[Day 1 EE] Examining the Local Wildlife (Expecting)

[Yūrei]

Yūrei loiters near the entrance to the Sanctuary dressed casually in an effort to blend in with most of the other tourists. Since the authorities take a dislike to any riff-Raff interfering with the important tourist attraction it was sometimes best to not appear overtly as a ronin.

The sanctuary is fairly bustling as both off-worlders and local flock to view the exotic animals within. Families with kids holding ice cream compete with biologists assisting with the conservation effort as the crowd flows slowly but surely through the entrance gates.

Yūrei of course peers at the ice-cream the kids are holding but does her best to focus on her upcoming business.

[Ide Yamako]

Yūrei loiters near the entrance to the Sanctuary dressed casually in an effort to blend in with most of the other tourists. Since the authorities take a dislike to any riff-Raff interfering with the important tourist attraction it was sometimes best to not appear overtly as a ronin.

The sanctuary is fairly bustling as both off-worlders and local flock to view the exotic animals within. Families with kids holding ice cream compete with biologists assisting with the conservation effort as the crowd flows slowly but surely through the entrance gates.

Yūrei of course peers at the ice-cream the kids are holding but does her best to focus on her upcoming business.

Yamako wanders in, looking around for her guide and resplendent as usual in her finery. Seeing Yurei, she waves and begins walking over.

[Yūrei]

Yamako wanders in, looking around for her guide and resplendent as usual in her finery. Seeing Yurei, she waves and begins walking over.

"Ide-sama"
Yūrei waves back and jogs over, threading her way through a gaggle of students.
"Blessings upon you, and thank you for taking me up on this offer. It's my privilege to escort such an elegant and esteemed visitor through the Sanctuary."
She bows deeply, her tone equal parts friendly and respectful.

[Ide Yamako]

Yamako wanders in, looking around for her guide and resplendent as usual in her finery. Seeing Yurei, she waves and begins walking over.

"Ide-sama"
Yūrei waves back and jogs over, threading her way through a gaggle of students.
"Blessings upon you, and thank you for taking me up on this offer. It's my privilege to escort such an elegant and esteemed visitor through the Sanctuary."
She bows deeply, her tone equal parts friendly and respectful.

She chuckles. “You do not have to flatter like Usagi-san, Yurei-san. I am gratified to have your assistance in learning more of this space and it’s people.”

[Yūrei]

She chuckles. “You do not have to flatter like Usagi-san, Yurei-san. I am gratified to have your assistance in learning more of this space and it’s people.”

"Of course Ide-sama, I'll do my best to ensure any future compliments ring true as I guide you, speaking of, this way please."
She guides the Unicorn into a shorter line and hands Yamako a little 'friend of the park' pin.
"I rang ahead and organised us expedited entry, no sense waiting in line half the day, neh?"

Indeed, the line was moving quickly enough they were nearly at the gate already.

[Ide Yamako]

Yamako couldn’t decide if she was flattered or dismayed. But she hadn’t spent much time around Robin so perhaps this was a normal method of interaction when power was so different.

Either way, she would have to be cautious with this one.

“Excellent! I hadn’t even thought of that. This is why it’s essential to know someone who knows all the ins and outs.”

[Yūrei]

Snip

"Learnt from hard experience, I once had to entertain an esteemed Dojo Courtier for 90 minutes in line, that was...trying. This is much easier."
At the gate a harried looking attendant scans the two pins and nods, allowing the two to step foot into the sanctuary proper.

Ahead of them is a large square filled with a gift shop and a cafe while three wide stone paths branch out one heading to each of the three main areas of the park.

"What takes your fancy Ide-sama? Beasts of the land, the sea or the air? I think there are some amphibians around here as well but it would be nice if they could pick a side."
She grins easily, seeming relaxed.

[Ide Yamako]

Snip

"Learnt from hard experience, I once had to entertain an esteemed Dojo Courtier for 90 minutes in line, that was...trying. This is much easier."
At the gate a harried looking attendant scans the two pins and nods, allowing the two to step foot into the sanctuary proper.

Ahead of them is a large square filled with a gift shop and a cafe while three wide stone paths branch out one heading to each of the three main areas of the park.

"What takes your fancy Ide-sama? Beasts of the land, the sea or the air? I think there are some amphibians around here as well but it would be nice if they could pick a side."
She grins easily, seeming relaxed.

Ide Yamako shook her head. "That is truly a feat.I would not want to have tried such a task." She ponders for a moment. "How about the sea? I deeply enjoyed seeing those sorts of creatures on New Kalani and haven't had a chance to see any like that since."

[Yūrei]

Ide Yamako shook her head. "That is truly a feat.I would not want to have tried such a task." She ponders for a moment. "How about the sea? I deeply enjoyed seeing those sorts of creatures on New Kalani and haven't had a chance to see any like that since."

"As you wish."

Yūrei leads on, trying her best to match her pace to the Unicorn's so her guest didn't feel rushed or slowed as they follow the sea path. The becomes slightly cool as huge tanks of sit on each side. One particularly busy attraction is the 12 clawed otter enclosure where a veritable horde of kids peers through glass into a tank where half a dozen impressive clawed otter pups are playing on a beach, watched by their attentive parents. The World of Dreams Otters seemed particularly large with long curved claws, although their yips and barks were very cute as they play fought over a ball.

