Reki waited near the tea shop for her guest. It had been a surprise when the Unicorn attache had asked for what basically amounted to a date. Still the Lioness owed the woman for her assistance. So after dropping off the requested paperwork in the morning, she confirmed the arrangements and changed into something more casual.

Akodo Reki wrote: ↑

Fri May 06, 2022 12:17 pm

Reki waited near the tea shop for her guest. It had been a surprise when the Unicorn attache had asked for what basically amounted to a date. Still the Lioness owed the woman for her assistance. So after dropping off the requested paperwork in the morning, she confirmed the arrangements and changed into something more casual.

Iuchi Pakpao • Status 2.0 • Glory 2.1

The Iuchi arrived in a purple and white chequered buttoned shirt under dark blue dungarees, a mischievous grin on her face. Walking into the small Tian Bubble tea store, she stops for a moment, somewhat expectantly, then the grin widens more into a smile as she sees the Akodo.

"Akodo-san!", she greets Reki with a bow, her voice louder and more excited than she'd hoped. "All good with the documents", she says, nodding. "You should be good by the end of the week, as I said..."

Then, more warmly and excited - "Have you decided what to get already?"

For her part Reki was wearing a sweater and pants combination, a relaxed sort of outfit. She returns the smile, "Again, I appreciate this very much Iuchi-san. It means a lot to me."

Her eyes shift to the menu, "Ah, I have something in mind yes. I didn't have much of a taste for bubble tea before my marriage. One of several things Naomi-chan introduced me to." Her smile betrays a sense of longing, then softens again, "I even tried that fermented milk your clan makes...that one never quite stuck with me."

Akodo Reki wrote: ↑

Sun May 08, 2022 1:35 pm

For her part Reki was wearing a sweater and pants combination, a relaxed sort of outfit. She returns the smile, "Again, I appreciate this very much Iuchi-san. It means a lot to me."

Her eyes shift to the menu, "Ah, I have something in mind yes. I didn't have much of a taste for bubble tea before my marriage. One of several things Naomi-chan introduced me to." Her smile betrays a sense of longing, then softens again, "I even tried that fermented milk your clan makes...that one never quite stuck with me."

Iuchi Pakpao • Status 2.0 • Glory 2.1

Pakpao nods again at Reki's thanks. It was clearly something important to her - understandably so. It wasn't everyday that she dealt with bureaucratic things that people actually cared about!

Soon her attention went to the menu as well, though.

"Oh, you've tried kumis?~", she asks with a chuckle. "I suppose that's not for everyone. Well, not for everyone outside Unicorn space, at least!", she adds, grinning. "Akodo-sama's a brave one! Akodo Nami-sama's taught you well, eh?", she completes with another grin, sardonic but warm.

Looking at the menu again, she scans it quickly, then raises her eyes. "I'll go for green pearl milk tea with lychee jelly. Akodo-sama?"

She moves to the queue while she waits for the Lion's decision, then turns back to Reki. "Akodo-sama mentioned this will be your first visit to Shinjo's Grace... have you ever been to other parts of Unicorn space?"

"Naomi-chan was very persuasive when she had a mind to be," Reki sighed, she had thought back then it would have been one of her worst memories...Akodo knew that stuff had been practically vile to her tastebuds...yet her it was bring a smile to her face.

"After making sure she hadn't killed me, she had a good laugh at my expense." She shakes her head, "No...not really at my expense, Naomi-chan teased but never in malice."

Another sigh, "Forgive me, my mind wanders..."

"Ah...no, this will be my first time visiting your clan's space." Reki frowned and looked off to the side, "Our marriage had been arranged, we first were introduced on my homeworld and well, not long after the tensions of galactic politics saw my being mobilized and her being integrated into the existing forces. There...just wasn't time for those sorts of long trips."

Akodo Reki wrote: ↑

Sun May 08, 2022 9:06 pm

"Naomi-chan was very persuasive when she had a mind to be," Reki sighed, she had thought back then it would have been one of her worst memories...Akodo knew that stuff had been practically vile to her tastebuds...yet her it was bring a smile to her face.

"After making sure she hadn't killed me, she had a good laugh at my expense." She shakes her head, "No...not really at my expense, Naomi-chan teased but never in malice."

Another sigh, "Forgive me, my mind wanders..."

