[D8ME] Reflections

[Usagi Rei]

Rei gave Reki a respectful nod. "It sounds as though you and I see eye to eye on these matters. Both in your assessment of my Clan's position, and my personal one." Smiling ruefully, he raised his glass. "We have little enough decision on where we go and what we do, or even where we must fight. What the Crane do is firmly out of our hands."

He tossed back a solid gulp of his drink. "I should also add that so long as it doesn't conflict with our existing contracts, the Hare would certainly work with the Lion again." Rei gave her another nod. "I'm sure you wouldn't respect us if we didn't keep to our word."

[Akodo Reki]

"I hope you forgive my crass frankness but...if your loyalty can be bought then if you want to keep getting employers you have to prove you stick to contracts." Reki frowned and took a drink, "...I do not believe the Hare ruled by so crude a fact, though I suspect it is on your lords' minds. And by the same token any who would hope to employ your clan would do well to not mistreat your kin while they are under contract."

"My Lord would of course welcome the Hare back, your clan's skillset is rare and useful if implemented into a grander plan." She smiled slightly, "Please do not take that as a statement of policy, I don't have the authority to negotiate any contracts."

[Usagi Rei]

Rei frowned. "I wouldn't put it exactly thus... but yes." He gave her a nod. The subject of Hare as mercenaries was always a difficult one to navigate, but he was satisfied with her attempt, anyway.

"Thank you." Rei smiled. "I understand of course. Nevertheless, if a proposal was made, I'd make sure it got to the right people to get due consideration, anyway."

He took a slow sip of his drink. "Have you visited... oh, right." Rei looked at Reki. "Have you been to the beaches here besides for the Oshidama tournament?"

[Akodo Reki]

"I walked the boardwalk..." Reki crosses her arms and presses her lips into a flat line, "...I bought a swimsuit, but haven't used it since the tournament."

Her smile turns more sinister, "I seem to recall you were not so far removed from the Spider during said tournament. Hard to miss really, given the small crowd that your game drew."

[Usagi Rei]

Rei nodded. "Besides here, it's one of my favorite places to go when I want to..." He gave a vague wave of his hand. "I recommend trying it again sometimes. From one wounded heart to another."

The comment made Rei's smile turn a little sheepish. "He and I tend to have that effect when we spend time together. I won't deny that he's a friend. And a good man, of a sort." Rei took a slow sip of his drink. "Susumu-sama was at my wedding. And he helped me with its aftermath. Rather a lot, actually." Rei smiled. "I still owe him for that."

[Akodo Reki]

"Well he wasn't terrible to look at either." Reki added with a sip, "And that sport certainly...displays one's assets."

She raises a brow, "...I see, an odd choice of friends but I have not met him. Which means I have only my...expectations of the typical Spider. I assume he moves in the same diplomatic circles? Regardless...I am glad you had someone to help you through...well..."

The sadness that is ever present in her eyes grows more apparent for a brief second, "My...superiors were also accommodating but its different I imagine."

"Any particular section of the beach?"

[Usagi Rei]

"It does, doesn't it?" Rei smiled. "Perhaps I should practice it more." He was, in fact, incorrigible.

He tilted his head, looking at Reki, pale eyes narrowing. "What did your friends say?"

The question made Rei smile, just a little bit. "If you can get access to one of the quieter beaches, that's the best. Just you and the sun and the ocean, maybe a tree for shade. The occasional passerby, but it's easy to pretend they're not there."

The smile grew. "If you like, I could show you sometime. And I promise, I'll be a perfect gentleman." Rei inclined his head, raising his glass. On the other hand, he probably had a different idea of what a perfect gentleman was.

[Akodo Reki]

"My friends offered their condolences but...well everyone was distant. Or maybe I was distant." Another drink, "Regardless they were not able to help."

"I think I would like that, quiet time to reflect." Reki's manages a smirk, "So a Gentleman, Rei-Rei-Daddy?"

[Usagi Rei]

Rei nodded understanding. Real understanding, his eyes on hers. But he said no more about it. What, after all, could be said?

"Oh no..." Rei groaned as he laughed. "I'm starting to think my greatest regret is that Akodo-sama overheard that." He smiled back at her. "And yes, a gentleman. Haven't you found me to be so? There are any number of ladies who've called me that." His tone was lightly playful.

[Akodo Reki]

"And other gentlemen as well," Reki replied coyly, "And I would be more worried that half the planet doesn't know...I keep an ear to the ground on places like this."

"Quite a few rumors really, most surrounding the Spider idol. Makes one glad to not be famous. I can only imagine how tiresome it gets after a time."

[Usagi Rei]

"Hmmm. Good to know." Rei said, tapping his finger on the rim of his glass. "Well, regardless, the offer still stands. To show you the beach." He looked at her, the corners of his lips turned up. "And to be a gentleman."

Sighing, Rei shook his head. "It does get tiresome. Sorting out truth from lies here is a full time job. You're right to be skeptical."

He took a sip of his drink again. "Besides, you met her. What do you think?"

[Akodo Reki]

"Err...I knew quite a bit about her before that." Reki smiled, blushing in embarrassment and a little sadness, "...Naomi-chan was a huge fan of hers."

She shrugged, "I mean there is always a kernel of truth in any good lie, but really when there are that many...reeks of someone with an axe to grind or tabloids to sell."

Reki smiled, "...very well, I will trust you to be a gentleman. Besides I know which of us is more dangerous with a firearm." She mimed a gunshot aimed at the Hare. "Just as a reminder."

[Usagi Rei]

"Mmm. I remember." Rei murmured softly, his smile gentle as he looked at her.

