[D3 EE] Occasion: Festival of Fire

[Bayushi Tenma]

"Did you have a reason?" Before it would be one-sided, he confided in her as well, speaking quietly, his voice snuffed out to probably all except his spouse because of the fire cracking. "I am still rather terrified of squids."

"With good reason of course. Squids and cats, cunning creatures."

She gave a serious nod.

"As to me, let's just say I had a bad experience with fireworks as a kid, a prank by some boys. Nothing serious, though there was a fire."

Tenma sighed and shook her head, "Children can be so cruel sometimes."

[Asahina Hinata]

Senshuken laughs out loud. What a performance! Or daftness? Whichever of the two.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. I'm fine!"

"There is a friend waiting for me. Let's go find her!" She urges him and reaches for his hand to pull in case he us hesitant. She can't be late in meeting Sumiko.

Well one hand had the single remaining yakitori stick in it and the other the box of takoyaki, so we had better hope she picked the hand with the box in so there aren't any yakitori stick stabbing related injuries.

"Ohh! More friends? Sure!!"

He grinned and followed her, occasionally distracted by a big boom in the sky.

"Oh so pretty."

[Bayushi Mariko]

Even if he hadn't expected her, Rei wouldn't have had any problem picking her out of the crowd. And this time it definitely was the right time and place.

Smiling, Rei pushed off of the wall he was leaning casually against. "Bayushi-san. Wow." He gave an appreciative shake of the head. "That dress makes those sleepless nights waiting for your text totally worth it." Rei joked, flashing her a quick grin.

Pulling out his pack of cigarettes, he shook one partially loose, offering it to her with raised eyebrows.

Mariko removed the sunglasses that she had been wearing, obviously more as momentary cover than for any sort of practical reasons. She couldn't help but flash a smirk at Rei. "You know, I find myself doubting that's actually the case. You don't exactly look that tired or haggard. But for you, I guess I'll give that evidence a pass."

She looked at the offered cigarettes and batted her eyes a few times before settling in a slightly annoyed expression. Putting away her sunglasses in her purse, she cast a frown at Rei. "Smoking? That's a rather bad habit. You know the streets don't take well to smoking. There are littering fees, did you know?"

Despite her body language and response, she did however casually reach for a cigarette and place it on her dark lips. "You should know better if you've been here for more than a few days, Usagi-san."

[Usagi Rei]

Mariko removed the sunglasses that she had been wearing, obviously more as momentary cover than for any sort of practical reasons. She couldn't help but flash a smirk at Rei. "You know, I find myself doubting that's actually the case. You don't exactly look that tired or haggard. But for you, I guess I'll give that evidence a pass."

She looked at the offered cigarettes and batted her eyes a few times before settling in a slightly annoyed expression. Putting away her sunglasses in her purse, she cast a frown at Rei. "Smoking? That's a rather bad habit. You know the streets don't take well to smoking. There are littering fees, did you know?"

Despite her body language and response, she did however casually reach for a cigarette and place it on her dark lips. "You should know better if you've been here for more than a few days, Usagi-san."

"I do know. I'm careful. But at the same time, what can I say? I guess I've got a few bad habits." Rei smirked right back. In the fading light, with fireworks beginning to go off, his pale eyes seemed to glint at her.

First shaking out one more cigarette, pulled out his lighter, flicking it on and holding it close to Mariko, his other hand coming to shield the flame, lighting it for her. "But I've been here just over two years now. This makes this my third firework festival." He'd actually spent the first on a date, too. Of course, that girl had become his wife. And then left him.

The thoughts made Rei's eyes briefly close, but then he shook his head, lighting his own cigarette. "You wanna find somewhere a little less..." He gestured around, his cigarette trailing smoke, mild and spicy. "I'd like a little more quiet, myself." Certainly true, but also he expected she'd rather avoid places she might be recognized.

[Bayushi Mariko]

"I do know. I'm careful. But at the same time, what can I say? I guess I've got a few bad habits." Rei smirked right back. In the fading light, with fireworks beginning to go off, his pale eyes seemed to glint at her.

