[Party Informal Event, RP Thread] - Dress to Excess RP (Day 3 Mid-Evening, Harbourfront Penthouse)

[Yasuki Taraka]

snip

Looking up from the slightly complicated task of scooping a cup of chocolate without dripping it across floor or costume, Hitomi smiles to see a familiar face in the unfamiliar outfit. "Ah, Yasuki-sama! It's a bit last minute, and may not last the night, but I'm glad it's been enjoyed." She offers a small bow of greeting, ignoring a bit of fabric slipping to the floor and leaving it there as the next fountain-goer drips chocolate across it.

"You've done a great job with this one, I was about to ask what had happened, but..surely the cast is a prop, yes?" Looking the costume up and down she pauses, "but I'm not entirely sure what iconic accident it's all meant to convey. The rest of the outfit doesn't support iconic industry accidents." Missing hands were frequent in some of the factory trades where a lack of attention could see one mangled in the machinery.

Taraka grinned.

"It is a prop...and one I wish I could just put down easily. I didn't realize just how itchy and constraining it was going to be." she admitted. "It's supposed to be 'The Spirit of Misfortune'.

She gestured to the poverty kanji on the tenkan.

"It's from an old Yasuki tale, about a spirt that stalks after traders who have obtained their wealth through sheer luck rather than hard work and intellect. Seeking to drain their good fortune and restore it to the universe as a whole. The bindings on the arm do represent injury, but in the tales when she's ready to balance the scales, they fall away and that is the hand she drains their fortune with." she lore dumps.

[Suzume Hitomi]

snip

"Ahhh, I hadn't heard that one, is it local lore? Or passed along from who knows when?" It was a very Yasuki sort of spirit. She peers at the cast. "Pity you couldn't engineer this one to fall away then. Easier to manage the party fare and spookier, given the story." She looks at the Yasuki's free hand and offers, "need help wrangling drink or food?"

[Yasuki Taraka]

snip

"Ahhh, I hadn't heard that one, is it local lore? Or passed along from who knows when?" It was a very Yasuki sort of spirit. She peers at the cast. "Pity you couldn't engineer this one to fall away then. Easier to manage the party fare and spookier, given the story." She looks at the Yasuki's free hand and offers, "need help wrangling drink or food?"

Taraka nodded.

"I suppose, but it's certainly up the cost and it'd be a pain to reset." she admits.

She looked at the chocolate fountain.....and the chocolate added to the waterfall.

"Ah, well, it's true I can only handle food or drink with the one hand but ahh, perhaps we should move away from the fountain, Suzume-san? While all the different options for dipping in the chocolate are intriguing, I don't think the intent was to add chocolate covered Sparrow to the menu." she said, gesturing towards the part of the waterfall dress that had already gotten chocolate on it with the cast.

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

"And so it shall." Akito turned to the bartender, raising a hand. "Drink for the la-... ah, for the General. Same as I'm having." He flashed her a quick smirk. "It's a local sake. Refined a little less than most commercial brands. Let me know if you enjoy it.

The bartender, bland-faced, slid a glass over the counter. Akito handed it to Suh-Hyun. "To mysteries." He said, raising his own glass and then sipping. "I guess I should share that I've been to my fair share of shipboard parties myself." Matching pieces in two different puzzles...

Akito's eyes narrowed. "Sounds like you enjoy going fast." He hesitated a moment. There was no good way to ask Say, are you a lesbian? Because if you are, I met this other gal... Clearing his throat, Akito smiled again. "It also sounds like maybe we should continue this conversation while dancing. Shall we?" He gestured out onto the dance floor.

"To mysteries." Suh-Hyun tipped the drink back and downed it, she managed a wink before her hand came up in a fist to cover her mouth. Surprisingly the breathing exercises she had learned as a pilot helped her turn a hacking cough into something much daintier, "...well that...hmm, like swallowing afterburner exhaust..." she wheezed out and thrust the cup into Akito's chest, "Another...please..."

After recovering, "Though maybe after a dance. This outfit is fragile enough I don't need Mr. Sake suggesting bad ideas," She smiles and lets out another dainty cough. "Led on mystery man."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"Ara, ara, Neko-chan..." The Sniper would say as she rested her chin atop the back of her hand in a wannabe sophisticated pose. "You sound like such an eager firecracker! I thought I was supposed to be one shooting my shot and not you. I love the enthusiasm. But I'm not quite sure what if I'm after the sort of target who wants to try a little hard? Isn't there at least some sort of chase to this, hm?"

