A Dance with Danger [Shinsei]

[Jess]

Let's make some history together, eh~?

So this is the place, hm~? Whimsy and wryness seeming to curl the lip of a blond beauty with her hair tied up and her form clad in silk finery, Samantha Stephens hummed softly to herself as she eyed up a timber building to which she had been directed earlier in the day while going about her business, and now felt the definite desire to obey and observe.
Best cup outside of Wano itself, or so they reckon~? A hard day of taking in the local culture more than enough to work up a sense of thirst, whether she had been quizzing the welcoming leaders of the local dojo's and their spirited daughters or taking in the wildlife and image of people working the fields this particular tempting tourist was feeling quite the urge to quench the dryness in her throat, and so she decided to take up that red hot tip she had been given in her apparent never ending search for amusement and adventure with a spring in her step and a pistol in her hand. Wait, was what that last thing?

Bottoms up, I suppose~? Never going anywhere without her trusty pet after all but on this occasion thinking she would make for rather an impolite guest to stroll into a place with her faithful hound at her heel and so instead intent on carrying him nearby and closer to her heart in fact, Miss Stephens smirked as she as she stowed his partner away with a relative level of discretion by tucking him inside the gorgeous gown she was now sporting and ran her finger around the end of his muzzle as she did so, and then as she thanked the convenience of such covert carriage stepped forward and moved through the simple hanging curtain which separated the cool air from the warmth and mirth within. And what mirth it was, in fact.
Wow, it's practically heaving, isn't it~? The brow of the blonde lifting up as she stepped within and found that there was barely a spare spot within to park her feet let alone rest her rump, for a second the sapphire stare of the siren washed over the scene of dozens and dozens of men and the odd woman here and there indulging intentions similar to her own, though there was the natural note of intimidation at seeing so many unfamiliar faces the fair fox could also sense relaxation and humour in the venue that helped to set her at ease, and meant that the smirk she wore had little reason to fade as she took in the throng of bodies before her.

Perfect chance to make some new friends, no~? Never one who was all that put off by company either for that matter and once she got over the initial wake of astonishment the flaxen femme more than happy to weave her way around strangers and tables from which laughter seemed to ring out, she offered little nods and bows and wore a smile all the while as she made her way through and finally managed to reach at least one place that might just have provided her heels with respite, providing it was available of course.
“Excuse me, is this seat taken~?” Feeling that she was looking at prime real estate as she spotted a stool which stood between a couple of backs without no one to sit upon it and the bar right in front, though perhaps in a more conventional scenario Samantha might have simply planted her posterior upon the pew without a second thought she knew that the culture she was embroiled in was very attuned to the little things, and opted for a when in Ciudadela approach because of that. It was, after all, a small sacrifice for what she hoped would turn into a good night, right~?

	Samantha Stephens	### words
	@tag, Going Native

[Bobbie]

The large wooden structure was buzzing with activity as all sorts of people gathered inside and around it, though the front entrance was kept relatively tame, ensuring that any lingering drunkards would not hinder any newcomer’s entry. Since Shinsei found himself on Dance island, this was one place that he frequented.

The incident that made Shinsei the way he is happened less than a year ago, and having sold everything that he owned prior to taking the plunge, he was now thrown into a world with absolutely nothing to his name, and making ends meet has been hard at first, to say the least. However, Shinsei is nothing if not adaptive, and he was quick to pick up on some local businesses going on in the area. With his newfound strength and willingness to settle for a mediocre lifestyle, it was easy to find employment in a place like this and make the money that he needed to get by. Unfortunately, a large chunk of that money had to go on his addiction, yet another change in his body that he never asked for. In the memory of his late son, however, he decided to take it in his stride and just find a way to roll with it all.

As Samantha reached the single empty seat, a man sitting in the adjacent one spun in his own and eyed the woman up and down and in all directions. “Not for you, honey. Seat's yours.” The bearded man said in a gruff voice as he pushed the seat out in her direction. “Hey!” a woman promptly exclaimed, “Excuse me, this is my seat! Frank!” the woman then proceeded to smack the rugged man with her handbag, who hunched and curled up at the assault. With a grumble, he turned to give the blonde lady his back, “Can’t even make conversation with another woman with you around.” He continued in a mutter, eliciting another whack with the woman’s deadly weapon. “Fine! I’m leaving!” she snapped, flustered, before turning to Samantha with a deep frown. “You can have the seat. If it’s not comfortable enough for you, you can take my husband’s lap, I doubt he will mind!” the woman with a shrill and unpleasant voice shrugged and then stormed off.

The man let out a roar of a grunt, “No, honey, wait! You know I didn’t mean it like that!” he called and quickly rushed out after his wife, leaving a second empty seat.

