Brigitte slipped her jacket on and grabbed her cat shaped backpack purse. Looking at herself in the mirror, she felt a little too overdone but Hana insisted on it. Dressed in denim overall shorts with a cat sweater, leggings and plush knee-high boots. To top it off, her hair was put into a loose braid and lips painted a soft pink. Brigitte did admit she looked pretty like this. “I’m heading out now!”

Hana leaned just out of her room. “Have fun on your date!”

Shutting the door behind her, Brigitte made her way down the street. Looking at her watch to see that she left a little earlier than planned, even with the twenty minute walk to the park. It would give her enough time to grab some coffee, thinking also that she could get one for Hanzo too.

After a few more blocks Brigitte reached one of her favorite vendors and waited in line.

“Hey Brigitte! The usual?” The lady at the vendor widow smiled down at her.

“Hi Tavia. I’ll be having the usual drink but no muffin.” Brigitte said, then thought for a second trying to decide what he’d like, remembering he said he wasn’t much into sweet drinks. “And a dark roast coffee, black.”

“That’s an unusual order for you.” Tavia looked over slightly while preparing the coffees.

“I’m meeting a friend and I thought I’d treat him to the best coffee in town.” Brigitte said, chuckling. 

“Smart answer, ha.” Tavia laughed and put the two cups on the counter. “That will be eight euros.”

“Here ya go and have a nice day!” Brigitte paid, then took her order and smiled before heading off. Checking her watch again, noticing she was still about five minutes early as she got to the corner before the park. 

There at the gate stood not too far off was Hanzo, calming the one he called Yomi, who was eager to go and play. Though Brigitte just stayed where she was for a few moments. He looked so handsome in his grey trench coat and scarf, with his black hair tied up into a bun except for a few strands at the side of his face.

Brigitte shook her head to get her out of the daydream but the blush didn’t go away. At least she could blame the chilly autumn air for that. Looking both ways, she crossed the street to greet him.

----------------

“Yomi, sit. You can go and play once our guest arrives.” Hanzo said sternly which got him a whine from the younger dog. With a sigh he knelt down and pet Yomi and Ama.

“Hope I didn’t make you wait too long.”

Hanzo recognized the voice and smiled slightly. “Actually we just arrived a little-”

Then he looked up and felt like his breath was taken away. Brigitte stood in front of him looking adorable. Heck, he didn’t even realize that she was holding coffee cups at first. Without thinking, he must have gotten up from his crouching position. 

“I brought some coffee for you. I remember you mentioning not liking sweet drinks too much so I hope that just regular is fine.” Brigitte mumbled shyly, offering him the other cup.

What got him out of his haze was a wet nose. “O-oh yes that is fine, thank you very much.” Hanzo said after clearing his throat, taking his drink. “Also where are my manners? Brigitte, meet Ama and Yomi.”

“It’s nice to meet you, finally. Your papa talks about you both a lot.” Brigitte giggled and knelt in front of the dogs and smiled, offering a hand in greeting. Ama tilted her head and looked up at Hanzo before nuzzling at Brigitte’s hand so Brigitte could scratch under it. Whereas Yomi went straight to licking her face which made Brigitte laugh more. 

“It seems they like you.” Hanzo, chuckled briefly.

“Well I like them too.” Brigitte stood up, managing to not spill her mocha during Yomi’s onslaught. “Such beautiful dogs.” 

That got a proud look from Ama and suddenly the white wolf dog became all snuggly to Brigitte.

“Here.” Hanzo chuckled and handed the leash of Ama over to Brigitte. “Since she is a little easier to handle, you can walk her if you wish. Yomi can be a bit rambunctious as you can see.”

Brigitte took the leash and started walking around the park. After a few minutes of silence. “So...how are you?”

“I am doing very well.” Hanzo took a sip of his coffee before continuing. “I have good company, good coffee and nice cool weather. What about you?”  

“Good.” Brigitte said with a big smile, though the looks some of the older couple gave them made he feel suddenly shy. Trying to think of something to talk about. “Oh, I’d like to know more of your trip!”

“It wasn't all that much.” Hanzo said. “My grandmother owns and runs a small hot springs inn in the countryside of Hanamura. It’s very calming and out of the way. Most of the land and forest around there have belonged to my family for many generations. Our clan’s old castle, I guess you could call it, is still there as well.”

Brigitte nearly choked on her coffee. “You have your own castle?”

Hanzo laughed and patted her back gently, to calm down her coughs. “Not me personally but my grandmother keeps it up and running. Plus it is historically protected since it is near a thousand years old.”

