Prime Target [Klein, Amaranta]

Another scary lady had managed to put herself onto Klein's radar, and while he was certainly not the sort to complain about that, he had to admit that it was actually a little bit baffling just how many women there were all of a sudden that were right up his alley. He was pretty confident that less intelligent Arrancar might have thought it was fate or providence or whatever, but he didn't believe in anything stupid like that. It was just a weird situation, something unexpected, but certainly not unwelcome.

"Hey, lady, whatcha doin'?"

When you maintained a presence as weak as Klein's, it was all too easy to sneak up on people, unless they were really, really keeping up their guard. But Klein wasn't the type to ever try and approach people like that, anyway. They were usually the most dangerous.

All things considered, Amaranta's time on earth had been relatively eventful. She'd made a steady living there, met a fair share of entertaining people, and rooted herself pretty well, excluding her run-ins with the "law"(Gotei United). Still, she really wasn't the type to rest on her laurels. It was time to train. What to improve on? Cero, of course. All she had was a lame ass punch beam and bala.

For a lioness with her type of pride? She couldn't stand it. Right now, she's steadying her hand, firing, from her point of view, meager beams of energy that only scratch the surface of what she's capable of, knocking down a only a few slabs of stone. Hearing a voice from a presence she hadn't bothered to acknowledge at first, she turned around to face the person in question. Holy shit... he was pretty short. She's curious on why she's approached in particular, but she'll humor him anyway. Maybe it'll be entertaining. If not, she can tell him to scram.

"Trying to up my Cero Game, shortie. What's up? You here to fight or are you just enjoyin' the view?"

Blunt as always, shooting straight to the point of the matter.

"Nah, I'm not here to fight, I'm not really the type for that."

Klein didn't actually bother denying the second question, though, if only because it was fairly self-evident, and he could tell just by her way of speaking that she'd probably prefer a direct approach. He'd played things a little safer back with Lilynette, but that'd ended up almost biting him in the ass, so he wasn't gonna make that mistake again.

"If you're looking for learning about Cero, you probably oughta find a teacher. I don't think you'll really get too far if you're just trying it out on your own. Especially at that level."

It was the sort of offhanded comment that one could easily expect someone to make in earnest, but Klein wasn't the type to say anything without having thought it through first. He just wanted to see if she was as easily goaded as she seemed.

Heh. Well, wasn't he an honest brat? The offhanded comment doesn't faze her much, though. To be sure, she's no fool. Her ability to fire off Cero is painstakingly poor. He has a point. Target practice is only going to get her so far. Well, now he has her interest. He didn't bother to deny that second question, but if he really is here to admire the view. She isn't going to tell him to go away; his immediate presence hardly bothers her. It just meant he had good taste. The hand she'd aimed towards the stones was subsequently turned towards Klein as the leonine woman ruffled his hair.

"Keh... no kiddin'. That's easier said than done, though. Not a lot of arrancar are here to play the teacher role unless it'd benefit em'. Maybe, I'll just bite the bullet and look."

Placing a hand at her hip, she cants her head to the side, her head remaining atop his head as she leaned down to get a good view of him.

"Well then. If you're not here to fight, what are ya here for, shortie?"

She isn't so arrogant to say she expects the answer, but obviously he's hanging around her for one reason or another. It's up to him, though. He can play the coy game, or just spill the beans. She's playfully curious now. No doubt, one would consider that an ideal situation with her as opposed to her typical antics.

"I know a lady who might be helpful, if you're looking."

Of course, Klein's chipper attitude and general helpfulness was just his way of dangling a carrot on a stick. He was already getting just what he wanted here, and he allowed his smile to grow a bit as he enjoyed the pat on the head. Oughta give positive feedback and all that, right?

"Well, Hueco Mundo's not exactly an exciting place to be, you know. Mostly just sand. I figured coming by here to take in a pretty sight would be a better way to spend my time than trudging around getting my shoes dirty."

Flattery was a specialty of his, certainly, and when it worked, Klein was all too willing to double down on it. So far this was going well for him, and he wasn't the type to abandon what looked like a good catch.

"Is that so?"

This little guy is already stroking her interests. She wasn't one for seeking assistance, but if she could find someone who was willing and able for the right price... then she has little to complain about. Heh, he's certainly amusing so far. Throwing a compliment in to butter her up. Despite her bitchy exterior, she certainly respected a compliment just like any other woman would. Klein's already earning his stars. Question was, could he keep it up?

