Eyes mostly toward the main stage, one of their supposed better performers taking the stage as they rarely did. Though she'd been here enough to know that the list wasn't terribly exclusive, but knew it wasn't exhaustive either. This was her haunt, a place for where folk conducted themselves with propriety so that the owner of the house only find them in their highest respect. Where the rule of law was to not be too free with where you drew your eye, and to not discomfort the other guests. Yet, Koyuki still does so as the slight risk of faltering keeps her alert enough not to let her mind wander. Consequences weren't dire, after all, but they were present enough to distract.

Distractions were what she needed from the information that sat pulled up on her communicator, resting in front of her on the table of the booth where she sat. That half-circle cushioned seat fit neatly into a small alcove. Giving most of the table privacy, and not intentioned for viewing the main stage save for the very spot in which she sat.

As Koyuki was settling down to watch the oiran put on a show and attract a gathering of eager clients who were looking to court them. there was another presence that entered the main hall. There were some murmurings to greet the visitor but there was no mind paid to either the staff nor the oiran on stage. Instead, this person made their way directly to one of the customers in the room.

She settled down to sit at Koyuki's booth without so much of an invitation. A woman in a fierce Scorpion mask with long hair, dyed in the colour of dark cobalt. She was dressed in a form-fitting outfit one would wear for motorcycling.

There's a funny feeling you get when every one of your wildest dreams and nightmares suddenly become very real, very fast. That moment has this quality about it that turns suave individuals into awkward teens, genius's into bumbling idiots, and women of strength and control to lose all of it. The world felt hot and tingly, a bit numb but also prickly as she suddenly became very aware of the placement of each of her limbs, none feeling like they were responding quite right to her beck and call as she shifts herself to face her. Mouth having fallen agape from the start only now coming to her awareness as she tries to speak.

So much had changed, so very much had changed. Finding herself shaking a little, her voice was no different as she barely manages to sputter out one word. One named laced with all the pain, hurt, and betrayal that has sat deep inside her for five years.

"Moriko?"

Bayushi Moriko

The cartridge attachments to her fearsome mask seemed to glow red at first before releasing a slow steady stream of vapour from the filters, a notable minty smell in the smoke itself. Her eyes were lidden with heavy eyeshadow and they seemed to flicker up and down Koyuki with a rather disapproving air about her. When she spoke, her voice sounded a bit muffled from her choice of mask but it was quite obviously Moriko by her tone and appearance. She rested her hands on the table as she maintained a calm demeanour for now.

"You have some nerve coming to the city..." she told her with no hint of fondness in her tone, nothing Koyuki would find any similar at all to the Moriko she knew.

"Moriko I-" voice tinged with relief, affection, and excitement cuts off. Koyuki's expression contorts in a harshly as the invisible dagger plummets straight into her heart missing all other bits of flesh and bone between. Neutrality, despondence, the feeling of being utterly and completely lost dawns brightest in the seconds that follow. A dawn before the rise, "You have some nerve to still be breathing," she snaps, a snarl overtaking. Then, guilt as a lump forms in her throat which she's forced to swallow.

"Why?" she asks, relying on years of practice.

Good thing you didn't fuck that up, woulda been such a waste of all that time spent moping over yourself. Almost feels like she doesn't even remember you, doesn't it? Clearly she does, but she really didn't care did she? What a waste.. what a waste..

How pathetic you are.

Bayushi Moriko

There was a pause as she visibly inhaled before letting out another stream of vapour around her. It's hard to tell if she's actually smoking all that much or it was just for dramatic effect. Modern Scorpion masks certainly had a flair for the dramatic when things like lights, voice changers, and respirators were incorporated. Her dark eyes glared daggers at Koyuki with her hands hidden under the table they shared.

She scoffed at the reaction. "Breathing? Maybe none of us was supposed to leave that planet...but I know I did what I had to do to survive, Koyuki. It's as simple as that. I saw what happened and I made a personal call. You don't think I live with that every day at first? Did you think I did it trivially? Do you actually think that less of me now?"

You really never were worth anything to her were you?

Eyes narrowing, nails curling into her palms so tightly into little fists she was almost drawing blood. Lip twitching into her scowl, only accentuated by the paint she wore, "None of us should have," her words come sharp, half-hissing with that boiling rage barely contained with a subconscious effort at decorum. "Tats killed it with his dying breath and you didn't even stop to check the bodies. Rikako, Toma, me.. did no one else ever mean anything to you?" her heart breaks all over again on that word, me. "I loved you."

"I was still alive, and you didn't even check," she says, more defeated then angry, despair coloring her voice. "Three years I survived on that planet. First two I convinced myself you'd died too. I saw the shuttle was gone and yet- I couldn't think to believe it. You were gone. I would have done anything for you. You didn't even check."

