[D8 LE]Information Event: Righteous among the wicked RP thread

[Susumu Yuji]

"Don't know them personally," Reki shrugged, "Just some one who got handed my dossier and told to find me a vacation spot. I was...distracted while the arrangements were made. I assume they were just picking a location out of a hat."

"Well I suppose it is a planet of Scorpion, Susumu-sama. It would be a disappointment if all the surprises were known in but a few years."

Why is leave such an impersonal bureaucratic mess for the Lion? "i understand. Perhaps that random chance brought you to exactly where you needed to be, though Winter Court isn't much of a vacation, if you'll pardon my bluntness." A manicured eyebrow ticked upwards slightly, appraising the Akodo's reaction.

"And it would be disappointing if you haven't found yourself surprised in the brief time here. Tell me, Akodo-san. Has anything surprised you?"

[Akodo Reki]

Why is leave such an impersonal bureaucratic mess for the Lion? "i understand. Perhaps that random chance brought you to exactly where you needed to be, though Winter Court isn't much of a vacation, if you'll pardon my bluntness." A manicured eyebrow ticked upwards slightly, appraising the Akodo's reaction.

"And it would be disappointing if you haven't found yourself surprised in the brief time here. Tell me, Akodo-san. Has anything surprised you?"

Reki's smile waivers, a hint of melancholy seeping in, "Ah...no I very much doubt it is where I need to be."

She recovers, "Well I am not really engaging in court proper, just trying to see a little of the high society on a Scorpion world. As for surprises, a few but nothing that has truly shocked me. It seems my expectations were right."

[Susumu Yuji]

Reki's smile waivers, a hint of melancholy seeping in, "Ah...no I very much doubt it is where I need to be."

She recovers, "Well I am not really engaging in court proper, just trying to see a little of the high society on a Scorpion world. As for surprises, a few but nothing that has truly shocked me. It seems my expectations were right."

"Then not really surprises if it meets your expectations." Yuji was good at reading people. He noted the slight shift in the smile, but said nothing of it.

They had only just met. It would be quite rude. "Well. You would know best. But I would recommend finding enjoyment, if you're here for R and R. You... were at the Oshidama tournament, correct?'

[Akodo Reki]

"Then not really surprises if it meets your expectations." Yuji was good at reading people. He noted the slight shift in the smile, but said nothing of it.

They had only just met. It would be quite rude. "Well. You would know best. But I would recommend finding enjoyment, if you're here for R and R. You... were at the Oshidama tournament, correct?'

"Yes," Her eyes narrow at the memories of the Navy's win. Revenge would be sweet and cold, like shaved ice with orange and pineapple. And also pitiless and cold, like...shaved ice with mango and passion fruit.


The smile returns quickly, "As we're you. Usagi Rei mentioned you now that I think on it. You two had a fair few admirers."

[Susumu Yuji]

"Yes," Her eyes narrow at the memories of the Navy's win. Revenge would be sweet and cold, like shaved ice with orange and pineapple. And also pitiless and cold, like...shaved ice with mango and passion fruit.


The smile returns quickly, "As we're you. Usagi Rei mentioned you now that I think on it. You two had a fair few admirers."

"Well, certainly not for our skills on the sands." He chuckled softly, "Usagi Rei-san and I are... quite close. We've known each other for several years." He let the words hang there for a moment.

"But an example of just what happens when you are allowing yourself some fun, Akodo-san."

[Akodo Reki]

"Well, certainly not for our skills on the sands." He chuckled softly, "Usagi Rei-san and I are... quite close. We've known each other for several years." He let the words hang there for a moment.

"But an example of just what happens when you are allowing yourself some fun, Akodo-san."

"Yes." Reki nodded, though it was perhaps unclear if she meant to agree with their ball handling skills, or if she some how knew that they were close.

She frowned, though the expression seemed more indignant than angry, "Are you implying I don't know how to have fun? I have had fun. Just not all the time. And in temperance."

[Susumu Yuji]

"Yes." Reki nodded, though it was perhaps unclear if she meant to agree with their ball handling skills, or if she some how knew that they were close.

She frowned, though the expression seemed more indignant than angry, "Are you implying I don't know how to have fun? I have had fun. Just not all the time. And in temperance."

"I'm implying nothing, Akodo-san. Just expressing concern that perhaps your itinerary was set by a logistical officer who was merely meeting a quota than truly considering.... what Akodo-san might be looking for in a vacation." His smile slithered like a serpent, those dark red eyes focused wholly on Reki's face. "Clearly, you understand the merit of it. A delectable seasoning to the duties we all must take."

[Akodo Reki]

"I'm implying nothing, Akodo-san. Just expressing concern that perhaps your itinerary was set by a logistical officer who was merely meeting a quota than truly considering.... what Akodo-san might be looking for in a vacation." His smile slithered like a serpent, those dark red eyes focused wholly on Reki's face. "Clearly, you understand the merit of it. A delectable seasoning to the duties we all must take."