“Looks like you dodged a bullet.” A man, who came out of the crowd behind her, chuckled as he approached the bar, a strong smell of nicotine and cigarette smoke filling the space between them rather quickly. He put his empty glass down on the counter and gently knocked on the wooden surface with his ring to attract the barkeeper’s attention. He wore a black shirt with a red stitched line pattern that ran down the sleeves, buttoned up red waistcoast, and a black pair of trousers. “Oi, I already told you twice, don’t be comin’ in here with that!” the muscular veteran on the other side of the bar exclaimed in an angry tone and gestured toward the lit cigarette that the redhead held in his hand, hidden down below but revealed by the thin stream of smoke that floated up into his vision. “Faster you fill it up, faster I’m back outside, chief!” Shinsei joked and glanced at Samantha with a playful but guilty expression, then he winked.

---

Old man in his seat: #e5e5e5

Man's wife: #0054af

Barkeeper: #7e3605

Shinsei: #ba0303

[Jess]

Let's make some history together, eh~?

“Gosh, that one escalated rather quickly, didn't it~?” The brow of the blonde raised whilst both her mind and body felt somewhat flabbergasted by what occurred, perhaps even Miss Stephens felt a note of lament at the simple fact that her looks and desire to spare her feet had seemed to cause something of a domestic dispute without even intending it, and she was left to shake her head and push her bangs back behind her ear as she tried to make sense of what had occurred before her. Though, when one was as used to rolling with the tide and the punches as she, it didn’t take long for her to regain her composure and make the best of a bad situation.
“I'd wager I'm not the first pretty thing she's caught in his lap of late~?” Slipping into one of the seats which had been freed up by the little piece of theatrical human drama and shrugging as she did so, the fair fox cast her gaze in the direction of the dismayed duo with a momentary but fleeting note of concern and then shook her head, before finding there were far more interesting reasons near her to change her focus. After all, while she did feel somewhat curious about circumstance which had led to such spontaneous outburst, it was all too easy for her to wheel her attention toward the red headed rogue nearby as well.

“Seems I'm not the only one prone to causing a commotion in here, doesn't it~?” Smirking and arching her brow at the back and forth which this more agreeable patron seemed to share between himself and the figure behind the bar, Samantha quietly tightened her sapphire stare as she assessed a few of the rugged good looks which were presented before her in a casual and curious fashion, and based on both them and the impish note he seemed to share with the barman, she decided that she might just have found her first new friend in the island.
“Samantha. And what do they call you, other than Trouble~?” Smirking as a result, little miss homewrecker looked between the barman and the new face and then nodded to the latter, tilting her head as she offered him a hand along with a wry smile, and was left to speculate just what this fellow has done to earn such obvious ire from behind the bar. I mean, he didn't look like much of a local either if she had to guess, and so was left to assume that he was almost as good at upsetting people as she was, if recent experience was anything to go by~?

	Samantha Stephens	### words
	@tag, Going Native

[Bobbie]

As the woman spoke, Shinsei was taken aback by her prompt interest, which elicited a chuckle from the cyborg. “Oh yeah, if you keep it up, you can make it into this man’s black book in no time. Between you and me, he’s got a bit of a short fuse, so I reckon it won’t take very long.”

“I can hear you, and you be on your third strike, so you better watch it.” The barman, who didn’t take very kindly to Shinsei’s joke, replied with a threat, although it didn’t take an experienced businessman to see that it was an empty threat. “I’ll tell you what they be about to call him!” he continued as he filled Shinsei’s glass with bourbon. “Banned, if he don’t be outside with that fire hazard before I get on the other side of this counter and kick him out myself!”

Shinsei raised his eyebrows, rather amused, “This is a first, I’ve never been promised manhandling before!” Without a moment’s hesitation, the redhead’s empty hand swiftly took Samantha’s to give a very gentle shake as he offered a nod, “Shinsei. Pleasure, beautiful.” He didn’t want to be disrespectful to the bartender, so he picked up his glass after their brief introduction and began to make his way out.

“Get that outta here, I am dead serious! That thing gon’ kill ya and the rest of us too if you keep waving it around in here, get movin’.”

“I’m going, my legs are moving!” He turned to face the barman as he walked backward away from them. He reversed toward a door at the back of the bar which simply led outside on the opposite side of the entrance, and with a pained expression, Shinsei raised a hand to his heart. “You heard the man, I am banished!” he called, dramatically, raising his voice just loud enough to barely be heard over all the chitter chatter going on all around them. Still walking backwards, he then extended his arm as if trying to reach Samantha, yet his body being pulled away by some other force. “Come find me.” He mouthed the words to give the illusion of fading away until he turned and exited the bar.

