Devil in the Details [Day 1, ME]

[Kuni Koyuki]

Sitting at the bar of one of the many dives in the Pear Blossom Dome, Koyuki nursed a drink in a whiskey glass with two icecubes. Pushing it around the counter while she waited with the knuckle of her index finger. Watching the slight trails of condensation traces lines across as the glass moved, leaving water in its wake. She'd sent the message earlier today, and now all she had to do was wait. Waiting was perhaps the most stable part of the job but it was the one that gnawed at her the most.

[Hato]

Sitting at the bar of one of the many dives in the Pear Blossom Dome, Koyuki nursed a drink in a whiskey glass with two icecubes. Pushing it around the counter while she waited with the knuckle of her index finger. Watching the slight trails of condensation traces lines across as the glass moved, leaving water in its wake. She'd sent the message earlier today, and now all she had to do was wait. Waiting was perhaps the most stable part of the job but it was the one that gnawed at her the most.

Not one to keep a samurai waiting, Hato made her way to the designated bar. The Kuni was pretty easy to spot. Hato was both surprised and gladdened that the Kuni had reached out to her about a meetup. She was quite the interesting woman, and she would have happily spent the previous evening in discussion with her alone.

She approached and bowed to the Kuni.

"Good Evening Lady Crab. This one was happy to receive your invitation and hopes this one has not kept Lady Crab waiting too long." she said politely.

[Kuni Koyuki]

"I have been here half an hour, but through no fault of your own," she says, still staring down at the glass for one last rotation. Looking up she offers the brief nod in recognition of Hato's arrival and suggests with a open palm the seat beside her. While Hato sits, she finds the attention of the tender and holds up her hand indicating the number 2.

"Are you opposed to getting right to the matter at hand, Hato-san?" she asks, still confirming the order with the tender. Only turning to face her a breath after she spoke.

[Hato]

"I have been here half an hour, but through no fault of your own," she says, still staring down at the glass for one last rotation. Looking up she offers the brief nod in recognition of Hato's arrival and suggests with a open palm the seat beside her. While Hato sits, she finds the attention of the tender and holds up her hand indicating the number 2.

"Are you opposed to getting right to the matter at hand, Hato-san?" she asks, still confirming the order with the tender. Only turning to face her a breath after she spoke.

Hato shakes her head at the Kuni's question as she takes her seat.

"While this one appreciates Lady Crab's conversation, this one understands the value of taking care of business quickly." she offers.

[Kuni Koyuki]

Set out in front of them were two new glasses, both filled at about the height you'd expect of a whisky. You'd never guess what was inside. Surprise, it was some kind of whiskey. Koyuki, however, mirrored this energy wonderfully with her business-like stoic demeanor as she tapped her fingertips along the edge of the counter. Attention paid fully upon Hato, half an appraising eye.

"I think you can find what you would want with the Crab, the purpose you seek," she says, reaching to take her glass by the rim. Holding it out, one elbow on the counter so that she can sit facing Hato fully. Glass in hand still half-full from her previous drink, the other sitting there untouched, with Hato's resting beside it so long as it wasn't claimed. "But, like you would expect from something real, I can't promise you the whole package. We have a need, and you might have an opportunity to finally get off-world. If you can perform," she says, her eyes were more severe than the other night. There was the unmistakable presence of being examined as Koyuki gazed upon her.

[Hato]

Set out in front of them were two new glasses, both filled at about the height you'd expect of a whisky. You'd never guess what was inside. Surprise, it was some kind of whiskey. Koyuki, however, mirrored this energy wonderfully with her business-like stoic demeanor as she tapped her fingertips along the edge of the counter. Attention paid fully upon Hato, half an appraising eye.

"I think you can find what you would want with the Crab, the purpose you seek," she says, reaching to take her glass by the rim. Holding it out, one elbow on the counter so that she can sit facing Hato fully. Glass in hand still half-full from her previous drink, the other sitting there untouched, with Hato's resting beside it so long as it wasn't claimed. "But, like you would expect from something real, I can't promise you the whole package. We have a need, and you might have an opportunity to finally get off-world. If you can perform," she says, her eyes were more severe than the other night. There was the unmistakable presence of being examined as Koyuki gazed upon her.

Hato nodded, considering the possibilities. But she didn't seem surprised.

"Ronin staring at the stars are not the only ones on the world of dreams looking for something, Lady Crab. It has been said that anyone can find their dreams on this world for the right price. For example, Lady Crab has given this one honesty and discretion, so this one will return such. An even exchange for the good of both involved at the very least, yes?" she offered.