"And what is it you are suggesting?" Reki studied him with crossed arms and a stern expression. Then an eyebrow shot up...followed by her eyes widening as a lot ideas suddenly clicked. She pressed her lips into a straight line and gripped the bridge of her nose. The Lioness closed her eyes.

Reki-chan

Her wife's voice and face were there, that positively devilish expression she had often wore when she was about to embarrass Reki.

Don't say it, Naomi-chan

The mind vision of Akodo Naomi leaned over to Reki.

You know what rabbit and spider have been up to Reki-chan.

I am not thinking this right now.

Which do you think is...

Reki opened her eyes, her face was red. "... would you like to get a drink. I need a drink. A different drink."

Damnit Naomi, you were an absolute gremlin sometimes.

[Susumu Yuji]

"And what is it you are suggesting?" Reki studied him with crossed arms and a stern expression. Then an eyebrow shot up...followed by her eyes widening as a lot ideas suddenly clicked. She pressed her lips into a straight line and gripped the bridge of her nose. The Lioness closed her eyes.

Reki-chan

Her wife's voice and face were there, that positively devilish expression she had often wore when she was about to embarrass Reki.

Don't say it, Naomi-chan

The mind vision of Akodo Naomi leaned over to Reki.

You know what rabbit and spider have been up to Reki-chan.

I am not thinking this right now.

Which do you think is...

Reki opened her eyes, her face was red. "... would you like to get a drink. I need a drink. A different drink."

Damnit Naomi, you were an absolute gremlin sometimes.

"I would love... to get a drink, Akodo-san." His voice low, before he seemed to stand taller, looking towards the bar. "My Eyesight isn't the best. Would you mind if I took your arm?" The gaunt Deceiver looked back to the Gunso. "I'd hate to knock into someone one our quest for refreshment."

The smile never stopped being wicked, all that Susumu training being second nature.

Or first nature, as it were.

[Kuni Koyuki]

Keeping quiet and still . . . well maybe not still as he had fidgeted around for most of the wait, was a monumental task for one such as Hinata. Somehow (probably because day flip has happened and I can't roll his paltry Willpower for this) he did manage to wait without going off on a random tangent of distraction.

Then the drink arrived. What the Crane called a 'Danger Cocktail'. Bright, colourful, sweet, fruity . . . and with hidden alcohol. Far too easy to get drunk on these. Young Crane were warned not to drink these at official events and taught to recognise when someone had given them one. Hinata . . . . Hinata though . . .

"Oh WOW! So pretty!" Slurp! "Oh that tastes divine. I'm even not upset by the lack of little umbrellas or plastic birds on a stick."

"I thought you might like it," she says. Enjoying something about seeing Hinata happy, regardless of what her expression usually suggests. Leaning into the table a bit she shuts out the rest of the world to just focus on that for a moment. Intent to be his keeper for a little while, as it was. Let him enjoy himself without knowing the little walled in box of safety she had put him in.

"Should be fine after the one. Be careful you don't get too many otherwise. They sneak up on you, Asahina-san."

[Asahina Hinata]

"I thought you might like it," she says. Enjoying something about seeing Hinata happy, regardless of what her expression usually suggests. Leaning into the table a bit she shuts out the rest of the world to just focus on that for a moment. Intent to be his keeper for a little while, as it was. Let him enjoy himself without knowing the little walled in box of safety she had put him in.

"Should be fine after the one. Be careful you don't get too many otherwise. They sneak up on you, Asahina-san."

"It'sssss lovely."

He closed his eyes and enjoyed the flavour, and the oncoming sugar boost.

"Wait?!?!! Sneak up?"

He immediately turned to look behind them for any sneaksie ninja types.

[Akodo Reki]

"I would love... to get a drink, Akodo-san." His voice low, before he seemed to stand taller, looking towards the bar. "My Eyesight isn't the best. Would you mind if I took your arm?" The gaunt Deceiver looked back to the Gunso. "I'd hate to knock into someone one our quest for refreshment."

The smile never stopped being wicked, all that Susumu training being second nature.

Or first nature, as it were.

Perhaps to the Susumu's surprise, Reki offered it without much preamble. They started toward the bar.

The imagined Naomi kept pace beside them.

So why did you come here? You always hated these social gatherings.

Reki looked over to the Spider and then back around the room. Then to her side...to the vision of her dead wife.

I thought you liked them...

Oh, my sweet lioness...we both know that is a lie. I liked informal gatherings.

I wanted to see if these were different!

Reki cleared her throat, "How long have you been here Susumu-sama? On the planet."

And?

And what?

Are they any different!

Honestly, Naomi-chan...could you see the General tolerating any of this.