“Is it still livable? Like does your family still live in it? Do you have pictures of it?” Brigitte asked excitedly.

He blinked, surprised at all her questions, clearing his throat to hide his blush. “Some of the family and a few servants reside there, yes. I even grew up there as a child with my brother. Though a lot of us have spread out. At times there are private tours to allow others to see the history. As for pictures I do not have any personally but just a moment.” 

Hanzo sat at a bench, unhooking Yomi’s leash for him to run out in the grass, which the hyperactive dog did. “You can do the same for Ama.”

Brigitte unhooked the leash like he said to and Ama gave a long stretch before going off to join her brother. 

Pulling out his phone from his pants pocket, Hanzoo went to a website before turning the phone for her to see. “This is it.”

Taking the phone when he let her hold it and Brigitte flipped through the gallery. On the phone screen were aerial views of an old fashioned Japanese castle up against a small mountain, surrounded by a forest and a small river. An intricate double dragon emblem was featured on the main gates and on certain areas of the building. There were even other buildings scattered about, though they were a bit more modern. 

“Didn’t think it would make you quiet.” Hanzo playfully raised his eyebrow, watching her study the pictures more closely than he expected.

“Oh.” Brigitte scratched the back of her head. “I’ve always had a thing for architecture as well as engineering thanks to papa. This just looks so cool. I’m more used european designs so this is different from what I usually study. The structure seems really stable and loved from what I see, though I’d have to see it more upclose to know how it’s all held together. The blueprints must be amazing. I would like to visit.”  

Hanzo just looked at her awe as she continued talking. She was really passionate about the craft and it made him feel...strange. Like all he wanted to do was listen to her talk forever.

“I must be rambling.” Brigitte said, shyly looking away as she handed Hanzo’s phone back to him in a bit of a hurry. “Sorry.”

“None needed. I’m just not used to people being so adamant about the subject. If it makes you happy, you are free to discuss it with me. Though I may not understand most of it.”

“Alright. Same goes with your music.” Brigitte commented. “You said it would take a while to explain back when we first met. Well we have the time now.”

“I guess I can say a little bit at least.” Hanzo took another sip. “My love of music started from an early age. When I was very small, I would spend time with my mother as she would play piano. Slowly I took a liking to it and played simple songs alongside her every evening. So around the time I turned four, I received my own piano for my birthday.”

“You got your own piano at four?” Brigitte asked. 

Hanzo smiled a little, sensing the shock in her voice. “It’s not like it was a grand piano.”

“Still when I was four, all I wanted were kitty themed things and toy tools so that I could be like papa.” Brigitte let out a small chuckle.

Hanzo enjoyed that sound again. “Well it seemed your wishes came true since you followed in his footsteps.”

“No shortcuts, just hard work.” Brigitte said, with a smile and flexing her arm. 

“Twenty four years of hard work on my end.” Hanzo said, then whistled, getting Yomi and Ama to return. “But I think we are always open to learn more.”

“Always.” Brigitte said, petting Yomi who energetically went to her and licked her face. “Hello to you too. Who's a good boy?”   Ruffling his fur as all he did was smile.

Hanzo pet Ama’s head when she put it on his lap. Once again his heart felt like it was racing as he stared at Brigitte.

“Oh, I guess I stopped your story with that question.” Brigitte said, looking up from giving Yomi attention. Noticing Hanzo was staring at her for a brief moment.

“How about I continue while we eat?”  Hanzo said, standing up and attaching the leashes.

“Sounds good.” Brigitte said, taking Yomi’s leash this time. 

That was until the smaller dog decided to walk around them both in a hurry, pressing Hanzo and Brigitte really close to each other with Brigitte’s face against his shoulder. 

Time stood still when their eyes met. He noticed her blush and hoped he wasn’t blushing too badly himself. Eventually he broke the eye contact and unwound them. 

“Apologies.” Hanzo said softly then glared at Yomi which made the dog calm down slightly. 

“It’s o-kay.” Brigitte felt like a flustered mess. He felt so warm and his aftershave smelled nice. In all honesty, she wanted to stay there longer. “He’s certainly a bundle of energy.”

“Yes.” Hanzo said, making sure he had Yomi walking with him. “Before he makes more of a spectacle of himself let us move on.”

Brigitte followed as Ama stayed with her. She stayed a bit quiet on the trip to one of the other exits. Glancing over to Hanzo in the corner of her eye when she could. 

“We’re here.”

“Huh?” Brigitte snapped out her thoughts.

“We’re here.” Hanzo repeated, motioning towards a small little cafe across a bike path.

