[D2EA] Please Do Not The Drake (OPEN)

[Usagi Rei]

Rei generally didn't mind not spending time outdoors, perfectly happy to go from work to dojo to bars to home with nothing in-between. However, he had someone else in his life who that didn't really work for. And Rei was not the sort to leave a lady's needs unattended.

Carefully, he set the medium-sized carrier he held down on the grass, a little bit off the path. "Okay, here we go." He said, unzipping one end, letting it fall open. Smiling, his eyes on the carrier, he took a step back.

Cautiously, Airi the spine drake stuck her snout out, sniffing the air. A few moments later and she slowly emerged, giving a little happy hiss as she found herself in the park once more.

[Otomo Koroshi]

Rei generally didn't mind not spending time outdoors, perfectly happy to go from work to dojo to bars to home with nothing in-between. However, he had someone else in his life who that didn't really work for. And Rei was not the sort to leave a lady's needs unattended.

Carefully, he set the medium-sized carrier he held down on the grass, a little bit off the path. "Okay, here we go." He said, unzipping one end, letting it fall open. Smiling, his eyes on the carrier, he took a step back.

Cautiously, Airi the spine drake stuck her snout out, sniffing the air. A few moments later and she slowly emerged, giving a little happy hiss as she found herself in the park once more.

An Otomo was in the park once again. Koroshi had forgone his superhero outfit to don a purple on purple outfit in varying shades of the color. It was horizontally striped and he had gone with a green cloak of sorts to drape over his shouldlers. The overall effect was one of an eggplant that had grown legs and sentience. This Imperial vegetable was wandering the gardens with his Seppun minder in the back.

The Usagi was noticed with an audible sound of happiness and Koroshi moved quickly to greet him properly. "Samurai-san! The glorious sun shines auspiciously on our meeting, lighting the way to friendship, happiness, and the culmination of fate!"

He bowed to the Usagi whose mon he did not recognize so he went with a conservative bow to an equal. Politeness never hurt anyone, just ask the Kakita. It took a moment but he did notice the drake after realizing that the Usagi had opened the cage and released it. The drake got a similar bow. "And greetings to reptile-san as well!"

Never let it be said that Koroshi was quiet about anything.

[Usagi Rei]

Normally, Rei was smooth. He was used to dealing with Scorpion, and Scorpion were all manner of tricky. But he wasn't used to dealing with... whatever this was. And he had just woken up.

"What?" There was a brief pause. Rei found himself wishing he'd taken a second dose of painkillers, and a third glass of water. Airi hissed, but that was normal.

Clearing his throat, Rei bowed. "I mean... greetings, Otomo-sama. This one is Usagi Rei." He responded formally. There was another hiss. "And this is, ah, Airi."

Smiling now, Rei brushed a hand across his face, handsome features still showing some confusing. "I'm sorry, what was that you were saying about fate?"

[Otomo Koroshi]

"Usagi-san, a hundred thousand greetings!" Koroshi continued in a voice that carried well beyond the immediate space. "It is fate that drew our two lives together, to meet in this space, in this garden, at this time! Fate which binds us together to greet and meet each other in the spirit of brotherhood, harmony, and peace. To begin as friends one must meet, then one must recognize the other as a person, as an individual worthy of discussion, play, and filled with soul. I see you today, now! And say that the loom of destiny has fashioned a ribbon which drew us together at this very hour to speak!"

Koroshi accompanied every exclamation with a short dance move with his arms and hips. It was definitely a wiggling eggplant. "It is made all the more auspicious by the presence of Airi-san, whose noble air and many graces illuminate the vast cosmos with her superior nature. The serendipity inherent in this moment fills me with joy such that I might vibrate beyond the bounds of this realm!"

The Otomo took a few deep breaths to stop energizing and gestured around at the gardens. "And what a perfect vista I would be leaving, truly a tragedy to depart it too soon. Does Usagi-san come to the gardens often? With Airi-san?"

[Usagi Rei]

Gradually, understanding dawned on Rei's handsome features. In truth, this sort of situation was not entirely known to him. He was reminded of the time he'd spent two hours in the company of the Phoenix ambassador who, after injesting some Scorpion pharmaceuticals, kept declaring that he could see through time. This was probably the same sort of thing.

"A hundred-thousand greetings indeed, Otomo-sama." Rei agreed, cheerfully enough. "No doubt, it's all as you say. Fate and destiny are a thing, even here." He paused a moment as the Imperial did a little dance. "And yes, I quite agree, Airi-san is... really something, yes." Rei was very fond of his pet, but it wasn't in his nature to wax so poetic.

