gave him quarters the colour he so desired. He was right in that she knew it well, there were many similarities to be drawn between these and the Furukawa estate. It was still an amusing little aside to study those accolades that had been gathered and displayed, not that she did not have a rather detailed picture of the man behind the mask anyway.

"Of course, I also take pride in my abode. An orderly home is the mark of an orderly self, and one cannot conduct oneself properly without being somewhat orderly."

That little insight into her mindset was hardly something that should surprise Kyo, she was a straightforward woman after all. The most straightforward individual, if she was feeling particularly vain, though only in such a manner that like-minded individuals would understand. Fortunately, Kyo had more than certainly proved to be such.

Approaching the fire herself, Asami took her time gracefully descending to a seated position at what she determined to be the most optimal distance from Kyo. The length at which, if either outstretched an arm, they might find the slightest of purchases upon the other. Close enough to certainly be called personal, without quite crossing the line into intimacy.

"Yes, in a good way. In a pleasantly direct way. It is refreshing, if I could speak so candidly about the usual nature of our peers."

Her lighter tone did pass, not that she was not the comparatively softer spoken of the pair at most every occasion regardless. But the slender smile remained, it was hardly a secret that she was enjoying this. There was the nuanced banter, but also the truths that each statement bore about the pair of them.

"The right tool for the right job, I would think."

Vibrant red eyes poured over Kyo, her focus very singularly upon the man even given their change in location and all the trappings that came with such. It was surprisingly easy to be comfortable around him, compared to so many of their peers and most anyone else for that matter. Asami was often quick to smile, but never too wide in most people's company. By her very nature, both noble and deceptive, she was used to making fast friends but rarely connecting.

"There's a time and a place for tradition, and properly observing it has its merits, but perhaps you're right. Are we both capable of moving past the pretences then?"

Tentatively, gingerly even for the first time today, her hand began to creep across the no man's land between them. It was purposeful, certainly, but this was a little beyond where she thought things might end up today.

His hand moved and Asami felt her chest tighten, the slightest of inhalations, and that was the last straw. She was committed now, committed enough to bare herself openly to him, and as his hand wrapped around hers with a comforting warmth she permitted herself another playful little laugh. This had all started from a touching of hands, had it not? And now here they were.

"I like you, Kyo Sawachika. You interest me in a way that so few people ever have, and that surprises me but also makes me want to learn more."

She turned now to face him, not yet approaching but leaving the fireplace to one side as her full front was presented toward Kyo. The physical engagement had already begun, after all, and she had to now think on where this might end. Her smile drew back into a thoughtful pout as she considered, before her stance widened ever so slightly and she leant forwards.

"I do not doubt that we could go all the way immediately and it would be a satisfying experience for all involved, but I would rather savour this for what it is. A meeting of minds as much as bodies. So perhaps a little less."