[Day 8, MA] Something Simple

[Yasuki Umiko]

Umiko gave a blink as she found herself remembering Kaito once more and merely dipped her head at the gesture. "Thank you, Nagisa-san...It's been a shock to the family. And, I suppose, I do have you to thank in regard to your advice and protection. The magistrates did say that I was supposedly an intended target. It might have been a bit of temporary oversight to overlook the escort. I've not been thinking correctly."

She would pause as she offered a glance between Nagisa and Honoka, looking a bit conflicted. Perhaps caught unaware at something Nagisa had decided to bring up in public. Her gaze went down as she brushed some hair behind her ear. "...ah, maybe I should drop by, sometime, yes. Honoka-chan might be interested, but we'll see. I don't want to bother her busy schedule."

Her gaze would wordlessly go to Honoka, recalling that this meeting in the park was so hard to arrange as it was.

[Yasuki Honoka]

Something was being communicated in the smaller incidental gestures Honoka would have otherwise focused on. However, the concept that Umiko might have been a target seemed to leave her mind occupied for a moment. Almost too easily able to be caught mid emotional thought, she blinked and swept herself right back into the performance of conversation.

"I am a little uncertain of what I am being invited to," she admits openly, offering a generally pointed smile which turns toward Umiko specifically. Catching Umiko's gaze there was a moment of searching. Searching which didn't seem to detect an answer being provided to her to parrot, and thus having the opportunity to answer for herself,"However, I am certain I can manage to find some time in order to make another meeting work."

"Then I would also be afforded the chance to get to know you better as well, Yasuki Nagisa-san. Which all that I have learned of you in the recent moments suggests that it would be an exciting endeavor," she offers pleasantly.

[Yasuki Umiko]

Umiko bit her lower lip in a subtle frown on her features when Honoka might have given the answer she wasn't quite wanting. It was unfortunate that she couldn't quite read her mind, but it wasn't like Umiko could tell her what to say, or give enough of an obvious hint with the present company.

***
Investigation(Notice)/Awareness check for Honoka!

[Yasuki Nagisa]

Nagisa smiled at Honoka's openness to join them and seemed quite pleased by her answer on the other hand. "Wonderful, I'm glad to hear that you're open to joining us, Yasuki-san. I would love to get to know you more. A friend of Umiko-chan could easily be considered a friend of mine."

Her expression softened as she looked to Honoka, seemingly opening a bit about herself. "My time is limited between duties, I'll have you know. Between trips to Unicorn space, the World of Dreams, and even Mantis space...I don't have many opportunities to make friends. Only momentary encounters here and there, my time with them is memorable, so so little chance to sit down and actually connect. It's part of the reason why I envy people like Umiko-chan, and it would be nice to change that. She is quite inspiring." She said with a glance at Umiko.

She took off her hat and bent down so that she could face Crabbo face to face. "That's a very cute plushy you have there, Yasuki-san. Does he or she have a name?"

[Yasuki Honoka]

"Crabbo," she would report, taking the moment to find some kind of ease in the unease of having this woman in front of her like that. That ease, perhaps, was found in the conspiratorial nature of doing her best to gauge Umiko in the moment. Eyes sharpening, deciphering language from expressions both micro and macro.

"He was a gift from my mother when I was little. I've spent no small amount of resources keeping him this well taken care of," she admits, why did she admit that??

Day 8, MA | Investigation vs Umiko. V for skill! | 4k3 ⇒ 29

[Yasuki Umiko]

It seemed that Umiko looked a bit uncomfortable ever since the offered invitation to Honoka, yet probably didn't want to say or discourage otherwise at the moment.

[Yasuki Nagisa]

"Crabbo," she would report, taking the moment to find some kind of ease in the unease of having this woman in front of her like that. That ease, perhaps, was found in the conspiratorial nature of doing her best to gauge Umiko in the moment. Eyes sharpening, deciphering language from expressions both micro and macro.

