[D6MA] Off The Boardwalk

[Usagi Rei]

He could tell that Yakumo was a bit distressed, even if Koyuki and he had done their best to help. And even though she was a seasoned performer, Rei knew that even small performances carried a level of stress, especially for those artists who poured body and soul into their work. He hadn't actually seen her perform yet, but it was clear that Yakumo was such a person. Body and soul indeed, both clearly under strain.

And so Rei suggested getting out, getting some fresh air, relaxing. A brief break, and he found himself at the beach, dressed once more in the same beachwear he wore at the Oshidama tournament. He also carried a little bag, although this time there was no Airi, instead various beach supplies, including an umbrella.

The two were fortunate enough to be allowed onto one of the more private beaches; both as a guest of the House of Blooming Nightshades, and as THE Susumu Yakumo. It wasn't empty, but at least the two wouldn't be constantly interrupted by passerbys.

Rei cast a look at Yakumo as they walked the path down towards the water, glistening in the clear sunlight. "So. How you doing?" He asked.

[Susumu Yakumo]

Wearing the same modest swimwear she had worn before, albeit with the zipper at her neck more open to show a little cleave, Yakumo seemed... quite happy with being at the beach, no matter how fake it actually was.

"Hmm... a bit stressed, to be honest," she admitted as she pushed her shades back on top of her head to get a better look at the beach, though her eyes were visibly squinting from the beach-sun. "But this was a good idea. Get out and take my mind off of things. But, how is my faithful yojimbo doing today? Or should I say... yohimbo?" Yakumo shot him a playful grin, because that had been one of the funniest rumors the past days.

[Usagi Rei]

Rei definitely cast that lowered zipper an approving look, tearing his eyes away after a few moments to study her face. The look of happiness on the beautiful idol's face made him smile, pleased to give her these moments.

"I'm glad." Rei said, matching his pace to hers, walking casually along. "I like to come to these islands myself from time to time. I mean, I love the city and everything, and it's still all there, but I like to get away, too. Breath the air..." He took a deep breath.

Yohimbo. Rei laughed at that. "Yeah, I'd heard that." He shrugged grinning. "What can I say? There are worse reputations than being a hot bodyguard." He let his hip playfully brush hers as they walked. "As your yohimbo, any complaints?"

He shrugged. "But I'm okay. It's been a busy week. Very surprising. I think I needed to get away, too."

[Susumu Yakumo]

"No complaints whatsoever about my yohimbo," still holding onto her sunglasses, she gave his open shirt a very thorough look followed by an approving nod. "I'm glad you suggested this too. I can see you need it."

This time she slipped the glasses off, bringing one of its tips to her lips. "What has been the surprises for you this week, hm?"

[Usagi Rei]

The path went down by the water, with some ten feet of sand between it and the high water mark; the engineering of the place let the design be very precise.

Rei's smile on her, already playful, grew a little moreso, watching her gaze, watching her lips. "Well, it all started at the festival a week ago. I stepped out of the crowd, and came across this absolutely gorgeous woman. Naturally, I had to learn more about her. You know how some of that turned out." He tilted his head a little closer, a knowing look in his eyes, clearly remembering the time they'd spent in her suite the other day.

He shrugged, well-muscled shoulders rising and falling. "After that, it's been one thing after another. Celebrities. Parties. Intrigue and deception and adventure. Oh, Winter Court. Never change." He chuckled.

[Susumu Yakumo]

"Aw gee, who is she, huh? Should I be jealous?" she asked with a laugh, clearly joking. Yakumo was thankfully not as dumb as Hinata, even if she was awfully celf-centered often.

Looking around the spot the path had led them to, Yakumo looked around and nodded. It was pretty nice, considering it was designed to be nice. Though a part of her missed the joys of being underwater on New Kalani. With the elements just outside a dome...

"But multiple celebrities then? There seem to be a couple here, besides Hinata-san and myself. Come on, I'm interested to hear what sort of interesting things you've been up to while I've been composing music and practising."

[Usagi Rei]

Rei laughed, brushing a hand back through his hair. "No, no." He murmured. Mostly because he doubted Yakumo would mind if he had other lovers. "But besides you and Hinata, there's Soshi Kazumi, and Bayushi Mariko. Oh, and Kitsune-san. The one with the monkey."

Trees spotted the path, here and there, providing a bit of shade. "Hmmm..." Rei mused. "Wanna lay down some towels? Lie here for a bit? That's the best way to relax at the beach, unless you want to go in the water."

Rei considered. How to edit, how to edit. "Well." He said, chuckling. "I had an exciting time last night. I thought a friend of mine was in trouble. I rushed over to help, ready to go in, gun blazing. But, as it turned out, it was just a practical joke." Rei chuckled, shaking his head and grinning. "Got me good, I'll admit."

[Susumu Yakumo]

"After. I want to go into the water first..." Yakumo sighed blissfully as she put down her own bag, and pulled up her hair into a neat bun to keep it out of the water as she walked towards the gentle waves. She had really missed the waters.

As Rei told the story of last night, she turned to look at him, hands on her hips and the water reaching up just slightly above her ankles now. "What...? Oh my! That is quite night. Sure must've gotten your blood pumping, huh?" She didn't seem like a possessive or jealous type, but you never know.

[Usagi Rei]

"Sounds good to me." Rei said, smiling. Setting down the bag, he went to join her in the water, his quick stride letting him catch up quickly, the feeling of wet sand and water making him sigh pleasantly.

"Yeah." Rei grinned ruefully. "Blood pumping was right. I thought... well." He shook his head. "Let's just say we were both able to laugh about it afterwards."

