[D3 EE] Occasion: Festival of Fire

[Bayushi Mariko]

"Hmmm..." Rei shrugged, smiling. "If I wanted to visit Crane or Crab territory, that could probably happen. The right transport would be like a vacation itself." He shrugged again. "But like you said, World of Dreams has pretty much everything. I haven't left the planet in just under two years." That was for his wedding, of course.

A brief frown, but Mariko's giggle brought him out of it. He cast her a look, smiling. "You're right, I do still owe you a drink. I do actually have my flask on me." He confided, patting his jacket. "But that's not the same. A proper drink is what I offered, and I mean to keep my word."

He lead the way to the bench, sitting after she was. Close, but not too close. Idly, he shoved a discarded can with his foot; no doubt the monks, or perhaps heimin would be picking it up tomorrow. Garbage was not work for a samurai, after all.

Turning, he looked at her. "I could probably arrange some of those things." He said, smiling. "Even doing nothing is better with gorgeous company."

"That's right, I suppose I've forgotten how much of a ship-boy you were in your youth. Crab territory? That's an interesting pick. I've been there once or twice. Not the Green Carp but of the rougher worlds, they seem to all hoard for whatever reasons under their dominion. Not exactly what I'd call a vacation spot." She gave a dismissive shake of her head at that.

There were a few glances at the bench before she settled down to take a seat and cross her legs. She supposed being on the streets wasn't perfect and this was part of the experience. It wasn't quite slumming it. Her curiosity got the better of her and she placed a hand on where he was patting his jacket, her eyes widening at the admission. "So you actually did...You know, I was joking earlier but now I know for sure you have all of these habits in you. I've never imagined you to be a bad influence, Usagi-san."

She would rest an arm on the bench end and lean away from him slightly. Her gaze looked at him appraisingly. "Arrange some of those things? And how would you find these thrills exactly? It's kind of fathom what you could consider thrills when you seem to keep so many of them in your pockets."

[Usagi Rei]

"That's right, I suppose I've forgotten how much of a ship-boy you were in your youth. Crab territory? That's an interesting pick. I've been there once or twice. Not the Green Carp but of the rougher worlds, they seem to all hoard for whatever reasons under their dominion. Not exactly what I'd call a vacation spot." She gave a dismissive shake of her head at that.

There were a few glances at the bench before she settled down to take a seat and cross her legs. She supposed being on the streets wasn't perfect and this was part of the experience. It wasn't quite slumming it. Her curiosity got the better of her and she placed a hand on where he was patting his jacket, her eyes widening at the admission. "So you actually did...You know, I was joking earlier but now I know for sure you have all of these habits in you. I've never imagined you to be a bad influence, Usagi-san."

She would rest an arm on the bench end and lean away from him slightly. Her gaze looked at him appraisingly. "Arrange some of those things? And how would you find these thrills exactly? It's kind of fathom what you could consider thrills when you seem to keep so many of them in your pockets."

"Wouldn't be mine, either." Rei said. "But it's where I could get to. The Hare have holdings in both Crab and Crane territory. Not so much my choice as my only options."

Rei gave her a smirk, eyebrows going up, as she patted his jacket. Indeed, she would feel metal underneath the fabric. Nevertheless, it was a step forward. "Well, not that bad." He murmured. "I do share, after all." Pulling out his flask, a plain small metal one, he offered it to her.

And then she leaned away... a step forward, a step back. Rei felt he was beginning to learn the rules to this dance. He maintained the distance, respectfully. "The thrills are there for the taking." He said, shrugging with a smile, looking back at her. "You can explore the city any time you like... well, anytime you have free." His smile was genuinely sympathetic. "But it was more just... considering the possibility that we might both be free at the same time."

[Ide Yamako]

Sumiko was suddenly regretting leaving her vantage point as she got swarmed by taller people.

Snip

"They have been, thank you. A lot of it was spent travelling, but seeing more of the universe makes it worth it right?" She chuckled "are you the only from the New Kalani delegation here, or have the other travelled also?"

Snip

Snip

Sumiko bowed to the Scorpion and then the Crane.

"Bayushi-sama, Asahina-sama, good evening. I hope you are both well?" She smiled at Senshuken and then turned to Hinata "congratulations on your performance in the Oshidama, two rivals of the stage standing together on the beach, it was a joy to see. I am Susumu Sumiko, it is a pleasure to meet you."

