Some small delays (D0 EA Open)

[Bayushi Hinata]

Trailing behind the samurai is a young man dragging along what can only be described as an "Austere" amount of luggage. At elast, in comparison to his clanmate. Dressed in the latest fashion for corporate security, bearing the mon of the Bayushi and the logo of the Orchid Department. People do not make way for him, he politely and apologetically pushes past the crowd until he is behind the small gathering.

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He nods to both Katsumi and Kurumi, standing a few paces behind the other Bayushi on the terminal. He wears an easy smile and a mask hangging from the side of his head. Calmly confident and quiet as he takes his place in their little queue awaiting transportation.

[Bayushi Kazushi]

"Ah, my additional security detail is here," Kazushi notes, "although I'm not entirely certain I'll be needing it. Bayushi Hinata-san, may I introduce Kakita Haruhi-san and Susumu Sumiko-san. We're all waiting for the next shuttle down - more delays, I know..."

[Bayushi Hinata]

The young man steps forward, confident strides, easy to make when you're dressed by the best in the empire. With a wide and bright smile he bows to each woman before relaxing his posture, hand coming to rest atop the daisho hanging on his hip.

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Kakita-san, Susumu-san. Name's Bayushi Hinata. As Bayushi-sama mentioned I'm here as part of his entourage, though I agree he probably won't be needing me."

He gave everyone a once over, comitting them to memory in case they ran into each other again. Icy blue eyes scan them, their manner of dress, any gear or items of particular import such as the Avi-drones or the Kami-pet. In due time though his eyes have wandered off to the side, looking out a window towards the planet.

"We'll make up for lost time Bayushi-sama. In the meantime, maybe we could take in a little of this world's beauty from afar before getting to know it up close."

[Bayushi Kazushi]

Kazushi looks out onto the planet below.

"Lots of water. Islands, mostly tropical or nearly so. That's what I'd expect from a resort world. If nothing else, we'll have a chance to enjoy this, even if it is a business trip."

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi had smiled in greeting to the additional Bayushi.

"A pleasure to meet you, Bayushi-san. He may need you if we can lure him out hiking to the remote onsen and mountaintop. Who knows what terrors the jungle holds? But I am hoping to find all the native birds and record their songs and appearances. So I can make Nakahama-specific avi-drones."

[Susumu Sumiko]

There was some amusement when the Crane turned out to be an outdoorswoman and the Scorpion turned out to be the shut in.

"There is no subject I don't find interesting Kakita-sama" Sumiko replied with a smile "however my main studies of late have been around habitats and animal mannerisms as I assist with helping to bring the first sanctuary in the Spider worlds to life. There are a lot of not well documented creatures across the worlds so it's been a challenge to get the information together. However duty called me here instead so maybe I can study the animals here. Speaking of..." she looked to the Cranes mechanical birds " one thing I did note in my research is there are many animals that would not know that your wonderfully crafted birds are not in fact real so I might suggest not letting them roam free lest a large eagle swoops in to steal one thinking that it may be lunch."

Then another member of the Scorpion arrived. There was a small chuckle at the sight as Sumiko mentally ticked off why Kazushi got delayed.

"Bayushi-sama has come very well protected. Some hosts might find question it but I can understand wanting to be secure when travelling to an unknown place. Good to meet you also Bayushi-sama" she bowed to Hinata "I believe the shuttles were previously on the hour but they may have changed the schedule based on the extra guests the governor is expecting."

She turned to look out of the window with a thoughtful expression.

"The waters depth and colour along with the climate would suggest smaller faster sea life due to hotter waters. Any larget sea life would need to move slower. Jungles also lean more towards creatures that are agile and strong as well. Large cats and lizards aplenty."

[Kakita Hiroki]

With a pile of luggage, on the newest looking luggage cart he could find, and therefore still shiny, someone emerged from customs. Well you assumed there was someone and the pile of powder blue, white and silver cases, very expensive cases, wasn't just piloting itself around the station. There was also the swishing sound coming from behind the cart. Like sheets of expensive silk rubbing against each other.

The mystery was solved when a small coral haired face tilted almost horizontal appeared to one side, long braid hanging almost to the floor, obviously trying to see what was ahead of him.

"Damnit . . . can't see where I'm going with this and everything piled up so high. Why wasn't there a longer one?"

[Kakita Haruhi]

There was some amusement when the Crane turned out to be an outdoorswoman and the Scorpion turned out to be the shut in.

