Tea Garden [ Duske, Oriko ] closed.

[Oriko Mikuni]

Tock tick tock...

The ticking of her pocket watch hardly annoyed her, instead it illuminates a calmness inside the young woman. She set it on the table, crossing her legs and lifting her tea to her lips. Oriko lets her eyes fall shut as she takes in the scent.

Hm, pineapple today.

Still, she doesn't take a drink. A small frown of disappointment graced her features as the clock ticked signaling another minute. She only sips when she hears the distant sound of footsteps approaching, and the door to her garden sliding open.

"You're late, General," is how she greets him. She gestures to the vacant seat in front of her. "Please, before your tea gets cold."

[Duske Hasekura]

The soles of his shoes scrapped across the cobblestone as he made his way towards his Commander. He was in his casual outfit: a dressy top and some slacks. This sort of meeting in the garden was common for Duske and the dictator causing formalities to be more lax than usual.

Taking the seat next to Oriko he slowly raised his teacup in front of him, taking small sips from the expensive china. "My apologies Oriko, I will try not to be late for an appointment with you again." His smile resembled more of a smirk with a hint of teasing rather than a sincere apology for his tardiness.

What would the discussion be about today? Politics? War strategies? Beating around the bush with pop culture? Duske could not wait to hear what his superior called him out for this time around.

[Oriko Mikuni]

"I don't appreciate the sarcasm you give me, General." she replies smoothly, setting the cup down and closing her watch.

"You like pineapple, don't you?" she asks lightly, mimicking his taunting smirk. "I have a new assignment for you. These types of missions I would usually give to Kirika, but..." she smiles fondly, mentioning her good friend. "I wouldn't want to disrupt her rest."

She hands him a small blue envelope sealed tightly. "It's come to my attention that one of our trainee's failed to complete a task, and she is now wondering around with thoughts of rebellion. At this rate, her despair will eat her before her atrocious thoughts do."

She gives him a look, her eyes hold a glint to them giving a silent understanding between the two.

[Duske Hasekura]

Duske's smirk slowly formed into a tight line upon the question. Replying he said, "Pineapple would not be my first choice of flavors..."

Duske had to admit he did feel a tinge of jealousy toward the sleeping black haired girl. Being able to be so close to Oriko due to their relationship status, while Oriko still kept a reasonable distance from Duske. He quickly pushed the jealousy down, that feeling was completely worthless to him now. He was as close to Oriko as he was going to get.

Tearing the envelope open, Duske quickly read it and tore it up on the table. "Understood Madam. I'll eliminate the nuisance." This wasn't the first time Duske got dirty work like this, but it wasn't a common occurrence either. He curiously asked, "How many does it make this month? You know rebellion is starting to rise in our trainees." Duske didn't mind really. The less people running around turning into witches the better.

[Oriko Mikuni]

"Oh, that's too bad. I'm sure someone such as yourself wouldn't be as rude as to let it all go to waste, though..." Her dark green eyes bore into Duske, awaiting his taste of her fine pineapple tea.

"That information isn't any use to you, General." the reply is short and stern, not missing a beat.

[Duske Hasekura]

Hm, not an answer he wasn't expecting. Duske chugged down the rest of the tea in three painful gulps and said, "Tea prepared by someone of your status? If I'm ready to be killed I'd let it go to waste." Leaving the hint of sarcasm in his words for Oriko to hear.

"I suppose it's not." But then again, who did Oriko really trust with too much information? The annoying feelings racked his brain again. The desire to have Oriko's full trust was frustrating and yet comforting at the same time. It gave him a motive to do better...a motive and reason to justify all he's done. A selfish weak one, but a reason nonetheless. If his audience occupied other people, he may have given a dry laugh at his own thoughts but he knew better in front of Oriko.

Constantly pushing the envelope with Oriko was something Duske enjoyed doing, and if Oriko valued him enough to be a general that was enough for him. [/size]

[Oriko Mikuni]

"Oh, I didn't prepare it."

Oriko lets a small moment of silence fall between them, her words going stale and hanging in the air. like a noose tightened before suicide

[Duske Hasekura]

An awkward silence settled between the two. Duske slowly pushed to tea set away from himself. He felt absolutely disgusted for downing that distasteful drink for no reason. He got up from his seat looking down at Oriko.

"I think I'll be taking my leave now." He pushed his overly decorated chair under the table and turned around to walk out. Speaking over his shoulder he said, "I'll be looking forward to more desirable tea next time, Oriko."[/size]