The Deceptive Nature of Names [Kasha, Murasaki]

"I assure you, we are not close."

Kasha's expression did get thoughtful for a second almost distant really, what were the implications of that statement? Why did he need to assure her? The deceptive nature of words might get in the way here with how he spoke, assuring her of being distant might be taken as interest but he thought that it might've been to assure that he was far away from the stigma of the drama that kicked up from her birth.

He was overthinking it, frankly he hoped that she wasn't thinking as hard as he was about the whole meaning. It'd save him a lot of awkwardness if she did.

"Though it's hard not to be aware of you, you are a prolific figure in the Gotei and niece of Shishiyuki. I hope all is well for you and your boyfriend."

It wasn't clear by what she meant when she asked him what branch he was from, did she mean what sect of martial art he practiced? He didn't know how much Shishiyuki decided to share with her and regardless, he aired on the side of caution by pretending that she was an outsider and avoided sharing details about it.

"Oh, no? Gotcha, gotcha."

Murasaki definitely thought it was weird that he said it so pointedly. What, did he have a problem with her? That sounded like he was just making sure that she knew the two of tehm weren't that closely related at all. Well, honestly, that made sense to her. She knew that whole family hadn't exactly thought much of her when that happened.

"Yeah, I was pretty famous even before I got the Captain spot. Nowadays I like to think more people know me for my job than for how I was born, but hey, I'm sure there's a few jerks out there who still have a problem with me. Well, it's still just their problem. If they wanna bring it up to me, let 'em."

She was definitely a bit surprised at the mention of her relationship with Alastor, though in hindsight, maybe she shouldn't have been. It wasn't exactly a secret or anything, and her aunt had come by to ask about it anyway. Man that was kinda weird, wasn't it?

"And um, thanks, I guess. We're doing good right now. Got anyone you're seeing?"

Well, meet small talk with small talk, she supposed.

Well, he was young enough that the drama of centuries ago was as relevant as the horizon through a telescope to him. Too far back to really impact him since he never lived through it, maybe on some level he did not think highly of the woman that acted the way she did but blaming the product of that who had no part to play in her own conception was hardly something he really deemed appropriate. Principles weren't something he was overly attached to with how they were more of a burden to him.

He was going to comment on how it was good that she was doing well but he was actually quite caught off-guard by the question of asking him if he was seeing anyone. Well, that was embarrassing. Sure there were people he found attractive and actually liked but the idea of exposing them to the fact that he wasn't really keen to invite them into the lifestyle of a Koizumi meant that he avoided the possibility altogether.

"No. Not really. I'm glad you are doing well though."

There was a small pout and an averted gaze after he answered while trying to intimidate the loathing at feeling trapped into this stuffy little illusion into the back of his mind where he kept it but it cleared away quite easily.

"Anyway. Let's go this way."

Whether on account of her upbringing, the natural proclivities bred into the Koizumi blood, or simply the fact that Murasaki was generally a people person, she could certainly tell from that sort of answer to her question that there was more to it than that. Politeness and propriety dictated that she not actually press the issue any further, of course, that she simply leave it at that and follow him along.

"Alright, so not seeing anyone. Anyone you're hoping to be seeing?"

Murasaki was not, however, the type of woman who particularly lived her life according to politeness and propriety. She was every bit the free spirit she had always been, even if the course of her life had dampened what was, admittedly, once a brighter spirit. She still liked these sorts of things, and asking someone about who they liked was the sort of cute interaction that made her feel normal again.

"....No."

He did have to think about that one. Kasha could've been honest and said yes but that would prompt more questions and he'd have to be even more honest by trying to explain it was just admiration from afar and no real connection. It was easier just to say no even if it did sound uncertain and almost like he was lying which was equally as suspicious really.

"Uhm.. Let's go here. Yeah, this is good."

Kasha pointed at a stall that was nearby, it seemed like a good spot when he thought about it. It was just far enough away to avoid being packed but it was along the way which would get it a lot of traffic from people leaving the Academy. It seemed like a good spot, even if it was simple. Kasha didn't like complicated things after all, beauty could be found in the simplicity of things you know.

