Hanako still felt iffy and nothing she did made it feel better. Sitting around was usually one of her favourite past times but as of this season she just couldn't stand it, it didn't itch the scratch in any sense of the word. Besides, the weather had taken a cooler turn and so lounging around on the beach wasn't nearly as fun or as comfortable as it used to be and she quickly found herself tossing and turning as though in a fitful dream. No one had told her as much but Hanako felt as though she ought to remain in the Armada, as though she was hiding a shameful secret, like her body was betraying her. But she was going stir crazy and she needed out, right now, even if only for a little while. Slipping beyond the borders she made her way north and soon came across a tempting site, rows of trees upon trees with branches heavy with apples.

Hanako licked her lips.

Tipping her head back she reared up onto her hind paws in an attempt to swat at the branch. She missed by quite a wide margin and let out a disappointed grumble as her ears flicked back. She tried again, this time full on leaping into the air, her body twisting as he reached out with her mouth to grab that perfectly red and succulent apple. And- oof, missed again. So close yet so far.

Once upon a time Tyrian had been an adept tree climber. He'd had a snow leopard companion almost since birth and she'd taken his claws as a sign he was meant for the trees so he'd spent any a day climbing to and fro in the Range's treetops. Sadly, it wasn't meant to be. He'd gotten heavier and wider than his companion would have liked and overtime his time in the trees had dwindled. Could he still climb? Yes, he could. Was he more likely to break a branch and fall on his face than dance over the limbs like he had as a pup? Yes. It was a shame, really, as once upon a time he'd loved it.

His time in the trees was on his mind as he wandered the Orchard. There were some hefty old ones in here that he'd loved to climb once upon a time. If he was feeling really nostalgic he was willing to bet he could find the one he'd carved symbols into as a little boy. But that was a memory trip for another time, Tyrian decided, as he spotted a familiar blotchy form. He watched quietly as Hanako eyed the apples overhead, curious to find out how she'd solve this particular problem. First she swatted at the lowest fruit and missed by a lot. The second time she leaped up after it and...also missed.

Tyrian chuckled, the sound no doubt giving him away. Wordlessly he moseyed over until he was standing below the offending apple. He wasn't sure he could reach it himself; a thought he confirmed when he stood up on his hind legs and reached up with a paw. His outstretched claws barely reached it. Hm. Tyrian spared no thought or glance for Hanako while he considered the apple she wanted. A little more reach and he could get it. He jumped and with a heavy paw swatted the apple free of the branch with ease. His claws skewered the apple and kept it from flying off and as all four paws touched down again he was careful not to squash it.

With a smirk he held the skewered apple up on an outstretched palm and glanced between it and Hanako. "A gentleman would hand this over," he observed before closing his paw around it and flipping it over so it was hidden from view. "But a tradesman would want something in return." Tyrian fixed her with an impish look. "Which one do you think I am?"

Hanako wondered whether it was worth looking for a long stick so she could poke the apple loose, only for it to be snatched from the branch before her very eyes.  She startled a little, clearly not very aware of her surroundings, as her gaze snapped to a familiar, if not charming fellow. Usually sweet as pie, Hanako felt a pinch of salt that he'd managed to swipe it down to easily, without even breaking a sweat. And more mortifying was that he'd no doubt seen her prancing around too, with all the grace of a chicken with clipped wings. Her cheeks flushed hot as her tail wagged in a friendly flurry behind her, they'd only met once but even so Hanako was already quite fond of his laid back demeanour. She didn't want to stroke his ego too much but he was one cool dude.

"Ha! If you're a gentleman then I'm a fish." She laughed, imagining herself with fins and flippers, but if anyone could pull off the look it'd be her. "What are you looking to trade hm? Name your price." She stated, oh so seriously, as though they discussing something as terse as interpack relations.

She shifted then; one of her many issues with her current state was the incessant need she felt to keep moving, to bounce on her paws or to rock her weight back and forth. And maybe she should have felt a little self conscious about...well everything, but she didn't, in fact she felt more than a little bold. You only lived once, right?