First shaking out one more cigarette, pulled out his lighter, flicking it on and holding it close to Mariko, his other hand coming to shield the flame, lighting it for her. "But I've been here just over two years now. This makes this my third firework festival." He'd actually spent the first on a date, too. Of course, that girl had become his wife. And then left him.

The thoughts made Rei's eyes briefly close, but then he shook his head, lighting his own cigarette. "You wanna find somewhere a little less..." He gestured around, his cigarette trailing smoke, mild and spicy. "I'd like a little more quiet, myself." Certainly true, but also he expected she'd rather avoid places she might be recognized.

Mariko would accept the provided light from Rei as different hues of flashy fireworks were going off in the sky. She would take a brief drag before elegantly holding the cigarette between her fingers. "You saw that so proudly, Usagi-san. Bad habits are less cute and more deadly, even if they are on someone as cute as you. Are we going to blame the ashes we leave behind on the fireworks now?" She smirked at the idea.

She took another drag from her cigarette and rested her cheek on her palm as she looked around the streets. "I have to say, I had thought you wanted to meet somewhere more intimate for drinks and this kind of the opposite of that. But the switch is fine. I could stand to stay out here to enjoy the fireworks show a little longer, there's a good view here. I'm getting the impression that you like people to watch, too."

[Usagi Rei]

Mariko would accept the provided light from Rei as different hues of flashy fireworks were going off in the sky. She would take a brief drag before elegantly holding the cigarette between her fingers. "You saw that so proudly, Usagi-san. Bad habits are less cute and more deadly, even if they are on someone as cute as you. Are we going to blame the ashes we leave behind on the fireworks now?" She smirked at the idea.

She took another drag from her cigarette and rested her cheek on her palm as she looked around the streets. "I have to say, I had thought you wanted to meet somewhere more intimate for drinks and this kind of the opposite of that. But the switch is fine. I could stand to stay out here to enjoy the fireworks show a little longer, there's a good view here. I'm getting the impression that you like people to watch, too."

Rei grinned. "Ooh. I like that idea. Very clever, Bayushi-san." He, too, took a brief drag, holding his own cigarette more casually. "But my bad habits aren't all that bad. A weakness for gorgeous Scorpion is probably my worst." Rei shrugged casually, glancing at her through his lashes.

He shrugged. "Well, let's watch the fireworks and people a bit more, and then see about a quiet drink, perhaps." He said. Still, he'd lead her at least a few steps away, off to the side a bit, and away from nearby light sources, although other people were still visible from where they stood.

Once a little out of the way, he looked skyward. "But since I got your message today, well, it seemed like a good spot for a date." Again, a quick sidelong glance, judging her reaction.

[Bayushi Mariko]

Rei grinned. "Ooh. I like that idea. Very clever, Bayushi-san." He, too, took a brief drag, holding his own cigarette more casually. "But my bad habits aren't all that bad. A weakness for gorgeous Scorpion is probably my worst." Rei shrugged casually, glancing at her through his lashes.

He shrugged. "Well, let's watch the fireworks and people a bit more, and then see about a quiet drink, perhaps." He said. Still, he'd lead her at least a few steps away, off to the side a bit, and away from nearby light sources, although other people were still visible from where they stood.

Once a little out of the way, he looked skyward. "But since I got your message today, well, it seemed like a good spot for a date." Again, a quick sidelong glance, judging her reaction.

"That much seems obvious with our first meeting." She smirked before she brought the cigarette close to her lips but stopped herself before she looked at him from head to toe with a rather cool air about her. "Then again, that makes it sounds like you have the potential to just walk away from this conversation at any time. Or potentially, hop away, let's just say?"

She looked up at him after a drag of her cigarette, letting out a slow breath of smoke. "Not that I'm all that worried, I'm pretty sure that I have your attention."

