[Expecting] The Biggest Beach Around (Day 1 - Early Afternoon)

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Her set of portable speakers loudly blare a mix of Mantis music (tending towards the in your face obnoxious) and Crab music (the same but more traditional) as Ochiba reclines on a beach chair under a beach umbrella.

"Of course, first time I try to actually go to the beach on the beach planet it starts raining." The Yoritomo had thrown a hoodie on over her one piece and was grumpily eyeing the slowly retreating clouds. At least it looked like clearing up soon.

"No samurai has ever been victimised more than I in this moment."
With a sigh she turns and reaches into a cooler, withdrawing a towering thermos and taking a long sip of chilled margarita. Life was hard on these sands. At least the beach was pretty quiet, something about it being too jungly. While Ochiba didn't really see the issue with that she did have her jade stud in. You could never really be too sure.

[Kakita Haruhi]

A young Crane woman came walking down the beach, dressed in a traditional blue kimono. She had a bag of supplies, including sketch pad, digital slate, recording devices, cameras, and three hovering songbird shaped avi-drones. Her long white hair was protected by a blue parasol painted to the precise shade of her kimono.

She was walking along the beach, looking for sandpiper or other beach-resident birds.

Ah, this rain was likely keeping the birds tucked away in dry places rather than out where they could be seen.

No luck yet, but here was a samurai. Perhaps a local!

She gave a deep bow.

"Hello, samurai-san. I am Kakita Haruhi. A recent arrival here. An artisan on commission for Yasuki Reina-sama."

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Not so far away from the pair.. there was other woman strolling onto the scene, wearing unassuming drab clothes, seemingly absent minded until her ears picked on the introduction on the samurai. She had perceived the tattooed woman before, however, didn't quite peg her as part of the caste until the Kakita had introduced herself. Without much else to do previous to acquiring her gift for the bidding, Ichitaiyo strolled onto the scene as well, her eyes hovering over the fluttering drones.

"Wow.." She hummed outspokenly.

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Snip

"Sup" Ochiba nods back in a very casual but mostly polite manner, putting her thermos back down to peer over at the Crane.
"Shocking weather isn't it, Kakita-san? At this rate I'd have better odds getting a tan outside my airlock than on this beach. Probably about as warm too."
She looks over curiously at the elaborate drones.
"I'm Ochiba, of the Yoritomo. Those are nice, expensive? They film stuff? Are you like a performance artist or something? That's cool."

"Wow.." She hummed outspokenly.

"Yo! Damn, beach is getting busy all of a sudden, finally. Yeah, those drones are pretty wild, right?"
Her gaze curiously flicks over Ichitaiyo's mask.
"Like your style too, that looks pricey?"

[Kakita Haruhi]

Not so far away from the pair.. there was other woman strolling onto the scene, wearing unassuming drab clothes, seemingly absent minded until her ears picked on the introduction on the samurai. She had perceived the tattooed woman before, however, didn't quite peg her as part of the caste until the Kakita had introduced herself. Without much else to do previous to acquiring her gift for the bidding, Ichitaiyo strolled onto the scene as well, her eyes hovering over the fluttering drones.

"Wow.." She hummed outspokenly.

The young Kakita turned and smiled at the other approaching woman.

"Good afternoon, samurai-san. Are you one of the locals here? This is a beautiful beach, even in the rain. I think the music helps."

She glanced back at the reclining woman with the music playing.

"It's very energetic." Yes that Mantis music was a little unexpected to her ear. But energetic, yes, she could say that.

Her set of portable speakers loudly blare a mix of Mantis music (tending towards the in your face obnoxious) and Crab music (the same but more traditional) as Ochiba reclines on a beach chair under a beach umbrella.