On the other side of the path was a darker tank whose lighting mimicked the middle depths of the ocean. Two huge lantern sharks swam slowly through the blackness, the glowing bulb on their heads making the predators easy to spot.

"New Kalani? I've only heard stories but it sounded like a unique planet?"

[Ide Yamako]

Yamako gravitated to the otters, using all her willpower to restrain herself from acting like a child herself.

Thankfully her time at the cat cafe had helped expunge some of that energy but Yurei’s question was a welcome distraction.

“It was my first time off world but I have never seen anywhere quite like it. A rich beautiful culture, gorgeous coral reefs, submarines available for tourist tours and…well less savory things. But it will always hold a soft spot in my heart.”

She looked over at Yurei and then quickly looked back at the otters, unable to fully break their spell. “What about you? Have you ever gone off world?”

[Yūrei]

Snip

The balls going flying and the whole family hurries down the beach to chase it into the water, the pups diving in with hardly a splash only to soar out.

"I've never had the opportunity. But I hope to. Maybe even see those coral reefs, I can deal with less savoury things as well. You have an appreciation for travel and for animals?"

One of the pups is a little put out by being so far from the ball and his mother swims over to nuzzle him affectionately and drag him onto a small rock for some cleaning and cuddling.

[Ide Yamako]

Clearly she did not realize how much this exhibit would test her control. “Yes. Travel is exhilarating and animals…particularly furry ones..well I apologize if I seem overly engrossed or act slightly odd. I have never been able to quite control myself around cute and fluffy creature.”

She turns her back to the otters with immense willpower, a small voice in her head screaming “Cuddle them! Stick your face in their fur! It will be worth it.”

She is used to this feeling however. If only the scorpion homeworld had less cute animals.

“New Kalani was a place that had some space for those less well connected. The Mantis are more..casual about some of these things i am given to understand.”

[Yūrei]

Snip

"There is no need to apologise, they are exceptionally cute. The sanctuary would be a lot less popular without the various adorable and fluff creatures kept here."

Yūrei smiles at the otter family

I have heard the same about the Mantis. I understand the clan values results above all. Do you have an opinion on that practice? You must have seen many different approaches in your travels."

She makes sure not to rush the Unicorn but when Yamako is ready she leads the Ide down the path to a shallow tank full of long green and yellow stands of kelp. Moving slowly within is a herd of maned manatees. Their famous long hair flowing majestically as they bobbed and nibbled at the kelp within.

[Ide Yamako]

Yamako ponders this question quite carefully. "They have a unique outlook on life and honor, which I find intriguing, especially since the Unicorn are also seen as a unique clan among clans. I find that each clan finds what suits them best and finds those that mesh with them. Clashes are inevitable but I do prefer to find the use and purpose to any way of being, if that makes sense."

Thank the Kami she had said that all before she saw the manatees, because she was now awe struck.

"How....how can they be so cute? How is it allowed?" She loses control and mashes her face to the tank glass, cooing at the manatees.

[Yūrei]

Snip

One slowly turns to her and bobs over to the glass, his face ending up smushed flat as he peers at the Unicorn.

"That makes sense to be, it's very sensible in fact."
Yūrei hides a smile behind her hand.

"They are adorable, and good natured. Before the planet was terraformed it's said they would guide lost sailors back to shore by letting them hold onto their manes. It used to be considered good luck to see one."

[Ide Yamako]

Her face smushed against the glass so it leaves a mark, Yamako feels shame as she struggles with herself. But how could one resist something like this? Clearly the World of Dreams was a trap in more ways than one.

"They are clearly kindly souls. We do not deserve such good natured creatures."

[Yūrei]

Snip

"That they are"
She joins Yamako at the glass, smiling a little at the smushed manatee eyeing them both. With a snort producing a few bubbles he moves on, leaving only the trail of his colourful mane behind.

"Can I ask what your duties entail? If you are not a zoologist the empire is the worse for it."

[Ide Yamako]

She snaps herself out of her stupor, now that the manatee has departed. She is embarrassed to say the least. "Yurei-san, I would desperately appreciate if you did not share my ridiculous behavior with others. I am unfortunately not a zoologist but a diplomat, though I can understand if you have trouble believing that after my current...actions."

[Yūrei]

Snip

Blinking and then a rueful smile.
"Of course, I shall let none know of your appreciation for creatures big and small, particularly the cute ones. Although it is not uncommon, I have a similar weakness."

Pausing, then with a grin.

"You will enjoy the next exhibit immensely I believe. Have you ever read of reef monkies?"

[Ide Yamako]

She heaves a sigh. “No but I suspect by your grin they are particularly cute. By the end of this trip, I will have no dignity left.”

Yamako looks slightly out upon as she walks. Before they enter the next exhibit, she turns to Yurei as if having just had a fantastic idea. “Perhaps I can be of service to you in some way, in gratitude for your assistance on this and other matters. I am sure one such as yourself could always use a hand from time to time.”