Standing next to her, Rei gave Yakumo a sidelong glance, down and back up, then grinned again. "But hey. Maybe it'll help grow my reputation as a yohimbo. Gotta keep that going if my attaché career falls through."

[Susumu Yakumo]

Yakumo continued wading out into the water, wanting it to get high enough so she could swim. "Hmmm... attaché, yohimbo, problem-solver, guide, agent, troubleshooter, investigator, and companion... am I missing anything from your impressive resumé, Rei?"

Giggling, the water was finally up to her hips, so she dared to let herself sink down to the water and start swimming. It felt just wonderful, to be in the water again like this.

[Usagi Rei]

Rei laughed at that. "You make me sound like some sort of action movie star. I promise I haven't walked away from any explosions in slow motion or anything like that." He shrugged, shoulders rising and falling. "Technically, I'm also a Witchfinder. It's an official thing"

He grinned as he lowered himself into the water; as the same height, it was at the same time as her. His well-muscled arms came up to help balance as they went deeper, beginning to tread water. From the look of his technique, he was quite a skilled swimmer.

"What about you, gorgeous galactic idol?" Rei smirked at her. "Any talents I haven't learned about yet?" Drawing close, he reached out, one hand playfully brushing across her hip before pulling back.

[Susumu Yakumo]

"Not yet is what you're saying," she said with a laugh, though looking ahead as she did. Rei could easily tell she wasn't a skilled swimmer like him, but she did seem to greatly enjoy just taking it slow and enjoying the feel of the water around her.

The hand against her hip made her yelp in surprise, thinking at first it was a fish or plant or sea-creature tentacle... ah, damnit. Just Rei's hand. She shot him an amused frown, and flicked some water in his direction. "And don't you dare splash me. I don't want my hair wet." With that said, she smiled smugly.

"Hmmm I don't think I have many talents outside of performing...? Like, dancing, playing instruments, public speaking? I've been practicing the tea ceremony more lately though - it's just nice and calming."

[Usagi Rei]

Rei's grin promised nothing as he shook his head, dislodging the drops Yakumo had flicked at him.

He circled around, going to the ocean side of her. His clothing wasn't perfect for this, tending to billow a bit, but the waves were gentle, and his athleticism made the rest of the difference. "Tea ceremony?" Rei considered that. "Maybe you could show me sometime? I'd sorta like to see that side of you."

His smile became more serious. "You know, I'm really looking forward to seeing the concert tonight. I've heard your music, obviously, but I know that it's not the same as being there while someone actually performs. It's..." He managed a deep breath, even while treading water. "-intense, watching a really good performer."

[Susumu Yakumo]

"Sure, I could do that," she nodded, looking to him now and slowing her pace down to a still, allowing herself to just simply float in the water. "Tea ceremony is supposed to be shared, so it's only right. Just still getting used to doing it with someone else..." well that sounded vaguely lewd.

For a moment she looked up at the sky, though she knew even that was artificial. A shame really, since it wasn't quite as interesting as the real thing, bit on the other hand, it made everything a lot more safer.

"Have you been to a lot of live concerts before? It's quite a different experience, since in a studio, you get to perfect absolutely everything - recording the same song over and over again until you get it just right. On stage, there is only that one chance."

[Usagi Rei]

"Mmmm..." Rei allowed himself to drift a little closer, perhaps a foot away, his playful smile returning. "I should very much enjoy that, Yakumo-san. Perhaps I can come up with a talent of mine that I can share with you as well." He gave her a direct look.

The question made Rei's smile shift, just a little. "Some concerts. Many performances. The Golden Frog has live music, after all." He gave her another smile, this one rueful. "Actually, my wife was a singer. I met her after a performance."

[Susumu Yakumo]

Her eyebrows rose, curious of what he could present her. "I shall be looking forward to that... I do like surprises."

Yakumo caught the change in his smile, her own turning thoughtful. "So Usagi Drop! concerts at least huh?" They were pretty big with the Minor Clan, after all. "... What kind of music did she sing? Something like what we heard the night we were there at the Frog?"

[Usagi Rei]

"So do I, Yakumo-san." Rei said.

He smiled wryly. "Actually, I mostly admire Usagi Drop! politically." He waved a hand. "They're very talented, to be sure. It's just not my sort of music."

For a moment, Rei was silent, except for the sound of his limbs slowly churning the water. "Very much like that, yes. Like the samurai singer. It's a popular style here." He gave a tiny smile. "I actually learned to sing with her, a little bit. That was a long time ago, though."

[Susumu Yakumo]

"Oho!" It was easy to tell she was excited since her movement got a bit more energetic. "You do know that means I will of course ask to hear you sing, right?"

[Usagi Rei]

Rei made a face. "I suppose I should have seen that coming."

Having no need to keep his hair dry, Rei kicked onto his back, arms extended, floating. "I haven't sung in... well, almost two years now. Not karaoke, not even in the shower. I wonder if my voice would even still work, or if I've forgotten how..." He chuckled softly. "Besides, I wasn't ever good, not really. Just enough to not frighten Airi."

[Susumu Yakumo]

Yakumo was about to say that Airi wasn't that easily scared, but then she remembered the shisi-odoshi... yeah, no, Airi was absolutely easily spooked.

"Well, some would say it is like a lot of other things, like riding a bike, or driving a car... that it comes back to you once you start doing it again," she commented, and regretted not having brought a pool-noodle or something to float and relax on. "... Did you stop singing because it reminded you of her?"