He shook his head. "But yes, I agree. As much as the court might buzz with rumors about, say, my abs..." he gave her a wryly amused look, "-or certain overheard nicknames, what's been said about Yakumo feels more deliberate." He shrugged. "Who knows? Perhaps a rival of some sort. That would be very Scorpion."

The fingergun made Rei grin. "Oof! Ouch!" He said, laughing softly. "I admire your aim out of the dojo as well, Akodo-sama." He gave a tiny seated bow. "Although as a Hare, well, we're known for taking risks if the reward is worth it." He flashed her a quick playful smile.

He sighed, not-unpleasantly. "But we also keep our words. If it is a gentleman you want, it is a gentleman you shall have."

[Akodo Reki]

"If you didn't no one would seek your aide no matter how good you are at jumping out of functioning ships." Reki nodded solemnly, "And I would not be giving you the chance to be a a gentleman in the first place."

She sipped her drink, "Eh...when you are that popular people take shots just to stir up your fans. I can only imagine what the online space is like."

Reki crossed her arms and leaned back, "You claim you aren't a drop trooper but you definitely seem to have the attitude of leap first and figure out the landing on the way down." She smirked.

[Usagi Rei]

Rei smiled acknowledgement of her point before frowning at her other comment. "Actually, after I realized she was on planet, I did some checking. It's pretty rough. I found some fan sites that were very endearing, but then others that came off as rather... possessive, I would say." He frowned. "I found those distasteful."

On the other hand, Rei leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. "What can I say?" He smirked back. "Sometimes risks can be a thrill. Wouldn't you agree, Akodo-sama?"

He let that question linger a moment before he went on. "Actually, I have done a controlled jump or two. It's an experience. I salute my cousins who do that while ground battery fire is coming up towards them." He waved his mostly empty glass around. "Well, this is a different sort of excitement, anyway."

[Akodo Reki]

"it pains me to admit it...but it's not quite as deadly talking to me as jumping into flak." Reki smirked, "But then again you have not made me angry."

Her smile waivered a little, "Yes sometimes risks can be, but sometimes the reward is big enough but even in victory there is nothing but bitterness."

[Usagi Rei]

"I should hope not. I'm trying to make you smile. Or smirk." Rei gave her a smirk of his own. "I think I might enjoy seeing your smirk even more."

His smirk faded as she went on. "I'm sorry. I know how the mind can make the strangest connections with things." Like grief. His fingers drummed on his glass thoughtfully for a few moments.

"I think I need your tactical insight, Akodo-gunso." Rei said, speaking softly. "I see two paths before me. One where I keep trying to make you smile. Or smirk. And another where I ask for the full story of what happened." He tilted his head, regarding her. "If I want to help a friend, which path should I take?"

[Akodo Reki]

"I have no right to unburden myself upon you Usagi-san." Reki responded quietly. She drained her glass.

"I try not to let it get to me...but it slips in sometimes." She shrugged, "...my apologies for asking and I know it is not the same but...does it get easier?"

[Usagi Rei]

Rei studied her features for a moment, and then keyed in an order for another, a low-proof sake. Then he looked at her more directly. "That is not the same as saying that I shouldn't ask, Akodo-sama." He said softly.

He sat back. "It does. At first, everything reminded me of her, what I'd lost, how much it hurt. The strangest things would cause me to... react." He said, grimacing. "Scents, a flower, a song... something someone said that reminded me of something she said, the chain of memory setting of the strangest associations until I could almost hear her voice." The muscle in Rei's jaw tensed, just for a moment.

Then he sighed. "But yes, now, it's only the strongest things that make me remember. And it's more distant now..." He paused, then shook his head, taking a sip of his drink.

[Akodo Reki]

Reki ran her hand through her hair, she was silent for a moment. Her eyes did not meet the Hare's.

"It was...well I can't use specific names...its still an active warzone." She takes a breath, shuddering a little, "Naomi-chan was integrated into the Legion's recon company...I was of course in the HQ." She rubs her neck, "We had been stymied by the Ma...the enemies' defensive line and finally had developed a plan we hoped would break the stalemate."

Reki's eyes unfocus for a moment, "...I worked on it of course...it was my duty. When the time came, I was dispatched to oversee the operation with one of the frontline battalions. A not so subtle remainder that the General's eyes were on them. I arrived to chaos."

Her face flushed red and she clenched her jaw, "That mor...the senior officer in charge had neglected security, his HQ was next to the primary antenna he had been broadcasting from...the enemy zeroed in on the signal and I arrived shortly after their decapitation artillery strike wiped out the battalion's senior cadre. The attack had to happen. So I notified my superiors and began execution of the plan, acting on behalf of HQ. During the assault a gap opened...we needed someone to press it...open it. My wife...Akodo Naomi-nikutai's unit was the only available reserve close enough."

She rested her head on her hands, "A scout unit couldn't hope to survive long in the mission I asked of them. But it would be long enough. I had my duty and Naomi-chan...Naomi-nikutai had her's...I was there listening to as her unit died over the radio. I could see the smoke. The gamble paid off and one a proper replacement arrived to assume command the situation was able to be exploited. I had made the right choice."

"...I made the right choice and I would have done so again. If I were forced into a hell of reliving it over and over and over again...I would have still made the choice, every single time. Fate...dictated a cruel game and I was forced to play. Victory at the most terrible cost."

Her eyes were wet, but she was holding herself together....barely. "She died a hero. The way every Lion wishes to die...everything was right and honorable and good...and yet it hurts...so...so much."