[D8ME] Reflections

[Usagi Rei]

It had actually been a few days since he'd been back here. Rei's life had been a whirlwind of activity, for better or for worse. A bit of both, actually. Still, something always brought him back here.

It wasn't too busy. Not to say it was empty, or anywhere near it. But the parties of Winter Court kept everyone out and about, and the stage was currently unoccupied. The only sound was the murmur of low conversation, and the occasional clinking of glass. Almost meditative, really.

Rei was seated in his usual spot, legs crossed in the masculine style, a drink in his hand. And, as usual, he looked out the window, his expression thoughtful.

[Akodo Reki]

"It's been a while, Usagi-san." Reki slipped into the chair opposite, wearing...a dress of all things, "Or is it...Rei-Rei-Daddy."

She smiles and winks, "My father sometimes called dad, 'Daddy' too. I hope you do not mind the company." Her tone is genuine, an offer that would be complied with if the Hare desired solitude.

[Usagi Rei]

A pleased smile quickly became a rueful one as Reki addressed him by his, one might say, alternate title. "Oh good. That's catching on. I hoped it would." Chuckling, he shook his head. "I wish that you had been the only one to hear that, last night." The thought that it was Reki that had spread the gossip didn't even occur to Rei.

"Not at all. Please, sit down." Rei looked at her, smiling, eyebrows going up. "You look lovely tonight, Akodo-sama." He said. "What brings you here tonight? A brief stop before another party? Or...?" Eyebrows raised again, encouragingly.

[Akodo Reki]

"Trying to enjoy myself...it is my vacation after all. Even Lion sometimes go out for a drink unprompted." Reki shrugged, "And thank you Usagi-san, I am not usually one to do dresses but..." She trails off with a sad smile but recovers quickly.

"Regardless someone more talented then I picked it out." She leans forward, "But how have you been? I hope your not drowning your own sorrows in drink and pretty Crane."

[Usagi Rei]

"Well then, you've come to the right place." He gave her a sympathetic smile in exchange for her sad one. "What are you having tonight? Or did you want me to pick another one for you."

His lips quirked. "If I had a weakness for pretty Crane, perhaps I'd be sipping tea on one of their worlds and listening to poetry." Chuckling, he shook his head. "Instead, I'm sipping shochu and... well, I'm here." He waved a hand around. "World of Dreams, not specifically the Golden Frog. As for sorrows... maybe." He shrugged. Drowning sorrows or killing time, how did one tell the difference?

[Akodo Reki]

"Ah I half expected you were one of those...likes it rough types." Reki smirked and ordered herself a drink. "The Crane world would probably be safer at any rate. I mean they do like your clan for now. Of course one would have the risk of pricking oneself on a thorn or some such while arranging ikebana."

"But given you are here...and what I have seen of the world, you are definitely one who prefers some level of danger." She accepts the drink as it is delivered, one of the lower proof sake choices. "To be honest, I think my own sorrows would be better suited working themselves out at home but one works with what one has."

She turns the glass, "...I think I will ask to extend my leave and visit my wife's homeworld. It would...help bring some closure."

Her smile returns, "But let's not dwell on that all over again."

[Usagi Rei]

Rei flashed a grin at her. "Danger... you have no idea, Akodo-sama." He said, chucking softly, shaking his head. "Sometimes I think I'm like one of those drop troopers who breaks both of his legs the first practice jump, and still can't wait to get up there again."

His eyes flickered over to her, and he nodded understanding. "...good." Rei said, nodding again. "Closure's important, or so I'm told. Hard to move on without it." He took a sip of his drink.

But he nodded as she smiled. "Right. Errr..." He grimaced. Actually, most of what he knew about her had to do with her wife. "I hope you've been well since our last drink? Managed to see any of the sights? I really should have recommended some, but..." He shrugged. "That's just not where our conversation went."

[Akodo Reki]

"The wounds were fresh...both of ours," Reki smiled sympathetically, "And I have managed, even had some fun."

She took a sip of her drink, "Speaking of closure...I'm not sure how I can but if you need help with...well your own situation. You have my number." Reki met his eyes and gave him a serious nod.

Another drink, "So...why here and not jumping out of spaceships?"

[Usagi Rei]

Rei's lips curled up, just a little. "Did you? I'm glad. That's important, too. And hey, I've managed to have some fun lately, too."

He waved thanks, but he put it aside for a moment. "Aptitudes and will." Rei said, chuckling. "And not just mine. A Witchfinder needs to be observant, and to be socially competent, at least. Drop troopers... well, we like to have a few good looking ones for the recruitment videos, anyway. But it was thought that my training would work well. And I liked it here, and the Scorpion seemed to like me here." He frowned at that.

Taking a sip of his drink, Rei looked back at Reki. "As for help... thank you." He sighed. "I'll admit, I'm not sure what sort of help I need. I tried finding her for a while. Then I stopped. I think the only thing I need now is a few months' time."

[Akodo Reki]

"Your personality is alright and you are not terrible to look at, I can see why the Scorpion would want to keep you around." Reki smirked, "Rei-rei-daddy."