He wondered if she’d follow him. She seemed like an interesting individual to be in a bar like this one. Unfortunately, he didn’t get much of a chance to scan her figure, but her face and her manner alone were enough to display a level of sophistication that was not often found within these four flammable wooden walls. It was enough to peak his interest as he hoped she would oblige his request.

The bartended watched the man with a look that displayed something very far from amusement before he rolled his eyes and shook his head as he continued cleaning some glasses. “What can I get for you, miss?”

---

Shinsei: #ba0303

Barkeeper: #7e3605

[Jess]

Let's make some history together, eh~?

“Oh, come now, it's not that much of a hazard, is it~?” Surprised to see that the barman was so very insistent on the red haired rogue getting rid of the item that hung from his mouth, Samantha had to raise a note of protest against such a stern decision simply because she figured that there would have to be something pretty spectacular happen for a mere cigarette to cause much of a problem, and as such she fluttered her lashes toward the figure behind the counter in order to try and alleviate the tension here.
“For some more than others, eh~?” Finding herself surprised by that note of flirtation that she was shown by her new friend but certainly not hating it, given how brazen she was the blonde had tended to get into the habit of being the one who did the leg work when it came to charming strangers, but was happy to greet the acknowledgement of her good looks with a smile and a wry comment to boot. Though really, it was a little disappointing that her allure seemed to miss the mark in disarming the disagreement between proprietor and patron.

“Hmmmm… well, I've heard this place is famous for its sake so… How about a bottle of your best~?” The vision of the vixen following the fresh face in her life as he was booted rather unceremoniously from the warmth and shelter of the building, that sapphire stare lingered on the doorway for a second as she wondered if she should follow her original design in coming here or pursue the man she had met all of five minutes, and ultimately thought the best thing for all of them was likely to be a compromise.
“To go, in fact. I suddenly remembered I have somewhere to be, if that's not too much trouble~?” Certain that she would be fooling no one with the flipping and flopping she did but the fair fox smelling too heady a scent of adventure from this stranger to sit on a stool and sip sake for even a moment alone, Miss Stephens tilted her head and offered out some cash as she hoped to have her cake and eat it too, and then glanced back toward the entrance with little regard for hiding her intent.

“He certainly doesn't like smoking, does he~? Anyone would think you'd walked in with a jackass and honeycomb or something~?” Popping out of the entryway less than a few minutes later and searching for a sign of the scarlet soul she sensed might just have the spirit to spice up her evening as soon as she did so, the lips of the lass curled upward when she finally caught sight of him again, and shook her head as she made a little light of the moment that had parted them.
“Think a pretty girl like me could get one of those~?” Happy to show she was far from as prudish as the barman however as she drew attention to the article in question and being a little cheeky as she imposed upon him to join him in his act, though Samantha wasn't what one might have considered a habitual smoker she enjoyed the odd one or two or even a cigar for celebration and relaxation now and then, and found that tiny craving within playing up because of the attention that had been brought to the issue as well. Besides, she felt a little odd standing in the night with a man but without one as well, didn't she~?

	Samantha Stephens	### words
	@tag, Going Native

[Bobbie]

The barman passed the lady an annoyed glance at her comment about the man’s smoking habit being very little of a hazard, but he didn’t say anything and just continued his work, scrubbing away at the same glass until it sparkled.

At the mention of his famous sake, his features quickly softened and he was drawn in by the lady’s gentle approach. He flashed a smile and nodded, placing the glass that he had just brought to its squeaky clean status, courtesy of a rag that did the job very well after a soapy rinse in a basin that was hidden behind the bar counter. When he realised that she'd asked for a bottle and not just a glass, he paused and eyed her for a moment, as if such a pretty lass shouldn’t be so bold to ask for such a thing. “Sure thing, would you like a glass to go with that or do you plan to drink it right out of the bottle?” he asked with a hint of sarcasm, but he gave her what she wanted anyway. He took the correct amount and left the change for her to take back. “Or would you like two glasses?” he asked, picking up on the direction of her attention. “Look, pretty lady, I don’t mean to pry, but some people just be troubled…” he uttered, before shifting his attention to another lonely soul in need of a refreshing drink.

Outside, Shinsei stood with his glass in hand, enjoying a smoke as he simply watched other people in this outdoor area chat their tongues away. One trio of men was gathered to complain about work and all the labour they had to endure for a miserly wage, while another group of mixed genders were having a very loud laugh as they discussed their next imaginary journey at sea, leaving this island in search for gold or some other wild goose chase that Shinsei thought just sounded silly. They were young, who could blame them? Lastly, a more mature couple were enjoying a more relaxing time with only one drink each, which seemed to last them an age as they casually discussed their family life.