"I do, yes." He agreed. "Quite often. She enjoys them, and it's a pleasant place to spend an hour or two." He looked directly at the Imperial. "I quite recommend it." That might be best, yes; let him come off his high somewhere nice. "Is this your first time here, -sama? And have you been drinking plenty of water?"

[Otomo Koroshi]

snip

Koroshi's face was overtaken by his grin. The Usagi was being very nice and open despite obviously having arrived to take care of his pet. "You are quite courteous, Usagi-san. Your virtue unmatched except by the beauty of your face, your kindness supreme among the joggers and walkers of the Gardens this afternoon!"

He swept his arms around to indicate all the other samurai and occasional heimin and robot around the area. No one was looking at them directly after Koroshi had begun greeting the Usagi.

"I have visited once before, yesterday morning in fact. I spoke to a nice maiden named Yūrei who was willing to humor my poor presentation and weak demeanor. But today I possess my most excellent outfit," he gestured to the purple and green, "and my vigor has returned if not in full at least in part! And just in time to run into you and your spectacular pet. Truly a fascinating creature." Koroshi bent down to look at Airi and smiled like a loon.

"And I have been drinking water since I woke up this morning!" He gestured to the Seppun standing some yards away. "Seme-san was kind enough to remind me that hydration is necessary, and now you have also done so. Compassion flows freely from both of your souls, washing the inequities and debris of the present to secure a more perfect future!"

[Usagi Rei]

"I get that a lot." Rei said blandly. "The bit about my face, anyway." Airi hissed, looking around as Koroshi spread his arms. A moment passed, and she dove into some bushes. Another moment, and a little dragony snout peaked out, dark eyes blinking curiously.

Hearing the ronin's name, Rei's eyes widened, surprised again. Was it possible he was the high one? On World of Dreams, it was always possible... "I acutally met Yūrei-san just the other day." Rei said. He chuckled, shaking his head. "I think perhaps you're right. This meeting must be fate. You and me and Airi." Airi met Koroshi's grin with a hiss. That was normal.

"Uh, sure." Rei acknowledged, nodding. "Water. Good. Ummm..." He frowned, trying to recapture the thread of the conversation. "So you met Yūrei-san here, huh? She's quite nice too, actually. I hope your conversation with her was pleasant as well? And, ah, equally fateuful?"

[Otomo Koroshi]

snip

Koroshi did not try to touch the creature as that would be impolite until such time as its owner allowed it. Instead he merely flicked his eyes at it every dozen seconds.

"Yūrei-san and I shared many things about her glorious ancestors and her dreams, though it would be discourteous to reveal any of her secrets!" The Otomo said so loudly that it is possible he could be heard outside the garden. More quietly he continued, "The fair maiden was pleasing, pleasant, amiable, affable, and entirely polite to this samurai even in his diminished state. No complaints as to her conduct or bearing! Though I cannot see what our meeting might have brought, I see that with you having meet her and I having met her, and together us meeting today, it must truly be all that is destined! The steel of our honor must remain sharp that the tides we see coming in do not overtake the boats of our communities in such auspicious circumstances. Coincidences can be both great and terrible!"

He took a moment to drink from his waterbottle as if on cue from the Seppun. "To be entirely proper and straightforward with you, it is slightly terrifying that such things would rise to be from the multitude of possibilities. You have been on the World of Dreams for longer than myself, I assume, and so had Yūrei-san! Yet I would meet her and you within a day of you meeting each other. Which brings me to a moment of curiosity if you would oblige me. What is your duty?"

This last sentence is said so seriously that it might be a threat.

[Usagi Rei]

"Of course." Rei agreed. "I wouldn't have it any other way. And yes, destiny all around." He brushed a hand through his well-trimmed hair. He was beginning to lose track of this conversation again...

He paused a moment, tracking Airi, who was staring at her reflection in a pool of water, occasionally hissing at it. Also fairly normal.

Even as aggressive as the question was, it was at least one that Rei understood. He smiled. "My title is Senior attaché of the Hare staff at the MCA Embassy here on the world of dreams. My duty..." He pursed his lips a little. "Mostly diplomatic, but Hare staff is expected to be able to provide security as well."

There was a splash. Airi had jumped into the pool, swimming quickly across to the other side, where she surfaced with another splash. Rei cleared his throat. "Ah, if Otomo-sama needs someone with local experience, and that sort of training, I'd be happy to assist."

[Otomo Koroshi]

snip

"Most excellent, Usagi-san. I would very much appreciate it if you could assist me in finding venues for entertainment. I have not been here for very long but I have visited a night club and a very nice sake bar, as well as a hotpot restaurant in the mall. Do you have any other suggestions for where this one could take a guest or two to enjoy the things that the World of Dreams does well?" Koroshi asked watching the drake with a smile. Such a cute creature.