"Sup" Ochiba nods back in a very casual but mostly polite manner, putting her thermos back down to peer over at the Crane.
"Shocking weather isn't it, Kakita-san? At this rate I'd have better odds getting a tan outside my airlock than on this beach. Probably about as warm too."
She looks over curiously at the elaborate drones.
"I'm Ochiba, of the Yoritomo. Those are nice, expensive? They film stuff? Are you like a performance artist or something? That's cool."

"Oh thanks! These are my avi-drones. I make them. I try to exactly replicate the bird and record its bird song. And then they can perform in songs that include their phrases. I like to sing with them. My back-up singers." She grinned. "A performance artist, or performance artisan, you might say."

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"Yo! Damn, beach is getting busy all of a sudden, finally. Yeah, those drones are pretty wild, right?"
Her gaze curiously flicks over Ichitaiyo's mask.

"Like your style too, that looks pricey?"

Ichitaiyo granted a gentle chuckle, her voice was low and husky, a bit inanimate on her intonation but well natured all the same. She placed her hands on her pockets.

"Kitsuki Ichitaiyo, here in representation of Swiftslate Corporation." She introduced herself, and evaded answering the blunt question. It wasn't just expensive, but also the collar that held her leash. "I am visiting a beach for the first time."

"Oh thanks! These are my avi-drones. I make them. I try to exactly replicate the bird and record its bird song. And then they can perform in songs that include their phrases. I like to sing with them. My back-up singers." She grinned. "A performance artist, or performance artisan, you might say."

She turned her attention to the avidrones once again. They didn't record.. but a recording drone that could disguise itself as a bird? She couldn't avoid but thinking of the power that lied beneath her artisany with a drop of the evils that lied beneath her duties.

"That's.. amazing. And I take it they are robust as well, to be able to take them for a stroll instead of safekeeping them."

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"Oh thanks! These are my avi-drones. I make them. I try to exactly replicate the bird and record its bird song. And then they can perform in songs that include their phrases. I like to sing with them. My back-up singers." She grinned. "A performance artist, or performance artisan, you might say."

"You sing with your bird drones? Huh, Crane are stuff can be like that sometimes I guess. I imagine it's very artistic buuut"
Grinning
"Does it sound good? I mean, music is hard, right?"

"Kitsuki Ichitaiyo, here in representation of Swiftslate Corporation." She introduced herself, and evaded answering the blunt question. It wasn't just expensive, but also the collar that held her leash. "I am visiting a beach for the first time."

"Yeah, I thought you looked a little pale. Well, beaches are good for that. I got some towels if you want to pull up a pew. Let me guess, probably didn't bring any sunburn cream? Got some hanging around somewhere for that. Can you drink through that thing?"

She indicates the cooler by her side.
"Oh, that goes for Kakita-san as well, hard or soft I got 'em both if you're parched."

[Kakita Haruhi]

"Kitsuki Ichitaiyo, here in representation of Swiftslate Corporation." She introduced herself, and evaded answering the blunt question. It wasn't just expensive, but also the collar that held her leash. "I am visiting a beach for the first time."
...
"That's.. amazing. And I take it they are robust as well, to be able to take them for a stroll instead of safekeeping them."

Haruhi smiled.

"Nice to meet you, Kitsuki-san. What you do for Swiftslate Corporation?"

And in answer to her question about the avi-drones, "Oh yes! They have to be ready for open-air festivals and performances. I make them weather-tolerant. It's a fascinating challenge to replicate the flight patterns in different weather conditions. I do want them to be realistic."

Though, they were clearly mechanical sculptures on close examination.

"You sing with your bird drones? Huh, Crane are stuff can be like that sometimes I guess. I imagine it's very artistic buuut"
Grinning
"Does it sound good? I mean, music is hard, right?"

She indicates the cooler by her side.
"Oh, that goes for Kakita-san as well, hard or soft I got 'em both if you're parched."

She smiled at the offer of a drink.

"That would be most welcome, Yoritomo-san. Nothing too hard. It is still morning."

