Sleepless streets were toured by a lonesome rider. Behind 'his' heavy steps, the echo of grunts scattered like flower petals the tribute for a passing tyrant. Neon lights blinked, rats escaped the scene of bodies falling onto their own waste; the victory fanfare for the standing—

"That's not 'my' Kasumi."

She wouldn't even come to realize the genuine smile that'd be on her face as she stared fondly at the gift handcrafted for her alone.

almost like a final caress from her calloused hands. Kasumi's knight was satisfied.

succeeded and that was all she needed as a gift for herself in this special day. That smile, now burned into her retina, was enough to invite her own as she turned to continue on with her day. The breeze that stroked her hair wouldn't be a stranger to make Kasumi's hair sway,—

put between them by the decree of a still-blindfolded beauty, Akira fell not on her knees, but on her soles with earth-shaking firmness; no matter how much she was shoved away, she would push onward. She would challenge the current that attempted to drown her. Right then, she'd—

day, she would help the Orchidean Princess be more honest with herself, until nothing was left to hide between their hearts. Challenging though it proved to be by the refusal of her very hand, that which surged with enticing power that made her soar along with the wind. Distance—

For as long as her heart beat, she would work to show her puppeteer the value of her heart, her soul. Everything about Kasumi was cherished– from the strings that manipulated her to the dove spreading its pink-colored wings for their appreciation for one another to bloom. One—

purity, that which only their chains of red could give them.

with a step; initially, his kiss found the forehead of the princess, cherishing her innocence sooner than her charm. Expectant that would briefly confuse Kasumi, he finished his trail by pressing himself against lips only he was worthy of claiming. Women of sin indulged in—

herself the way Akira did– through eyes that'd learned to soften for his greatest thorn. His hand trailed down to a neck teased with the strokes of his fingers, testing the mutual trust both had developed for one another. His caress then fell onto a shoulder as he approached—

"I won't accept that until I'm proved wrong." Unless Kasumi's bloody blade spilled his crimson, then he would remain a starry-eyed fool believing that the sinful orchid deserved liberation sooner than a caged bird did. He was hopeful that, one day, the princess would see—

she always was so soft, no matter where her rugged hands caressed. If she was cute, her appointed shadow was even more in the eyes of the black-clad fool, staring at the visage of her crimson treasure with eyes that only softened for Kasumi alone.

her delicate touch, but that'd been the unsaid mission she fought for despite her own shortcomings– a prince and a knight Akira had become for someone who'd once chased after her blood. "And yet, I have 'her' right here." She whispered, trailing her thumb across Kasumi's cheek,—

self-imposed darkness, give her a purpose beyond what was written by circumstances she'd been ignorant of. Perhaps Akira was no better given her duties as Gedo's Reaper and both had plenty to work on to reach the light no one deserved more than the Orchidean Princess receiving—

Kasumi's gaze briefly lacked the cold edge present even while they were together, as of late, it was as if it could be replaced by a wondrous shine telling of her own 'purity', no matter how fleeting. Little by little, Akira wanted to make her princess raise from her—

with a chibi Kasumi sculpted with fondant holding a helmeted chibi Akira's hand; both lied atop cherry-flavored buttercream colored with green to simulate grass adorned with heart-shaped sprinkles. "Happy Valentine's, princess."

Akira turned as the regal orchid appeared behind her. Appreciating the trust that made the blood-stained flower close her eyes for the reaper, she first reached for a hand and gave a kiss to its knuckles. "I hope you like it." Before setting a mini cake on the open palm– one—

She would chastise that as soon as Kasumi got closer. "I'm waiting."

"No. I would go to you and trap you in my arms."

"Come, @Oborofutae."