Senshuken laughs softly. She leans back against the bar, one boot hooked on the stool’s rung, the other stretched out like a dare.

Just then, the bartender slides two shot glasses between them, twin sparks of invitation and danger. Senshuken doesn't look away from the other woman even for a heartbeat.

“Mmh… a chase, is it?” She murmurs while her fingers curl around one of the glasses. “Then I suppose the real question is. Do you want to chase, Sniper san… or be chased?”

Her thumb traces the rim idly as she goes on.

“I can play either game. I don’t mind running if you’re good at pursuit.”

She pauses as she pushes the second glass across the counter with a fingertip, slow enough to draw the eye.

“But if it’s a long race you’re after… and we both play our cards right…” She leans in. “We might both end up crossing that finish line together. Loudly.”

She clinks her glass against the ronin’s, a sound sharp as a starting gun.

“So,” she adds. Her voice more of a purr edged with challenge. “What’s it going to be? Do I run… or do I chase?

[Suzume Hitomi]

Taraka nodded.

"I suppose, but it's certainly up the cost and it'd be a pain to reset." she admits.

She looked at the chocolate fountain.....and the chocolate added to the waterfall.

"Ah, well, it's true I can only handle food or drink with the one hand but ahh, perhaps we should move away from the fountain, Suzume-san? While all the different options for dipping in the chocolate are intriguing, I don't think the intent was to add chocolate covered Sparrow to the menu." she said, gesturing towards the part of the waterfall dress that had already gotten chocolate on it with the cast.

Hitomi looks down, and shakes her head with a sigh. "Well, this costume won't survive to re-use. Let me know if you're tired of lacking an arm, I likely have enough spare bits to just tie it to hang someplace so you don't lose it.." Glancing around, she nods toward the bar. "Something less goopy to drink then?" She wanted to enjoy sampling some of the Mantis's spent koku and look at the view from this place. She seldom had reason to be up this high.

"I hope First Market was good for you yesterday. Has to be a much more nostalgic time for those raised here," she adds as they drift through the mingling crowds.

[Hiruma Akito]

"To mysteries." Suh-Hyun tipped the drink back and downed it, she managed a wink before her hand came up in a fist to cover her mouth. Surprisingly the breathing exercises she had learned as a pilot helped her turn a hacking cough into something much daintier, "...well that...hmm, like swallowing afterburner exhaust..." she wheezed out and thrust the cup into Akito's chest, "Another...please..."

After recovering, "Though maybe after a dance. This outfit is fragile enough I don't need Mr. Sake suggesting bad ideas," She smiles and lets out another dainty cough. "Led on mystery man."

The wink won a playful smile... for the half-second before Akito saw Suh-Hyun toss back the glass in one gulp. "You-!" His eyes went wide as the Unicorn (because duh), in the manner which pilots so often did, risked death. The mask left enough of his face uncovered to show as his expression went from dismay to concern, from there to surprise, and finally to a grin as she thrust the cup into his chest, his hand coming up to take it from her.

"Okay. That was a gutsy move. I'm impressed." He tossed back his own with a grimace and a grunt, then set both glasses down with a hard thunk. "Alright, let's go."

He led the way out onto the dance floor, beginning to move to the rhythm of the music; it was a thumping base, but with an energetic string instrument in the background. "Sounds Mantis. Not the first time I've partied with Mantis. So, General Horse-sama..." Akito's eyes narrowed, and he smiled. "Show me what you've got."

[Agasha Sorato]

"You've improperly studied AND admired Kakita-san? Very bold of you to admidt, Agasha-san." she said using the noise of the party as an excuse to have a little fun.

She bowed, the bandaged arm and singular shoe tossing her balance off a little bit.

"Yasuki Taraka, Flying Battle Carps."

"I thought that was you, Yasuki-san. A splendid costume. I am sure it was the jimen tori he admired."

"A pleasure to meet you, Agasha-san. You met some yesterday, too? Oh, how lovely! Did you talk to them? I was with Kitsune-san and he could talk to them. Are you a student of nature? A friend to birds and other animals?"