"Yes, I compose songs that incorporate the bird song phrases. So we can sing duets or trios or even larger groupings. I have been told the effect is lovely." A little blush at that. She couldn't just say it sounded good, right?

"Though, I think ... dancing at the club last night ... my songs and performances are rather old-fashioned in comparison. Not club music, I fear. Nothing as thrilling as Usagi Drop! Or your songs you are playing right now. Are these some of your favorites? I do think it is good music for club-style dancing."

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"Nice to meet you, Kitsuki-san. What you do for Swiftslate Corporation?"

"Yeah, I thought you looked a little pale. Well, beaches are good for that. I got some towels if you want to pull up a pew. Let me guess, probably didn't bring any sunburn cream? Got some hanging around somewhere for that. Can you drink through that thing?"

She indicates the cooler by her side.
"Oh, that goes for Kakita-san as well, hard or soft I got 'em both if you're parched."

"I am an Adjutant. I am a representative and follow a flexible set of orders." Ichitaiyo replied, as she took a towel from the Yoritomo's stash and set up a little camp next to the Mantis.

"You are quite well prepared Yoritomo-sama. Did you expect company and a party to build around you?"

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Snip

"The melon juice here is pretty good, had some yesterday and decided it was time to stock up."
Leaning over she grabs a cooled juice box and tosses it casually to the Kakita underarm.
"Hmmm, well it sounds like people like 'em. I'm gonna have a party in a couple days, you and the birds should come along, you can see how well it goes over with folks."

Focusing back on her music.
"Oh yeah, that's Talk of the Kyuden by Yoritomo Sabaru and Reju. Bit of a hit in Mantis space this year. Been listening to it ever since I started this trip, gets me pumped. And you're right, it's positively lethal in a club.

"I am an Adjutant. I am a representative and follow a flexible set of orders." Ichitaiyo replied, as she took a towel from the Yoritomo's stash and set up a little camp next to the Mantis.

"You are quite well prepared Yoritomo-sama. Did you expect company and a party to build around you?"

"Sweet fortunes that job, if it's even real, sounds horrifically boring. No wonder you never hit the beach. I hope you're not going to be doing that for your whole trip."
She tosses Ichitaiyo a juice box as well.

"I draw people wherever I go on account of my charming personality and good looks." Ochiba flashes her slightly reflective tattoos in the overcast light.
"Little early for a party, and this beach is pretty dead. But folks are always liable to come by. Bunch of us just got off long shuttle rides, right?"

Looking between the two.
"And this is a beach planet so, figured folks would hit the beach at some point...although ugggh, would have worked better if the weather wasn't spiting me personally."

[Kakita Haruhi]

"The melon juice here is pretty good, had some yesterday and decided it was time to stock up."
Leaning over she grabs a cooled juice box and tosses it casually to the Kakita underarm.
"Hmmm, well it sounds like people like 'em. I'm gonna have a party in a couple days, you and the birds should come along, you can see how well it goes over with folks."

Focusing back on her music.
"Oh yeah, that's Talk of the Kyuden by Yoritomo Sabaru and Reju. Bit of a hit in Mantis space this year. Been listening to it ever since I started this trip, gets me pumped. And you're right, it's positively lethal in a club.

[Looking between the two.
"And this is a beach planet so, figured folks would hit the beach at some point...although ugggh, would have worked better if the weather wasn't spiting me personally."

She accepted an offered towel and melon juice and set up a place on the sand with the others.

"Oh! Melon juice sounds perfect. So refreshing!"

"Are you both locals here? Have you been on Green Carp long?"

"I'd be honored to come to your party. I can definitely bring the avi-drones." She smiled. A party! How fun.

She nodded at the name of the song and performer. Talk of the Kyuden. "Do you have a favorite club around here? I tried the Pink Lotus last night. It was great."

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"I'm planning to visit the Pink Lotus this evening. Do some dancing to let loose." Ichitaiyo revealed in kind. "At least, if the bidding goes to my favor."

