~House of cards~ [Kazuya/Invite]

[Eurydice Sudeki]

"Heh, she'll like it if you did bite back."

~Can't say I didn't enjoy it.~

.::She did nothing but observe him as he spoke and reached towards the fire. It was the reason she enjoyed it herself. The scenery, the vibe just the whole atmosphere. A place away from the cityscape was always ideal for her and in the times of the present it was very much welcoming. She watched the flame dance in his palm, little did he know how much she actually liked fire. So many metaphors came along with it, especially the concept the fire bird known as the Phoenix. Rising from the ashes was something Eury has done far more times that she would probably like to count. But that's what made her a fighter, a survivor, a woman that persevered through her life.

His question was an interesting one and a touchy subject in a sense. Yes Eury was a Dragon but that was just as inherited as her being called the Queen of the Lightning Tower. She didn't choose either path. But given a choice would she be a part of the Dragons? That wasn't an easily answered question. Letting her body take over she let herself lean against him from the side, her shoulder against his arm unless he moved it::.

"Only you could really answer that.. I couldn't say considering myself..I mean maybe you would since the politics would be your own..But what is it that's making you feel the way you do right now?"

.::She just watched the fire still, the flames reflecting in her eyes and face::.

[Kazuya Hikari]

Glancing over and down briefly feeling Eurydice lean against him, her shoulder against his arm, he'd look back to the flame held in his hand, the flames of both the one in his hand and the camp fire would illuminate his face, the fire reflecting in his eyes.

"... Honestly? Not having to worry about formulating strategies or training my troops and just spend time with you, puts me at ease. Just being around and with you is enough for me."

Turning his head to look down at her, a slight smile on his face, he'd lean his head down slightly and gently kiss her, making sure his hand was held away from her, and would pull away after a while, his face mere inches from hers as he continued to smile slightly at her.

"... How do you feel when you are around me?"

[Eurydice Sudeki]

"... Honestly? Not having to worry about formulating strategies or training my troops and just spend time with you, puts me at ease. Just being around and with you is enough for me."

.::Before any of that was processed his lips located hers and she welcomed it as she did each time. It just made the lust all the more heavy. The forbiddenness of it all the more alluring. Then she was hit with a question::.

"... How do you feel when you are around me?"

.::Hazel greens were just opening up from his kiss. It was a golden question, one that maybe she didn't so quite wish to answer maybe? Or maybe she didn't really have a answer? No that would be a lie now wouldn't it. There was a hesitation in her responding until she was saved!::.

"What is all this standing around and smooching? All this festiveness and you're standing in one place?

~Kouji always on cue.~

"Kouji."

.::Eury leaned off Kazuya and smiled as Kouji grabbed her hand and gave it a kiss::.

"At your service my dear. You look beautiful as always..But this standing still nonsense I'm not having it...Excuse me, Kazuya I believe Ev said your name was? Would you mind if I steal her for a little dance?"

"He'll do it anyways just so you know."

.::Eury looked up to Kazuya waiting for what he would say. Kouji with his pretty boy smile was going to take her to dance with the others regardless, she'd kiss Kazuya on the cheek and go off with Kouji. She would still be in his line of 'sight' even though a little ways away. Dancing with Kouji and the other gypsies. A man would casually come on his left side craving an apple with his blade::.

"Well now, I'm surprised you let a pretty girl like that off your arm.. if I was you I'd keep her close..Never let her out my sight.. Nope.."

.::He'd pause and cut a piece of apple::.

"So..how'd you hook up with that?"

[Kazuya Hikari]

Regarding the man that had come over to them with a calm expression, at first Kazuya would stay silent, briefly glancing over and down at Eurydice seeing her look up at him, before eventually nodding, watching her go off with Kouji after she kissed him on the cheek. Slowly turning his head to look beside him at the man that came up from his left, Kazuya would turn his head back to watch Eurydice dance.

