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

[Kakita Haruhi]

“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.”

“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.”

“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 ?”

"This fortune teller sounds interesting. How could you even know if a fortune teller reads yours correctly? I don't know what the future holds for me. But I would be curious what the fortunes told her."

"I understand that the Governor is a twin. I thought about that. So, I am giving her a gift of twin nightingale avi-drones, with a song to be performed when I present them. An original song for her. I gave each nightingale its own voice - only some of the phrases possible. Nightingale have hundreds of phrases. So each line is distinct. Physically the same but each singing its own tune. And all blending beautifullly. I thought she might like that. I don't actually know anything about her relationship with her sister. But, I put some of my love of my sister into it. We are very different. But when we work together, it is so much more than what I could do alone."

"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."

"It is wise to learn as much as you can about her. Probably I would have been wise to do more research of that kind! It would be rather a disaster to learn she had some haunting tragedy that involved a bird. Let us hope that is not the case!"

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"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."

“Mysterious. Looking for local gossip to provide a good gift. High risk, high reward.”
Gesturing at the cooler
“If it goes completely tits up, you can take some juice as backup. Everyone seems to like the juice.”

Snip

Ochiba’s eyes glaze over slightly at the explanation, but her shrug is more noncommittal than negative.

“Uh, so drones, art, twins. That sounds cool. Twins are meant to be lucky, so reckon that’s a good angle.”

Visibly more animated about the fortune telling.
“She read my past, present and future. And she got the first two spot on. No way she could have known that otherwise.

Admittedly there was some stuff about romance and marriage and stuff which is a long shot. But the rest all added up. I got good times ahead!”

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Ochiba’s eyes glaze over slightly at the explanation, but her shrug is more noncommittal than negative.

“Uh, so drones, art, twins. That sounds cool. Twins are meant to be lucky, so reckon that’s a good angle.”

Visibly more animated about the fortune telling.
“She read my past, present and future. And she got the first two spot on. No way she could have known that otherwise.

Admittedly there was some stuff about romance and marriage and stuff which is a long shot. But the rest all added up. I got good times ahead!”

"Now looks I might have to request a reading myself." Ichitaiyo reflected, calm and at ease, reaching for some of the melon juice. "What did she predict about your love life that was so wild?"

[Kakita Haruhi]

“She read my past, present and future. And she got the first two spot on. No way she could have known that otherwise.

Admittedly there was some stuff about romance and marriage and stuff which is a long shot. But the rest all added up. I got good times ahead!”

"It is rather exciting to think about romance and marriage. I can always hope my family has something in mind for me. But perhaps they are looking for me to identify a good opportunity."

"Now looks I might have to request a reading myself." Ichitaiyo reflected, calm and at ease, reaching for some of the melon juice. "What did she predict about your love life that was so wild?"

"What about you, Kitsuki-san? Are you married already?"

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"Now looks I might have to request a reading myself." Ichitaiyo reflected, calm and at ease, reaching for some of the melon juice. "What did she predict about your love life that was so wild?"

"She thought I might meet someone, you know, actual romance."
Ochiba scoffs.

"I told her the cards were overreaching. No way I'm getting tied down to someone, certainly not on beach planet on holiday. Now, romance adjacent stuff? Sure, no problem. But actual love? Let me tell yah, that just ain't happening."

"It is rather exciting to think about romance and marriage. I can always hope my family has something in mind for me. But perhaps they are looking for me to identify a good opportunity."

"I mean, it's exciting to think of the related stuff...although you know even the Crab can be kinda stuff about it. But the actual process is a lot of paperwork. Do you trust your family to have picked the right match for you? Like a good...bird...music...person?"

[Kakita Haruhi]

"I mean, it's exciting to think of the related stuff...although you know even the Crab can be kinda stuff about it. But the actual process is a lot of paperwork. Do you trust your family to have picked the right match for you? Like a good...bird...music...person?"

She laughed.

"If I chose for myself, I might indeed look for a good bird music person. If such a person exists! But I trust that my family has an even wider view. Perhaps my skills best pair with a traveler, an explorer, so I will find bird after bird in place after place. Or an influencer to set fashion. Or someone so wealthy that they can indulge a partner's artistic pursuits. Or, even more to the point, a match that serves some broader purpose - alliance, exchange of favors, marrying artisan lines to breed talent?"

