D0LE, Now We're All Checked In (Open)

[Miya Kisha]

Having made it through security, been brought down to the surface, and getting all checked in and everything, Miya Kisha has rested, bathed, changed, and made her way to what sources say is one of the bright lights in a brilliant city: the Pink Lotus. She's not waiting long in line when the staffers see who she is, and she's soon on the dance floor, moving such that the fatigue of travel falls away from her.

It will be a good night!

[Kakita Haruhi]

Music and dancing!

Haruhi had, of course, spent most of the day working on her craft. Sketches. Programming. Rehearsal. Composition. She could imagine her sensei looking at her with that disappointed expression. So much of the day had been wasted in travel, but she had brought files on her densai to study, including maps of Green Carp and information about Nakahama City.

But ... late late late evening ... she decided she had done not nearly enough, but just enough to justify a visit to the dance club. The Pink Lotus! This was *research*.

She slipped in and listened to the beat. Trying to find the rhythm. Swaying. Watching.

Oh! Everyone looked so ... amazing. Maybe she should have asked her sister's help in picking out the clothes to bring. Too late now.

She took a tentative step out onto the floor. Right, right... Look for someone who looked confident and happy and let them pull you into their orbit...

Like a little flanking hovering bird. That was choreography she knew.

She started dancing near the young woman clearly having a good night.

[Miya Kisha]

Kisha sees the Crane approach, and as she starts to dance close to her, Kisha flashes a smile her way. How not? It's a new world with new people, the beat is fire, and she's not looking to cool down anytime soon.

She turns as she dances, steps back slightly, smiles a little bit again, making space for her.

Will she come in? Will they dance together for a while, maybe talk a little later? No way for Kisha to know, but you've got to make the opening if something worth talking about will happen, right?

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi brightened at the welcoming smile. She danced into the opening and began to blossom.

Her movements had a classical quality. A trained dancer. But not trained in dance club dancing. More Nihon Buyo. Her traditional kimono sleeves suited her movements, if not anything else about the club and moment. A blue kimono.

Her long white hair threatened to slip out of its loose braids, as she danced with her whole body.

When there was a break between songs, she said: "Thank you, dancer-sama. You are an inspiration. I am Kakita Haruhi. I just arrived here this morning!"

Her voice had a melodious quality. She wasn't out of breath. A soft trained voice that somehow carried over the roar of the crowd.

[Miya Kisha]

"I'm not far ahead of you here, Kakita-san," Kisha replies, although she is breathing a little heavily. But she sketches a bow and adds "I'm Miya Kisha."

She smiles again. "Let's get a drink!"

And she gestures towards the bar.

[Kakita Haruhi]

A Miya!

Haruhi's answering bow was very deep. Very formal.

"It would be my honor, Miya-sama. Thank you. Have you been here long enough to know what local drink might be most delightful to try first?"

She moved with her toward the bar.

"What brings you to Nakahama?"

[Miya Kisha]

"Oh, I just got here today, myself," Kisha says as the pair reach the bar. "So I'm interested in what the locals recommend. Maybe something with a little bite to it?"

She raises her hand for the bartender and, when said tender of the spirits arrives, asks for something with lots of citrus.

"But what brings me here is that this place is happening," she continues around the drink orders. "Things will move here, and who could pass up the chance to see it happen and be part of it?

"But what about you?"

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi smiled at the emphasis on citrus and how *happening* it all was.

"Mmmm, that smells bright and lovely." She took a tentative sip, and then a heartier one.

"I am here on commission. For Yasuki Reina-sama. She was charmed by a gift and presentation I made at Kaiu Ryuta-sama’s recent marriage to Kakita Amane-dono’s eldest daughter, Asuko-sama. She thinks it will be just the thing here. So many deals being signed. So many partnerships being made - marital and ..."

Did you say commercial out loud? Probably not. "...profitable."

"So I shall study the birds native to the city and jungle and design avi-drones and songs that can marry any two of them."

There was a bright animation in her, talking about her craft.

[Miya Kisha]

Kisha smiles again.

"I heard about some of that!" she says between sips of her own drink. "There was quite the trend about avi-drones from it. Some quite exotic pairings, too."

She takes another sip. "So, one of my little projects is a kind of travelogue. I'd love the chance to have you sit for an interview about your work, if you'd like to do it, Kakita-san. I think you'd be even more of a hit than your drones!"

