[D1EN] Spot With a View

[Usagi Rei]

"Other performers, like Asahina-san?" Rei smirked at her. "I gather there's at least one story there, yes?" He shrugged. "But there's all sorts of talent here. World of Dreams collects them. It makes sense. Hmmm..." He pursed his lips. "I think I've got someone in mind, actually."

He shifted in his chair, smiling at her giggle, the little thrill it sent down his spine. "It's true... your clan has a reputation. And I've certainly met the sort. But it's hardly universal, and Yuji-sama is a good sort. Dotes on his family, shares with his friends. I like him. He's..." lips shifted, "-been a good friend."

Rei shifted forward then, placing his own drink on the table, likewise unfinished. Ice cracked, the soft sound audible over the music. "Besides, I've been on World of Dreams a while. I don't mind a little sting. Or bite." He smirked at her, just a little.

[Susumu Yakumo]

Her smile grew into a grin and she snorted a short laugh. "Hinata-san happens to be the friend of someone I don't like very much, but bless his heart, he's too dumb for me to dislike him simply beause of that association. It's just hard to think ill of him when he's so... innocent. And nice." Even she had to admit that Hinata was nice.

A part of her idly wondered if Rei and Yuji had been more than friends at some point. Maybe a fling at some point, that still had good relations? There seemed to be some kind of history there, she could tell. Just not what.

"A little biting never hurt anyone I guess," Yakumo retorted wryly. "But I am curious, who's on your mind? I'm still catching up with the local people here, not to mention who's present for the winter court. Hinata-san will no doubt say yes to a performance."

[Usagi Rei]

"I gathered both of those things." Rei said dryly. After a moment, he frowned. "Does he have anyone looking out for him? That's a dangerous combination to have on World of Dreams. Especially for someone famous." He looked at Yakumo. "For that matter, you should be careful, too. Even if you don't have those qualities in such, ah, abundance as Asahina-san."

Whatever past existed between Rei and Yuji wasn't obvious. The Hare's smile, somewhere between friendly and flirty, scarcely wavered. Although there was something strange in his pale eyes when he glanced towards the stage.

He looked back. "There's a Scorpion DJ who's quite good. Soshi Kazumi is their name. You can find them at the Wicked Wasp. I've heard them perform, and it's been good, and also received a personal recommendation. If you're looking to find local talent, that's where I'd start."

[Susumu Yakumo]

The tip on a Soshi Kazumi and the Wicked Wasp was filed away with a nod. She'd have to check the place out, and its DJ.

"I certainly hope there is someone among the Crane that is keeping an eye on him." She dreaded to think that they had let Hinata roam any planet free without a handler. He might spend the embassy's budget on plushies and arcade-games, if given the chance. "I should be fine, Usagi-san... thank you for your concern. If it puts you at ease, I could call you any time I'd need a bodyguard, hm?"

Yakumo regarded him with a raised eyebrow and an amused grin.

[Usagi Rei]

That made Rei chuckle softly. "I can imagine. Well, one can certainly find that sort of thing on World of Dreams. As least there's only so much money that a person can spend at the Cat Cafe." His lips pursed, half-thoughtful, half-amused. "The Crane are probably lucky that off-worlders aren't allowed to buy spine drakes, though."

Rei tilted his head as he regarded Yakumo, his teeth flashing white in the dimly lit room as he matched her grin. "Do you think you might have such a need, Susumu-san?" He gently inclined his head. "If that's so, yes, I certainly hope you'll think of me. I shall place my talents at your disposal."

He matched her town to hers, lightly amused, lightly playful. Inwardly, he was definitely quite aware of his slightly quickened pulse.

[Susumu Yakumo]

"Maybe?" she said with a feigned innocence. "I just don't mind having a handsome bodyguard around sometimes. Have something nice to look at for a change, you know."

Giggling, she picked up her glass and drained the remaining contents. "... So what's a spine drake? I've heard that mentioned before..."

[Usagi Rei]

"Mmm." Rei murmured. He leaned back in his chair, casually stretching, the pose highlighting the masculine lines of his form. "Well, I wouldn't bodyguard for just anyone mind." Another tilt of his head. "But for the gorgeous star Susumu Yakumo, I think I could make an exception."

A moment, as he drained his glass as well, tossing it back. Reaching down, he keyed in another order of the same for each of them. Wiping his hands dry, Rei gave a nod. "A spine drake is a creature native to the World of Dreams. A tiny, well, dragon, perhaps this large." He held his hands under a foot apart. "In recent years, the Scorpion have begun to breed them as pets, part of a program to rehabilitate their numbers."

He smiled... a careful eye could tell it was an honest smile, not a courtier's or a flirty one. "I actually have one myself. Airi... I named her."

[Susumu Yakumo]

"Then I'm glad to know I can count on you, Rei-san," she made sure to emphasize saying his personal name, her voice a touch more breathy as she did.

But as he went onward to describe the spine drake, she couldn't help but to be distracted by the mental image. "That sounds absolutely adorable. Goodness, and people keep these little dragons as pets? Do they fly, or swim in the water? You know, the things we expect of dragons?"

[Usagi Rei]

Rei didn't answer. Or, at least, he didn't say anything. But the smile he gave her, the intense look in his pale eyes, that was answer enough. An automatic response to the shiver he felt at that breathy whisper of his name.