"He was a gift from my mother when I was little. I've spent no small amount of resources keeping him this well taken care of," she admits, why did she admit that??

"Pleased to meet you, Crabbo-kun," Nagisa said with a tip of her head, as if to show a semblance of a bow from her lowered position. "You are very lucky to have a friend who is willing to take care of you in such a fashion. If I had such a cherished friend, I would also throw all of my resources into keeping them well taken care of, too. This goes the same when it comes to encouraging them, making their shell strong so that they could take on anything thrown their way."

She smiled softly and looked up at Honoka with those blue eyes of hers, perhaps some obvious Crane ancestry in her line. "Please continue to take care of Crabbo-kun, Yasuki-san. I'm sure he'll thank you in return someday, in what little way he can."

[Yasuki Honoka]

"I wouldn't expect that of him," she says, patting the plushie on his head. "Taking care of him as I have is its own reward, I think. Otherwise it would just be an exchange of goods and services," she would allow herself to muse while pondering how best to salvage things. Knowing now the wrong turn she had taken prior.

"Have you perhaps considered a pet, Yasuki-san? I have recently met a Tamori who takes absolutely wonderful care of this precious little dog. She too made me think of how my crab back in my penthouse is also like a pet. They may not be as easy to manage as a plush worn on the hip. However, perhaps a pet that could return it's love to you would be exactly the kind of friend you might find to be a very rewarding experience. I would think!"

The moment to strike a correction wouldn't surface just yet though, but it would certainly arrive. Dodging was an art, and one a woman like Honoka was well primed for.

[Yasuki Nagisa]

"No, I suppose not everything should be transactional," she said with a small smile, with a momentary glance to Umiko, who was keeping begrudgingly quiet at the moment. "Even as a Yasuki, that's taking a step a little too far between shown appreciation and adorable companions, right?"

Nagisa would slowly return upright and put on her naval officer's hat once more. She let out a deep sigh, on the side of purposely dramatic. "No, I do not unfortunately...Pets aren't ever a good idea on ships that sometimes do long-haul transports of goods. You could feasibly keep a pet on a ship, but you can't provide things like fresh air or constant attention. Locking one in the tight quarters of an old Crab battleship is too cruel a fate to give to any loving pet. Maybe even unfitting for humans, too."

She presented an optimistic smile once more. "However, I think I'd rather focus my attention on providing for my friends, put my energy into showering them with bits of my appreciation sometimes. Maybe not too different from an auntie who provides for her nephews and nieces, letting them run away with their gifts before she heads off again. Or maybe like a big sister."

There was a glance given to Umiko. "Or, like a bigger sister, maybe. Someone you can lean on and help, all while the smaller sister is running around doing her own thing. Seeing someone else doing well is indeed a very rewarding experience, Yasuki-san."

[Yasuki Honoka]

Watching the way Nagisa kept looking to Umiko, the thought not shared, the discomfort. Admittedly, perhaps she's already tarry'd too long in this. Maybe she should have acted sooner, but should haves don't matter if they get in the way of will have, and should do, and so:

"Well, this has been an excellent opportunity to meet you Yasuki-san. As well, I am glad to have gotten a better sense of your character, and who you are, that you appear involved in the life of a dear friend," she says, with a tone that implies a far greater neutral use of the word "involved" than one might normally. "However, I must ask if it is alright I reclaim my time with her now? As it was mentioned, I am a rather busy woman I have enjoyed this opportunity much. However, there is still more I owe to Umiko-chan today that I must attend, and I shouldn't further misuse the time away from work I have made."

[Yasuki Nagisa]

Nagisa would easily cede to Honoka's wishes with an easy smile on her lips. "Of course, Yasuki-san, I was just passing by, and I didn't mean to take up all of your time with Umiko-chan. It's just been so difficult to catch her face-to-face, and I let the excitement...and my unfounded concern get the better of me. My apologies for the intrusion. However, it would be wonderful if we could meet again, either of you. We are all very connected together now."

