[D1:EA] Duty (Some Restaurant)

[Otomo Koroshi]

Koroshi had enjoyed the ride to the mall, oh-ing and ah-ing at appropriate moments as they passed portions of the vast city center. He had recognized and identified correctly exactly zero of the buildings aside from the mall itself. It helped that the mall had a series of signs.

Still dressed in his thousand suns blazer, the Otomo drew a few looks from passersby but he did not mind. If they wished to take pictures with him thinking that he was some kind of pop star then he would oblige with his normal passion for personal interaction. But in between taking a look at all the shops and such he did manage to find a restaurant worthy of the pair's presence and walked right in. The Otomo ring helped.

[Kitsu Kanna]

It was one of these restaurants without a menu, because you didn't need one.

On each table awaited a pot filled with a mixture of many different kind of spices, surrounded by rice, fish, bread, vegetables, fruits (including some raw chili peppers). The waiter would just lit up the fire after guiding you to your table, and then you were on your own. The meal was eaten fondue style, by immersing your choice of side dish into the pot then tasting the flavored blend you created while it was hot.

People who weren't that into spices could dip their portion in aromatic oil that diminished the burning sensation greatly. And of course there was tea to put back water into the organism, and unflavored rice to give a break to the palate.

Kanna was definitely not used to that degree of spiciness, but was facing the challenge head on.

"Interesting. Ever ate something like that back on... Where are you from if I may ask Otomo-sama? Sadame maybe?"

[Otomo Koroshi]

Koroshi was curious about how spicy the spicy sauce was and stopped in the middle of dipping his tofu squares into it with abandon. "Uh, I was born in Toshi Ranbo. My parents work there and I spent most of my time shuttling between the capital and a space station run by members of my father's family."

Answer given he went back to dousing his tofu and then put it in the pot to cook a little. "And what about Kitsu-san? She has the air of a lady so I wouldn't think a frontier world...not that frontier worlds are not excellent places to raise a child. They just have greater emphasis on certain duties!"

The Otomo pulled his tofu out and swallowed one whole. His eyes went wide and he made a very quiet gurgling sound for almost two second before silently grabbing his water and drinking it swiftly. His fair skin was taking on Unicorn colors.

[Kitsu Kanna]

"Born on Kitsu Prime, moved to New Rokugan for my studies, usually work from Kachi. So city girl to the bone. The wildest natural scenery I've seen with my own eyes was during a school trip at an educational farm as a kid."

She tasted a quarter of apple dipped into the sauce. Hot, juicy, sweet and spicy made for quite the strange mix.

"So you're from Rokugan? The original Rokugan, cradle of humanity, home to the Imperial throne, symbolic center of the galaxy? Even the World of Dreams must seem backwater in comparison to what you're used to."

[Otomo Koroshi]

"Born on Kitsu Prime, moved to New Rokugan for my studies, usually work from Kachi. So city girl to the bone. The wildest natural scenery I've seen with my own eyes was during a school trip at an educational farm as a kid."

She tasted a quarter of apple dipped into the sauce. Hot, juicy, sweet and spicy made for quite the strange mix.

"So you're from Rokugan? The original Rokugan, cradle of humanity, home to the Imperial throne, symbolic center of the galaxy? Even the World of Dreams must seem backwater in comparison to what you're used to."

Koroshi took a bit to recover from the heat of the tofu and turn to a more natural shade of red. "Glorious Kami, that was something."

He picked up a second tofu square and dropped it in a more savory sauce to soak. "Uh, yes. The original Rokugan. World of Dreams is not any kind of backwater though, it is one of the largest worlds in the galaxy. This city itself is huge. The capital is larger, but the Emperor chooses this planet for his Winter Court destination more than any other. I would never suggest his judgment is anything less than absolutely perfect."

Koroshi tried his second tofu square in the hotpot. "And what is Kitsu-san's impression of the city herself?"

