[Day 12 EN] River of Dreams (Expecting)

[Yūrei]

The small boat bobs up and down by the pier, rocked by the wake of a passing ferry. The heimin pilots looks unimpressed as he finishes the preparing a large dining table on the boat's aft, covered by a large umbrella to ward off any determined rain. Small heaters built into the vehicle's sides do their best to give the whole affair a warm, comforting air as Yūrei waits calmly for her guest.

As a concession to the weather she's sporting a new evening jacket over her dress, but the ronin hardly looks cold, hands typing furiously away at her communicator as she attends to some business.

[Hotaru Sakura]

Sakura arrived at the location requested by her GIRLFRIEND. She was wearing the same dress as to the party (presumebly laundered by now), but her makeup was subtle...ish. Cherry pink rather than gold this time. She wasn't sure what to expect, but was still quite giddy.

Seeing Yurei in the distance, and she picked up the pace...a boat?!

"Hi babe."

[Yūrei]

Snip

"Hey babe!"
Yūrei waves enthusiastically
"I got a boat! Well, renting one for a little while anyway. You don't get seasick, right? Either way this is going to be romantic, just the two of us with the city bobbing up and down in the distance. Oh, and a bunch of food too."

[Hotaru Sakura]

"Hey babe!"
Yūrei waves enthusiastically
"I got a boat! Well, renting one for a little while anyway. You don't get seasick, right? Either way this is going to be romantic, just the two of us with the city bobbing up and down in the distance. Oh, and a bunch of food too."

Sakura smiled as she leaned in for a kiss. "Honestly, I have no idea. Haven't been on a boat since.....with dad, I guess."

She smiled at Yurei, her gaze measuring her. "You look good, babe."

She took a seat daintishly.

"What's the occasion?"

[Yūrei]

Snip

Yūrei kisses her back and reaches out for a hug before following her to the boat, signalling the pilot to make read as she ships opposite the other woman.

"And you look wonderful. As for the occasion? Well I've got this exciting business plan that's going to change anything...but I also wanted to treat you. I've got a little extra koku now so this, it's on me."

[Hotaru Sakura]

Yūrei kisses her back and reaches out for a hug before following her to the boat, signalling the pilot to make read as she ships opposite the other woman.

"And you look wonderful. As for the occasion? Well I've got this exciting business plan that's going to change anything...but I also wanted to treat you. I've got a little extra koku now so this, it's on me."

Sakura leaned into the hug, just...feeling the warmth and presence of Yurei, enjoying that one moment in time when everything else ceases to exist.

"Oh? I did not know I would be meeting with an important businesswoman, I hope my attire meets muster." She let out a laugh. "Oh, I would hope so, as I don't have any money on me dear. Well, only a little. Now, tell me all about this venture babe."

[Yūrei]

Snip

She motions to the pilot who nods and starts the boat off, the small craft gliding out onto the water and leaving the sounds of the city behind as Yūrei reaches out and takes Sakura's hands in her own.

"Oh yes, a big time important businesswoman, one who can even pay for her girlfriend's dinner."
She seems very proud of this, as if paying for her own food is an accomplishment.

"I've been thinking of forming my only little Otokodate now I have the funds, you see we can-"
And she explains her plans to the other woman, clearly animated as she keeps letting go of Sakura's hands to gesture only to clasp them again a moment later, detailing all her hopes and fears for her new enterprise.

[Hotaru Sakura]

She motions to the pilot who nods and starts the boat off, the small craft gliding out onto the water and leaving the sounds of the city behind as Yūrei reaches out and takes Sakura's hands in her own.

"Oh yes, a big time important businesswoman, one who can even pay for her girlfriend's dinner."
She seems very proud of this, as if paying for her own food is an accomplishment.

"I've been thinking of forming my only little Otokodate now I have the funds, you see we can-"
And she explains her plans to the other woman, clearly animated as she keeps letting go of Sakura's hands to gesture only to clasp them again a moment later, detailing all her hopes and fears for her new enterprise.