She would dip down in a deep bow with a slight air of flourish on her part. "Have a pleasant and blessed day, I mean that sincerely from my heart to both of you. Please excuse me now."

With that, Nagisa casually continued on the path she was walking on by sheer coincidence, right?

/exit

[Yasuki Umiko]

Umiko would remain quiet until she was sure that Nagisa was away of earshot, although her expression seemed to say that she might be entirely sure with her estimation.

"Sorry for the intrusion, Honoka-chan," she would say with a bow before returning to her seat on the bench, if she hadn't already. "That was a bit of a sudden and unexpected encounter...much of what she said was right about the escort, and I do her some thanks. To have you involved was a bit unexpected, that's all. She's just an associate of mine, that's all."

[Yasuki Honoka]

Honoka watches Nagisa leave. There is no intent to the obscurity that falls over her expression, but it is the natural byproduct of the way Honoka looks when she's focusing on the details. Like she might simply divine the answers to what was going on just now by looking hard enough. However, these answers were rarely that obvious and usually only existed in spaces that weren't altogether physical. Sitting back down with Umiko she wouldn't speak for a little longer than was likely comfortable. Allowing the moment of them being back together without the outside influence to settle into being.

"I have something I would like to say about what happened just now with Yasuki Nagisa, Umiko-chan. Something I am worried, I admit, will be too bold of a thing to say. However, before I do..." she would turn to look at her meeting her eyes for a moment but then finding herself too self conscious to maintain it so directly. There was something decisive in those eyes, determination. "You were going to reveal something to me before she arrived. I wouldn't want you to miss your opportunity to do so. After all, you seemed to have gathered yourself up to be quite brave."

[Yasuki Umiko]

Umiko gave a blink at the question, and her posture went upright, almost having forgotten about the courage that she had about getting something off her chest. It almost seemed like Umiko had to find her lines again, all while her script had been torn up into pieces and cast to the wind. Nagisa's appearance, whether intentionally or not, did a good job of deflating her courage and taking that wind away from her lungs.

She found herself looking at the ground, searching for answers. Was it the worst thing she could be telling her right now? Or did she have bigger fish to fry now?

"...I'm the one who's been spreading bad rumours about Ayame, it was me," she said it plainly and to the point.

[Yasuki Honoka]

Honoka didn't respond right away, but when Umiko would check it would not be shock or disapproval or really any emotion she might have suspected would be there. No, Honoka was taking the information in and pointedly processing it. Giving it time to let the revelation sit with her rather than rushing for a response. This might be less than usual for most, but it was Honoka.

"Then things are rather complicated, it would seem," she says passively. With intent looking to Umiko, nodding, "Thank you for trusting me with this information Umiko-chan. That you would trust me with this I think only lends a bit more strength to what I'm about to say," she says, with a muted chuckle.

"Your relationship with this Yasuki Nagisa appears complicated, and I know you are not telling me the whole truth in regards to it. Yet, I do not want to pressure you to reveal anything to me. So do not, if you do not wish. She appears to be a pretty confident woman, and lax with social norms perhaps.. in a way that is a little disconcerting, and I am certain in other lights could be quite attractive. Suppose that depends on her character, and the one making the judgement though," she shakes her head, not the point.

"However you wish me to handle interactions with her in the future, I will so so. As well, as far as this meeting she offered? It would appear that my schedule might be rather tight moving forward and I regrettably don't know if I can make that meeting," she says, looking to Umiko like she's setting up a grand conspiracy with the gravity she allows herself to hold.

[Yasuki Umiko]

Umiko internally braced for the worst after her words, throwing it out in the wind and letting the fates. Or the gods of the Sky, sort things out. While she didn't doubt her friendship with Honoka, some things just didn't seem like they would be excusable. Except, it was just accepted, for now at least.

