Thanatos and Naoto // Private Thread for the Win

[itsnotaleash]

[Thanatos stands alone at the moment inside of the dorms. While he would have left for the Mall already and waited for Naoto there, the thick fog remained outside and Thanatos felt it would have been a lot better to go with Naoto towards the Mall instead of go on his own. So here he was in his best suit while he practiced a few arm movements to distract himself from marching off into the fog alone. What was he practicing those arm movements for? Looks like Naoto will have to find out all on her own. Anyway, he seems to be babbling to himself as he waits.]

Should the movement be like this...? No, it would be better with more of a flourish...

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[in-vicissitude.livejournal.com]

[She slowly takes his hand, but is only turning even more flushed at the compliments--this is just all so new to her, and she's just a bit uncomfortable. Naoto smiles shyly, cheeks still a bit pink.]

T-thank you, Thanatos. ... You look very handsome tonight.

[She can't help but feel as though she's making this even harder on herself. She has to strain to just get the words out, and it's clear she's out of her element almost entirely; like a fish out of water.]

[itsnotaleash.livejournal.com]

Thank you as well, Naoto. Though, it's obvious who is more beautiful.

[Still holding her hand with one of his own, his other moves with a flourish and creates out of thin air a bouquet of flowers. He then offers them to Naoto. Thankfully for Naoto, Thanatos is definitely in his own element. One he can do almost anything through. As for the flowers appearing out of thing air, well - Fusions aren't the only skill Igor is teaching Thanatos to master. Though, manipulating reality is still hard for Thanatos, so those fresh flowers probably won't last in that state very long. Just long enough for them to be appreciated on the date.]

[in-vicissitude.livejournal.com]

[... She's taken completely aback. If she wasn't surprised and red before, she certainly is now. Congratulations, you've stunned her into utter silence for the moment. All these compliments... and these flowers?

Naoto takes the bouquet of flowers and admires them. The colors are so vivid; so fresh. And he'd pulled them out of midair, which was stunning enough as it was. She wasn't one for anything too girly, but at the same time, she could appreciate nature's beauty all the same.]

I'm... not sure what to say. Th... thank you. They're beautiful.

[itsnotaleash.livejournal.com]

It's all right, Naoto. I'm sure we'll have plenty to talk about once we're at the restaurant. I even got reservations at this expensive one. It's beautiful inside! You'll see.

[A radiant smile appears upon Thanatos' face. He seems really excited about all of this.]

[in-vicissitude.livejournal.com]

My... you certainly pulled out all the stops, didn't you....

[She smiles, still quiet. Her voice is... higher, than normal (she felt no need to attempt her usual lower norm), and she's still slightly pink. She might not be as excited as he was, but she was... nervous, in a good way? It was a difficult feeling to place at the moment.

Naoto lets Thanatos take the lead, of course--the gentleman is supposed to escort the lady--as they walk. This thick fog bothered her slightly, but she tried not to think about it--she wouldn't let it ruin their time together.

After being quiet for some time, as they approach the door to the Mall, she speaks. Her voice is faint, but audible.]

... Do you find it... strange, me... being like this? I mean, sounding like this, and, well... being dressed as a woman in general. It's really not something I'm used to.

[itsnotaleash.livejournal.com]

[Leads her through the fog outside as they head for the Mall. If she pays attention she may notice his nervousness at walking through it, but he keeps a brave face on otherwise and doesn't mention any of that once they arrive at the entrance. Instead, he gives her a curious look as he opens the glass doors to the Mall.]

Strange? Not at all. You have every right to act how you want to when you're with me. I don't know you all that much, so ... Just let who you are shine through.

[in-vicissitude.livejournal.com]

[She could feel his grip on her hand tighten a bit as they'd walked toward the Mall itself, and it worried her, but she knew now wasn't the proper time to want to interrogate someone, even if she hated leaving a subject that bothered her alone.

An honest smile crosses her features as Thanatos speaks to her at the entrance; it seemed he was as accepting as Souji had been... that was very rare. She'd felt like, before, no one would accept her either way, but now... it seemed like they would accept her as a woman, and as a person--the complete opposite of how she'd felt before. It was nice for her to just... be herself.]

That's right... I am myself. Nothing more, nothing less. Sometimes it's hard to remember that, but... you are correct. Thank you for reminding me of that important fact.

[She closes the doors behind them once they're inside, taking her glasses off. Even having them on out there didn't help much, for her, since the fog was so thick. It was like paste, almost.]

... It's very bright in here after being out there, isn't it? You still know this area better than I do, so I'll trust you to lead to wherever this establishment is that we're going to dine at.

[itsnotaleash.livejournal.com]

[Naoto could probably be able to get why he was so awkward in the fog when they're settled at the dinner table. Otherwise, he's going to continue to smile at her own honest one. He's glad she's feeling more comfortable with him now.]

It's no problem at all. I'll lead you towards the restaurant now.

[Once she has her glasses off he begins to lead her towards the way up to the third floor. So they can reach their destination, of course. As they walk together, he continues to hold her hand as if the action was as natural as breathing...] It really is very bright in here, even with the dark blue surroundings. It's a familiar color though, makes me feel like I'm at home!

[in-vicissitude.livejournal.com]

[She had been trying to get used to taking the lead, of late, but she was letting herself be guided around again... by someone other than her Senpai, no less. It was a strange feeling, and she still felt a bit awkward, but she wasn't fumbling over herself now, at least.

Deep breaths; the other people here probably didn't know her... it wasn't like she was going to be stared at or questioned, or called a child, even if she technically was.]