"Ah...no, this will be my first time visiting your clan's space." Reki frowned and looked off to the side, "Our marriage had been arranged, we first were introduced on my homeworld and well, not long after the tensions of galactic politics saw my being mobilized and her being integrated into the existing forces. There...just wasn't time for those sorts of long trips."

Iuchi Pakpao • Status 2.0 • Glory 2.1

Sensing Reki's emotions coming to the fore, the Iuchi answers her with a warm, but contained smile "Nothing to be sorry about, Akodo-sama", she says simply. "It is clear how much Akodo Naomi-sama meant to you. Despite an arranged marriage and you both very involved in military matters most of the time, ne?. A warm, supportive smile.

"I hope this time now will make up for that a bit. Help you find a bit of Naomi-sama back too.. Another supportive look, then a sheepish grin. "Maybe Akodo-sama could share some of your impressions when you're there? Or a picture or two. Been a long time since I was around too, see...

She took her hand to her face, ostensibly to move her hair away from her eyes, and shifted her gaze to the cashier. "So! Green tea and lychee for me! Akodo-sama? We still got jets to fly!", she said trying to sound cool and casual - and probably failing.

"Ah...I suppose if you would like I could take a few shots." Reki blinked and picked up her own drink, a black tea with milk and the traditional tapioca balls, "Is there any particular areas you want me to try and capture?"

She gives the Unicorn a pleasant smile, "That we do, Iuchi-san. Hopefully I will live up to your expectations in that regard."

Akodo Reki wrote: ↑

Mon May 09, 2022 2:10 am

"Ah...I suppose if you would like I could take a few shots." Reki blinked and picked up her own drink, a black tea with milk and the traditional tapioca balls, "Is there any particular areas you want me to try and capture?"

She gives the Unicorn a pleasant smile, "That we do, Iuchi-san. Hopefully I will live up to your expectations in that regard."

Iuchi Pakpao • Status 2.0 • Glory 2.1

The Iuchi thinks for a moment as she takes the first sip of her tea. "If you can and you do visit New Hope, the spires there are killer! Even more so when you see them as you come flying into the Castle, really allows you to see some details you'd otherwise miss! Is there a slight tone of nostalgia there? But she was a paper-pusher, right?

Another sip of the tea and she continues with a warm smile."The planet is also really nice seen from above. The mosaic of mountain ranges, woods and grasslands, it's really something! But you know... Akodo-sama could try to find what views you think Naomi-sama would like! Might make for good memories. And... maybe having someone to share these with might help make these memories feel more alive?"

Another sip, a nod and she's grinning and almost bouncing with excitement. "Weeeeell shall we then? I'm sure Rekincredible won't disappoint!", she says, suddenly already halfway across the street. "Best of three? Then a co-op run just for the fun? Or is Akodo-sama too competitive for that, eh?", she says tauntingly turning her head back to look at Reki as she reaches the Arcade.

Reki's smile turns sympathetic, "You were a pilot. Or perhaps a navigator."

"Assuming my shuttle allows such a view I will try my best." The Lioness followed along behind the Iuchi. "What views Naomi-chan would like...." She thinks on that, "She used to mention learning to ride as a child...so perhaps the plains would be where I should start."

The Akodo raises her eyebrows, "I am fine with either." She smirks, "The Akodo, while skilled warriors, understand the importance of soldiers working in sync. Trying to coordinate that at the Legion level is my job after all."

Akodo Reki wrote: ↑

Mon May 09, 2022 11:33 pm

Reki's smile turns sympathetic, "You were a pilot. Or perhaps a navigator."

"Assuming my shuttle allows such a view I will try my best." The Lioness followed along behind the Iuchi. "What views Naomi-chan would like...." She thinks on that, "She used to mention learning to ride as a child...so perhaps the plains would be where I should start."

The Akodo raises her eyebrows, "I am fine with either." She smirks, "The Akodo, while skilled warriors, understand the importance of soldiers working in sync. Trying to coordinate that at the Legion level is my job after all."

Iuchi Pakpao • Status 2.0 • Glory 2.1

"Ah! I should have imagined, of course! Looking forward to following your orders then, Akodo-gunso!", she says playfully as she makes her way to the Flight of Glory machines - quite conspicuously not commenting on Reki's conclusion about her past, at first at least.