"They do fly." Rei said. "But not like birds." Spaceborn Rei had limited animals for comparison purposes. "They fly, but they can also hover. I actually don't know if they swim. Airi likes water." He chuckled softly

A server arrived, silently placing down fresh drinks, and whisking their empty glasses away. "Would you like to meet her sometime, perhaps? She's very gentle."

[Susumu Yakumo]

"I would very much like that, yes. Normally I'm not much of a pet person, but... it's hard to not be intrigued by a miniature dragon." Judging by her expression she did seem very fascinated by it. "What do they even eat? Do they chase rats or mice, like little flying cats, or omnivores...?"

[Usagi Rei]

"They're..." Rei frowned. "What's the word when they eat insects?" He shrugged. "Insects. At least, naturally." He chuckled. So did spiders, didn't they? An interesting thought. "Perhaps fortunately, my apartment doesn't have enough insects to keep her fed. So I feed her pellets."

He went on, again smiling as a pet owner often did when discussing their pet, slightly at odds with his persona. "She does sound a bit like an angry cat, actually. But she also hisses when she's happy. You learn to recognize the signs. And she's got a ball..."

Raising his glass and his eyebrows, Rei looked at Yakumo. "Perhaps I could bring her by sometime? As part of any bodyguarding I might be doing..."

[Susumu Yakumo]

Her face did light up a little. But most people probably had that reaction to meeting such interesting little animals. "I'd like that yes. And I promise to not run off with your... Airi, was it?"

Yakumo giggled, but she was sincere in her words.

[Usagi Rei]

Rei flashed a quick grin before giving her a slightly exaggerated frown. "I should hope not, Yakumo-san." His lips twitched. "I take my bodyguarding duties very seriously, and that includes Airi." He touched the glass to his lips, as much to cool him as to drink.

The performance came to an end, the Scorpion singer bowing deeply before leaving the stage. Rei set his glass down for some quiet applause; that seemed to be the acceptable amount.

Turning back to Yakumo, Rei's smile returned, but there was a hint of the pensive in his handsome features. "Would you tell me more about... you, Yakumo-san? I've read the bios, of course." He chuckled softly. "Including some very enthusiastic fan ones. But here with you, I feel like that's hasn't given me the full picture."

[Susumu Yakumo]

Showing respect to a fellow artist, Yakumo joined in the applause. She'd have to personally look into that artist lately for her own interests... not someone to perform with as such, but to listen to on her own.

"Hm, ah... you mean like those fan biographies, and what-not?" she laughed softly and picked up her new drink. "Of course. We can share a bit more about ourselves. It is only fair if we're both getting to know eachother better, yes? Since you asked first though, you may go first." Her eyes remained on him as she took a long drink from the glass. Condensation stained the glass briefly.

[Usagi Rei]

Rei laughed, short but honest. "Oh, are those the rules?" He smirked at her, even as he swirled the drink in his glass. "I feel as though I've been caught unexpectedly in a web."

He paused a moment, pursing his lips. "Very well. Do we ask questions, or do we choose something to share?"

[Susumu Yakumo]

"Questions are a bit more interesting, aren't they? Otherwise, we could just share the pleasant truths and lies about ourselves, never really getting answers." Of course, they could always lie in response to the questions, but it was a bit different to be put on the spot to lie compared to delivering a practiced lie.

"Unless you have very dark secrets to hide, that is..."

[Usagi Rei]

Rei looked at her, lips only just curled up at the corners. "I wouldn't say so. Not for World of Dreams, anyway."

He swirled his drink around in his glass a little more. "This is quite the opportunity... hmmm..." His attention shifted to Yakumo, his pale eyes studying her, taking her in.

"What are your dreams?" Rei asked suddenly. He meant it as what do you wish for, but the question was a touch ambiguous.

[Susumu Yakumo]

His question of choice caught her a bit unawares, as she had expected some of the more usual questions like why does she always wear gloves, or is there a romantic interest in her life.

"My dreams?" Yakumo's eyebrows rose as she echoed the question, and then she had to buy herself some time. Which was done by taking a long drink from her glass.

"Hmmm... there's a lot, really. Little things, big things. I guess... hm, I want to be able to make my music, and perform my music, without politics attached to it. Just... music for the sake of music. For the sake of the art. Without having to listen to my superiors ask me to add in more about certain topics, or change it to something else. I thought I would get the chance to do this when I signed up with the Miya, and to a degree I have some more freedom in some areas, and less in others. Music is my entire life, and I hate reducing it to just mere propaganda or something that will sell better."

[Usagi Rei]

Rei smiled as Yakumo drank. He knew the question wasn't what she'd expected. And he'd been tempted to ask something to help his chances. But... he wasn't just attracted, he was intrigued. Interested. This was what he wanted to know.

His smile turned more gentle as she spoke. "I see. You're an artist." You want freedom. His lips parted, but he shook his head. "Thank you, Yakumo-san." His modulated tone was gentle, too.

Then he smiled as he had been. "Now it's your turn."

[Susumu Yakumo]

"Always an artist first and foremost," she chuckled. And politician second. Of course, she was a good little Spider, as best she could be. Doing what she was told, most of the time. Just had a hard time of fitting in perfectly.

"Hmm... a simple question, I guess; how did you end up on the World of Dreams? What was the journey that led you to this moment?"