Tyrian could just barely make out the flush of Hanako's cheeks through her pale fur. The sight of it brought an impish smirk to his lips. He was a sucker for a blush. Now that he'd gotten one he couldn't just settle for it.. could he? One little blush all by its lonesome. Where there was one blush there was more. He just needed to dig them up. And by god he would. She looked good with a little color in her cheeks. To deprive her of that would be a shame. So, he decided, his efforts to entice more out of her were for her benefit. Or something. It sounded nice, anyway.

Even though it was exactly what he had been hoping for Tyrian feigned offense at her words and the firm rejection of the claim that he might have been a gentleman. He leaned back as through struck, his mouth agape, and clutched the apple to his chest. And then she had the audacity to try to make a deal with him. The nerve. Excellent.

Tyrian sniffed and then said in an affronted tone, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on there, Splotches. Maybe I don't want to do business with someone who would sully my name like that. All flippant and shit." He held the apple out again and looked at. "Maybe I should keep this delicious thing all to myself." He brought it to his chest again and then turned his attention back to Hanako. If she wanted this apple she was going to have to work for it.

Hanako spluttered, her cheeks flushing a healthy red. Splotches?! Now who did he think he was and why she oughta! Actually her coat was very unsplotchy, thank you very much! It was pretty and soft and many many other adjectives she couldn't quite think of right now. She eyed the apple with renewed interest as he held out the apple before her, as though goading her to reach out and grab it. Sure, it was  pretty tempting but Hanako wasn't a thief and she'd much prefer it if he gave it to her of his own free will. Besides, one look at him was enough to tell her that she'd be picking a battle she'd never be able to win. Which wasn't to say she thought he'd beat her up over an apple or anything but yanno, there was no use in putting that much effort into it when she could just bat her eye lashes and say pretty words. Shallow but true, Hanako knew where her strengths laid. That and she always enjoyed a bit of banter.

She pursed her lips together as she rocked forward on her paws, the blush still lingering.

"Oh. Well I can't stop you, even though apples are like...my most favourite thing ever. Aside from fish." And then she pouted, cause duh.

Tyrian hummed to himself and then squinted at Hanako as though trying to suss out her motives. Of course he knew what she was doing. It was obvious and that was where the fun lay, which was why he fully intended to flip it back on her and put the ball back in her court. If she wanted the apple so bad she was going to have to work harder to get it. He wouldn't give in so easy and if this was going to be a battle of words he'd go until he couldn't think of anymore tart things to say. "Mmm, what I'm hearing is I shouldn't take anything less than a top tier apology." He drummed his claws on the apples vibrant skin. "Since it means so much to you and all." ""

Hanako arched a brow as her pout faded some. See despite how moody she'd been as of late this was kinda nice, back and forth banter than ultimately didn't really amount to much. No lofty expectations or weight behind their words, just a mostly laid paid exchange with a juicy apple in the centre. If only he'd give it to her, dang it!

"Top tier apology?" She asked, a hint incredulous. So he wanted her to grovel a bit then, maybe even throw in some paw licking for good measure? Someone else might have found the prospect mortifying, having to stoop this low but Hanako didn't think much of it. She'd spent her whole life waiting to be given things, asking didn't seem to be too unreasonable. Tyrian's smug demeanour aside. Well alright, no harm in trying. "Oh please kind sir, please find it in your heart to forgive me. I most truly did not mean to offend you with my offhand comment, it was so very clearly off the mark. I was so beguiled by the apple I seem to have lost my way and senses for a moment."

Even with her pretty and prim mask in place she had a hard time muffling her giggle snort. Not at all ladylike but man...this was too much.

