Day 1, Mid Morning - Guide (Expecting)

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

The bells of the Wherever's locale rung as a new face walked into the shop, too early for the infamous queue to form yet. She was a tall lanky figure, with pale skin, eyes and hair, her mouth and jaw covered by a porcelain-made rebreather, dressed in simple urbanwear with a jacket, given the cloudy and rainy morning they had. The piece that revealed her as a samurai was the symbol of the Kitsuki, that hung loosely from her belt.

Her slate eyes went side to side, appraising the store as she walked to the counter, her boots none too subtle against the wooden floor. Was there music, or was it silent?

[Utaku Itsuka]

Unseen speakers are playing a relaxing, but upbeat song, not too loud. A good memory would place it as something from the 'Lantern Beetles' that came out some 6 years ago.

A young girl with green and pink strands colouring her layered, shoulder-length haircut looks towards the door as Ichitaiyo enters and bows low. A badge showing a plane and two boats is pinned to the left side of even more colourful clothes.

"Welcome, samurai-sama! How may I help you? Would you like a look at our brochure with fan-favourite spots?"

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Unseen speakers are playing a relaxing, but upbeat song, not too loud. A good memory would place it as something from the 'Lantern Beetles' that came out some 6 years ago.

A young girl with green and pink strands colouring her layered, shoulder-length haircut looks towards the door as Ichitaiyo enters and bows low. A badge showing a plane and two boats is pinned to the left side of even more colourful clothes.

"Welcome, samurai-sama! How may I help you? Would you like a look at our brochure with fan-favourite spots?"

Ichitaiyo stood at ease, with a polite and smile of acknowledgement. "If you could, please. Albeit I seeking for a service that could show me the general layout of the archipielago. Something like a wide flyover with the floatplane."

[Utaku Itsuka]

Ichitaiyo stood at ease, with a polite and smile of acknowledgement. "If you could, please. Albeit I seeking for a service that could show me the general layout of the archipielago. Something like a wide flyover with the floatplane."

She turns to get the brochure mentioned, handling it to him. While she's fetching it, the question actually makes her turn back to him, a bright smile on her lips.

"Oh, samurai-sama is the adventurer type, then? We do have some offers of that kind... but a complete flyover might take a while..."

She stops to think for a while, tries to find something on the holoscreen in front of her, apparently can't. She then gives him a polite bow. "If you'll excuse me for a moment, samurai-sama".

She opens a door at the back, leans inside, and you hear her voice asking something, a bit muffled.

"Hm. If it's 'really' wide, not stopping close to any specific spots, then 2 hours might be enough. Otherwise 3 to 4 hours, more if stops are planned.", you hear a voice answer the attendant from the back - gentle although informal, but somewhat monotone. "Wait, can you check these papers, Akari-san? I'll talk to him", you think you hear. A moment later Itsuka appears in orange-red, flowery overalls.

"Good morning, Kitsuki-san." She says with a polite bow. "May I assume this is your first time in Shiawase Island? Akari-san mentioned you'd be interested in a flyover? May I ask what your goal is, or if you'd be interested in particular points as well? We're looking at a trip with the Float, something like 2 hours minimum, possibly more depending on your interests."

The voice is again gentle, but somehow a bit flat, matching eyes that seem almost expressionless.

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

She turns to get the brochure mentioned, handling it to him. While she's fetching it, the question actually makes her turn back to him, a bright smile on her lips.

"Oh, samurai-sama is the adventurer type, then? We do have some offers of that kind... but a complete flyover might take a while..."

She stops to think for a while, tries to find something on the holoscreen in front of her, apparently can't. She then gives him a polite bow. "If you'll excuse me for a moment, samurai-sama".

She opens a door at the back, leans inside, and you hear her voice asking something, a bit muffled.

"Hm. If it's 'really' wide, not stopping close to any specific spots, then 2 hours might be enough. Otherwise 3 to 4 hours, more if stops are planned.", you hear a voice answer the attendant from the back - gentle although informal, but somewhat monotone. "Wait, can you check these papers, Akari-san? I'll talk to him", you think you hear. A moment later Itsuka appears in orange-red, flowery overalls.

"Good morning, Kitsuki-san." She says with a polite bow. "May I assume this is your first time in Shiawase Island? Akari-san mentioned you'd be interested in a flyover? May I ask what your goal is, or if you'd be interested in particular points as well? We're looking at a trip with the Float, something like 2 hours minimum, possibly more depending on your interests."

