[D8, ME, Closed] Awful singing as the sun sets.

[Bayushi Hinata]

"Then I'm afraid I'll have to steal something else from you." He squeezed her gently as she took a sip of her wine. He seems to have a new cologne, it lingers on her after he pulls away.

"I think you're just self aware. In a good way I mean, you're looking to improve yourself, learn more. It's charming, I'd rather you don't apologies about that to me." He gave her a soft smile, then a pout as she proceeds to reject the offer of his secrets.

"Lemon, strawberries, rum, a bit of a callback to our first real encounter. It felt appropriate." He quickly turns into a welcoming smile before inputting another son with the remote.

"I think I have just the type of song for your voice... I might even mean a few things by it."

The speakers start with a lone acoustic guitar...

[Susumu Sumiko]

Sumiko put the glass down, then looked back to Hinata with a smirk.

"Stealing would imply it's something I'm not willing to give wouldn't it Hinata-kun? Far too early in the night to worry about secrets and stealing. Although if you continue with drinks like this it might not be a long night after all" there was a laugh as she picked the mic back up.

She listened to the initial opening, then said "oh I know this one" before she started to sing. This suited her voice more, and she was able to perform it quite well.

[Bayushi Hinata]

"I'm stopping on the drinks after these myself. I'm a bit of a lightweight, this is more than enough for the likes of me."

He set down his drink to accompany Sumi's singing. As the song picks up pace there is a moment where he turns slightly to look at her. Is it her voice? Is it the song? Is is the peace that seeps into him when he's with her? For that instant he doesn't sing, he can only look at Sumiko, savouring the moment before rejoining with a smile.

With the song over he leans back, he offers a spot under his arm for her to slide up against him.

"I'd rather take what you're willing to give. Truth is I make a lousy scorpion in that regard." He chuckled, a soft exhale as he lets his body relax.

"I've grown quite fond of you Sumiko-chan. You're terribly enchanting." His hand goes to her forearm, lifting the wrist with her tattoo on it. "Dedicated, smart, cunning and..." He doesn't finish the thought, lost in the haze of her perfume.

"I have nowhere else to be until morning. Would you stay with me tonight?"

[Susumu Sumiko]

Sumiko took a moment to catch her breath after the song again, leaning back into Hinata and picking up her wine.

"Or you're a good Scorpion, your clan is quite famous for their acting talent after all" Sumiko said with a small chuckle, looking up at the guy as he continued. She let him lift her hand, her gaze staying on his face as he looked at her tattoo. There was a small tilt of the head at his question though.

"I'm not sure we can stay here all night Hinata-kun" she replied, before smiling "however I would be happy to stay with you. I don't generally stay with someone on a first date though if you get my meaning. Also that tattoo has a meaning to it beyond the Jade if you want to know the story. It needed to, as it hurt like crazy having it done."

[Bayushi Hinata]

He lets out a soft chuckle at her answer, eyes affixed to the painful injection of jade into her delicate skin. "I didn't mean it like that. Entirely..." He let go of her arm, settling into their casual embrace, pulling her closer.

"I'd love to hear it, the full story. I guess it's one of those secrets I don't need to steak from you." He squeezed her against himself, lovingly cuddling on the room's couch. "Maybe we'll make another story later, it's only fair neh? A story for a story?"

[Susumu Sumiko]

"It's not a secret don't worry Hinata-kun" Sumiko chuckled "I designed it myself. When I was a child in my parents home still, I remember looking out of the window on a really stormy day and seeing a group of small spiders working together to create a web."

She looked down at the tattoo with a smile.

"It reminded me that even when people are untrusted, or unwanted, they can still find union and kinship among friends."

[Bayushi Hinata]

"I understand..." It is in the nature of man to pity those who suffer for no fault of their own. It is also in the nature of man to admire those with the stregth to carry on regardless. A hand goes to trace his thumb over the design, his skin warm, the heat lingering even after he's moved on to her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Your family. You haven't told me of them, not that I have asked." He looks into her eyes, the cold blue almost refreshing like spring breeze. "I wouldn't much know what to expect of someone growing up among the Spider. I guess it serves to prove the importance of your design's message. Would you give me more tales from your home?"

[Susumu Sumiko]

"Growing up in the Spider...I suppose the best way to word it would be competition all the time. One needs to prove themselves at all times. I don't really speak of my family because there's little to say though Hinata-kun. My parents are both Spider, neither wanted children and just had one due to duty then never again. So there's little in the way to really talk about beyond they serve the clan and I sometimes see them when I return to Whispers."

There was a small shrug.

"I don't dislike them, I just understand the situation. It may sound cold but when I say the Spider is about competition it very much is. Any disadvantage can be attributed to weakness unless you can prove otherwise, such as my height making me a poor warrior but my intelligence benefiting me as a scholar."

[Bayushi Hinata]

"It sounds harsh. But I think I understand, it's not like competition is't an integral part of being Samurai." He lets his gaze go to the ceiling.

