dilettante | ♡INBOX (GOLDEN PEACOCK)

oh I see...

( that touched a sore spot for her- but in the sense that she felt empathy for him. his words reminded her of a time when she was a child, brought to japan from new york and not being able to communicate with anyone. looked down upon for not knowing the language and being a foreigner despite having a japanese father.

so she understood what it was like, she had been there once. perhaps it was the reason now that she was far more chattier. )

it's certainly up to you, the offer is there for whenever you want to visit. just let me know and I'll make sure something delicious is waiting for you.

( she meant food of course. )

( she really is such a kind young woman. he's grateful to have met her and gotten to know her, despite all the circumstances. although... )

Shouldn't the guest be the one to bring gifts as thanks? Though I suppose there's little I could bring you that you wouldn't already have access to.

( being a queen and all. )

water?

( it's a joke and he probably wouldn't get that but it truly was surprising how something as small and necessary for life made two people, who wouldn't otherwise talk, bond. really she had no negative thoughts about him, just another person she can talk to and fill up her empty time with. )

( he absolutely doesn't get it, nodding along solemnly as he slowly types out his reply. actually, he thinks it's pretty sweet of her to remember something so important. )

Very well. I will bring some water in that case.

( and hopefully it won't be laced with anything.

which means it's a good twenty minutes before he finally makes it to her suite, having had to stop a few times along the way to peruse the wares on display and evaluate his options. but eventually there's a knock on the door. outside of it is neuvillette, a large bottle of water in one hand and a small box of pastries in the other. )

( she hadn't quite expected him to show up and unfortunately for them both, all she had to wear was an endless array of sexy costumes and that dress he saw her in from before. so she decided to just lounge around in one of the bathrobes provided by the hotel—

although there was a part of her that didn't think he would actually show up today. he seemed rather hesitant from her point of view, so she wasn't going to push the issue. it was only when the knock came that she nearly bolted from her bed and opened the door for him. )

You came! I still have to order room service, but feel free to ask for what you want.

( really as long as she was complying with this place, it was alright for her to share with others, right?

in the meantime, she simply stepped aside to allow him in, eyes focused on the little box of pastries he had. )

( her surprise elicits confusion from him, a frown cutting across his face as he steps inside, water and pastries in hand. it's also a little surprising to see her in nothing but a bathrobe, and he's careful to avert his gaze a foot to the left of her head. )

I said I would come, did I not?

( though now that he's reviewing his words, he realizes he never set an actual date or time. how inconsiderate of him, showing up largely unannounced. )

But if now is a bad time, I can return later.

That you did!

( well that was a good enough answer for her, but when she realized his hesitation over what she was wearing, reira immediately waved her hand and placed it on his shoulder. )

Oh you mean this? I actually only have this....costumes to wear. You'll see when you get inside but I thought it was more polite to show up in this robe than a sexy nurse outfit, don't you think?

( unless he was dying to see her in one, which she could comply with if prompted. )

( only costumes....? how interesting. he would have thought that her high rank entailed an abundance of clothes along with food, a lavish suite, and various other amenities.

unless that's what she prefers? he shouldn't jump to conclusions. )

Is that what you typically prefer?

( no judgement if so. )

( the problem with that logic is that is required the capacity to think and not be as helpless as she had always been. for as talented and charming as she was, reira wasn't very good at anything-

including deducing she could probably go shopping for some new things. additionally, if it had been given to her as a gift [no matter how strange] she would wear it. so she tapped his hand lightly, turning on the water works before heading inside of her room and allowing him to follow along. )

How mean! After I invited you and all, of course not. That's why I didn't wear it in front of you!

( but really she's just teasing him and being playful, no hurt feelings here. )

You'll see what I mean look-

( she opened the closet door by the entrance, an array of costumes nearly falling out before them. )

( he follows along, pausing to set both water and food on a nearby table before continuing into her room. for a moment he thinks he might have actually upset her, his expression automatically pursing into one of contrition—but then she's turning to open the closet door to a plethora of colors and fabrics and accessories.

the variety is enough to make him blink owlishly. )

That's....quite the assortment.

( and many of them quite racy too. it's all enough to bring a slight flush to his face. )

If you would enjoy wearing them, then you should do so. I suspect I will have to get used to seeing them regardless the longer I am here in this place.

Hmm?

