[ME7] - Black and Blue

[Susumu Yuji]

Yuji was escorted to the main reception area of the Crane diplpmatic holdings. He had enough time to be able to change for the pageant later, so his dress was a more casual affair. Hints of charcoal mixed with the black. His glasses pushed up onto the brow of his nose.

He had touched up the dark purple at the choppy edges of his hair.

"Yes, I would like to see if Asahina Hinata-san is available." He cooly spoke to the receptionist, and waited.

[Asahina Hinata]

Hinata also thought he had plenty of time before the pageant, so was still dressed in the blue trimmed, white sailor suit as he responded to the unexpected summons. He had a curious look on his face, that turned to a wide smile.

"Susumu-samaaa!!! Hi, hi."

He remembered to bow and then led the Spider in and up to the second floor with it's large, luxurious lounge.

"So nice to see you again!! Anywhere you want to sit? Window?"

[Susumu Yuji]

"Asahina-san." He smiled softly as he replied, bowing his head in greeting before being led up to the next floor. His dark red eyes, through those corrective lenses, looked about, taking in the Embassy as it was.

"By a window would be delightful." Tilting his head slightly upwards, smiling brightly. "I hope everything has been treating you well. It's been very busy, I know."

[Asahina Hinata]

"Oh there's so much to do here. I'm not going to see everything with just one Winter Court."

He claimed a window booth for them, plopping down and pulling up his legs to sit cross legged on the sofa.

"I'll tell the other Drop! boys all about here though and I'm sure they'll want to come to do a concert tour here!"

[Susumu Yuji]

Yuji was more direct in his movements. Sinking into the couch next to the Asahina, his feet still planted on the floor. His hands resting neatly in his lap.

"Hopefully they can make it. While I know that your Embassy will see to their needs, if there is anything your friends in the Spider can do for them, we would consider it an honor." He offered a smile to Hinata, keeping him in full view.

"The World of Dreams has so much to offer for excitement, I know."

[Asahina Hinata]

"Oh all these masked balls. Well, it's Scorpion so masks anyway you know, but looking forward to tonight!!!!"

He may have risked a glance towards the room with the Couturier Machine in it.

[Susumu Yuji]

Yuji's eyes were briefly drawn to where Hinata looked, but quickly returned to the idol band member. A slight questioning look, "I suppose these types of parties are quite the contrast to what the Crane provide?"

And indeed very different to Spider festivals, as well.

[Asahina Hinata]

"Well they're pretty different on the surface. Lots of poetry and flower arranging and showing off art more than the masquerades and such we have here. But underneath they're all the same aren't they? It's all people talking about absolutely everything except what they're actually talking about and all the important stuff happening in the little rooms off to the side, or up above or down below . . . Isn't it?"

Sometimes . . . just sometimes . . . even Hinata can see through the masks.

[Susumu Yuji]

To say Yuji was surprised by Hinata's assessment wouldn't be entirely correct. But the level of refreshment at the whole song and dance being broken down to what it truly was, by someone so earnest?

It immediately made Yuji relax, and brush a bit of hair from his face, almost demurely. "You're absolutely right, Asahina-san. And it can be just so... tiring." Maybe he had been disarmed by the honesty, or some inner frustration boiling forth.

"At the end everyone looking for ways to one up each other and score wins while others lose, so cutthroat, that it makes any real connection difficult."

[Asahina Hinata]

"They should hold more things with food. Food gets people talking more in my opinion. Well drink gets people talking as well, but half of that is gibberish."

Speaking of which he waved at the servants for some of that expensive tea he was supposed to give guests to show them how rich the Crane were. Of course he wasn't supposed to say any of that out loud.

"You have to try the tea, Susumu-samaaa. It's so good, must be some of that really expensive Asahina blend we send back to the homeworld for the Emperor."

[Susumu Yuji]

"I think the company is what makes the tea better. I'm honored you think me so highly to try such a prestigious blend." Yuji bowed his hesd slightly, crossing one leg over the other at the shin.

"You're not wrong, though. A meeting over a meal is almost always far more pleasant, too."

[Asahina Hinata]

Hinata nodded.

"And there's such good food here! I've tried loads of places in the last week!"

He was moving around on the couch constantly, and therefore having to constantly readjust his shorts before they rode up too high.

[Susumu Yuji]

Yuji was not one who was blind, or to ignore the movements. His glance flicked down to watch as Hinata readjusted slightly, before looking back to his face. His eyes half lidded, rather enjoying the company and the mood.

"There really is. From all over the Empire. It's amazing what delights come through because of how much trade happens here. I'm sure you'll have much to share when you return home. I am glad that an ally is enjoying their time here."

[Asahina Hinata]

"All the parties, all the food. Getting to sing with Yakumo-samaaaa!. I'll be telling the other Drop! boys that we have to get a concert tour here somehow."

Small issues like the Scorpion and Crane fighting like two minks in a sack were completely ignored by Hinata. Any further thoughts were interrupted by the tea arriving, the servant providing both samurai with ample supply of the luxury.

[Susumu Yuji]

"That would be an excellent concert. I'll look forward to it, Asahina-san." Yuji beamed at the other man. He took the arriving tea from the servant, perhaps the barest hint of acknowledging, if even that. Holding the cup in his long, slender fingers. The gaunt spider never took his eyes from Hinata's face, as he took the first sip from the cup.

The aroma was wonderful, and the flavor divine.

"You have exquisite taste, Asahina-san."

[Asahina Hinata]

He waited for the servant to withdraw before taking a sip.

"It really is. Oh . . . I'm supposed to express on how wonderful and expensive it is and how we supply the same blend to the Palace on the Homeworld, but I don't think we really need to say all that to our allies and try to look smart."

Don't worry Hinata, no one will ever accuse you of trying to look smart.

[Susumu Yuji]

His smile curled at the edges of his lips, chuckling softly. "Well, being able to showcase such fine gifts has often been a talent of the Crane. And maybe not having to say it to allies, but it is good practice to remind allies what one brings to the table." Another delicate sip, savoring the flavor.

"I'm glad you've shared this with me. Had I known I would have been treated to something so fine, I'd have worn something nicer."

[Asahina Hinata]

"Oh? . . . . . . Oh! Totally no need Susumu-samaaaa! Tonight's when we need to dress up. No need for anything fancy now!"

Said the Crane in the exquisitely tailored sailor suit.

[Susumu Yuji]

Yuji chuckled at that. "I suppose. But I guess it's more that I should have risen to the occasion here." While his clothes were never less than what was fashionable, there was almost a matching of form and function. Nothing ostentatious, just subtle gradients of black and ebony.

"I'll have to keep an eye out for what you decide to wear for this evening."

[Asahina Hinata]

"Oh it's going to be so good. I'm so happy with what was made for me!!!"

Despite the excitable bouncing on the sofa, he keeps his tea completely unspilled. Years of practice.