They arrived at the bar and Reki hastily ordered a light drink, no point in overdoing anything. "Quite a selection they have."

Oh my innocent Reki-chan...I think he would surprise you.

The Akodo leaned back on the bar and glanced to her left, at Naomi in an evening dress leaning beside her. A memory so real she could have taken her hand.

[Susumu Yuji]

Perhaps to the Susumu's surprise, Reki offered it without much preamble. They started toward the bar.

The imagined Naomi kept pace beside them.

So why did you come here? You always hated these social gatherings.

Reki looked over to the Spider and then back around the room. Then to her side...to the vision of her dead wife.

I thought you liked them...

Oh, my sweet lioness...we both know that is a lie. I liked informal gatherings.

I wanted to see if these were different!

Reki cleared her throat, "How long have you been here Susumu-sama? On the planet."

And?

And what?

Are they any different!

Honestly, Naomi-chan...could you see the General tolerating any of this.

They arrived at the bar and Reki hastily ordered a light drink, no point in overdoing anything. "Quite a selection they have."

Oh my innocent Reki-chan...I think he would surprise you.

The Akodo leaned back on the bar and glanced to her left, at Naomi in an evening dress leaning beside her. A memory so real she could have taken her hand.

"I've been here five years, give or take a few months." The Spider replied to the lioness, rather grateful for the arm as they moved across the room. His left arm looped through hers, while his right crossed over, gently placing his long, slender fingers over top of her forearm. "It's been a good assignment." He looked to her, watching her for a moment.

"Whiskey. Up. Just a splash of water to open it up, please." He ordered after Reki, though he had no qualms about the strength of his own drink. He stood beside her, just observing.

"No one spares any expense on selection when impressing during showcases. Doesn't matter the clan, Akodo-san." A slight curl at the edge of his lip. "Being able to pull away from the party though... offers a welcome distraction."

[Akodo Reki]

"I've been here five years, give or take a few months." The Spider replied to the lioness, rather grateful for the arm as they moved across the room. His left arm looped through hers, while his right crossed over, gently placing his long, slender fingers over top of her forearm. "It's been a good assignment." He looked to her, watching her for a moment.

"Whiskey. Up. Just a splash of water to open it up, please." He ordered after Reki, though he had no qualms about the strength of his own drink. He stood beside her, just observing.

"No one spares any expense on selection when impressing during showcases. Doesn't matter the clan, Akodo-san." A slight curl at the edge of his lip. "Being able to pull away from the party though... offers a welcome distraction."

"Five years?" Reki looked at the man, "Living in the embassy?"

Do you think he calls the Usagi, Rei-Rei-Daddy?

Reki glanced over her shoulder, the vision of Naomi leaned around her to look at the Spider.

You are incorrigible.

She sighed and nursed her drink, "No...even my own austere clan finds the depths of its pockets for a gala. Even if ours are more...august."

You haven't answered my question.

Reki pressed her lips into a thin line and studied the Susumu through half closed eyes.

No, Naomi-chan. I very much doubt he does...

Her laugh, it brought a smile to the Lioness's face.

"I imagine it was a change of scenery coming here...from your own lands. I hate to admit it, but the place is certainly...unique."

[Kuni Koyuki]

"It'sssss lovely."

He closed his eyes and enjoyed the flavour, and the oncoming sugar boost.

"Wait?!?!! Sneak up?"

He immediately turned to look behind them for any sneaksie ninja types.

Only incidentally surprised by the sudden burst of energy, Koyuki waits for Hinata to settle a little. When he does, and isn't darting his eyes around looking for sneaksie ninja types Koyuki asks a very important question. One that could only be answered by Ace-Watch Hinata.

"Find any?"

[Susumu Yuji]

"Five years?" Reki looked at the man, "Living in the embassy?"

Do you think he calls the Usagi, Rei-Rei-Daddy?

Reki glanced over her shoulder, the vision of Naomi leaned around her to look at the Spider.

You are incorrigible.

She sighed and nursed her drink, "No...even my own austere clan finds the depths of its pockets for a gala. Even if ours are more...august."

You haven't answered my question.

Reki pressed her lips into a thin line and studied the Susumu through half closed eyes.

No, Naomi-chan. I very much doubt he does...

Her laugh, it brought a smile to the Lioness's face.

"I imagine it was a change of scenery coming here...from your own lands. I hate to admit it, but the place is certainly...unique."

"No. My family and I, we have a modest apartment. Been here long enough our Lord justifies that expense." He replied, warmly. Yuji watched her as she seemed to study him. He couldn't tell if she was distracted or... very thoughtful.

"I haven't had the opportunity to attend any Lion proceedings. Perhaps when... tensions are resolved... there may be a time. And these are certainly not what Spider gatherings are like."

Varying levels of bloodthirst and jockeying for position in a more... brutal manner. Yuji sometimes thought them uncivilized.

