Thawing Cold Veins [Lerna, Asami]

The woman in the mirror looked more like a stranger the longer Asami stared at her. She was a pretty little thing, with an unruly mop of black hair that seemed like it could never be tamed and pale features that were usually hidden beneath a layer or two of makeup. But those piercing eyes still revealed to her the truth; that it was indeed a reflection of herself and nothing would change that. Instinctively, she reached for a fascinator to affix atop her head, but then she stopped herself. This was something different, so she should try something different. If it did not work out then that was a lesson learned.

They were going to a fair, after all, not a formal dinner. So Asami let her hair run wild and instead focused on what to wear. A few different dresses came to mind, all her mothers handiwork, and she was still deliberating the finer points when a servant came to tell her that Lerna was waiting for her. That was to be expected, of course, as she had never intended to be punctual and instead used this to gauge Lerna’s attitude. A cruel test, but an effective one nonetheless.

After a short period of waiting, in which time Lerna was offered some light refreshments by the servants but mostly left to herself, the door to the sitting room would slide open to reveal Asami. She was garbed in a flowing summer dress, white but decorated with assorted red flowers, that hung off her shoulders and wrapped around the top of her arms. Her platformed shoes clicked against the floorboards, doing a little to alleviate the height difference between the two, whilst a pleasant aroma seemed to linger in the air from her perfume. To some, it might have seemed like she had gone all out, but to Asami this was quite a modest effort and one that suited the occasion a little more. Her cool eyes softened at the sight of Lerna, lips curling into a pleasant smile, as she approached to offer a welcoming embrace.

“Sorry for making you wait, Lerna.” She lied effortlessly, her smile unflinching as her head cocked a little to one side. “I was tending to the garden and quite lost track of time.”

A little surprised that her attempt at an embrace had gone without answer, Asami did not force the issue and instead quickly latched onto the offered arm to draw herself in alongside Lerna. She blushed at that opening compliment, hardly enough to suggest that she was floored by it but it was still appreciated. It did give her ample opportunity to study Lerna’s own choice of apparel too, her general appearance seemed quite unchanged but it seemed that she could change that at will anyway.

“Oh, thank you. I was not quite sure what the tone would be, but at least I am a match for you.”

Given the informality of the situation, Asami was trying to reign in those expectations that she might have about a date - which this was not - and instead focus on having a blast quite like Lerna suggested. Her smile was genuine so it deserved to be met with one of her own, the minutia of noble courting need not apply. Such rigidity would weigh her down, so she cut free and let a smile spill from her lips.

“I am hardly an expert either, I don’t even really know what will be there other than a crowd, but let’s work it out as we go. See where the day takes us.”

Squeezing in just a little, pushing her body into her companion, Asami had to admit that there was a little excitement building in her chest. This was a rare opportunity to break new ground, and she was genuinely glad to share it with Lerna.

And there it was. It had taken a little longer but suddenly Asami was wrapped up in Lerna's arms and just for a moment all of her problems felt a little smaller. She was a pretty simple creature when it boiled down to it, despite how sophisticated she tried to present herself, that was one of several things that she was learning about herself lately. Then, as quickly as it started, it was over and Asami was left to lean into Lerna as they headed out of the estate.

"Should I be thanking you for that backhanded compliment about my household?" She scoffed, feigning just a little indignation before she brushed that comment aside, "Anyway, the Furukawa are hardly the most impressive or highly-regarded of noble houses but I do what I can to keep a tidy home. We are a small clan, just my sister and I, and mother too. As for whether I told them, was I not supposed to?"

Some noble houses might have been concerned with their image if they were seen socialising with those of lower standing, but the Furukawa hardly had such a luxury given their position in the hierarchy of such things. Not to mention the fact that Asami would not stand for such things, she had been around long enough to know the value that anyone could have regardless of their name. Lerna was her friend, nothing else really mattered.

"There are plenty of widespread, prestigious families too. They come in all shapes and sizes, after all."

Asami did sometimes wonder what it was like for all this to be entirely alien. Some of these concepts that she understood as the simple facts of life were so random and inconceivable to an outsider like Lerna. That was why they were here, after all. Had she any real figment of traditional social customs then this would never have come to pass, but Asami was glad that she was so removed from those. Spending too long in those circles was stifling, now that she had seen a little glimpse of the alternative.

"If you did not talk about it then people would see and they would talk in your stead, better to send a message than leave it to the rumourmongers." Of course, there would likely still be rumours if people cared to make them, but perhaps this way would set Lerna's mind a little at ease. "But the Gotei have enough enemies already to be running around making more. If you aren't a problem then there is no reason to make you one, I reckon."

Of course, the idea that Lerna was - in actuality - some remnant of an ancient monster from mythology was quite an outlandish suggestion. What little Asami knew of mod souls did not indicate that such a thing was practical, but it also made it hard to believe that she was so generally calm and collected. A spirited fighter, yes, but hardly a raging beast.

"Oh, you did not drag me here to talk about work." She teased, an awkward little laugh joining Lerna's chorus. "I can't believe it. Well. It has been a little busy with the appointment of a new Captain and all this Hole business, and then all the other... you know... 'stuff' I have had going on."

"I don't think that you act much like a toaster, Lerna. Else you have been doing me a great disservice by failing to supply me with suitably toasted goodies."

Asami laughed again, but she understood well the truth that Lerna meant. The truth of the matter was that she would always be a Mod Soul and some people might never see past that were they to know, but that was not a matter that truly concerned Asami. She had already expressed her views on the matter so it felt rather flat to offer some reassurance again, but if it became a problem then she would stamp it out beneath her heel.

"As for what I do in my free time, I suppose I can offer a little insight. Hmm, I do wonder if you will find me quite boring, but you are already committed to this so I won't let you leave me." She paused, fixing the other woman with a sobering stare before she broke into another bemused smile. "Anyway, I am fond of all manner of martial arts, not just practising them myself but also watching others do so. I travel to watch tournaments and have even travelled down to Earth to watch a few Earthen fighting competitions. Recently, I have also gotten into horticulture. Started up my own little garden and everything, just to see what I could grow and what little things I might accomplish."