Yūrei flashes a smile as the bartender sets her glass down, her expression unwavering as he coughed and held out his hand.
"Alright alright Tan, you know I'm good for it."
She sprinkles a few coins into his palm and rolls her eyes as he grunts and heads off to another customer.

The little street bar was already humming with samurai returning from the day and those already planning to head out for the night. Huge fans worked the air over the dozen or so plastic tables with a constant hum. The ronin sighs and takes a moment to let some tension out of her shoulders as she leans up against the bar, eyes idly scanning the crowd for her friend.

For all that scanning one would assume the ronin would spot them before it was too late but Kazumi was effortlessly stealthy between being of utterly average height and slender enough to not take up space the Soshi had gracefully alighted upon the seat next to the Ronin

"You know I'll pay if you wait for me." Came a voice from right next to her, that unique not quote low but not quite high voice with a touch of rasp that most deemed pleasant rather than grating.

A quick hand sign to the attendant and drinks and coins were exchanged deftly and without a word.

Soshi Kazumi wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 03, 2022 6:12 am

Snip

Yūrei starts a little and then presses a hand to her forehead and smiles.
"You're going to put me out of a job being that stealthy, Kazumi-sama."

Turning to the Scorpion and raising her glass at them.
"I know you would, but friends don't let friends buy all their drinks. And people will start to talk if they see you buying all of mine."
Sipping her sake and enjoying the flavour for a few moments.
"And I've maybe got some jobs in the pipeline, enough to keep a leaky roof over my head and alcohol in my hand."

Kazumi waves a hand dismissively "I'm far too fond of my computers and dark rooms. Besides all that running around seems to be terribly exhausting." The mask covering Kazumi's face hid any expression butthe nearly black eyes twinkled with amusement.

At the rest Kazumi shrugged but then raised an eyebrow at the ronin "Who will talk? Worried about old Tan here spreading rumors?" They teased lightly as a drink raised raised in return

"kampai" it was said with mirth but not shouted, the teeth of the Oni mask separated revealing a little pale skin and a hint of red lips for a brief second before a drink was had. The teeth closed again with no sound as the cup retreated.

As Yurei talked about a job Kazumi raised an eyebrow "and, hypothetically, if you had found a job what kind of job would this be?"

Soshi Kazumi wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 03, 2022 6:44 am

Snip

"Hey now, I'm sure you can move fast when you need to, like if someone shouts it's closing time at the bar."
She echoes their 'kampai!'

"And of course Tan will talk, he's a barman, barmen always talk, it's why they became barmen."
A ways down the bar Tan grunted.

"Everytime with that mask, I told you the first time I didn't know if it was the coolest or creepiest think I've ever seen and I still haven't decided."
Taking a long drink from her own glass
"Nothing too interesting job wise, showing some folks around, feeling some newcomers out. You know how it is, you gotta establish a relationship before anyone throws real money your way."
Looking over with a raise eyebrow
"Why do you ask? You hypothetically heard anything? Hypothetically got anything that needs doing?"

Kazumi giggled a little "what? I need to maintain my mystique. The less people know about my face the better. Makes staying anonymous easier if I want to fly under the radar." They replied jovially.

A slight sigh was heard behind the mask "No I haven't heard anything yet but it's court season and there's crazy amounts of data traffic even for World of Dreams. I think it's about to be both the best and worst time to be a ronin." They replied a bit cryptically.

A not of concern flashed in their eyes "Just becareful out there Yurei. These shadow games are good for ronin's pockets but not for their life."

Soshi Kazumi wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 03, 2022 6:29 pm

Snip

With a hint of bitterness"It wouldn't be court without dozens of ronin being flung at the Clans problems."
Shrugging

"I appreciate it though, and you know me I'm careful, carefulish, I know the word. Besides, if I die I'm gonna miss out on your new music, and then what would I do?"
Yūrei spots a small bowl of mixed nuts and scoops up a handful, clearly the fought of death had made her peckish.
"Are you cooking up anything? Or is that still behind the mystique as well?"

KaUni snorted a little "Rei-chan the day you become careful is the day I give up Computers forever." Something they both know would never happen.

At her next question Kazumi shrugged "tinkering with things here and there. Nothing groundbreaking. A couple club tracks, a remix, and a new original that'll never see the light of day." They said with a laugh.

Soshi Kazumi wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 04, 2022 7:40 pm

KaUni snorted a little "Rei-chan the day you become careful is the day I give up Computers forever." Something they both know would never happen.

At her next question Kazumi shrugged "tinkering with things here and there. Nothing groundbreaking. A couple club tracks, a remix, and a new original that'll never see the light of day." They said with a laugh.

"Just you watch, I'll get an insurance policy and a steady job at some point."
Which frankly sounded worse than death, so bad that Yūrei immediately orders a second drink.

"But your personal stuff is always the best! You're going to end up like those famous musicians who end up with two postmortem albums. I'm going to be put out if 'Yūrei never pays for her drinks' goes rival in 40 years."

and that made Kazumi fully laugh "Let me know when you take out an insurance policy. I'll make sure to go gambling that day cause it'll be a day for impossible things." the light tinkling laughter faded but a twinkle of mirth stayed in their eyes.

at the comment about music Kazumi waved a dismissing hand "ahh its just too out of synch with my stuff and is terribly cheesy besides. I recorded it and as i was mixing just couldn't bring myself to upload." Kazumi took another drink "but hey I'll go ahead and leave it all to you so that you can make a mess of koku when I die."