Samantha’s voice was recognised in an instant and the smoker raised both his eyebrows, intrigued. “No, he certainly doesn’t.” he chuckled, turning his head away from her to blow the smoke in the opposite direction. Whether he was among others who shared his habit or not, he always thought it rude not to do that out of courtesy.

As a cloud of smoke filled the air, the red-suited cyborg laughed at her joke, flicking some ashes to the ground while the bluish grey wisps dissipated.

Her request was unexpected – she wanted one of these vile things? Watching her for a moment with a single raised eyebrow, all of his attention was on her as he began to notice all the little characteristics that he hadn't paid much attention to inside. She certainly was a tease and had the stuff to back it up too. A slight grin grew on his face as he snickered and then shrugged, “That depends.” He brought out a packet of cigarettes from his waistcoat pocket and flicked it open to peer into it, checking how many he had left. Only four. He needed them to last him the night.

With a playful smirk, he offered her the open packet.

“Have you got a plan to keep me preoccupied instead?”

---

Shinsei: #ba0303

Barkeeper: #7e3605

[Jess]

Let's make some history together, eh~?

“Oh, well, if you'd be so inclined I wouldn't say no~? Just didn't wish to push my luck…” The brow of the blonde lifting as the barman seemed to see through her not so well concealed plan and show a note of consideration because of it, though a lady like her wasn't supposed to be the sort to swill her drinks straight from the bottle Miss Stephens had been happy to roll with the proverbial punches, though was glad to accept the offer all the same. No point slumming it when she didn't have to, right?
“You think so~? I dunno, I got the feeling he was more a pussycat than a lion~? Albeit one perhaps with a thorn in his paw…” Frowning slightly however as she was offered a little caution from the man as well in regard to her plans for company, though the fair fox had barely been introduced to the red rogue she felt that experience with similar types offered her a reasonable insight into what lay behind the bravado she had seen, and hope enough that she was willing to roll the dice on whether her guess would be stretching things.

“A plan just might be stretching things, honestly?” Smirking as she offered out one of her cups in exchange for the cigarette she was given, with her drink in one hand and the gift in the other all that was left for the lass to grab her smoke with was her teeth, but that was something she didn't really mind doing really. After all, it seemed more amusing than a more commonplace manner, now didn't it, and she liked to make sure she was as anything other than dull, now didn't she?
“Though I tend to work best when I improvise~?” Snagging the item between her lips and using the tip of her tongue to pressure the butt just enough to make it wag a couple of times within her maw, Samantha had to confess that she was winging things from here on out as she waited for her new friend to offer a means of bringing the item to light, though had a sneaky suspicion that this would be no sort of disappointment for the figure before her. I mean, with that easy come and easy go matter, it seemed like he was used to rolling with the punches as well from where she was standing…

	Samantha Stephens	### words
	@tag, Going Native

[Bobbie]

Shinsei glanced at the offered empty glass, but already had one of his own in his hand, and his pack of cigarettes in the other while his own lit cigarette was burning away, caught in his lips. It would have been a comical scene, both participants in this engagement locked in their own trap as each of them wanted something that the other person held, but each had both hands preoccupied.

With a soft hum, followed by a snicker, he stared down at their predicament. The lady was quick to find a solution, as, much to his surprise, she seemed to snatch the cigarette right up into her mouth with ease. “That works.” He muttered, closing the packet and putting it away, before raising his glass to finish whatever bourbon was left in it. Putting his now empty glass down upon the outer windowsill on the back wall of the establishment where they stood out in the night air, he took the fresh glass that she offered him in his hand instead, while his other hand reached into his pocket to take out a lighter – and just like that, both his hands were filled again.

“You strike me as a woman who has some practice in that.” He joked in a slightly muffled voice due to the obstacle that has since been pushed to the corner of his mouth, and he flicked the spark wheel to ignite a little flame for her.

He waited until her cigarette would be successfully lit, requiring her to lean forward just a little, before retracting the device and taking his own cigarette out of his mouth to blow a puff of smoke away from her again. “So what brings such a fine-looking woman like yourself to this dodgy little cabin? Sorry – well-established bar.” He asked as he playfully rolled his eyes and allowed a subtle smirk to curl his lips before he gently gestured toward his glass, hoping for it to be filled with the content of the bottle that she brought out with her. “First time seeing you here and I am about 80% certain I don’t actually have a bounty on my head, so… must be just a very pleasant coincidence to peak your interest enough to drag you out here and sabotage your lungs, all for a bit of my company.” His gaze drifted lower to her chest for a moment as he made mention of the woman’s lungs with a cheeky smile – of course, that is where her lungs would be.

Perhaps deliberately testing the waters, he looked directly into her eyes next and gauged her reaction with sheer curiosity, drawn in by the boldness in this woman and eager to see what else was hidden behind such a pretty face.