Didn't even care that much.

"You were my everything."

Bayushi Moriko

Moriko only found herself emboldened back from Koyuki's reaction, only more sure to reinforce her version of the events in her mind. Her eyes seemed to twitch slightly as she found herself looking from the booth to see if anyone noticed. She gave a slow shake of her head at that as her voice became more intense. "No. No!...It wouldn't have changed anything. The mission was lost and if it didn't leave then it would have been all of us dead on the planet. Don't you put this on me. Everyone died that day, I was sure of that!"

There was a faint tremble from her before she shook her head to convince herself once more. Perhaps finding some courage within to look at the woman. Or rather, whatever she saw in front of her. "You're just a ghost who refuses to die. I know you're not real."

How many times had she told herself that very same thing? Just a ghost who refused to die. It felt so true when it came from herself. How could she have countered it when it felt so true all the time? Just a ghost making it's way through all the motions that a living flesh and blood person does. No ability to feel outside of the numb shock of all that had happened to her. Hands shaking a little she stares at Moriko almost blankly like something in her finally just toppled over and clicked.

It felt like rage, but rage didn't sound right. Something so deep and angry within her boiling to the surface. Looking to this woman she loved so dearly, who looked at her the same way she'd looked at herself for so many years. How Tats looks at her when she see's him in the mirror, or Rikako, but never Toma. Toma always had too good of a heart, and he rarely came to chastise her. That was the one solace she could find in the mess of her life, at least Toma was still a little bit more himself even in death than the rest of them.

With all that built energy Koyuki gets up from the table, and quickly approaches around to Moriko with intent.

Bayushi Moriko

Koyuki likely didn't know this but this confrontation happened long ago with Moriko already. They had already shared the same space, albeit the interaction was entirely one-sided. Not that it was easy being here now and speaking to Koyuki directly but her mind had time to congeal to a natural conclusion. Her mind had set like a mountain, although there was still much convincing she had to remind herself of.

When she saw Koyuki get up from the table, her nerves tensed and she quickly slipped out of the booth. Her instincts would not allow her to become a sitting duck here. As she did so, she bumped into a server who had been carrying a tray of sake and it came crashing down the floor to bring suddenly attention to the pair. Moriko wouldn't regard the scene she caused at all, no apologies given, as she held a defensive stance with her hands up at the ready.

"Don't." She growled from within her mask.

"Fucking stop me then," she says, with a harshness that was more direct than angry. Paying little mind to the server with tray that was knocked over, the glasses that hit the ground and the bit of wet that now shined on her boot. Only enough so that she didn't barge through them herself. Koyuki would continue to approach, not raising her hands at all in anything resembling a threat. Leaving only her approach with the energy of a furious woman to suggest anything. Just walking toward Moriko with that insistence that she wouldn't stop until she was right in the other womans face. Resigned to whatever that meant would happen.

Kuni face-paint certainly didn't help, only naturally adding a bit to that factor of intimidation. All eyes almost certainly on them and for one of those rare time Koyuki didn't pay attention to a single other being in that place. Just Moriko, like she'd always wanted to. Simply in a manner that she never thought she would ever manage to possess, with so much hate and hurt in her heart.

Day 8, ME | Initiative, Koyuki and Moriko | 5k3 ⇒ 22 (TN: ?)

Stance: 'Attack'
TN: 20
Healthy.

This seemed like a very obvious confrontation now and it wasn't something the staff were going to tolerate from this place. There was a cry and a scream as the guards were summoned to their location. Mind you, they were more used to confrontation happening involving the oiran but fights between clients based on jealousy weren't uncommon either.


Bayushi Moriko

As Koyuki would not relent, neither would Moriko. This time, she adopted a more aggressive stance and was prepared to fight!

Initiative: Day 8, Mid-Evening: Initiative! | 5k3 ⇒ 30 (TN: ?)
Stance: Attack!
ATN: 23
Wounds: 0 (Healthy)
Void: 0/3

Initiative
Bayushi Moriko: 30
Kuni Koyuki: 22


Bayushi Moriko

There was a moment's hesitation in Moriko as she reached behind but found her blades and sidearm missing from reach. Damn, she was in a heavily guarded oiran house, after all. Regardless, a born Crab had some sense of pragmatism. She closed her fist and hastily threw a kick to her midsection, which connected with a felt hit that caused some bruising.

Day 8, Mid-Evening, Round 1: Jiujitsu/Agility on Koyuki! | 4k3 ⇒ 24 (TN: 20)
Day 8, Mid-Evening, Round 1: Jiujitsu/Agility on Koyuki! (Damage now!) | 3k1 ⇒ 9 (TN: ?)