"It is very different. Though Whispers does have it's own beauty and charm. Even in... punishing conditions. The views of the Landscapes are starkly beautiful. I miss it, sometimes. But home is where the heart is, and we do try to keep our hearts here." The Deceiver found himself drawn in by Reki's smile.

"Funny. I always heard Lion smiles were with bared fangs. Yours is rather winning."

[Akodo Reki]

"No. My family and I, we have a modest apartment. Been here long enough our Lord justifies that expense." He replied, warmly. Yuji watched her as she seemed to study him. He couldn't tell if she was distracted or... very thoughtful.

"I haven't had the opportunity to attend any Lion proceedings. Perhaps when... tensions are resolved... there may be a time. And these are certainly not what Spider gatherings are like."

Varying levels of bloodthirst and jockeying for position in a more... brutal manner. Yuji sometimes thought them uncivilized.

"It is very different. Though Whispers does have it's own beauty and charm. Even in... punishing conditions. The views of the Landscapes are starkly beautiful. I miss it, sometimes. But home is where the heart is, and we do try to keep our hearts here." The Deceiver found himself drawn in by Reki's smile.

"Funny. I always heard Lion smiles were with bared fangs. Yours is rather winning."

He's right you know. It is rather winning.

Reki frowned in aspiration, glancing to the side. The vision of Naomi smiled back. "Oh I have fangs too."

And those are cute as well, Reki-chan.

She took another sip to hide a small flash of irritation and then adopted a more friendly demeanor. The smile was back though not as raw as had briefly shown on her face. "Perhaps, our clans were hardly friendly before the...escalation."

"An amusing sentiment about home being were the heart is."

Reki-chan...please don't... The sincerity in her voice almost made Reki wince.

She clenched her jaw for a moment and then sighed, "I suppose I am a bit more of a campaigner myself. Moving as the Legion does, but I do have my domicile on Kiyomizu no Tama. Modest, like your own, but a place of permanent residence when such luxuries are available."

[Susumu Yuji]

He's right you know. It is rather winning.

Reki frowned in aspiration, glancing to the side. The vision of Naomi smiled back. "Oh I have fangs too."

And those are cute as well, Reki-chan.

She took another sip to hide a small flash of irritation and then adopted a more friendly demeanor. The smile was back though not as raw as had briefly shown on her face. "Perhaps, our clans were hardly friendly before the...escalation."

"An amusing sentiment about home being were the heart is."

Reki-chan...please don't... The sincerity in her voice almost made Reki wince.

She clenched her jaw for a moment and then sighed, "I suppose I am a bit more of a campaigner myself. Moving as the Legion does, but I do have my domicile on Kiyomizu no Tama. Modest, like your own, but a place of permanent residence when such luxuries are available."

"True. Our two Clans may never see eye to eye at the best of times. Such is our fate. But part of the greater whole of the Empire. We can always... hope for peace, of a kind." Yuji nodded, finding that those sudden shifts in demeanor. Part of him chalked it up to the tension of being so close to an enemy, but it felt... different.

"And luxuries they are. Places where one can be a true master... of their domain," he had let the word hang in there for a moment, before another sip from the amber liquid.

Then something sinister came to mind. "Are your fangs only when you're angry, Akodo-san?" He leaned closer, his tone a whisper.

[Akodo Reki]

"True. Our two Clans may never see eye to eye at the best of times. Such is our fate. But part of the greater whole of the Empire. We can always... hope for peace, of a kind." Yuji nodded, finding that those sudden shifts in demeanor. Part of him chalked it up to the tension of being so close to an enemy, but it felt... different.

"And luxuries they are. Places where one can be a true master... of their domain," he had let the word hang in there for a moment, before another sip from the amber liquid.

Then something sinister came to mind. "Are your fangs only when you're angry, Akodo-san?" He leaned closer, his tone a whisper.

Reki did not look amused at this sudden approach. "...and what exactly does one mean?"

She felt the dangerous air of this Spider...even if she liked Usagi Rei, the Lioness knew he was a bit roguish himself. Her eyes were firmly on the Susumu, studying his expression as she sipped her drink.

[Susumu Yuji]

Reki did not look amused at this sudden approach. "...and what exactly does one mean?"

She felt the dangerous air of this Spider...even if she liked Usagi Rei, the Lioness knew he was a bit roguish himself. Her eyes were firmly on the Susumu, studying his expression as she sipped her drink.

He said nothing for a moment, letting the suddenness of the question disappate as he again drank, watching her, watching him. Then breaking the silence, "Just wondering if they matched the winning smile is all, Akodo-san." He did slowly draw back, "We've only just met, after all. I certainly wouldn't be implying anything improper." Then a hint of mischief.

"But if I ever saw those fangs, it wouldn't be the end of the world."