Following some advice, Koyuki decided to make good on one of the suggestions offered to her by Bayushi Mineichi a couple days ago. It was time to see how far one mans name might bright her, and even if it didn't it was always good to know the faces of those names who were on powerful peoples lips. That, and it'd been a long time since she'd gone to anything like a conservatory. If Koyuki was honest with herself for even a minute she might have recognized that she was a little bit excited to see what they had on the premises.

Having spoken to someone at the front, asking for the woman in question. Koyuki found herself a seat in the lobby area while she waited. Using the time to take in the small information panels posted all around the lobby area.

It took some 10-15 minutes or so - not that much, considering the size of the Sanctuary as Koyuki would have seen in the information panels - before a woman apparently in her 30s, black hair tied in a low bun, a jacket in deep red and black over practical clothes much like those used by other of the Sanctuary's staff, walks into the lobby area, quickly checks something with one of the employees at the front, then makes her way towards Koyuki.

"Kuni-san?", she asks as she gets closer, bowing with a small, but polite smile. "This is Soshi Kioku, pleased to meet you. I've been told you've been sent to me by Bayushi Mineichi-sama?", she asks, somewhat surprised.

Rising, she offers the woman a deferential bow first. "In a manner of speaking, Bayushi Mineichi was the one who suggested I come see the conservatory. And named you personally. So, I thought I would take him up on his suggestion, and meet you. It seemed an oappropriate opportunity today."

"Oh!" The woman seems somewhat surprised, but apparently pleasantly so. "I feel honoured that Bayushi-sama would send guests directly to me."

She gestures for Koyuki to follow her, then towards the Sanctuary. "I assume it's your first time in the sanctuary, then. Is there anything specific you were hoping to see, or interested in? Or... I could show you some of our highlights"

A small smile - hiding what seems to be a deeply rooted melancholy. "Does Kuni-san like walking through natural areas? Or come from a world with lush nature?"

OOC: Sorry for the late reply, wasn't around yesterday with my parents getting married after getting back together after 30-something years apart

Taking in to step near to Kioku, Koyuki manages a maintained front. One of a woman quite used to listening intently along.

"I come from Hida Prime, originally. I grew up in one complicated giant metal box floating through space. Before I signed onto the exploration corps I'd never seen a planet, not a real one at least. So.. beasts of all types are a kind of odd curiosity," she says, her tone equally measured. Playing the part of the good guest as it were. Couldn't make a show of anything else when she came with the name of one of her betters on her tongue.

"But I spent a lot of time on many different worlds after that, and I have seen much. So, I would enjoy seeing what you're most proud of," she said, her tone never conveyed a much and it kept even throughout.

"Oh, I've only heard of Hida Prime. Not really a place for verdant forests, although from what we hear - it must be an interesting place to grow up in, for other reasons."

Her voice is level, perhaps mirroring that of Koyuki - although that melancholy still seems to lurk under the surface.

"But Kuni-san seems to have more field experience than I, then!" She seems to think for a while. "Let's see. I will try and show you some of the things most visitors appreciate, then, I suppose." She then smiles slightly. "And then the project I've been working on the most. Since you mentioned what we're proud of."

She starts guiding the Kuni through the main boulevard, but soon asks. "Would Kuni-san rather start with Grounds, Aerie or Depths?"

"Aerie," she replies after but a moments consideration. Looking already in the direction of where it lay, as she'd long had enough time to give enough of a glance around the whole room to have seen each of the directional signs. "I have always enjoyed those creatures which can fly without the assistance of the kami. Creatures with the natural gift of a freedom we could never possibly know."

The comment brings a somewhat surprised smile to the Soshi's lips. "I suppose I hadn't thought of it that way, Kuni-san... but that is indeed a very special gift."

She then starts to lead the way. "I suggest we start with the more open fields near the main boulevard, then take a path through the wooded area down to the beaches. Unless Kuni-san has other suggestions." Then, taking a quick look at a folder. "We can also make a short detour through the woods to visit the Spine Drake Centre, if you're interested."

Then, turning to face Koyuki. "Of course, if at any point you feel like seeing or asking anything in particular, feel free."

The fact that Mineichi himself had sent her there still seemed to be somewhat of a surprise to her, so deep down she seemed to wonder if there was more to the visit.

"I will be happy to, Soshi-sama. Though I will say that the detour through the Spine Drake Center does seem like it would be one I would like to take. From my understanding of what I have heard in passing is that the Spine Drakes are something of a special project here, yes?" she asks, a slight raise to her brow as if to mark the question. Following easily alongside Kioku, Koyuki keeps her wits about her enough to focus on their path most. Not that she expected any extra trouble than usual, but it was that reflex of hers that perhaps marked her more as a former soldier than anything else.

"But I am in your hands, Soshi-sama. I trust you will offer the best of what you have, and it is more attention than perhaps I deserve. Having asked for places that were pleasant to visit, Bayushi Mineichi was quick to suggest the conservatory. I am glad his suggestion that I might receive a personal tour has played out."

