[Day 7, MM] Sage Ruisu

[Yasuki Honoka]

Last night was an emotional event that, admittedly, had far more of an effect on her than she would have liked to admit. So, she didn't admit it to everyone and anyone, and kept her sources of comfort contained to only those she could trust most. Umiko, naturally, was always one of these sources and has now been again. However, Honoka has needed another source in the interim years and while Nagisa has been a good source of comfort there is only one other she trusts with her truest depth. That other spent their lifetime within the waters of a pond.

Gazing down into the water Honoka watches Ruisu move about with grace, inspiring a sense of inner serenity. Although she spoke no words to the fish she felt heard and understood by the elder. Hiroto watches over her from nearby, in perhaps a similar state but not quality of reverence. Though the relationship between her and her yojimbo would be hard to parse by any outsider.

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"By the calm water
She ponders her destiny
Or lunch. Hard to tell"

She hears a voice nearby reciting. If she turns, she will see a Scorpion, almost hidden behind a bush. She is sitting in seiza, eyes on the pind, and seems kinda thoughtful, as well.

"Bayushi Senshuken." She introduces herself. "Personally I ponder both."

[Yasuki Honoka]

Honoka does not restrain her quick smile. Looking to Senshuken to first take her measure. In the energy of the moment, however, she does return her gaze to the pond and within Ruisu. Allowing her shoulders to relax, and feel the natural air of the moment with her temparator currently disengaged.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Bayushi Senshuken-san. I am Yasuki Honoka, senior manager at Yasuki Data and also proprietor of Crabkaku," she says, and breaks from her reverence to turn to Senshuken. Offering the young woman a bow.

"I admit I have never pondered destiny before, but I hear it is a soul building experience."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

The bow is returned with elegance and the introduction met with an appreciative smile that is evident even behind the Scorpion's mask.

"The famous restaurant. I have been told so many excellent things. I should really visit it one of these days." She replies. "Sometimes it is the small things in life, like a meal or good company, that get us in touch with our soul and destiny." She waves her hand almost theatrically. "May I approach, Yasuki sama? The tranquility of the garden calls for whispers more than shouts."

[Yasuki Honoka]

Honoka would, in lieu of immediate response, take another lingering glance down directly into the koi pond. Using the serenity she pulls from this moment to spur her on. With a gesture as she turns Honoka would indicate a nearby bench. Approaching and seating herself on the side nearest herself, and allowing enough room for Senshuken to comfortably join her.

Once she had, "You are certainly correct. A garden calls for calmer, softer moments. Though I should say..." she starts, and the cracks of embarrassment begin to show. "I do not know if famous is such a correct word for Crabkaku. Certainly it is mostly that it is new, and I timed it's opening with recent events to ensure a successful opening of course but... famous? I feel that word is reserved for things deserving of far greater merit. Like.. Usagi Drop, or.." she falters. What were other famous things people were into? Oh gosh she has absolutely no idea what is considered famous these days.

[Bayushi Senshuken]

Senshuken stands up from her seiza and soon joins her at the bench. "Well, I have heard excellent critics about the cuisine and it might not be famous worldwide, but it certainly is in a local level. Everyone seems to know and appreciate your restaurant."

[Yasuki Honoka]

"Well I suppose I will have to get used to that rather quickly then," she says in a way that masks, just enough, how uncomfortable she was with being well known in that way even if it was just through a restaurant.

"Suppose, I should admit I do know a bit of you Bayushi-san. Your name was among those that I had files on for invitations accepted by our governor. This is certainly no place comparable to a world like the World of Dreams but I hope you have found our city to be properly hospitable."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

She almost raises an eyebrow, but stops at the last moment. "I like this world quite a lot and I truly mean this. But I cannot resist asking what you know about me except for the place I come from."

[Yasuki Honoka]

"Not terribly much more. I know of your lineage, how you serve diplomatically, and a few key notes that made their way into record. As I recall you are quite skilled on a motorbike. Won a few on record, as I recall?"