"... I trust her. Besides, who am I to keep her close and say who she can and cannot spend time with? I cannot and will not control her actions."

The flame that had been held in his hand absorbed into him, his arms now casually folded across his chest, he would stare into the depths of the camp fire once again, his eyes fixed on it.

"... Why does it matter to you how I met her?"

Kazuya would answer the man's question with a question of his own, before turning to him with a stern expression.

"... I am not inclined to share any details with anyone, especially a stranger of all people."

[Eurydice Sudeki]

.::The man would nod casually just taking cuts into the apple and eating another slice. His hat tipped down a bit as he didn't bother looking at Kazuya for awhile. Though his eyes did easily catch the flicker of the fire receding into his form. A smirk tugged at his lips as he felt a little tinge of hostility from the blind man before him. Cutting another slice he would just let it rest on his knife, tilting his head to look at Kazuya::.

"Heh well I wasn't talking about a matter of that kind of trust, but that's nice to know considering you're trusting a married woman..I do like you're not even so modest about it..Ya know you two.."

-Indeed, you put trust in a woman sleeping with someone other than her husband and it's not like he's dead or anything.. But hell I'm enjoying the funny thought considering how upstanding she tries to be compared to me.. You aren't Lily, Eury-

.::Shifting his weight and gave a closed eye smile to Kazuya, offering the apple slice that was still on the knife. It was up to Kazuya whether he accepted it or not::.

"Apple?"

.::The man would continue either way::.

"Well I just meant you should keep her near for safety reasons ya know? She's a beautiful woman in a very high position no? Aside from any man probably wanting her for.. well obvious reasons. She would be wanted for other reasons as well... But looking at a strapping fellow like you and the way you seem attached, you'll do anything to keep her safe won't you?.. Oh and I'm not that much of a stranger.. Just haven't seen her in a long time since we had a falling out.. That girl can keep a grudge..Trust me... Oh yea nice little fire trick thing by the way.."

[Kazuya Hikari]

"... I won't deny I am anything but modest about it... It may be wrong, but I have no regrets... and no fear of dying by- ... How do you know she is married?"

Returning the closed eye smile the man gave him with a look of distrust, glancing down briefly at the apple slice offered to him then back up to the man, he would wordlessly take the slice, but would not eat it quite yet.

"... She is more than capable of protecting herself, and I am not the jealous or possessive type. ... Yes, I would. I would gladly sacrifice my own life to save hers. If you had a falling out, I doubt she'd be thrilled to see you then, and you must've done something unbelievable for her to hold a grudge against you. ... Thanks... I guess."

Using his Qi to bake the apple slice slightly, he'd then take a bite from it with a light snapping sound, a serious look on his face.

"... I won't let anything happen to her. But why does her well-being matter to you, if you had a falling out? I would think it would be of no concern to you."

No one will ever hurt you again Eurydice, not while I am still alive and breathing... I will protect you with my life... until my last dying breath...

[Eurydice Sudeki]

--No regrets huh? That might change..No fear in dying? Now that I love to hear..The lovers sacrifice...That's always the best ones.. Heh she's like that too, all sacrificial, yet here she still stands alive and breathing while others have taken her place..--

.::He looked at the apple being baked and perked a playful brow::.

"Well shoot baked apple? Good play, I didn't think about that."

.::Cutting another slice he'd stick it to the end of his curved knife then bent down to the fire sticking the apple over it. That was when Eury glanced over for a moment only seeing Kazuya and smiled, continuing to be lead through hoards of dancing with Kouji, children and others. The man would twist the apple over the fire letting it bake easily as he continued on nonchalantly::.

"That's really beautiful of you to say, ya know the whole you'll protect her with your life thing..It's really admirable when someone is willing to throw their life away for another. I mean if you're so willing to do that then you must have nothing in your life that's worth staying alive for no? No family? She means that much huh...Man, you got it bad huh?"

.::He'd remove the apple from the fire and blow on it to let it cool, still remaining in a crouching position. He'd take a little bite first::.