Kuni Koyuki wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 13, 2022 5:08 pm

"I will be happy to, Soshi-sama. Though I will say that the detour through the Spine Drake Center does seem like it would be one I would like to take. From my understanding of what I have heard in passing is that the Spine Drakes are something of a special project here, yes?" she asks, a slight raise to her brow as if to mark the question. Following easily alongside Kioku, Koyuki keeps her wits about her enough to focus on their path most. Not that she expected any extra trouble than usual, but it was that reflex of hers that perhaps marked her more as a former soldier than anything else.

"But I am in your hands, Soshi-sama. I trust you will offer the best of what you have, and it is more attention than perhaps I deserve. Having asked for places that were pleasant to visit, Bayushi Mineichi was quick to suggest the conservatory. I am glad his suggestion that I might receive a personal tour has played out."

The woman receives the praise nodding humbly, but seems happy for the praise - as happy as she seems able to be, at least. There's clearly something deep down that weighs on her. "I hope you will find the visit worthy of your time, then, Kuni-san", she says as she starts the tour. "And yes... the Spine Drake Centre is one of our most important and successful conservation programmes. We still have much to do to ensure their safety, but we're happy to have brought them from the brink of extinction to their current state."

They follow the path she had suggested. In the open areas, they went through small and larger birds that seemed to run through their enclosures, only occasionally taking short flights, a variety of winged lizards and other drakes, some of which were also burrowers. Then as they reached the forested path, they saw a number of true birds with colourful plumage of many different types - some seemingly metallic and surprisingly resistant - and yet other drakes, including some quite similar to the widely distributed lilac drakes, but also a number of wilder, metallic and jewel-like drakes of varying sizes, some likely quite capable of hurting unwary samurai. Just before they got to the Spine Drake Centre, they also crossed two species of surprisingly large flying foxes, one with black leather wings, one clearly fur-covered, with colourful patterns that had likely evolved to frighten possible predators.

As they reach the glass and plasteel building in front of gardens where Koyuki will see training equipment and some of the staff training Drakes, Kioku tilts her head as she considers something, then speaks. "This is the centre, Kuni-san. I was wondering... would Kuni-san be interested in adopting one of our little ones? How long are you staying in the World of Dreams?"

As the two walk through the conservatory, Koyuki keeps an eye out for the interesting critters. Stopping, occasionally, to take a closer look at one or two that catch her eye more than the others. Drakes being of a particular interest, and perhaps unsurprisingly so. Koyuki wasn't unlike the stereotype of the Kuni perhaps and held the temperament of a woman with an appreciation for the more hardy creatures. Bird grabbing perhaps the least bit of Koyuki's attention as she'd seen her share of them across the galaxy.

Coming to their stop, Koyuki's brow quirks slightly at the question. "I'm afraid I couldn't be certain, Soshi-sama. I imagine my means are below that of what would be required to maintain a creature as endangered."

Kuni Koyuki wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 14, 2022 6:12 am

As the two walk through the conservatory, Koyuki keeps an eye out for the interesting critters. Stopping, occasionally, to take a closer look at one or two that catch her eye more than the others. Drakes being of a particular interest, and perhaps unsurprisingly so. Koyuki wasn't unlike the stereotype of the Kuni perhaps and held the temperament of a woman with an appreciation for the more hardy creatures. Bird grabbing perhaps the least bit of Koyuki's attention as she'd seen her share of them across the galaxy.

Coming to their stop, Koyuki's brow quirks slightly at the question. "I'm afraid I couldn't be certain, Soshi-sama. I imagine my means are below that of what would be required to maintain a creature as endangered."

The Soshi tilts her head, then shoots the Kuni a faint smile. "Oh... while we do ask for a contribution to the centre for those adopting them, maintaining them is not particularly costly. They eat mostly insects and fruits - not particularly hard to find or expensive. What we want to be most sure of is that those with an interest in them will care for them properly. So if Kuni-san is interested, I'll be happy to introduce you to some of our little ones, so you can see how you feel."

Pointing with her head towards the entrance of the centre. "Would you like to go in and take a look?" Then, squinting her eyes slightly, as if trying to read Koyuki's dispassionate expression. "Or... is there anything else you'd rather see? Or... talk about, maybe?"

"I would like to see them, Soshi-sama," she says, not with the smile such a turn of head and phrase might have otherwise conjured on another face and person. However, Koyuki glances then toward the entrance of the center. "You may overestimate how much I am capable of contributing, however. I am by no means a samurai of means. Most of my time is spent away from the embassy, and out among the cities denizens. Otherwise I am bustling around the embassy from one location to another. Hardly capable of being the responsible caretaker of such a creature."

"Yet.. I will admit, I am fascinated by their charm. I imagine it is more so in person than simply on a vid or poster," she says.

Kuni Koyuki wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 15, 2022 4:27 am

"I would like to see them, Soshi-sama," she says, not with the smile such a turn of head and phrase might have otherwise conjured on another face and person. However, Koyuki glances then toward the entrance of the center. "You may overestimate how much I am capable of contributing, however. I am by no means a samurai of means. Most of my time is spent away from the embassy, and out among the cities denizens. Otherwise I am bustling around the embassy from one location to another. Hardly capable of being the responsible caretaker of such a creature."