Sakura held Yurei's hands with warmth, and a shy, happy smile. "You're so hot when you're rich." She let out a small joke, before listening to Yurei talk, her lips smiling fondly. "Wow, that's a great plan babe. I'm so proud of you." Her thumb started caressing Yurei's hand, as she waited for the food to be served. "That's...I think you'll do great. You always brought out the best in me, after all."

[Yūrei]

Snip

"Only because you bought out the best in me, mutual bestness. None of it would have happened without you watching my back."
she squeezes Sakura back as the first course, a selection of broth and dips with freshly baked bread is bought out

"It's just going to be a lot of work for a while. So I wanted to make a point of spending more time with the people important to me."

[Hotaru Sakura]

"Only because you bought out the best in me, mutual bestness. None of it would have happened without you watching my back."
she squeezes Sakura back as the first course, a selection of broth and dips with freshly baked bread is bought out

"It's just going to be a lot of work for a while. So I wanted to make a point of spending more time with the people important to me."

Sakura very reluctantly raised her hand from Yurei's as the food came out. It smelled delicious. "No problem babe. It's a good cause." A happy, proud smile returned. "And actually...I want to involve more ronin with the Firefly. I feel that the clan could use a wider skillset, and can offer something to the wolves as well. It's...different, you know? We're not a clan of great power, or riches, but it's good, honest work. We do our best to provide the materials, no more, no less. There's satisfaction to be found here."

Raising a pice of bread to her mouth, she chuckled. "Kami, I sound so weird."

[Yūrei]

Snip

"I think you sound like a cool mature samurai thinking ahead and doing some good along the way."
Her eyes very soft.
"And I'm so proud of you. The Firefly are so lucky to have you. And I'm pretty sure they've been good to you too."

Pause
"Like this entree is about to be good to me." And her hands start flying over the table as the ronin is apparently attempted to try every single dip without pausing for a breath.

[Hotaru Sakura]

"I think you sound like a cool mature samurai thinking ahead and doing some good along the way."
Her eyes very soft.
"And I'm so proud of you. The Firefly are so lucky to have you. And I'm pretty sure they've been good to you too."

Pause
"Like this entree is about to be good to me." And her hands start flying over the table as the ronin is apparently attempted to try every single dip without pausing for a breath.

Sakura let out a small, happy laugh at Yurei's eating habits. "Well, I hope I don't sound too mature. I want to go on some fun silly dates still with you." Her eyes shone with affection. "I'm lucky to have the Firefly AND you."

She ate at a more sedated pace, though her eyes never left Yürei, tracking her every movement. "You look lovely dear. Even more than usual." She felt at a loss for words, so just let her mind be filled with love and joy for now.

[Yūrei]

Snip

Yūrei pauses with both her cheeks ballooning out from sheer bread and dip
"mmmmhm!" Laborious swallowing
"I mean, you do too babe. I like the more formal you. And I promise, more silly dates! Now that I have a little money we can do all the thing we've always wanted! Or, do them all again but not have to sneak in the back again?"

They're not far out enough for the sounds of the city to be muted by the water and the rain, a private island of warmth just to themselves.
"I've got a whole bunch of stuff lined up. Like, we're definitely going to go water skiing, right? And maybe when time allows we can go visit Tsuyo-sama's family? I think we're owed some time off-planet."

[Hotaru Sakura]

Yūrei pauses with both her cheeks ballooning out from sheer bread and dip
"mmmmhm!" Laborious swallowing
"I mean, you do too babe. I like the more formal you. And I promise, more silly dates! Now that I have a little money we can do all the thing we've always wanted! Or, do them all again but not have to sneak in the back again?"

They're not far out enough for the sounds of the city to be muted by the water and the rain, a private island of warmth just to themselves.
"I've got a whole bunch of stuff lined up. Like, we're definitely going to go water skiing, right? And maybe when time allows we can go visit Tsuyo-sama's family? I think we're owed some time off-planet."

