It really was very Celeste. It was the first thing she thought when she had seen it, but that had seemed too forward? This was an entirely new experience onto another new experience, the stress was most multiplicative. A very cute girl she had a crush on, the fact she could crush on someone at all, being in someone's room that she wasn't related to for the first time, she was in a girls room she had a crush on, her crushes panties, and now of course the fact she was showing off her 'real' self to sed crush with no idea how that particular nugget was going to be received.

When it turned out the question to the last was, well it just removed some of the stress. Only shoot through the roof as the gorgeous swirl of galactic colors moved to hold-touch her hand. Himari's face was burning with embarrassment and nervousness, the scarlet far too evident on her pale features. Ears zeroed in on Celeste now that she was close. Was it her heartbeat that was pounding so loud in her ears or Celeste's. Her hearing not being that good she decided on the former. Ugh why did she have to have feelings now of all times?

The tail gently curled itself away from her face and swished nervously against her side. "Not your fault it is all mine. I am embarrassed though. Been a long time since I have gone all kitsune without meaning too that didn't involve a dog." Her words carefully measure and full of emotion to keep from slipping into full Japanese mode and shuddering a bit at the mention of dogs. Nodding a bit at the mention of being able to stay. "Thank you, I appreciate it. It was not easy to grow up looking different so now I hide my true self I suppose." The warm hands very comforting and she took a deep breath in some minor attempt to settle herself down.

She didn't want the celestial woman to think it was her fault in anyway and forced herself to keep speak. "You are not at fault at all. I am just very nervous. It is my first time in someone else's room and it is a bit overwhelming. Especially since.." Another slow deep breath and her tail moved to curl about her body. "Especially since I have a crush, or romantic feelings for you." Making sure that was unambiguous as possible since English was neither of theirs first languages. 

"I know it seems.. unusual for it to be so after so little time together, but after having to endure so many terrible people in my life it is pretty easy to pick out the.. wonderful ones." The pause required to think of the english word. Having relieved that all off her chest in her usual honesty and sincerity she felt much better regardless of the impromptu admission. Her face angled down some, bracing herself for shock or outrage or any other million emotions that could pour forth from Celeste.

Celeste could see that Himari was embarrassed. She had been around enough gorgons to know what that look was when she saw it. But on that same token, she couldn’t understand why the fox-eared girl was embarrassed. There were gorgons with far worse physical mutations than simply sporting a tail and ears. Maybe that wasn’t the extent of her abilities, Celeste had only just met her fellow teenager. But in either case, she didn’t see why she should be so downtrodden.

But that didn’t matter. It didn’t matter if she could understand or see the reason behind Himari’s discomfort. All that mattered is that her new friend was scared and Celeste would support her in whatever capacity that meant.

Himari thanked the celestial mutant for her understanding and explained that it wasn’t easy growing up with a physical mutation. It was a sad truth that Celeste knew exactly what she was talking about. The gorgons in Atlantis were severely mistreated, whether they were forced to work as laborers in the necropolis or forced into servitude as palace slaves. Either way, for generations the demigods mistreated the gorgons and the mocking, sneering, and leering had been something Celeste was very well aware of. It saddened her to know that Himari had gone through something similar.

Her bottom lip jutted out slightly in comradery. She would be of whatever assistance she could to Himari.

”I...understand,” she said softly. ”To hide...easier than be mocked. Many gorgons...suffer the same.” She nodded.

Himari seemed to be calming but with that came a revelation that she was in no way expecting. Her newfound friend had a crush -- a romantic interest that apparently was for Celeste herself. The stars and galaxies that swirled lazily long her cheeks shifted into a deep shade of pink. Not out of embarrassment, simply unexpected.

Celeste stood in stunned silence as Himari quickly spoke further. She was aware of how strange the revelation was given that they had just met. But she admitted that there was something genuinely good about Celeste that she could sense and that only helped to stoke the flames of interest.

