Gosh it feels odd only having one pairing on the go in a story. The plot feels so skeletal. Anyway. Have an update.
I know this type of scene has got to be so overdone and clichéd by now its probably not even funny. But enjoy anyway.
3. Skillful Deceit
Orihime looked at herself in the mirror, making sure that she looked presentable. Not beautiful – she would never let herself believe she was anything resembling beautiful – but adequate enough that Aizen-sama wouldn't send her away for looking like a complete tramp. She knew the man had ridiculously high standards that he forced all of his subordinates to comply with.
She sighed, looking at the dress she had picked out. It was boring and ill-fitting her ample figure. And not really that comfortable to wear. But the alternatives provided for her in her wardrobe were either too short in the skirt so they showed pretty much all of her legs, or they showed off far too much cleavage than would be appropriate. It wasn't like she wanted to give her captor any bad ideas by dressing provocatively. So this plain, white, boring ensemble had to do. She sighed again, suddenly wishing she could have brought her own clothes. Clothes that actually had colour in them. Instead of being white and boring.
She smoothed down her knee-length dress one last time and then opened the door, where Gin was waiting to escort her to Aizen-sama, holding Cherry in his arms.
"Nice dress." he said, smiling as he looked down at her. Although Orihime just felt more unnerved by his smile. Mumbling some sort of thankyou at his compliment.
"Come along." Gin then added, "He's waiting for you."
He led the way down the many halls and corridors, Orihime trailing behind him, turning left and then right so many times that Orihime had no clue where she was. No-one would blame her though – the place was huge – so it was fair to say that you could easily get yourself lost in Las Noches. Easily go in and never find your way out again.
They eventually came to a rather large door, where Gin stopped and looked at her, his smile still plastered onto his face.
"Here we are." he said cheerfully, "He's gonna be expecin' ya. He said he hopes yer hungry."
Hungry? Orihime thought silently, knowing better than to open her mouth to ask any stupid question. Is that what he wanted me for? Waking me up so we can eat together?
Gin laughed. "He wants ya fer dinner."
Orihime nodded her head slowly. Panicking inside at the thought of having dinner with Aizen. I hope he's talking about the food... she thought, suddenly very uneasy.
"That's very nice of him."
Gin nodded in approval. "He wanted ta make ya feel welcome, I guess. But you better go in now, th' food might be getting' cold."
"Yes, Ichimaru-sama." Orihime nodded again and then made to push open the large door. It was surprisingly lightweight for what seemed a large door – but then she supposed the place was designed this way; deceptive in all its appearances.
She walked into the room slowly, gasping quietly at how large and open the room was. Looking around her as she walked further in. Before her was a large marble table – white, of course - with places set for two. Along with a vast array of culinary treats spread out before her on said table in plates and dishes. Meats, fish, vegetables. Cakes and jellies for dessert. And, of course, as was typical of Aizen - two fresh, hot, steaming cups of tea. Complete with saucers, teaspoons, a small milk jug, a teapot (naturally) and little cubes of sugar in a nearby bowl. All immaculately lit by a gorgeous chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and three candles sitting in the centre of the table.
Of course. She thought, eyeing the teapot, It isn't really Aizen's dinner date if there's no tea. Does he ever drink anything else?
She spent a few moments staring at the feast in front of her as she walked in, not noticing Aizen sitting waiting for her until he pushed his chair back and stood to greet her, smiling. She blushed as his gaze met hers. She always felt naked when he looked at her. Like his eyes were boring into her very soul, like he knew everything about her just from looking at her. But she forced herself to look at him. It would be incredibly rude of her to not look at him after he had gone through all this trouble to set this up for her. And besides that, if she appeared rude to him, he was likely to punish her for it.
She forced a smile as he strode confidently towards her. He was wearing black leather shoes and black trousers, coupled with a white shirt rolled up to his elbows. He looked charmingly handsome. And shockingly different from when he wore his normal attire - white and boring.
"Ah, you're here." he said, smiling as he approached her. "I was beginning to think you had gotten lost. Come, sit with me."
Orihime swallowed, her stomach twisting with nerves. Knowing that she had to be on her best behaviour, or otherwise get into trouble. She had no idea why he wanted to have her eat dinner with him, but she new better to think that he merely wanted her company and didn't have a hidden agenda. She knew him better than that. Or at least, she had heard the stories about him and knew to keep her distance.
Not that she could do that when she had to sit and have dinner with him though. So she had no idea what to expect.