Whatever the Crab wanted to say, Hato would listen, but not speak of it to others. Granted, if the Kuni was about to loudly propose assassinating the governor and installing herself as queen of the world, a hasty exit would ensue.

She also did not reach for her drink, this was a discussion that one did not need their head clouded for.

[Kuni Koyuki]

Empress Koyuki, first of her name, had quite the ring to it. Yet, there was no such ambition to find in the eyes of the woman opposite of her. Lax shoulders, professional manner, she was a soldier in someone's war and she wore that cloak well. Sipping from the glass she never sets it back down as they continue to speak.

"There is no better planet for seekers than this one," she says, nodding in acknowledgement. "I want to play the game Hato-san, and I want to play it through you if you will let me. Because I believe you have something that doesn't belong on this planet for any more days than it already has. It deserves a chance to see the potential latent within you to blossom, but it cannot do that here. Play the game with me, I'll make sure you time does not go unappreciated and then when it is all over and we have played our parts to the fullest I will ensure you get off this world to claim your chance among the stars. Among the Crab you will find more opportunity than any other," she says, toying at the glass once more.

[Hato]

Empress Koyuki, first of her name, had quite the ring to it. Yet, there was no such ambition to find in the eyes of the woman opposite of her. Lax shoulders, professional manner, she was a soldier in someone's war and she wore that cloak well. Sipping from the glass she never sets it back down as they continue to speak.

"There is no better planet for seekers than this one," she says, nodding in acknowledgement. "I want to play the game Hato-san, and I want to play it through you if you will let me. Because I believe you have something that doesn't belong on this planet for any more days than it already has. It deserves a chance to see the potential latent within you to blossom, but it cannot do that here. Play the game with me, I'll make sure you time does not go unappreciated and then when it is all over and we have played our parts to the fullest I will ensure you get off this world to claim your chance among the stars. Among the Crab you will find more opportunity than any other," she says, toying at the glass once more.

Hato watched the Crab make her pitch, considering as long as was socially polite.

"This one finds themselves very...drawn to Lady Crab's words. This one met two Crab upon the road yesterday, both meetings speaking volumes about the Crab. This one has dreamt about such fellowship for quite some time." she offered, honestly moved.

"However, in this game, there is a difference still between player and piece, even if the player shares more risk with the piece than in most games. This one would ask to be given until tomorrow morning to make the final decision. By that time this one will know whether to trust themselves fully to Lady Crab control, or not. If this one does, this one will dedicate themselves to Lady Crab's cause. If not, this one hopes that Lady Crab will not think too unkindly of this one. This one would rather play whole-heartedly, or not at all, and this one needs the time to prepare this one's heart for such a move." she gave honestly.

As much as she wanted to jump at the Crab's offer, something within Hato knew that she needed time to come to her final decision, and hoped that the Crab could respect the caution.

[Kuni Koyuki]

"Tomorrow, I will send you another message where to meet. We can talk more then," she says, nodding with a lingering look over the other woman. Considering something of her. Finishing off her glass she pushes the first to the side, and grabs the second while minding that thought.

"I want to know more about you, before you leave today. I would need to know who I am intending to play this game with more. What you're bringing to the table concerns me, to some extent. However, allow me first to share something with you. Whatever choice you make, Hato-san, I hope it brings you off this world because I do truly believe you deserve the chance to get off this rock," she says, laying her glass down and raising the hand to reveal her palm. "I offer nothing to misguide you."

[Hato]

"Tomorrow, I will send you another message where to meet. We can talk more then," she says, nodding with a lingering look over the other woman. Considering something of her. Finishing off her glass she pushes the first to the side, and grabs the second while minding that thought.

"I want to know more about you, before you leave today. I would need to know who I am intending to play this game with more. What you're bringing to the table concerns me, to some extent. However, allow me first to share something with you. Whatever choice you make, Hato-san, I hope it brings you off this world because I do truly believe you deserve the chance to get off this rock," she says, laying her glass down and raising the hand to reveal her palm. "I offer nothing to misguide you."

Sensing a shift, Hato takes up her own glass at this point.

"This one can tell you some things, Lady Crab, at least enough that Lady Crab can fairly assess what aid this one may provide. It may be bold of this one to say this as well, Lady Crab, but this one hopes that no matter what choices are made, Lady Crab also finds what Lady Crab is looking for and makes their way off this planet as well. A beautiful trap is a trap nonetheless, and this one believes Lady Crab's path should not end here."

