~House of cards~ [Kazuya/Invite]

[Kazuya Hikari]

"... Sorry, I don't dance. But I can take you dancing if you wish."

A wry smile on his face, Kazuya would look down at Eurydice, he would instinctively move his body closer to hers, hearing not only the seriousness in her voice, but could sense the anger and sadness she felt, his warmth acting as a comforting presence of sorts for her.

"It's alright... I've had promises broken too, which is why I told myself if I couldn't keep a promise I made, I wouldn't say it all, and the ones I could keep, I would always fulfill them. But I don't think you're a terrible mother. You may not have kept your promise, but you can't hold it against yourself forever. I don't know what the relationships between you and them are like, but what if you did go out to search for them, and you were struck down by Barker's soldiers during your search? I won't tell you not to go searching for them because of the threat of Barker's soldiers, or force you to stay here, but I will tell you, I won't let you go alone."

Stepping back slightly while continuing to hold onto both her hands, he would bend down slightly so he was slightly shorter than her, and look up at her, a serious look on his face.

"I promised I wouldn't let you be alone ever again, and I will fulfill that promise."

[Eurydice Sudeki]

.::And so his warmth was indeed soothing. But that nor his words could change some of the things she felt. Not now probably not ever. Only Eury would be able herself would be able to overcome it, even he said it. Her eyes remained down until he lowered himself and they distinctively inched up to meet him::.

~You're too kind for your own good you know that Kazuya.~

.::She closed her eyes with a deep inhale and a soft release, words seeping through::.

"A'ohe hana nui ka alu'ia."

[No task is too big, when done together]

.::A Hawaiian proverb she learned. Yes Eury spoke many languages with the profession she had it was necessary, but at the same time Eury just loved to learn new things. History, science and languages being at the top. As far as the relationship with her children was concerned she felt it was a very good one unless she was magically wrong about it. For now he wounded her a little, not that he knew. When her eyes opened her faced seemed a little unamused, though it was playful yet still::.

"You know I'm a little insulted you'd think I'd be taken out so easily. You have no idea how stubborn I am. Death is usually left pissed off."

.::She released her right hand from his and lightly back handed his chest, like a snap, with a smirk::.

"And put your damn shirt back on, you're gonna give these little girls hot flashes."

[Kazuya Hikari]

A bit of a blank expression appearing on Kazuya's face, he knew that Eurydice had spoken Hawaiian just now, but he in no way, understood what she had said, and if he did, that would be metagaming. A wry smile slowly appearing on his face seeing her unamused but still playful look on her face after she had opened her eyes, he'd bow his head slightly to her.

"My sincerest apologies, I had no intention of insulting you. Allow me to atone for my mistake."

If she allowed him to, slowly rising up, when he was face level with her, he'd quickly lean in and kiss her, pulling away immediately after, continuing to smile wryly at her. Feeling her release his hand and back hand his chest, like a snap, he'd let out a low 'Oof', despite it not actually hurting him at all, a smirk forming on his face.

"If you insist..."

Picking up his shirt, he would pull on his navy blue long sleeved shirt which was slightly loose, though the outline of his muscular chest and abdomen was visible, but only to Eurydice, considering how close in proximity they were to each other, more so as Kazuya unknowingly stepped closer to her afterwards.

"Have I been forgiven, or do I still need to atone for my mistake?"

[Eurydice Sudeki]

-There is a charm about the forbidden that makes it unspeakably desirable.
― Mark Twain

.::When he leaned in and kissed her so publicly she was actually taken back for a moment. Blinking before shaking it off and back handing him in his chest to put his shirt on::.

~What if the fruit bit back huh? This is what the cheshire cat meant wasn't it? I don't know what happens when it bites back but it's biting mighty hard...I won't lie I'm like a moth to the flame right now. Irony is a bitch ain't it.~

.::Indeed irony was. As he placed his shirt back on she had looked away watching the people go by. Another small breeze blowing through her locs and dress. Suddenly he was dangerously close to her again. She looked up listening to his words::.

