Ann Takamaki ♥ Panther (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
menaretrash) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
tabularasa_rp2020-12-02 10:30 am
menaretrash) wrote in tabularasa_rp2020-12-02 10:30 am
menaretrash) wrote in tabularasa_rp2020-12-02 10:30 am
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[Things could have taken a decidedly different turn from where their encounter started. It's fairly obvious that he's as inexperienced as she is, possibly even more so and he hasn't really considered everything that becoming a couple might entail. If he had he might have
chickened outbeen more cautious and saved them both some discomfort later. Ann had caught him off guard enough that he didn't have time to think about all the possible contingencies related to this union. Just like before with the bet, she made it feel as if he had to agree now or the opportunity would never be offered again.][They certainly were opposites on a good number of things, and maybe that's why he found her presence so refreshing. Left to his own thoughts, Kaiba could be needlessly pessimistic, though driven. He needed someone like her to draw him out of his darker inclinations- even if he didn't fully realize it for himself. To her emphatic denial, he softly snickered.] Good, because I'm not letting you get out of this so easily. [Feeling a little bolder himself now, and why shouldn't he be?]
[There it is. That smile that might literally be able to stop time. If it were anyone else it wouldn't have that effect on him- and he's not sure exactly when Ann could boast acquiring this hold over him] I am capable of reading some body language, I can surmise that without your saying so. [A little self-deprecating humor since they both know he's not really a people person overall. Hopefully, she could read his because he wasn't admitting much verbally. So- uh- how long should they sit here like this exactly? He had been in this position for longer than he cared for, but... he was still holding her hand. What was the protocol for this sort of thing? Should he.. include another gesture to cement it? Was she expecting him too? Trying to search her expression for answers, he noticed a strand of hair that had worked itself loose of her pigtails, with his free hand he brushed it aside, lightly brushing her cheek in the process]
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It's a good thing he's not thinking of that right now, because neither is she. And that's nothing either of them needs to think too hard on right now. Whatever comes to pass will happen, and one way or another, they'll work their way through it all. But she's happy to start off right where they are, and feel their way through things as they come.
They do say opposites attract, and they are certainly a testament to that particular saying. Just like he needs someone to pull him out of darker thoughts and spaces, she needs someone to ground her and keep her from floating too far off into obliviousness. Someone who is strong and confident in their convictions, and he is all of those things and more. ] Who said I wanted to get out of this, huh? [ Because right now, as far as she's concerned, she's quite content to remain glued to his side for as long as he'll let her. ]
Of course you can, I think you're pretty good at reading most things, though. [ He wouldn't be such a good duelist if he didn't, and also... he wouldn't be a good CEO, either. He might not be a people person, but he's smart, and he's not giving himself enough credit right now. She's not entirely sure about protocol on this sort of thing either, she just knows that she's happy to be holding his hand, though she does imagine that being on the sand like this probably isn't the most comfortable thing. At least, for him it's not -- he's not exactly dressed for the occasion.
She was freezing a few moments ago, but all thoughts of being wet and cold are completely gone when he looks at her like that and takes it a step further by pushing piece of hair out of her face. His fingers brush her cheek, and unconsciously she leans into his touch. With their hands still joined, it's easy to slip her fingers between his to lace them together, though part of her hopes that he can't feel her pulse through their hands somehow, because her heart is beating so fast and so hard she can hear it in her ears. She's pecked Seto on the cheek a few times now, twice, if she can remember correctly, but this is reading a little differently than both of those times.
They do need to properly seal the deal though, don't they? That's how this usually goes, she thinks. The mood makes it easy to push past her nerves, at least, it gives her the courage to place her free hand on his cheek and lean in slowly to close the gap between them. She pauses for a few moments once she's close enough, before she closes her eyes and finally leans in the rest of the way, pressing her lips very gently, carefully, against his. ]
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[It would have been an exercise in overthinking if he had been fixated on every potential outcome. Also fruitless. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. So he could take a few risks]
No one, yet. [Answering truthfully, though he hoped she wouldn't go regretting this later, not after he had taken this leap. Kaiba would be lying if he wasn't riddled with trust issues, so letting someone else into his life wasn't easy but experience had proven that she be counted on to keep his secrets. The void had provided them with the testing grounds for that exercise. Could she also keep from
breaking the remnants of his heart?]Somehow it doesn't surprise me to hear you say so. [Ann was frequently complimenting his abilities, though his humor apparently needed a little work. It was built into his occupations that some level of being able to read others was important, she wasn't incorrect there. Somehow, despite not rolling around in the sand, nor gathering it up in any way he just knew he would be shaking it out of his clothes for much of the evening.