---

Shinsei: #ba0303

[Jess]

Let's make some history together, eh~?

“My, I assume I can only take that as a compliment, hm~?” Taking a long draw on the slenderness betwixt her lips as the roguish redhead offered out the spark of flame and set the tip ablaze for her, the corners of Samantha's mouth curled upward as she tasted the flavour of the tobacco washing over her tongue and diving into her lungs, and once she had tucked the 'extra' glass she had found she lifted a hand to the item and lifted it from her maw after a second or two to release the first draft of smoky air from herself.
“Gosh, fine-looking? If I didn't know better I'd think you were trying to work some wicked charms on me~?” Smirking all the more as the man seemed to offer her a compliment which the vanity of this vixen was happy to savour, the whites of the woman's teeth shone in the moonlight as she accepted the acknowledgement of her allure, and then her gaze narrowed next as she made light of how she might have sensed an ulterior motive from who had only so recently been tossed from the bar nearby. Yet, it was easy to see she was teasing him both from her tone and how the long lashes of the lass seemed to flutter as she spoke.

“Adventure mostly, I'm a traveller, and heard that this fine establishment-slash-cabin had the best sake here?” Tilting her head and perching her cigarette delicately between her teeth next as she decided they were both well overdue for a sample of the bottle she had bought, the head of Miss Stephens titled to one side as she offered her 'host' of the outdoors the first cup of the drink she had brought, and her eyes seemed to drift between the task of giving them both a hearty sample of the heady intoxicant within and the face of the fellow she stood with.
“Kind of a do as the Ciudadelans do type of escapade~?” Stretching her arms out to show off the silky number which she had borrowed from one of the more generous folk she had met in the land as she continued to explain her reason for being here tonight, for the most part her act was one of whimsy and desire for discovery, as well as perhaps a note of festivity as well, as evident by her ensemble. After all, the culture of lands like this was admired by many around the world, so it was only natural she would wish to indulge it, no?

“As for you… Adventure again, I suppose~?” Finishing the task of topping both of them off as best she could and then smiling once she was done so, once more the deftness of the damsel was shown in how she managed to do all this and replace the stopped whilst intermittently removing her cigarette as she spoke, though really it was made easier by the fact that she wasn't really in much of a rush, and guessed that the man before her wasn't either.
“I suppose I was keen on seeing how the man measured up to such a memorable first impression~?” Happy in fact to take her time getting to know a new face and the figure behind it too, and amused by the fact she could do so under a blanket of stars overhead as well, Samantha was happy to offer out her own chalice in a mock toast as she hinted that the mere act of him separating himself from the pack was something which had intrigued her, and then the blonde knocked back the drink to see just how the Sake of Dance Island mixed with her. Well, she hoped, but in whatever case at least that was one more thing off the bucket list, right~?

	Samantha Stephens	### words
	@tag, Going Native

[Bobbie]

Shinsei watched the woman curiously, taking in everything that was spoken and studying the slightest of her movements. She certainly was different, to say the least, to most of the lasses who frequented this place, and it was refreshing. Her allure certainly couldn’t be denied either, as the cyborg found himself instantly drawn in by the cheeky tone that seemed to flutter about her words so effortlessly.

He then let out a laugh – a genuine one that he hadn’t had much occasion to do as of late. “Wicked charms?” echoing her words, a grin remained on his face, “Oh boy, your imagination is as pretty and wild as the rest of you – there isn’t a single wicked bone in my body. Just look at me, I’m a perfectly harmless gentleman, offering a lady a good time, some inside knowledge on the area...” He shrugged a little theatrically as even he couldn’t dismiss the irony of the situation, given that his previous encounter inside made him seem a little less harmless, only highlighted as he brought his cigarette up to his lips again to nestle it in between them and empty his hand.

With a subtle frown, he listened to the next comment that came from her beautiful lips – the best sake? His pensive gaze was accompanied by a hum and a slow nod, before it was interrupted as he blew out a puff of smoke, shortly followed by his response, “I don’t know about the best, I’m actually quite sceptical of that. Maybe it is the best sold in the area, but if you were to get a taste of what some of the local farmers can brew, you might want to recant that statement.” He said in a serious tone for what may have been the first time since their conversation started. “A lot of people who own little plots of land go unnoticed because they don’t have large enough supply to keep up with the demand, so you won’t find them in such … well-established places like this one.” He shrugged and took another puff, as his cigarette was now burnt entirely up until the filter. The disappointment on the red-suited man’s face was very evident as he pressed the cigarette butt into a seashell ashtray that had been conveniently placed on the windowsill beside him by someone.