The voice is again gentle, but somehow a bit flat, matching eyes that seem almost expressionless.

Ichitaiyo knew that gaze, vacant yet existing, the effects of a soul sucked through duty or grief. Wasn't she dulled the day her parents left her? Wasn't she empty the day after she took her first life? After her first successful interrogation? The fixer's own was as slate and devoid of grander emotions, locked under key for the sake of duty.

The Kitsuki method of assessment was a curse.

"I want to see the layout of the archipielago and identify some landmarks. Call it.. scouting. I know maps are a thing, but there is something different about recognizing a mountain face, or a bay from memory." She answered honestly. "And.. your floatplane looks fun to ride in."

[Utaku Itsuka]

Ichitaiyo knew that gaze, vacant yet existing, the effects of a soul sucked through duty or grief. Wasn't she dulled the day her parents left her? Wasn't she empty the day after she took her first life? After her first successful interrogation? The fixer's own was as slate and devoid of grander emotions, locked under key for the sake of duty.

The Kitsuki method of assessment was a curse.

"I want to see the layout of the archipielago and identify some landmarks. Call it.. scouting. I know maps are a thing, but there is something different about recognizing a mountain face, or a bay from memory." She answered honestly. "And.. your floatplane looks fun to ride in."

The Kitsuki's words were received with a nod of acknowledgment. Almost brought a weak smile to her face, although it's soon gone.

"Un. That we can do - within legal limitations, but those don't cover the really interesting spots." She points at a map on the wall. "Do you want to sketch a route so we can draw a flight plan? We'll gladly offer suggestions, but you seem to have specific plans in mind?"

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

The Kitsuki's words were received with a nod of acknowledgment. Almost brought a weak smile to her face, although it's soon gone.

"Un. That we can do - within legal limitations, but those don't cover the really interesting spots." She points at a map on the wall. "Do you want to sketch a route so we can draw a flight plan? We'll gladly offer suggestions, but you seem to have specific plans in mind?"

And the woman drifted up the map, using her finger as a marker for the route, starting at the very place they stood.

"If we start here..." Her finger began to drift to the edges of the archipielago and surround it with by it's edges. "Pretty much this. With a nice altitude so I can sketch some landmarks. Does this cross some forbidden airspace?"

[Utaku Itsuka]

And the woman drifted up the map, using her finger as a marker for the route, starting at the very place they stood.

"If we start here..." Her finger began to drift to the edges of the archipielago and surround it with by it's edges. "Pretty much this. With a nice altitude so I can sketch some landmarks. Does this cross some forbidden airspace?"

The Utaku followed the path the Kitsuki's finger traced, eyes still mostly blank, brow slightly creased as if doing mental calculations. "As long as we don't fly low over Shiro Ei and a few other areas, there should be no issues. So... it's mostly the general outline you're interested in, then?" She turns her attention to some paperwork, starts writing on some notes. "Looking for possible future hotspots, Kitsuki-san?"

She extends a few sheets of paper with paths traced on a map of the island, aproximate times and costs. "We could do half the perimeter today, half tomorrow, say 10 koku total, or all of it tomorrow, for the same price. Both at a more leisurely pace, lowering on some areas if you want. Or... a more rushed trip today is possible if we allow less time for detailed observation. Say 7 koku in that case, how's that sound?" She then raises her head to look at him. "What will it be, Kitsuki-san?"

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

The Utaku followed the path the Kitsuki's finger traced, eyes still mostly blank, brow slightly creased as if doing mental calculations. "As long as we don't fly low over Shiro Ei and a few other areas, there should be no issues. So... it's mostly the general outline you're interested in, then?" She turns her attention to some paperwork, starts writing on some notes. "Looking for possible future hotspots, Kitsuki-san?"

She extends a few sheets of paper with paths traced on a map of the island, aproximate times and costs. "We could do half the perimeter today, half tomorrow, say 10 koku total, or all of it tomorrow, for the same price. Both at a more leisurely pace, lowering on some areas if you want. Or... a more rushed trip today is possible if we allow less time for detailed observation. Say 7 koku in that case, how's that sound?" She then raises her head to look at him. "What will it be, Kitsuki-san?"

"Two trips, normal pace." Ichitaiyo replied without hesitation, reaching down to her pocket.

"Forwards payment, right?"

Straight to business, matching her energy. After all, they would plenty of time to talk in their their flight.