She followed him back to the table in silence, and made to sit down in her seat, bit Aizen stepped in, reaching out his hand to stop her.
"No, no," he said politely, "allow me."
He then pulled out her chair from the table for her, and indicated for her to sit. She sat herself down and he then pushed the chair closer to the table for her. Orihime just stared at him, watching as he walked to the other side of the table to his seat opposite her. She had never expected him to be so... polite. In that moment she imagined Aizen to be the kind of man who would hold doors open for people, help struggling women with heavy suitcases on the underground, and help old people cross the road. She smiled at the thought of him trying to help an old lady cross the street. He would look odd. A bit like how a James Bond villain would look trying to help an old woman in busy traffic.
"Are you comfortable?" Aizen asked her, bringing her back to reality.
"Um, yes." she nodded, "Th-thankyou."
He smiled at her against her, "Good." he said, looking at her with a renewed interest. "Help yourself to the food. I had it specially prepared for you."
She forced a polite smile and lifted her teacup up to her mouth, then began to help herself to the food. Picking up her cutlery and reaching for a nearby plate.
"Is it good?" he asked her, as soon as she had taken the first bite. To which she nodded with enthusiasm. It was so delicious that she quite forgot where she was. It was not at all like her unusual culinary creations, but then again, this was conventional 'normal people' food.
"It's good." she said, happily putting another piece of fish into her mouth. "If the mains are this good, I can't wait to taste the sweets and cake!"
"That's good to know." he smiled at her again, making her cringe. Here she was, completely forgetting where she was and who she was with. She was supposed to watch what she was saying and be careful not to say anything too out of line. After all, she was just a weak creature compared to him, one that he could easily destroy. If she said the wrong thing or gave him the wrong impression, it could be disastrous.
She lowered her head again, pretending to return to her food. She wanted to disappear. Why did he have to have such an interest in her and make her feel so visible? She only wanted to blend in and be unnoticeable. At least that way she wouldn't feel like she was always anticipating something bad to happen...
"You don't have to hide, you know." Aizen said to her, poking a piece of chicken lazily with his fork. "We can have a conversation."
"About what?" she asked him. Dragging her eyes back to his face. How can he be so calm? She wondered.
"Anything." he said simply. "I want to find out more about you. You're a very intriguing lady, and I want you to open up to me. I've been told you've been very quiet, not saying much... and whenever I see you you always look so sad."
She just stared at him, not believing a word of it. And its no wonder I'm not happy. She thought, suddenly very bitter. You kidnapped me, confine me to a room, don't let me do anything, give me boring clothes, and you plan to kill l my friends. It's no wonder I'm sad all the time.
She wanted to tell him that, but she thought better of it. So she just listened to him carry on.
"So," he continued, "I thought, 'now what can I do to cheer her up?'. Because you'd look so pretty when you smile."
Orihime set down her cutlery in shock. She had no idea what to say. His words sounded so sincere, but she knew better than to believe any of them. He liked to play games, she knew that very well. She also knew that he would like to play a game with her and then just destroy her at the end for his own amusement. She knew this was just another game. A lie, she told herself. A lie.
But the words sounded so sincere...
"And of course," he added, "you are my guest here. And if a guest isn't happy, then it is a poor reflection on the host, yes?"
She had to nod. Unable to do anything else. "I guess so." she said meekly, then correcting herself. "Um- I mean, yes Aizen-sama."
He laughed softly at her. "My dear, please. A little less formal. Just 'Sousuke' will be fine. I believe we are allowed to be... familiar, yes?"
She nodded, though said nothing. Was this a trap? Was he going to be nice to her and get her to lower her guard just so he could punish her? She didn't know. Maybe not, but she didn't want to take any chances. Not with him, anyway.
"Anyway," he said, seemingly ignorant of the fact that this was pretty much a one-way conversation. "How is your room? Is everything to your liking? How about the clothes I had my servants provide for you, do you like them? Do feel safe to speak freely, I only ask to make sure you are comfortable."
Orihime thought for a moment. Of course, she hated those clothes, with a passion. They were clingy and some were just too small. And other outfits made her look like a cheap harlot – but she thought better of saying that outloud. No, no, no. That would definitely give him bad ideas...
"Well," Orihime started, trying to think of the right words. "some of them don't quite fit." she said, "and aren't very comfy to wear. I think they are the wrong size."
Aizen pressed his hands together, his elbows on the table, thinking hard. After a moment, he returned his gaze to hers.
"I think I can remedy this." he told her, then rising from his seat, walking out of the door. "Wait here. I will be right back."