"Top tier apology?" His expression still wide eyed and innocent, Tyrian nodded emphatically. "Your best and brightest." That's right, little lady. He wanted her very best. It was only fair, right? She'd insulted him, he was owed or something. Oh heck. Tyrian's eyebrows shot up as Hanako actually did it. For a second he was suspicious as he waited for a punchline, but the slim veil of sarcasm was he got and that, honestly, was perfect. Though he really wanted to laugh Tyrian carefully schooled his expression into one of haughty approval as though he believed every word. There were cracks in his mask, though, and it was a struggle to maintain. "Well..." He deliberated for a second. "I suppose that will do." Without another word Tyrian held out the apple. It was tempting to snatch it back at the last second or chuck it away, but she had earned it so he may as well play nice and honor the deal. ""

He seemed surprised, like genuinely taken aback that she'd so willingly swallowed her pride for a mere apple. It wasn't such a big deal in her mind, a few words in exchange for something she wanted seemed like a fair trade. But then again she'd never really amounted herself to much anyway, even now in the state she was in people pleasing was what she did best. And it seemed to work like a charm, he was quick to smother his initial reaction and instead took up a look of seriousness, as though a very serious matter was afoot. See she liked this, her diplomat work often forced her to rub elbows with folks who took themselves entirely too seriously. Head held high, tail stiff and dominant as they stared her down, a delicate and harmless thing standing outside their borders. Overkill for sure but Hanako knew what people were like, they loved their posturing, to feel strong and worthy of whatever title they'd claimed.  Warlord, Spirit, King. It was all the same to her, power was power. And she liked it, always had and always would.

"You suppose?" She asked with a slight tip of her head, her pale ears flopping a little. She reached for the apple, brow raised. "You don't seem convinced."

She seemed hesitant to take it from him and truthfully her wariness wasn't misplaced. Had he felt like it Tyrian would have snatched it back at the last second and had a nice little chuckle about it too, but he was feeling generous at the moment so he was going to let her have it. After all, she had asked so very nicely. He shrugged. "Well, you did say they were your favorite, no? As nice as that apology was - and it was a very nice apology - I can't help but wonder if I'm getting the short end of the stick here." Tyrian sniffed and glanced up at the trees before looking back at Hanako. "I can't help but wonder: where's my apple?" Of course he wasn't talking actual apples here. ""

Hanako plucked the apple from him and ate it quickly and with as much grace as she could muster before he could snatch it back. She licked her lips, savouring the sweet taste that lingered upon her tongue and her gaze wandered to the tree branches that bowed above. Heavy with fruit. One didn't seem like enough, now that she'd had a taste she couldn't help but want more. She tossed the core aside and it landed with a thunk before rolling to a stop, food for the ants. But of course, she'd given him an inch and now Tyrian was asking for a mile. Something she wasn't entirely opposed to giving, to be honest. There were plenty of apples all around them, both green and red, and he'd shown earlier than he was more than capable of taking his pick. On getting what he wanted when he wanted it. But Hanako sensed that he wasn't talking about fruit anymore and that made her a touch...curious.

She followed his line of sight with a thoughtful hum.

"Where do you want it to be?" She asked, brazen and bold, not entirely like her. But she didn't mind, if anything she quite liked the fire that becoming a woman had stoked within her. Whatever that meant.

Though he was surprised by her answer the only sign of this Tyrian gave was tipping his head to the side slightly. After a beat and a moment to process her boldness, the corners of his mouth rose a little. The mild show of amusement did a poor job of accurately representing his reaction as inwardly he was both surprised and pleased and yes, amused. This was only the second time they had interacted but if his first impression was accurate, as cheeky as Hanako was, her boldness hide at least a touch of naivety. He found the mix of traits intriguing and had half a mind to poke and see what he could make of them. Tyrian moved to sweep by Hanako with a thoughtful hum. His movements weren't particularly careful and he was deliberately trying to invade her space so if he brushed her side or accidentally tapped her with his tail in passing, oops. If she didn't move he would cut around behind her and stop to look up at the apple tree behind the one he'd plucked Hanako's apple from. There was nothing special about it, but looking up at it and the clear blue sky shining between its leaves gave him a moment to strategize. By chance his eyes fell upon an apple that hung within reach. All he had to do was lean up and grab it - which he did. With his prize in his jaws Tyrian then slipped up beside Hanako and lay down cattycorner to her. He pinched the apple between his paws, took a small bite and then peeked cheekily up at her. He had an apple, they weren't talking about apples, so... "Where do I want...what?" he asked innocently, his tone at odds with his expression. ""