( it's a quick response to this words, as she turned to face him. immediately the first thing she noticed was that soft glow illuminating his face and while she usually didn't try and push things on others, it was clear to see that he was a bit more shy with sex and things of that nature.

so she picked up one of the costumes, a sexy flight attendant outfit and held it before him. )

They're really silly aren't they? I never really wore stuff like this back home at all, so it's kinda fun in a way. If you want...

I can try on a few while you sit back and let me know what you think of them? Otherwise we can just enjoy the treat you brought and talk a bit more.

( the very idea of sitting around while a nice young woman parades around in revealing outfits fills him with discomfort. at the same time, given what he's been told about this place, that sight is one he's going to have to accustom himself to before long.

and if it would make layla happy to try them on... )

Then I would be ( hmm, maybe happy isn't the right word ) honored to sit and offer my opinions on our your various outfits. Though I have very little familiarity with current fashion trends, so I may not be able to offer anything of meaningful substance.

( he rarely changes out of his work clothes, after all. )

Really?

( there's a bit of a shocked expression on reira's face over his lack of resistance over....well everything. truthfully she hadn't expected him to come here at all, much less with water and pastries, and much less agree to her silly little joke.

she was, as she promised, more than okay with them just sitting around and talking [or not] but if he truly was okay with it.... )

Well alright, just tell me when you get too bored and I'll stop.

( as such it didn't take her very long to drop the robe, revealing nothing but a pink lacy set of underwear and she was immediately bending over to put on the flight attendant costume. )

( will he get bored first or made more uncomfortable first, the real question...

but he's at least polite enough to take a seat nearby as she goes to change, even if he looks stiff as a board as he does so. though for some reason he'd expected her to change in....the bathroom? behind a changing screen? not right out in the open in front of him, and he feels his whole face go red as she casually drops her robe and gets to work changing.

quickly he averts his gaze to the left and down, staring pointedly at a spot on her carpet. )

Please...let me know when you're ready.

( he sounds...very distressed. perhaps he won't make it very long in this resort after all. )

( reira certainly wasn't in the business of imposing herself on anyone here [she only did that to one person back home], but given that he didn't tell her to stop or refused to watch her model the outfits, she decided perhaps he did want partake in their time together....doing this.

as she got dressed, she hummed a little tune, the found slightly muting out the crinkle of the fabric being pulled over her body. once she was finished dressing up, she took one of the bottles of water and walked up to her guest. she stood before him, giving a tiny spin before stopping. )

Well I'm ready, your thoughts?

( the costume was a tad bit smaller than her, accentuating her curves and bust with ease. )

( he returns his gaze back to layla once given permission, the color still high in his cheeks. and though the outfit is in fact far more risque than he's used to, he did promise to offer his unbiased opinion.

which means looking her over from head to toe. )

It's very.....revealing. The fit of it is rather flattering on your figure as well. ( she fills it out well, that much is true. ) Though I'm afraid I'm not familiar with what this outfit is supposed to represent.

( unfortunately, they don't have commercial airlines back in fontaine. )

( it's a bit amusing how reserved and technical he is about something as this, but what really caught her attention was his lack of knowledge on what this was.

when she thought back on it, he had also mentioned something strange that she didn't recognize either. the more time she spent here, the more she learned that people came from different worlds and didn't know the things she did.

so perhaps a saving grace for him, she immediately sat down next to him and leaned in, eyes full of curiosity and a bit of mischief. )

You know, you said that before the first time we met. I'm starting to think we aren't from the same world at all...tell me, have you ever heard of a country called Japan?

( her little modeling show was going to be put on ice for now, as there was something else intriguing her far more now. )

( is it better or worse for there to be a scantily clad young woman sitting right next to him, hard to say. at least he's very careful to keep his line of sight trained firmly on her face and not anywhere else, with his focus coming to him easier once the conversation takes a turn towards the more serious.

with a small shake of his head, he answers. )

I'm afraid I haven't. I suspect the nation of Fontaine isn't one you're familiar with either?

( though for him at least, it isn't so surprising for there to be countries and even lands beyond that of teyvat. his conversation with skirk had enlightened him briefly on that fact, though he doesn't know much more beyond the existence of worlds outside of teyvat's borders. apparently this 'japan' is one of those places.

although... )

But I have been told by a few here that even the timelines they remember do not match up with those from the same place. It's not so outlandish a conclusion to suspect that the worlds beyond ours are different as well.