Soshi Kazumi wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 05, 2022 6:59 am

Snip

"Impossible things happen in dreams, we're probably in the right place."
pause
"Okay but not that impossible."
she snorts into her glass

"I won't lie to you Kazumi-sama, if you did that I'd have a memorial tour in a week, you'd be empire famous in a month."
With a mock sigh
"But you've got integrity and it's all about the art, rather than the money. Any other hack would just release an almost good song, but not you. Think that makes you pretty cool, less rich but more cool. Like me."

leaning back casually
"I was chatting to this Hare-samurai today. Tall, pale eyes, an 8/10. He said he liked your shows. You ever spot him around?"

Kazumi let out a light chuckle at that "Maybe I need to hire you as my manager then. You seem to be more driven about getting my music out than I am." Kazumi joked easily leaning back on the bar relaxing as they looked out into the crowd.

Kazumi was leaned on their elbows and looked over at Yurei "hmm not too many Hare around, 8/10 you say? thats pretty good, you know what they say an 8 on the World of Dreams is a 10 just about anywhere else." Kazumi took a moment to chuckle at their own joke "but yeah I think I know who you are talking about. Never met em but seen them in the crowd now and again."

Soshi Kazumi wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 05, 2022 7:39 am

Snip

"I'm just a fan is all. Pretty sure the last thing you want is a manager, you already got one of them in your day job."
She smirks

"Yeah he's cute, real cut, I mean...yeah, an 8. But I like to do my background on people. Make sure he's not too dodgy or too straight laced, just the right amount of dodgy. If he's been going to your shows he's probably not undercover, unless his cover's that good and he's a huge fan. Let me know if you run into them again."
Making her eyes big
"I'll owe you one, Kazumi-kun."

Kazumi paused as if they were going to say something and then there was a slight shrug and a nod "Sure, I'll let you know if I run into him. Though maybe I might want to take the cute Hare for a hop?" They said in a teasing tone.

Soshi Kazumi wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 06, 2022 6:32 am

Kazumi paused as if they were going to say something and then there was a slight shrug and a nod "Sure, I'll let you know if I run into him. Though maybe I might want to take the cute Hare for a hop?" They said in a teasing tone.

"Well, then he'll have to choose between a ronin and a popular celebrity who's also a DJ and a computer genius."
pause

"Crap, he'd totally choose you. You've both got that aura of mystery thing going on. I've never even asked what's under the mask but with just one flex of his abs he'd know all."
Yūrei faux sniffles

"I suppose I'll just have to drink my sorrows away on your tab."

Kazumi couldn't help but chuckle and light a brief touch on Yurei's hand "I think the decision would be harder than you imagine." The smile heard in the words rather than seen and the hand moved lest it become improper.

A small sigh "and the mystery only helps so much, at the end of the day I am kind of unique and so need a partner with a bit of an open mind." Kazumi said with a small shrug "not everyone vibes with the whole androgyny thing I have going on."

Soshi Kazumi wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 06, 2022 7:05 am

Kazumi couldn't help but chuckle and light a brief touch on Yurei's hand "I think the decision would be harder than you imagine." The smile heard in the words rather than seen and the hand moved lest it become improper.

A small sigh "and the mystery only helps so much, at the end of the day I am kinds unique and so need a partner with a bit of an open mind." Kazumi said with a small shrug "not everyone vibes with the whole androgyny thing I have going on."

"You're sweet."
She gently pokes the retreating hand with a smile.

"And one of a kind, and you shouldn't be any other way. Anyone who knows the real you, or at least the you who pays for drinks knows you've got a great vibe. Any partner or fling is gonna have a great time...well I assume, you might be terrible at that sort of stuff, but it's not really important anyway."

The look in Kazumi's eyes shifted from happy to mischievous as Yurei talked "You may test that assumption at your convenience." Kazumi replied the light teasing tone in their voice

"But I appreciate the vote of confidence. Truth is though all my personal stuff aside finding time between work, performing, tinkering and buying you drinks, I hardly have time for dates or anything like that."

Soshi Kazumi wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 06, 2022 7:38 am

The look in Kazumi's eyes shifted from happy to mischievous as Yurei talked "You may test that assumption at your convenience." Kazumi replied the light teasing tone in their voice

"But I appreciate the vote of confidence. Truth is though all my personal stuff aside finding time between work, performing, tinkering and buying you drinks, I hardly have time for dates or anything like that."

"Maybe I will, one of these days. In between your working, performing, tinkering and boozing."
She winks

"Although I wouldn't want to besmirch your reputation, most people don't even want to be seen in public with a ronin. Besides, you'd have to catch me when I wasn't sneaking, scheming, scandalizing or boozing. Or at least, I'm told that's what I get up to."

"Yurei I do, or did, all of those things too. It was before we were friends but I used to have frequent run ins with local magistrates. Believe it or not I was a bit of a wild child up until a couple years ago." Kazumi took another drink, longer this time.

"Trust me being with you won't hurt my reputation more than what I done in the past has. Besides to Jigoku with em if they want to judge you just because you're ronin. You're a good person, that's what should count."