[D5 LM Kazumi's apartment] Afterglow (Closed)

[Soshi Kazumi]

The mirth on Kazumi's face faltered a bit and they seemed to reflect the somewhat awkward energy that Yurei exuding in that moment before calming the wayward nerves and leaning back in the chair "Well, do you want it to change anything?" they asked with an unreadable expression keeping the tone of the conversation light and even.

[Yūrei]

Snip

“I don’t know.”
She smiles apologetically
“I really like what we have going. And if things got complicated, we’re both too busy for that sort of thing. Not least of all because of who I am.”

She moves to rubbing her shoulder
“But I didn’t want to say it didn’t mean anything, or that it didn’t… uhh. Guess I’m saying that if I wanted it to mean something, with someone, the it would, with you. But it probably shouldn’t at the moment?”

[Soshi Kazumi]

Kazumi's guard falls away in a small smile "I'm sorry Yurei it's not fair of me to pull back like that." Kazumi leans forward their hand seeking hers.

"I think saying last night meant nothing would be a lie. I can't deny that I like you Yurei, you're, you're just an incredible woman. Kind and funny, compassionate and caring about your community. Plus beautiful on top of it all." The words were very sincere praise rather than flattery.

Kazumi would give her hand a light squeeze "That said, last night doesn't have to change us if you don't want it to. Regardless of what this is or becomes, no matter how complicated I'll always consider you a friend if nothing else." Kazumi said with a gentle, honest smile.

[Yūrei]

Snip

Yūrei's cheeks turn a little pink at all the praise as she smiles down at the hand.
"I don't think I'm half of all that. You're the one who's always going out of there way to be decent on a planet where that's almost against the law. I think the incredible one here is the samurai following their dreams while letting others be a part of them."

Looking up at them
"Then let's take things slow and feel it out? We'll stay friends and see if things change."
Her smile is small but warm, gratefulness mixed with deep affection

[Soshi Kazumi]

Kazumi chuckles a little, softly. They run a thumb over the knuckles of her hand gently "You're all of that and more Yurei, at least in my eyes."

but then Kazumi nodded to her words giving her a soft smile "Of course, if that's what you wan we can do that. I don't know if I'm ready for more. My heart still has some healing to do, but I do know how I feel about you so I'm always here if you need anything ok?" Kazumi asked looking to her eyes matching her affection and the normally cool dark eyes have a warmth to them.

[Yūrei]

Snip

She meets his gaze, her eyes smiling.

"Then that's what we'll do. We can give your heart a little time and I can finish what I need to do."
She brings the hand up to her cheek and rubs it gently
"I appreciate you being there, and of course if you need anything you've got the planet's best ronin ready to go at a moment's notice."

[Soshi Kazumi]

the hand released hers and cupped her cheek with palm and slender fingers, thumb running across the soft skin as Kazumi nodded "Then that's what we'll do." Kazumi repeated back.

Kazumi paused for a moment teeth catching their lip in hesitation "May I ask, what is this business you have to attend to?" Kazumi asked carefully "You've mentioned it before and I just, I wonder if its anything I can help you with. I know its personal but I have a lot of useful skills and, i don't know. I just care." they smiled apologetically as they let their hand fall back to the table.

[Yūrei]

Snip

A few long moments pass as Yūrei sits unmoving, her face expressionless

Finally."It's...about my family, and about me."
She swallows, another pause.

Quietly "You know I..I wasn't born a ronin? I think you've guessed that much."

[Soshi Kazumi]

Kazumi very gently scooped her hand up again and nodded "Yes, I connected those dots some time ago."

Yurei's status had never been interesting to Kazumi or how she got there. Kazumi had never really bought in to ronin being lesser, sure a lot of them were violent drunks who would do anything for a koku but that was because of how they had to survive. Kazumi was much interested in who people were and they knew Yurei was a good person who enjoyed a good time.

Kazumi reassuringly rubbed her hand with his thumb not coaxing her or pushing for more but letting her talk if she wanted.

[Yūrei]

Snip

"I've never told anyone why I was cast out."
She turns slightly, speaking into the emptiness, as if it's painful to meet Kazumi's gaze.

"Everyone's always thought it was really mysterious. What did I do? Maybe I stole a fortune but they couldn't prove it. Or I disobeyed an order to kill an innocent man. Fiction is always so much more interesting than the truth. But the fact is...I didn't know. They just kicked me out one day. I was an adult in the clan for a couple months and then out on the street."

Her chest tightens, reliving the old fear.
"No name, no family, no future, nothing. My parents disappeared, nobody in the clan would talk to me. And it was hard." Swallowing "Real hard. For a long time. Some days I just wanted to-"
She goes for her glass of water and takes a sip slowly.

"Anyway, I needed to know what happened, why it happened. And I decoded some information recently which has got me a new lead and there's just a lot, going on. That's what I have to finish before I can move on, I owe it to my parents."

[Soshi Kazumi]

Now it was Kazumi's turn to come around the table to her a slender arm wrapping around her shoulders and pulling her into a gentle hug, an embrace of reassurance, the hand rubbing her arm slowly "That's...damn Yurei, I'm sorry that has to be terrible." there was sadness in the words "How could they just throw you out with no notice? Thats insane." indignation mixed with the sadness in Kazumi's words

Kazumi turned and planted a soft kiss on Yurei's head "Well, You know I'm a whiz with systems and can usually find just about anything. Maybe I can take a look for you? See if I can turn anything up?"

[Yūrei]

Snip

She leans back into Kazumi, sniffing once, must be allergies.

"You know what happens when an order comes down, it gets done. You don't ask questions."
Another sniffle, damn, that kind of year.

"I appreciate it Kaz, really. But I already did the digging and I...I found most of what I need. The stuff in there-I need a couple days."
She takes a deep breath
"Yeah, just a couple more days."
A little of her colour returning "And you're not to hack anything on my behalf, you can't get into trouble until you've become an empire wide music sensation."

[Soshi Kazumi]

Snip

Kazumi frowned a little but nodded they wouldn't press if she was set on it "Alright I won't but only because I trust you and k ow you can handle yourself." Kazumi buried their face into Yurei's hair for a moment before pulling back "but if things start getting dangerous come stay here ok? It's not much but security is better than your place and two guns are better than one and that goes for the little side business you've got going on to doing jobs for the clans. If things get to hot crash here for a few." Kazumi kissed the top of her head

"But just to be clear if I wanted to dig around in the system no one would ever know I was there." The said with a small smile looking down at her.

[Yūrei]

Snip

"I'd be like one of those dangerous dames from the stories, always bringing trouble with them. I promise if I need help I'm ask for it. But I'll be fine, really?"
Shrugging
"But I've made it this far, right? And I'm sure they'd never find you out. Eghost-sama."
She's content to rest for a few moments before perking up, a hand coming up to squeeze Kazumi to let them know how much it meant to her.

"You know, I bet you have a couple more snacks around here...."

((Good to fade to breakfast, or breakfast 2.0? and thanks for the scene!))

[Soshi Kazumi]

Kazumi chuckled a little "sorry if I seem overly concerned just...know how this planet is. But you're right you've made it this far without me." They said with a smile as Kazumi squeezed her hand back

The Scorpion chuckled shaking their head "Yes I'm sure you can scrouge something up."

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Fade to breakfast!
Thank you!