"Still, I cannot entirely discard the notion of a lovebird pairing. The mandarin, the oshidori, symbolizes conjugal love and affection. A symbol of marital bliss and fidelity. I have a mandarin in my catalog and imagined paired mandarins as the perfect symbol of a truly blissful love match."

"Perhaps my Mandarin is out there, yet to be found!"

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"What about you, Kitsuki-san? Are you married already?"

That broke Ichitaiyo from her reverie, as a bucket of awkward cold water befell upon her. How could she answer? That her clan had no interest or projects on her, and that nobody with a mind to grow in their station would desire to bind themselves to an outcast with half-claim to the blood.

After a noticeable wide-eyed pause, she took a recomposing breath and answered non-commitally. "Not married yet. Nor been offered suitors."

Snip

After the conversation turned back into the crane, her eyes went up and followed in the Mantis' question, trying to keep that conversation off herself. "Maybe they are seeking for you to marry for love. An artist's soul can be eroded and worn by bad companionship, as much inspired by love. It's both practical and good for you."

[Kakita Haruhi]

After the conversation turned back into the crane, her eyes went up and followed in the Mantis' question, trying to keep that conversation off herself. "Maybe they are seeking for you to marry for love. An artist's soul can be eroded and worn by bad companionship, as much inspired by love. It's both practical and good for you."

Haruhi smiled at that.

"Oh! That's an encouraging thought. I like that thought. That love might enrich my artisan skill. If any argument could sway my parents, it would be that one!"

"But is there a persuasive case for that? Perhaps I can research historical examples! Do you know any? An artisan from your clan, perhaps, who married for love and produced exemplary work after?"

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"Still, I cannot entirely discard the notion of a lovebird pairing. The mandarin, the oshidori, symbolizes conjugal love and affection. A symbol of marital bliss and fidelity. I have a mandarin in my catalog and imagined paired mandarins as the perfect symbol of a truly blissful love match."

"Perhaps my Mandarin is out there, yet to be found!"

"Oh, it does?" It had taken a few moments for Ochiba to release Haruhi was not singing the praises of a citrus fruit.
"Huh, so it's kind of a..sex bird? I am never gonna look at those ducks the same way again."

Taking another long sip.
"Well, you go get'em Kakita-san, dunno how Crane approach that but there's a bunch of offworlders here and some of them are gonna be explorers or artisans or rich. But I respect you approaching beach world like that. You want something, you're out looking for it, not waiting for it to come to you."

After a noticeable wide-eyed pause, she took a recomposing breath and answered non-commitally. "Not married yet. Nor been offered suitors."

After the conversation turned back into the crane, her eyes went up and followed in the Mantis' question, trying to keep that conversation off herself. "Maybe they are seeking for you to marry for love. An artist's soul can be eroded and worn by bad companionship, as much inspired by love. It's both practical and good for you."

"Well I mean, you don't seem ugly, mask makes it hard so maybe that's it, but you're outgoing...can hold a conversation, not a raging alcoholic. I've seen worse samurai get hitched. Gonna offer the same advice to you. If you want something, go get it. Go...meditate with them, or however Dragon do it."

Pausing as Ichitaiyo continues
"See? That was decent advice for Kakita-san, sort of romantic. Lots of folks would love hearing stuff like that all day...well maybe not all day, but a couple times a day at the right time."

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"Oh! That's an encouraging thought. I like that thought. That love might enrich my artisan skill. If any argument could sway my parents, it would be that one!"

"But is there a persuasive case for that? Perhaps I can research historical examples! Do you know any? An artisan from your clan, perhaps, who married for love and produced exemplary work after?"

"Well I mean, you don't seem ugly, mask makes it hard so maybe that's it, but you're outgoing...can hold a conversation, not a raging alcoholic. I've seen worse samurai get hitched. Gonna offer the same advice to you. If you want something, go get it. Go...meditate with them, or however Dragon do it."

Pausing as Ichitaiyo continues
"See? That was decent advice for Kakita-san, sort of romantic. Lots of folks would love hearing stuff like that all day...well maybe not all day, but a couple times a day at the right time."

The unwanted spotlight put Ichitaiyo into a binder, making her sit up and wrap her arms around her legs, as she felt compelled to share a little more, albeit she'd call it forced.