She takes a very small sip of the drink, savoring the taste. How long had it been since she'd had ought but rainwater?

"This one's strengths lie in communication, be it with person or with computer. This one has connections to find that which is not meant to be found." she summarizes.

[Kuni Koyuki]

At such a sincere hope, Koyuki can only glance away. Taking the opportunity for a deeper drink of her glass than she has for any of those prior. Swallowing hard, gazing across the open floor off of Hato's shoulder from her perspective. This bar was awful, truly. In comparison to the many others she'd been in. All of the exit points were cluttered, there were few of them, and some of the chairs seemed to reek of soaked in booze. Of those three the last was surely the least significant.

"Surprising strengths to have," she says, pausing to savor the taste on her tongue. There was a spark of that warmth rising up from her stomach, a relaxing roll of the shoulders. "But it means less to say it than to show it," she returns to focus on Hato, meeting her eye. It was a test, "Yesterday, that ronin we spoke with. What can you tell me about him?"

[Hato]

At such a sincere hope, Koyuki can only glance away. Taking the opportunity for a deeper drink of her glass than she has for any of those prior. Swallowing hard, gazing across the open floor off of Hato's shoulder from her perspective. This bar was awful, truly. In comparison to the many others she'd been in. All of the exit points were cluttered, there were few of them, and some of the chairs seemed to reek of soaked in booze. Of those three the last was surely the least significant.

"Surprising strengths to have," she says, pausing to savor the taste on her tongue. There was a spark of that warmth rising up from her stomach, a relaxing roll of the shoulders. "But it means less to say it than to show it," she returns to focus on Hato, meeting her eye. It was a test, "Yesterday, that ronin we spoke with. What can you tell me about him?"

There was one really good thing about the bar that Hato noticed that the Kuni didn't. Through a combination of society's expectations and Scorpion machinations, it was one of the few places the two could and would meet. There would be no crazy nights at the club together, no fancy lunches at high-end eateries, no couples costume at a masquerade. The clutter, the smell of this bar, this was the price of the two being together, and it was one Hato would happily pay multiple times. It made Hato think of the saying about the water onion you were eating being someone else's water lily.

The alcohol was harsh, but warming, and it helped each the aches one got sleeping in a monk's cell.

"Hm, this one had not had the displeasure of meeting that one before yesterday." she honestly admits. "This one can share her observations, however. There was a great deal of menace and tension on that one's part until Lord Phoenix arrived. Then that one became all smiles and soft words."

She sat the glass back down, savoring the drink.

"Given a number of factors, this one would assume that that one is aligned with the Devout. This one could be wrong, that one could be a Kestrel....but probably a Devout. Is Lady Crab familiar with the Devout?" she put forth.

[Kuni Koyuki]

"I do not know much about the Devout, but I am aware of their existence," she said, with a settling preamble in her tone Koyuki shifted in her seat that she was more appropriately sitting at the bar. Looking more over her shoulder to Hato than not, glass rested in front of her and thumb playing absently around the rim of the glass. "I would also like to hear what it was that you observed, and what you derived from it. Knowing that would give me a fair bit of insight into how well you manage," she glances over, lingering gaze, "with your proclaimed skills."

[Hato]

"I do not know much about the Devout, but I am aware of their existence," she said, with a settling preamble in her tone Koyuki shifted in her seat that she was more appropriately sitting at the bar. Looking more over her shoulder to Hato than not, glass rested in front of her and thumb playing absently around the rim of the glass. "I would also like to hear what it was that you observed, and what you derived from it. Knowing that would give me a fair bit of insight into how well you manage," she glances over, lingering gaze, "with your proclaimed skills."

Hato nods.

"That is wise Lady Crab." Hato agrees.

"There are a number of factors. The Devout are closely aligned with the Spider clan as they revere..the Dark Fortune Kyoso."she says with an obvious amount of distaste. Still it was a fact.

"His implant suggests their involvement. While they're not the only clan to utilize such artifice, they're well known for it. There was also the ways he spoke of the Fortunes. Outwardly respectful, but his demeanor hinted at more, such as a believe in the Dark Fortunes."

She shrugged.

"And as an old ronin, it's simply too likely that he has someone to support him on a regular basis."

[Kuni Koyuki]

"He is a man comfortable with violence, his answers to me told me this much. I do not know if these Devout are known for such things. Given his age, he is not the top nor the bottom," she adds, her voice sounding as if off in thought, making edits to Hato's words as she went. "I would not have jumped to suspect the Dark Fortunes for his worship, but I cannot disagree with your assessment. An allegiance with the Spider would not surprise me, considering it was I that he chose to test."

