(D4, LA) Still Alive (Expecting)

[Hato]

That morning Hato had sent a one to a certain number, and had been given a time and a place in return for it.

At least it's not another hotel room. Hato thought to herself.

It seemed if you believed the rumors, the Crabs on planet were all pretty perverse. Then again, what noble and honorable soul would come to this world.

She looked up at the birds in the trees, wondering how they fit into the kharmic wheel. Was being a bird on a Scorpion world better than being one on a Crane world?

[Kuni Koyuki]

Koyuki would arrive five minutes late to the meeting place. Two satchels on her right hip, one hanging just below the other with a bit extra slack given into the sling. Standard affair for the meeting she was dressed in her casual attire which was a rather intimidating appearance given the boots and gun on her opposite hip. Still, it wasn't anything surprisingly different than what she wore the other three times she's seen Hato. This time, however, she seemed marginally less distracted than she usually was.

Coming up near her, Koyuki would lean down on a nearby fencing, about a foot or two away. Glancing out toward the same birds that Hato was watching. Saying nothing at first as she waited for the other woman to notice her. Only then did she say, "Thank you for meeting me, Hato-san. Have you had good luck in your games?"

[Hato]

Koyuki would arrive five minutes late to the meeting place. Two satchels on her right hip, one hanging just below the other with a bit extra slack given into the sling. Standard affair for the meeting she was dressed in her casual attire which was a rather intimidating appearance given the boots and gun on her opposite hip. Still, it wasn't anything surprisingly different than what she wore the other three times she's seen Hato. This time, however, she seemed marginally less distracted than she usually was.

Coming up near her, Koyuki would lean down on a nearby fencing, about a foot or two away. Glancing out toward the same birds that Hato was watching. Saying nothing at first as she waited for the other woman to notice her. Only then did she say, "Thank you for meeting me, Hato-san. Have you had good luck in your games?"

Hato bowed deeply when she noticed the other woman.

"Indeed, thank you for asking Lady Crab. This one did quite well at the claw game last night. The spider plushie this one received is easily 20 inches long. The owner's of the claw game will have quite a large hole to fill in their prize bin for the three coins this one paid to play." she offered conversationally.

[Kuni Koyuki]

"I am glad. It is not often a ronin would have the opportunity to play such a game, even in the recent activity. I hear there's a whole turbo- it doesn't really matter, it's a silly name and probably not up to your speed. Still, I am glad you were able to try your skills in the game, Hato-san. You certainly have done well for yourself, take the chance to enjoy the victory," she says, with a lead to her voice as if that could have been the conversation however she cleared her throat.

Slipping one of the satchels off her shoulder, she places it down by her foot. "You know, maybe there is a different arcade I've heard about that might be more up to your speed? It's bound to be interesting, certainly. Wouldn't want your skills going to waste on anything beneath you. I, myself, have an outstanding balance there. Of course, I could always go in and withdraw my tickets someday. 75 whole tickets to spend at the prize counter, quite the horde. For what little work I put in that day, at least," she says, it almost half-sounds like an actual bit of amusement.

[Hato]

"I am glad. It is not often a ronin would have the opportunity to play such a game, even in the recent activity. I hear there's a whole turbo- it doesn't really matter, it's a silly name and probably not up to your speed. Still, I am glad you were able to try your skills in the game, Hato-san. You certainly have done well for yourself, take the chance to enjoy the victory," she says, with a lead to her voice as if that could have been the conversation however she cleared her throat.

Slipping one of the satchels off her shoulder, she places it down by her foot. "You know, maybe there is a different arcade I've heard about that might be more up to your speed? It's bound to be interesting, certainly. Wouldn't want your skills going to waste on anything beneath you. I, myself, have an outstanding balance there. Of course, I could always go in and withdraw my tickets someday. 75 whole tickets to spend at the prize counter, quite the horde. For what little work I put in that day, at least," she says, it almost half-sounds like an actual bit of amusement.

Hato nodded.

"Seventy Five tickets is quite a good haul, Lady Crab." Hato agreed. "Still, if one wishes to win the really big prizes, one must keep playing. One would not wish to walk away with a sad bag of candy when one is confident in one's skills."

She glanced over at the Crab, wondering briefly about the truth behind the Crab.

"This one would be interested in hearing more about this more interesting arcade Lady Crab." she offered.