"Further, would you be willing to explain the purpose of the slums? The Scorpion's willingness to stack people vertically into the ground is not unheard of, but quite strange."

[Usagi Rei]

"Hmmm..." Rei tilted his head, considering. "If the night club and sake bar were the Wicked Wasp and the Golden Frog, those are already the best two examples of their kind. Entirely suited for bringing guests. Hmmm..."

He looked at the Imperial. "Akatsubaki is a respectable Oiran house. One can spend a pleasant evening there with a guest, and engage the staff in conversation, or listen to their poetry or music. It's a very classy sort of place, I assure you."

Meanwhile, Airi dove back through the little pond, coming back to their side. A brief pause as she shook her whole body, then her wings, scattering droplets everywhere. A quick dash, and she rejoined the two.

"Uh..." Rei frowned. "Slums are just where a lot of poor people live, Otomo-sama. There's a lot of people on World of Dreams and not much space." He cleared his throat, smiling down at Airi, who had risen onto her hind legs, and was hissing at the two of them. "That hiss means she wants to be pet." Rei gave the Imperial an encouraging nod. The hiss sounded pretty much like the rest of her hisses.

[Otomo Koroshi]

Koroshi was absolutely delighted to touch the drake. He lightly stoked the head with the reverence one touches a sleeping child. He continued doing so for a bit until speaking again.

"Poor people need not be corralled into slums. But that I think is a topic to bring up with Lord Bayushi, not Usagi-san. I merely will say that a man who cannot see the sky is one worse off than his brothers." Koroshi stopped the stroking to stand back up and looked around at the sun and sky and people. He breathed deeply.

"PRAISE THE EMPEROR! LONG MAY HE REIGN!" The Otomo yelled out into the Gardens with such fevour that it scared a small child into running away. There was a light mutter from those around them that might have been agreement but only the Seppun nearby could be clearly heard repeating the words. At a proper, more somber volume.

"Is Usagi-san a good dancer? Or drinker?" Koroshi asked as he coughed into a silk square following the yell.

[Usagi Rei]

It did seem like it was a happy hiss, as Airi continued to make the strange sound, tilting her head and flexing her wings as the strange Imperial pet her. When he stopped, she tilted her head for a moment, then bounded off again, slithering up one of the larger bushes.

Rei nodded. "I quite agree. Unfortunately, it seems to be the nature of the world." He paused a moment, then his mouth opened to say more, but then the Otomo's dramatic praise came. Airi peered out from the bush she inhabited. Rei cleared his throat. "Uh, yes. Long may he reign."

"I don't dance." Rei said firmly. Then he smiled. "But I've been known to have a drink from time to time." Rei shrugged. "You wanna check someplace out sometime? I'd be happy to play semi-local guide."

[Otomo Koroshi]

It did seem like it was a happy hiss, as Airi continued to make the strange sound, tilting her head and flexing her wings as the strange Imperial pet her. When he stopped, she tilted her head for a moment, then bounded off again, slithering up one of the larger bushes.

Rei nodded. "I quite agree. Unfortunately, it seems to be the nature of the world." He paused a moment, then his mouth opened to say more, but then the Otomo's dramatic praise came. Airi peered out from the bush she inhabited. Rei cleared his throat. "Uh, yes. Long may he reign."

"I don't dance." Rei said firmly. Then he smiled. "But I've been known to have a drink from time to time." Rei shrugged. "You wanna check someplace out sometime? I'd be happy to play semi-local guide."

"Usagi-san does not dance? Does he find another outlet for his soul's expression? I dance, occasionally sing, and leave the painting and digital art to those with more vision." Koroshi asked curiously while approaching the bush to try to rub the drake again. He would continue the reverent touch if allowed.

"This one would enjoy this. Have you been to the mining facilities? Or visited Akatsubaki?"

[Usagi Rei]

There was a slightly too long pause before Rei answered. "Not really." He finally said, a slightly strange look on his handsome features.

As Koroshi approached the bush, the emergent snout began to twitch. Then Airi's whole head emerged, hissing again. The good hiss, probably.

Rei followed. "I've visited Akatsubaki. I'd be pleased to go again. Ummm... I've been to the mining facilities." He tilted his head, regarding Koroshi. "Do you have business there, Otomo-sama?"

[Otomo Koroshi]

There was a slightly too long pause before Rei answered. "Not really." He finally said, a slightly strange look on his handsome features.

As Koroshi approached the bush, the emergent snout began to twitch. Then Airi's whole head emerged, hissing again. The good hiss, probably.

Rei followed. "I've visited Akatsubaki. I'd be pleased to go again. Ummm... I've been to the mining facilities." He tilted his head, regarding Koroshi. "Do you have business there, Otomo-sama?"

