Nakahama

Iwane chuckled, offering Senshuken a coy smile. Flustered, she was cute. "Ah, I don't think I'd be brave enough," he shook his head. "Though, if I were certain that the person entertaining me had ulterior motives, I might play along for a little. Try to figure out what they exactly want." He couldn't help but wonder if Senshuken was actually an asset. If she were, her cover was immaculate. "If I had no idea?" Iwane shrugged.

"I would be inclined to think that such things happen far less often in real life," he added dryly. "Considering how many diplomats there are running around."

"Diplomats?" She repeats. "You mean that there are not so many assets or that they would probably target diplomats instead of scientists?"

"No, diplomats are the assets. Courtiers are everywhere. The have a reason to talk to most people. Think." He looked markedly at the scantily clad Scorpion. "But not like every diplomat can be a spy."

"Damn it! It would be cool if I became a diplomat slash spy! Quite the thrill!"

She laughs for a moment. "Which is probably what a spy would say to cover up their tracks."

"More thrill than riding a bike?" Both professions sounded rather dangerous. "You would make an excellent spy, Bayushi-san." Iwane mused sincerely. "No-one would ever think you were an asset."

"Is that a compliment?" She shrugs almost playfully. "Nothing can be compared to bike racing. Nothing. That would be thrilling in a different way, I suppose. Small dosages, but on a continuous flow." Once again she waves her hand. "What would you do if you were free to choose whatever? Apart from a scientist with a nda."

"Bayushi-san can take it as one," he offered. "It certainly sounds thrilling. I can't say I've ever raced, so I can only guess how it might feel."

"As for me." Iwane looked up, thoughtful. "Traditionally my kin have hunted for the Tainted and the Tsukai." He sounded a little amused, thoughtful as he was. "In this day and age, many still work with the magistrates. So I suppose I could have become one."

"I don't mind my duty, Bayushi-san. Science might not sound very glorious, but like many things, it is something someone has to do." There was a sense of conviction in his voice. "How about Bayushi-san? If you had to stop racing, what would you do?"

"Die on the spot?" She chuckles. "Just kidding. I am trained as a courtier anf recently I bought the patent for a new alloy that allows the construction of motors that work in higher pressure and temperature levels. If I had to quit racing, I would focus on engineering, I suppose, while doing my duty in courts."

"A little drastic, no?" An eyebrow rose. "Ah, mhmhm. How did you end up racing then? I doubt that the Scorpion have a dojo for bikers." She could hear a hint of mirth in his voice. "Oh really?" The mention of the alloy seemed to catch his attention. "Is that just for racing, or for normal vehicles too? I'd assume that the price of the alloy would dictate how freely it can be used."

"My father was a racer when he was younger. I don't know," she shrugs. "It always felt like the most natural thing in the world. Driving, going fast and eventually racing."

"The alloy is still being tested, but the initial results are very good so far. The price depends on demand and of course on the investments. The larger the scale of production, the lower the price."