D5MM, Out for a Ride (Expecting, but technically Open)

[Miya Kisha]

"I think that was one of the elder Dragon," Kisha says, "maybe Mirumoto himself. But I'm not as up on philosophy as I probably ought to be. Above my head, as it were."

She smiles at the joke at her own expense and continues.

"But hobbyists making trouble? Oh, yes, that's happened. There was an instance on Shissona, for example, where a young man named Egubato supposedly took his own life in a school's service tunnels; that was linked to his hobbying, although it turned out he didn't actually die.

"Then there was that whole fracas with Hipparu, stirring up claims that some similar game was actually a cult. Magistrates got involved, even, and in some of the less-traveled worlds, there were arrests and investigations, although they never ended up going anywhere.

"And there was the Hikariko scandal, too. All kinds of cheating at cards, all kinds of criminal support linked up into it. That ended up being a major fraud scandal. There were even some Seppun who got caught up in all of it, which is a scary thought.

"So, yeah, people make trouble about it. Even if it's not some big thing like Egubato or Hipparu, it happens. And that's a shame, really. There are so many other things to do!"

[Moto Shiwahime]

Shiwahime was quite flabbergasted by the idea the some would go to such length for hobbies.

''Fuck...their lives must be sad. For hobbies...sheesh''

She shook her head

''But I think you are right...the guy who said that was an old man in a dragon onesie...so that fits''

[Miya Kisha]

"Well," Kisha replies, "some folks don't have the excellent example of Moto-san to inspire them."

Her delivery is entirely straight on that line.

"A lot of people don't have a lot in their lives to give them any kind of joy," she continues. "So those few things that do, or that at least help some of the hurt go away, well, they become important. It's misguided, sure, and it goes to bad places, but how many have done atrocities believing them to the in keeping with the order of things? Even those who serve whom they ought err in such ways, more's the pity."

She shakes her head.

"I'm not excusing them, of course," the Miya adds. "But I can understand how it happens."

[Moto Shiwahime]

The Moto didn't qui catch what the Miya had meant in her first line and she observed her with a quizzical expression before answering the last bit

''Yeah...that's why I said that their lives must be sad...''

She frowned, not sure of where to go with the conversation now

[Miya Kisha]

Kisha is not out of ideas, not by half.

"What brings you joy, Moto-san?" she asks. "What is it that makes your heart pound gladly, that brings a smile to that face?"

[Moto Shiwahime]

''Huh'' She thought, not sure if there was something off or not ''I do like a good ride, covering the distance, seeing the land change. The more speed the better. I feel like that's not very surprising though.''

She briefly observed the fields

''Having a good drink or a good bit of grub with friends is also nice...oh, and I do enjoy theatre once in a while. Fitness also helps me clear my head....hum...What do you like Miya-sama?''

[Miya Kisha]

Kisha chuckles.

"It's not a surprise that you like the speed, Moto-san, no," she says, but she smiles as she says it. "Nor yet that you like a good meal and a good drink. They're all fine things, and enjoyed by many."

She takes a deep breath, sighs it out.

"I like a good meal, too," the Miya continues, "and probably more drink than I should--but I'm young enough to enjoy it for now. Better than that for me, though, is meeting new people to share them with. It's the best part about doing the work that I do, getting to meet people, all kinds of them. Sitting and talking with them, sharing a meal or a drink or a kind word, finding out what they love and why they love it, it's just the best! For me, at least.

"Maybe I'm still naive with youth," she adds. "But it's how it is for me."

[Moto Shiwahime]

Shiwahime laughed

''I still bet you drink less then me. Next time you want to go have at it, bring me along! I'll make you look reasonable by comparison. Aside from that I don't know why anyone would call you naive or anything. I'm not the most social person around but what you say sounds perfectly normal from where I sit.''

She shrugged

''I thought you were some kind of reporter back at the Skycarp''

[Miya Kisha]

"I'll take you up on the drinking," Kisha says. "And I am a kind of reporter," she continues. "Not for news or anything, though. I do short pop culture commentaries, so I have to do things like go to the fishmarket or pitch in with the children, big local things when I'm on site. FanCon, too. But what I'm trying to pivot to, what I think people want to see and would do well seeing, is more extended, personally focused stuff. Things like the interview you gave, or when I got to talk with the battle-carp runner. I suppose it moves towards something like pop culture documentaries, really.

"I'm working up to them," the Miya adds. "I'll get there, some day. Might even get so good as Ken-yakedo, someday."

[Moto Shiwahime]

''Dunno much about pop-culture but it sounds like you want to share...hum...'different facets of a shared humanity'.'' She was obviously quoting something

''A lot of people have interesting stories so...I think you are on the right track. Sound like social commentary''

[Miya Kisha]

"You know more about it than you think, Moto-san, I promise you," Kisha says. "Think about it: what racers do you watch?"

[Moto Shiwahime]

''I have not watched races in forever...even then I don't follow racers in particuliar. My unit doesn't watch much either.''

She paused, wondering how to explain

''You know what backseat driving is, right? Imagine watching a race with a dozen Moto...all of them backseat drivers and having big opinions about everything that's happening. With booze in, of course.''

She grimaced

''Bossman had to forbade us from watching for safety reasons''

[Miya Kisha]

Kisha chuckles.

"I can imagine why!" she says. "But it does sound like you had fun together in the moment. And that is as much a part of popular culture as anything else, well worth celebrating!

"But you commented about 'different facets of a shared humanity' just now. Where'd you come across that phrasing?"

[Moto Shiwahime]

"Oh! That was...from a play..." She smacked her lips, trying to fish the memory in her mind

"Shit...I forgot the title. It was in the same play as the guy in the dragon onesie...I think? I was a play made by monks to raise funds for their temple and for the repairs of the community center. They had good lines...but the acting was...hum...certainly present."

[Miya Kisha]

Kisha laughs again.

"You'll make a diplomat yet, Moto-san!" she says, still smiling. "Or a poet; I can see the stage and its actors in my mind already!

"But you said you like theatre, as well. What's your favorite play?"

Horse and bike continue along together.

[Moto Shiwahime]

''Oh, what wonders can the absence of budget do" she remembered the scene quite well ''You may have an idea...but trust me the real thing was was something else.''

She mused on her what her favorite play could be

''Red Potato'' came as her reply

[Miya Kisha]

"I don't think I've seen that one," Kisha replies. "Not surprising, really.

"Tell me about it?"

[Moto Shiwahime]

''Oh, yeah I am not surprised. You asked for my favorite play, not the best one.'' she replied, grinning wide

''Red Potato is a play done every year by heimin children on a planet I visited for work to thank the kami and the fortunes for a bountiful potato harvest, their staple crop. Long story short it's the story of a small brave potato saving it's potato familly while learning lessons about hard work and community.''

She couldn't resist smiling thinking back on it

''Most of the children were very young and while the lines were spoken by eight year old kid, or so, you had a bunch of much younger kids 'dancing' during some scenes. Imagine rows of three to five year olds, chubby cheeks and all, 'dancing' in home-made potato costumes. They were so fuckin' cute!''

[Miya Kisha]

"It sounds like it!" Kisha agrees. "I might like to see it sometime."

She pauses. "It wasn't a Sparrow world, was it? I know there are few enough of the Younger Clans' holdings, but for potatoes...it is an obvious ask, right?"

[Moto Shiwahime]

''Oh, no...we are clan magistrature so we keep to unicorn worlds. The village was called Akai Tsuchi, I think. I can send you the location by email, I should have it saved somewhere''