The building Hanzo pointed out was a small little shop at the corner of the path. Just above the door was a small sign that said ‘Paws and Snacks’, which Brigitte thought was a cute name. Several tables outside were occupied with people and their pets. On it’s windows were painted an assortment of animals, mostly cats and dogs. She had known of the park but not of this place, it was adorable and Brigitte had only seen the part of it.

“My usual table is inside or would you rather sit outdoors?” Hanzo asked, preparing to open the door.

“Wherever is fine.” Brigitte smiled as Hanzo let her and then followed.

Inside had a few more people and was noisier with the sounds of taking, both animals and persons. The walls were decorated in more decals of animals as well as photos of what seemed to be customers all happy with their furry babies. Booths and tables were decorated in paw print patterns.

Across the shop a woman’s voice was heard over the small crowd. “Hi Hanzo! Your usual table is free so go ahead and sit. I’ll bring some menus in a moment!”

Hanzo acknowledged the voice with a nod and led Brigitte to a two person table in the back. Ama and Yomi laid out on the floor, even though you could tell Yomi was still fidgety.

Brigitte slipped her bag onto her chair and started to take off her jacket but was surprised when Hanzo went to the effort to help her and placed it on the hanger near them before pushing her chair in after she sat down. “Thank you.”

“Your welcome, my lady.” Hanzo said with a small smile as he put his jacket next to hers. Revealing his black vest over a dark blue button down.

“Always the gentleman.” 

The voice was the same one that greeted them. It came from a short, curvy woman with long brown hair and the brightest blue-green eyes wearing a bunny themed dress, carrying two menus. From what Brigitte could see the woman didn’t seem much older than herself.

“Mrs. Twin. It wouldn’t be any other way.” Hanzo chuckled as the woman gave the dogs two bone shaped cookies.

“You know you can just call me Wynn.” Wynn said and then placed the menus in front of them. “Anyway, hello, I’m Wynn, owner of Paws and Snacks.” Her giggle was kind and inviting.

“Hi, I’m Brigitte.” Brigitte said with a smile and a little wave.

“Very nice to meet you. I take it it’s your first time here, since I’ve never seen you before. I’m usually good with faces.” Wynn pulled out her pen and pad. “What would you like to drink while you decide what you’d like to eat? I recommend the peppermint tea, especially with this chilly air. As for you Hanzo, you’ll be having your usual?”

“Yes, please.” Hanzo replied.

Brigitte decided to go with the suggestion. “I’ll try that tea, please.”

“Alright. I’ll get those for you and return soon.” Wynn gave a bow and headed behind the counter.

“She seems really nice.” Brigitte said, looking over her menu at Hanzo quicky. 

“She is.” Hanzo briefly looked back. “Also pick anything you wish.”

“Everything looks so good. I don’t know what to choose.” Brigitte commented, she really wanted the ‘cheesecake of the day’ but figured it was best to get something else first. “Do you have suggestions?”

“The fruit medley is appetizing though I think you’d prefer the meat salad sandwiches with soup. Like this one.” Hanzo pointed at the back of Brigitte’s menu.

Brigitte went to the back page and saw the more extensive sandwich list. Seeing all this she’d have to come back just to try everything. 

“Here are your drinks.” Wynn said, placing two mugs on the table. “Have you decided what you would like?”

“I’ll have my usual.” Hanzo replied, handing back his menu.

Wynn turned to Brigitte. “And you?”

“I’ll take the cranberry chicken salad sandwich and cheddar broccoli soup.” Brigitte said, also returning the menu. “Could I have a slice of the cheesecake of the day?”

“Of course. We made a fresh blueberry swirl cheesecake just a little bit ago!” Wynn said excitedly. “I’ll get these set and will return shortly.”

Watching Wynn walk away again, Hanzo took a sip of his tea. “You look like you have something to ask me.”

“Well it’s more or less I didn’t expect you to go to a place like this.” Brigitte teased. “Though I guess that is assuming.”

“Normally I tend to go to more quiet places.” Hanzo chuckled. “But this place is right next to the park, has good food, my dogs like it and I appreciate what Mrs. Twin does for the local animal shelters and adoptions.”

“Like what?” Brigitte asked.

“Most of the profit she makes here goes into supporting shelters so the animals get plenty of food and medical treatment as well as maintenance of the facilities.” 

Brigitte thought to herself that she really needed to visit more often then. “I really like her now.”

“She’d most certainly like to see you come in more.” Hanzo took another sip. “Though did you wish for me to continue, since you seemed so interested in my music history.”

“Oh yeah! So you got a piano, then what happened?” Brigitte asked.