[D5, EA] Same Carp, Different Colors

[Miya Nishida]

For Nsihida, it was at once strange but also homey to enter the Crab Embassy. Although it was once a building built by the Scorpions and only later converted, something about the construction, the changes, the little things spoke to him on a spiritual level. It felt simple,... simple, real, raw, powerful, unchanged and strangely pure.

It was at once the world he called home, yet at the same time was not. For a moment he felt like a ghost gliding through its old walls.

He stepped in front of the receptionist and announced his presence. "Miya Nishdia, servant of the Imperial Revenue Authority. I wish to speak with Kuni Koyuki." he said clearly, distinctly, and in a commanding tone.

Then he waited.

[Kuni Koyuki]

Those at the reception desk were likely just as he remembered. They were the Crab's own instructions for how to interact with guests after all. Politely handled they were quick to rise to the words of a Miya, status becoming him as it were regardless of once origin. Koyuki was alerted, and given the luck of the timing already on her way out for the day as it were. Leaving him waiting perhaps far less time than he might have otherwise assumed. Less than five minutes passed before a freshly painted face entered the main lobby of the embassy from the elevator.

Approaching, Koyuki wore a slightly lighter kimono-shirt top than her usual. Not that Nishida had any course of identifying that, but it did change the woman's demeanor slightly from what he might have heard. That fresh face, and lighter attire, it almost made her look a shade more welcoming than she usually appeared. Which was considerable considering how little welcome she typically wore on her feature. Coming to stand beside him, Koyuki would bow respectfully as due an Imperial proper.

One hand coming to rest upon her hip as she stood conversationally, "Afternoon, Miya-sama. I'm told you were looking for me? I am Kuni Koyuki, attaché emplaced here at the embassy for the time."

[Miya Nishida]

He bowed his head slightly in greeting. "Greetings, Kuni-san. Indeed, I have been looking for you. A mutual acquaintance of ours, Matsu Eriko-san, recommended that I seek you out." His hand wandered to his glasses, cleaning them, and then briefly put back on properly.

"Is there a room in which the two of us can talk in private? Besides, I'd like to have my bodyguards comfortable somewhere here, that shouldn't cause any trouble, should it?"

Akechi and Himei, Nishdia's bodyguards, stood behind him and bowed respectfully for Koyuki.

[Kuni Koyuki]

"An interesting shared contact, I would not have expected but she proves to be more surprising by the minute. We have a fitting common room on this floor that would be perfect. Plenty of room for us, and your bodyguards to relax comfortably," she says, directly to Nishida. Turning her attention to the bodyguards, she offered each of them a quick dip of her head in acknowledgement but nothing more as they simply were not part of the conversation at large. Respectful, at least as far as Koyuki had thought it. They were dutiful samurai after all. Stepping back to allow Nishida plenty of room to join her at her side, she'd continue.

"There are also a pair of lesser death pangolins in there, they are absolutely adorable," she said. That last word 'adorable' has a sort of insidiousness to it, as much as it seemed an otherwise entirely foreign word on Koyuki's lips. Simply not one she'd ever decide to say in most cases, and yet here they found together the rarest exception of them all. Something Koyuki very much thought was cute.

[Miya Nishida]

"You wouldn't believe what an interesting past Matsu-san and I have together," he explained with a smile, walking beside Koyuki. Something about Nishida's gait held a certain familiarity, almost as if he had been here before as he walked beside the kuni. His bodyguards walked in their own rut at a respectable distance behind the two, making themselves as unnoticeable as possible.

"Then Ketsuyoku and Zansatsu are doing well? I think my last visit might have been one.... no two years ago." he commented.

[Kuni Koyuki]

Koyuki's brow rose at that, earnest surprise. Nodding, "They're doing quite well. This is my first time on the planet, so I've only got to know them over the past couple of weeks. I admit a fondness for Ketsuyoku in particular," she says, and though the words seemed as if they should have suggested she would be wearing a smile she wasn't. A stony disposition that filmed over any and all words she shared. While they walked she'd chat idly about the creatures and the time she's spent with them, swapping small stories over the brief walk.

Walking him through to the common room, Koyuki didn't bother with the incidental directions she might have afforded another guest. Bringing him through straight to the common room. Instead of instructing through Nishida, she looked to the bodyguards and indicated some of the seating in the room which had the best view of all four corners so they could keep their proper vigil. While, given the prior chatting, she brought Nishida directly near the feeding station of their pen.

"So, what is it that you were sent to me for? Is this some matter of business, if it's coming through Matsu Eriko?"

[Miya Nishida]

Nishida walked up to the feeding pen and looked at the two pangolins, it had really been a while. He tried to lure the two of them here, but at first the two of them seldom showed any signs of being impressed, before one of them, little by little, approached him. It was Ketsuyoku, the taller of the two, who was still out of reach so far. Nishida took a few crickets in his hand, wich in turn led to the fact that the pangolin now joined him, even if only to get something to eat. D5 EA, feeding adorable Ketsuyoku Reflexes | 2k2 ⇒ 10 (TN: 10)
"It's been a while buddy, huh?" he murmured towards him.
After a quick sniff, the little murder beast carefully ate from his hands, and after it finished eating, Nishida petted the armored beast's head before turning his attention back to Koyuki.

"Indeed, I have a few questions for you, Kuni-san. Have you heard about the rumors in the Dark Iron Forges?"

[Kuni Koyuki]

Koyuki watches the display with a mild amusement displayed, which meant underneath it was far more. Arms crossing over her midsection as she takes in the little moment between man and beast. It was, reassuring. For some reason it gave her a little bit more of a reason to listen to, honestly, whatever this new stranger had to say. Though coming here carrying the name of Matsu Eriko did put a fair few notes in his corner already. When he turns back to her, Koyuki shakes her head.