"There is no subject I don't find interesting Kakita-sama" Sumiko replied with a smile "however my main studies of late have been around habitats and animal mannerisms as I assist with helping to bring the first sanctuary in the Spider worlds to life. There are a lot of not well documented creatures across the worlds so it's been a challenge to get the information together. However duty called me here instead so maybe I can study the animals here. Speaking of..." she looked to the Cranes mechanical birds " one thing I did note in my research is there are many animals that would not know that your wonderfully crafted birds are not in fact real so I might suggest not letting them roam free lest a large eagle swoops in to steal one thinking that it may be lunch."

"

Haruhi smiled. "Oh how thrilling to meet another student of animal mannerisms! I'm rather obsessively focused on birds, but it does require a bit of study of the other animals in the ecosystem so you can find the birds. How fortunate to have met you. I do hope you'll consider coming along to explore."

"I"d love to hear more about the sanctuaries you are building. Are they to preserve specific animals? Like on Golden Mirror?"

"You are quite right about the avi-drones. They are for people to enjoy, not for other animals. On expedition, I will bring recording equipment, but it won't need to be bird-shaped."

With a pile of luggage, on the newest looking luggage cart he could find, and therefore still shiny, someone emerged from customs. Well you assumed there was someone and the pile of powder blue, white and silver cases, very expensive cases, wasn't just piloting itself around the station. There was also the swishing sound coming from behind the cart. Like sheets of expensive silk rubbing against each other.

The mystery was solved when a small coral haired face tilted almost horizontal appeared to one side, long braid hanging almost to the floor, obviously trying to see what was ahead of him.

"Damnit . . . can't see where I'm going with this and everything piled up so high. Why wasn't there a longer one?"

She turned at the commotion and ... that face...

It couldn't be.

It was!

She gave a shriek proper only in ... no, not even in a schoolgirl ...

"Usagi Drop! is here!"

Did she then look past the approaching young man with the braids for other members of the group. Possibly.

But seeing none, she hurried to help him steady his luggage pile.

"Kakita Hiroki-sama? Ki-kun? Can it be? Here, let me help you."

[Kakita Hiroki]

Did he jump at the shriek? An experienced member of the World of Idols on yet another marketing trip? Yes, maybe a little. It had ben rather high pitched and unexpected. He'd also absolutely not gone incognito, he wasn't even wearing the time honoured Shades of "You Shouldn't Recognise Me Right Now".

Perhaps he should have. Oh well, water under the bridge now.

"Oh, Kakita-san. You don't know how happy I am to find another Crane here so early in my trip and . . . . wait . . . . do I know you?"

He looked puzzled and did that thing people do staring off to the right while they try to recall a true memory. Or was if left?

He was wearing a cutting edge pair of silver silk wide pants . . . that had creases that could actually be cutting edges as they swished around, always returning to the memory silk pattern and never creasing. There was a powder blue beret tucked in the waistband for later and he'd paired it with a silver and blue striped sleeveless tight top.

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi recovered her composure (mostly) and took a very deep breath.

"Oh ... no ... we've never met. I enjoy your music. Usagi Drop! A fan. I'm ... ummm ... Kakita Haruhi. It is nice to meet another Crane here."

She gave a very deep bow. Her three hovering songbird avi-drones nodded in perfectly executed choreography to her bow.

"There are several of us waiting for the next shuttle if you'd like some company. Though I quite understand if you wish not to be disturbed, Kakita-sama." Her pale cheeks burned with shame. Something she should have considered a trifle sooner.

A decisive step backward. Another equally un-stealthy step backward. Somehow she was making herself even smaller than her 4'11 frame. Shrinking. Hiding behind his pile of suitcases.

[Bayushi Kazushi]

Kazushi looks to Hinata, slightly confused. "Usagi Drop?"

[Bayushi Hinata]

With a pile of luggage, on the newest looking luggage cart he could find, and therefore still shiny, someone emerged from customs. Well you assumed there was someone and the pile of powder blue, white and silver cases, very expensive cases, wasn't just piloting itself around the station. There was also the swishing sound coming from behind the cart. Like sheets of expensive silk rubbing against each other.

The mystery was solved when a small coral haired face tilted almost horizontal appeared to one side, long braid hanging almost to the floor, obviously trying to see what was ahead of him.

"Damnit . . . can't see where I'm going with this and everything piled up so high. Why wasn't there a longer one?"

The Scorpions nodded politely to the spider as she acknowledged his presence. He looked relaxed, he wasn't expecting danger to befall his charge anytime soon, or at all, he had been chosen because he knew how to make himself useful in other ways than simply shooting guns and swinging his blade.

His train of thought is interrupted as the Kakita shrieks in wonder. He blinks a few times before turning around and staring, tilting his head and raising an eyebrow... Then both! No way a celebrity like Kakita Hiroki of "Usagi Drop" was in the same planet as him, let alone breathing the same recirculated air.

He rushes besides Haruhi, enthusiastically nodding along with their conversation while helping manage the Idol's luggage.