With her hands stretched out into her lap, she says, "With a number of guests arriving I had contacts of mine work up a brief profile on those that were arriving I wanted to get my eye on. Your name happened to be on that list. I am certain with your mother this is not too great of a surprise."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"You have done your research as a proper courtier. I won't insult you by saying that you seem to have done excellent work, but perhaps you have." She winks playfully. "Consider me impressed though, by yet another person in this world."

"You also mentioned Yasuki data. An IT company I should assume?"

[Yasuki Honoka]

"Yasuki Data is a data management company, we handle the various data storage, transfer, and other such needs of many Crab business' and organizations. Every day I am working with samurai from all over from the seat I have in the Yasuki Data building down by the harbourfront," she adds.

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"Honestly that sounds pretty stressful." She comments. "Do you work both for the private and the public sector? Depending on the results of our work here, my clan may need your services. I am positive that we will, to be precise. I don't think that it will be deemed worthy to have our own data center in Nakahama. We aim to see this island flourish, not antagonize the locals."

[Yasuki Honoka]

"You would be hard pressed to find a particular function we cannot help serve," she says, working into her work persona. There is a little more confidence she wears, a woman behind the shield of Yasuki Data. "Likely whatever form any Scorpion endeavors on the world might take will be working with Yasuki Data, and by that extension, probably me as well in some regard."

"Though," she smiles a little, looking down at herself, "that would be rather silly. To come here, bid for a piece of the province, and then just cause disruption," she chuckles.

"Sorry. Forgive me."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"No, no. You are absolutely right. It would be highly unethical. And..." She lowers her voice playfully as if sharing a secret between children. "Pretty silly."

She grins and continues. "I would like to stick around, but I cannot be certain where duty will lead me in the future. Were it up to me, I would make this world my permanent residence." A shrug. "Still I hope that we get to cooperate further in the future in any capacity necessary."

[Yasuki Honoka]

"Well, you are here making deals with the Crab on behalf of your clan on some level. Wouldn't it make sense in the end, that whatever deal you might strike with us include the service, or perhaps posting is the better term, of a Samurai who has become accustomed to the locals? Should you win the bid, your Clan surely will need to send people here. Who then better to send."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"It's more complex." She replies. "My mother is a provincial daimyo and my sister will inherit. My family ties me to the world if Dreams. But we'll see. I have some thoughts that might prove beneficial for both my clan and our gracious hosts."

She waves her hand to dismiss her own previous words. They don't really matter right now. "Could you, perhaps, tell me what kind of business endeavors would mostly fit this world? How do the locals envision their island?"

[Yasuki Honoka]

"I can hardly be a spokesperson for the people of Green Carp, and not even as local as Shiawase Island I would say. Certainly not better than Yasuki Ayame can be, and her goals for the province are to become once more a place where samurai from surrounding provinces and beyond come here to spend their time, and their resources," she says.

"As far as our previous topic, I want to say because you are young: do not forget to ask for things! Knowing how, and who to ask is important but you will never be allowed the things you want for most of you never ask," she adds with a pleasant smile.

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"I have met both sisters and they both seem very capable at leading this place and supporting each other."

"Of course, I will keep your advice in mind. My sensei used to say something similar. I intend to do so. A marriage into the leading family of Nakahama can be quite fruitful for everyone involved."

[Yasuki Honoka]

"Oh," she says, caught a little off guard but manages to collect herself swiftly. "I see, so you are hoping for such a match? That would be quite something. That and these things do of course take time, so there is much to be considered and much that can be done to push things in the ways they best fit," she offers, but must admit to herself a hesitancy.

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"Yes, I understand that it isn't going to be easy. Perhaps some people might even consider that the idea reveals.... audacity, but I believe that a marriage with a samurai from the clan that will have the most investments in the island will be a good political decision. If this clan is the Scorpion, well," she shrugs, "I have the pedigree, the connections and the training that is necessary. Plus a business initiative of my own."