This is more fun then I thought. [Finished]

Challenging wasn't a good enough word for what Gensho was putting up with all for a promise to the others. Hell, everyone else was already at the point of telling Gensho to just give it up now before Yume's pranks got more serious. But Gensho persisted. He was used to pranks, sure he was more used to being the one to prank, and not the one receiving them, but all of this was harmless. Apart from the burning Gensho's head to try and make him bald, making Gensho squeal one way or another, or burning his clothes. And the latter really tore Gensho every time. He'd learnt now not to turn up in his favourite outfits, only praying Yume wasn't so full-blown in her pranks to find Gensho's house and his stash of the most precious articles of clothing to burn. He just hoped she wasn't that evil, although he was pretty sure it was a pointless thing to hope for. Gensho stretched his arms a bit during the flight, trying to mentally prepare himself for today. Putting his usual smile one, even though he knew it had no effect on Yume, Gensho landed near the house, looking around carefully before walking towards it. He'd noticed clues in the past to some of Yume's pranks so he could avoid them, and most were placed outside around where Gensho landed. But it looked clear today, which didn't bode well when Gensho thought about it. It just meant there would be traps placed elsewhere. Still, he'd not let it deter him, as usual, and so the Demon continued up to the door, knocking a few times. "Good afternoon, Yume. The usual guest is here." Gensho called inside, tense from the moment he spoke, knowing from now until his leave, Gensho couldn't be off guard. 

Gensho took a deep breath. Yes, he knew the door was always open, since Yume's only visitor was a predicted one. But Gensho was a Gentleman, no matter whose door he was at, he needed to knock. After all, whoever was inside might not be decent, and for a Gentleman to waltz in during such a time was very rude. It wasn't something Gensho would risk, no matter who he was visiting. Carefully opening the door, looking subtly all around it as he opened it, Gensho finally stepped inside to bow his head slightly to Yume. "Forgive me, it's a force of habit to knock." Gensho finally replied, scouting out the inside of the house for any signs of danger. But spotting the tea, and smelling that sweet flavour, Gensho found himself relaxing down, if only a bit. It would be nice, and probably impossible, for this meeting to just be tea and talk for once. Though Gensho doubted Yume didn't have at least one prank prepared today. Gensho looked down at the chair before eventually sitting down, judging that it looked safe. The tea was his major concern. But first Gensho smiled to reply to Yume. "A few people, actually. That last prank made my brother more concerned than usual, but he knew better than to ask me to give up. The others, well, they all know telling me won't get anywhere." Gensho answered, picking up the cup. He smelled the top curiously, swishing around the tea inside. "Fire is your only interest, correct? Not a fan of poison I hope?" Gensho joked with a smile, though he acted as if it was a joke, when Gensho was serious with his question. 

Gensho felt a little sorry for messing up Yume's schedule. But his visits were her fault for refusing to even help, so Gensho didn't feel that bad. Though he didn't know Yume's interest beyond the scary ones lied in books, if she was being truthful, then maybe that might be on the list of possible gifts Gensho could think of. Gensho smiled, "Oh, they could never force me to stop. They all know too well that nothing stops me from doing something I want to do." Gensho replied, watching Yume take a sip before finally giving in and trying it himself. He did almost choke when Yume didn't confirm that she didn't dwell into poisons, but Gensho could taste no difference to the otherwise delicious tea. So he took a few more sips, wondering if not the tea, then just what was Yume planning. Gensho hummed a little, trying not to show the fact he was on edge. "No leads other than more reported deaths. It would be much better if we knew where to look. But I know, the only way to figure that out is with a certain someone's help." Gensho replied. He was beyond the point of asking directly for help, since Yume's reaction was usually the same, and usually painful. So the Demon asked discretely, hoping it didn't anger Yume as much. 

Gensho coughed a bit to clear his throat of the last remains of tea, taking a few more sips now that he was certain it was safe. Yume wouldn't kill Gensho anyway. Sure she'd scare him beyond recovery sometimes, but it was all fun for her. Killing off that source of fun wasn't something Gensho thought of Yume to do. The Demon smiled back to Yume, "If I refuse to 'learn' then the others won't either." Gensho replied, crossing one leg over the other as he felt his body relax a bit more. However, there was a turn to tension as Yume saw through Gensho's, perhaps not so subtle, hint at her helping. Taking a deep breath, Gensho took another consulting sip of tea before replying. "Because there is no one else out there with the right powers, Yume. You're our only chance, can't you see that?" Gensho answered, no longer subtle as he was just desperate for Yume to see some sense for once. Gensho was annoyed, he was annoyed after every excuse made by Yume. But no Gentleman like the Demon would show his annoyance, he was trained to always keep it well hidden. Yume keeping her annoyance hidden, well that was impossible, as Gensho would probably discover once again. 