"Yet.. I will admit, I am fascinated by their charm. I imagine it is more so in person than simply on a vid or poster," she says.

"I appreciate your honesty, Kuni-san", the Soshi says with another smile, this time slightly wider. "And yeah... having been around them for quite some time, I couldn't say seeing them on a vid or poster compares." Nodding towards the centre to invite her. "Come, then. At least you can get to know some of them a bit better while you're here."

The pain and sadness that seem to always linger beneath the surface are dulled somewhat as she enters the building - that in itself indicating how important the creatures are to her.

Koyuki nods, following along beside Kioku. Keeping an eye on the woman throughout, it wasn't as if she let herself fall away entirely. Ultimately, the little reads she can get off others meant more than anything else. Stepping into the enclosed space with her Koyuki would add, "Are there any that are particularly your favorite?"

Kuni Koyuki wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 15, 2022 4:57 pm

Koyuki nods, following along beside Kioku. Keeping an eye on the woman throughout, it wasn't as if she let herself fall away entirely. Ultimately, the little reads she can get off others meant more than anything else. Stepping into the enclosed space with her Koyuki would add, "Are there any that are particularly your favorite?"

The Soshi doesn't seem to notice, or mind, too much the Kuni's eyes on her, just guiding her inside and gesturing towards the glass enclosures at the sides. "Well, I couldn't say I'm not partial to my two closest companions", she answers affectionately. She whistles, and two drakes, one with golden scales, one dark as the night, come flying happily towards her and perch on both of her shoulders. "But among those here... well, we end up getting attached to some of them, ne?" A small smile, and she points to one of the enclosures on the side. "Among our young adults... Flutterwing there is a particularly energetic and friendly one, if a bit wild", she says, pointing to a green and blue-coloured drake flying around in one of the enclosures as if trying to perform radical maneuvers. "Slowpoke over there", she points to another, rosy-hued, drake in another enclosure "is a dear - a bit slow, as you can probably guess, but fiercely loyal". Then she points to a door at the back. "And then among our hatchlings and 'teenage' drakes, there are some quirky and fun ones... and a few that are real geniuses, you could say."

Gesturing around again. "Any particular ones you'd like to see, Kuni-san?"

"Flutterwing," she says, after a moment. Swallowing down hard as she looks off toward the drake. It was such a silly and cute name that she half-regretted saying it but she couldn't deny that there was just something of the drakes scales, the colors, and perhaps even energy that called to her a bit.

"I can always appreciate a loyal beast," she says, glancing toward Slowpoke. "As I am sure you can too but.." she doesn't finish the statement, just starts thinking at it while she looks over at the drake with a mild wonder.

Kuni Koyuki wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 16, 2022 7:55 pm

"Flutterwing," she says, after a moment. Swallowing down hard as she looks off toward the drake. It was such a silly and cute name that she half-regretted saying it but she couldn't deny that there was just something of the drakes scales, the colors, and perhaps even energy that called to her a bit.

"I can always appreciate a loyal beast," she says, glancing toward Slowpoke. "As I am sure you can too but.." she doesn't finish the statement, just starts thinking at it while she looks over at the drake with a mild wonder.

The Kuni's reactions seem to surprise - or maybe amuse - the Soshi somewhat, although she keeps the reaction properly contained. "Well, a loyal beast is a loyal friend, and a loyal friend is an asset few have, ne?" She answers, after a while. "Although..."

She doesn't end the sentence, though, focusing on the shared reactions between the Kuni and Flutterwing as she brings her closer to the Drake. The lively and overeager colourful drake seems very interested in the Kuni's face - maybe because of the face paint, maybe curious about her light blue eyes - and starts flying in circles around her, its berry-shaped eyes locked onto hers. "Flutterwing seems to like you, Kuni-san", she says after a while.

"I wonder why," she says, with more amusement in her tone than anything else. Yet, Koyuki's voice always seems a little mix of something else anytime she speaks. Save for the few where she is harsh, or direct in speech, there seems to be always another layer beneath the surface. Watching Flutterwing fly around her one could easily mistake her nonplussed expression to be one of distaste but there was a certain look in her eye that conveyed quite the opposite.

"I like.. her?" she says, a quick glance to Kioku.

Kuni Koyuki wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 17, 2022 6:10 am

"I wonder why," she says, with more amusement in her tone than anything else. Yet, Koyuki's voice always seems a little mix of something else anytime she speaks. Save for the few where she is harsh, or direct in speech, there seems to be always another layer beneath the surface. Watching Flutterwing fly around her one could easily mistake her nonplussed expression to be one of distaste but there was a certain look in her eye that conveyed quite the opposite.

"I like.. her?" she says, a quick glance to Kioku.

"Her indeed", she answers, fondly. "You can tell by the shape of their heads, see?", she points to Flutterwing, then to another, dark green Drake in the same enclosure. "The males have bulkier heads, sometimes with these bumps that look a bit - sometimes a lot - like horns. The females tend to have slender heads and only rarely have these bumps. They also often slender bodies, although that's a bit of a tricky one, as some females have even stronger bodies than most males."