His attention was now divided between his glass that was being filled with the liquor that was about to stand trial, and the woman pouring his drink. She really did offer a visage that he could get utterly lost in as he took a moment to admire her features. So much so, that it took him a second or two for his mind to keep up with her words and register that she had just asked him a question.

“Hm? Me? No…” he paused, chuckling once more, “No, I’d say I’ve had enough adventure for one lifetime, but life has its own tricks up its sleeve, and right when you think you’re done…” his smile wavered for just a moment as he thought about his last comment and his most recent adventure that he had been forced into. Promptly correcting that, he grinned again, as this was no time for sombre thoughts, “Well, you find yourself outside a little wooden shack, sharing the very best sake with a woman who must have the very best tastes - in drinks and men.” He joked and happily mirrored her gesture, raising his glass to clink it against hers and then, down the hatch it went.

The man swished it in his mouth for a bit before swallowing it all and watched the woman for her reaction. “What are we thinking? Four stars? Four and a half?”

---

Shinsei: #ba0303

[Jess]

Let's make some history together, eh~?

“Goodness, have I made a mistake~?” The brow of the blonde lifting as she found herself steeped in sardonic sentiment, while she was sure that the red rogue knew he was fooling neither of them with his assertions on chivalry and the charms therein, Samantha opted to go with the flow of their little bit and faked a sense of surprise and concern to up the ante a little further.
“To think I'd follow a gentleman out here, when I was looking for something entirely more… Exciting~?” Lifting a hand to her mouth and letting out a breathless gasp as she realized the error of her ways or at least pretended she had, after a moment and another long draught of smoke in her lungs the lips of the lass curled into a catlike smile, and she showed that was only too happy to admit that matters of propriety tended to be a little pedestrian when it came to her taste. After all, she had enough of that when she lived with daddy, now didn't she?

“My my, have I been misled? Perhaps I should have enlisted you as my guide~?” Showing perhaps a more sincere sense of surprise however when it seemed that the local parties on whom she had counted might have steered her a little bit wrong when it came to getting a good drink in town, the confusion was thankfully a fleeting experience for a woman who was so happy to roll with both kinds of punches, and Miss Stephens was already eyeing up a silver lining which seemed to rest rather readily before her.
“Lucky for me I found a connoisseur, hm~? And just how far off the beaten track might these wonderful locales lie, I wonder~?” Grinning as she sensed a stroke of fortune in the fact that she seemed to have followed a figure who seemed to inspire a sense of confidence in the potency of his palette if their banter was anything to go by, the vision of the vixen narrowed a little as she hinted that she might have been more than willing to sample the delights offered in more remote and rewarding venues, and hoped that the unveiled manner in which she conveyed her interest would encourage shinsei to join her on a hopefully excursion as well.

“How you flatter me. The jury is still out, on both cases, apparently?” Not seeming to hate the implication of enjoyment which the man shared either as he highlighted their current circumstance and the company therein, though Samantha was certainly starting to appreciate the refinement in her preference more and more as the lilting lines continued she was also feeling coy enough to keep her comrade hanging a little in that area, though guessed that actions were likely speaking a whole lot louder than words were right now.
“Hmmmm… Not too bad, I'll admit? Though, as a mere fledgling in this area, I can't say I'm not intrigued by the prospect of exploiting my new manservant's expertise in this area~?” Frowning a little as she was asked about the flavour of the drink she had been given and certainly not off put by the offering of a more reputable locale, though she was only now seeming to pop her proverbial cherry when it came to sake it seemed she was on the whole satisfied by what she was given, but that didn't mean she thought things couldn't get better. After all, she was but a novice, and could only defer to the more experience palette in that regard, couldn't she?

	Samantha Stephens	### words
	@tag, Going Native

[Bobbie]

Shinsei nodded in response to her admission of making such a mistake. “A very serious mistake – you were lucky that it happened to be me that you’ve stumbled upon, anybody else and you might have found yourself in some actual trouble. All sorts of Crazy Joes around here.” He continued, struggling to maintain a serious expression until a little grin finally cracked his sober façade.

“I mean, just look around you. Look at that exciting fellow.” He gently put an arm around her to steer her toward the window so that they could peer inside. On a rustic-looking sofa, was a red-nosed man with equally rosy cheeks, his mouth agape as he lay entirely out of his senses, having clearly had too much to drink. “That’s one exciting dude right there, to fall asleep on a stranger’s couch… takes some serious boldness in one's character.” he shook his head with a heavy sigh, then pointed toward a couple, man and woman, who were sitting at a table and looked like this may have been a first date, and a rather unsuccessful one at that. “Look at those wild creatures gathered round at the table like some odd summoning ritual. It might look like a scene of pure awkwardness, but underneath it is a very grand scheme as the two have pledged their souls to absolute silence. In fact, I reckon, those two youngsters are such incredibly exciting individuals that if their gazes were to accidentally meet, the entire bar would collapse at the very idea of adventure.”