It was an innocent gesture on his part and he was oblivious to the effect it would have on Ann or the implications. Apparently he hadn't watched enough of her beloved romcoms to realize what he was doing or inviting. He did note the look in her eyes that seemed to indicate anxious anticipation, but what was it she was waiting for?
Usually, yes-
in writing. Though a contract would be abnormal in this instance. When she takes the initiative to cup his cheek he's so oblivious that his eyebrows knit slightly but when her face draws closer to his, his breath catches in his throat. Wait. Is she about to do what I think she is?! That issues a fresh wave of panic for him, he tenses and she probably can feel that in their clasped together hands, and his own pulse quickens accordingly. It's not a very thrilling kiss at first, at least not from his side of it. Sitting there like a carved statue, he hadn't even closed his eyes, staring at the proceedings in a dumbfounded fashion.I mean- it doesn't feel bad. It's not like she bit him. Her lips were soft and inviting, he um.. he should do something. Anything. So as an after thought he closes his eyes and tries to reciprocate, clearly displaying his inexperience with this. He was kind of wishing for a redo. Also a manual.]
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Exactly, and no one's going to, either. You... make me really happy, Seto. [ It's not hard to admit, at least -- not now it isn't, anyways. She's pretty sure she couldn't ever regret this, because this is... the one thing she's wanted, no matter how hard she's tried to deny it to herself or push her feelings away, for a while now. Other than her friends from home, Seto is the person she's closest to here, and the person she's thrown the majority of her trust into as well.
Listen, Seto, your heart is going to be guarded and anyone who tries to hurt you or it is going to have to get through her, first. She's crazy, if you haven't been able to tell yet. She'll cut a hoe for you, okay.]It's the truth. [ Hey, now. It was funny, but also, she can't help but be a little bit protective. She never wants him to feel anything other than his best, after all. Unfortunately, she's failed a little in that aspect, thanks to... sand, of all things. Whoops.
Unfortunately for poor Seto, his innocent, sweet gesture has earned him something he wasn't really expecting or ready for. She probably should have thought this through a little more, or at least tried to, but the moment felt right. She does feel him tense up, and at first she's more scared than before that she's managed to screw this up. She's never kissed anyone before, she's not entirely sure how one is meant to go about these things, and she's concerned that yes, she's somehow managed to mess this up.
She's going to have to find a way to apologize, because really, what was she thinking? This was probably way too soon, and now he's probably going to be really upset with her. Except, even though he's tensed up, he hasn't exactly pushed her away yet, either. And it seems that his brain has finally caught up with the situation at hand, too, because she can feel him relax just enough to make an attempt to return the gesture. It's awkward, but also, sweet and endearing -- it might not be perfect, but, this is theirs and their moment, and that's perfect enough for her.
Ann lingers only a few moments longer, before she finally slowly breaks their kiss and leans back to give him his personal space back, forcing herself to keep her gaze on his instead of looking away and blushing like she wants to do. ] ....Sorry, I couldn't help myself.
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[The sappiness gauge was starting to go through the roof with that response, and yet he couldn't give her a hard time about it, she just sounded so sincere. Oddly, Kaiba had been thinking more about the benefits their association would mean for him, more than her but hearing her admit that he makes her happy has him debating where the lines start and stop. The two aspects were irreversibly intertwined.
Oddly enough he has seen that crazy side of her, and he feels amused thinking back on it]So I know who to spearhead my next pr campaign. [Shaking his head a little, since he wasn't fishing for compliments this time. Look- we're just never going to address that directly, about how he fell over backwards when he was startled by.. a question. It's like it never happened.
Seto is going to have to become a quick study as to how certain gestures read, since surprisingly there is a gap in his range of knowledge. Instincts could likely take over, and to an extent they had but who liked leaving things to chance? Or is some spontaneity preferred? #getthatmanual.
There had been enough time to draw back out of range, but he hadn't, wondering where she was planning to go with this, coupled with freezing up entirely. As no surprise to anyone, Kaiba was more concerned with perfection, than Ann was. He's not as accepting with his presumably poor showing for this simple physical act. He can't even make excuses for it since he should have predicted it as a likely outcome. At least he doesn't voice his misgivings on the subject.
