D5, LA- Weighing Options (Expecting)

[Ide Yamako]

She nods. “Agreed. Oh and if anyone offers you fermented mare’s milk, I would suggest faking an allergy or a religious conviction.”

She snags another snack as well. “Better to take your time and strike well. The unicorn can use every advantage we can get right now.”

[Yūrei]

Snip

"Oh,but I'll try anything once!...My ex-roommate can attest that had mixed results, but what if I missed out on a delicious new meal?"
Wincing at some memory.
"Of course if I picked wrong we both suffered, but you have to suffer a little for what you believe in, right?"

Yūrei makes a little note.
"A delayed job is eventually successful. A rushed job is rushed forever."

[Ide Yamako]

She shook her head. "Far be it for me to stop one determined to explore. Perhaps you will find it more palatable than I did."

She looks off into the distance for a moment. "If this succeeds...well, koku is much more spendable than gratitude, but both are useful."

[Yūrei]

She shook her head. "Far be it for me to stop one determined to explore. Perhaps you will find it more palatable than I did."

She looks off into the distance for a moment. "If this succeeds...well, koku is much more spendable than gratitude, but both are useful."

"And both can be spent in their own way."
Pause
"Although, much easier to buy ramen with koku." which sounds very important to Yūrei "I have will be trying my hardest to earn any gratitude, although you already have mine."

[Ide Yamako]

She smiles. “In this world, duty has myriad forms. I pride myself in bringing people who are…not appreciated in their sphere to the gaze of the Unicorn these days. Or guiding those who are already within. Unlike some clans, we value diversity of opinion, thought and blood. And particularly those who have…a spirit if you will.”

[Yūrei]

She smiles. “In this world, duty has myriad forms. I pride myself in bringing people who are…not appreciated in their sphere to the gaze of the Unicorn these days. Or guiding those who are already within. Unlike some clans, we value diversity of opinion, thought and blood. And particularly those who have…a spirit if you will.”

Curiously
“What sort of spirit do the Unicorn prefer? Is it a strength of character? Or something more nuanced?”

[Ide Yamako]

She thinks for a moment. "I would say tenacity. The ability to withstand difficulty and come out intact. Our heritage from Shinjo and our wanderings still inform us. It is not that we have no regard for more delicate creatures, but more that we know that life can be cruel and we respect those who can survive."

[Yūrei]

Snip

"Oh."
With a little smile.
"I was worried it would be purity of heart or divine conviction, both things I am not sure I possess. But tenacity? I feel more confident speaking to that. None of us ronin make it without tenacity. You have to be stubborn almost beyond reason to survive, let alone succeed here."

Politely, with a tone that suggests she's genuinely curious.
"You seem a tenacious samurai to me, Ide-sama, would you describe yourself that way?"

[Ide Yamako]

She shrugs. “Purity of heart and purpose is also lauded but… there are many among our clan who swing to more practical ideals. Loyalty is also prized and I would say creativity can be considered valuable as well.”

She pauses. “I would describe myself as someone who cares very deeply for many things, but particularly for the safety of my clan and those under my wing, so to speak. That caring extends and takes many forms, if you will.”

[Yūrei]

Snip

"I can see that. I've...kept my circle of care small, the last few years."
Shrugging
"Less chance of being hurt that way. A few good friends are all I need. You're strong to care for so many, especially the fluffier animals."
She raises her tea cup with a grin.

[Ide Yamako]

She shakes her head. “Some say strong, some say foolish. Thankfully, not as many had seen my weakness for animals outside the clan prior.”

She sips her tea. “I have grown more cautious recently but even now I still prefer a leap of faith on occasion. A moment of trust.”

She looked at Yurei, her gaze firm. “You are one of those leaps. Something about you…to me it is as if you are a rocket just waiting for the fuel.”

[Yūrei]

She shakes her head. “Some say strong, some say foolish. Thankfully, not as many had seen my weakness for animals outside the clan prior.”

She sips her tea. “I have grown more cautious recently but even now I still prefer a leap of faith on occasion. A moment of trust.”

She looked at Yurei, her gaze firm. “You are one of those leaps. Something about you…to me it is as if you are a rocket just waiting for the fuel.”

"Much better a weakness for animals than a cruelty, you learn a lot about someone by how they treat animals."
Her eyes go distant for a moment before she snaps back to the rest of Yamako's sentence.

"And in this case the fuel is both ramen and trust? I admit Ide-sama, it...it has been sometime since someone has said similar to me. Usually it's just threats and bargaining through a communicator."
Raising her cup in toast
"To the flight of rockets?"

[Ide Yamako]

She ponders that for a moment. "That is something I have also found true." She sips the last of her tea and pours herself some more.

She looks at her, eyes intent again. Anyone who thought this Unicorn a flighty fool would find themselves in for trouble. "If you came to me with honeyed words and promises, I wouldn't have. But you have been as honest and forthright in our dealings. Occasionally in a way that would not serve you. And that speaks to me."

"If you will pardon me saying so, veiled threats through a comm are a coward's method. Anyone who cannot look someone in the face who they have asked to risk their lives...well, they have no business in power in my opinion."

She raises her cup. "To the flight of rockets. May they fly fast and free and dazzle all who look upon them."

[Yūrei]

((Fade to further planning and snacks? thanks for the scene!))

[Ide Yamako]

((Fade to further planning and snacks? thanks for the scene!))

((Perfect! And thank you, this was fun!))

[Ide Yamako]

((Fade to further planning and snacks? thanks for the scene!))

((Perfect! And thank you, this was fun!))

/scene