Sakura smiled and giggled. "Oh wow, you do take this seriously. Okay, I can do formal and silly for you, love." She glanced away, daintily eating some bread and broth. "Perhaps we can go to the Sanctuary sometime? Just have a nice walk, look at the pretty animals. I've been a couple of times, but..alone. When Iwas around...fourteen, I guess, we once stuck in with dad." Her eye turned wide and yet sad. "It was so fun, but we had to hurry, you know. A more leisurely pace would be lovely. Oh, and we should visit Tsuyo-sama's asteroid thingie when it's allowed!"

[Yūrei]

Snip

"Uh, yeah! Absolutely! Those are perfect. We can make a whole day of it. You know I'm a platinum member now so we could even go in after night for the nocturnal exhibits. I've been uh, more involved there lately. A good client loves her animals. I bet you love burrowing lynxes too."

Glancing up as she was want to do whenever Tsuyo's asteroid was mentioned
"It would be really cool to see it up close. Do you get special Firefly passes to visit?"

[Hotaru Sakura]

"Uh, yeah! Absolutely! Those are perfect. We can make a whole day of it. You know I'm a platinum member now so we could even go in after night for the nocturnal exhibits. I've been uh, more involved there lately. A good client loves her animals. I bet you love burrowing lynxes too."

Glancing up as she was want to do whenever Tsuyo's asteroid was mentioned
"It would be really cool to see it up close. Do you get special Firefly passes to visit?"

"I don't think visits are allowed in person yet, but I'll ask Tsuyo-sama. I'm sure we can do something." Here eyes lit up. "Oh? Wow! So fancy!" She let out a giggle. "And whatever will I have to do to get showered by so much attention Yürei-chaaan." She finished her meal, and extended both hands towards Yürei's own. "I would love the lynxes...but I love my little street cat too."

[Yūrei]

Snip

"Showered by so much attention."
Pretending to consider this
"Probably thoos too tight pants, otherwise I think you're just out of luck Sakura-chaaaaan."
With a last toss and swallow the bread is cleared and she retakes Sakura's hands, rubbing a finger up and down her palm.

"This street cat is honoured...but but really lynxes are impossible cute. Like they were made purely to be good looking. It's ridiculous."
She pauses for a few moments just to smile over at Sakura as the pilot comes and starts clearing the table.

[Hotaru Sakura]

"Showered by so much attention."
Pretending to consider this
"Probably thoos too tight pants, otherwise I think you're just out of luck Sakura-chaaaaan."
With a last toss and swallow the bread is cleared and she retakes Sakura's hands, rubbing a finger up and down her palm.

"This street cat is honoured...but but really lynxes are impossible cute. Like they were made purely to be good looking. It's ridiculous."
She pauses for a few moments just to smile over at Sakura as the pilot comes and starts clearing the table.

"Oh, I'm sure that can be arranged, though I think they're at your place, so I might need to change my clothes there, if it's okay." She pretended to be innocent, but her eyes gleamed.

"I'm sure...hopefully the Rainbow Ohlm will also be on display! It was a pain and a half to retrieve, but they must be great. Kioku-sama is pretty great too, actually." She smiled, as she raised a hand to tuck away a rogue strand of hair. Returning to her girlfriend's hand, she started gently massaging the palms of Yürei's hands.

[Yūrei]

Snip

"I suppose I could ask fridge-san if that's okay. Maybe we can fit you in."
She winks knowledgably

"Rainbow Ohlm? Is this about all those Sanctuary shenanigans?"

[Hotaru Sakura]

"I know your fond of Fridge-san, but he's so cold, and blocks everything. I don't think he's the best roommate." She giggled, as she waited for the next course. "This is such a lovely surprise babe, you really outdid yourself, neh?" She sighed.

"Hai! We retrieved the samples from the Desolation, from an old Soshi lab. Kioku-sama wants to restore the species, to honor the memory of her daughter." She smiled sadly. "Poor Kioku-sama, I think she's getting better at handling her grief."