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

She accepted an offered towel and melon juice and set up a place on the sand with the others.

"Oh! Melon juice sounds perfect. So refreshing!"

"Are you both locals here? Have you been on Green Carp long?"

"I'd be honored to come to your party. I can definitely bring the avi-drones." She smiled. A party! How fun.

She nodded at the name of the song and performer. Talk of the Kyuden. "Do you have a favorite club around here? I tried the Pink Lotus last night. It was great."

"Nah, just arrived. Seems interesting though? Gotta keep your eye on the Yasuki, real good at picking your pockets with a smile. Hopefully you'll still have everything by time the party rolls around."
Snapping her fingers
"Oh yeah, and it's a costume party so, yeah, gotta dress up. I'm keen for it to be a little fancy, and having a classy artisan there like yourself will go a long way. Dunno about clubs but, if the Pink Lotus is good...yeah, I'll go check it out."

"I'm planning to visit the Pink Lotus this evening. Do some dancing to let loose." Ichitaiyo revealed in kind. "At least, if the bidding goes to my favor."

"Eh, even if it doesn't. You can dance happy or dance sad, hells you can even dance angry if you want. But it sounds like that club's the place to be."
Grinning wolfishly.
"After I win the bidding, of course."

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"You're quite confident on your preparations, Yoritomo-sama. But let's not talk business in our time of relief."

Ironic for someone who actually was on the clock as it stood.

[Kakita Haruhi]

"I'm planning to visit the Pink Lotus this evening. Do some dancing to let loose." Ichitaiyo revealed in kind. "At least, if the bidding goes to my favor."

...

"Eh, even if it doesn't. You can dance happy or dance sad, hells you can even dance angry if you want. But it sounds like that club's the place to be."
Grinning wolfishly.
"After I win the bidding, of course."

"Oh fun! Maybe I'll see you there!"

"Nah, just arrived. Seems interesting though? Gotta keep your eye on the Yasuki, real good at picking your pockets with a smile. Hopefully you'll still have everything by time the party rolls around."
Snapping her fingers
"Oh yeah, and it's a costume party so, yeah, gotta dress up. I'm keen for it to be a little fancy, and having a classy artisan there like yourself will go a long way. Dunno about clubs but, if the Pink Lotus is good...yeah, I'll go check it out."

"Ah, now I am obliged to say that the Yasuki are wonderful hosts, including my generous patron, and I wish them all good fortune in their ventures."

"Oh! A costume party. I will have to start thinking about what to wear! That is such a fun idea. I'm rather thrilled, by which I mean intimidated, by how beautiful and stylish everyone's clothes are. Everything I brought from Golden Mirror is very very traditional. I may definitely need to go shopping."

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"You're quite confident on your preparations, Yoritomo-sama. But let's not talk business in our time of relief."

Ironic for someone who actually was on the clock as it stood.

"Confidence is the first step on the road to success. But fair enough, don't ever wanna be the samurai who can't stop talking about their duties."
As if on cue the music changes to what can only be described as 'Tsuruchi bounty hunter rap'.
"Oh by the way, I met one of your clanmates on the way in. A Tamori, she is a very powerful fortune teller. You should probably check in with her and see what your future holds. I'm hoping one of the cards is 'tan.' "

"Ah, now I am obliged to say that the Yasuki are wonderful hosts, including my generous patron, and I wish them all good fortune in their ventures."

"Oh! A costume party. I will have to start thinking about what to wear! That is such a fun idea. I'm rather thrilled, by which I mean intimidated, by how beautiful and stylish everyone's clothes are. Everything I brought from Golden Mirror is very very traditional. I may definitely need to go shopping."

"Yeah yeah, they're all great, carp is actually a useful fish, all the usual. You're right though, they have a decent sense of style."
Ochiba nods along, clearly on a similar vein at least of 'always be buying new things'
"Let me know if you find any good spots. I have too many work clothes and not enough fun clothes. And there's no way I'm turning up traditional unless it's like, temple or maybe a funeral. I mean, all the pictures I see of the governor she's dressed pretty fashion forward. And I did some digging yesterday, the locals seem to like that so, they're probably flexible on clothes at least."

