Chapter 17

Nanao

Lisa arrived at her quarters at eight o'clock, and entered straight after knocking. Nanao didn't mind, they had agreed that Lisa would collect her, and she was ready. As ready as she would ever be to go drinking that is. Lisa stopped in front of her, and looked straight at her.

'We, meaning the visored have spend a hundred years together in the human world. Just warning you, this might get a little too extreme for your taste. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, feel free to leave, we won't hold it against you.' she said, looking serious.

Nanao returned her gaze. A part of her mind noted that if Lisa was actually warning her, maybe she should just abort this plan.
The larger part of her mind was shrugging, remarking that she had been through years of captains and lieutenant meetings, and she could handle herself.
Also, while it was sweet that Lisa worried about her, after the last few weeks, Nanao couldn't help but be annoyed by it.

So she straightened her back.
Challenge accepted.
And returned Lisa's gaze. 'Noted. Let's go then.'

.

Lisa

She had been serious, feeling a certain protectiveness for the younger girl, but the reaction she got was even better. Nanao raised her head, and looked back at Lisa, determination in her face. Lisa smiled at her, and they flash stepped away.

They met the other visored at the third division, even those from the human world having arrived already. They had agreed to switch between meeting in soul society and the human world, so it was fair on everyone, and Rose had offered his division's training hall for this meeting. It was a good place, the ground was soft enough to sit on, and the Reiatsu containing fields and the space would come in handy when the first drunk visored stared fighting, as they usually did.

.

Both Love and Shinji had brought enough alcohol for everyone, and they started exchanging stories of what had happened since they last met.

Hiyori and Shinji got into a fight without being drunk, which had the advantage that they managed to settle down after a few minutes without using their masks.
Lisa had to admit that she was somewhat apprehensive of Nanao's reaction to their hollow forms. But then, they didn't always fight that much, and they might hold back in her company.

So far, Nanao had politely declined any alcohol, and sat, back straight, watching and listening. Lisa would have been worried that the younger woman was uncomfortable, if she didn't know that Nanao always acted like this. Besides, Lisa tended to watch instead of talking herself sometimes, so she understood that.

After about an hour, they had covered most of the news, Lisa herself explaining calmly that they had aborted the Kyouraku-Ukitake project after the captains had gotten angry. The other visored showed more relieve than anything else at that announcement, and Mashiro asked what they were talking about, but got distracted by Kensei handing her another sake jar.

Then Mashiro suggested that they play another drinking game, which started a discussion what to play.

Lisa didn't participate in the discussion, but instead sat down beside Nanao, and briefly explained all the games that were mentioned.

After a few minutes of more or less violent discussion, the other visored agreed on Never-have-I-Ever, a human world drinking game. 'Everyone takes turns saying something they have never done before, and anyone who has done it before has to drink some alcohol.'
Shinji was already filling up sake-cups for everyone. 'You have to be honest. And if no one has done before what you say, then you have to drink yourself.' Lisa explained to Nanao quickly. 'Remind me to never introduce those games to Rangiku.' Nanao remarked.

'So, are you playing with us?' Lisa asked. Nanao gave her a look, showing that determined expression again. 'Of course.' she stated. Lisa grinned.

.

Nanao

She had barely had to drink so far, which she was glad about. And some of the visored had looked surprised when she had said she hadn't done something, while Nanao had to keep from laughing in disbelieve at some of the things they had done.

She was starting to get what Lisa meant by them having spend a hundred years together in the human world. It also became apparent that they knew each other well, and often knew exactly how to tease each other. Nanao had blushed a lot in the last half hour, but Lisa often smiled at her, not condescending, or a sneer, just a soft smile. And that made it all worth it somehow.

Now it was Lisa's turn again, and she shot Nanao a look. A look that told Nanao that Lisa was plotting again, and Nanao was the target. Well, she was still sober, so she felt ready to face whatever teasing followed.
Probably.

'Never have I Ever had another person present read children's books to me.' Lisa said, grinning. Nanao easily threw back her drink, actually smiling at the memory. She had normally insisted on reading more challenging books, but sometimes Lisa had gotten her to read those sweet children's books, and she had enjoyed them.

Though Mashiro drank too Nanao knew that Lisa had targeted her specifically, and grinned to herself. You will have to try harder to embarrass me.

'Never have I Ever spend half an hour arguing about the logic of such a children's book with a young child.' she replied.

Lisa nodded to her, eyes smiling, and drank.

.

Lisa

'I think it was more of an hour, really. And I still think you were to strict. What if they bend the logic a little, it's just a book for children.' she said, smiling.
She watched Nanao roll her eyes, noting in the back of her mind that this statement had upset the other woman more than her Never have I Ever question.

They passed around the circle again, until it was Lisa's turn again. Well, she had just wanted to tease Nanao a little, but since she had gotten her back… now Lisa wanted to get her back in turn.

'Never have I Ever been bathed by another person present.' She looked at Nanao while speaking again, noting her mild blush at that, quickly hidden behind her sake cup as she drunk.
Got you.

Though maybe she shouldn't relax too fast, Lisa thought, as she watched Nanao school her expression, and sit straighter, before looking straight back at her. Well, this looked interesting.

.

Nanao

She absolutely refused to let that woman play her again. She collected her thoughts, then looked straight into Lisa's eyes, pushing down her own embarrassment.

'Never have I Ever been caught by a child masturbating...' she watched Lisa's eyes widen. '… and then been forced to explain to that child what exactly I was doing.'
She allowed herself a small smirk as Lisa drank, not allowing herself to blush. Lisa gave her a small nod, maybe admiration in her expression.

Most of the other visored had started laughing while she spoke, and now Shinji and Love were unable to talk. 'Wow, Lisa, great job.' Kensei dryly commented.
Rose grinned at Nanao. 'That must have been a traumatizing experience for that child.'

Nanao kept her head high. 'Actually, no.' she stated calmly. 'It was a very fortunate incident.' She somehow managed to look at Lisa while keeping her expression calm.
The other woman seemed to be immensely amused, but just returned her gaze with a raised eyebrow. 'How so?'

'I have been wondering about the things related to sex I read about in my books. I didn't understand, and sadly no one wanted to explain. After I caught her, Lisa had to spend the whole afternoon explaining until I had all the answers I wanted. It was very interesting.'

She looked straight into Lisa's eyes again. Only after Lisa bend over laughing after staring at her for a moment did Nanao allow herself to relax, and smile back at her, while she started blushing at what she had just said.

.

Lisa

She had been beaten with her own weapons, which was just plain unfair. Only it also was really impressive, and, she had to admit, very attractive, and she couldn't help but smile at Nanao once she had calmed down, who was blushing cutely.

'You guys are just weird.' Hiyori said from across the circle, shaking her head.

'Look who's talking.' said Shinji under his breath, which got him a kick from Hiyori, who had good ears.