How it didn't register to you that Coco was the Heavenly King Coco, you'll never quite figure out. Even with all of the gallivanting you did with so many strangers, surely you would have come across the names of the Heavenly King Gourmet Hunters. You had, but for some reason, your brain had decided to block any and all information in the moment you met him. The pieces only started to fall into place when you had checked into your hotel room. At least Coco had offered to meet with you again later that night to talk things over. Maybe then you could redeem yourself from being the bumbling mess you were a little over an hour ago.
Now it was time to put your professional shoes on; figuratively, not physically, though you did have a pair of heels that you often enjoyed and even accentuated your rear quite flatteringly. You wouldn't let your previous encounter hinder your work. After all, you were here to do a job, even if you were here weeks earlier than you were needed. At least the brief reprieve gave you time to freshen yourself up before your second meeting with the Heavenly King, and you were determined to make a good impression in front of him this time.
Slinking into a fairly modest evening dress, you felt a little more in the correct headspace for this job. You could say that these clothes were your uniform. While the dress itself boasted a nice coverage, it did flaunt several aspects of your figure that sometimes scores you that extra incentive with clients. A little cleavage, slightly form-fitting, but a very sexy slit up the side that helped expose just enough thigh to pique their desire. Topping it all off, your green neckerchief was back on, making you look and feel very fetching. To be fair, you didn't expect your light seduction to work on him, but there was no harm in trying. Besides, the thought of seducing someone with his physique had begun to creep into your psyche, and you rather enjoyed that image.
One last thing to do before heading back out into the crisp evening air was to give your teeth a little brush. This was the most important part of your pre-business routine, because it helped you calm your mind. Whether it was counting the amount of circles you made or the fresh feeling you had afterwards, you weren't entirely sure but you weren't about to knock it. It was only when you were brushing the back of your tongue quickly that you noticed them again.
Three small green spots.
Just three, tiny green spots in a triangle situated at the back of your tongue. This was something you had to deal with all of your life. Doctors had told you that they weren't contagious and not to panic if they got bigger and melded into one large spot. Non-cancerous, and they didn't give you any ailments. You had never found a diagnosis for what it was, but they were easily covered up with some light cosmetic laser surgery. You had had it done multiple times, but still they always came back after a while. You weren't worried, but covering them up gave you a bit more self confidence; getting intimate with someone didn't seem likely from a woman with a green tongue. You had time, so you didn't worry too much about it and finished up your brushing, making a mental note to visit the surgeon again when you were done.
Street lamps cast a soft white light over the streets of Gourmet Fortune, while the night sky sat on the heavens; a velvet cloak studded with diamonds of stars winking down over you. You had met Coco at his shop again before he offered an evening walk on the beach.
"Sounds delightful." You smiled, recalling the utter swarm of women that had accosted him earlier that day as soon as he had left his house of fortune.
"A lot more private, I would assume." You chuckled.
"Considerably so." Coco smiled, taking the lead.
The ocean's gentle lapping on the soft sand as you both walked made for a refreshing atmosphere. You would have loved to stay here forever, but there were more pressing matters to attend to.
"So, should we talk shop?" You probed, slowing your pace down, swinging your heels lightly in your hands. You had taken them off before stepping onto the beach.
"Yes, I think we're far enough away." Coco smiled, matching your slower steps.
"So, why does a Heavenly King require the services of someone like me? Surely you would have known at least a few ladies."
Coco gave a dry laugh of derision.
"Technically, I know many ladies. But I don't find them nearly as interesting as they think I am. Besides, my fortune said that it would beneficial of me to search elsewhere."
"Oh? And how'd you settled for me then?"
"Easy. I could write to you, and I rather happened to like the name."
"The name? What, 'Sugar'?"
"No, the other one." Coco laughed, genuinely this time. "I happen to be quite partial to anything related to poison."
"Poison? That's not something you hear every day. Really?"
Coco stopped abruptly, making you double take.
"You don't...-"
"Don't what?" You questioned.
"You don't know about me, do you?"
"Well I mean, I know a little bit about you." You cast your gaze over the water, trying to remember as much information as you could.
"Heavenly King Coco, Gourmet Hunter turned Soothsayer, though I couldn't tell you why that's the case. Quite well respected from everyone, as far as I can tell. To be honest, there's never really been too much reported or documented about you."
You looked back over to see that a sadness clouded over Coco's smile as he looked down at his feet before making eye contact with you again.
"For me, that's a good thing. I'm a dangerous man." He said quietly.
"Dangerous?"
"Yes, dangerous." He started to unwrap one of the green wrappings on his right arm, breaking eye contact again.