"Mm a little hot almost burned my tongue there, but good.. Good idea Kazuya."

.::It wasn't hard to know how he knew his name considering Evelyn's introduction::.

"Anyways, yea she is well capable. Strong girl. Hella determined. Really feisty if you get her pissed off enough... Just because we had a falling out doesn't mean I stopped caring about her...Meh she blames me for her old partner's death. But that totally was not my fault, that had everything to do with her own recklessness and she knows it.. But alas she was young and couldn't accept it. Meh it's whatever maybe she's finally forgiven me but I don't wanna ruin her night. You two seem to be enjoying yourselves so much.."

.::Eating the now baked apple off his blade as he stood up::.

"Mmm this is really good. I really should've thought of this sooner... Sooooo.."

.::He said now playfully nudging Kazuya in the arm with his elbow::.

"Is she a screamer? Come on.. don't be shy about it! Hahaha you make her scream don't you?"

.::His eyes closed grinning from ear to ear. He was a strange one::.

[Kazuya Hikari]

"... There are many things in my life that is worth staying alive for, most of all my family, and they will fight on even if I should perish, but I will not let life be taken from me so easily. To imply that I am so easily taken down insults me. She is important to me, and I will fight with every once of strength I have to protect her."

Even if it meant enduring and suffering great amounts of pain. If only he knew what was in store... Silently watching the man remove the apple slice he had been baking from the fire and take a small bite of it, he was unfazed by him knowing his name, considering Evelyn had pretty much blared his name for the entire world to hear. A stoic expression on his face feeling the man nudge him with his elbow, he would notice Kazuya tapping his right index finger against his left arm, his arms still casually folded across his chest.

"... I wouldn't know."

That was his answer to both questions, he really didn't know if she was a screamer or if he could make her scream or not. Water wasn't exactly the most solid of surfaces... The man's closed eye grin from ear to ear a little unsettling, but it honestly didn't bother Kazuya all that much.

"And even if I did know, I wouldn't say, even if it was to someone she knows, and you seem to have known her for a long time. Curious and full of questions aren't you?"

[Eurydice Sudeki]

--I like this guy...He seems so, so righteous. They're always the best kind.--

.::The unnamed man put his hands up in a gesture like it wasn't me, apple in left, knife in his right. So playfully he waved his hands back and forth the smile still on his face. His smile could certainly be equaled to that of a cheshire cat::.

"Hey hey now didn't mean to insult you..I'm sure you wouldn't falter so easily... Well maybe not to a blade, but you certainly seemed to to a pretty face.."

.::He put his hands down taking another cut of the apple. That smile of his never fading::.

"You need to loosen up their buddy.. You're too stiff..So serious. OH I know!"

.::Someone, a woman, was walking by with a bottle on a tray with unfilled cups. He put his arm out gently wrapping it around her and laid it on the middle of her back::.

"Hey sweetheart, is that that gypsy juice thing?"

"What?"

"Ya know that really strong concoction you folks makes.. Makes you feel real good..My friend could use it I think.."

.::He whispered into her ear still audible to Kazuya. She laughed a little at the feeling of his breath in her ear and nodded. Pouring two glasses and handing them to the mystery man. He smiled and kissed her on the cheek tipping his hat down a little::.

"Thank you sweetheart.. Here Kaz, drink! I warn it's some really, really strong stuff.. I mean like wooo but it does taste good and you'll feel wonderful I promise..Maybe a little frisky too, but you have an outlet for that right?!"

.::He'd still hold out a cup to Kaz as he himself took the whole drink in one shot::.

"Wow.. damn that's..yea...Soo well I need to get going, I think I'ma get another one and well have me some fun too.. Trust me, once you've had one you'd at least want a second.. Drink it.. Maybe you'll make her scream tonight cause I assure you, you ain't gonna wanna stop.."

.::Hopefully buy now Kazuya had taken the drink, because the mystery man would bow. He would smile once more::.

