Ven smiled and shook his head. He knew he was going to head out early before she woke up in the morning. But he knew now that he would stay and help her with the breakfast in the morning and say their goodbyes. "Actually I was going to go meet with Neom.." Ven stopped himself and shook his head, trying to scratch his last statement. "I had some things to do early, but I can stay and help you with breakfast if you would like" Ven said softly, scooting back to the wall slightly without noticing himself.

Hiroko tilted her head when she heard the mention of a name. "Have a little girlfriend, do you?" She asked him as a teasing smile spread across her lips. She laughed a bit. "No, it's fine. You can go ahead and leave but you have to promise to come back some time, you hear?"

Ven blushed brighter than before when she said her first statement. Ven looked at her and shook his head. "Just a very good friend of mine miss hiroko, and of course I promise to come back as soon as I can" Ven said as he turned his back to her to walk through the door way into the hallway. "Just a very good friend" Ven said silently to himself as he stepped back into his room which still had a lingering scent of vanilla from earlier.

Hiroko smiled to herself and went into the bathroom to get ready for bed. She changed into a short dress for a night gown and washed up a bit. By the time she got back to her room the incense was almost done burning so she decided it would be fine to keep it going while she slept. Hiroko crawled under the covers and curled up for sleepy.

Ven sat on the bed and started to think about Neoma and their childhood, the mere mention of her wanted to make ven go crazy with happiness and overwhelming emotion. Ven smiled and tucked himself under his covers, snuggling gently into the bed cozily. He smiled as he prayed quietly and fell asleep without hesitation.

[next post skip toward morning]

Hiroko awoke softly. She had a fairly good sleep and felt very rested and ready for the day. The energy in the room felt amazing. The sun happily shown through her translucent curtains, signifying that the sun just recently arose. Hiroko got up nicely and went towards the kitchen, already expecting Ven to be gone but his energy was still alive in the house and it felt good.

Ven awoke from his nightmare panting and sweating heavily. He brought his hand to his chest. He shortly after awakening he calmed down. This was nothing new to him, has been happening to him since grade school. He stepped out of bed and placed his feet on the floor. He rubbed his eyes clear of sleep and put on a sweater and stepped into the kitchen where he had seen Hiroko standing. He smiled and sat down at the table quietly not trying to startle her.

Hiroko turned and smiled at Ven. "Ah, good morning. I would've thought you would've left already. Keeping your lady friend waiting?" She smiled and teased him a again.

Ven blushed lightly and brushed his bangs from his face. "Yes well, we do not have our priest training until another hour and a half" Ven said staring at her, not allowing her teasing get to him that much anymore. "Do you need help with anything Miss Hiroko?" Ven asked politely not wanting to seem like he is useless and wanted to help her out the most he could.

Hiroko shook her head. "No, I'm fine Ven. Take off any time you please." She smiled. "So, this girl is a Priestess? Or training to be one? How exciting. You're going to bring her around sometime when you two get serious correct? I want to meet her BEFORE you plan on marriage and reproduction." Hiroko giggled at the thought and knew it would get to Ven. There was just something very fun about making Men and young boys blush.

Ven blushed at her comments, he knew she was just teasing. Ven cocked an eyebrow and shook his head. "Miss Hiroko I can assure you, me and Neoma are strictly friends..nothing more. And yes she is a priestess in training, just as I am a priest in training, one will be the Head Priest which is for the male and the spiritual priestess which is assigned to the female..I know she will do great" Ven smiled thinking about when they both will advance into the real jobs and do it for a living. "I will leave soon" Ven smiled knowing he must be getting a pain in the head.

Hiroko chuckled. "Just friends, eh? But are you wishing for more?" She gave Ven and wink and then shook her head. "I'm sorry, I'll stop teasing you. I think I'm making you want to leave the house now and never come back. Please forgive me." She gazed at him.

Ven smiled and shook his head. Ven stared at her and assured her that he didnt want to leave. "No no miss hiroko, I do not wish to leave immediatly, But..yes..I do want to be more than friends...btu dont know how to admit it" Ven finally admited about his feelings for Neoma, knowing it has been so long, and being that he has little experience with woman in his life. Ven smiled and nodded to her to assure everything was ok

"It's simple," Hiroko began to explain. "Be straight forward with her. It's easier to do it when you don't act too shy around her. Other wise she'll think you're not interested and move on. The worst that can happen is she'll say no. And if that does happen, then she isn't worth it anyways and continue on with your journey. You're bound to find somebody to love. And if not, love your job and be happy." She smiled at Ven.

Ven didnt know what to say, he was honestly taken back from what she had said to him. All he could do was sneak a smile and a blush across his face as he turned to stare out the window. He was thinking of Neoma and how it might work out, both being highly valuable to their religion, and as Hiroko said, the worst she could say was no. "thank you miss hiroko, your words are falling upon gracious ears." Ven said as he did a slight motion with his hands blessing her with thanks from yhunson. He smiled and thought amazing thoughts.

Hiroko smiled and nodded her head. "You don't need to thank me, Ven. I'm always here to help you out." She blushed happily and gazed at him once again, not wanting him to go so soon but knowing he must. Besides, she was really happy for him with everything. Hiroko felt proud.