Seeing the sheer numbers, she stepped to the side slightly so as not to block anyone's vantage point. "I am the only Unicorn from New Kalani, though I have seen some other familiar faces from other Clans." She bowed to Asahina-san and startles at the large bang.

"This festival is very...energetic."

[Bayushi Mariko]

"Wouldn't be mine, either." Rei said. "But it's where I could get to. The Hare have holdings in both Crab and Crane territory. Not so much my choice as my only options."

Rei gave her a smirk, eyebrows going up, as she patted his jacket. Indeed, she would feel metal underneath the fabric. Nevertheless, it was a step forward. "Well, not that bad." He murmured. "I do share, after all." Pulling out his flask, a plain small metal one, he offered it to her.

And then she leaned away... a step forward, a step back. Rei felt he was beginning to learn the rules to this dance. He maintained the distance, respectfully. "The thrills are there for the taking." He said, shrugging with a smile, looking back at her. "You can explore the city any time you like... well, anytime you have free." His smile was genuinely sympathetic. "But it was more just... considering the possibility that we might both be free at the same time."

"A bit of claim sharing, I suppose?" Mariko said on the matter. Admittedly, the political matter of Minor Clans wasn't exactly something she was knowledgeable about, specifically the Hare in this case.

Mariko fingers would seem to subtly depress the outline of the flask before she would withdraw her hand for Rei to take it out. It was a flask in his pocket, all right. She was a bit bemused by this but more impressed. It wasn't exactly something a habit to brag about but since when was she the authority on good habits? She took the flask in her hands and tilted it a few times to get a sense of the liquid inside, as well as the weight of it. "Surely, just a bit of homemade tea that you were keeping on you in case of a long night..." She said coyly before she undid the top.

"I'm sure we can coincidentally work something out..." she said softly with a flirtatious hint of possibility before bringing the flask to her lips for a delicate swig. "My schedule tends to be pretty tight sometimes and maybe something will come last minute. Do you think you'll be able to drop a few things just to meet with me or would that be like moving mountains in your line of work as an attaché?"

[Usagi Rei]

"A bit of claim sharing, I suppose?" Mariko said on the matter. Admittedly, the political matter of Minor Clans wasn't exactly something she was knowledgeable about, specifically the Hare in this case.

Mariko fingers would seem to subtly depress the outline of the flask before she would withdraw her hand for Rei to take it out. It was a flask in his pocket, all right. She was a bit bemused by this but more impressed. It wasn't exactly something a habit to brag about but since when was she the authority on good habits? She took the flask in her hands and tilted it a few times to get a sense of the liquid inside, as well as the weight of it. "Surely, just a bit of homemade tea that you were keeping on you in case of a long night..." She said coyly before she undid the top.

"I'm sure we can coincidentally work something out..." she said softly with a flirtatious hint of possibility before bringing the flask to her lips for a delicate swig. "My schedule tends to be pretty tight sometimes and maybe something will come last minute. Do you think you'll be able to drop a few things just to meet with me or would that be like moving mountains in your line of work as an attaché?"

Rei just smiled. "Let's just say I had the feeling it might be a good idea. The tea, I mean." This last bit was deadpanned. It was a small flask, and he didn't use the good stuff in it. Just the medium stuff, a shochu that would be acceptable straight and warm.

Rei couldn't help but smile a bit at that flirtatious tone. "I like the sound of that." He murmured, but he frowned as she went on. "I can certainly try. Sometimes my schedule is flexible, sometimes it isn't." The smile returned as he looked at her. "On the other hand, if you missed the grand chair reveal tonight for a date with me, well, I should make a similar effort. It seems only fair."

[Hotaru Tsuyo]

snip

Tsuyo blinks, and not just because of the tungsten bright flare of the most recent rocket lighting up the city. There was a flutter of confused and startled birds nearby. "Hadn't thought of the ways folks might suborn those floats. Do they ever accidentally seem to point at some place, and does that spot see increased business because it's seen to be lucky or somethin'?"