~His words are poisonous more than he knows. But yet the sweetest poison. The type of poison that becomes an addictive drug. Temptation of the forbidden. You are truly devilish~

.::Some how it sent a shiver down her spine in a good way. A wave of forbidden lust starting up. She felt like she shouldn't act, but was certainly considering it. A trademark smirk tugged on her lips, before she bit her lower lip for a moment before speaking::.

"And people say I'm trouble, I guess they haven't met you...Mmmmm nope I don't think I forgive you yet."

.::She would say looking away, waving her left hand like royalty would shoo someone away all the while trying to walk around him. Of course it was all in good fun::.

[Kazuya Hikari]

"Alas, I must continue on with my quest for redemption. As my 'older sister' said to me, I can never leave anything completely harmless. Such is the curse of a fire Qi user..."

As Kazuya saw Eurydice wave her hand like royalty would send someone away while trying to walk around him, he would let her, but just as her arm passed by, he would reach out and try to gently grab hold of her hand, even with the leather fingerless glove he wore on his left hand, she would still feel the warmth of his hand.

"Are you saying you do not wish to see me anymore, seeing as how much trouble I am?"

He would ask, pretending to sound like he was hurt.

"Because if so... I'd miss you too much..."

He'd say quietly, sounding genuinely sad.

[Eurydice Sudeki]

.::This was a reoccurring thing he seemed to always catch her just before she got far enough. She turned half way to him as he held her hand. Looking at him and playfully rolling her eyes she would scoff at his notion while taking her hand back. Oh she could play the game too::.

"Pfft.. please I'm not going fall for that or those puppy dog eyes..You're going to have to do a whole lot better than that mister."

"MISS EURY!"

.::She turned the other way and looked down to see a little girl about the age of eight years old running up to her. She smiled and bent down in a crouching position to the girl::.

"Hello little princess..What are you doing running about? Where's your father?"

"Hehehe..I was looking for you. He's over there!"

.::Eury would look up and see the man standing not to far off with a smile. As he waved Eury would wave back and look back at the little girl::.

"So what were you looking for me for?"

" I made you this! Da-Daddy helped me.. but it's my present to you."

"You did! That's beautiful. You didn't have to you know."

"I wanted to cause you helped my dad when he got that bad boo boo!..Here let me put it on you!"

"Haha ok ok."

.::The little girl moved in and placed the flower crown on top of Eury's head and stepped back::.

"Do you like it?"

"Yes I do. Thank you little princess. Go back to your father and tell him I said thank you. Keep him out of trouble ok?"

"OK! Bye Miss Eury!.. Oh, hi mister bye mister!"

.::She ran off with the incredible speed of an energetic eight year old back to her father. Eury would stand up and wave to them both. She did have a way with children, and it hurt like hell the more she was around them considering. Exhaling softly she'd end up turning back to Kazuya practically forgetting the little exchange since the little princess ran over. With the flower crown on her head, there was just a sudden glow::.

[Kazuya Hikari]

Normally a slight smirk or wry smile would appear on Kazuya's face, but this time, he had really meant what he had said, and a small sad smile would appear on his face as he felt Eurydice take back her hand. While she was occupied with the young girl that had come running up to her, Kazuya would pick up his armor and pulling it back on once more, by the time he had finished adjusting the torso armor and his arm guards, the little girl had finished putting the flower crown on her head.

Hearing what he assumed to be him being addressed, he would turn in slight surprise and give the little girl a small wave, lowering his arm back down as he saw her turn back to him and smiling a bit seeing the sudden glow that appeared with the flower crown on her head.

"... I'd better get going... You look even more beautiful with that crown on..."

He'd then step towards her and would go to pass her, a small sad smile on his face as he tried to walk past her.