[Kakita Haruhi]

The Miya had heard about the avi-drones! Oh! Oh! Do not faint. Do not faint.

"Thank you. I'd be glad to do an interview." Glad. Nervous. Thrilled. "Have you highlighted the World of Golden Mirror in your travelogue? It's so lovely. The meticulous re-creation of the holy home-world. That's where I've been last. I designed avi-drones for all the traditional birds preserved there. All the classic heraldry birds."

"And here ... I don't know what I'll find beyond the Jimen Tori! Though their size suggests a really marvelous tenor intonation. But I haven't heard one yet! And there is the chance ... the possibility of finding a bird that's never been observed before. And the songs! New songs."

[Miya Kisha]

"I haven't gotten to the Mirror, no," Kisha says. "Maybe someday. But for now, you're planning on going into the wilds? Aren't you worried about what's out there? I'd be concerned I look like a snack for all kinds of things!"

She laughs lightly and takes another sip of her drink.

[Kakita Haruhi]

"I am hopeful my patron will arrange some guides and guards. Though perhaps that is for me to do."

"You'd be welcome to come for travelogue footage. I mean, if you had time and wanted and it was rather safer than me wondering around alone."

She glanced at the Miya.

And blushed. This woman likely had more important people to meet and more important things to do.

"I ... I imagine it is a challenge to always draw so many eyes. It is surely as possible to be devoured in social jungles, too. But you seem well-equipped to navigate such waters."

[Miya Kisha]

"Oh, me, draw eyes?" Kisha laughs. "I'm lucky if anyone sees me when I'm not on screen. I don't always rise to attention, you know."

She winks, making the obvious joke at her own expense.

"But do let me know when you head out," she continues. "It'll be good to get the footage, and the more the Empire knows about this treasure, the better they'll appreciate it, right?"

She finishes her drink.

"Want to dance some more?"

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi finished her drink and nodded.

"Maybe they'll play Usagi Drop!"

She began to dance again. Near the Miya. But leaving space. There was room if another wanted to slide in, and she'd have a welcoming smile at the ready.

[Miya Kisha]

It is, in fact, Usagi Drop that plays next.

And Kisha sees what Haruhi is doing, leaving room for another to join them.

It's so nice to be with such good people!

[Bayushi Kazushi]

The door slides open to admit Kurumi, who scans the area before signalling for Kazushi and Katsumi to follow. The three take a seat at the bar, and Katsumi orders drinks while Kazushi and Kurumi watch the people on the dance floor. He recognizes Kakita Haruhi from their earlier meeting on the Skycarp, dancing with a Miya he hadn't seen before. He doesn't approach...yet, content to watch the dancers and enjoy his drink.

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi glided around, beside the Miya, gestures more reminiscent of traditional dance than popular club moves. Graceful, if out of place. No avi-drones in the crowded club.

And then the Usagi Drop! song began which she actually knew and had *obsessed* over Yu-kun's choreography, supreme dancer, school-girl crush, and suddenly she was mimicking the actual dance steps with a studied precision.

As she spun, and stomped, and hit the marks, she caught sight of Bayushi-sama and gave him a bright smile and wave.

[Bayushi Kazushi]

Kazushi replies with a glass raised in salute. From his expression, he's clearly impressed by Haruhi's moves.

[Miya Kisha]

Haruhi glided around, beside the Miya, gestures more reminiscent of traditional dance than popular club moves. Graceful, if out of place. No avi-drones in the crowded club.

And then the Usagi Drop! song began which she actually knew and had *obsessed* over Yu-kun's choreography, supreme dancer, school-girl crush, and suddenly she was mimicking the actual dance steps with a studied precision.

As she spun, and stomped, and hit the marks, she caught sight of Bayushi-sama and gave him a bright smile and wave.

Kisha's gaze follows Haruhi's, and she marks the smile and wave.

"Who's he?" she asks.

Kazushi replies with a glass raised in salute. From his expression, he's clearly impressed by Haruhi's moves.

Seeing the response, Kisha adds "You seem to know each other."

[Kakita Haruhi]

"That is Bayushi Kazushi-sama," she told her, leaning close. The name was for the Miya - not for those dancing around them.

"From the Orchid Department. They make those extraordinary clothes he is wearing. He designs them, I think!" If she remembered her sister's letter correctly. "So elegant!"

An unsubtle lingering glance over at him.

"He is here for an event hosted by the Governor."

"We just met earlier today. Waiting for the shuttle. Those are his staff with him."