There just had to be a fire pun in the title. Dammit author. Anyway, Raion had a crazy idea that she wanted me to do. She wanted to go shopping somewhere other than the mall, specifically to get in touch with the campus. Promote the businesses maybe? She was campaigning after all, so she was guaranteed to be visiting a bunch of places on campus.

So she had decided to done her best looking outfit of Spica colors and take to the market, representing her school proudly and making sure to stop at every stall she could.

However, there was another situation that called her attention. Something of personal value. She was going to be on a date. Well... Sort of. You'll see.

After a decent amount of time at maybe two stalls, she wound up buying something she thought her date would enjoy. And it would be given when her date arrived. But date or no, she was here to promote her leadership.

Sasumi Sanzo was not used to being called out for a date. You simply didn't ask Papillon Rebelle out on one unless you had the courage of a lion; oddly that remark was oddly fitting. Somewhere in the Astraea Market was her 'date', the one and only Lion d'Icendie, whom she'd been told would be awaiting for their outing. A good number of girls at Vincennes would have fainted at the thought of the rivals dating, and certainly they would have created a good amount of doujinshi or artwork of it. This 'date' was a part of the favor which the nefarious English girl had called in after winning the challenge set down by Sasu at the mall. As such Sasu hadn't asked many questions about the instructions she'd been given - a woman knew when to take her lumps.

That being said she was still pretty sharp in her button-up shirt with a red tie, khaki slacks and her pageboy cap. To hide her figure a bit she wore a lightweight brown jacket over the shirt. With her hair back in a low ponytail the girly girl had transformed back into the rebellious prince who'd set hearts aflutter at Vincennes. All in the name of making a good show of things? Sasu shook her head as she strolled past still more storefronts full of adorable goods. Not quite the place a prince would be shopping, but that had been Ms. Miller's idea. All Sasu could do was play up her role and challenge Raion to live up to appearances as well.

Once she spotted a notable head of fiery hair, Sasu strolled over with a confident grin on her face. As she neared Raion she called out, "Lion d'Icendie, 'tis been too long! A pleasure to meet your acquaintance on this fine day.. I didn't keep you waiting too long, did I?" As she said this she held out her arm for the redhead to link with in order to keep the illusion going.

Ah... And so here it began. This was the start of her newest endeavor to Forge her own future. A carefully crafted lie to preserve her independence, and one she wasn't against at all. Still, she had always been proper. Her best idea was to at this stage continue such behavior while also keeping her leaderly appearance for her fellow students to see.

"Ah, non, non." she lightly shook her head, barely making her hair dance. "I've just arrived as well and found this for you."

A token of affection of sorts. She linked arms as her face brightened ever so slightly. She would duck her head to. Hide this, and in her opposite hand she passed a small box as if passing notes in class. Inside it was a tiny hand crafted charm bracelet. Nothing otherwise offer site, simply a gesture to keep. The illusion.

"And how fares my Papillon Rebelle?"

As any respectable prince would, Sasu eased her pace to a calm stroll while her 'date' responded to her greeting. You simply did not rush the lady you had come to meet, to regale with your company. A prince of the people always made their people feel as if she had all the time in the world for them. Nothing was going to rush her. The rest of the world had time for them, or it would just have to learn to make that time. As she lapsed back into full-on Prince Mode Sasu's posture straightened, her strides grew slightly wider and she put on a knavish smirk that promised trouble as well as affection. It was the same sort of rebellious pretty boy act which had inadvertently won her a small group of fangirls.

"A gift from my dear Lion d'Icendie? You honor me by the thought alone.. the gesture of a gift humbles me, my dear," Sasu responded with a nod of her head. She accepted the gift and peeked inside. Without pulling it out - she had to keep the mystery up! - she closed the box and widened her grin, "We'll have to use this later for both our enjoyment.."

Then she looked deep into Raion's eyes and, with a look that challenged the redhead to stay in character, added, "Every moment that I do not get to spend in your company I am thinking of you. I fare well knowing that you keep me in your heart. Such knowledge emboldens me to challenge any who would deny our happiness."

There was a spark of challenge in her eyes, knowing full well that every word was laced with the fight. A fight she was more than willing to take part in.

"My dear, I couldn't be who I am without you. You're every pit as important to my core as my family,perhaps even more so."

As she spoke the words, she gripped Samus hands and held them to her heart.

"Right here. You're always right here."

And as if to up the antenna, she delivered a kiss on the cheek to her prince. She would not be bested on this day! Hers was the brightest flame of all, and no rival, especially a Miator, would defeat her burning pride.

They continued along their walk once again, Raion making sure to remain in step but also shorten her own as if to simulate a smaller step in general. A more ladylike way of approaching. Vincennes taught her well the ways of womanhood. Of being a proper lady of France.

"Please, regail me with your day's history. I'm dying to know."

When you laid down the gauntlet with Lion d'Icendie, she didn't mess around. Sasumi would have expected nothing less than the redhead's absolute most in this dire situation. It was still a little weird that she'd move Sasu's hand to kind of, sort of fondle her chest. After a moment the rebel incarnate realized what she was doing and it wasn't so weird. Quite dramatic instead of weird, which meant that she needed to up her game. The gallant rogue that she was, Sasu squeezed the redhead's hand and looked intently into the girl's eyes. For all the world it would've looked like she was getting lost in those eyes. Really she was more concerned with the fact that her hat was getting a little ratty. Probably time to repair or replace it lest it get too shabby even for a common-born prince. Being kissed on the cheek just made her slip her arm tighter around the girl's waist, drawing her closer.

She grinned and replied, "It's been a rather unremarkable morning, my dear. Breakfast was a rather simple meal of ham, cheese eggs on that new bread you introduced me to. I rather appreciate the gesture, it brings out the flavor of the ingredients. All morning I thought of nothing but you though.. imagining you in by arms, proud as ever. I must say that those imagined moments were nowhere near as beautiful this moment is."

Sasu raised the stakes and leaned over to kiss Raion's cheek, "Forgive me, I could not help myself. Chalk it up to my rebellious nature."

There were few times in her life when Raion had felt defeated and helpless. The time she had met Tora. The time she had lost to Valkyr at the Crusades. The time she had to concede to Tori in the movie theater.

This was not one of those times.

Rather than flinch, or stammer, or any other behavior a weaker willed girl would likely display in her shoes, Raion held her gaze intently. She wouldn't dare look away from those eyes, not even for a moment. Every word was digested with purpose, and her gears had already begun working to formulate another way to play at this by the time the word cheese had been thrown in. As if defiant of all natural process, Raion had gone for more flair than before. One of them would cave and feel uncomfortable eventually, and she wasn't going to let it be her.

She has, however, probably forgotten the real purpose of the show they were putting on in favor of chasing personal glory.

As she listened, she wrapped her arms around Sas's neck and let them hang behind her, now putting all of her weight into Sasu's grip and hoping the princely figure could handle it. At the conclusion of the story, she had already begun twirling Sasu's hair between her fingers playfully.

"It's as I said, you really can't beat a French baker for breads." she giggled almost childishly, knowing that someone else would greatly disagree with her and having a personal laugh at that thought. Tori getting all huffy at the mention of French superiority was adorable.

"Ah, but just think. We have as many of these moments as we do seconds in the day." she she closed her eyes and decided to take back her weight again, shifting to lean into Sasu and rest her head against her chest. "And as many days as there are left in our lives. It's a perfect schedule, don't you think?"