He gently squeezed the lady’s arm before releasing her and turning to have his back to the window again, facing the night air once again. “Instead, you chose to follow me, a very tame and unadventurous gentleman.” 

The redhead, quite proud of his playful speech finally laughed with a light shrug, “But, yeah, I might have a pretty decent idea of where the really good stuff lies, hidden beneath the conventional market.” He paused for a moment, seeming to be considering whether to elaborate further or not as he busied his hands with the task of lighting another cigarette until he decided to go ahead with more information. “I’m no expert, sweetheart - sorry to disappoint - but I am currently working with a couple of rice farmers, just helping out with the heavy lifting part of transportation, so… the more generous ones have offered a taste of their product, a family practice they've taken up as a hobby or for small business.” He frowned as he concluded his explanation – well, wasn’t that an anti-climactic and utterly boring turn?

“They probably wouldn’t turn down a potential customer if you’re interested in purchasing a sample, spread the word, all that – but a bit pricey.” He shrugged as he clearly had other expenses that his savings needed to be reserved for.

---

Shinsei: #ba0303

[Jess]

Let's make some history together, eh~?

Oh, not a mite of wicked charm, eh? Noting the admittedly smooth manner in which her 'host' seemed to exploit the situation to weave an arm around her sublime and silk-clad form even if she didn't comment on it, the lips of the lass curled further upward as she took in the slightly more intimate positioning that they found themselves in by the gesture, and given the proximity was left to wonder what he might have made of the expensive mix of exotic flowers she was wearing as a scent as she went with the gesture out of amusement more than anything else.
“Well, perhaps I simply didn't have the heart to spoil a good nap, or a date, for that matter~?” Arching her brow when he was finished with his little 'guided tour' of the sights in their proximity, as amused as she was by the unusual perspective which her new drinking buddy had given her, Samantha smirked as she highlighted how it would have been rather rude of her to intrude upon the examples which he had provided, and beat those long lashes a couple of times as she did so.

“Consequently, I had to make do with other available options because of this~” Amused by the little 'dance' of wordplay between them and continuing it and the implication therein with her own acts of subtle suggestion as well, though she was happy to grin and make light of how she had made the best of the limited options available to her, the way in which she seemed to twist and follow the hand which had held her would happily leave her new friend with the vaguest impression that she hadn't entirely disliked the contact between them, and let him wonder if she just might have been open to more if given the right reason.
“Oh, you know… Unadventurous and plain as you claim to be, I wouldn't have taken you for a simple labourer~?” Tilting her head however when he seemed to admit his reason for being here and finding a note of surprise as she did so, while the rational part of Miss Stephens mind could see that there was no shortage of sense in the suggestion given how she had found him among a throng of other working class folk, the sapphire eyed siren also had to admit that he had fallen a little short of her expectation as well. I mean, there really was nothing wrong with someone who tended the land, and especially those with wrought anatomy and the cover of a straw filled barn to boot, but there was something about his presence that led her to believe there was more to that cheeky smile and wicked mind than that of a simple, honest worker.

“Oh~? And your plan is to simply whisk me away to some private country getaway, where you'd have me all to yourself~?” This idea seeming to be confirmed as it appeared the man was expertly able to wheel their discussion toward something which seemed ripe for innuendo, it seemed awfully convenient for the roguish redhead to have the kind of connections he needed to transform their little tasting session from an open-air meeting to something more intimate, and the mind of the minx had to assume this to be no mere accident either.
“I'm starting to think I might not be the first pretty girl you've lured away from a crowd with the promise of smoke and good sake, suddenly~?” In fact guessing that such smooth transitions could only be achieved by educated and experienced design, next Samantha could only wonder if she was one of many who had been given this kind of 'sell', and yet in spite of her coyness on the issue didn't really mind that fact really. After all, this was hardly her first rodeo either, now was it~?

	Samantha Stephens	### words
	@tag, Going Native

[Bobbie]

As Shinsei caught a whiff of the fragrant scent that came off her body, his heart fluttered – he hadn’t noticed it earlier and while her grace was definitely impossible to miss, it was also easy to take less seriously amidst the little game they were playing. It was at this point, noticing how smoothly the lass would glide along with the motion of his hand, that an ounce of his confidence left him and was replaced with the nervousness of being not only in the presence of such a beautiful lady, but also the centre-point of her focus. It would be enough to drive any man – or woman – into a spiral of butterflies aimlessly fluttering about.

“Oh, how thoughtful and considerate of you.” He replied at her rather plausible explanation, but his sceptical tone and subtle smirk revealed that he too was suspicious of such a front put on by this woman, to be so entirely selfless and giving up the possibility of adventure. Either way, she was pleasant company and he was glad she chose to follow him outside.