"Oh, the plains! That's sure to be a nice view!", she says with a warm, somewhat nostalgic smile as she finds two empty cockpits for them. "Has Naomi-sama taught Akodo-gunso how to ride, then?", she asks with a cheeky grin.

She then makes her way to the counter and, calling one of the clerks there by their name with another of her friendly grins, asks him to do something for her. The man comes over and adjusts something in the machine tied to one of the cockpits she secured. "There, Iuchi-san, should be fine now, eh?", he says in the slightly informal tone of an old acquaintance.

"Shall we get ready, then?", she asks, gesturing to the machines with a boyish smile. Her eyes then wander to the ground for a split second. "...Akodo-sama is quite perceptive, ne? I... was. Both. Or... should have been? Should still be?..."

Her voice trails off, but she soon looks up all frisky again. "Well, best of three then, yeah?"

"One needn't be Iuchi-san," Reki gave her a sympathetic smile, "You wear your heart on your sleeve in regards to a love of flying."

She took a sip of her own drink and then shook her head, "No...but she wanted to...I mean she never told me but there were a lot of unsubtle hints in that regard. So many things left undone."

The Akodo stepped over to her own cockpit, "Do not think I will show you the same kindness...what is it you flyers say? 'In the air'. I expect your best and will give you mine." Despite her serious tone, a sly smile betrayed the jovial nature behind her comment.

Akodo Reki wrote: ↑

Tue May 10, 2022 11:23 pm

"One needn't be Iuchi-san," Reki gave her a sympathetic smile, "You wear your heart on your sleeve in regards to a love of flying."

She took a sip of her own drink and then shook her head, "No...but she wanted to...I mean she never told me but there were a lot of unsubtle hints in that regard. So many things left undone."

The Akodo stepped over to her own cockpit, "Do not think I will show you the same kindness...what is it you flyers say? 'In the air'. I expect your best and will give you mine." Despite her serious tone, a sly smile betrayed the jovial nature behind her comment.

Iuchi Pakpao • Status 2.0 • Glory 2.1

"I'm that transparent, am I?", the Iuchi says with a grin as she steps into the other cockpit. "I'd expect no less than your best, Akodo-gunso!", she soon says good-naturedly, not at all changing the topic on purpose (....)

"I'm... sure there was also much done, ne, Akodo-sama. I... I'm sure it's hard but... there must be good memories to live by, eh?". Her voice is friendly, but also careful - this was certainly a difficult topic. She nods, with a warm smile that soon becomes another boyish grin.

"Time to beat ya, Akodo-gunso!", she says hitting the 'start' button and getting to the craft selection screen.

If Reki looks to Pakpao's screen, she'll notice it's noticeably darker, the colours much duller than the game's normal.



EDIT: Just for the fun, wanna do a best of three with the usual rules for Flight of Glory? One roll at a time if you're game?

Reki begins the game conservatively, pressing forward and feeling out her opponent. While clearly not a pilot...the Akodo was clearly a good shot, able to easily land hits.

She smiled...it was a different experience against a human pilot.

Akodo Reki wrote: ↑

Wed May 11, 2022 1:57 am

Reki begins the game conservatively, pressing forward and feeling out her opponent. While clearly not a pilot...the Akodo was clearly a good shot, able to easily land hits.

She smiled...it was a different experience against a human pilot.

Iuchi Pakpao • Status 2.0 • Glory 2.1

Pakpao meanwhile chooses the Interceptor, and goes for a bold, aggressive approach, hunting for points even as she tries to feel out Reki's style. Both her choice of craft and her play style leaves no doubt that, if the Iuchi wasn't a Pilot or a navigator, she was clearly meant to be one.

"Come on, Akodo-sama!", she says half-yelling in excitement as the cockpit spins around with her daring manoeuvres "I'm sure Rekincredible can do better than that!".

Her voice, her smile, her excitement, it's all almost childlike - if it weren't for how seriously she seems to take it.


-----
400 'points' for Pakpao vs 200 'points' for Reki in round 1!
Pakpao 1 x Reki 0

Reki indulged in a small chuckle and attempted to push her luck. But it was clear that the Lioness was no real fighter pilot. Still it was proving to be an amusing enough game.

Perhaps she should have worn the cat ears!