"Usagi-san is a man of mystery I see. Do you put on a cowl and prowl the karaoke bars to sing without drawing attention to yourself?" Koroshi asked with a grin at the drake who he was rubbing softly. "One does not merely silence their soul, there are feelings that one must express! There are honorable pursuits and a few dishonorable pursuits, though I do not think Usagi-san a man of violence. At least, he is not currently engaged in an underground fighting ring?"

The Otomo has to pause to cough for a dozen or so seconds into a silk square which he put back into his pocket a few moments later. "Apologies, Airi-san. The air in the city is disagreeable." And returned to the petting.

"It was suggested that this one go, on account of being spiritually sensitive. I imagine it was intended as a sort of haunted tour of sorts, though I would rather visit the Desolation if that was available." He explained.

[Usagi Rei]

Rei frowned noticeably, but his lips worked as he considered an answer. "I used to sing. But I don't anymore." His tone did not invite further questions on the subject. "And no, I wouldn't say I'm a man of violence. Except as much as any samurai is."

Watching the man cough, Rei frowned again, this time in concern. Airi tilted her head, looking at him, but then resumed her 'happy' hiss as the petting continued, her sinuous neck turning this way and that.

"Oh, I see." Rei said, his eyebrows going up. "Those areas are very dangerous. I would recommend going with armed support, even if you yourself are especially equipped to handle it." He gave a little bow, respectful. "Is that part of why you came to this planet, Otomo-sama?" Perhaps he was some sort of specialist called in?

[Otomo Koroshi]

Rei frowned noticeably, but his lips worked as he considered an answer. "I used to sing. But I don't anymore." His tone did not invite further questions on the subject. "And no, I wouldn't say I'm a man of violence. Except as much as any samurai is."

Watching the man cough, Rei frowned again, this time in concern. Airi tilted her head, looking at him, but then resumed her 'happy' hiss as the petting continued, her sinuous neck turning this way and that.

"Oh, I see." Rei said, his eyebrows going up. "Those areas are very dangerous. I would recommend going with armed support, even if you yourself are especially equipped to handle it." He gave a little bow, respectful. "Is that part of why you came to this planet, Otomo-sama?" Perhaps he was some sort of specialist called in?

"Usagi-san should find someone to sing with, it is easier to begin again with a duet than to try and make music alone." Koroshi suggested unnecessarily. "This is my advice for most anything though, sparring, dancing, singing and so on. Like after an injury you have someone to assist you with physical therapy."

"And yes, the Desolation was described as a spiritually unclean area." Koroshi laughed to himself as he began trying to pat other parts of the drake. "Would Usagi-san lend his blade? This is idle curiosity, not a serious request Usagi-san. But no, no, this one was tasked with supporting the Embassy as a courtier. My training however does lean towards such things and it is difficult to stop the feeling that one must be most efficient! However, this one's lord has not requested that he journey to the areas mentioned. He has also not requested that I avoid them, preferring instead to tell me to acquaint myself with the city first and then begin my work wining and dining."

[Usagi Rei]

Rei's jaw clenched and he looked away, but he didn't say anything.

Breathing deeply, he got his emotions under control. "I'll answer anyway. It's something that I could do. If I had permission. But I don't." He shrugged. "Permission is only given to specially trained Scorpion... although I've heard of other instances, sometimes." Not quite on the up and up, so to speak.

Managing a smile once again, Rei shook his head. "Regardless, if you're not specifically requested there, I don't recommend it. It's supposed to be extremely dangerous."

Airi seemed to have enough of being pet. With one last hiss, she dove back into the bush. It began to shake furiously, leaves dropping everywhere.

[Otomo Koroshi]

Rei's jaw clenched and he looked away, but he didn't say anything.

Breathing deeply, he got his emotions under control. "I'll answer anyway. It's something that I could do. If I had permission. But I don't." He shrugged. "Permission is only given to specially trained Scorpion... although I've heard of other instances, sometimes." Not quite on the up and up, so to speak.

Managing a smile once again, Rei shook his head. "Regardless, if you're not specifically requested there, I don't recommend it. It's supposed to be extremely dangerous."

Airi seemed to have enough of being pet. With one last hiss, she dove back into the bush. It began to shake furiously, leaves dropping everywhere.

"This one could speak to the Lord Magistrate, but perhaps later. I am not done with looking at the normal things in the city! And this one hears that one of the forges for the planet is haunted which might be nice to look into. Dark Iron Forge? I am not a big fan of ghosts Usagi-san. The honored dead should be placed in the heavens as intended, and hearing that some might need assistance to reach Meido is disheartening." The Otomo said getting up off the ground to look at the Hare with a big smile. "Perhaps you might wish to assist me with that instead? I would like to know if the tales of haunting are fabrications, no need for a sword or anything."