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"Confidence is the first step on the road to success. But fair enough, don't ever wanna be the samurai who can't stop talking about their duties."

As if on cue the music changes to what can only be described as 'Tsuruchi bounty hunter rap'.

"Oh by the way, I met one of your clanmates on the way in. A Tamori, she is a very powerful fortune teller. You should probably check in with her and see what your future holds. I'm hoping one of the cards is 'tan.'

"Yeah yeah, they're all great, carp is actually a useful fish, all the usual. You're right though, they have a decent sense of style."

Ochiba nods along, clearly on a similar vein at least of 'always be buying new things'

"Let me know if you find any good spots. I have too many work clothes and not enough fun clothes. And there's no way I'm turning up traditional unless it's like, temple or maybe a funeral. I mean, all the pictures I see of the governor she's dressed pretty fashion forward. And I did some digging yesterday, the locals seem to like that so, they're probably flexible on clothes at least."

"Oh! A costume party. I will have to start thinking about what to wear! That is such a fun idea. I'm rather thrilled, by which I mean intimidated, by how beautiful and stylish everyone's clothes are. Everything I brought from Golden Mirror is very very traditional. I may definitely need to go shopping."

"I have acquainted myself with Tamori Kanna-sama," Ichitaiyo revealed, thinking how Kanna would call her a very rude person by referring to the chipper dragon as a mere acquittance, but no need to give more information than that. "I wasn't aware she was a fortune reader."

"As to shopping, I should tag as well. I make a point of dressing comfortably for my outings without expectations of my duty, however I do pay great care for my attire. It is like much like choosing a weapon."

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi smiled at them both.

Shopping did sound fun!

"Here is my contact information." She gave it to each of them.

"Let me know the details of the party, and if you find a good place to shop. We can plan a shopping trip! I'd welcome help updating my wardrobe from 'historical re-enactment' to 'remotely fashionable'."

That was the trouble with Golden Mirror. Beautiful clothes. But it was like being stuck in a time warp.

"What are you all doing for your presentation to the Governor? Do you mind saying? I am curious what folks have in mind. I do want to make a good impression. To do my best, even if others can do better."

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"I have acquainted myself with Tamori Kanna-sama," Ichitaiyo revealed, thinking how Kanna would call her a very rude person by referring to the chipper dragon as a mere acquittance, but no need to give more information than that. "I wasn't aware she was a fortune reader."

"As to shopping, I should tag as well. I make a point of dressing comfortably for my outings without expectations of my duty, however I do pay great care for my attire. It is like much like choosing a weapon."

“Oh yes, very powerful. She read mine and got it spot on, kind of spooky actually.”
Ochiba takes a comforting sip of margarita
“Take advantage of it while you can. It’s a rare gift.”

She then takes a moment to look the Dragon up and down
“Well, I hear you guys are all about asceticism…but no reason to not refresh your vibe. Go for less corpo.”

Snip

Ochiba’s device chimed in response to the contact info.

“Too easy. I’m no good with Crane fashion and art and stuff, you guys still doing flowers? But when it comes to street wear, that’s more my thing. I know the Crab do this wild silk that’s basically armour but also as comfortable as clothes, will have to check that out.”

Yeah, that would be the dream.
“Let me send you the details…”
She idly mashes her communicator while contemplating her gift for the governor.

“Something about money and her family. She’s a Yasuki, that’s their thing. The important thing is it was expensive and hard to find. What about you ?”

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Snoop

Snip

"I would rather not reveal my choice of gift yet." Ichitaiyo responded, to not say she hasn't figured it out and this was the break over breaking her head over this matter.

"But I listen to the voices on the streets, they should guide me to a concealed truth."