"I apologize, I am not quite well versed on history as is, but I'm sure I can find an example given enough time. I was schooled as an Investigator, Kakita-san." She answered to the Crane, before turning to the scourge of the seas.

"Finding company to warm a bed is not really a hard task, Yoritomo-sama. But marriage is a whole other ballpark. Using wile and gifts to bring somebody to swear loyalty can be done, however I do not desire to.. 'possess' somebody that way." The way she was owned at the moment. "Furthermore, I.. have a difficult political situation, which makes unions harder by virtue of low status within my clan. I desire to change the latter anyways."

[Kakita Haruhi]

"Oh, it does?" It had taken a few moments for Ochiba to release Haruhi was not singing the praises of a citrus fruit.
"Huh, so it's kind of a..sex bird? I am never gonna look at those ducks the same way again."

"A marriage bird," she squeaked, at the words 'sex bird'.

Oh my! Her pale cheeks flushed.

"Well, you go get'em Kakita-san, dunno how Crane approach that but there's a bunch of offworlders here and some of them are gonna be explorers or artisans or rich. But I respect you approaching beach world like that. You want something, you're out looking for it, not waiting for it to come to you."

"Mostly, I am looking for birds. To study. But it never hurts to study the handsome gentlemen of a place. For aesthetic reasons. And ... just in case one ever looks back!"

The unwanted spotlight put Ichitaiyo into a binder, making her sit up and wrap her arms around her legs, as she felt compelled to share a little more, albeit she'd call it forced.

"I apologize, I am not quite well versed on history as is, but I'm sure I can find an example given enough time. I was schooled as an Investigator, Kakita-san." She answered to the Crane, before turning to the scourge of the seas.

"Finding company to warm a bed is not really a hard task, Yoritomo-sama. But marriage is a whole other ballpark. Using wile and gifts to bring somebody to swear loyalty can be done, however I do not desire to.. 'possess' somebody that way." The way she was owned at the moment. "Furthermore, I.. have a difficult political situation, which makes unions harder by virtue of low status within my clan. I desire to change the latter anyways."

Haruhi could see how Ichitaiyo's posture changed. She didn't look comfortable or safe or relaxed any more. Perhaps this wasn't a good topic.

"Thank you! I appreciate any investigation you might do. A local Yasuki example might be particularly charming. And useful!"

"If ... if there is anything that might help you? In regard to the status matter?" Perhaps there wasn't. But the woman had been kind to her. "At any rate, the offer is there, if you should see an opportunity."

"And maybe we should talk about something else. Like costumes for the costume party! A mask perhaps. Something that requires feathers maybe."

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Snip

"Finding company to warm a bed is not really a hard task, Yoritomo-sama. But marriage is a whole other ballpark. Using wile and gifts to bring somebody to swear loyalty can be done, however I do not desire to.. 'possess' somebody that way." The way she was owned at the moment. "Furthermore, I.. have a difficult political situation, which makes unions harder by virtue of low status within my clan. I desire to change the latter anyways."

Ochiba of course, takes the wholly wrong reading from this, replying with an enthusiastic "niiiiiice" at the mention of it being no hard task and leaning over to offer the Dragon a fist bump.

"Okay, you're doing okay then. Sorry 'bout the whole bottom rung thing, but most folks start there. Just keep your head down and your eyes open , you'll make it out on top. Then I reckon you'll be a regular...marriage bird."

"A marriage bird," she squeaked, at the words 'sex bird'.

Oh my! Her pale cheeks flushed.

Waving a hand. "Same thing, but good to know they're committed to one another I guess.

Haruhi could see how Ichitaiyo's posture changed. She didn't look comfortable or safe or relaxed any more. Perhaps this wasn't a good topic.

"Thank you! I appreciate any investigation you might do. A local Yasuki example might be particularly charming. And useful!"

"If ... if there is anything that might help you? In regard to the status matter?" Perhaps there wasn't. But the woman had been kind to her. "At any rate, the offer is there, if you should see an opportunity."

"And maybe we should talk about something else. Like costumes for the costume party! A mask perhaps. Something that requires feathers maybe."

