[D1 ME] This Beach is Fire

[Miya Akari]

"That is very true. I am curious about how much effort it will take to improve the chances that you will move a bit closer to me? It would certainly allow me to better appreciate the beauty of this moment with you."

[Shiba Yukari]

Closer? Why would she want me to move closer? It's not cold, and there's a fire besides...

Yukari, bless her heart, wasn't exactly what one might call worldly. She was aware she'd been complimented, and she grasped what that usually entailed, but she didn't have a lot experience putting the two together when it came to herself.

"Uhm... well, if you'd like? I guess?"

She scooted over.

[Miya Akari]

Akari's smile brightened as she sat up and scooted a bit herself, to a more intimate distance. Her voice was softer and more gentle as she continued. "Is there anything you've found to your liking in your first impression of the island?"

[Shiba Yukari]

Yukari found herself speaking softly- partly it was the function of Akari being closer, partly it was matching the other woman's tone.

"It's very beautiful here. A little raw, and the definition of unfamiliar, but beautiful all the same."

She paused. Smiled.

"Naturally, I'm already trying to plot out how I'd improve the village, though. I expect... cultural projects are probably a low priority right now, though."

[Miya Akari]

"They are lower priority, but I do hope that we'll get something soon. We have to get ourselves a bit more entertainment than the sake bar. The sake they serve there is pretty weak too, so even that is a bit disapointing."

Akari smiled at Yukari, so much closer now. It would be a simple thing to just lean in and...

"But thank the fortunes that you have arrived. You are truly a blessing from them and I am glad for your presence here... both on the island and with me now."

[Shiba Yukari]

"You're too kind, Miya-sama."

Why am I getting goosebumps?

"I'm just trying to help out in the ways I know how..."

[Miya Akari]

"I have no doubt that your help will be greatly appreciated here Shiba-san. I suspect that many are hungry for the cultural sustenance you can provide."

She smiled playfully.

"I am curious as to how I might help you become more comfortable here. Are there any aesthetic preferences you have that I might help you decorate your room with? Make it feel a bit more homey?"

[Shiba Yukari]

"Well, ah... a proper bath is something the whole community could do with, but if we're just talking about me? I have a passion for gardening and ikebana, so.... if you could find some local flowers? Alive, if possible?"

She bit her lip.

"Otherwise, it's hard to say. I'm used to making things for others, but it often depends on what happens to be available."

[Miya Akari]

"Oh, I think you'll be quite pleased then, if you have an adventurous spirit. There are quite a few types of flowers I've seen on this island that I haven't seen elsewhere in the empire. I will endeavor to transplant some from their home so that you can enjoy them without need of venturing too far into areas that are advised against even for seasoned explorers," she replies with an enthusiastic smile.

[Shiba Yukari]

"Thank you... I'll be the first to say that I'm the exact opposite of a seasoned explorer, after all."

Yukari smiled shyly.

"I'd probably just slow down any group I went with."

[Miya Akari]

"Not everyone can do everything, Shiba-san. You sing, perform, speak with the kami. I protect a charge from dangers. It's the nature of varying duties. No reason to feel like you aren't contributing if you have a different duty from most. It just means you are more irreplaceable and special.
There are a handful of samurai here that can do what I do. But none can do what you do, which makes your work all the more appreciated."

"And besides, just because our duties don't overlap, it doesn't mean there are not things that we can't do and enjoy together. I can think of quite a few personally."

The way she looks at Yukari's lips suggests she has at least one thing she is thinking of in that moment.

[Shiba Yukari]

Eep.

"Such as?"

[Miya Akari]

"Well, as I already offered, we could share tea, formally or informally, Or a bottle of sake or two instead if you like. We could sit around fishing on the docks, sharing stories. I think I would enjoy taking walks along the shoreline with you. If you enjoy it, we could play go. Or I could show you some of the different flowers along the tree line," she says quietly, but not quite a whisper.

"Or like we're doing now, just some pleasant conversation underneath stars and moon at dusk," she leans in a bit closer, her voice lowering to a whisper, as though anyone else might hear. "Where the firelight causes shadows to dance across your face, hiding the slight flush you feel when I say these things to you. And you wonder what I'll do or say next, probably with a mixture of curiosity, wariness and excitement. And you might say something that won't push me away because your curiosity is stronger than your wariness. Then after you say that thing that doesn't push me a way, I might lean closer and we'd both experience something new and lovely under this evening sky... together."

She leans back away from Yukari's ear and looks her in the eye. There was a promise there in her eyes.

[Shiba Yukari]

Yukari's eyes were very wide in the firelight.

Her mind was processing a great deal, after all. She'd spent most of her life being groomed- and then grooming herself- to be as appealing as possible. As a result, she'd been flirted with before. But in a court setting. With rules. Etiquette. And very little risk of anything at all happening before she got packed off to the next court.

This, by contrast, was far more... immediate. Dangerous, in many ways. But also more... exciting?

"I, ah..."

She bit her lip again, but moved closer. Not a lot. Just... enough to get the point across.

[Miya Akari]

The first kiss with anyone for Akari was electric. It sent shivers down her spine and flushed her cheeks. Her body reacted with excitement that was palpable in the air.

Akari leaned in, her lips gently meeting Yukari's. Then fingertips touch her arm and slowly trace a line up over her shoulder until it reached the Shiba's neck. She pulled their lips together into something a bit more passionate. Her lips were soft and tasted like balms that Yukari had likely used herself before. This was not some light or meaningless distraction for her, but an act that brought with it an eagerness.

Eventually they would need to separate, and when they did the Miya inhaled deeply and smiled while biting her lower lip for a second. "Yes... just like that. Plenty that we can do together Yukari-san."

[Shiba Yukari]

Yukari had made... not exactly a surprised noise, but a stifled cry of some kind.

But she'd responded, all the same. Not with anything like ferocity- there wasn't much fierceness in her, it seemed- but with a curious species of gentle enthusiasm.

Spend your entire life working at being wanted, you get to appreciate it, even if you're not the most assertive.

"I see what you mean."

[Miya Akari]

"I don't know how much you will enjoy this island," she says softly before kissing Yukari's cheek. "But I suspect you will enjoy certain aspects of it."

She takes one of Yukari's hands.

[Shiba Yukari]

"So it seems."

As Akari took her hand, Yukari took the initiative in another kiss on the lips.

[Miya Akari]

The kiss is returned happily. She was happy for the initiation from the Shiba. But while this was certainly nice it was probably not the place.

When they separate once more, the Miya smiled. "A bit risky out in the open like this. But I am glad that we see eye to eye. Perhaps tomorrow over tea, we can continue this discussion?"

[Shiba Yukari]

"If you like? I, ah... full disclosure, this about as far as I've ever, er... gone?"