"Yeah, this place is a total bore outside. I can't exactly blame ya there. At the very least, you have a good tastes. Hope the view is provin' to be everything ya hoped for," she humored, stroking her fingers along his hair as she continued to pat his head. Heh, this one is interesting.

"What's your name, shortie?"

Were he a cat, Klein probably would have started purring at the feeling of her fingers through his hair, but he was thankful that nothing about him gave that much away. It'd be pretty inconvenient if he had to try and hide something that obvious, wouldn't it?

"The name's Klein. What should I call you? Don't think 'pretty lady' is gonna cut it all the time."

Klein was all too glad to look the way he did in situations like this. He could certainly get away with a lot of things that he was pretty sure he wouldn't ever get away with if he were bigger. A comment like that could easily come off much worse here in Hueco Mundo if he were bigger, stronger. But from a little guy like him?

Nothing to be afraid of.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips. For a little guy, he certainly had a way with words. Bold, too. Just how she likes it. He was making a fine impression. He'd caught her at a perfect time, truth be told. The training was a bust, but her mood was pretty mellow otherwise. He's a good diversion from boredom. All things considered, he was an amusing little guy to have around. A fine source of entertainment in this dull expanse of sand. Of course, Amaranta's more than aware he might have an ulterior motive. Nothing is ever free, especially not in a realm like this. Everyone had a price. She was simply wondering what his might be. She'd humor him for now, though. It certainly beats the fruitless endeavor she was engaging in moments ago.

"Amaranta. Nice to meetcha, Klein. You have good tastes, little guy."

A playful quip. Quite simply, if anyone found her attractive, they had good tastes. That's simply the way her mind worked. She'd worked pretty hard for a figure like this, to say nothing of her respective talents. As they say - if you got it, flaunt it. That's what she's all about. Leaning down, she'd playfully scratch his chin, posing a question in return, shooting straight to the point.

"Nothing's free, so what do you want in return, Klein? Pretty sure you didn't approach me just to butter me up."

"Hey, I never settle for anything but the best. Gotta look for the gems out here in the waste."

Klein gleefully leaned into the scratching under his chin, all the while thinking of how best to leverage his current position. Amaranta was certainly still more in control of the situation than Klein tended to like, so he wanted to fix that up as soon as he could, but rushing into it too quick was a terrible idea. Tricky, tricky.

"Well, for the record, buttering you up doesn't sound too bad if I picture it in my head, but I think a little one on one time sounds pretty nice, don't you? Hardly anyone worth hanging out with out here."

Despite the fact that he'd said it in such an innocent way, where he could easily just say he'd meant it completely casually, Klein had still thrown what he wanted right out into the open. Did he exactly expect to get it that easily? Not really. He imagined it'd probably be more work than that, but that was fine. He liked the feisty types.

Another chortle followed after he boldly set out his intentions. He could've clarified, but she's no idiot. His intent is as clear as day. On one hand, he does have one thing going for him. For a shortie, he's pretty easy on the eyes. In a word? Cute. Of course, the leonine woman was indeed every bit as fiery as her title. Feisty was only one way of describing it. Still, he has something she wants. Information on someone that could help her fix her issue. It's his leverage that makes this so tricky. Weighing the options, she could certainly ditch Klein and search for the woman herself. Yet, that could take longer than her impatient spirit might handle. On the other hand, he could be playing her like a fiddle. A possibility, to be sure, but only a conjecture at the moment. Decisions, decisions. She isn't typically one to give up the goods without someone earning it. Looking at him, she doesn't see anything resembling a fighter. He'd made that known the moment he approached her. As if handling a pet, she's stroking his chin while contemplating the particulars.

"Perhaps. Still, I ain't in the business of handin' out the goods to just anyone. Most would have to earn it through a fight, but you're no fighter. For one on one time, I'd at least want a certainty. Ya got a cute face, so that's one thing goin' for ya. But, what says you won't just make a break for it after you've had your fun, Klein~? I don't even have this lady's name yet. "

Despite the playful air, her blunt tone is still shining through. He genuinely could have a good time, and never be heard from again. People were simply underhanded like that, or sleazy. Whatever term one chose to attach to it, she supposed.