I can't say I've ever heard of such a place.

( was it entirely possible that this place was some hidden nation far from being covered on any news channel in japan? absolutely, especially considering reira wasn't the most studious or well-rounded person when it came to political affairs.

yet she knew in her mind that he just had to be from a different world, a different place. he was surprised by the cars on their arrival, he didn't know what a flight attendant was [not that the costume was very clear on that], and he most certainly seemed to speak of different things she had never heard of. )

If what you're saying is true....it almost sounds like something out of a movie or a book. This hotel....is pulling people from different places and worlds....but how? How did I wake up in a trunk of a car without any recollection of how I got there...

( now that she says it, he has to agree that their whole situation does sound rather fanciful. kidnapped without a trace, brought to a strange luxury resort with no option to leave, and expected to earn their living and all necessities through physical intimacy.

and yet— )

I'm afraid I have no satisfactory answer for you. That is a question only the proprietor of this place can answer.

( and somehow he doubts it's an answer that person is willing to give, considering how little everyone else here knows. it's a sobering thought, one that has him looking down at his folded hands, a deep frown on his face. )

But I will do best to learn, and should I learn anything I will be sure to let you know as well.

Fair point.

( she managed to quip, before leaning her chin into her hands, elbows propped up on her knees. she thought about his words and how he's already done so much for her—

she never really was one to care if she burdened others or not with her demands, but with him....it seemed wrong to do that. he was so serious and seemed just as perplexed by this place as she was. was this guilt?

whatever emotions rested in her, she decided to reach out and pat his shoulder, letting out a soft sigh of relief. )

No need to go out of your way for my sake, but I appreciate it. Shall I continue the show? Or should we dig into what you brought me first?

( he's surprised by how easily she reaches out to pat him on the shoulder, seemingly unperturbed by the stiffness and seriousness that usually keeps others at bay. it's not an unwelcome gesture, even if he tenses for a brief moment, force of habit for someone who doesn't often engage in physical contact. )

It's no trouble. ( said with a small smile. ) Presumably both you and I share the same goal of finding a way out of this place. Thus, it only makes sense for me to pass along any information I learn.

( others might call him naive or soft-hearted, but he's inclined to give others the benefit of the doubt when possible, and to lend a hand if needed. 'innocent until proven guilty', after all. )

But please, continue. ( one hand lifts, motioning to the rest of the outfits on display. ) Though I may not know what each costume is meant to represent, I suppose I could consider this an education of a different sort.

( his intro class to sexy costumes..... )

( when it came to other people, and even men, really unless the person was outright pushing her away or making it clear they didn't want to be reached out to, she would just selfishly trudge along her merry way. it was no different with the man before her, and while she realized to an extent his clear boundaries—

it seemed no matter what she suggested or brought up, he went along with it. he hadn't said no to conversing with her the first time, nor to showing up here. clearly he was enjoying it despite his demeanor. at least reira could only hope so.

the only thing that they seemed at odds was that— the desire to find a way out of this place. she herself was in no rush. )

Okay, okay then that means I owe you twice now for all the help you've given me.

( in turn she's smiling and even laughing just a bit as she leaned forward to stand back up. it seemed he was interested in seeing the rest of the show, so as she began to walk back towards the walk in closet, she spoke. )

I'm hoping you at least know what this next one is—

Or else I'll have to put you in handcuffs~

( owe him? another frown, a small raise of his hand. )

There is no debt between us. Any information I find, I would share with anyone if asked.

( but he knows that for some people, even perceived debt is a burden that's too much to carry. if she's more comforted by the thought of paying him back one way or another, then who is he to deny her?

although....if she really feels like she owes him, then perhaps....? )

There is something you might be able to help me with, if you're willing.

( before she could head back in to change, she stopped in her tracks and gently turned her head to face him as long strands of her hair were shoved to the side. she listened to him gently, a soft smile forming on her lips before her eyes widened just a bit in curiosity.

there was so much more to learn about her new friend, sitting here before her and partaking in a rather silly activity. all she could do was endlessly wonder what exactly he needed help with. it was such a curious change in his demeanor that the curiosity nearly made her heart beat fast. )

Oh sure, what do you need? I'll do my best to help you.

♡INBOX (GOLDEN PEACOCK)

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