[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/8h6FIIQ.png[/img][/center] [hider=Is it a date?] Iravis was walking to somewhere more alone, offering in tow. After a few minutes, she had absolutely no idea where she was. The Phoenix was still furious with the woman, but morso than the crude ramblings of a pychopath should allow. It took her a while to admit that she was just trying to walk off her stress from an anger she didn't understand. [color=salmon]"If the director hadn't interupted you, where would you take my heart?"[/color] What an odd question. She'd seemingly lashed out at the small girl for being straight forward yet here she was nearly just as bad. [color=red]"I'd never take your heart lovely, perhaps borrow it for a bit but I'd be sure to return it."[/color] He wasn't entirely how liberal he could be with compliments. He'd never dated- erm 'tributed to', a girl that could quite possibly kill him before, especially with such an volitile temper. [color=red]"Though I'm curious why you ask, were you planning on letting me?"[/color] Alucard asked with a cheeky grin as he walked beside her. He wondered if they were going anywhere in paticulur or if she was just wandering randomly. Not that he really cared either way. The Phoenix returned a smile at him. [color=salmon]"That depends on what's in the box."[/color] They had ended up on a worn path by a small cliff, the waters of the english channel beating down the artifical rock. The sun stood in the sky, ready to go down for the day. Iravis stopped walking, gesturing for him to continue with his plans. Alright, if there was ever a part of this thing that was gamble it was the box. He'd supplied it as best he could but he'd had precious little information to work with. Alucard hefted the box and in a flurry of movement snapped out two small chairs from the side, placed it on the ground and opened it up, reavealing a bounty of food inside. There were four cakes that made up the bottem, with a sack of assorted candies on top of it, and below, his secret treat. In a startling display of skill Alucard tossed the cakes and the bag of candy into the air and closed up the box in time to have the cakes land on each corner with the candy in the middle. A cake dubbed, "death by chocolate", another angel food cake covered with strawbeeries and cherry sauce. Yet another a pleasant looking carrot cake, and finally, a cheese cake with a variety of sauces drippled over it. Inside the now closed box was a container filled with the hottest peppers he'd managed to find. Carolina Reapers. They'd particuly burned his eyes off in the brief time they'd been exposed to open air. [color=red]"Bon appiete."[/color] Alucard annouced with a smug grin. [color=salmon]"I've been offered palaces by many a prince to win my favor, the finest wines in the manors of a thousand merchants for my heart, offered souls in an effort to appease my wrath, And other gifts just as grand."[/color] She looked at him for a moment, raising an eyebrow as she lowered herself into the chair. [color=salmon]"Nothing this innovative or graceful has been offered to me in some time."[/color] She gestured for him to sit as well, smile spreading across the goddesses face as her mouth began to water. [color=salmon]"Who taught you this?"[/color] Alucard obligingly took a seat, somehow procuing a plate and the appropaite silverware and setting it down in front of the two of them. He competently popped the lids of the cakes as he considered her statment and proceeding question. Apparantly he was doing something right at least. [color=red]"Well, let's just say yesterday wasn't the first time I've been slapped and leave it at that hm?"[/color] Alucard asked with a slightly rueful grin on his face as he gestured for her to begin. No, certainly not the first time. The picinic box was in fact a contraption of his own that'd he spent some time perfecting for on the go dates. Likewise the flourishes had taken... more than a few attempts and several ruined meals and dates before being perfected to this point. Belatedly he realized that he'd been staring directly at her and averted his gaze, quickly grabbing a slice of cake, Alucard still couldn't shake the thought of what she could do to him in she flew into another vengeful fury. She wasn't surprised. If he had lied and said this was his first time attempt, she'd probably have smited him on the spot. She admired a man who had the fire to accomplish their goals, even if that was being the perfect womanizer. The fearful aversion of his gaze also forced her to stifle a small laugh. [color=salmon]"So, what do I look like?"