Ant-Eater Eating Ant (Hannah/Akira)

AKIRA TAIRITSU

Tea was a remedy for both soul and body, at least Akira was in belief it was one of the few consistent methods that one can enjoy a bit of internal peace during any and all seasons. This wasn't any particular day that offered major celebration yet there was a desire at least to place some earphones within his ears, listen to some music and peruse an extra chapter of an intoxicating thriller. It was evident by the pale skyblue waistcoat which hung over the black shirt that today was a day to dress sharply, major suit ensemble hanging over the back of his chair, yet whilst the gigai for most was awkward, for Akira it felt more like his own flesh than without it.

"Hrm? Oh. Thank you.”

The table which had claimed him had a tray with the necessary ingredients to create one's own tea, earl gray was a classic and most coveted during days like this, moving to unbutton cufflinks, letting each roll up midway on each forearm, then began a calm forging of tea, deciding three spoons of sugar was necessary. He then placed the hardcover book directly against the edge of the table, assuring it was in sync, moving to arrange the tray in a systematic manner, each item at a corner whilst the hot tea took center stage.

As his fingers traced the handle of the cup, golden hues spotted an individual with a stick? The way his eyes darted about her form to gather anything of note was incredibly swift, gigai smothering his spiritual pressure though the sight that held his hues so radiant could never be diminished. The man moving to stand rather swiftly, shifting to the door and moving to open it for Hannah.

“Pardon me, I don’t wish to impose but the thought of the door impeding you was a little to weighing on my conscience. I’ll pay for your drink if it suits you?”

He inquired softly, a soothing confidence that was laced with an intellectual refinement to each word, calculated, chosen, a man who spoke such though with more insight could tell the faintest touch that it was not born, self taught.

AKIRA TAIRITSU

There was an odd pressure? A wave? Her lack of acknowledgement of it placed Akira a little on edge, evidently a woman of capacity even without the need for sight. Yet it was her rather teasing tone which caught him off guard a little, eyelids blinking rapidly as a tint of crimson flushed his cheeks, though lips parted to offer a light chuckle.

"Whilst I believe such a thing would be an honor, I don’t think I’m quite suited for the task. Is a modicum of kindness and basic decency so small nowadays that this is worthy of marriage?”

He retorted after managing to gain his bearings, waiting for her to pass the threshold of the establishment before closing it behind, glancing around at the patrons, a left hand moving swiftly to acquire his wallet whilst engaging further.

“Are you a local here? I haven’t seen you around, though I imagine you’re not if such an act has never befallen you before.”

AKIRA TAIRITSU

As Hannah decided to tick off a progression of a courtesy, which would lead into a snowball effect of ending with the crescendo of marriage, Akira was at this point internally aflame. Ironic. The core of his body wanting to collapse in on itself, not that such teasing would topple his confidence but when one has spent a long time of both isolation and idle passings with socializing. This. This was not common.

"Well.”

He managed to utter whilst she was already meandering to a nearby table, empty and leaving him to consolidate internal affairs. She would no doubt hear a shift of movement beside her, as Akira brought th strong earl grey tea over to the emptied table she had elected to claim, a few idle sounds indicating a clear meticulous need for things to be in a certain place before bringing his book to the edge, lining it up.

“Do you take enjoyment in watching many shutdown for a moment after such brazen teasing? ”

The man chuckled softly, waiting for Hannah to order as the waiter came to ask for their desires.

“Dating doesn’t necessarily link directly to marriage, though I have noticed most rush into such commitments. I suppose if we’re referring to Kinks, then you’re a bit of a sadist. Hm? ”

His gregarious nature taking the wheel as he teased softly, moving to finally drink the hot liquid with a delightful exhale.

AKIRA TAIRITSU

Akira couldn’t help but let out a gentle laugh at that, genuine by all accounts and it felt good for the briefest moment to engage in a little back and forth. Such things can be forgotten, though best to focus on the present rather than squander a good talk with anxious concepts of the past, yet details did elicit curiosity. She had been here before or the blindness was an act.

"The only company I find myself committed to are books I’m afraid, though before you exploit that and make a jest of papercuts. I’m cautious.”

The man stated idly, glancing down at the stick to see if it had any unique qualities through his sight, specifically reiatsu or maybe hidden spellwork.

“So a sadist comes into a tea shop and locates her prey, I feel as if I am being hunted. Is it not you who might be seeking such a thing under the guise of reverse psychology?”

AKIRA TAIRITSU

It was evident by this back and forth that Akira was acquiring a semblance of comfort, a brow perking to the quip she managed with such an air of ease. Sadist. Definitely. The man bringing the earl grey up to his lips, letting the heated tea water traverse down his throat yet a spark of tension finally clicked, at the mention of Kisuke Urahara. Many knew who he was. He knew him during his days at the Gotei 13.

He managed to refrain from displaying any overt concerns but there was a defensive element to his own posture, thank all that is omnipotent for the gigai. Did she know who he was? Was this display of reiatsu a way of subtly informing him of the current predicament?

"Light teasing I’m sad to say isn’t enough to cause such an effect, though I believe most men have a habit of jumping like hungry animals at the misconception that a bit of harmless flirting will provide a night of lust. I take care of the pages though, assuring my excitement stays off the page.”

There was an amusement to it, a lighter tone that may harbor a bit more intent to redirect a conversation from Urahara, yet it would look far too suspicious to be blunt about it.

“I’m uncertain if I have ever met Kisuke Urahara, or seen this shop you speak of. Do you enjoy working there? I’d love to take you up on that offer though yet I have commitment elsewhere. We could another time.”