"You are a righteous man.. But you do need to loosen up. Live a little. After all you never know how long you'll have with someone right? Like I said I don't wanna ruin her night, I'll visit her soon so please keep it a secret. I know she's mad but maybe I can win her over again yea? Ya know after you make her less angry and all.. Hahaha wow that damn drink. I need to find me a little lady for the night.. Nice meeting you Kazuya."

.::He would bow the same way again and go off easily. It'd be mere seconds before Eury would finally return popping up behind crazy::.

"Boo!"

[Kazuya Hikari]

"..."

Glancing off to the side, a look of deep thought on his face, it was true he did not falter easily to a blade, or any weapon for that matter, but the moment he had seen Eurydice, Kazuya knew he was a goner. Continuing to look off to the side deep in thought while the man whispered audibly to the woman he had stopped, glancing over briefly at the cup he held out to him, he would take the cup as the man downed his in one shot, but did not drink it right away.

... Even if I did have an outlet, what makes you think I'd tell you?

Staying silent to the man's question of if he had an outlet if he got a little frisky from the drink, he'd just give him a pointed look at him saying he might make Eurydice scream tonight because after the drink, he wouldn't want to stop, and watch him bow and smile. He had a point though. Every day Kazuay faced each day with the mindset that he may very well die, and spent each day like he would be killed without warning, making sure to train his troops well, spend time with Kaori, all to keep them safe.

... I earnestly doubt all the gypsy drinks and after effects in the world would make her less angry at you.

Watching the man take his leave after bowing once more, he'd turn back to the camp fire, the cup still in his hand. His head would lift up hearing a familiar voice behind him, and would down the drink in one shot before turning his head to look behind him, seeing her behind him.

"... Eek."

The man wasn't kidding, it was strong. But he had a surprisingly high tolerance of alcohol due to his lifestyle of a ladder-climbing salaryman in his father's company prior to the bombings. As for the frisky part, he didn't feel it right away, and probably wouldn't until later, if it did kick in that is. Placing the cup down on a nearby hand-craved bench, he'd turn around to fully face her, and before she could say anything, he'd wrap his arms around her, pulling her into an embrace again.

"... You almost got me, I almost jumped in fright."

Really, he almost did!

"... Welcome back. Have a good time?"

[Eurydice Sudeki]

.::She was still laughing at the thought of him jumping. That would've been nice. As he placed the cup down and pulled her close she still just seemed quite bubbly. He wasn't the only one that had the drink. Actually she had more than two while dancing with Kouji. See now Eury isn't capable of truly getting drunk even with her concoctions of strong liquor she needed to keep constantly downing it to feel a buzz. The gypsies drink however, well she didn't know what they put in it but it certainly did the trick. No one was going to fight it off especially after having a second::.

"Oh was that the gypsies juice?! So good!"

.::She grabbed a cup as another person walked by with a tray again, taking a sip and then handing it to Kazuya almost pushing it in his hand::.

"You have to have another! And yes, yes I did! Are you gonna have fun with me now? Or just let me get stolen away hmm?"

.::She said with such amusement and a playful pout on her full lips::.

[Kazuya Hikari]

The cup Eurydice grabbed from a person passing by and took a sip from it before practically shoving the cup into his hand, Kazuya would blink once in mild surprise, but would pull his gloves off and shove them into his pocket before taking the cup from her all the same, a wry smile slowly forming on his face.

"... Alright alright, I will."

That was his answer to both her questions. Downing the drink in one shot, placing the cup down beside his first one, he'd continue to smile wryly at the playful pout on her lips, before suddenly leaning in without warning and kiss her passionately and heatedly. If the effects of the drink didn't take affect then, well it sure did now.

But it'd be a little while longer before he would feel the other affect of the drink. His hands would slowly move and rest against her back, feeling the smoothness of the fabric of the dress she wore, his body shifting closer to hers. Pulling away after a long while, he'd smile wryly at her before taking her hand and leading her to the camp fire, to dance with her.

