Devil in the Details [Day 1, ME]

[Kuni Koyuki]

"I do not mean this to offend," she says, her eyes narrow slightly. "I do not mean this as a compliment either. However, Hato-san, you seem to me to be an honest soul. I.. must admit I am surprised, surprised that someone like you can exist on this planet," the meaning was veiled, not to leave it secret but so that the full truth did not impact so roughly. It was a kindness, at least far as Koyuki could hope to imagine a kindness might be. With a further bluntness, but not as harsh as Hato might have expected from a sense of Koyuki's tone, she delivered the simple truth:

"You wear your emotions, Hato-san."

[Hato]

"I do not mean this to offend," she says, her eyes narrow slightly. "I do not mean this as a compliment either. However, Hato-san, you seem to me to be an honest soul. I.. must admit I am surprised, surprised that someone like you can exist on this planet," the meaning was veiled, not to leave it secret but so that the full truth did not impact so roughly. It was a kindness, at least far as Koyuki could hope to imagine a kindness might be. With a further bluntness, but not as harsh as Hato might have expected from a sense of Koyuki's tone, she delivered the simple truth:

"You wear your emotions, Hato-san."

Hato leaned back a bit.

"Lady Crab is right to be wary. Lady Crab is on a planet full of the most beautiful painted poisonous plants. Admist all the poison petals, Lady Crab thinks she sees one worth plucking. Lady Crab's training tells her it is safe and good, Lady Crab's instinct is screaming that it is a trap."

Hato finished her drink, the alcohol burning as it went down.

"In truth, this one should be more wary of Lady Crab. This one knows nothing of Lady Crab. Perhaps Lady Crab is under the power of Lord Scorpion.
Perhaps Lady Crab is not even Lady Crab. Lady Crab could be Lady Scorpion hiding behind a painted mask. Perhaps Lady Crab is actually Lady Tanuki playing a merry joke before all that was promised turns to leaves."

She sets down the glass.

"The simple truth is that if this one puts this one's trust in no one, nothing will change. So whether it is with Lady Crab or with another player, this one will have to give this one's trust, with nothing to guarantee it other than this one's hope."

[Kuni Koyuki]

Koyuki finishes her glass first, setting it down to the side like it was suddenly heavier than it was.

"That is all anyone is to one another, a choice. We must choose to trust out of necessity, but give to ourselves the hope that we are not making the wrong choice. I am certain you would have a far more poetic way of putting it than I, Hato-san. However that is all this is in the end, the whole charade, necessity. A game must be played," she says, gauging Hato for a moment before standing from her seat. Taking a good look around the room before eventually settling back to look at Hato.

"I will hope that you make the right choice, Hato-san. Tomorrow, we shall learn what path we walk."

[Hato]

Koyuki finishes her glass first, setting it down to the side like it was suddenly heavier than it was.

"That is all anyone is to one another, a choice. We must choose to trust out of necessity, but give to ourselves the hope that we are not making the wrong choice. I am certain you would have a far more poetic way of putting it than I, Hato-san. However that is all this is in the end, the whole charade, necessity. A game must be played," she says, gauging Hato for a moment before standing from her seat. Taking a good look around the room before eventually settling back to look at Hato.

"I will hope that you make the right choice, Hato-san. Tomorrow, we shall learn what path we walk."

Hato rose and bowed.

"This one is thankful for this moment with Lady Crab. No matter what, this one will remember it." she promised.

[Kuni Koyuki]

Koyuki bowed in turn. Looking to Hato, she took one last measure of the woman for the day and then promptly exited the establishment.

/exit Koyuki

[Hato]

And just like that she was gone. The Kuni certainly had mastered the art of leaving at just the right time.

So Hato made her way back out into the lonely streets of the World of Dreams, considering the possiblities.

/scene