Silently Celeste stood, her head tilted while she watched the fox-eared mutant closely. What seemed like an eternity passed before she spoke. ”We have...just met…” she whispered softly. ”We know...little of each other…” she looked away, deep in thought for several more moments. Slowly she drifted away, wandering about her room as she looked at all corners before her starlit eyes fell on Himari once more. And she smiled. ”...but...we can change that. I too like you...Himari. You appear...sweet and kind.” After a pause she nodded firmly. ”We may…’court’…” she said softly, drifting back over to Himari. ”...if you wish”

She realized it probably explained a little about herself that with tall the various attitudes regarding her mutation growing up she hid it and her personality was one of making people intimidated by design. She wasn't going to suffer more bullies in her life then she had too, and she didn't want people worshipping her for good luck or any of that nonsense. Here in the states that last possibility was far less applicable, but even fans were a worship of some kind. She wasn't the person she was because she wanted to be admired. She was simply trying to be the best version of herself she could be proud of and everyone in her life, but her sister seemed intent on tearing her down and preventing that. 

So it was indeed far easier to hid then be mocked, vilified, or worshipped. It also reduced her to less then her whole. She relished the challenge of facing the world on human terms. Of the hard work she put into honing her body into fine fighting instrument. Being forced into the sudden situation she was in also made her realise she was facing the world with less then her whole being at that hurt on some incomprehensible level. Perhaps it was the true punishment of her exile to be so far from the outdoors she loved and forced into a city she couldn't be her full self and enjoy the scents, sounds, and experiences of a forest in the full of its season.

As with all things in life it was not all doom and gloom, she had her sister that despite being a 'demon' she loved with all of her being. Now she also had a romantic interest to maybe help ease some of the burdens on her heart. If her heart beating in her chest like a wild drum as Celeste spoke in her calm refined manner had anything to say she really liked the girl on some instinctual animalistic level despite not knowing her for very long.. or was that how it always was with everyone?! She had no idea. 

Her eyes and ears tracked Celeste as she spoke and moved about. Amethyst eyes regarding her carefully and almost unbreathingly. A blush blossoming on her face at the compliments and her tail swished softly to hide part of her face again. Then Celeste spoke and she.. well she was pretty sure the galaxy girl had said something positive, but English was not her first language and her face got even redder until her tail and hands moved to cover them up again until she took several deep breaths and peered shly over her own tail. "W-what is 'court'?" The only court she knew of involved laws or kings and she really didn't know how they applied in any case.. wait was she royalty?! Instead of making assumption she waited for Celeste to explain herself!

Admittedly the idea both intrigued and scared the young gorgon. She had been courted before, back in Atlantis, but she knew that those attempts were not about romance. She wasn’t put on display for romance, but more to attract and to be used as a bartering chip. The palace ran on favors and gorgons like her were traded like a rare commodity, and only for the most important of deals.

Several attempts had been made to use Celeste for such intentions but luckily, her time never came thanks to the efforts of the X-Men.

But what of love? What of romance? Just a year ago, Celeste would never have even conceived such an idea for herself. After living in the palace, she almost wanted nothing to do with the whole affair. But after spending time on the surface, living among mutants and mortals, reading and watching, the seeds of possibility were certainly planted.

At the end of the day, Celeste had decided that she wouldn’t know if she could really be in love until she tried.

Though she didn’t know a lot about Himari, she was certainly willing to see where such attractions could go. She liked the fox-eared girl, that much was evident, and she certainly had a form about her that was appealing, but that was all she knew. Were they compatible? Did they have things in common? Time and attempts were needed to find this out. And rather than fear betrayal or a broken heart, Celeste was now of the mind that she had to try.

So she said as much. It was sweet that Himari had a “crush” on her but they knew nothing of one another. So they could court. Yes. That was the best way of the surface, wasn’t it? Two interested individuals would spend time together, eat, dance, etc., and through the course of courtship would discover whether the attraction was mutual and sustainable. That certainly seemed fair.

Her starlit eyes twinkled with interest and kindness as she looked over the cute, pink-haired mutant. Her response, however, caused Celeste to tilt her head. She didn’t know what “court” meant. Celeste tutted in frustration. She really must learn her grammar better.

”Um, A-Apology…” she said, and then held up one finger. ”Please to wait.” She drifted over to her shelf and mused as she looked at several of the books before deciding on one. Pulling that off, she opened it and began to rifle through the pages, returning to Himari’s side. ”Court. To woo. Go out with. Date.” She clarified with a warm smile.

Yes. Celeste agreed to date Himari.

