Gabby was constantly hesitating on whether to go out of her room to meet her or not. Red however, was patiently waiting for her, already 20 minutes late from the appointed time.
With a final look at the mirror, she finally had the courage to get out. Successfully putting in her white winter coat and brown boots, complete with her gray bonnet.
She opens the door slowly, and Red felt relieved. Not that he usually uses his teleportation skills all the time, but at that moment he did, meaning that she's very much late and was close, if not already, disappointing his friend.
The day was cheery and she hoped none would go wrong. She can't help but feel a little panicky because most of her interaction with other entities end up in disaster, and almost always involved her almost dying in the process.
Of course although she hasn't received any serious physical damage yet(not that she wishes to), none can say that what she went through wasn't extreme, in fact, it had affected her severely when it comes to emotional and physical traumas. If only she have the money, and could afford the time, she would have visited a physiatrist by now. But doing so would also destroy some of her reputation. What happened to her truly scarred her forever. In fact, she was so affected that she never looked at toilet papers the same again. Nor spiders and tight places. Gabby didn't even have the courage to watch Spiderman again, although she really likes the hero. Since of course, it would trigger her fears. She becomes frightened mess, very nervous around them. And she knows that no medicine or professional talk would make her forget that. Maybe amnesia won't even stop her body impulses to avoid those things.
Even with Red's comfort, protection and reassurance that Tanken won't hurt her, she can't help but feel cautious the second she laid her eyes on her. Her sixth sense keeps screaming that she might do something mean. But can you blame her? Tanken...she have something in her, that could turn even knights, suddenly afraid and trembling. Her face was flawless, and her eyes so full of wisdom. She looks so powerful, domineering and fierce. Even her beauty was enough to weaken her to her knees. Her beauty was unspeakable. Her skin was clear and bright and her hair were long and soft looking, almost like snow, while her eyes were a tantalizing blue, and her body was perfectly curved. She looks very alluring on her skyblue winter coat. Although she just wore it to avoid suspicion. As surely, no snow yokai would be bothered by the cold.
Red proudly introduced them to one another, and when Tanken began to speak, Gabby's fear gradually calmed down after hearing her angelic voice befitting of such beauty. She swore it was like a lullaby, and every word could be a song. Everything about her was almost perfect, much better than her. And she wonders if Red already had feelings for the girl beside him. She was better than her in every way imaginable.
Red smiles and pats Gabby's back, knowing that she was starting to realize Tanken's charm.
Tanken also did something that greatly surprised her. She initiated a handshake. She looks at her, and then Red, and then back at her again after gulping once. She reaches for her hand and accepts the handshake anyways. Still a little nervous that she might do something embarrassing.
RED: See? Not that bad, right? What if we go to the mall, hm? How'd you both like that? Gabby...
He taps her shoulder for her to pay attention. And when he's certain that the green eyed sweetheart was looking at him, he continued with his words.
RED: Gabby, you lead her the way, and you guys buy stuff woman wants. Anything you guys want.
GABBY: Alright then. But are you leaving me?
RED: Of course not. I'm not letting my guard down. What if those bastards come back again?
GABBY: Oh, thank you if that's the case!
The moment Tanken heard those words, she felt a thousand daggers pierce her heart, leaving it crushed into a million pieces, never to be recovered. That would be a very hard case for her, since she needs to execute her plan when they are alone. It seems like she needs to earn his and her trust more. Or maybe...just play around with words and see if it works.
TANKEN: That's unusual, and offending, don't you think I'm strong enough to handle them? Do you think I'm weak?
RED: No it's not that...what if they recruited someone stronger? I can give distress signals to my friends, so long as they're not in a middle of a battlefield or work, they'll come and help. And I can teleport, so I can save Gabby if duels can be prevented.
TANKEN: I don't think so...there might be something else...like why? Do you think I'll betray you? If you think that way, then why did you invited me here the first place?
RED: Hey, hey, calm down, I did not say that. I...I just want to join with you guys. I'm bored, unoccupied for the moment, and wants fun as well. Is that so wrong? Is that so much to ask?
TANKEN: That would make things awkward, too awkward for US, girls.You should brought a male friend to accompany you, because with us, you might feel a bit left out, don't you think?
After hearing that, Gabby felt like Tanken was trying to get rid of Red, her only assurance of protection at that moment, so she quickly convinced Tanken that Red was truly coming with them, regardless of her opinion.
GABBY: It's okay if he joins us. Besides, sometimes he's more feminine than me, anyways.
RED: And I took that very personally.
GABBY: It's true though. *smirks*
TANKEN: *sighs* Well the beauty insists, then I guess that's fine by me as well.
GABBY: Wow, you think I'm pretty?
TANKEN: Of course you are, don't you have mirrors? Anyways, I don't see it as a big deal, have no one said that to you before?
GABBY: No, it's just that...it feels very different when a goddess of beauty says the compliment. I feel very...very...flattered.
Tanken smiles at her words and almost forgot her main purpose.
TANKEN: Very well. I think you flirt well, please teach Red on how to, so he might have a girl friend.
RED: Hey! Why are you two always teasing me?
TANKEN: Nothing. Now, now, shall we go? I think I'm kind of excited to see the new changes in Tokyo.
Gabby nods her head then instinctively holds Red's winter coat, that surprised him greatly after receiving the extra weight added on him. Red leans to her ear, as he whispers, knowing well that she might have felt uncomfortable still.
RED: What's wrong? You can always tell me.
GABBY: Nothing.
RED: Just tell me and stop wasting time.
GABBY: Fine. I'm still scared, okay?
RED: Why?
GABBY: You know the reasons.
RED: Heh, don't be. I was pretty scared of her too, before. But well, you'll get used to it. As long as you don't offend her, you're safe from being impaled by ice.
GABBY: That's not so comforting. What if she hates me?
RED: Eh? That's stupid. It's not like you're gonna tell her that you still can't make your bed, right? And hey, I almost lost my second life the moment you made me take bite of your meat loaf, it was terrible. But I still didn't hate you, right?
GABBY: I take that personally, too. But I guess you're right, so on the other side, I guess I thank you.
Red smiles then pats her hair.
RED: No problem, and just stop overthinking, it will make your eyes look more tired.
GABBY: I get it, I get it.
RED: Good, now go talk to her for a bit, she might be curious.
...
Although Tanken had visited places like this before,(as expected of her age) she still didn't fail to find new things about it. It wasn't just small minor changes as well, every place had changed drastically in just 9 months. It was truly amazing how intelligent and progressive human mortals are.
GABBY: Do you want to try ice cream flavors?
TANKEN: Oh, that? Well, sure, I like those things anyways. And well, there's one thing though, I didn't bring any human money with me.
RED: I got you girls covered.
GABBY: That's touching, Red. Now let's go and try all flavors, so long as my brain would tolerate them all.
TANKEN: How unfortunate. I never get cold.
GABBY: Oh, you're right. Then I'll surely lose an ice cream challenge with you. Speaking of which, why don't you join one so we can get free ice cream?
TANKEN: Smart...okay yes, I'd join one.
GABBY: Great! Now let's ask the beautiful waitress.
...
After making sure that Gabby was still busy talking to the waitress, and Red too busy keeping an eye on her, Tanken grins to herself as she pities them both.
How clueless are the mice of the cat about to strike.