[Eurydice Sudeki]

.::Watching him down the drink only made her pout more as she reached for it momentarily but it was too late. She actually wanted some more than the sip she took, but alas it was gone::.

"Hey I-mm.."

.::Her voice was caught off by his sudden assault on her lips. Eyes shut kissing him with the same vigor. Her hands pressed against his chest with fingers gripping against the fabric he wore. The drink had been kicked in for her considering how many cups she had and well earlier he had already been teasing her. Giving her constant tastes. When the fruit bites back it bites with revengeance it seems. He was only making her want more feeding into a need. Gripping against his jacket she'd pull into him as he pulled into her. Oh some gypsies were watching, the children were in the city enjoying that festival thankfully. When he pulled away she wasn't so ready for it almost falling into him. She looked at him with displeasure, comically though as he lead her to dance::.

"You are such a damn tease."

.::Her eyes turned mischievous glaring at him. He wanted to tease well then she would play the game back hard. How so? By step one, taking her hand away from him. Step two being in time with the music, swaying her hips sensually as she moved towards him. Step three, a small spin that will have her back ending up pressed against his front. Step four, continue to sway her hips right against him with her hands touching the sides of his thighs for support. Step five, purposely push away from him and make him chase. Keeping her back to him as she swished her hips dancing away, only to glance over her shoulder once or twice. Step six, make him jealous in the process. How so? She grabbed Kouji and pressed herself against him moving along to the music. Kouji simply smiled and held her close. He knew what she was doing and he was going to play along::.

~Your move~

.::Queen takes pawn::.

[Kazuya Hikari]

A wry smirk on his face watching Eurydice tease him back with a vengeance after letting go of his hand, if she was trying to make him jealous, he wasn't taking the bait. Gypsy magic or not, Kazuya was not the jealous type, and it was evident by the wry smirk on his face and his arms casually folded across his chest. So she wanted to play? Well he would oblige. Unraveling his arms, he would hold his hands out while casually shrugging his shoulders and shaking his head.

Without his ankle weights on, he could move a lot faster, but had been moving at an average pace, because it was stupid to move like he was Speedy Gonzalez. His smirk widening slightly, if she looked over at where he had been standing, she would find he was no longer there. Next thing she'd know, he'd be standing behind her, and in the next instant, Kouji would find she was gone.

Deep inside the woods, moonlight shining through the branches of the tree above, if she looked around, she would see him standing at the edge of a lake, facing her, a smirk on his face and his hands casually held in his pockets, before appearing in front her, his face mere inches from hers, before he would kiss her again.

Your move.

Knight takes Queen.

[Eurydice Sudeki]

.::As her body moved against Kouji's she did glance back and noted his lack of presence::.

~Where did he?~

.::It wouldn't be the first time he would disappear like that. More than likely he was probably gearing up to do something that would upstage her::.

"Trying to make him jealous I see?"

"Mayb-"

.::Before she was able to even get the full word out she felt herself being grabbed and swiftly taken from her dancing with Kouji. Kouji blinked in disbelief before smirking and walking off::.

"Well it worked."

~What the hell?~

.::Oh he was fast. Not that she knew cause he wasn't fast where it counted. She looked around seeing they were by the lake with him standing near it. How they got there that fast was certainly a feat. She herself was fast but certainly not that fast. Just as suddenly he was in her face causing her to blink for a moment before he planted his lips on hers. A smirk tugged on her lips as she kissed him back but it wasn't going to be that easy. She pulled her face away a little and spoke in a whisper::.

"Jealous much? You know you were.."

.::Before he spoke she would lock lips with him again, kissing him deeply before letting her right hand slither down to his crotch. What was the purpose? Well this. She gave it a good playful squeeze before immediately starting to run through the trees. The dress wasn't what held her speed back it was the sandals, but still it was a chase and it was fun::.

.::Queen takes bishop::.