"Interesting convergence--I hiked in the volcano in a group with Tamori Kanna-san, who also spoke to the jimen tori," Sorato chuckles, letting the bird head fall back down into position over his own head--it's better balanced that way. Once you know where to look, you can still make out his light brown eyes peering out from a screened panel below the beak. "They were very sociable. A pleasure to meet you, Yasuki-san, Kakita-san."

The ponderous head bobs conversationally. "A student of nature is a fair description. I'm usually a botanical surveyor." Even if at the moment he was temporarily more of an investment surveyor. And, even more temporarily, a giant bird.

[Yasuki Taraka]

Hitomi looks down, and shakes her head with a sigh. "Well, this costume won't survive to re-use. Let me know if you're tired of lacking an arm, I likely have enough spare bits to just tie it to hang someplace so you don't lose it.." Glancing around, she nods toward the bar. "Something less goopy to drink then?" She wanted to enjoy sampling some of the Mantis's spent koku and look at the view from this place. She seldom had reason to be up this high.

"I hope First Market was good for you yesterday. Has to be a much more nostalgic time for those raised here," she adds as they drift through the mingling crowds.

Taraka nodded and walked over to the bar, letting the Sparrow take the lead on ordering.

"It was good for me, good for my temporary business partner, good for the city as a whole it seemed." she agreed wholeheartedly. "But yes, also a very nostalgic time for me. The smile my mother had for me that night was the most dear treasure I secured when it was my First Market."

She leaned the cast bound arm on the bar.

"What about you, Suzume-san? I know First Market is a very Yasuki tradition, though it has faded somewhat in recent years. Any similar traditions among the Suzume to mark the entrance into formal schooling?" she asked, curious.

[Kakita Haruhi]

"Interesting convergence--I hiked in the volcano in a group with Tamori Kanna-san, who also spoke to the jimen tori," Sorato chuckles, letting the bird head fall back down into position over his own head--it's better balanced that way. Once you know where to look, you can still make out his light brown eyes peering out from a screened panel below the beak. "They were very sociable. A pleasure to meet you, Yasuki-san, Kakita-san."

The ponderous head bobs conversationally. "A student of nature is a fair description. I'm usually a botanical surveyor." Even if at the moment he was temporarily more of an investment surveyor. And, even more temporarily, a giant bird.

"Oh how splendid! The jimen tori that we met with mentioned that they are trying to find a special place. A secret place with lots of fish. A hidden pool? I know it's terribly dangerous out in the jungle but I'm hoping to try to research it, and organize an expedition once we have some kind of lead. Your knowledge would be invaluable. Are you here to survey a particular area?"

[Suzume Hitomi]

Taraka nodded and walked over to the bar, letting the Sparrow take the lead on ordering.

"It was good for me, good for my temporary business partner, good for the city as a whole it seemed." she agreed wholeheartedly. "But yes, also a very nostalgic time for me. The smile my mother had for me that night was the most dear treasure I secured when it was my First Market."

She leaned the cast bound arm on the bar.

"What about you, Suzume-san? I know First Market is a very Yasuki tradition, though it has faded somewhat in recent years. Any similar traditions among the Suzume to mark the entrance into formal schooling?" she asked, curious.

Hitomi listens as she orders a pair of melon liquor based cocktails. "Sparrow traditions are possibly less cohesive with so many branches of the clan spread across Rokugan in many preservationist roles. But all are meant to show a grasp of tradition or history. Those of us settled around work in the museums and historic districts tend a bit academic, so we usually offer some sort of presentation on a favorite topic as we head into formally learning about such things. It's more family focused and less public than first market. So dioramas or skits about some interesting historical story, or maybe a costume made to depict our favorite character."

She laughs as she hands a drink over. "My younger sister made a very creditable O-Ushi costume...well, credible based on a children's cartoon popular at the time. So I suppose we have a bit of a Crab connection in the family there."

"Mine was roping my siblings into depicting one of the great horse races of the dessert cultures with hobby horses and a track through the family gardens with dangers along the way done with some very bad theatrical effects."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Hitomi listens as she orders a pair of melon liquor based cocktails. "Sparrow traditions are possibly less cohesive with so many branches of the clan spread across Rokugan in many preservationist roles. But all are meant to show a grasp of tradition or history. Those of us settled around work in the museums and historic districts tend a bit academic, so we usually offer some sort of presentation on a favorite topic as we head into formally learning about such things. It's more family focused and less public than first market. So dioramas or skits about some interesting historical story, or maybe a costume made to depict our favorite character."