When they separate, then he panics a little that they are out in the open here, and they could have been seen- but he also tries not to look away despite his inclinations. Ann was able to tell he was uneasy, and that bothered him, clashing with hatred for showing vulnerability. He is nothing if not a ball of raw emotions in a wide range at the moment.] ... [.. And another apology, how is he supposed to answer that?! Also was it hard to control herself because of what they had just discussed or had she thought about the prospect of him kissing before? Putting that aside he stood up abruptly, dusting some of the sand off.] .. Just don't assume the next time will be like... that. [Casually trying to suggest that he can handle this, and he's not always going to let her keep this upper hand she seemed to possess.
Not everything is a competition Seto. When he righted himself, he'd reverted to a sterner expression, but it softened some when he walked closer to where she was seated. Then he removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. Trying to make up for the cold water earlier? Or trying to cover up that bikini in case someone else showed up on the beach? Kaiba let her ponder that one.]no subject
Sure do. [ He may not have been looking for compliments, but Ann's always willing to give them, whether he (or anyone else for that matter) likes it or not. Also, she will one hundred percent remember the day when one Seto Kaiba fell backwards over a bunch of trash all because a girl asked him if they were dating or not. She won't tell anyone else, of course, because he has a reputation to uphold and also... this is their little moment, and no one else's, thanks. But she'll remember. If anniversaries are a thing and they can keep track of them, they'll have to have a dramatic reenactment.
Honestly, Ann's panicking a little bit too right now, but not for the same reason Seto is. He's concerned someone may have seen them, and she is more or less worried about having completely and utterly fucked everything up already. She'd been a little too spontaneous, and really, the moment seemed right, but she should have been more thoughtful, more careful and less... impulsive. She'll have to keep that in mind for next time, if she's lucky enough to even get a next time.
When he stands up, she thinks that she's really screwed up, and he's going to break up with her right here and now. This would be a record, probably, something to put in the books... if there were books to be kept here. ] ...Are you sure? [ He doesn't sound mad, at least, so she... thinks it's okay to tease a little bit. She peers up at him as he comes closer to where she is, and then whatever apprehension she'd had, whatever doubts and weird fears that she'd screwed everything up suddenly disappears when he places his
covetedjacket around her shoulders. She can feel her cheeks heating up all over again by the gesture, and a warm, fuzzy feeling once again fills her chest cavity.She doesn't really know which option he's decided go allow her to borrow his coat for, but, it doesn't matter because she's appreciative all the same. She flashes him another smile, happily snuggling into the garment that she probably looks really stupid in. ] Thank you, Seto. Do you have any plans today? Other than beach combing, I mean.
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[Usually someone who was quick to spread compliments would make him leery, but Ann was the exception. Even if he thought some of the things she said were a stretch, it wasn't borne out of malicious intent or ulterior motives.
Not unless one considered dating prospects as nestling into that category... hmm.So long as she didn't spread it around, she could hold on to the memory. Even if she tried to bury it, the void could always force it to resurface so there wasn't much point in stressing his concerns. It would have stunned him, had he known she was already thinking about anniversaries. It would have seemed a little premature with how fragile young relationships could be- still neither of them were much for giving up early, or not seeing things through.What Ann didn't know is that he also had no intention of dissolving their ... partnership ...on the day of it's induction. Impulsive, yes, but not a damning maneuver. He just wasn't used to anyone being inside his personal space without his having put them there. That would take some getting used to.
It was a retreat, in some form but not a full one. He wasn't going to just turn tail and run, this must be as unusual for her as it was for him.] Angling for some proof? You'll get it. [Asserting that fact without wavering] Later. [Realizing it would have been an act of pathetic desperation to make a second attempt immediately after the first. Certainly he was tense, but not irate.
Maybe it was a little from column a, and a little from column b, coupled with some possessiveness from column c. Regardless the jacket was deposited on her form all the same.] I might have... acted hastily earlier. [About the water] Just the usual. [Seeking out supplies, looking for new additions, getting in some training- boring things really] What about you? Just going to lie around under the non-existent sun? Is that really satisfactory?