[/color] She placed small pieces of each cake on her plate, savoring every bite as she looked at him as if he was going to be next. Was she baiting him? It seemed like she was asking for an apprasial but he now knew she must've recieved thousands of such from poets, kings, magicians of the highest order. Could he top that? Should he go simple and try for a heartfelt, short description? She had to know that she wasn't his first such attempt so she'd probably assume he was fluffing it regardless of his intent. Her unnerving stare was making this even more difficult. [color=red]"Doubtless you've heard more words singing your praises than I've ever said in my life, quite difficult to compete with. So I'll be frank with you. You must know you're more stunning than anyone I've ever meet, and that is indeed many. To a passerby you must look like a young, angry redhead, who is overconfident. Now I'm not sure what you are, but you're not that. Something about you is, pardon the cliche, different. There's more to you. More life, more color, more energy."[/color] Alucard's cheeks colored slightly at the end of his speech. What was wrong with him? He was supposed to make the girls confess how they felt and he was supposed to laugh and brush off their praises. [color=red]"My turn, what do I look like?"[/color] Alucard's face didn't have that confident smirk on that showed he knew the answer. Instead he looked at her with a sort of curiosity. What did this women think of him? Doubtless she was only here for her tribute, but she'd passed up a dinner offer earlier. Quite a perplexing case. Iravis exploded in laughter after allowing him to finish his dialouge. She'd ask again later. It took her a while to collect herself, but it would only be fair if she answered in turn. For him? [color=salmon]"Your presence makes me think of a Pharaoh. Concieted and full of themselves until Ra enters the Palace. Which is wisdom in it's own way."[/color] Iravis embraced more of the chocolate cake, savoring the flavors. Well the peal of laughter had been a little embarassing. He'd actually been halfway serious for once and it'd been laughed down. Well, to be truthful it wasn't that unexpected of a result. Alucard delicately took a slice of cheescake and nibbled at it. A pharaoh wasn't a bad comparsion really, though Alucard didn't plan on dying and being buried in an enormous tomb. [color=red]"Well I suppose I've been called worse and you've been called better. We'll call it even. Though I wonder. You must be aware of my intent, I've been told I'm not the most subtle man when it comes to women, much to my chargin. Surely you didn't come just for the cake?"[/color] [color=salmon]"The items you brought were devised by you, how could I have come just for the cake?"[/color] She sensed he was getting at something, but couldn't quite figure it out. What did he want? [color=salmon]"Omnipotence is not among my powers, so why don't you tell me?"[/color] Alucard let out a small laugh, [color=red]"You claim not to have Omnipotence yet you know this box is my own work? Well if nothing else you're quite perceptive. Perhaps I could offer you tribute... on a more regular basis?"[/color] He wasn't sure if she would try murdering him if he asked for a date. The goddess ate for a minute longer, and a smile crossed her lips. Was it time to start rebuilding her following? [color=salmon]"This is worthy exchange for placing you under my wing. An assault on you shall be a war on me."[/color] Still though, her earlier question had remained unanswered. [color=salmon]"A mirror could have given me your answer earlier, but that wasn't the sight I was speaking of."[/color] It was her turn to look slightly nervous. That had been her first time transforming into a Phoenix in this incarnation, and every lifetime it changed slightly. Alucard paused. Ah. She was speaking of [i]that[/i]. [color=red]"Well it was the most terrifying thing I've even seen. A sudden blinding blaze of fire was the only warning before you were at that girl's throat. You were encased in swirling flames, the tips of them tinged a brillant blue that spoke of horrifying heat. Beneath the whirling flames I thought I saw small feathers that made you look twice as large and your feet were talons that looked as they though could cut through anything. Now did you just want me to feed your ego or do you not remember?"[/color] Perhaps her rage was more blinding than he'd thought. Regardless it seemed his offer had been accepted so if nothing else came of this tribute there was that. The Phoenix shook her head. [color=salmon]"It changes with every life, and this was my first time doing that for this one ..."[/color] Her voice finished more quietly, [color=salmon]"... My beak was only so close to her because I had almost fallen over in my attempt to grab her."[/color] The red haired girl blushed slightly and looked away. Alucard looked at her curiously. Switching from fury, to full-blown confidence, to... embarassment? This girl was certainly a wild one. [i]Guess that means I could be her first[/i] he thought to himself wryly. The cakes were steadily vanishing from thier combined efforts and now only a few slices remained. Almost time to bring out the peppers. [color=red]"Odd, it looked more like you were thirsting for blood. Still, I'm sure you know what you were doing better than I do. If you're finished with your cake then I do have one last treat for you if you want it..."