[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/UoOo9Tq.png?1[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/200712/6abf315930f46f3462d7fab75196b0db.png[/img] [@hatakekuro][/center] Calmly, Akemi nodded along as Zen briefly explained what else a 'date' would mean. So it wasn't just a fruit, but also a social event that may or may not have romantic implications depending on the overall context of the situation? How peculiar really. Now that she thought about it, didn't date also refer to a specific time as well? Such as a specific day and whatnot? Thinking on this all was really beginning to hurt her head, simply shaking it softly before turning to Zen as he went into a bit more detail. [color=DDDCE1]"Take advantage of? A one-night stand?" [/color]She echoed back, blinking slowly as she tilted her head slightly. [color=DDDCE1]"So you're saying there are bad people who'll try and 'date' you for their own gain?"[/color] Tapping her chin thoughtfully, she let out a sigh as she shook her head again. [color=DDDCE1]"I...don't get it...but ok, I'll be careful then. You and Ria are safe right? I can tell, you have the same light and warmth about you both; both white."[/color] Since Zen said not to worry about it now, then Akemi would keep it tucked away for later questioning. Didn't want it getting too late before getting to the gardens after-all. Instead, she almost seemed to be beaming though her lips didn't even quiver or threaten to turn into a smile as she walked beside the older boy. [color=DDDCE1]"Leon was much the same...is everyone else safe and white as well?"[/color] Pipping up again, she eyed a few stalls as they passed by them. She was mostly just stickybeaking around rather than showing any genuine interest, more curious as to what the stalls contained than the actual contents. One was a shooting target game, another a lucky bag store, another selling flowers. One even seemed to be selling....gemstones? Birthstones or something? Akemi didn't really get it, but ok. [color=DDDCE1]"Torys seems ok as well, she didn't send me home after-all, as does Tone and Kaden. Maybe we should've invited Tone as well? He seemed rather down when he left."[/color] Off-handly she thought back to when they told Tone they had plans. Maybe he was upset to not be involved? So she was thinking perhaps they should've invited him? Oh well, he left pretty quickly so they didn't get much of a chance to invite him anyway. But they would definitely need to spar with him to make up for it, he seemed to really like sparring so that would make him happy yeah? [color=DDDCE1]"What kind of flowers are at the garden anyway? Have you ever been there Z?"[/color] [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Feg0Ws7.png?1[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/200626/1bf27c8de8692e34a4dabea5b410504a.png[/img] [@samreaper][/center] His reaction wasn't unexpected in all honesty. She tended to avoid people knowing about her magic, the less who know the better. Besides Luke, Gerald and Torys, no one else really knew the nature of her magic, stating this as her excuse to Torys as not wanting the others knowing till she felt 'comfortable' revealing it to them herself. Honestly, it was mostly a cover to keep her magic on the hush hush. But it was either use her magic, or try and pull the wagon in her actual form and well....she knew which one was far more efficient. Though, she couldn't help but think his reaction was a [i]little[/i] over the top right? She wasn't even aware of his magic, so she couldn't really be certain of this, but surely she wasn't a threat to him right? [color=9C2E37]".....Mr. Isanami, what kind of person do you think I am?" [/color]She asked after he jumped back, placing a muscular hand to her (his?) chest. Perhaps this was a chance for her to get him to become less distrustful? Regardless, she knew how to play this kind of situation as she allowed her to form to drop slightly, staring down at the ground. [color=9C2E37]"Not that I can really blame you for your reaction....I honestly thought after showing this to Luke and Gerald that my magic wasn't that terrifying or weird. But almost everyone else who's ever seen this magic has reacted much like you Mr. Isanami...albeit they're generally more hostile, so I do appreciate not being attacked on the spot."[/color] Placing the cart handle down gently, she brushed some hair from her face before she began to....shrink. Compress. It was a pretty grotesque sight really, her muscles and bones shuddering quietly as they changed shape, shifted their make-up once more. Her scent had become to shift back to normal as well, before last, her hair suddenly shot out and became its usual crimson color, loosely falling around her shoulders as she slowly brought up her saddened gaze towards Menzai as she held up the baggy clothes so as to keep her modestly intact. [color=9C2E37]"As you can see...my magic allows me to shift, transform into others I've come into contact with. But I'm nothing more than an imitation, a cheap replica if you would. Do not worry, my magic does not harm those who I replicate or become, nor can I replicate their minds. My mind remains my own, I am unable to gain the memories or minds of others...though sometimes I can replicate particularly strong personality traits and the like."[/color] Ok, that last part was a straight-up lie, but the rest was pretty spot on with what she knew about her own limitations through a significant amount of trial and error. She more added that last part to explain any situation he may happen upon her impersonating someone else, an insurance policy if you would. It would save possibly annoying and ill-timed questions later down the track. [color=9C2E37]"....Though whether you believe me or not is up to you. As you may have expected, most who find out about my magic are...less than pleased by its nature. Often calling it and myself 'evil', 'dark arts' and the like. Hence why I waited till we were out here to use it, as you may be able to understand why it would startle those in the village correct? I've quite had it with becoming called a witch or a monster, as I'm sure you must know after coming into humans who are less....understanding about your appearance."[/color] She was pretty happy with her performance thus far. Normally she would give far more long-winded, back-story driven, tear-jerking speeches and references, but she figured condensing it into a far more practical explanation as such was the better route with what she had learned about Menzai. Taking a moment, she began to transform once more into the burly lad. Once it was done, she picked up the handle once more and went to pull it, before pausing and half-turning back to Menzai. [color=9C2E37]"One more thing Mr. Isanami...you need not worry about me transforming into you. I require a bit more than just a touch to do it anyway, and honestly, there is always a bit of compatibility as well. I can tell when someone or something is compatible, and I suppose fortunately for you you are not. Like I said, it's up to you to believe me or not, but we have a job to do. You can decide how you feel about me once we deliver these flowers I suppose, I'm not going to force you to talk with me or do jobs again...though I was I looking forward to our little chat about magic studies. Not many in the guild seem interested in that topic."[/color] Gripping the handle tightly as a twinge of regret crept into her voice, she began to pull the cart along, leaving Menzai to decide what his next course of action was. Whether or not he wished to accompany her till the end of the mission, go back to guild by himself, or whatever else he wanted to do. As much as it pained her, she couldn't control the actions of others, no matter how masterful or moving her performances may or may not be. Though suppose that was what made it so satisfying when her plans fell into place, now the ball was in Menzai's court.