[Utaku Itsuka]

"Two trips, normal pace." Ichitaiyo replied without hesitation, reaching down to her pocket.

"Forwards payment, right?"

Straight to business, matching her energy. After all, they would plenty of time to talk in their their flight.

"If you want. Otherwise, paying after we land on each trip is fine as well. I wouldn't expect you to disappear from inside the plane." The words are said monotone, which somehow might add to their effect.

"West side today, Eastern side tomorrow at the same time? Or do you prefer to go towards Mount Jinsei today?" She looks outside. "The clouds probably won't be much help today, although since we aren't focusing on the mountaintops for this flight that might not be much of a problem."

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"If you want. Otherwise, paying after we land on each trip is fine as well. I wouldn't expect you to disappear from inside the plane." The words are said monotone, which somehow might add to their effect.

"West side today, Eastern side tomorrow at the same time? Or do you prefer to go towards Mount Jinsei today?" She looks outside. "The clouds probably won't be much help today, although since we aren't focusing on the mountaintops for this flight that might not be much of a problem."

"Don't know, I've heard of plenty a samurai with the wrong enemies disappearing in travel." the fixer teased, glacing out of the window. "Will the clouds affect the accident chance?"

[Utaku Itsuka]

"Don't know, I've heard of plenty a samurai with the wrong enemies disappearing in travel." the fixer teased, glacing out of the window. "Will the clouds affect the accident chance?"

"Never had a serious accident at the Whenever, Kitsuki-san", she answers, her tone maybe slightly more serious. "The clouds do affect the view. Might give us a hard time if we were aiming to land on Lake Ibuki, atop Mount Jinsei. Depending on how bad it is, I might advise against it... or charge extra. A round of the island, though? You may just miss a good view of Mount Nakahama."

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"Never had a serious accident at the Whenever, Kitsuki-san", she answers, her tone maybe slightly more serious. "The clouds do affect the view. Might give us a hard time if we were aiming to land on Lake Ibuki, atop Mount Jinsei. Depending on how bad it is, I might advise against it... or charge extra. A round of the island, though? You may just miss a good view of Mount Nakahama."

"I am not questioning your skill or ability, Utaku-san." The detective clarified, at ease. "I'm just.. well, gently jittery about prop planes."

"As to the view of the Mount, is that extra? Or csn be done tomorrow?"

[Utaku Itsuka]

"I am not questioning your skill or ability, Utaku-san." The detective clarified, at ease. "I'm just.. well, gently jittery about prop planes."

"As to the view of the Mount, is that extra? Or csn be done tomorrow?"

She nodded. Was that a small smirk on her mouth for a moment? Maybe just twitching on her lips.
"I understand, Kitsuki-san. Please tell me at any moment if you'd like me to slow down."

She points at where Mount Nakahama is on the map. "As for Mt. Nakahama, the issue is just the weather. On a good day, you'd get a good view of it just by looking to your right as we pass by here", she points at the map. "Today... I'm not sure. We could angle in a bit closer if you'd like, see if we find an opening. But we'll lose some of the coast, or we might come back a bit late. We can see how things look on the way and have you decide."

She goes back behind the counter, starts gathering some items and putting them on a backpack. "Do you need to go back to get anything, or some time to get ready? I can get things ready to go in five." She then opens the door to the back again. "Akari-chan, can you take care of the front when you're done there? Or ask Seito, he said he's on his way. Hana won't be here until after lunch. Please don't let the place burn down, ne?" Regardless of how they might sound, the last words are said in a gentle, caring tone.

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

She nodded. Was that a small smirk on her mouth for a moment? Maybe just twitching on her lips.
"I understand, Kitsuki-san. Please tell me at any moment if you'd like me to slow down."

She points at where Mount Nakahama is on the map. "As for Mt. Nakahama, the issue is just the weather. On a good day, you'd get a good view of it just by looking to your right as we pass by here", she points at the map. "Today... I'm not sure. We could angle in a bit closer if you'd like, see if we find an opening. But we'll lose some of the coast, or we might come back a bit late. We can see how things look on the way and have you decide."

She goes back behind the counter, starts gathering some items and putting them on a backpack. "Do you need to go back to get anything, or some time to get ready? I can get things ready to go in five." She then opens the door to the back again. "Akari-chan, can you take care of the front when you're done there? Or ask Seito, he said he's on his way. Hana won't be here until after lunch. Please don't let the place burn down, ne?" Regardless of how they might sound, the last words are said in a gentle, caring tone.