She laughs as she hands a drink over. "My younger sister made a very creditable O-Ushi costume...well, credible based on a children's cartoon popular at the time. So I suppose we have a bit of a Crab connection in the family there."

"Mine was roping my siblings into depicting one of the great horse races of the dessert cultures with hobby horses and a track through the family gardens with dangers along the way done with some very bad theatrical effects."

Taraka took the glass with her one free hand. She offered a lift of the cup in toast before trying it out.

"Hmm, well Yoritomo-san certainly didn't skimp on her bar service tonight. That has quite the mellow and pleasing taste. Well picked, Suzume-san."

She listened with interest as the Sparrow talked about the traditions that had been around for hundreds of years.

"I understand it being a more family oriented event, but if I ever get a chance to acquire pictures of Suzume-san's great race, I will put my best bid forward." she said.

She looked out over the skyline.

"I trust that Suzume-san's temporary ward also saw success at First Market? I know some parents had reservations about having non-Yasuki volunteers, but running a store like you do Suzume-san here of all places, there has got to be at least one Yasuki in your ancestry somewhere." she offered as a compliment to her business acumen.

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

The wink won a playful smile... for the half-second before Akito saw Suh-Hyun toss back the glass in one gulp. "You-!" His eyes went wide as the Unicorn (because duh), in the manner which pilots so often did, risked death. The mask left enough of his face uncovered to show as his expression went from dismay to concern, from there to surprise, and finally to a grin as she thrust the cup into his chest, his hand coming up to take it from her.

"Okay. That was a gutsy move. I'm impressed." He tossed back his own with a grimace and a grunt, then set both glasses down with a hard thunk. "Alright, let's go."

He led the way out onto the dance floor, beginning to move to the rhythm of the music; it was a thumping base, but with an energetic string instrument in the background. "Sounds Mantis. Not the first time I've partied with Mantis. So, General Horse-sama..." Akito's eyes narrowed, and he smiled. "Show me what you've got."

"Alright!" The Unicorn followed him out on to the dance floor. Suddenly feeling a mixture of self conscious and like she had downed an alcoholic beverage too fast. Her dancing wasn't terrible but it was clear she was holding back. Her cheeks were even a little flushed. "Damn it." She muttered, averting her eyes, "Right after I was looking so cool." Apparently Suh-Hyun hadn't even realized she was speaking, very much off her game at the moment

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Fluffy Dance Roll because why not | 5k4 ⇒ 14 For funsies, Sakkaku you trolololll

[Hiruma Akito]

The wink won a playful smile... for the half-second before Akito saw Suh-Hyun toss back the glass in one gulp. "You-!" His eyes went wide as the Unicorn (because duh), in the manner which pilots so often did, risked death. The mask left enough of his face uncovered to show as his expression went from dismay to concern, from there to surprise, and finally to a grin as she thrust the cup into his chest, his hand coming up to take it from her.

"Okay. That was a gutsy move. I'm impressed." He tossed back his own with a grimace and a grunt, then set both glasses down with a hard thunk. "Alright, let's go."

He led the way out onto the dance floor, beginning to move to the rhythm of the music; it was a thumping base, but with an energetic string instrument in the background. "Sounds Mantis. Not the first time I've partied with Mantis. So, General Horse-sama..." Akito's eyes narrowed, and he smiled. "Show me what you've got."

"Alright!" The Unicorn followed him out on to the dance floor. Suddenly feeling a mixture of self conscious and like she had downed an alcoholic beverage too fast. Her dancing wasn't terrible but it was clear she was holding back. Her cheeks were even a little flushed. "Damn it." She muttered, averting her eyes, "Right after I was looking so cool." Apparently Suh-Hyun hadn't even realized she was speaking, very much off her game at the moment

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Fluffy Dance Roll because why not | 5k4 ⇒ 14 For funsies, Sakkaku you trolololll

For his part, Akito was a competent dancer, no more; he had a sense of rhythm, and he had control over his body, and that was it.

He laughed, but it was a gentle laugh, and he tilted his head to try to meet Suh-Hyun's gaze. "Hey now, look at me. Don't worry about how you look." A grin flashed. "Because you look great. Just think about if you're having a good time. That's what matters at a party like this."

A series of steps brought him close; not touching, but close. And then away again. Goodness, she was the tallest woman he'd ever danced with. "So? Are you having a good time?"

