(Day 2, Late Afternoon) Fly Like a...Scorpion

[Bayushi Kazushi]

"The Ethereal Sunset," he says immediately, although even he doesn't seem sure where the name came from.

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka nods.

"A very suitable name, Bayushi-san, very fashionable." she offers.

She entered the last few bits of data and the transaction was complete.

"Ah, just in case you hadn't heard, Bayushi-san, we're hosting a party tomorrow in the (early evening) on the Azure Dragon in collaboration with them. We thought some night flying over the waves might look particularly striking. You are welcome to come and compete or simply socialize as you see fit. And thank you for your custom." she offered with a bow.,

[Bayushi Kazushi]

"I think I'll be there," Kazushi says with a nod. "I've been meaning to visit the Azure Dragon, and that sounds like a good excuse."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka nods.

"It's a fine ship and Yoritomo-san is a charming hostess. I'll look forward to seeing you their Bayushi-san." she offered sincerely.

[Bayushi Kazushi]

"I have to wonder how it will be for someone who's not much for gambling," admits Kazushi. "I suppose the drone battles will keep me occupied, though. I am getting a bit of a late start, after all, so I've got to make up for lost time."

[Yasuki Taraka]

HInata smiles a bit like that.

"As long as you don't apply that attitude to the gambling tables you should be fine. The house always wins after all." she quipped. "Even if there was that one movie with the monk who was 'The Natural' Led a pious life seeking enlightenment in a monastery, then suddenly left one day, walked into a gambling house and cleaned them out and not with a broom."

[Bayushi Kazushi]

"I saw that one," Kazushi says with a slight smile. "A little 'out there', I thought, but enjoyable enough. I don't plan on doing much gambling - as you say, the House always wins, and I prefer better odds."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka nodded.

"A fair critque, Bayushi-san. But not every movie needs to be an artistic masterpiece, sometimes you just need an amusing story to pass some time. Do you have any particular favorite when it comes to movies?" she asked.

[Bayushi Kazushi]

"Oh, that's an easy one - Miraikan," answers Kazushi. "An interesting study of the boundary between fantasy and reality, and a wonderful critique of how far people will go just to have something to believe in."

[Yasuki Taraka]

She hadn't seen it, but it certainly SOUNDED very Scorpion.

"Hmmm, I'll have to see if I can rent that some time. The stores tend to very strongly favor Silver Fin productions, but every once in awhile we get a foreign film if it's particularly good and clears the standards set by the culture office." she offered.

[Bayushi Kazushi]

"It's a Phoenix production - a rarity that alone makes it worthy of notice," he explains. "A trio of Asako scholars amuse themselves by inventing a fully fictional conspiracy, only to find that people who hear about it take it far more seriously than they'd expected. I'm not sure how widely circulated it still is, but there's not too much objectionable about it, so I doubt the culture office would have a problem."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka smiles.

":That does sound pretty good. Stories where things start out harmless, even good, only to spiral out of control. Have you seen, 'A Memorable Memorial'? The one with the broke samurai trying to raise funds for the memorial service of his presumed dead mentor." she asked.

[Bayushi Kazushi]

Kazushi has to pause to think a bit about that one.

"No, I don't think I have," he finally says. "I'll have to track that one down, though, because that might be to Namiko's taste."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka tilted her head at the unfamiliar name.

"Interesting, Bayushi-san. Is she a big film aficionado?" she asked.

[Bayushi Kazushi]

"My wife," Kazushi says, realizing he'd not mentioned her previously. "She's not particularly a film buff, but she started watching more during the late stages of pregnancy. Kijuro keeps her busy enough now, but she could probably do with something to keep her mind active while he sleeps."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Husband and father? Well that was surprising. The Scorpion looked like he'd still be hitting the dancefloor at the club, not raising a child.

"Hmmm, sound sleeper huh? I hear that's often the hard part getting them to sleep through the night." she mused.

[Bayushi Kazushi]

"We've been lucky so far, although that may have changed while I've been away," he says with a shrug. "I wasn't keen on leaving them, not after only four months, but her family and mine have enough servants to ease Namiko's burden. Indeed, her parents were keen on seeing their grandchild, so I don't doubt she's back in Kyuden Otomo with them."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Ah what problem couldn't be solved with servants?

"Understandable, but Duty sends us where we must go. I might not have a flesh and blood child to worry after, but if I were suddenly called upon to take a business trip to a Scorpion planet, I'd definitely be scrambling to make sure everything could run smoothly here without me...and then still be thinking about it while I was away." she said. "It would be interesting though, who knows what new opportunities would be there?"

[Bayushi Kazushi]

"New opportunities?" he asks of no one in particular.

He glances outside, almost as if he were really looking at the planet for the first time. Considering what it would be like to relocate here.

"Perhaps," he continues, "but Namiko's political ambitions may not be so easily swayed. Make no mistake - I find this a pleasant world, and your governor a most fascinating and entertaining hostess, but this is far from my wife's normal environs in Kyuden Doji."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka followed the Scorpion's gaze.

"Oh no, I would never suggest the island as a political stronghold." she agreed. "Too far from the action. Now as a retreat, however, it's quite excellent. Pack a shuttle with some high powered courtiers, ship them here, and let the tropic heat wear down their tightly wound guard. It's good to get away and talk somewhere remote from time to time, ne?"