Ichitaiyo couldn't avoid smiling warmly at the show of care upon her worker, a little flicker that might have been behind her eyes that might have indicated to life.

"I need to gather us some lunch. Got any allergies or preferences for food, Utaku-san?" Ichitaiyo offered, back to the map.

[Utaku Itsuka]

Ichitaiyo couldn't avoid smiling warmly at the show of care upon her worker, a little flicker that might have been behind her eyes that might have indicated to life.

"I need to gather us some lunch. Got any allergies or preferences for food, Utaku-san?" Ichitaiyo offered, back to the map.

Caring voice aside, her eyes seem equally hollow when she turns around.

"Oh. I was about to get us some pasties and juice, Kitsuki-san. Part of the package and all. But if you're hoping for something more hearty, the Azumayaki on the other side of the beachside road is probably opening soon." She gets a wallet from a drawer behind the counter. "I'd recommend the Ebi Furai or the Seafood Udon, if they have it today. If you like seafood, that is... otherwise you can't go wrong with their Teppan dishes." She takes out some coins. "Maybe I'll follow you and get something after I get everything else on the Float."

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Caring voice aside, her eyes seem equally hollow when she turns around.

"Oh. I was about to get us some pasties and juice, Kitsuki-san. Part of the package and all. But if you're hoping for something more hearty, the Azumayaki on the other side of the beachside road is probably opening soon." She gets a wallet from a drawer behind the counter. "I'd recommend the Ebi Furai or the Seafood Udon, if they have it today. If you like seafood, that is... otherwise you can't go wrong with their Teppan dishes." She takes out some coins. "Maybe I'll follow you and get something after I get everything else on the Float."

There was a feeling of snuffing as the pilot directed her gaze forwards, like a squeeze on the lower part of her heart as a reality set in. She eyed the coin curiously and back to the pilot, did she expect to use the pilot's money to pay for extra food?

"I'll wait for you at the Azumayaki. Get you a treat as well, after all, you're taking a couple extra long flights, and cannot have the woman granting me such service be at the slightest discomfort, in both gratitude and performance's sake."

[Utaku Itsuka]

There was a feeling of snuffing as the pilot directed her gaze forwards, like a squeeze on the lower part of her heart as a reality set in. She eyed the coin curiously and back to the pilot, did she expect to use the pilot's money to pay for extra food?

"I'll wait for you at the Azumayaki. Get you a treat as well, after all, you're taking a couple extra long flights, and cannot have the woman granting me such service be at the slightest discomfort, in both gratitude and performance's sake."

The words seem to take a while to set in. "Hai, I'll wait for you then", she says at first, not quite noticing the contradiction, and keeps arranging things for almost a minute before her head turns up again. "Oh. No, no, wait." She bows respectfully, shakes her head a bit. "Thank you kindly, Kitsuki-san, but you don't need to! Although... wait"

She closes the backpack, preparations apparently all done. "We can grab something then get ready to go, then. Shall we?"

-------------------
Note: If you want to keep the scene going, I'll be glad to, but if you don't want to bring up something specific now we could 'fade to flight' at some point, then take another scene up later on D3 or in the future. Whatever you feel's best!

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

The words seem to take a while to set in. "Hai, I'll wait for you then", she says at first, not quite noticing the contradiction, and keeps arranging things for almost a minute before her head turns up again. "Oh. No, no, wait." She bows respectfully, shakes her head a bit. "Thank you kindly, Kitsuki-san, but you don't need to! Although... wait"

She closes the backpack, preparations apparently all done. "We can grab something then get ready to go, then. Shall we?"

-------------------
Note: If you want to keep the scene going, I'll be glad to, but if you don't want to bring up something specific now we could 'fade to flight' at some point, then take another scene up later on D3 or in the future. Whatever you feel's best!

OOC: I was thinking the same! I think it is a nice post to fade into flight. Should we just set it on this thread for secuence comfort, or make a new thread? Let's set it on D3 mornings?

[Utaku Itsuka]

Snip

(OOC: Since it's gonna be in a different day, new thread's always better! I'm assuming we had the second part of the flight on D2 although we didn't do that on-screen Sorry about the slow answers btw. I mentioned it'd probably happen with all the craze I'm dealing in at work, but I'll try to keep things moving, even if slowly!

For a continuation - may I suggest D4 instead, since D3 is coming to a close?)