"I come from a much gentler background I guess. My parents very much love each other, met at the Topaz, fell in love by the end. Traveled together and... Well enter stage left, Bayushi Hinata. Their perfect excuse to finally tie the knot I guess." He chuckles, it is almost out of pillow books.

"Three years later, enter stage right, Bayushi Hana. And... Well I think you can see the effects of such a life."

[Susumu Sumiko]

"That sounds romantic, meeting in such a prestigious competition and the thrill of combat becomes blessed with Bentens gaze and lead to marriage and two children. I'm sure there's plenty of competition in a household built from that foundation though" Sumiko smiled as she picked up her glass of wine again "a little sister too, I hear sibling rivalry is a huge thing."

[Bayushi Hinata]

"Not anymore! Not after she gets all the autographs and merch I got her. She'll swear off our family inheritance for Kakita Hiroki's and Yasuki Umiko's signatures." He smiles brightly. "I've never much felt like me and Hana compete all that much anyway. Father made sure we played as a team. Mother says he always was like that when they were younger."

He pushes her glass into his mouth, taking a sip before returning the glass with a playful smile. "Why thank you I was getting thirsty."

[Susumu Sumiko]

"So bribery works? Good to know, maybe I should reach out to some friends" Sumiko replied with a chuckle "your growing up sounds nice though. Calm, welcoming, friendly. It couldn't be more different to mine."

There was a frown as her drink was taken, before she shook her head.

"You really really want to share a drink with me don't you Hinata-kun" she finally sipped her drink

[Bayushi Hinata]

"I am aware I'm from a gentler environment than most. It's not like I can pretend to be anyone different. Acting and Deceit only gets one so far in that regard."

There's a soft chuckle. "Sorry. I may have gotten too brazen. But I do want share many things with you Sumi-chan. A drink, a song, a kiss, a night..."

He drew closer, looking into her eyes, she can feel his breath on her lips, but he doesn't meet them this time. "I want to share as much as you'll let me." He remains there, as close as one can get without feeling each other's skin. His eyes lidded halfway looking into hers.

"As much as you give. I will give back of me."

[Susumu Sumiko]

"I don't think your environment is too unusual Hinata-kun. It's just not Spider environments" Sumiko gave the man a smile "so don't feel bad for having a better upbringing than me, or having a closer family than I do. I don't think I turned out so bad for the world I grew up in, right?"

Then he leaned in, and made his statements. She met his gaze with her own warm one, her smile staying in place.

"In time I might ask what you mean by that Hinata-kun, but not tonight. Tonight is getting to know one another better right? And singing terrible songs with good alcohol."

[Bayushi Hinata]

"I think you turned out wonderfully." The smile stayed with every word, dripping with warmth.

"It is. We've sung songs, we've drank some good quality alcohol. I think I want my drink from somewhere else though..." He closed the remaining distance slowly. Lips gently pressing against hers, yet unlike the prior day he didn't pull away. His breathing evened out over her, arms holding her tightly, as of he was afraid of letting the moment go.

He lingers on her, sharing his warmth, the taste of his lips, an embrace that feels like an eternity comes to a end like so many other things the Scorpion did. Softly he pulled away, opening his eyes to look into hers with a smile on his face.

"Wanna pick our next song? Or did I give you an idea on how to pass the time getting to know each other?"

[Susumu Sumiko]

Sumiko didn't get a chance to reply before he had closed the distance, her eyes closing and wrapping arms around his neck as she kissed him back. Holding him close until he finally moved away. It took her a moment before she opened her eyes, her face slightly flustered.

"Uh...hai, I can do that" she said as she slowly released him, moving to grab the controls again and flicked through the songs. A small 'hmm' escaped, as she found a song that wasn't as well known but she remembered it from years ago.

"Didn't expect to find that one here" she commented with a small chuckle as she picked up her mic "not sure I can do this justice but let's hope I'm not too bad."

She seemed to put more effort into this song at least, and it showed. Another song she also didn't look at the screen while singing though, looking at Hinata instead.

[Bayushi Hinata]

Hinata smiles her way as she pulls away, sitting back up as she selects the song. He leans forward to take the daikiri and the mic, paying close attention to her selection. This one he didn't know at all. The speed actually catching him off guard.

He absolutely struggles to keep up with the lyrics, especially the rap sections. Halfway through the song he gives her a sheepish expression. A flush on his features as he embarasses himself after playing it so cool and seductive when he kissed her. He takes advantage of the interludes to look at Sumi apologetically for ruining a song she liked.

Once it's over he takes a deep breath. "Sorry that one's- I wasn't familiar with it. And I had looked so cool just a moment ago!"

[Susumu Sumiko]

Sumiko shook her head and smiled.

"The song is over five years old, I don't think anyone knows it. I don't think the singer did anything of note after, so it's one of those songs that only people that heard it back then still remember it. It's a Phoenix song if I remember right."

She reached over and poked his nose, adding "and you're still cool, don't worry" with a wink before handing him the remote.

"I need a drink, can we order some water?"