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[ Ann generally tries to look for the good in everyone. At least, at some point she tries -- assuming her temper doesn't get in the way first
as seen by their First Meeting™. Mostly, if she likes someone, she genuinely means the things that she says, for better or worse. And of course she's thinking of anniversaries, she's generally a nervous wreck and she's already thinking of every single outcome all at once, okay. It's good to be prepared!!At the very least, regardless of anniversaries or whatever the future holds, it's certainly a day to remember, and one she's going to remember for a very long time.
A brow arches at his statement, before she smiles again and giggles. ] Should I be worried? [ Is she going to have to watch over her shoulder or prepare for some sort of crazy attack of the affectionate kind? As hilarious as that is to picture in her mind, somehow, she just can't see him popping out of a big box to spring some sort of trap.
She's pretty sure his admission is the closest thing she's going to get to an apology for the ice cold water being dumped on her earlier, but the outcome had most certainly been worth it. ] It's okay, it was harmless... water never hurt anyone, right? [ Except people who drown in it, but you know, details. Also, natural disasters. Fun! ] Sounds like a fun day. Me? Generally, yeah... this was about it. Though, I do wish we had something that at least simulated a big, orange ball of fire in the sky. Except without the melanoma that's generally associated with it. [ She sighs, considering. ] It is, sort of. The sound of the waves is, at least... it's nice. It's just too bad that all of this trash sorta messes it up, because this beach actually seems like it'd be really pretty if it were cleaned up.
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It would be difficult for either of them to forget the last few moments, but he wouldn't say so or admit it. Just know that it's mutual.]
Maybe you should be. [Smirking at that, as some of the tension lifted from his shoulders] I didn't mean it to be ominous. Look forward to it. [Not that he thought she was serious, but just in case]
[#nailedit. Kaiba wasn't one for admitting when he was in the wrong, so an apology would not be forthcoming. At least everything else had made up for it on some level] Not in that quantity. [Generally speaking. Yes, he would also leave off thinking about natural disasters, or freak accidents.] Don't lie. [It sounded tedious, like it was much of the time. When she responded he looked thoughtfully up into the sky. If he only had access to his equipment a simulated sun would be a snap. He'd once recreated an entire roman coliseum. Then he looked back to her] There have been attempts at beautification, but remember if it was ever completely litter free it would take out a good number of resources with it. [If we're being practical. Still- oddly- he felt a little internal nagging to somehow make her wish a reality. Maybe he was still riding high on making things official himself...]
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He might be Mr. Negativity to everyone else, but to Ann? He brings her happiness, and being with him means a lot more to her than she thinks even he will ever really understand. Out of everyone in the Void, he's chosen her for some reason, and she's grateful. And she'll do everything in her power to make sure that she repays him for that, to make him as happy and safe as he makes her feel, too. ]
It's not a lie! It sounds both fun and productive. Besides, it's not like there's a whole lot more to do around here anyways. [ Other than lazing about and pretending that you're on some sort of private beach full of murderous seagulls chasing one of your best friends. ] Ah... that's right. Mm, still, I wonder if all of this stuff could ever be moved elsewhere? Like... a landfill, where it belongs. [ Why doesn't the Void have a landfill, anyways? Granted, it's obviously chosen the beach for that space, but she's not entirely sure why. It's a mystery that none of them are ever going to be able to solve, probably. ] If you want, I can get dressed and join you.
[ Because she's not entirely a heathen, she did bring one of her BRAND SPANKIN... NOT NEW BUT NEW FOR THE VOID tank tops and a pair of shorts, too. She didn't just saunter down to the beach in just a bikini, after all. ]
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Even he wasn't entirely sure what it was about Ann that singled her out among all the rest, but it was an undeniable truth. Without his business affairs, familial ties, and scores to settle his life would be decidedly empty without her involvement in it. A frightening thought in itself, to think he could have allowed such a bond to have started to form in the first place. Still, here and now he was genuinely pleased, and seeking to hold on to this feeling for as long as it lasted.]
It's tedious and the results usually don't draw me any closer to the truth. [Look at him, being honest about the nature of most of his daily activities which involved copious amount of research on the void. Maybe he needed to believe he would find something different in order to find it. A tall order. Murderous seagulls? Don't imprint those next] Perhaps, if everyone pitched in at once.. [Which he wasn't keen on engaging in.] …................... [There were so many ways he could have answered her suggestion.] I won't stop you if you tag along, but this definitely is not a fun excursion.