She seems attentive enough to the tales of the poor Pharmacy's logo issues. "That had ta be rough. Lotta my work gets viewed through drone footage, so I know it's tricky to translate things to a display just right. Think I'd tear my hair out if I had to go diggin' through code too, when we're puttin' a show together."

"I imagine you're already lined up with work for the season then, given that sort of last minute specialty?" She pauses a moment before following with the related thought, "for that matter, seems a lot more ronin here than I'm used to seein'. I guess a city this big has enough work to go around?"

[Bayushi Mariko]

Rei just smiled. "Let's just say I had the feeling it might be a good idea. The tea, I mean." This last bit was deadpanned. It was a small flask, and he didn't use the good stuff in it. Just the medium stuff, a shochu that would be acceptable straight and warm.

Rei couldn't help but smile a bit at that flirtatious tone. "I like the sound of that." He murmured, but he frowned as she went on. "I can certainly try. Sometimes my schedule is flexible, sometimes it isn't." The smile returned as he looked at her. "On the other hand, if you missed the grand chair reveal tonight for a date with me, well, I should make a similar effort. It seems only fair."

"I don't blame you, especially depending on where you are, the store-bought stuff might not be exactly great. Too pedestrian." She would take another small sip with a smirk on her lips as she swallowed before handing the flask back to Rei. Public smoking and drinking, it was almost like they were looking at a checklist of what not to do tonight for their itinerary.

"Only fair." Mariko would say while looking at him with intent eyes that had a glint of playfulness with them. She would stop favouring the arm of the bench and lean back in her seat. Her gaze would turn to the skies between the two respective temples at 'war' above, perhaps just remembering there was a show tonight. "I wouldn't go so far to that you owe me, especially when it was something that I did on my own accord. Then again, maybe you gave me enough of a convenient excuse to escape. I'll leave you to interpret that...but any sort of effort would be appreciated. Again, only fair."

[Usagi Rei]

"I don't blame you, especially depending on where you are, the store-bought stuff might not be exactly great. Too pedestrian." She would take another small sip with a smirk on her lips as she swallowed before handing the flask back to Rei. Public smoking and drinking, it was almost like they were looking at a checklist of what not to do tonight for their itinerary.

"Only fair." Mariko would say while looking at him with intent eyes that had a glint of playfulness with them. She would stop favouring the arm of the bench and lean back in her seat. Her gaze would turn to the skies between the two respective temples at 'war' above, perhaps just remembering there was a show tonight. "I wouldn't go so far to that you owe me, especially when it was something that I did on my own accord. Then again, maybe you gave me enough of a convenient excuse to escape. I'll leave you to interpret that...but any sort of effort would be appreciated. Again, only fair."

Rei took a sip as well, before either offering it back to her, or tucking it back into his jacket if refused. "Well, I wouldn't want to be considered pedestrian." Rei flashed her an amused smirk.

As she leaned back, so would he, his arms resting up on the back of the bench, behind his head. Overhead, the war continued, the conversation they shared punctuated by occasional flashes of light, and distant booms. "Only fair." He agreed, smiling, meeting her gaze, his pale eyes reflecting the light of the fireworks. His gaze went back skyward. "And hey, if a date with me gets you out of unpleasant social activities, well, I'll take it."

After a few moments, he looked at her again, casting his gaze over her features. "Hmmm. Effort, huh? I hope you're not going to try to call when I've got an important meeting, just to make sure I'm really interested."

[Bayushi Mariko]

Rei took a sip as well, before either offering it back to her, or tucking it back into his jacket if refused. "Well, I wouldn't want to be considered pedestrian." Rei flashed her an amused smirk.

As she leaned back, so would he, his arms resting up on the back of the bench, behind his head. Overhead, the war continued, the conversation they shared punctuated by occasional flashes of light, and distant booms. "Only fair." He agreed, smiling, meeting her gaze, his pale eyes reflecting the light of the fireworks. His gaze went back skyward. "And hey, if a date with me gets you out of unpleasant social activities, well, I'll take it."

After a few moments, he looked at her again, casting his gaze over her features. "Hmmm. Effort, huh? I hope you're not going to try to call when I've got an important meeting, just to make sure I'm really interested."

While it was tempting to finish the contents of the flask, Mariko did have some restraint in her alcoholic indulgence. A touch rebellious but not exactly a hooligan, at least she'd like to think so. "A few sips are good but I think I'm fine, thank you. And no need to fear, I know you have good tastes at the very least."