"Given the special occasion, I think I'll allow this as a date idea." She smirked faintly on her lips. "Just so you know, I had to give up a viewing party for this, some unveil...pre-release...grand opening of some office chair company or something. I think the event would have been at one of the taller buildings around here but I have to admit that the view is better from the streets."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

Well one hand had the single remaining yakitori stick in it and the other the box of takoyaki, so we had better hope she picked the hand with the box in so there aren't any yakitori stick stabbing related injuries.

"Ohh! More friends? Sure!!"

He grinned and followed her, occasionally distracted by a big boom in the sky.

"Oh so pretty."

No subject is, indeed, injured during this incident. They roam around the crowd for a while stopping to watch the fireworks from time to time until Senshuken finally spots Susumu Sumiko.

Somewhere among the crowd!

She approaches, still pulling Hinata by the hand and offers a quick bow and a broad smile. "Here we are! Susumu Sumiko san meet Asahina Hinata san and vice versa. How do you do, fair lady of the Susumu?" She asks with a smirk.

[Hotaru Tsuyo]

snip

Tsuyo listens, a stifled grin growing. "Even the ronin have the high-priced ideas and words on World of Dreams, neh? Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the view, and I guess I'm fine with later generations thinkin' me high-minded. But it's really all about the thrill of watchin' the things in my head show up in the stone while earnin' my keep." She pauses as another rocket whistles overhead to burst in a shower of golden sparks over the other temple. "...and gettin' to use a lot of explosives to accomplish it is a real solid bonus."

"What sort of work's an artistically minded ronin up to here then? If that's fine to ask," she says with the air of someone absolutely fine with an 'I don't want to talk about that.'

[Hato]

snip

Tsuyo listens, a stifled grin growing. "Even the ronin have the high-priced ideas and words on World of Dreams, neh? Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the view, and I guess I'm fine with later generations thinkin' me high-minded. But it's really all about the thrill of watchin' the things in my head show up in the stone while earnin' my keep." She pauses as another rocket whistles overhead to burst in a shower of golden sparks over the other temple. "...and gettin' to use a lot of explosives to accomplish it is a real solid bonus."

"What sort of work's an artistically minded ronin up to here then? If that's fine to ask," she says with the air of someone absolutely fine with an 'I don't want to talk about that.'

Well it wasn't like the Firefly was asking about Hato's past like a couple already had.

"Ah, this one does what one must to get by. This one is particularly skilled at the art of computer programming when someone needs an extra pair of hands to get through the dreaded crunch time. This one's name will not be attributed to such works, of course. There will be a simple acknowledgement of thanks to the team, a small paycheck, and a resuming of the hunt for those to serve." she admitted.

A particularly overloaded rocket went soaring over the temple bell, the glow of it's detonation barely visible from where they were.

"Still, while this one will never construct something as grand and inspiring as....Hotaru-san, this one feels that it is important for art to be present in all aspect of life, even if it just making sure the interface for a program helps calm the user even the tiniest amount." she admitted.

Another rocket flew towards the bell, this one releasing a swarm of tinier rockets, altering the bell's sounding from one solid clang to a longer reverberation.

[Asahina Hinata]

She approaches, still pulling Hinata by the hand and offers a quick bow and a broad smile. "Here we are! Susumu Sumiko san meet Asahina Hinata san and vice versa. How do you do, fair lady of the Susumu?" She asks with a smirk.

It had been a whirlwind whisking through the crowds and Hinata had loved every second, big grin on his face as they reached the Susumu they were looking for. Along the way the yakitori stick had been eaten, but the takoyaki were still with him.

"Hiiiii Susumu-samaaaaa!!"

He wave-bowed to her. probably slightly surprised to find someone even shorter than he was.

[Usagi Rei]

"That much seems obvious with our first meeting." She smirked before she brought the cigarette close to her lips but stopped herself before she looked at him from head to toe with a rather cool air about her. "Then again, that makes it sounds like you have the potential to just walk away from this conversation at any time. Or potentially, hop away, let's just say?"

She looked up at him after a drag of her cigarette, letting out a slow breath of smoke. "Not that I'm all that worried, I'm pretty sure that I have your attention."