[/color] It didn't take her long to recover, resuming her proud stance when Alucard started talking about blood. [color=salmon]"I was! My positioning probably could use some work though."[/color] Iravis raised an eybrow towards the peppers. [color=salmon]"... If I want it?"[/color] [color=red]"Well as far as I'm aware these are the hottest peppers in the world. I'm surprised I managed to find them to be honest. So just be warned the results can be a little, unexpected."[/color] Which was open to interpretation. Either being a firebird would simply make her amused by the heat, or she would be rolling on the ground crying. Alucard pushed the peppers towards her carefully and waited to see her response. Iravis ate them together without hesitation, licking her lips as she finished. Many merchants had given her spices over the years as a form of tribute. This challenge wouldn't~ Her mouth exploded in fire, but not of the pyromancer sort. The goddesses eyes began to water. And yet her pride was strong. She glared at him, trying to stare into the deepest depths of his soul. She WOULD win this. Tears started to fall down her face, but the glare remained. Alucard was rather surprised by her response. She appeared to feel the heat... and was just manning through it. The hell? He'd seen poeple eat those before and end up literally sobbing on the ground. Once again the thought ran through his head that this was no normal women. [color=red]"Impressive, how long you think you can hold it?"[/color] Alucard asked, that cheeky grin on his face again as he met her stare, albiet somewhat reluctantly. Those eyes could be so intense. Was she really going to make it through without gasping for air and running for the nearest water source? Just one sniff of those peppers had been enough to convince Alucard that he had no intrest in them if he valued his taste buds. [color=salmon]"A thousand years!"[/color] More tears started to run down her face, and the Phoenix's stomach was starting to feel uncomfortable. Five minutes later her stare supsided, as the burn somehow only got worse, and her stomach was begging for relief. She opened her mouth, gasping for air to dilute the intenstity of the spice. Another minute passed. [color=salmon]"Wine. Now."[/color] A slight plea filled her eyes as the tears countinued to roll down. Naturally Alucard was prepared for such an eventuality, and snatched a bottle from a small compartment in the box and silently handed it over to the phoenix. Tough talk was good and all but those peppers took no prisoners and called bluffs. He could've taken the oppertunity to say,[i] I told you so[/i], but that would be petty. And very satisfying. But he also didn't want to get his face burned so he restrained himself. It was quality wine as well, not some trashy stuff you got from the nearest liqour store. Iravis didn't give a damn about the quality at this point. She pulled the cork and started downing it like a dwarf during a holiday. The goddess chugged about half of it straight up, then set it down to breathe. After half a minute, she seemed to have recovered. [color=salmon]"There are fires hotter than the flames of my soul, and these peppers are one of them."[/color] Despite the pain though, she shot the black haired boy a smile. [color=salmon]"A reminder of your tribute for me?"[/color] She gestured at the bottle of wine, wondering if she could keep it. [color=red]"Sure, no problem."[/color] Alucard said waving his hand to dismiss the thought of returning the bottle. [color=red]"I think that concludes things nicely."[/color] Alucard said rather pleased with the date as he began grabbing the now empty containers and crumpling them into one smushed up ball before tossing it into a trash can along the trail that led here. Should he try to get a little more out of this? A hug maybe? Even a kiss? No, no, he could wait. No need to be greedy, after all, good things come to those who wait. [color=red]"Wouldn't you agree?"[/color] Iravis nodded, a little embarressed about the whole predicament. [color=salmon]"A token for your victory?"[/color] The phoenix stuck out her hand, smiling at him. Alucard returned her smile with a grin of his own and returned the gesture, grabbing her hand with his own. [color=red]"I could always use another token."[/color] [color=salmon][i]What's with this wierd hand meeting thing? Is this what he wants? Was this what the Runed One tried to do it earlier as well?[/i][/color] Not knowing what to do, she just laid it there for a few seconds, looking at the connection with a little bit of confusion. The Phoenix suddenly twirled and started skippng away with a bottle of wine in one hand and waving behind herself with the other. [color=salmon]"May our paths cross again!"[/color] Alucard watched her walk away somewhat puzzeled by their last interaction. Well, overall he was un-injured and had secured another date in the future. He waved back as she left and began packing up his box. What an interesting girl.[/hider]