[Kuni Koyuki]

"I am glad to hear that you are confident, Hato-san. That is.. hopeful," she says, but that pause betrays a slight crack in the mask. Only slight, and certainly nothing to be too concerned over. Inhaling, she holds her breath for a moment while watching the birds. Was strange, seeing such peaceful life on a planet and not having the worry of being actively hunted by something else. Or, perhaps, not half-uncertain if the thing was going to surprise you in some miraculously violent way. Slowly exhaling over the course of that thought, she settles again, enjoying the post-rainy morning air.

"It was that one we spoke of the last time, the one I told you I might go to?" she says, looking more directly to Hato. "Turns out it was just as fruitful of an opportunity I had hoped. So, you should give it your own try."

[Hato]

"I am glad to hear that you are confident, Hato-san. That is.. hopeful," she says, but that pause betrays a slight crack in the mask. Only slight, and certainly nothing to be too concerned over. Inhaling, she holds her breath for a moment while watching the birds. Was strange, seeing such peaceful life on a planet and not having the worry of being actively hunted by something else. Or, perhaps, not half-uncertain if the thing was going to surprise you in some miraculously violent way. Slowly exhaling over the course of that thought, she settles again, enjoying the post-rainy morning air.

"It was that one we spoke of the last time, the one I told you I might go to?" she says, looking more directly to Hato. "Turns out it was just as fruitful of an opportunity I had hoped. So, you should give it your own try."

Hato nodded.

"Understood, Lady Crab." she said, watching the birds in flight.

"The demand for this one to attend to other games has certainly been increasing as the season progresses." she adds, not looking at the Crab. "Though Lady Crab is unrivaled thus far."

[Kuni Koyuki]

koyuki turns back to the direction of the birds, and yet doesn't look up but rather down at the dirt. Not seeking anything there she merely finds a focal point from where she can un-focus her attention on the world around herself for a moment as if it was a backdrop to her thoughts. Keying a little more into her hearing, and focusing there somewhat. It wasn't a lot, but it helped.

"I am glad to hear it," she says, her voice drifting out of it's own focus as if an end to that conversation. Picking up with a renewed focus, "Hato-san. I have come across the opportunity to redirect repayment of good fortune. I would suggest that you be mindful of that should you meet a ronin by the name of Yurei."

[Hato]

koyuki turns back to the direction of the birds, and yet doesn't look up but rather down at the dirt. Not seeking anything there she merely finds a focal point from where she can un-focus her attention on the world around herself for a moment as if it was a backdrop to her thoughts. Keying a little more into her hearing, and focusing there somewhat. It wasn't a lot, but it helped.

"I am glad to hear it," she says, her voice drifting out of it's own focus as if an end to that conversation. Picking up with a renewed focus, "Hato-san. I have come across the opportunity to redirect repayment of good fortune. I would suggest that you be mindful of that should you meet a ronin by the name of Yurei."

Hato looks over at the Crab.

"Is that so, Lady Crab?" she asked, somewhat curious what the Kuni's relationship was with the ghost.

She studies the Kuni for perhaps a half second more than is proper. When one lived among masks, one learned how to look beneath them.

She turned back to the birds.

"This one is quite fortunate already Lady Crab. This one still draws breath and has met Lady Crab. The one wonders if more good fortune than that will upset the balance of the Heavens."

She paused a moment.

"But this one will heed Lady Crab's words."

[Kuni Koyuki]

"Thank you," she pauses.

"Consider her insurance. A shield against the myriad of dangers the ronin of this world undoubtedly face. Betting isn't my vice, Hato-san. I like making sure my time is well spent, and not wasted," she says, and leans away from her post to stand fully. Walking toward Hato and stopping just beside her momentarily. Speaking a touch more hushed, "She'll repay a debt to me, and do what I cannot be seen doing. Stay safe, Hato-san," she says.

Koyuki continues to walk, lest she overstay. Behind, where she'd been standing, still sits the satchel she'd earlier removed from her shoulder. Waiting patiently in the soft moisture filled air.

[Hato]

"Thank you," she pauses.

"Consider her insurance. A shield against the myriad of dangers the ronin of this world undoubtedly face. Betting isn't my vice, Hato-san. I like making sure my time is well spent, and not wasted," she says, and leans away from her post to stand fully. Walking toward Hato and stopping just beside her momentarily. Speaking a touch more hushed, "She'll repay a debt to me, and do what I cannot be seen doing. Stay safe, Hato-san," she says.

Koyuki continues to walk, lest she overstay. Behind, where she'd been standing, still sits the satchel she'd earlier removed from her shoulder. Waiting patiently in the soft moisture filled air.

"Fortunes watch over you as well, Lady Crab" Hato said softly as the Kuni walked away. Hato picked up the satchel casually. It wouldn't do leave such a fine bag sitting out in the open after all.

/scene