"Given the special occasion, I think I'll allow this as a date idea." She smirked faintly on her lips. "Just so you know, I had to give up a viewing party for this, some unveil...pre-release...grand opening of some office chair company or something. I think the event would have been at one of the taller buildings around here but I have to admit that the view is better from the streets."

Rei smiled. "Don't worry, I'm not about to hop away. Not unless I think I'm gonna get stung." He met her gaze, smiling. "And yeah, believe me. I'm paying attention." He took a moment to admire just how well that dress fit her figure, eyes tracing her curves.

Another flash lit the sky making Rei glance skyward. "It is a nice view, especially for a date." He looked back to Mariko, smiling almost gently. "And I'm flattered. Really. I am." Not that chairs sound exciting, but, well, it was clear she gave something up.

Shifting, he moved just a little closer; still within propriety of course, side by side, looking back up at the sky. "Zeni for your thoughts? I know playful banter seems like our thing, but I can do straight-talk too, if you like."

[Bayushi Ryuhei]

"With good reason of course. Squids and cats, cunning creatures."

She gave a serious nod.

"As to me, let's just say I had a bad experience with fireworks as a kid, a prank by some boys. Nothing serious, though there was a fire."

Tenma sighed and shook her head, "Children can be so cruel sometimes."

"True enough. Though adults don't get better." He mused. "In the end, the squid was a lie. But it doesn't help that I know it."

He paused. "Are those boys still alive?"

[Ide Yamako]

Wearing a lovely kimono she'd brought just for the occasion and a splash of green nail polish as a little homage to her Noburu, Yamako scanned the skies for errant fireworks and a good viewing place for one as small as her.

She wandered, keeping her eyes and ears open.

(PM or ping if approaching.)

From her vantage point, a flash of purple caught her eyes and she looked in that direction very quickly.

It can't be...

Once her eyes focused, she realised it wasn't who she thought it was at first, however the person did look familiar. Plus she was doing much like Sumiko was, finding a good spot for a small person.

Well well, not the Unicorn I was looking for but one I know

Moving down from her spot, she smiled and bow.

"Good to see you again Ide-sama."

There is a brief collision of individuals greeting the Spider in the time it takes Yamako to determine who is speaking to her in the crowd.

Heavens, is it a spider convention like last time? I will have to be cautious if that oily one shows up.

Once the other hellos subside, she bows to all those present , a smile on her face. “Susumu-San, it is good to see you as well. I hope things have been well for you since we last saw each other. And Asahina-San it is good to see you again. Will you introduce me to your companion?”

[Bayushi Tenma]

"True enough. Though adults don't get better." He mused. "In the end, the squid was a lie. But it doesn't help that I know it."

He paused. "Are those boys still alive?"

That actually got a chuckle, "Last I checked, yes. Despite them not showing up to the wedding, I don't think it was because they're DEAD."

[Bayushi Ryuhei]

"That's good news then. I can still kill them." He smirked himself.

[Bayushi Tenma]

"That's good news then. I can still kill them." He smirked himself.

She flicked his sleeve.

"Please do not kill my big brothers. They were idiots and goobers, but they're still family. Not that I think you would, but I would like to make things up with them one day."

[Bayushi Mariko]

Rei smiled. "Don't worry, I'm not about to hop away. Not unless I think I'm gonna get stung." He met her gaze, smiling. "And yeah, believe me. I'm paying attention." He took a moment to admire just how well that dress fit her figure, eyes tracing her curves.

Another flash lit the sky making Rei glance skyward. "It is a nice view, especially for a date." He looked back to Mariko, smiling almost gently. "And I'm flattered. Really. I am." Not that chairs sound exciting, but, well, it was clear she gave something up.

Shifting, he moved just a little closer; still within propriety of course, side by side, looking back up at the sky. "Zeni for your thoughts? I know playful banter seems like our thing, but I can do straight-talk too, if you like."

Mariko couldn't help but chuckle at the little banter together, as close to corny as the idea of them embodying their Clan totem animals might have been in any circumstances. She brushed some hair from her forehead and smirked. "Well, after that whole party by Soshi Biochemicals, I'm sure I've already hit my minimum quota on public events. It was kind of a downgrade to go from that to some smaller event run by Nanbu Chiropractic. I've made the right choice. I don't exactly have many opportunities to talk and mingle with people if I'm going to be their token endorsement."