"My body is filled with poison. I can protect myself from over five hundred different types of poisons, but it came at a price." His hand changed from its creamy skin tone to a lilac, then a royal purple. You watched as different shades of purple seemed to pulse over his digits, and you couldn't help but feel a tiny bit squeamish over it all.
"I'm scared of hurting people, so I've always kept everyone at a distance in fear of poisoning someone. I don't like people getting too close to me, so that's where I have my problem."
Coco began to wrap his wrist again as his hand returned to its normal state. You closed the small distance between you both.
"So, you have a little poison. Big deal." You said, beaming a smile at him. You were trying to stop your heart from racing over your brash response, but you couldn't help but feel a wave of sadness for him.
"I've been around the block with a lot of people," you began, forcing his gaze to yours. "And I can assure you, that there's been a lot more people I've been scared of compared to you."
Coco went to speak but you waved your hand dismissively.
"Getting back to business," you said, turning away and walking slowly across the sand again, forcing the Heavenly King to follow. He didn't have much ground to cover before he was by your side again.
"What sort of package are you needing from me? I'm going to say that uh, anything more intimate from me is off the table." You smirked, eyeing him off to the side.
"Sorry if you had your hopes up." He quipped back, matching your smirk.
"Are you needing me to be seen as your girlfriend? Long-lost or star-crossed lover? And old flame? What sort of front am I putting on to people so they don't get the idea you've just purchased a 'Gourmet Prostitute' for the night."
"Please don't call yourself that." Coco said quietly, while you laughed dryly.
"I mean, I'm not technically wrong, but sure. I prefer the term attendee anyhow."
"How about we go with just... old friend?"
"Huh, that's a new one. Usually my clients want a little more from me."
"I'm not your usual client."
"No, no you are not." You said softly as you smiled up at him, letting your (e/c) bore into his hazel irises. They reminded you of a pool of hot chocolate that kept pulling your gaze deeper and deeper. You could have sworn that the faintest tint of blush crept over his cheekbones, but you blamed it on the low light playing tricks on you.
"I guess that means that we need to do a 'getting to know you' phase." You said simply, breaking off contact again. Any longer, you would have felt your cheeks burn and you were not about to make a fool of yourself in front of him again. "If we want to convince everyone we really are old friends."
"I wouldn't mind that. To be honest, I haven't been any sort of social with a new person in a long time... I'd like to try and change that."
"I guess we're both making changes in our life then. Tell me-"
You pointed at his left hand.
"Will you be happy?"
Coco looked at his hand briefly.
"There's a ninety-seven percent chance that I might be." He smirked.
"I like those odds." You grinned stopping in front of a cluster of rocks that barred you from going further down the sand.
"So... Sugar-"
"Oh, of course!" You blurred out, smacking your forehead with your palm.
"Mmm?"
"(Y/n)." You stated simply, holding out your hand to shake his. This action was out of pure muscle memory, not because you were ignoring his previous explanation.
"Oh, right!" Coco said, not taking your invitation. "It's nice to meet you, (y/n)."
"Likewise, Mister C. It's a pleasure to meet you too."
It was only then that you realised what you were doing, and you withdrew your offered palm. You were going to let it slide before you had a sudden burst of inspiration.
"Wait..."
You dropped your pair of heels on one of the rocks and began unwrapping your neckerchief from your neck.
"What are you doing?"
"Just wait." You said, as you wrapped the sheer fabric around your hand quickly, like a makeshift bandage.
"There." You said triumphantly, offering your hand to shake again and locking eyes once more.
"(Y/n). My name is (y/n). It's a pleasure to meet you, Mister...?"
You dangled the question before the Heavenly King, waiting to see what he was going to do. You already knew his name, but this would make it official.
"Coco." He smiled, slowly taking his hand and placing it in yours. Even though there were some light layers between your palms, you could feel a cool softness radiating from his touch.
"Well, then, Coco," you said, taking your hand away and picking up your shoes with the other. "Shall we continue this now or begin everything tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow sounds good." Coco said, retreating his hand behind the safety of his cloak. "I should probably return home soon."
"Tomorrow it is, then."
"I'll let you know where to meet. Is that okay?"
"Sure. I'm staying at the Aqua. It's on a corner near a little cafe."
"I'll be sure to find it."
"Great. I can't wait."
Coco gave you a warm smile and turned back in the direction you came. You took the hint and started walking up the beach again, feeling the soft breeze over your skin again. Oddly enough, you felt quite warm on such a mild night. You hadn't removed the wrappings on your palm, but it occurred to you that the cool feeling you had felt before still intensely lingered in its weave.