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

[Miya Kisha]

"I'd be interested in it, yes," Kisha says. "It might be worth a visit. Is there anything else you can tell me about the world?"

[Moto Shiwahime]

''I was told that the soil was very iron-rich despite not having big iron deposits on the surface. That gives the earth a reddish-orange hue that varies from place to place and it makes the potatoes super-rich in nutrients. The change of colors also touches the flora a bit and some native species have slightly metallic looking edges though though it's only cosmetic.''

[Miya Kisha]

"Does it do anything to the flavor?" Kisha asks, leaning in. "I have to think it would, if it changes the colors as much as you say. And I suppose some things would work better with higher iron content."

[Moto Shiwahime]

'Yeah, the potatoes taste kinda metallic but they cook it in a way that pretty much remove that. They don't export those crops, they are for local consumption""

[Miya Kisha]

Kisha nods. "I do have to wonder if there's a market for them, though," she adds. "Or for what can be distilled out of them."

Grinning, she continues. "There were a few shisha in my cohort who were descended from the Anou. They rigged up quite the still in the back of the dormitories."

She sighs. "Urusei never did grow back his eyebrows. I wonder how he's doing."

[Moto Shiwahime]

''Hawt damn! Must'ave been quite some parties in those dorms'' it was funny to picture a bunch of imperials drunk on their own hooch

''I wouldn't know about any other uses then eating though. Not sure what the planet's economy looked like either. We were there to hunt down a fugitive...so not much time for tourism.''

Shiwahime suddenly go an idea

''Say, Miya-sama, would you like to help with the preparation onf the Bon Festival that'll happen in a couple of days?''

[Miya Kisha]

"Well, you know, we're not all of us stuck up," Kisha replies.

To the Moto's question, she responds "Oh, right, that is coming up, isn't it? What kind of preparations are we talking about?"

[Moto Shiwahime]

''Everything?'' she replied ''The Karo asked for help preparing it but did not give us more direction. I'm thinking helping with food stalls and helping re-route the traffic.''

[Miya Kisha]

"Well," Kisha says, "I'm not sure how much help I can be, but what I can contribute, I'm happy to give."

She considers.

"What's the festival like where you're from, Moto-san? I know most places have their own variations, their own practices."

[Moto Shiwahime]

''Oh boy'' the Moto seemed...unsure...''Likely very different. We worship the Shi-Tien Yen-Wang, the ten gods of death, who are just but never merciful. They punish the dead for their crimes so that through pain their souls might be clean of kharmic debt and re-enter the cycle.''

She grimaced

''Our festivals are grim and dour...until the rites are finished and the bottles open. Then it's mostly a drunken celebration.''

[Miya Kisha]

"There's much to be said for a just god," Kisha replies. "And if your practice has been endorsed from on high, then I will not argue it. I'm not a priestess."

She shrugs.

"I mean, I go to temples for festivals, do the prayers I'm supposed to do. But I don't orient my days around them or anything. Can't afford to, really. I've got other things that have to get done. Why, even getting out to get a nice ride with good company takes some doing to make happen."

Kisha looks at Shiwahime and smiles. "I'm glad to have done it, though."

[Moto Shiwahime]

Shiwahime returns the smile

''So do I! I like riding alone but having company is just different.'' She takes sigh of the horizon ''I think I know how you can help for the festival, Miya-sama''

[Miya Kisha]

"Oh?"

Kisha tries to follow the Moto's gaze, but what the taller woman sees eludes her.

It's not a surprise, really.

[Moto Shiwahime]

''Some streets will be closed off for the festival and traffic will be redirected. Promoting public transport in preparation for the event will likely be a huge help.''

What did Umiko say again?

''There is this thing called the Tobiuo transit card? They recently had them redone with the input of local artisans and they feature Koi-kun, the mascot, in various outfits, depending on which machine we buy them from. If I remember correctly...If someone get one from most bus stops, he'll be wearing a bus driver uniform but if they are gotten from Namigashira Bay, he'll be surfing. Yasuki Umiko-sama said that they're pretty location-based and collectable.''

[Miya Kisha]

"So you'd like me to put that out on the Comments, then?" Kisha asks, then nods. "I can do that."

[Moto Shiwahime]

"That'd be real helpful Miya-sama. Thank you."

[Miya Kisha]

"It's the least I can do," Kisha replies.

"I wonder who will end up with a complete collection."

[Moto Shiwahime]

''Hopefully...many festival goers'' she replied

[Miya Kisha]

Kisha nods.

"If I might ask," she says, "what's your stake in it? I mean, I'll help, no worries, but I'm curious."

[Moto Shiwahime]

The Moto shrugs and replies honestly

''Yasuki-sama asked for help and I saw no reason to refuse''