Mariko chuckle at first and gave him a slightly pained look. She didn't go far as pout, that might have been too coy. "Sometimes these things just happen with very little foreknowledge involved. I hope you don't think of me as someone manipulative who would toy with you just put your career in shambles. That's a really lousy Scorpion stereotype, likely orchestrated by Crane to keep people from comfortably dealing with us."

[Hato]

snip

Tsuyo blinks, and not just because of the tungsten bright flare of the most recent rocket lighting up the city. There was a flutter of confused and startled birds nearby. "Hadn't thought of the ways folks might suborn those floats. Do they ever accidentally seem to point at some place, and does that spot see increased business because it's seen to be lucky or somethin'?"

She seems attentive enough to the tales of the poor Pharmacy's logo issues. "That had ta be rough. Lotta my work gets viewed through drone footage, so I know it's tricky to translate things to a display just right. Think I'd tear my hair out if I had to go diggin' through code too, when we're puttin' a show together."

"I imagine you're already lined up with work for the season then, given that sort of last minute specialty?" She pauses a moment before following with the related thought, "for that matter, seems a lot more ronin here than I'm used to seein'. I guess a city this big has enough work to go around?"

Hato smiled a bit.

"There are very few accidents that are that in truth within the World of Dreams, Hotaru-san. But if one is willing to give the right gifts to the right people, subtle acknowledgements can be worked in. Nothing blatant, of course. You won't see Bayushi Paneki modelling the latest sunglass or swimwear. But who would not wish to visit an establishment that seemed to be favored by a hero? Whether it is worth the gifts or not....that is a closed door that this one cannot peer through." she explained.

The ronin did brighten a bit at the Firefly's seemingly sincere interest in her art. The firefly was a true artist, rather than someone simply chasing their own advancement.

"That would be most unfortunate, Hotaru-san. This one hopes that Hotaru-san's current projects will not encounter any difficulties. But if there is a coding problem that requires a swift resolution, this one would be more than honored to offer their services to Hotaru-san."

She nodded.

"Though Hotaru-san does speak the truth, there is a lot of work for wolves this season. It is but one of the possible reasons they are here. For some, this is simply the shore they washed up upon, lured in by the various distractions of the city and left without even a mon upon their back. Others seek refuge in the anonymity a large city such as this provides. If one has angered those in power, better to be one wolf admist many rather than roaming an open field alone. Each wave is different in it's own way, but they all come from the ocean, and all return to the ocean and only the ocean remains in the end." she commented.

"It was a sharp and heavy rock that tossed this wave here, and this one would rather leave such a troublesome thing beneath the ocean's surface where it causes no more harm. But this one would love to know more about the origin of an artist of such impressive reach as Hotaru-san." she indirectly asked.

[Dai]

"None taken. And please, no sama. Just Sakura-san." She tried to smile innocently. "Always the professional. Always admired that about you. Well, I just hope you'll stay in one piece. I don't want any former acquaintances or friends hurt or dead, if possible." She let out a sigh. "Can you tell me at least whether you have met anyone interesting so far?"

"There's a Spider, Susumu Sumiko, who has shown interest in the show. Apparently she's well versed on a lot of the things in the Desolation. Said that big ugly thing is a gakimusha." He ponders, technically his dealing with the Imperial was all legal, at least as of now, "And the one I traded the glimmerstone with was a Miya - very shrewd and smart guy."

[Hotaru Sakura]

"There's a Spider, Susumu Sumiko, who has shown interest in the show. Apparently she's well versed on a lot of the things in the Desolation. Said that big ugly thing is a gakimusha." He ponders, technically his dealing with the Imperial was all legal, at least as of now, "And the one I traded the glimmerstone with was a Miya - very shrewd and smart guy."

Sakura nodded in understanding. "I see. If you need any further help identifying things, let me know The Library at the Embassy is quite thorough, and I have been organizing it." She flashed a friendly smile. "Do you have any new jobs lined up after the current one?"

[Dai]

Sakura nodded in understanding. "I see. If you need any further help identifying things, let me know The Library at the Embassy is quite thorough, and I have been organizing it." She flashed a friendly smile. "Do you have any new jobs lined up after the current one?"