[Kitsu Kanna]

"Urban. As of now its identity as a cosmopolitan megalopolis tends to overshadow any of its specifics. I'm definitely feeling like I'm in a big city, a land of skyscrapers and pollution hiding the sun, of restaurants crawling with customers and serving food in the style of twenty different worlds. But nothing that isn't just a scaled up and more red and black version of what could be found in any other big city of any other world.

If you will, the World of Dreams is a mirror mask to me. I know there is something behind the mask, but, when I look at it, all I see is a reflection of my past experiences in similar circumstances.

I guess I shouldn't be too surprised of a Scorpion world hiding behind a mask really."

[Otomo Koroshi]

"Urban. As of now its identity as a cosmopolitan megalopolis tends to overshadow any of its specifics. I'm definitely feeling like I'm in a big city, a land of skyscrapers and pollution hiding the sun, of restaurants crawling with customers and serving food in the style of twenty different worlds. But nothing that isn't just a scaled up and more red and black version of what could be found in any other big city of any other world.

If you will, the World of Dreams is a mirror mask to me. I know there is something behind the mask, but, when I look at it, all I see is a reflection of my past experiences in similar circumstances.

I guess I shouldn't be too surprised of a Scorpion world hiding behind a mask really."

Koroshi nodded happily at the taste of his second round of tofu square(s). "I concur, the planet and city seem to have every kind of entertainment and venue. But nothing particularly Scorpion except in trappings. Though, they do have several temples that I would not expect on another world like the one to Shosuro, or the one to the Dark Fortune. I can understand the Temple to Shosuro but to allow or encourage worship of less...traditional Fortunes is not something I would expect on a non-Spider world. I wonder what the Crab think, with their close relationship to the Scorpion."

He shrugged. "It is expected that a metropolitan world would have influences from every clan and so it would be a reflection of every other world with similar structure. But I think the Scorpion are deliberate in their choices. They have decided to make this world so overtly accommodating to every other Clan while maintaining security control. This, I think, is the start of the secret face."

Koroshi felt very smart for a few moments before realizing that while he had been talking he had overcooked his fish. "So what investigation brings Kitsu-san to the World of Dreams? I am going to guess that it isn't stalking idols for photos of impropriety?"

[Kitsu Kanna]

"I'm not that surprised by the accolade to the other arachnid clan. Scorpions smile to their friends and enemies alike. Who their sting is pointed at while they're doing so, that's the big question."

Kanna smiled in-between two burns to her throat:

"Oh, I might chase a few idols... But for their propriety.

I'm to write a series of portraits of non-Lion samurai, honorable and of renown, for my journal. My visit to the World of Dreams is motivated by the possibility of interviewing a decent number of them at once on the side of the Winter Court.

So, if your idol is an exemplary follower of bushido, this could make for an interesting story. Pop and virtues are not antinomic not matter what the tabloids say."

[Otomo Koroshi]

"I'm not that surprised by the accolade to the other arachnid clan. Scorpions smile to their friends and enemies alike. Who their sting is pointed at while they're doing so, that's the big question."

Kanna smiled in-between two burns to her throat:

"Oh, I might chase a few idols... But for their propriety.

I'm to write a series of portraits of non-Lion samurai, honorable and of renown, for my journal. My visit to the World of Dreams is motivated by the possibility of interviewing a decent number of them at once on the side of the Winter Court.

So, if your idol is an exemplary follower of bushido, this could make for an interesting story. Pop and virtues are not antinomic not matter what the tabloids say."

"This honorable servant of the Empire agrees!" Koroshi thumped the table hard enough to rattle the dishes. "While scandalous rumors are part and parcel of many news organizations daily roll, it is important to recognize that being famous for glorious deeds and works of art is a tradition as old as the Empire itself. And one does not gain glory by being a coward, laziness, or shirking their duty. Virtues like courage and loyalty make up many of the lyrics of current music!"

