Repulsive Beauty || Hisoka

7. On Wise Decisions

I passed some time watching more fights, cleaning my room and finally pampering for tonight's date. Was it really a date? Or was it more transactional, like a business meeting.

Regardless, that clown had put in a specific request for me to wear that black dress which I found neatly hung in the closet. I set it out on my bed along with the same black heals and headed to shower.
Six forty five roles around and I've finished drying and styling my hair in loose shaggy curls, framing my face, this time accentuating my soft features. I threw on a little makeup to draw attention to my eyes.
Why do I care about cleaning up nice for him.? What the hell am I expecting? A second date? Regardless, it was time for me to head to the lobby. I'll be painfully early but I hate being late.

In the lobby were some spectators, some fighters, and others I'd imagine. Try as I might to be inconspicuous, I was spotted by a reporter and hounded with questions. I don't mind talking to the media typically, but since the interview, I really don't want to talk about it anymore.
I spent about 5 minutes dodging questions and giving non-answers before Hisoka showed and drew the attention away.
"I'm not answering questions right now, I have a date to attend.~" he said dismissively, not even looking at them while he strode his way to me.
He wore a light pink button up shirt with several buttons open at the top, the sleeves messily rolled to his elbow, and black dress pants. He still had his tear and star painted on, but his face looked warmer than usual; not so alabaster.
"Don't you just look absolutely breathtaking. That dress fits you perfectly." He commented as he got to me.
Is that sarcasm.?
"Thank you."
Reportes followed us out of the lobby to the roundabout, pestering us until we got into the cab. Hisoka opened the door for me, and closed it behind.
I'd not taken him for the gentlemanly type.

The restaurant he chose was quiet and romantically lit. He'd made a reservation so we sat right away.
He sneered at me even eyeing the wine menu, so I went with water.
The food came out quickly, and was delicious. We mostly talked about matches and other fights, though he was still curious about my nen. I had so many questions I wanted to ask him. Only I'm not sure I want to know the answers. I don't know if I was imagining it or not, but I could feel him eyeing me when I wasn't looking.
"Can I ask you something, candidly?" I suggest nervously. I don't think I even want an answer.
"Of course. What's your question?" he'd not noticed my nerves, either that or decided to ignore them.
"Machi. She said something that has me thinking. As she was leaving my room, she said that I'd probably be on the top of your list of people to uh... to kill".
I sat still and just stared at him. I had to know what was going on in his head.
He looked up slowly, sat back and giggled.
"Tess. I have absolutely no interest in killing you anymore.~"
Oh. I don't know if that's comforting.
"Anymore?" I pried.
"You're a rare talent. I have a moral system, albeit unusual. I realized after our match that I'd rather watch you grow than squash you. If you had asked me this while your whip was suffocating me, my answer would have been much different." His eyes were sharp and bright again, not breaking contact.
"Oh. So to clarify, so I can finally sleep with both my eyes closed, you have no intentions of killing me."
"Those are not my intentions at all. You're a powerful nen user, but I'd be shocked if you could beat me in a rematch now that I understand your abilities. Nevermind the depravity in our physical strengths. And so I have no interest at all in killing you, what fun would that be.~" he explained before his face dropped for a moment.
"Is that why you panic everytime you see me, because of what Machi said?" he asked quietly.
His eyes softened again, and returned to his food, probably sensing my oncoming anxiety.
"Mostly."
I had lost my appetite.
"I'm so sorry for that, I'll remember to bring it up next time I see her. It's been quite the workout, conditioning you to stay calm in my presence."
So that's what the coffee was all about. I guess it worked.
"Dessert? I have such a sweet tooth." He said with a childish grin.
He looked almost innocent somehow.