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FICTION

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Interlude: Taiga's Dating Plan (2)

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This is worse than she could have imagined.

Caren had planned this for long- she had the chance and all, but her own unease was slowly proving to be her undoing. Sure, she wasn't sure how much Taiga's advice helped, but right now, as she sat in front of John and they were busy with the date bit, she couldn't help but feel... awkward when it came to bring up topics for the conversation they were engaging with.

Then again, it would be a lie to say the young woman had much to say after a while. Her capacity to bring up non-classified stuff about her life was abysmal, especially since her early life had not much to bring up. Daji was a recent addition, but there wasn't much to bring up about the Servant. She still annoyed her father despite the fact he had no means nor interest to free her, completely unaware that Kirei was quite pleased of giving her hope... only to deprive it to her by remarking how he had no key on himself. A fun subject, but not one that could last for the hours this date went for. But, one way or another, the topic of her mother was brought up.

First was John's as, during their exchange, they were chatting about how their parents would handle this sort of situation. Caren knew that, beyond some stern shock, Kirei would just drop it as it wasn't unusual for the Church members to engage in worse debauchery- that and the fact her parents married when her father was still bound by an oath of abstention from married life, 'permission by the pope' or not.

Then John's parents came up. Father and Mother. A distant but overall friendly dad, and his mother. Mrs. Bukharin was someone that Caren was frightened of ever meeting. The more the young man spoke of her, the more Caren felt like she was an older but also smarter version of Taiga. Which was really concerning if these two ever met.

Still, Caren was also worried of what she would think of her.

"She would probably like you. Only because you're part of the Church."

A Catholic believer? That much was relieving and... distressful if she wound up learning of Caren's quirks. Despite that peculiar exchange, it was when Caren's mother became subject of their discussion.

"She died when I was young."

"Hm, but that's not my question," John remarked. "I asked if you ever wondered how that would have changed your life. After all, you told me-"

"That I heard she was a good person. But that's all I got. I don't think it would have changed much."

Well, ignoring the scorn I got while Father was busy with the Holy Grail War, of course.

That was an aspect of Caren's own childhood she came to hate even now as a young adult. The way people treated her as some sort of unwanted child was horrendous to look at from a more mature perspective, but at the time she saw it as a reasonable point of view. Kirei and Claudia had married in secret, so, when she died and Kirei was known to have her around many thought he just had Caren through a wedding-less union.

Which was enough to get many people against her. Then her father and grandfather left for Fuyuki and her maternal grandfathers proved to be hideous people despite their kind facade. Months passed, then her father was back and Caren was already done with people back then. Taking all of this into account, then adding someone decent that would have cared for her- yeah, that would have made the difference.

Would it have been enough to shape her differently as a person? Without a doubt. But it was futile to cry over spilled milk when it was long expired and long dried up.

In fact, while she can't change the past, she could work to get a better outcome for her future through this gamble.

Talking was nice, then dining together was nicer, and finally, after what felt like a tedious task, Caren tried to go for the big goal of this first date: a kiss on the cheek. Not much for Italians as it was how they greeted one another, but she wasn't planning to risk her chances just yet.

What she didn't know, however, was how good of a date it was and how relieved John was of her 'good behavior'. One moment she had her eyes closed as she leaned for a kiss on the cheek, the next one she was greeted by a pair of lips. Surprise appeared on her now-open eyes, but she didn't pull away. Not yet, not this soon.

Then she did, and they stared closely at each other. Then another kiss. And another and a third one. Finally, it was time to go, and Caren was now devoid of any doubt. She was smitten, her heart throbbing in a way that made her crave for more than just kisses, but that was content of what she claimed through this day.

As it was time to leave, Caren decided to get back home alone. She had much to think about, especially about kisses. She never thought it would have been so intense, so incredibly breath-taking. The girl was almost skipping while walking up to the church, only to slow down when she noticed that, around the corner of the street she was walking through, a certain woman was waiting there.

"So, how did it go? Did you follow my advice? Did you score and-" Taiga was as noisy as she tended to be in times like this one, but it was good she was around as it could give her the means to confirm some odd thoughts. She waited here? Truly a sign of how determined and convinced she was on the matter.

It was just the two of them, so it was easy for her to go for it. A reward- that's only fair for her to deliver.

Caren didn't answer any questions, merely walking up to her, confusing the Tiger of Fuyuki by being this close to her, standing on her toes and then, after cupping her cheeks, stealing a lengthy kiss out of the brunette. No hesitation, only driven curiosity.

As the smooching session was over, Caren walked off and she nodded to herself as her cheeks flared red in shame and delight.

Kissing is indeed a good way to silence dummies while also draw some pleasure out of both partners.

AN

Caren learns a new move, Kiss. It's supereffective against big-talker.