#█ ▌ ╰ ☾ ╮ ┆ 「partner: revelrose.」

[arcanaaa]

❝ It's Cana. ❞ she mirrored her response with a cheeky grin. ❝ Well, no offense meant Hibiki, but the kind of distraction I'm looking for is something that's quick-- no frills or fillers, if you catch my meaning. ❞

SHE HAD NO DOUBT THAT HIBIKI KNEW EXACTLY WHAT SHE WAS ASKING FOR; DESPITE THE TAME APPEARANCE AND VAPID VERBAL EXCHANGE THUS GIVEN, THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THE MAGE THAT GAVE HER PAUSE. It could easily be her heart rebelling against the very actions that brought her to this moment. Even with distance separating them, her heart still stayed behind at the guild, kept safe and sound by the only person she had trusted: her partner. Try as the Seer might to carry on and ignore the longing lingering inside her, each day was lived in heartache. Waking up every morning since that day was to know the absence of the sun's light. Yet through stubborn conviction, Cana refused to give in to her feelings.

It's for the best. Cana reasoned. It was never going to work...besides, he probably found someone else to keep him company... The thought alone caused untold agony, one that she stamped down with vicious determination. What they had was no more, and no matter how much Cana wished otherwise, their relationship could never be more than casual. That was all. No more, no less. But each day she lingered in the guild while he remained only brought memories of their time together to resurface, igniting her heart to stir with the yearning for what they had once shared together. It was becoming all but impossible for her to ignore-- and despite her heart screaming at her to stay, even when worry would linger towards his appearance ( he wasn't looking well lately, as if he was just a few steps from death's door-- ), Cana still left for the job alone.

Even if the job was easy, she missed him.

She missed her partner.

( She missed her Loke. )

DESPITE HER PRESENT DISTRESS THAT WARRED INSIDE HER, CANA APPEARED IN CONTROL OF HERSELF. With only one bottle nearly finished, she had not yet reached the height of inebriation that she sought. Though if Hibiki was determined to wine and dine her, then perhaps she could achieve the very state of oblivion the Seer was seeking.

❝ I'm sure you'll understand that what I'm looking for is something that won't bring feelings into the mix. ❞ Cana said loftily, the weight of her statement sitting uncomfortably in her mind. A familiar presence that she was desperate to ignore no matter the cost. As if to spite herself, Cana took another long pull from her bottle until it was empty. A heavy sigh slipped harshly from her lips as the myriad of emotions churning inside her fought to surface, earning a small frown that she couldn't quite tamp down.

❝ Got enough goin' on in my head that I don't need anything else complicatin' things, ❞ she murmured. The bottle in her hand swayed lightly in her hand, a signal for an exchange of a full bottle, courtesy thanks to Master Bob that was acknowledged with a small smile and a nod. ❝ 's better this way. ❞

This way I don't have to worry about getting hurt anymore...

❝ So the question now is what does your itinerary entail, mm~? ❞

There had been rumors of someone who could out drink others, a Fairy – a woman, at that. He had not had the pleasure of meeting such talent before, yet hear she was in the flesh. The only way to tell was the copious amounts of liquor bottles Master Bob had already gone through with just a single person. Of course, this caught his ear. Hibiki was known for knowing everything and anything on anyone, due to his magic and knowledge. Yet, his good looks helped with persuading silent lips into doing so. Manipulative? Hardly, when he himself is an open book to the right questions.

Though, he was quite off-guard by her odd request. Reading between the lines, it was a bold incentive. One to where, that type of hosting was not in their job descriptions.

❛ It’s Hibiki, ❜ A simple gesture from his lips to her knuckles lingered, ❛ So you’re one to skip the four-play and get right to the good stuff, hm? Sorry to disappoint, but those types of services aren’t apart of the itinerary. ❜ He’d flash a very coy smile, letting her hand find itself wrapping around another bottle neck. But he felt obligated to continue, in some way, pursuing her. Intrigued by his own curiosity, he found himself trapped with many questions, speculations, and other nosy little interrogation antics he’d love to spring in on friendly conversation. Although, she seemed to be heavily enticed with the bottle of liquor, as if dowsing herself in a regretful state.

Too many come through here with heart break written all over their faces. As much as she tried to mask it was bold phrases, and riddles, he considered himself an expert on the subject; like many other subjects before him. Oh no, a woman’s heart broken, whatever shall he do?

❛ My own itinerary, however, can be a distraction of some kind. It isn’t one I offer so easily, but you – you seem to be of mighty need, by the look in your eyes… ❜ Ah, there it was – his reason for the enticement. An image if another woman faded into the silhouette of the others, taking shape of a memory that was once lost upon him. The similarities were present, open stomach with a guild mark gracing the side of the hip, a bralette that left nothing to the imagination, and confidence drenched in bold demands. A past lover – Karen.

❛ Now, the only thing your eyes haven’t told me, yet, is your name. ❜