[Eurydice Sudeki]

~He put his armor back on?~

.::Quizzically she looked at Kazuya as suddenly his armor was back on. He was leaving and she didn't understand why::.

~Had I done something wrong? I mean I was just joking, he did understand that right?~

.::As he spoke she looked at his face noticing that sad smile again. Instinctively her head followed him as he went past her. There were a few ways she could play this, but the sadness she didn't want to see anymore. When she met him at the falls he took away the sadness and frustration that was held within, she could at least do the same for him. But most importantly::.

~I don't want him to go right now... I didn't even find out what I came for.~

.::He'd get at least four steps past her before she spoke up::.

"Hey! Excuse but who said you could leave mister? I believe you said you would take me dancing."

.::If he turned around she would take those steps up to him and poke at his armor plated chest::.

"I'm holding you to your word mister...So who says you get to back out? Can't dance, tsk. Guess I'll show you how."

.::She actually had somewhere in mind. A place close to her home. They always had live music, it kept the place a little lively and the people happy with something to do. She folded both arms across her chest, resting her weight to right leg waiting on him. Suddenly she sounded a little Queen like didn't she?::.

[Kazuya Hikari]

One foot halting in mid-step, Kazuya would lower his foot down and stop right where he was. Turning his head slightly to look behind him, the small sad smile still upon his face, he would slowly turn to face Eurydice and look down at her as she stepped right up to him and poked him in the chest.

"... I did promise you... And I always keep my promises. Will Her Majesty graciously grace me with her presence and allow me to escort her?"

Bowing regally to her, his right arm tucked behind his back, he would then lift his head up to look at her, the small sad smile having slowly disappeared and replaced with a slightly wry smile as he held out his left hand to her.

[Eurydice Sudeki]

.::Playfully she sucked her teeth, and snapped her head to the left sticking her chin up a bit::.

"Tsk, don't try to be all cute now."

.::She would fix the flower crown on her head and snobbishly give her hand to him, in a manner like 'kiss it'. Again it was all in good fun. From the corner of her eyes she would look with a little smirk. But alas usually when she gave a hand to him or was close in range she got dragged in. Around him she needed to keep her limbs out of his arms reach::.

"But alas I don't know if you are worthy of my presence."

.::Proof was better than words. Oh she was gonna play this up as long as he let her. Then probably gag about it later. Her ego really wasn't that big and she didn't see herself as royalty::.

[Kazuya Hikari]

"Madam, you wound me."

Eurydice snobbishly giving her hand to him after fixing the flower crown on her head, instead of kissing her hand, Kazuya would smile wryly and straightening up, would simply look down at her slightly happy. He wouldn't even pull her close to him, but would simply incline his head to her.

"... Then I can leave if you do not think me worthy."

Smirking slightly at her, he was only kidding, he wasn't actually thinking of leaving again, and would lightly squeeze her hand affectionately.

"For the record, I know how to dance. I just normally choose not to."

[Eurydice Sudeki]

~Wait.. I didn't get yanked forward this time? Seriously?~



.::She watched as he didn't kiss her hand and he didn't pull her in. Shocking! He did it every opportunity that was given::.

~I can't really get a good read on you...And that is actually kind of frustrating.. I usually can get something, but him I can't get a good beat..It's a bit alluring..And I do love a good challenge.~

.::While he still held her hand, she lifted up with his in tow and cleared her throat continuing to play the game of a Queen::.

"You didn't kiss my hand, sir.. I believe since you addressed me as your Majesty it comes with the territory so.."

.::She nodded her head to her hand like 'well?'. But her facade was cracking because she was finding it hilarious and at the same time highly obnoxious of her. There was never a case Eury would ever be like that, unless she lost her mind and adopted a snob like one. Her laugh began to break through unable to take it anymore::.

"I can't. Oh my god seriously hit me if I ever get like that, grant you I'll hit you back because you did but still..Hahaha..Let's see how well you dance."