Next, he couldn’t help laughing loudly at her comment about him being a simple labourer. “My intention is to be unadventurous and plain.” He said, before leaning down to her ear, “But trouble seems to follow me.” The cyborg whispered, his cheek warm to the touch against hers partly because of the burning hot nicotine that ran through his system to keep his body functioning, a second part because of the alcohol, and lastly because of the tantalising company of this woman. “Scrubbing decks was how I made a living years ago, paying and polishing surfaces, patching up notches on ships.” He said with another playful scoff as if to imply the dire and unambitious state he used to be in, but, in reality, he didn’t mind things being simple and straightforward. He didn’t greed for money or lust for adventure. Not in this regard, anyway.

The redhead’s brow raised involuntarily at the implication of what she had just proposed to him, his ulterior motive of luring this vixen away to have her all to himself. His cheeks coloured ever so slightly, caught off guard and quite clearly aroused by it. “Well…” he started, his eyes now fixed on her as what started as a surprised smile grew into a daring smirk and then a playful grin. “Wasn’t actually what I had in mind, but let’s not immediately dismiss that idea.” He brought out his packet of cigarettes.

“Oh, looks like the stars aren’t in your favour tonight – only three, not many to spare, so your fantasy is not likely to be a possibility.” He teased as he closed the packet and put it away, as only a few seconds would be enough for the man to give in to temptation and light another; and, of course, he couldn’t do that without offering his company another one as well, so that would leave him with only one more for the rest of the night. He pocketed the item and shrugged.

“Perhaps there’s some other way I can entice you?”

---

Shinsei: #ba0303

[Jess]

Let's make some history together, eh~?

“That's me~” Smirking as the russet haired rogue complimented the sense of consideration she had shown to his prime targets, Samantha was more than aware of the fact that her words were fooling neither of them in truth, but went along with the bit so that she could mould it toward her own purpose.
“Always thinking about the enjoyment of others before my own~?” Shaking her head and smiling in a manner which seemed to show the subtlest sense of suggestion about her, with the way that the be banter seemed to be flying between the pair and how the man seemed to have little intent of deflecting the devilry she could deal she opted to make perhaps a little of her intention more obvious, and felt something of a giddy thrill as she did so.

“My, my, it does seem to be drawn to you, doesn't it~?” Feeling like she had fallen upon a winner from the first moment, after all, Miss Stephens could only grin as Shinsei pointed out how problems seemed to follow him around regardless of what he did, and she couldn't help but feel a note of joy in being perhaps the personification of that fact in her own way given how the night had gone so far.
“Well, I suppose the very least trouble can do is keep your evening interesting, hm~?” Taking pride in her role because of that and honestly feeling like she would love to assume to role of an impish trickster god or something from folklore, while some seemed to enjoy the rigmarole which was offered by peace and quiet, this bold blonde found freedom and frivolity and perhaps a few more words beginning with the letter 'f' to be more her cup of tea, and as such was happy to give a glass half full perspective to the man on the matter because of that.

“Oh? Well, maybe it's a round of wishful thinking, then~?” The vision of the vixen tightening again when her crimson companion seemed to point out that whatever she was seeing him didn't appear to read from his history at least, Samantha smirked and shook her head as she confessed the fact that she might have been projecting an assumption or perhaps even a hope upon him, though really didn't feel she was all that far from the mark in truth.
“Yes, let's put a pin in that, for the time being at least~?” For the moment however seeming to be happy to wait and watch to see what the truth actually was, more of a sincere smile shone from the sapphire-eyed siren and her nose seemed to crease with a little wrinkle as her host seemed amused by her implication, and she agreed that they could readily put such thinking on the back burner with the night so young at this point.

“Probably to our benefit? A clear night at this time of year might have me tenting this kimono, no~?” Breaking into a moment of clarity however as Shinsei pointed out the blanket which seemed to hide the majority of the glistening gems above them, Miss Stephens had to admit that she was enjoying the comfort offered by how that seemed to hold back the worst of the chilliness which might have threatened them, though that didn't mean she wouldn't be opposed to finding something a little more hospitible than their current circumstance, especially with said cover likely to break into rain if they weren't careful.
“How about… Finding somewhere interesting, and warm if possible, where we can enjoy some sake and perhaps some nice conversation as well?” Because of that the beauty breaking into an amused smile as the man asked for her suggestion on what they did next, she tilted her head to one side and pondered the matter for only a scant series of seconds before finding her answer, and verbally prodded the apparently neglected adventurousness of the figure before her in the hopes of finding greater comfort, and if she was lucky, excitement as well…

	Samantha Stephens	### words
	@tag, Going Native