(D10, MA, Yuta Records) Beating the heat with hot beats

[Yasuki Taraka]

Even with temperators and growing up here, some days were just HOT. There was going to be a boat race later on this day, and Taraka was considering entering just because being on the waves might help a bit. But she definitely wasn't going to be standing outside waiting for that to get set up, not in this weather.

And so Taraka used the tried and true method for beating the heat that she'd used since she was a child: going into a store that you could browse in. The Neon sign above Yuta Records was a beacon, and so as "Yearning in the Rain" was blasting out into the streets, Taraka ducked in.

"Phew, Yearning for the rain in this weather," she said to herself.

[Tamori Kanna]

Even with her own temperator, Kanna dressed for for the weather, in a flowing summer-dress made of thin layers that wouldn't trap heat or sweat. And even if Kaida had his own temperator (as did Igoro), Kanna insisted they stay back at the ryokan where the air was more controlled. Temperators helped against hot weather, but not against hot surfaces to walk on for small puppy-paws.

Similar to many others, she was taking trips into most of the stores to cool down in-between. Already two ice cream-cones and a boba had been consumed to stave off the heat!

As she skipped into the Record Shop, she breathed a sigh of relief, and spotted Taraka. "Yasuki-san, good afternoon! Escaping the heat too yes?"

[Yasuki Taraka]

Even with her own temperator, Kanna dressed for for the weather, in a flowing summer-dress made of thin layers that wouldn't trap heat or sweat. And even if Kaida had his own temperator (as did Igoro), Kanna insisted they stay back at the ryokan where the air was more controlled. Temperators helped against hot weather, but not against hot surfaces to walk on for small puppy-paws.

Similar to many others, she was taking trips into most of the stores to cool down in-between. Already two ice cream-cones and a boba had been consumed to stave off the heat!

As she skipped into the Record Shop, she breathed a sigh of relief, and spotted Taraka. "Yasuki-san, good afternoon! Escaping the heat too yes?"

Taraka smiled and gave the Dragon a bow.

"Indeed, Tamori-san. It's a hot day even for those of us her were born here. Hopefully no one is out there trying to impress us with their devotion to imperial fashion and is dressed for home world autumn. Even temporators have a limit." she mused.

"But this is a nice store to spend some time in, it comes with music after all to enhance the experience."

[Tamori Kanna]

"But this is a nice store to spend some time in, it comes with music after all to enhance the experience."

"I'm used to the heat, but it's so humid too!" As she was finally indoors, Kanna picked up her fan and began fanning herself to make sure she got the cool air all over herself.

Now she finally also had the chance to listen to the music playing. "Oh, I haven't had the opportunity to visit this place before. I've been to so many shops these past days since I arrived, to get a lay of the land so to speak... it took me some time just getting through Golden Shotengai, as well as the Friendship Street. Is this one of your favorite places, perhaps"?

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka nods.

"The humidity definitely makes a difference. I didn't notice it growing up as much, but when my mandatory military service sent me off world, I got to learn there are planets where heat and moist are not necessary hand in hand....there are even some places where it's not hot! Seeing snow for the first time was amazing." she recalled.

She thought about the question.

"I don't know about it being one of my favorites, but it's definitely my favorite for music." she said, gesturing at the shelves.

"The real audio heads say this is the only way to listen to recorded music after all. And you can find some really interesting obscure songs from time to time." she offers.

She looks over to the Dragon.

"What do you like in music, Tamori-san?"

[Tamori Kanna]

"What do you like in music, Tamori-san?"

"Oh wow," she nodded a little. "I don't think I'm an audio-head, to be honest. Don't have that much of a preference for how music is played."

She tapped her chin in thought for a moment. "Hmmm... I like a lot of music. I don't like enka though, it's so dreary and depressing a lot of the time. I like Usagi Drop! and their type of music. Oh, and Yakumo, but I guess that is the common answer these days, yeah? Everyone seems to like her."

Then Kanna remembered she was talking to a Crab. "Ah... maybe less so here?"

[Yasuki Taraka]

There was a literal record scratch at the Dragon's words. Well, that was from the rather sour faced clerk of the shop yanking the enya record from the player when they overheard her complaining about Enka. Then the hefty ka-chunk of a cassette tape being loaded into the stores player.

The music was loud and upbeat:

And now you come and see it all just for yourself
See the angel's wings, but something else is there
And all those magic hearts are all for you again

And then you come and listen to the sweet little voice
Singing there for you and only just for you
She is protecting you right now...

And if sometimes you fear for your love
Send a little heart for her
And she'll be there with you with her love
Waiting only for you!

And when you love her, love her she will be
A little angel, angel in your heart
You've got to push it, push it for her love
And then forever, ever she will be
A sweet angel of your heart to be there together

And now you need a little faith in me and yourself
When you make your way to change the destiny
If you could only see what I could do for you

And even when you feel you have a difficult time
Listen to my heart who sings to make you shine
When you start to fall in love


Taraka shrugged a bit at the Dragon's words.

"Well once the Miya put her on their networks, even the cultural office had to let her music through. No more banning it on suspicion of being propaganda, or filled with hidden lyrics telling everyone to abandon honor. Still, it's really something you see young kids seeking to annoy their parents with their music choices, rather than broad acceptance. At least here on the island, that's been my experience. Maybe it's different in Aoihama." she explained.