[Bayushi Kazushi]

"Someone important, I suppose?" Kazushi asks, looking back to the tiny Spider.

[Susumu Sumiko]

Sumiko didn't get a chance to respond to the Kakita songbird when yet another famous person turned up and half the group vanished. She turned to look at the person for a few moments before an "oh" and a small chuckle as she looked back at the other half of the conversation abandoned for the star.

"I know of them. Kakita Hiroki, part of the Crane pop group 'Usagi Drop'. Quite famous in some circles, Kakita Hiroki-sama is known as the quiet member of the band but a very talented member of the group. The glue that keeps their harmony together one might say if they listen to the bands music."

There was a small shrug, before a small smile appeared on her face.

"Basically Bayushi-sama, your entrance got one-upped by a galactic superstar. I've met two of the band prior and they attract attention everywhere so it's to be expected. If it helps I think your entrance had more pull to it, but music is hard to battle."

[Kakita Haruhi]

His train of thought is interrupted as the Kakita shrieks in wonder. He blinks a few times before turning around and staring, tilting his head and raising an eyebrow... Then both! No way a celebrity like Lakota Hiroki of "Usagi Drop" was in the same planet as him, let alone breathing the same recirculated air.

He rushes besides Haruhi, enthusiastically nodding along with their conversation while helping manage the Idol's luggage.

Haruhi glanced over at the arriving Scorpion guard. Oh dear! She had probably given the impression they were under attack with her entirely inappropriate shriek.

She turned to him.

"Bayushi Hinata-san, forgive me. There is no trouble. I was only excited to see..." And then she caught sight of his enthusiastic expression.

She smiled. Relieved. "Oh! Are you a fan, too?"

[Bayushi Hinata]

"Oh please Kakita-san do not worry! I just felt a proper lady like yourself shouldn't help a fellow samurai on your own."

He gave her a calm, confident smile, sly eyes accompanying the reassuring gesture for a few valiant seconds before his eyes turn towards Hiroki and it all falls apart into barely restrained excitement.

"And also yes... I am a fan of Hiroki-san's work. My younger sister is quite smitten with him actually."

[Bayushi Kazushi]

Kazushi also shrugs. "I have to admit that I don't pay much attention to the artists behind the music, unless they're under contract with us for something."

[Kakita Haruhi]

"Oh please Kakita-san do not worry! I just felt a proper lady like yourself shouldn't help a fellow samurai on your own."

He gave her a calm, confident smile, sly eyes accompanying the reassuring gesture for a few valiant seconds before his eyes turn towards Hiroki and it all falls apart into barely restrained excitement.

"And also yes... I am a fan of Hiroki-san's work. My younger sister is quite smitten with him actually."

A proper lady! That was kind of him.

Gosh these Scorpion men were distractingly handsome. She was a Kakita. She could admire aesthetics. It wasn't just the elegant traditional clothes. He was so tall! And a bit dangerous. And those icy blue eyes - was there a Crane somewhere in his family? That confident smile. Oh! It was because he wasn't hiding his whole face with a mask. It was just hanging there to the side of his head, not hiding anything.

"Their performances are so splendid. The dancing is ... how could anyone not be a little smitten? Doji Yuta-sama does their choreography!"

"I can't imagine performing for such enormous audiences, too."

"I have an older sister. She's much more comfortable in front of crowds."

"Oh, Kakita-san. You don't know how happy I am to find another Crane here so early in my trip and . . . . wait . . . . do I know you?"

She glanced back to Kakita-sama. "Are all of Usagi Drop! coming? Are you going to be performing here?"

[Susumu Sumiko]

Kazushi also shrugs. "I have to admit that I don't pay much attention to the artists behind the music, unless they're under contract with us for something."

"I know of the artists, it's impossible not to within the Spider with a famous artist like Susumu Yakumo in our ranks. There's always a debate about who is better, Usagi Drop or Yakumo" Sumiko chuckled as she watched the two samurai near enough trip over each other to help the other Crane.

"Still, I might have little interest in being famous but having people running over to help me move my luggage around would be a bonus. Something I'm sure Bayushi-sama also enjoys in his position?"

[Kakita Hiroki]

After spending some time corralling his luggage to make sure it didn't make an attempt to escape back to Crane space, Ki-kun swished his way over to the main group, producing a very practised stage bow at the end of the stroll.

"Apologies for stealing any spotlights." He glanced at Hinata. " . . . or yojimbo. When your job is promoting Crane culture across the stars, you tend to pick up a few fans. Kakita Hiroki at your service."

He grinned.

"Did I hear someone mention Ya-chan? Good job Naz-kun isn't here to go ballistic. I'd prefer a more sedate landing on the planet than one fuelled by and angry diva's spite."