Her tone grows more serious, "I see...but my offer remains all the same, Usagi-san."

[Usagi Rei]

"... thank you." Rei said, smiling gently. "I do appreciate. I just... don't really know what to do except wait."

He grinned. "And also, ouch. Personality is alright? Not terrible to look at? Hang on. I think I need to call my embassy and report an act of aggression. Let them know that a pretty Akodo just ruthlessly shot me down. And hit me with with a parting shot for good measure." He laughed openly, taking a sip of his drink. "You're never going to let me forget that nickname, are you?"

[Akodo Reki]

"I suppose there is a little sadistic streak under the kind façade. Also I was not the one to give it to you. I assume that was a...special friend who blurted it out?" Reki sipped her drink, "And we are on the World of Dreams, Usagi-san. I can find a thousand men more handsome or ladies more beautiful if I felt the need."

"But I suppose I will concede none of them probably are as pleasant to converse," Another smile hidden behind a drink.

[Usagi Rei]

"Special friend..." Rei laughed at that. "Well, in a sense, yes. But not in the sense that you mean." He smiled at Reki. "Perhaps you should meet my spine drake, Airi. Asahina-san used a spell to converse with her, and that's apparently what she calls me. Asahina-san himself is..." Rei's lips pursed a moment, "-very uncomplicated. But very nice."

His teeth flashed as he grinned at her. "Since this is a Scorpion planet, I'll still take top thousand as a complement." His grin softened. "And I enjoy talking with you too, Akodo-sama."

Lifting his glass, Rei stared into it. "In fact, at first glance, I thought you were very attractive. I won't deny I thought there might be some possibility of something between us." He looked at her, smiling wryly. "I'm happy that I seem to have been half-right. I think we have the makings of good friends."

[Akodo Reki]

Reki smiled sadly, "Perhaps in another lifetime I would have been willing to explore such a possibility." With a long sigh she continued, "But...Benten blessed me greatly already, and then fate took that from me. There is a hole I suspect will never be truly filled only...covered over, lessened?"

She waved it off, "But the possibility of friendship remains. And I also suppose I should be flattered, as you stated...there is little want for beautiful people here." The Lion raised her glass, "To friendship?"

[Usagi Rei]

Matching her smile, Rei shook his head slowly. "I wish I could offer some advice. But my own experience isn't the same. I just hope you get there someday."

"Go ahead and be flattered. I intended to flatter you." Rei's smile was playful, just for a moment; he was a natural flirt, after all. But then he raised his glass. "To friendship."

After a generous drink, he lowered it with a sigh. "So what have you been doing here that's worked, anyway? The expo, perhaps? I met one of your fellows there. It was a bit of an odd encounter."

[Akodo Reki]

"She would want that." Reki nodded, "Never liked seeing me sad." She swirled her drink.

"Ah...the expo, I missed that one. I was confining myself to the embassy, the dates were...unfortunate." Given her wistful look, the Hare could probably guess at least some of the reason if not the specifics.

Another drink, "Oh? I haven't spoken at length with my comrades in some time." The Akodo takes a guess, "Don't hold it against Matsu Hide, she can't help herself. She's just a marine, they are all corrupted by proximity to the Navy."

[Usagi Rei]

"I see." Rei said, smiling sadly. How long until Reki could pass over a date without retreating into sadness? After almost two years, Rei found that he was beginning to trust again, but he could tell how tender he still was.

"Hah." Rei flashed another smile. "I've seen that branch rivalry before. But no, my brief meeting with Matsu-san was pleasant." He took a sip. "It was actually Kitsu Kanna. She has rather strong opinions about the Spider. As well as those who are... well, I count the Hare as being about four degrees separated from them." He shrugged. "No lines were crossed that couldn't be uncrossed, though."

[Akodo Reki]

"I mean...I have strong opinions on the Spider." Reki shrugged, "And not particularly good ones. We are at war with their allies after all."

Another sigh, "But...I suspect it went beyond that, given you mentioned it at all. And how exactly do the Hare..." She pressed her lips into a thin line, "...I mean if your clan's current employers decided to intervene on their allies behalf and that led to your kin being used in a conflict with the Lion, it would more likely be for the benefit of the Mantis not the Spider."

[Usagi Rei]

Rei nodded. "Of course. I understand."

He watched her face as she spoke, understanding some of the undercurrents there. "That is true." Rei said carefully. "And yet, we've fought on behalf of the Lion not so long ago. I know; my cousin Ujina Jin was involved in it. The galaxy is a complicated place, and one can't always sort allies and enemies as easily as sorting black and white. And if done, it should certainly be done with great care."

[Akodo Reki]

"I am well aware," Reki nodded and then frowned, "The tides of war are unforgiving, and no one has a perfect view of the future. One can but honor their commitments, learn from any mistakes and move forward. Your clan has often found themselves having to deal with those shifting tides more then most. Sometimes to your detriment and sometimes not."

She took a drink, "Personally I would prefer the Crane continue their lackluster support of their allies as opposed to taking real action, but it's hardly mine...or your's...or your superior's choice."