"Darn, no one? Well, you oughta let me know if that changes. I'm pretty good at these sorts of things, so I'll help out whenever ya need."

It was an entirely genuine offer, even if that might have seemed a bit strange given the two had only just formally met today. Murasaki, however, was fairly quick to become close to others, something she'd long since simply accepted about herself. Trying to stop that had only led to a dark place, and she wasn't trying to go anywhere near that ever again. Besides, they were family, rigth? Even if it was distant.

"Oh, this looks super cute! I like it, Kasha, you've got a good eye."

Hers was certainly an energy which was not in line with the temperaments cultivated among the Koizumi, and Murasaki knew that much just from what little she'd been exposed to. She occasionally wondered what she'd be like, if her mother hadn't been sent away, but that always felt like she was wasting her time thinking about that sort of stuff. After all, it didn't really matter, did it?"

"You come here often?"

How did he feel about a Captain and this particular woman helping him with his romance life? Not exactly thrilled by the idea of a wingman, in fact he was a little uncomfortable about the whole idea of anyone trying to hook him up really so it wasn't like it was a problem with Murasaki specifically. Well, it wasn't like it'd ever be something he needed to worry about. He just accepted as long as he was a Koizumi, it'd stay that way.

"I'll keep you in mind."

Her reaction told him that he had picked well. Well, that felt reassuring at least. He'd rather her be exhilerated than disappointed after he was trying to do this to repay her. Owing favours was a hassle, it was easier if they just weren't there to begin with.

"No, never actually. Please order anything you want. A cost like this won't affect me at all."

He had picked it at total random as something that was just here to present itself as an option.

"I'll hold ya to that, ya know! If I hear you're out and about with anyone and I didn't get to help out, I'll be awful offended."

Of course, it was quite clear just from her tone of voice that Murasaki would hardly be bothered by anything like that. She was an extremely easygoing sort, after all, and perhaps more to the point, she just wasn't the type to actually impose on someone's life in that kind of way. Still, she thought it was funny, so she said it.

"Oh, don't say that to a girl, Kasha. You do that and she'll wring ya dry. Well, other girls, anyway. Lucky for you I'm a sensible gal."

Frankly, Murasaki had little room to talk about other girls, considering how overwhelmingly traditionally effeminate she actually was. Regardless, she ordered more or less just enough to actually sate a woman of her height. It'd be rude to go crazy with it, after all.

"I will keep that in mind."

He didn't really imagine himself even bringing someone he was interested in here anyway, if anything he'd probably just want to walk someone quiet and free from the eyes of everyone. That would mean he didn't have to be conscious of who was around him. If food was something he was considering he'd probably just make it himself.

"I know. Though, I don't think women are all that difficult to understand personally."

Never one to jump into the pool, he learned the correct plays from observing. People watching was a good way to get an idea of the what to dos and what not to dos when socialising. Well, maybe that was presumptuous of him to say in hindsight. It wasn't like he had any experience to base that claim off unlike her. He tried not to think too much about how that bothered him, that enviable freedom to just do whatever and attract as much attention as you wanted without consequences.

"Nah, us girls are pretty hard to understand. I'd be a total liar if I said we weren't, but you didn't hear that from me. I'm sure my friends would hate it if they knew I was sayin' that."

Murasaki giggled a bit at that one, knowing all too well that most of her friends probably wouldn't appreciate it if they knew she was going around saying they were hard to understand to a perfectly eligible bachelor. That was true though, wasn't it? It wasn't like they were all totally easy to understand. She knew exactly what a ridiculous path it had taken to get her and Alastor together, and she wasn't gonna pretend like that wasn't kinda just normal.

At least up here in Soul Society, anyway.

"Then again, maybe I just hang out with weirdos. I think that's kinda true of most of the people who live up here though, don't you? It's not like the Seireitei is exactly filled with normal people, ya know?"