It dawned on Himari there was a whole.. chunk of the English language she seemed to be missing. She wasn't sure if it was an accidental subconscious social programming of Japanese to be conservative or if it just never came up or even more likely she slept through the class on romantic words and phrases.

So when Celesete tutted it only added to her growing embarrassment. Her cheeks still branded with nervousness and frustration as Celeste sought out a way to better inform her of her intentions. This whole thing was so nerve wracking she understood why in the few old dramas she had caught on tv why the girls fainted, and she had thought them weak!

Then Celeste made it abundantly clear what she meant. Date! Wait who had just asked who out?! Did it matter?! The fox in her head was running in circles as her heart burst and her butt wiggle happily in rhythm with her tail.

"Yes! I mean yes that would be great!" Without thinking about it she threw her arms around the galaxy woman and gave her a quick hug before blushing furiously and hastily pulling away. "S-sorry! I should have asked. I got caught up in the moment." Her Amethyst eyes sparkling a bit with tears of pure joy and a thought crossed her face and she was blushing all over again. 

"I mean.. I have never dated before. So I might not be very good at it at first, and bound to make mistakes.. I not usually that good with people or had many friends, or good at talking to strangers.." Slowly murmuring quieter and quieter until she was talking to herself quietly in Japanese, tail curled about herself again as uncertainty grew. It wasn't often she endeavored to try something new and it always started off with lots of mistakes and hard won knowledge and perseverance. 

The words were coming so fast. The celestial mutant had to smile, nodding her head and grinning from ear to ear as Himari finally understood what the gorgon was saying. Celeste had never dated but the pink-haired girl was too cute and interesting for her to say no. Besides, things felt different with her. She didn’t know why but she wanted to see where things were going to go.

In truth, Celeste was curious about the whole process. In her time here at the mansion, she had seen couples pairing up. Males and females, females and females, males and males, and everything in-between. There were similar pairings in Atlantis but those had usually been short affairs and it was a way of life that was in no way possible for her.

But, she was on the surface now. She made friends. She was increasing her circle of connections. This was the next obvious step. All she needed was for someone to snag her interest. Scott Springs, now that she thought of it, seemed like it was interested but it was not reciprocated; not in the same way that she felt towards Himari.

Maybe this would turn out better than she hoped!

Her pale, starlit eyes locked onto the fox-mutant again as she seemed to get wrapped up in her nerves. The bushy fox tail made a return covering Himari’s face as she held onto it nervously. Celeste’s smile broadened as she carefully reached over, resting her cool hands on Himari’s.

”No need nervous,” she said with a nod. ”Me neither,” she gestured to herself. ”Never court. But learn together.” A sweet smile pulled at her lips and those millions of distance stars and galaxies twinkled warmly as she felt her hands. ”Okay?”

Himari realised that despite her nervous muttering, she adored seeing Celeste smile. It was a wonderful look on the starlit female and it made her stomach do funny things she didn't quite understand yet. Given how beautiful her new companion was her words were very surprising. Blinking a few times and managing to smile as the tail drew itself away from her face. 

It was a small risk, but worth taking as she turned her hands so they could hold each others gently. Her thumbs moving the back of Celeste's hands as she touched her for the first time and marvelled at the feel both internally and externally. "I think I would like that very much then. So very okay." Her smile growing with each passing moment. Her far plainer amethyst eyes locke dinto Celeste's for a long moment as she enjoyed the simple span of time.

Then her stomach grumbled a bit and she giggled. "I will try to see if I can't unfox myself so we can get something to eat. I think that was what we were going to do next?" It already felt like hours ago and her poor heart couldn't handle much more of this in such a short span of time. Of course she was more than a little reluctant to let go of her new girlfriends hands, so she didn't right away.

Instead she closed her eyes and focus on breathing in a meditative manner, slow smooth breaths as she emptied her mind of as much as she could to get her wild emotions under control. A minor extraordinary feat considering the circumstances! Slowly her ears and tail would recede, her senses dulling to that of a mere normal human leaving her soul a bit sadder for it. She kept her eyes closed longer then she needed. The greedy fox enjoying the hand holding immensely and begrudgingly cracked her eyes open. 

"So what sort of food do you like?" White teeth showing brilliantly as her face split into a broad grin.