Honestly, it put the young journalist on cloud nine to see the little ploy he’d come up with, and he’d even chosen a clear, efficient model. (Hers wasn’t much different in all actuality, she’d just bought extra lenses and a slight upgrade). The manner in which he’d leapt almost jauntily to chauffeur her in to the car only expanded her beaming smile, and earned another spring of light, bell-like laughter.
“And they say that chivalry is dead— thank you, Hakuba-sama. You look rather dashing yourself, to nobody’s genuine surprise." Sure it was easier for someone to have the attention on her, but she was hardly the kind of girl who’d been doted over in the past, so no matter how comfortably she settled into the conversation, it seemed the colour in her cheeks wouldn’t die off easily.
"I’ll not keep it waiting any longer, good sir." She returned in a half-lofty, half-laughing tone, moving past him with a mock curtsy, before nestling securely into her seat. And a real swell chariot it is, yowzah. She thought admiringly while she awaited his return to the driver’s seat, before turning her smile back his way, "Is destination one to be a surprise, or am I allowed a courtesy hint to puzzle over on the way”
(Unlike most occasions, she hadn’t any discomfort or want to complain about being in a car. Go figure.)
Once her door was closed, quiet and firm, Hakuba moved back to the other side of the car, reaching in to pick up his camera, first.
“Hmm… Well, if we’re playing role-reversal here, you ought to be the detective, I think.” He took another photo, then lowered the camera to show a broad-grinned lip bite. “Of course, I’ll give you some clues, first."
He let himself into the car, buckled his seat belt, and put the lens cap back on the camera, safely stowing it in a compartment just under the gear shifts. "The clues I’ll give you are as follows: bones, but not grave; flora, but not floral; plane, but not airport, and… ancient, but not outdated."
Hakuba started the car, which revved with a delicious purr, and pulled away from the curb, en route to their first stop.