"How would you rate his potential threat?" she asks, punctuating this thought with a sip of her drink.

[Hato]

"He is a man comfortable with violence, his answers to me told me this much. I do not know if these Devout are known for such things. Given his age, he is not the top nor the bottom," she adds, her voice sounding as if off in thought, making edits to Hato's words as she went. "I would not have jumped to suspect the Dark Fortunes for his worship, but I cannot disagree with your assessment. An allegiance with the Spider would not surprise me, considering it was I that he chose to test."

"How would you rate his potential threat?" she asks, punctuating this thought with a sip of her drink.

Hato thought about the night in question, and the woman asking about it.

"One does not become an old ronin by being foolish or unused to violence. Looking at it from his attitude and posturing, I believe he is confident he could take you in a fight, perhaps the two of us at the same time. He might have considered me either not helping either side, or for his best case me joining his side. But he was willing to chance fighting the two of us together. Were he to kill both of us, he could slip away, and depend on the Scorpion magistrates not trying too hard to solve the case." she explains.

She takes a sip of her drink.

"The arrival of Lord Phoenix changed his math. Not because Lord Phoenix is a terrifying combatant, but were the two of you to start fighting, Lord Phoenix could have called for the guards and they likely would have responded faster than he would have liked. So his words became much softer. There was also the unlikely chance the three of us would have fought him together. In which case, even if the guards arrived swiftly, they would have likely been firmly on your and Lord Phoenix's side regardless of fault."

She shrugged a bit.

"His is not the threat of a wild bloodthirsty animal, it is the threat of a clever predator who knows well when to strike and when not to."

[Kuni Koyuki]

Shaking her head, Koyuki grabbed for her drink. There was a disagreement, a difference of appraisal, "No, he would not have bothered considering if things were going to come to blows, Hato-san. That man knows well that it is too much of a risk for either of us to do such a thing, and neither of us would benefit. Just as I probed him, he was probing me. I am new in his city as he sees it, and he wants to know what I am made of. If I can be used, manipulated, or if I will be a problem. There is a sort of veil in this world, Hato-san," she says, setting her glass down and raising up her hands. Splaying out her fingers as if to mimic it for a visual representation. "That Phoenix does not belong to the world that Taiki and I do, and so we hide it from him as to not break composure."

[Hato]

Shaking her head, Koyuki grabbed for her drink. There was a disagreement, a difference of appraisal, "No, he would not have bothered considering if things were going to come to blows, Hato-san. That man knows well that it is too much of a risk for either of us to do such a thing, and neither of us would benefit. Just as I probed him, he was probing me. I am new in his city as he sees it, and he wants to know what I am made of. If I can be used, manipulated, or if I will be a problem. There is a sort of veil in this world, Hato-san," she says, setting her glass down and raising up her hands. Splaying out her fingers as if to mimic it for a visual representation. "That Phoenix does not belong to the world that Taiki and I do, and so we hide it from him as to not break composure."

That drew a genuine frown from Hato.

"it would appear that this one failed to assess the situation properly based on this one's preconceptions. Had this one better intelligence beforehand, this one could have assessed this better, but so far has proved to be of little potential use to Lady Crab." she said, frustrated by her own shortcomings.

[Kuni Koyuki]

Shifting, slightly, so that she was facing Hato a little more. Offering the more directed attention to be sympathetic? It was strange to wear it, it felt foreign on her shoulders, and yet she wore it now all the same. "What have you done for the past years Hato-san, to make it by?"

[Hato]

Shifting, slightly, so that she was facing Hato a little more. Offering the more directed attention to be sympathetic? It was strange to wear it, it felt foreign on her shoulders, and yet she wore it now all the same. "What have you done for the past years Hato-san, to make it by?"

Hato closes her eyes and lets out a sigh.

"What this one had to do to survive in a world of crimson and black. This one lacks connection to the local groups, so this one had to hunt for scraps of information that smiling Scorpions would pay enough of a pittance for to buy-a few grains of rice, some tattered clothes, a bribe to a corrupt yoriki....one more day. Followed by another day of scraping together enough data to buy another. Who can say to what ends the Scorpion used this information? Honor does not fill a belly, but rice does, and it is a simple enough on the World of Dreams to exchange honor for coin, coin for rice." she offers, slowly opening her eyes again.