-------------

Can Akito dance? | 4k3 ⇒ 17

[Agasha Sorato]

"Interesting convergence--I hiked in the volcano in a group with Tamori Kanna-san, who also spoke to the jimen tori," Sorato chuckles, letting the bird head fall back down into position over his own head--it's better balanced that way. Once you know where to look, you can still make out his light brown eyes peering out from a screened panel below the beak. "They were very sociable. A pleasure to meet you, Yasuki-san, Kakita-san."

The ponderous head bobs conversationally. "A student of nature is a fair description. I'm usually a botanical surveyor." Even if at the moment he was temporarily more of an investment surveyor. And, even more temporarily, a giant bird.

"Oh how splendid! The jimen tori that we met with mentioned that they are trying to find a special place. A secret place with lots of fish. A hidden pool? I know it's terribly dangerous out in the jungle but I'm hoping to try to research it, and organize an expedition once we have some kind of lead. Your knowledge would be invaluable. Are you here to survey a particular area?"

"Oh, interesting. A freshwater pool, do you think? There is a crater lake with fish at the summit of the other mountain... Jinsei, that's it. Could be other springs or rainwater pools in the forest, though. I wonder where we'd begin looking. " Sorato's arms, which really are quite normally proportioned for human arms, look comically spindly gesturing from under the jimen-tori suit's foam-and-fabric wings. "I'm here for the investment conference. Agriculture and pharmaceuticals are what I know, so that's what I'm looking into. If the Family didn't want that, they should have sent someone different." A muffled, perhaps slightly sheepish chuckle can be heard from inside the giant bird's throat.

Behind the mesh panel, Sorato only has about an eighty-degree field of vision. Ironic, since the side-set eyes of the real jimen tori give them a wider field of view than a human, not a narrower one. As a result, though he thinks Yasuki Taraka has probably wandered off to talk to someone else, he can't be completely sure...

"I'm afraid I've started talking about business at Yasuki-san's party, though. I don't think she'd approve." The jimen-tori bobs apologetically.

[Kakita Haruhi]

"Oh, interesting. A freshwater pool, do you think? There is a crater lake with fish at the summit of the other mountain... Jinsei, that's it. Could be other springs or rainwater pools in the forest, though. I wonder where we'd begin looking. " Sorato's arms, which really are quite normally proportioned for human arms, look comically spindly gesturing from under the jimen-tori suit's foam-and-fabric wings. "I'm here for the investment conference. Agriculture and pharmaceuticals are what I know, so that's what I'm looking into. If the Family didn't want that, they should have sent someone different." A muffled, perhaps slightly sheepish chuckle can be heard from inside the giant bird's throat.

Behind the mesh panel, Sorato only has about an eighty-degree field of vision. Ironic, since the side-set eyes of the real jimen tori give them a wider field of view than a human, not a narrower one. As a result, though he thinks Yasuki Taraka has probably wandered off to talk to someone else, he can't be completely sure...

"I'm afraid I've started talking about business at Yasuki-san's party, though. I don't think she'd approve." The jimen-tori bobs apologetically.

"A crater lake with fish! That might be it! Oh goodness. That's worth a trip. Though there could be other pools. Thank you so much!"

"Ah... right. Party talk. I'm not the best at this. I really do enjoy talking about nature and birds. But maybe we can pivot and avoid being thought too nerdy for the party."

"How you are finding Nakahama so far? What has been your favorite activity or place or person?"

[Suzume Hitomi]

Taraka took the glass with her one free hand. She offered a lift of the cup in toast before trying it out.

"Hmm, well Yoritomo-san certainly didn't skimp on her bar service tonight. That has quite the mellow and pleasing taste. Well picked, Suzume-san."

She listened with interest as the Sparrow talked about the traditions that had been around for hundreds of years.

"I understand it being a more family oriented event, but if I ever get a chance to acquire pictures of Suzume-san's great race, I will put my best bid forward." she said.

She looked out over the skyline.

"I trust that Suzume-san's temporary ward also saw success at First Market? I know some parents had reservations about having non-Yasuki volunteers, but running a store like you do Suzume-san here of all places, there has got to be at least one Yasuki in your ancestry somewhere." she offered as a compliment to her business acumen.