"You could commit some crimes, Kakita-san? Then Kitsuki-san could make her name solving them! Sadly, I am all out of crime at the moment, though I did jaywalk on the way over here."
Possibly the greatest crime of all.

"Ha! Well, sure we can move on to less sensitive matters. Can't all be ducks. I got my costume lined up, Clan themed of course but it has to be something you can move on. You guys seem like dancers so, I'll expect whatever it is to be danceable. Thoughts welcomed on costumes for the servants though...giant mantis masks would be way too creepy."

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Ochiba of course, takes the wholly wrong reading from this, replying with an enthusiastic "niiiiiice" at the mention of it being no hard task and leaning over to offer the Dragon a fist bump.

"Okay, you're doing okay then. Sorry 'bout the whole bottom rung thing, but most folks start there. Just keep your head down and your eyes open , you'll make it out on top. Then I reckon you'll be a regular...marriage bird."

Haruhi could see how Ichitaiyo's posture changed. She didn't look comfortable or safe or relaxed any more. Perhaps this wasn't a good topic.

"Thank you! I appreciate any investigation you might do. A local Yasuki example might be particularly charming. And useful!"

"If ... if there is anything that might help you? In regard to the status matter?" Perhaps there wasn't. But the woman had been kind to her. "At any rate, the offer is there, if you should see an opportunity."

"And maybe we should talk about something else. Like costumes for the costume party! A mask perhaps. Something that requires feathers maybe."

"You could commit some crimes, Kakita-san? Then Kitsuki-san could make her name solving them! Sadly, I am all out of crime at the moment, though I did jaywalk on the way over here."
Possibly the greatest crime of all.

"Ha! Well, sure we can move on to less sensitive matters. Can't all be ducks. I got my costume lined up, Clan themed of course but it has to be something you can move on. You guys seem like dancers so, I'll expect whatever it is to be danceable. Thoughts welcomed on costumes for the servants though...giant mantis masks would be way too creepy."

Ichitaiyo thanked the relief from the topic of marriage. Let alone romance. How could she be desired for such kind of union if her mere name was downtrodden amongst her clan? But enough mulling, for there is a more pressing matter that came to her alert.

"There is going to be a disguise event? Is it part of the ocassions arranged by the Yasuki to garner favor?"

[Kakita Haruhi]

"You could commit some crimes, Kakita-san? Then Kitsuki-san could make her name solving them! Sadly, I am all out of crime at the moment, though I did jaywalk on the way over here."
Possibly the greatest crime of all.

"Ha! Well, sure we can move on to less sensitive matters. Can't all be ducks. I got my costume lined up, Clan themed of course but it has to be something you can move on. You guys seem like dancers so, I'll expect whatever it is to be danceable. Thoughts welcomed on costumes for the servants though...giant mantis masks would be way too creepy."

Her eyes widened at 'commit crimes'. "Oh, oh goodness. You are such a kidder."

She takes a long sip of the juice to cool herself off and recover her composure.

"For sure, I will focus on something I can dance in. But it does depend a bit on the music. Some dancing benefits from endlessly long sleeves. Other dancing from freedom for the legs."

"I like the idea of something that flatters and identifies the clan. Hmmm... There is always the color blue. But perhaps something cheekier is possible."

"There is going to be a disguise event? Is it part of the ocassions arranged by the Yasuki to garner favor?"

"I think Yoritomo-san is planning and hosting it? Is that right?"

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Ichitaiyo thanked the relief from the topic of marriage. Let alone romance. How could she be desired for such kind of union if her mere name was downtrodden amongst her clan? But enough mulling, for there is a more pressing matter that came to her alert.

"There is going to be a disguise event? Is it part of the ocassions arranged by the Yasuki to garner favor?"

Ochiba is left hanging, a fist alone in the wind.

"I think Yoritomo-san is planning and hosting it? Is that right?"

"You got it Kakita-san, nothing official, obviously. Not my place. But, unofficially-" Slamming a fist into her own palm."It's gonna be the biggest party of the season, best too. Fine food, drink, costumes, entertainment, all hosted in a penthouse with a view of course."