She moved to take another puff from her cigarette before she got the sense that he was approaching closer, causing her to raise her brows at first before she ease sightly and went on with her intended drag. Her gaze went to him for a moment before she looked on at the fireworks display. "I usually like to do my straight-talk after a few drinks first, maybe a few shots of high-grade old shochu first...It's pretty, in a way, but I'm not going to forget the whole thing this is going on in the first place. We're lucky that they're devoted to Fortunes of Navigation and Communication. One of these days, some dumb novice is going to shoot a rocket at someone."

[Usagi Rei]

Mariko couldn't help but chuckle at the little banter together, as close to corny as the idea of them embodying their Clan totem animals might have been in any circumstances. She brushed some hair from her forehead and smirked. "Well, after that whole party by Soshi Biochemicals, I'm sure I've already hit my minimum quota on public events. It was kind of a downgrade to go from that to some smaller event run by Nanbu Chiropractic. I've made the right choice. I don't exactly have many opportunities to talk and mingle with people if I'm going to be their token endorsement."

She moved to take another puff from her cigarette before she got the sense that he was approaching closer, causing her to raise her brows at first before she ease sightly and went on with her intended drag. Her gaze went to him for a moment before she looked on at the fireworks display. "I usually like to do my straight-talk after a few drinks first, maybe a few shots of high-grade old shochu first...It's pretty, in a way, but I'm not going to forget the whole thing this is going on in the first place. We're lucky that they're devoted to Fortunes of Navigation and Communication. One of these days, some dumb novice is going to shoot a rocket at someone."

"You looked damn good there too, by the way." Rei smiled wryly at her. "I might have said so then, but I thought you might prefer not to get people talking. Besides..." He smirked, "-I was still waiting on your text."

Shochu... Rei bit his lip. "I think that could probably be arranged sometime." He said neutrally, only the hint of a smile on his lips. After all, she'd seen him buy just such a bottle...

Keeping the distance steady, Rei followed her gaze up. "Right?" He chuckled. "I suppose it's making the best of a bad situation. Sometimes you have to accept that people are going to do something dumb, and just minimise the harm." He smirked. "This seems more like maximising the spectacle, but there's a bit of both."

[Bayushi Mariko]

"You looked damn good there too, by the way." Rei smiled wryly at her. "I might have said so then, but I thought you might prefer not to get people talking. Besides..." He smirked, "-I was still waiting on your text."

Shochu... Rei bit his lip. "I think that could probably be arranged sometime." He said neutrally, only the hint of a smile on his lips. After all, she'd seen him buy just such a bottle...

Keeping the distance steady, Rei followed her gaze up. "Right?" He chuckled. "I suppose it's making the best of a bad situation. Sometimes you have to accept that people are going to do something dumb, and just minimise the harm." He smirked. "This seems more like maximising the spectacle, but there's a bit of both."

"Suspense is a dramatic instrument, I couldn't quite just give everything away so quickly. Even, if we found each other in the same room again so soon." She let out a low chuckle. "But, I didn't expect you to see you there. It must really be court season after all if everyone's schedule is stacked with the same parties. Or sporting events."

"No luck you actually have a canteen in that jacket of yours, huh?" She said as her gaze went appraisingly on him against but most certainly focused on his jacket more than anything. There would be a quick beat in between before she spoke again, not even giving him the chance to answer. Maybe she didn't even want to know the answer. "Finding a drink is easy, the opportunity is another matter. Sometimes it has to be earned, mm?"

"In this case, we get the benefits of being entertained by dumb. It's all fun and games until someone gets a rocket in their eye." Her lips creased in a faintly amused smirk before she took another drag of her cigarette. She offered a subtle gaze around them before subtly dropping it on the ground and crushing it with the ankle boots she wore with her outfit. "So many tourists here this season, they really ought to be more considerate of the littering laws around here..."