I suppose it would be familiar to you, having been in such a similar place for some time, wouldn't it? I can't say I don't like the color, myself. I have always been fond of... darker colors.

[She finds herself blushing just slightly at how easily he can lead her to through the mall itself; it was still very... strange. All of it. And yet, he was so good at it, it wasn't too... discomforting, at least. Still, she felt so... bare, right now, to put it lightly.]

[itsnotaleash.livejournal.com]

That's right. The Velvet Room was my home for two years! It is nice to be able to go outside of the Velvet Room now, even though the fog is everywhere ...

[Continues to walk with her through the mall until they finally end up in front of the restaurant. The outside of it looks like an ancient Japanese landscape with various plants and structures that give the place a romantic atmosphere. There's even a bridge to the entrance that goes over a crystal clear koi pond that includes a small water fall ... The view is utterly beautiful. Not only that but this is just the entrance!

Once Thanatos leads her onto the bridge, he stops and smiles towards Naoto.] This is the restaurant!

[in-vicissitude.livejournal.com]

[Her expression darkens just slightly as he mentions the fog. She finds herself looking away from him for a moment, simply thinking of it. Remembering that fog... it made her uneasy. The fog itself... it had caused so many people so much harm. She had thought that case would finally be over, but it wasn't, here.

Naoto didn't feel as though it was her place to ruin such a mood, and could only hope he was either aware of it himself, or clueless about it entirely. Either would work; she didn't want to stress him. She would leave handling that to herself and her teammates.

She nearly stops in her tracks at seeing the place he'd brought her to. Not only was it beautiful, but... well, it was all a bit much, if she was honest with herself.]

M-my, this is... quite the view. You certainly did pick out the best one you could find, didn't you? It's absolutely breathtaking....

[Naoto smiles, if still a bit red. All of this just for her... she didn't want to overindulge his kindness, so she didn't dare to dwell for too long at the entrance. She was also set to order something small, considering she didn't eat much in the first place.]

[itsnotaleash.livejournal.com]

Of course I did. Only the best restaurant for the most beautiful!

[Thanatos continues to give her a genuine smile as he walks with her towards the entrance. He's definitely a true gentleman, even opening the door for her to walk inside before he enters with her and closes the door behind him with a soft click. What Naoto will notice first is a long, dark hallway where Japanese white lanterns are the only source of light for the two. The lanterns hang from the ceiling and give off a soft glow to the otherwise dim hall that has a few doors on both sides. Thanatos leads her down said hall until they reach what seems to be a large black crow with three legs settled on a wooden perch. It looks up at the two of them with a great glare until Thanatos speaks up.]

Hello, Yatagarasu! I made a reservation a few days ago for two.

[Yatagarasu simply watches the two for a moment, as if it knows Thanatos and so is used to his ways with dates. It then ruffles its feathers and with a flap of its wings, Yatagarasu flies off through the door of beads that was behind itself there, allowing them both to follow.

As they follow Yatagarasu inside, a few Nekomatas in kimonos pass them with plates of food for the other demons eating there. Otherwise, where they're going to be eating is a lot different than the hallway they are passing through.]

[in-vicissitude.livejournal.com]

[Thanatos' comment sends Naoto into a whole new fit of blushing and shyness--she looks down, trying to hide her face in the lighting, but to no avail. Without her hat, she couldn't hide her features very well.]

B-beautiful? Y-you're clearly a bit... mistaken, on that....

[Still quite nervous and jittery, she does her best to keep prose and posture, and not walk as she always has--as a man.

Naoto's eyes cannot believe what she's seeing, in this instance--all manner of what she normally thinks of as Personae are walking about, and the entire experience is somewhat... dizzying.

She nearly bumps into one of the Nekomata for not paying attention, and shortly afterwards, ends up clinging--just slightly--to Thanatos' arm.]

A-ah... how... far back are we going to go? [I'm afraid I'll only get more nervous if we must keep walking...]

[itsnotaleash.livejournal.com]

That's right, Naoto!

[Unfortunately, for Naoto, the last of her spoken words are lost on Thanatos. He's still following Yatagarasu with her, at least. He also looks at her with a smile when she clings onto his arm.]

Don't worry, where we're dining isn't too far down! We're already there.

[As if on cue, Yatagarasu turns right into one of the rooms. He then swoops down and lands on a brightly lit lantern hanging over their table. As for what the room looks like... Just imagine this room only with one table for just the two of them to eat at. There are also two menus already there on said table. Thanatos smiles and proceeds to take off his shoes before climbing up onto the higher floor. It's only customary to do so.]

[in-vicissitude.livejournal.com]

[She sighs, getting a bit of a mixed message from his words, but tries to take the compliment to heart. Following suit and pulling her shoes off as well, Naoto almost very un-daintily trips on the step up due to Thanatos being taller than she is, but manages to catch herself.

The Yatagarasu appears to be holding back what could be a laugh. Naoto herself is somewhat speechless, unsure of what to say, so she simply follows the other over to the table in awkward, flushed silence.]

...

[itsnotaleash.livejournal.com]

[Thanatos first helps Naoto to her seat before he moves to his own across from hers. Of course being completely oblivious to her almost tripping right there and then from his height. Great job there, Thanatos. At least he's a gentleman when he's paying attention. Otherwise, once he takes his seat the Yatagarasu nods before it flies out of the room to send a waiter in and then remain at its perch for the rest of the night.]

Don't worry about the demons. They're all friendly as long as you're polite.