She offers a short nod of agreement at the booze assessment after a testing sip, then laughs, "Oh there should be an old holorecording somewhere of my sister, very young at the time, going the wrong direction full tilt into the servant tossing feathers as 'unseasonable snow.' She would literally kill me if that ever saw its way to a public viewing." Leaning a bit closer she notes, "my other siblings have promised me that we'll pass it to her spouse after the wedding."

The dozens of lights on the boats in the harbour spoke of the active social life of the city, even without the current influx of visitors. "Hai, Yasuki Mariko-chan was a delight, very earnest. I guess I hope I've been here enough to be trusted with children, Yasuki lineage or no." It wouldn't be a surprise if there were a few in her ancestry. Doji Suzume's line was one of the few likely to see other clans marrying into it over the centuries. "

I'm honestly concerned along with those parents about some of the messages that may have been passed along by other guests." She wondered if those mentored by the few Spider she'd seen were regretting it as their families questioned them afterward." She sips her drink, feeling the alcohol go down deceptively smoothly. "Some of the rumors recently worry me more, with mention of cults and strange robed figures. Not the kind of thing I've heard in my few years here. The timing's pretty bad for that sort of thing."

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

For his part, Akito was a competent dancer, no more; he had a sense of rhythm, and he had control over his body, and that was it.

He laughed, but it was a gentle laugh, and he tilted his head to try to meet Suh-Hyun's gaze. "Hey now, look at me. Don't worry about how you look." A grin flashed. "Because you look great. Just think about if you're having a good time. That's what matters at a party like this."

A series of steps brought him close; not touching, but close. And then away again. Goodness, she was the tallest woman he'd ever danced with. "So? Are you having a good time?"

-------------

Can Akito dance? | 4k3 ⇒ 17

Her eyes went wide a second and she looked off to the side, "You must be a Hiruma...bastards could hear a fly landing two klicks away." Suh-Hyun look back to meet his eyes, "You uh weren't supposed to hear that comment about me looking cool." She grits her teeth hiding embarrassment behind aggression, "Which was true by the way. I looked like a gymnast vaulting onto that railing, and in this outfit. Horse has actual horse shoes on her boots, it's like wearing a lead weight on the ball of your foot. And don't get me started on the heels." Her body fell into the rhythm now, matching the Crab's movements.

"But yeah...I think I might just be." Her grin slowly returned. "Having fun I mean. You?"

[Hiruma Akito]

Her eyes went wide a second and she looked off to the side, "You must be a Hiruma...bastards could hear a fly landing two klicks away." Suh-Hyun look back to meet his eyes, "You uh weren't supposed to hear that comment about me looking cool." She grits her teeth hiding embarrassment behind aggression, "Which was true by the way. I looked like a gymnast vaulting onto that railing, and in this outfit. Horse has actual horse shoes on her boots, it's like wearing a lead weight on the ball of your foot. And don't get me started on the heels." Her body fell into the rhythm now, matching the Crab's movements.

"But yeah...I think I might just be." Her grin slowly returned. "Having fun I mean. You?"

Below the mask, the Hiruma's lips quirked. "Guilty. That's one part of the mystery solved. But I think we've both got a lot to learn."

That description made him grin. "Did you? Fortunes, I wish I'd seen that. Here I thought it was fashionable to arrive late to the party, but..." He leaned closer, "I imagine you looked magnificent."

He nodded. "Yeah. I am. More than I thought. I figured I'd just be drinking some Mantis booze. I didn't expect to be dancing with a pretty..." His eyes narrowed. "Utaku? My best guess, from the way you carry yourself."

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Below the mask, the Hiruma's lips quirked. "Guilty. That's one part of the mystery solved. But I think we've both got a lot to learn."

That description made him grin. "Did you? Fortunes, I wish I'd seen that. Here I thought it was fashionable to arrive late to the party, but..." He leaned closer, "I imagine you looked magnificent."

He nodded. "Yeah. I am. More than I thought. I figured I'd just be drinking some Mantis booze. I didn't expect to be dancing with a pretty..." His eyes narrowed. "Utaku? My best guess, from the way you carry yourself."

"Best guess?" Suh-Hyun winked, "As much an Utaku as Crusader Unicorn is I suppose. To stay in theme."

Her grin became a smirk, "Oh I did. Look on the bright side, you caught my attention arriving late. As for the booze, well there's also a chocolate fountain. This whole party would make most Cranes faint. Loud, garish, and wild. A sort of dark mirror of those usual high society parties."