[Kazuya Hikari]

"... Oh now you want me to kiss you?"

Kazuya would retort dryly, a wry smile on his face as she nodded to her hand that she had lifted up with his still holding onto it, he would lean down like he was going to kiss her hand, only to quickly straighten back up, his lips inadvertently brushing against hers.

"I won't hit you if you ever get like that... Because I'll make sure you'll never end up in a situation where you'll end up becoming like that... Lead the way Your Majesty."

A calm but cool look on his face, his eyes looking straight into hers, the last part said teasingly, she would see a smile slowly appear on his face as he would gently lower her hand down and continue to hold onto it, his hand keeping hers warm.

"... Why did you go after me? I thought you'd want to talk to Leon first."

[Eurydice Sudeki]

"Cheeky."

.::His lips brushed hers and she came so close to taking his lips. The sweet taste of the forbidden literally was just dangled in front of her and she managed to resist, but that resistance certainly wasn't going to last for long. Not if it continued the way it went the first time. If he managed to notice there was a hesitation in her face almost leaning forward to kiss him when he did so. She simply smirked at his comment that he wouldn't strike her if she had gone down that route::.

~Heh, I'm sure Leon would if I gave him the open invitations.~

.::Though he took her hand she instead gently removed it and moved over to his left and hooked his arm, and placed her other hand on the lower portion of his biceps. Warmly she smiled and began to lead the way, there was actually two places she had in mind and good thing it was the afternoon so far::.

"..Heh you make it sound like you knew I'd come to you soon enough.."

.::She eyed him for a second playfully before continuing on::.

"Well I did wish to speak with him, but with all the emotions running high from the crowd I just couldn't stay.. It was beginning to take a toll on me and I couldn't allow it because I can't guarantee I could control myself with the mixture.."

.::She spoke like he even knew what she was talking about. It was a habit she never quite kicked::.

"Besides he had an opportunity to stop me, he didn't..I knew he was going to be busy afterwards he's been like that for a long time. And I need his full attention not half assed.. I told him I would come back again. Maybe then he'll be more inclined to listen to me."

.::There was a small tinge of annoyance in her voice, but just as the wind blew it took that away for now::.

"I saw you were upset and since he didn't stop me I figured I'd come see if you were alright... Then David had his little piece to say I think you missed that part.. I just don't get the big deal really? It's just a title. Words strung together.. Why did you seem so displeased by it?"

.::As they walked she would look up to him pondering why did it seem to mean a lot to him::.

[Kazuya Hikari]

"...Heh."

Briefly managing to catch the hesitation in Eurydice's face almost leaning forward to kiss him as Kazuya pulled back and straightened up, he would continue to smile wryly at her as he felt her remove her hand from his and move over to his left. She'd then hook his arm and place her other hand on the lower portion of his bicep, smiling warmly before beginning to lead the way.

"Maybe I did know... But I wasn't expecting so soon."

Her explanation kind of making sense to him, it sounded to him that she was an empath of sorts, and could tune into the emotions of others, though he could very well be wrong.

"... Because I myself, have been working towards earning a name of my own. I've already gotten Leon and David's approval, and I just have Mathew's test left. But for me, a name is more than just words strung together. For years, I've been playing catch up, trying to grow stronger than Leon and David. By earning a name, I can finally step out of the shadow of both of them, and walk down my own path. To see Lucien DeChain, whom I consider a good friend and person, who is not even part of the Dragons, but a Crow, be given a name so easily, when I've worked so hard to even get the chance to earn one, made me incredibly frustrated and displeased. I'm happy for him but... I can never accept it, because I can never seen anyone but Leon as The Lightning Dragon."

A sad but pondering look on his face, like he was thinking deeply, he would turn to look down at her after a little bit, smiling slightly sadly at her.

"That's why... You can ridicule or look down on me for it, but I have a greater reason than just to prove my individuality, as David said to me during our fight for the naming process."