Akodo Reki wrote: ↑

Wed May 11, 2022 11:36 am

Reki indulged in a small chuckle and attempted to push her luck. But it was clear that the Lioness was no real fighter pilot. Still it was proving to be an amusing enough game.

Perhaps she should have worn the cat ears!

Iuchi Pakpao • Status 2.0 • Glory 2.1

"Akodo-sama, you have to hit these big ones from beneath!! Like this! And then... roll to avoid these meteor showers! The childlike glee keeps just the same, and she seems more encouraging than competitive. "Come, come! You can do... uh... ah... agh!"

If Reki looks to Pakpao's cockpit, she'll see the screen is bright again, colours brilliant, bright energy shots flashing all around as the Interceptor drifts around without any type of control. The Iuchi seems to be making a huge effort, eyes shut, jaws and fists clenched.

She lets out only a low "Ack".

------
Pakpao 0, Reki 0 for this round I guess? :p

Reki pauses her game and reaches over to place a reassuring hand on the Iuchi. She frowned, another piece of this Unicorn puzzle coming into focus. The Lioness did not wish to bring attention to them without at least seeing if their was another option. Her voice was low enough to only carry to the Pakpao.

"Iuchi-san, are you alright." Her voice was concerned but firm, in control. She hoped it would provide something steady for the Iuchi to focus on.

Akodo Reki wrote: ↑

Thu May 12, 2022 12:13 am

Reki pauses her game and reaches over to place a reassuring hand on the Iuchi. She frowned, another piece of this Unicorn puzzle coming into focus. The Lioness did not wish to bring attention to them without at least seeing if their was another option. Her voice was low enough to only carry to the Pakpao.

"Iuchi-san, are you alright." Her voice was concerned but firm, in control. She hoped it would provide something steady for the Iuchi to focus on.

Iuchi Pakpao • Status 2.0 • Glory 2.1

The Iuchi's eyes, when her chenching them shut stops for a moment, are rolled upwards far enough that at a first sight it almost looks as if they her iris wasn't there. She keeps clenching her fists rhythmically, as if that might give her back some measure of control.

"Agh... why?", she muttered struggling through a slurred voice and a clenched jaw. "I'm... sorry you had to... nghhh". Her head jerks back, her back arches, she clenches her fists harder.

The clerk that had come over to adjust Pakpao's machine seems to look in their direction momentarily, his eyes worried.

Reki glances over to the technician and makes eye contact, it looked like the seizures were getting worse from what little the Lioness knew of such things. She gives the worker a nod and motions them over. When they approach, she will say quietly, "Summon someone who has experience, quietly. Do not draw attention to Iuchi-san if possible."

She turns back and cradles the Unicorn's head with her hand, trying to keep her from injuring herself. "It's alright Iuchi-san. Just relax if you can. I'm here if you need help."

Akodo Reki wrote: ↑

Thu May 12, 2022 2:12 am

Reki glances over to the technician and makes eye contact, it looked like the seizures were getting worse from what little the Lioness knew of such things. She gives the worker a nod and motions them over. When they approach, she will say quietly, "Summon someone who has experience, quietly. Do not draw attention to Iuchi-san if possible."

She turns back and cradles the Unicorn's head with her hand, trying to keep her from injuring herself. "It's alright Iuchi-san. Just relax if you can. I'm here if you need help."

The employee quickly and quietly moves closer, and after a quick look at the now brightly coloured and strobing screen takes his hand to his forehand and shakes his had, as if frustrated at himself. "I don't understand, I had changed the settings! Jurojin and Tamon, how could this have happened!"

Apparently legitimately worried about the Iuchi, he nods at Reki's order. "Akodo-sama, you want to hold Iuchi-sama's head slightly to the side", he notes in a gentle voice, then turns off the machine ("Just for now!") and goes to see if he can find help.


Iuchi Pakpao • Status 2.0 • Glory 2.1

"Agh... AGH!" Pakpao keeps clenching her fists and eyes, and makes an effort to time her breathing.

It takes a while, but she eventually succeeds..

"... Agh. I... I'm so sorry, Akodo-sama. I'm so sorry you had to see this..." Her head still leaning a bit on Reki's and turned to the side, she keeps her eyes closed, as if frightened - or ashamed - to open them. "This shouldn't..."

She takes a deep breath, takes her hand to her eyes. Just can't muster enough courage to open them. Not now.