She gave a few sure nods of her head when she said she wouldn't be attending. Seemingly relieved at first, steering her friend away from potential uncertain that she didn't feel comfortable with, but this weight that she was keeping secrets from her friend still seemed a bit much to bear. Her first confession helped, but it felt like the cancer returned after a very brief remission in her heart. Everything still seemed so dark and uncertain. That was likely twice the case for someone on the outside, like Honoka.

"...I'm also involved with the Temple of Light, Honoka-chan, I'm one of their biggest supporters," she would tell her as her next point.

[Yasuki Honoka]

Honoka once again repeated that familiar process: Silence, contemplation, and then finally, "I am not as familiar with them, and their practices as I would now like. That way I could better understand the fuller scope of what you're telling me. Maybe then I wouldn't have so many questions as to feel like I cannot possibly address them all. I know of them of course, I have heard things in passing, but they have never been a focus," she sighs deeply. "Few things have been a focus beside that what must be."

"I will then ask one question," she says, her fingers laying out across Crabbo as she pulls him into her lap. "Is there something about your support of them you would wish I know most?"

[Yasuki Umiko]

"I see..." Umiko let out a sigh, wondering if the lack of backlash over her reveals was more ignorance of the topic than actual forgiveness. Not that she could imagine Honoka being upset with her but there was some self-awareness that it could be seen as heretical, potentially.

Her gaze went to Crabbo momentarily, suddenly finding herself a bit envious of having a comfort companion at a time like this. It felt tense, suffocating, but empty at the same time. Maybe she was hoping that Honoka would have the answers to her unmentioned problem, but that wasn't going to be the case if she wanted to keep her safe. Even with the truth out, she felt like she was wandering in the open and going only on a limb.

She took in a breath and gave her an answer, "...I suppose to get to the point, I suppose I've been doing my best to fund them personally and ensure that money goes towards helping people of Tenjin Town, outside of the abilities of the Public Work office. It hasn't been easy, for many reasons. Even with much of the province's power at my disposal, I can only do so much within my boundaries to keep it proper. I have been told that potentially, if I were governor, I could have control over that."

[Yasuki Honoka]

Honoka's brow raises with that connecting factor, but still she repeats that process. Almost like all the information has been added into some old computing software and you have to wait for the results to pop out. Except when it came to Honoka there wasn't any fun whirring sounds or flashing lights, there was just a woman sitting there petting her plush in a park. Honoka smiles, and nods to some internally posed question.

"Then it all makes sense. You wish to be governor over your sister so you might do better by the people that are better supported by this temple. That is the Umiko-chan I remember. Well, the helping- the being kind even if things are complicated. Now," she says, she's looking to Umiko directly now. Crabbo has been lifted with her hands to lay more forward on her legs by her knees as she shifts her whole body to face Umiko as much as the bench would allow. "Why though are these people unable to be helped by the office of public works? I assume there is a very troublesome complicating factor, considering this is the way you are going about it, but I shouldn't allow myself to guess at such things."

[Yasuki Umiko]

Umiko smiled momentarily at the bit of radiance shown by Honoka, it was at least enough to make her believe that she was in the right in that regard. At least, until the matter of managing governance shifted to her again. Her gaze went down to Crabbo for a moment before looking back up to Honoka, as she turned to face her as well, so she could explain at length. "...Well, the priorities are on the city, first and foremost. Our resources are meant to cater to the samurai, merchants, and places of commerce, which are all centralized in Nakahama City. Only after that is addressed can we focus on Tenjin Town afterwards."

She nodded slowly, "There are some provisions installed on that end of the island, a Public Works office, to ensure that they are seen to on their own, but their resources are minimal compared to those in the city. Even then, it is more focused on the Uomoto Co. food plants and productions, as well as the other businesses there. Homes and places not considered part of the industry are overlooked. It will be rather clear if resources are evened out and shifted over to that part of the island, where there will be an uproar with the businesses in Nakahama City over that allocation. Ayame-chan won't allow it."