"I always have a few feelers out. But I'm open to hearing about others, of course, especially from an old friend."

[Usagi Rei]

While it was tempting to finish the contents of the flask, Mariko did have some restraint in her alcoholic indulgence. A touch rebellious but not exactly a hooligan, at least she'd like to think so. "A few sips are good but I think I'm fine, thank you. And no need to fear, I know you have good tastes at the very least."

Mariko chuckle at first and gave him a slightly pained look. She didn't go far as pout, that might have been too coy. "Sometimes these things just happen with very little foreknowledge involved. I hope you don't think of me as someone manipulative who would toy with you just put your career in shambles. That's a really lousy Scorpion stereotype, likely orchestrated by Crane to keep people from comfortably dealing with us."

Rei nodded approval as he tucked his flask away. "I'm glad you approve." He said, without irony, smiling. Although his casual manner tend to naturally encourage a certain amount of irony.

He shifted a little, turning to face her more. "Of course. I'm sorry." Rei said, smiling. "I really do appreciate the effort. And I'll do my best to put in the effort myself."

He looked back up to the sky, chewing his lip a moment. "In my line of work, there's always a certain amount of suspicion. Once stung, twice shy, as the saying goes." He said.

[Hotaru Sakura]

"I always have a few feelers out. But I'm open to hearing about others, of course, especially from an old friend."

Sakura nodded. "I'll discuss with my clan, and I'll...maybe have something that's your specialty." She moved slightly closer to him, to observe the fireworks. "Are you enjoying the show?"

[Susumu Sumiko]

Snip

Snip.

Sumiko's attention was also caught by the firework nearly reaching the bell.

"Ah...so close."

She looked back at Yamako.

"The only one? More space at the embassy then neh?" Sumiko chuckled "most of my kin are staying elsewhere also, so it's somewhat the same for me. If you fancy sharing some tea and talking please let me know."

She looked up at the sky, then spoke again to nobody in particular.

"What do you think the message behind the festival is supposed to be?"

[Ide Yamako]

Snip

Snip.

Sumiko's attention was also caught by the firework nearly reaching the bell.

"Ah...so close."

She looked back at Yamako.

"The only one? More space at the embassy then neh?" Sumiko chuckled "most of my kin are staying elsewhere also, so it's somewhat the same for me. If you fancy sharing some tea and talking please let me know."

She looked up at the sky, then spoke again to nobody in particular.

"What do you think the message behind the festival is supposed to be?"

She smiles. “There is an Utaku staying as well, but yes it is quite quiet. It has been useful to catch up on some work though. If I find a free moment, I would be glad to have tea.”

Pondering for a moment, she says “I admit to being somewhat puzzled by it. Perhaps someone who has spent more time here would know?”

[Dai]

Sakura nodded. "I'll discuss with my clan, and I'll...maybe have something that's your specialty." She moved slightly closer to him, to observe the fireworks. "Are you enjoying the show?"

He smiles and looks to the sky, "I mean you can't argue with free, can you?"

[Hotaru Sakura]

He smiles and looks to the sky, "I mean you can't argue with free, can you?"

Sakura let out a laugh. "True, true. OH, I think I still owe you with a viewing at Once Upon a Time, from that time you gave me some tips, but I had to make rent. Must have been a year ago."

[Bayushi Mariko]

Rei nodded approval as he tucked his flask away. "I'm glad you approve." He said, without irony, smiling. Although his casual manner tend to naturally encourage a certain amount of irony.

He shifted a little, turning to face her more. "Of course. I'm sorry." Rei said, smiling. "I really do appreciate the effort. And I'll do my best to put in the effort myself."

He looked back up to the sky, chewing his lip a moment. "In my line of work, there's always a certain amount of suspicion. Once stung, twice shy, as the saying goes." He said.

Mariko's expression turned a bit more inquisitive on his last words, she dropped the flirtatious banter and tilted her head slightly to regard him. "If you're going to make it in this city, always need to be a little suspicious of things around you. Some people seem to assume the Scorpions are all about deception but caution will get your further than secret plans. Sometimes it takes a couple of stings to learn that lesson, that's the unfortunate reality. How bad was the first sting?"