Ignoring that a lot of current music was crafted carefully by the clans to more loyal citizens, Koroshi continued. "Pop stars should not be expected to engage in illicit activities just to gain clicks and likes. Your work is very valuable then, and I would support it. Do you need anything? I can speak to the Imperial embassy staff about any arrangements or such."

[Kitsu Kanna]

"Well, I wouldn't want to impose... But if you personally know of people whose life story would make a good example of following bushido in our modern times, I would be grateful if you could put us in contact. I have a first list of persons to interview, but the World of Dreams is so full of people it's easy to miss even a shining star among the crowd.

But with Winter Court about to start, won't your duties to the Emperor take up all of our time for the upcoming weeks? I'm not sure how the Imperial families are organized for such events, but surely it must be an all hands on deck situation?"

[Otomo Koroshi]

"Well, I wouldn't want to impose... But if you personally know of people whose life story would make a good example of following bushido in our modern times, I would be grateful if you could put us in contact. I have a first list of persons to interview, but the World of Dreams is so full of people it's easy to miss even a shining star among the crowd.

But with Winter Court about to start, won't your duties to the Emperor take up all of our time for the upcoming weeks? I'm not sure how the Imperial families are organized for such events, but surely it must be an all hands on deck situation?"

"This requires thinking on...I know many virtuous samurai but the majority of the samurai on the World of Dreams are strangers to me. A ronin did share a tale of a virtuous ancestor! Though I think that you are looking for more of the alive-and-well variety?" Koroshi asked rhetorically while stroking his chin. Truly a vexing problem. He went at a fish piece with some vengeance for some solace.

Once the fish had finished disappearing the Otomo was willing to speak on his own duties. "This one's duties to the Emperor are multitude and are certain to grow greater with every day. But that is what delegation is for, there are members of the staff who could assist me in speaking to locals. This at least I can do for you. Other things will likely require permission to begin, like if you wished to borrow a vehicle from the Imperial lot."

[Kitsu Kanna]

"Tales of ronin who've managed to safekeep a bit of honor are a delicate market. Basically, they're not publishable as are. But were their subjects to die in some glorious and honorable manner, preferably in the defense of some clan samurai, then they can come out of the drawer they were taking dust in, and even have a shot at becoming a bestseller. Good mix of honor, tragedy, and positive political implications.

So, while I don't fully rule out recording one if it's especially interesting, it'll be only as a morbid bet of sort."

It didn't seem like the kind of restaurants that offered real desserts, so Kanna just started nibbling on a raw orange, skipping the spicing process.

"For everything relevant to the practical, I think the Lion embassy has us covered. For the rest, your offer is quite generous Otomo-sama. I'm not going to refuse it twice for show, but I do need to think on it regardless, about how to use it best. Wouldn't want to squander your generosity on a fool's errand."

[Otomo Koroshi]

"Tales of ronin who've managed to safekeep a bit of honor are a delicate market. Basically, they're not publishable as are. But were their subjects to die in some glorious and honorable manner, preferably in the defense of some clan samurai, then they can come out of the drawer they were taking dust in, and even have a shot at becoming a bestseller. Good mix of honor, tragedy, and positive political implications.

So, while I don't fully rule out recording one if it's especially interesting, it'll be only as a morbid bet of sort."

It didn't seem like the kind of restaurants that offered real desserts, so Kanna just started nibbling on a raw orange, skipping the spicing process.

"For everything relevant to the practical, I think the Lion embassy has us covered. For the rest, your offer is quite generous Otomo-sama. I'm not going to refuse it twice for show, but I do need to think on it regardless, about how to use it best. Wouldn't want to squander your generosity on a fool's errand."

"Worry not, Kitsu-san! My offer will remain until the star that shines upon this planet so pleasantly goes supernova and kills all things on this planet!" Koroshi declared with enthusiasm. "Honor is eternal, difficulties only temporary."

He finished his fish and changed the subject.

(fade to chitchat?)

[Kitsu Kanna]

(fade to chitchat?)

(sounds good to me; thanks for thread)