She shrugs slightly. "Maybe our hosts will offer something of the same, but everyone there will be trying to curry favour and hiding between their fans and muttering stuff like 'what is that Mantis doing in the chocolate fountain?'. But my party? I want folks competing to win it, be life of the celebration. Now, I won't fault people who can't afford a big or showy costume."
Looks at the Dragon.
"But something with a bit of flair is likely to go down better. Like that cheekier you're talking about Kakita-san...A cheeky colour, whatever that looks like, would fit in well."

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"I think Yoritomo-san is planning and hosting it? Is that right?"

"You got it Kakita-san, nothing official, obviously. Not my place. But, unofficially-" Slamming a fist into her own palm."It's gonna be the biggest party of the season, best too. Fine food, drink, costumes, entertainment, all hosted in a penthouse with a view of course."

She shrugs slightly. "Maybe our hosts will offer something of the same, but everyone there will be trying to curry favour and hiding between their fans and muttering stuff like 'what is that Mantis doing in the chocolate fountain?'. But my party? I want folks competing to win it, be life of the celebration. Now, I won't fault people who can't afford a big or showy costume."
Looks at the Dragon.
"But something with a bit of flair is likely to go down better. Like that cheekier you're talking about Kakita-san...A cheeky colour, whatever that looks like, would fit in well."

Of course, Kitsuki-san was more distracted by a mental image.

"You can procure a chocolate fountain as big as to dip yourself on it?"

[Kakita Haruhi]

"You got it Kakita-san, nothing official, obviously. Not my place. But, unofficially-" Slamming a fist into her own palm."It's gonna be the biggest party of the season, best too. Fine food, drink, costumes, entertainment, all hosted in a penthouse with a view of course."

She shrugs slightly. "Maybe our hosts will offer something of the same, but everyone there will be trying to curry favour and hiding between their fans and muttering stuff like 'what is that Mantis doing in the chocolate fountain?'. But my party? I want folks competing to win it, be life of the celebration. Now, I won't fault people who can't afford a big or showy costume."
Looks at the Dragon.
"But something with a bit of flair is likely to go down better. Like that cheekier you're talking about Kakita-san...A cheeky colour, whatever that looks like, would fit in well."

It struck Haruhi that this woman was talking about having a more lavish party than Yasuki. She must be wealthy. Amazingly so.

"You are clearly meant to be an artistic patron, Yoritomo-sama. What a calling!"

"I expect your party will be spectacular and it will quite the honor to attend. Cheeky and flair is not necessarily my specialty, but I love the challenge of it. A spirit of defiant originality. Nothing stiff or predictable."

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Of course, Kitsuki-san was more distracted by a mental image.

"You can procure a chocolate fountain as big as to dip yourself on it?"

"Absolutely. A tiny chocolate fountain? Tacky, boring, passé, good only for strawberries. But a giant chocolate fountain?"
Grinning widely.
"Memorable, surprising, can fit a whole samurai. Come along Kitsuki-san and you can bathe in all the chocolate you want!"

It struck Haruhi that this woman was talking about having a more lavish party than Yasuki. She must be wealthy. Amazingly so.

"You are clearly meant to be an artistic patron, Yoritomo-sama. What a calling!"

"I expect your party will be spectacular and it will quite the honor to attend. Cheeky and flair is not necessarily my specialty, but I love the challenge of it. A spirit of defiant originality. Nothing stiff or predictable."

"Artistic? Uhhh?" blink blink "Ummm, maybe? Dunno, never sponsored any art."
She scratches her chin with a shrug
"Wouldn't know where to start. You just...give them your money and then they make songs and paintings and stuff? Won't they do that anyway? Isn't that what artists do?"

She does beam at the mention of a spectacular party, and a spirit of originality.
"Absolutely Kakita-san, you got it. Don't be lame."

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Snip

Snip

Time to put money where the mouth is, Ichitaiyo gave a little teasing smirk, a defiant act after so much evasiveness.

"Well, when's the date? I need to prepare a dazzling disguise for the occasion after all."

[Kakita Haruhi]

Snip

Time to put money where the mouth is, Ichitaiyo gave a little teasing smirk, a defiant act after so much evasiveness.

"Well, when's the date? I need to prepare a dazzling disguise for the occasion after all."

"Oh yes, do let us know the details. I'm going to need to run for today. Preparations and rehearsing before the big presentation must be the priority!"

"But I don't want to miss the party!"

"And if either of you want to do a bit of shopping together in preparation, just let me know."