"Nothing in depth. Perhaps whispers of a mention on occasion but not the full story. Having only arrived some weeks ago I've been busy acclimating to the city too much to pick up all the local gossip," she says, perfunctory in the manner of a soldier. For whatever reason that tone was inspired from her by him it was.

[Miya Nishida]

"Ah, I see." he said and sat down, "Perhaps I should introduce myself again, My name is Miya Nishida, humble servant of the Imperial Revenue Service, once I was called Yasuki Nishida."

He smoothed his suit as he sat down and looked at Koyuki intendly. "I heard many rumors about lost souls, curses and the like. Some think the Yogo dug too deep and awakened something in their mines that they should never have awakened." he began his conversation. "I have also heard that some heimin disappear near the mines and much more. I spoke with Eriko-san because a few months ago, she and a few others cleared up some dangers to the souls of the people of Asakaze. According to her, I should contact you about the spiritual imbalance here."

[Kuni Koyuki]

Nodding first, Koyuki accepts the information but doesn't respond right away. Looking out over the pangolins in their pen she steps to the side and fetches one of those very crickets. Reaching down into their enclosure with the cricket in hand, luring Zansatsu forward so that one not be left unfed. Once the small and murderously adorable creature was in position for the attack they launched and grabbed while Koyuki let go and retracted. Mouth ensnaring the cricket whole and some of the space that once was occupied by Koyuki's hand as well. Watching the pangolin scurry back among the fixtures of their enclosure.

"She was not wrong," she finally says. Turning to face Nishida again she walks around and joins him in a seat not perfectly opposite but enough that they might face one another. "How would you suggest moving forward?"\

Day 5, EA | Feeding Lesser Death Pangolin, Raw Reflexes | 3k3 ⇒ 17 (TN: 10)

[Miya Nishida]

He watched the Kuni until she sat down. "It is important to the Chrysantheum that the balance on this planet be restored. There is work to be done and it will be difficult to obtain permission to visit the mines. Nothing that cannot be achieved through time and the power of the Imperial Seals. But my own power lies in the courts and bureaucracies, not in the power to summon the kami, or wield katana or rifle,"

he said, adjusting his glasses before looking itendly at Koyuki, "Should the day come when we go into the mines, we will need strong, reliable hands. The Crab is among the protectors of the realm, all I ask is if you will answer the call should it come?"

[Kuni Koyuki]

"A request made by an Imperial who was once Crab," she offers, a dip of her head given to him. "You know my answer well enough on your own, Miya-sama. I could never give you any other and betray the name that you and I are both proud the Crab carry. Should your call come for the Crab, me, to answer? You will have me. I am Crab, but I am also Kuni, and if I may be so bold as to believe it, you may have on of the strongest and most capable set of hands at your disposal for such a thing, Miya-sama."

"Should it be within my power, you have my word."

[Miya Nishida]

"I thank you" said Nishdia with satisfaction. And was happy to be able to rely on his old clan. "I will give you as much information about this problem as I have, so of course I expect your secrecy. Not that I would doubt it," he explained the obvious preliminaries for the infodrop.

[Kuni Koyuki]

Eyes narrowing slightly, knit brow, "Why the need for secrecy, Miya-sama?" she lets the question hang a moment. "I do not make any sort of habit for gossiping about the affairs of Imperials," well, anyone really. I mean, look at her. She's the least gossipy person around. Huh? Oh, still rolling. Alright,

"Unless I misunderstand the level of secrecy for which you mean. Who exactly am I meant to keep this information out of the hands of?"

[Miya Nishida]

"Because it involves the scorpion and what they did here, Kuni-san," Nishida said meaningfully. "And they are not things to be lightly swept under the rug, so I ask for secrecy. For your sake."

[Kuni Koyuki]

"Do not worry, Miya-sama. I have no intention of running around and making an enemy of an Imperial. Still, as for my sake understand I have agreed to answer if there is something that I can solve, or aid. Until then I do not have a worry concerning my personal person as to who might know," she says, and dips her head deferentially.

"I do assure you though, the conversation remains between us."

[Miya Nishida]

He nodded, "The Sorpions conducted genetic experiments on children at the site now known as Desolation. Much of this was due to research for genetic diseases, but no one knows to what extent the Soshi did research. I suspect there is a link between the experiments, the destructive event of the Desolation, and the flurry of ghost activity on the planet."

---
ooc: sorry for the delay, had a few busy days x_x

[Kuni Koyuki]

Eyes narrowing on an indeterminate space in front of her, Koyuki thinks for a moment. Wondering at much, "Flurry of ghost activity, Miya-sama? I.. perhaps I am more aware than I realize. However, would you explain exactly what you are referring to?" she asks, looking to him and meeting his gaze for a moment as to assure him of the sincerity in her asking.

[Miya Nishida]

"I have a few,.... informants about that. I gave them my word not to divulge their names, so I can't go into that. But I can assure you that besides rumors, there are also reports that Gaki are bleeding into the city from the Desolation" he said seriously and without breaking eye contact.

[Kuni Koyuki]

Raising her left brow at that, she breaks the contact following the statement finishing. Glancing around the room she takes it all in, the currently empty space save for his two bodyguards. Without forewarning she stands and walks toward a nearby intercom for the building. Pressing a button down and speaking directly into it. Should Nishida be curious enough to listen in, she asks the staff for refreshments.

Returning back to her seat, she crosses legs and lays her hand atop her knee. Rolling her fingers along the cap like a little pattering drum.

"What have the Scorpion said on the matter thus far?"