Gensho blinked to relieve some of his tension, especially noticing how Yume seemed to smile each time Gensho got even slightly annoyed. It just meant that annoying him was her goal, and Gensho didn't want her to get that goal as far as he could help it. Yume wasn't helping herself by giving Gensho tea, any Demon like Gensho was easily calmed by the warm beverage, and so a few more sips got Gensho's heart-rate back to it's normal state once more. Gensho's head shook slightly. "Yume the situation is already dire. I believe I know you enough by now, to say that you can only make the situation better, not worse." Gensho replied with as good a smile as he could give. He thought he'd heard a hiss of something as he also placed his cup down when Yume did, but she began talking again and it got Gensho's interest back to her. Gensho didn't forget how certain magic were connected the life forces of those who used them. Gensho's magic was the same. Although Night Magic was very passive, it could still be used to some extremes that would put Gensho in danger. So perhaps Yume didn't want to help because she didn't want to get herself hurt, which as selfish as it was, Gensho understood. And no one would ever ask Yume to push limits if she chose to help. The bare minimum, even that was something the others and Gensho would be happy to work with. And Gensho was about to answer with something of the sorts before his time in this meeting ran out. It was made apparent by the heat erupting from where Gensho sat. It took a few seconds of the heat to gather around Gensho's lower back, and then cover his legs for the Demon to finally react. But even jumping up in surprise and in pain from the flames didn't help. Already they'd spread across the lower half of Gensho's clothes, eating everything they could. If these flames were controlled by Yume, then they were sparing no mercy for Gensho's trousers, and soon the pair Gensho wore were engulfed completely. Decency was impossible now, so Gensho could only do on thing, remove his hat and cover himself with it. Seeing as this was the best he could do, and it already had Gensho beyond his limits of keeping calm, the Demon was soon rushing out the door and away. A tiny part of him, beyond the most of Gensho that was overflowing with embarrassment right now, did feel a little bad for leaving unannounced, but the Demon knew Yume wouldn't care. And as he ran off, Gensho understood what Yume meant; it really was chilly outside.


Note: Time skip to next bit? 

The strain really was beginning to get to Gensho. It wasn't uncommon for every look everyone else gave him to be one of pity. He couldn't count how many times the others had told him to give up already, but Gensho would keep going. He still had a few pairs of trousers left, and fortunately Yume hadn't tried a trick like that in a while now. In fact, it seemed like Yume was starting to fall into a pattern with her pranks, almost to the point when Gensho could survive through them without having to run away. He'd taken this, obviously, to mean that their meetings were getting somewhere. If he was taking it wrong, then oh well, the poor guy was suffering pretty bad already. Everything to Gensho now was looked at with a desperation, any hint of Yume beginning to warm to him was cherished. And today, perhaps Gensho's hard work was finally being paid to him. Although, the Demon found it awfully strange. Yume was being, flattering, flirtatious, and overall kind to Gensho today. It had been obvious that this was all a trick to begin with, but Gensho found himself doubting that conclusion of his. He had to think a little. Since, he was Gensho, brother to the biggest flirt the world had seen, and apprentice to Onrah's well known skill. Perhaps Gensho's natural charm had finally been enough to get a reaction from Yume, and she was just being outright about her feelings for him. His face remained a little cautious, but Gensho was smiling as well as Yume pulled him along. It was nice to see a smile like that from Yume. She never smiled sweetly, and it suited her now that Gensho had seen what one of the rare Yume smiles looked like. He was trying his hardest not to seem 'wooed' by Yume's words, though the Demons cheeks did perhaps redden a bit. "Will I... like this reward?" Gensho asked carefully as he tried keeping up.

The way Yume talked, it should be obvious that she was playing a game here with Gensho, but the Demon had a fatal flaw. His need to forgive constantly meant that he gave others the benefit of the doubt, perhaps this really was the real Yume. If it was, then remaining in disbelief and visibly showing so would be cruel on his part, and very un-Gentlemanly. So he nodded, smiling sweetly. "It was fine. I don't hold grudges, anything in the past is in the past now." Gensho replied, and he was honest about it. Even if Yume was looking for forgiveness right now, she would have already been forgiven in Gensho's books. Gensho discovered what Yume meant about these fireflies, they reminded Gensho of his job. The beautiful night sky, full of stars that scattered across it. Whereas, at this lake, the fireflies were like moving stars, alive and yet still beautifully vibrant. Gensho hummed, "I can see why, it is amazing, I might need to get some pointers on my job, from those fireflies I think." Gensho jested a little, watching the sight for a bit. His eyes moved cautiously to Yume, wondering if this really was all a joke still. But how could it be? She sounded as sincere as Gensho could assume Yume could sound. And she'd not lied about this sight with the fireflies. So perhaps, there was some truth to Yume today. And Gensho couldn't refuse trusting her forever, that would get him no where in a number of his goals. So he shuffled forward a bit, swallowing down concerns and smiling slightly. "And what would this reward be?"