Stance: Attack!
ATN: 23
Wounds: 0 (Healthy)
Void: 0/3

Taking the kick with a heavy grunt, a bit of a wheeze, Koyuki's hands come quickly to the foot and throws her off her and to the side. Allowing her to advance again while the bruise at her stomach wells up underneath clothing. She'd come in quick. Pulling Moriko in by the shirt while trying to swing her other arm around her, but her ex was elusive and manages well enough to slip out of her grasp. Koyuki was determined, focused, and utterly lost to herself with the thumping of blood filling her head brought in by anger and sorrow in equal measure.

Day 8, ME | Moriko: Jiujutsu/Agility (Grapple) | 3k3 ⇒ 11 (TN: 23)
[Also -5 because of Lost Love probably.]

Stance: Attack!
Wounds: 9, Healthy.
ATN: 20

Initiative
Bayushi Moriko: 30
Kuni Koyuki: 22


Bayushi Moriko

Despite being in an urban environment, Moriko would quickly sidestep out of her reach and keep herself mobile and fluid for any threats. She let out a few laboured breaths as she glared at her, considering that to do next here. While fists and kicks could break bones, could that really break a ghost here?

...

Stance: Attack!
ATN: 23
Wounds: 0 (Healthy)
Void: 0/3


Nanbu Ji-He

"HEY! HEY!" A yoriki would call out to the pair as she charged into the room with her hand on her holster, not quite drawing her weapon yet. "NO TOUCHIN'! Stop this, now!"


Bayushi Moriko

With a few breaths, Moriko would give another look at Koyuki. This isn't over! She quickly grabbed someone who was just looking to make their way out of the room as the conflict had escalated, shoving them off before she quickly ran off to another exit out of the room.

/exit...if not stopped.

Steel was the best thing Koyuki ever brought to bear, and it was that of which was in her expression. How she might become that wall of a Crab who didn't falter in the heat of conflict. Looking for a way to get to Moriko the Yoriki stole her attention when she came in. Giving Moriko the spirit to dash, something Koyuki didn't have the heart for. Not with a scene like this- and not with the buzzing that was happening inside her mind. Voices overlapping voices, her own, Tats', Rikako's, and even Toma's but his was softer than the rest.

Wincing she shakes her head trying to make sense of it all, and by the time Moriko's long gone. Gone enough that Koyuki lets herself feel the hurt a little more. Panting for the breath that was kicked out of her in that moment just fleeting seconds ago. Hands out so that her palms were revealed Koyuki takes a knee to rest and try to collect herself. Sweat over her back, neck, and at her hairline all becoming very evident as they cooled her down.

Nanbu Ji-He

The yoriki would continue to approach Koyuki, giving a glance to see Moriko bolt off. While she could have chased after her, one was a Scorpion and the other one was a Crab, who stayed behind. This was unfortunately a mess that Koyuki had to clean up. The yoriki's name was visible in her uniform as walked up to meet the Kuni, glaring at her before addressing her directly.

"Hey, what's the matter with you? What happened here? Don't you know the policy around here? Reading and listenin' not something you do, Kuni-san?" She berated her with accusing questions as if talking to a child who had broken the rules during recess time.

Eyes shut, wincing at the overwhelming nature of those voices in her head she bites down on her lip hard enough to draw blood. Seemed a kick to the stomach wasn't enough to jog her focus back together. With more control, she inhales deeply and lets that breath settle her before releasing slow. Calmed somewhat she stands. At some point in the whole mess of things she'd cried, she could feel the wet paint but it'd blended in well enough by now that it wasn't all that noticeable. Maybe a little smudging on the lines over her cheek, but not too much.

"Things got out of hand. I tried to resolve it. That is all," she says with that edge to her voice. Facing the woman, but leaving her eyes downcast.

Nanbu Ji-He

"Uh-huh," the yoriki would say in return, unseemingly convinced at all. "I suppose that's a bit of a hard story to piece together now that you and your 'friend' there bolted. I don't know who started but either way, Hanako-sama here doesn't looks kindly to fights being started and my job here is to maintain the law. You can forget about coming back here the next feel weeks, Kuni-san. Same goes with your 'friend' over there. Settle it outside of here."

"Now, you going to leave peacefully or make another scene?" She said as she crossed her arms over her chest on the matter, seeing what Koyuki would do.

Glancing around the room, she had about five smart comments come to mind. None of which were worth the trouble. Mind swirling as it was she'd need the time to think on what would henceforth be known as the 'Moriko Situation' and not being reprimanded to high heavens for causing a stink cause she couldn't keep her mouth shut. Something her military service trained out of her rather thoroughly.

"I will leave peacefully. Am I free to go?" she asks, easing herself with a quick check of her attire. A reminder to stop by the front for her weapon.