(D3, EM, Open) Out of the rain, into the past

[Yasuki Taraka]

Ducking into the antiques shop, Taraka closed her umbrella giving it a quick shake at the entryway away from the merchandise. She didn't really have an objective in mind today. While some might be seeking to augment their costumes with relics from here, Taraka was pretty sure her costume had what it needed. Still sometimes it was just fun to browse.

[Hiruma Akiro]

Soon, Taraka wouldn't be the only Crab in there. She'd probably be the most cheerful looking one, though.

Hiruma Akiro stepped inside, grimacing as she shook the rain from his umbrella. And then a second shake for good measure before sliding it precisely into the stand. Only then did he straighten, quickly smoothing his military uniform with his hands, before turning to spot Taraka.

"Ah. Yasuki-san. Good morning." Akiro said. "Quite the weather we're having, hmmm?"

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka bowed at his approach, and indeed did offer him a smile.

"Ah, typical island weather, Hiruma-san. A lot of hot, with the occasional downpour, so the Heavens make sure we're steamed Crabs rather than roasted Crabs." she offered with typical good humor.

She looked over the shops knick-knacks.

"So what's got you out swimming today? Looking for a gift to impress someone with a taste for the old things?"

[Hiruma Akiro]

Taraka bowed at his approach, and indeed did offer him a smile.

"Ah, typical island weather, Hiruma-san. A lot of hot, with the occasional downpour, so the Heavens make sure we're steamed Crabs rather than roasted Crabs." she offered with typical good humor.

She looked over the shops knick-knacks.

"So what's got you out swimming today? Looking for a gift to impress someone with a taste for the old things?"

After the briefest of hesitations, Akiro smiled back.

"Yes. Quite." He chuckled softly. "Although I believe they serve both at Crabkaku. Along with an assortment of other things."

Frowning once more, he turned his attention to the shelves. "Something like that. I was looking for something for my mother. Just a little something. This place seemed..." He spread his hands, apparently unwilling to define it.

Then, as crisply as she shook of his umbrella, he bowed. "Hiruma Akiro. And may I ask you what brings you here, Yasuki...?"

[Yasuki Taraka]

She returned the bow.

"Yasuki Taraka." she offers in return. "Just taking a break to do a little browsing. Things are up and running over at Flying Battle Carps for the day, and the staff tends to work better if I'm not constantly there. We've got a good crew there making sure the customers are served. And I'm never more than a text away if they need my attention."

She considered a little box on the shelf.

"They certainly have a lot of little somethings here to choose from. From knick knacks to bric-a-bracs, all made the old way. Nothing you can plug in or log in." she mused.

[Hiruma Akiro]

She returned the bow.

"Yasuki Taraka." she offers in return. "Just taking a break to do a little browsing. Things are up and running over at Flying Battle Carps for the day, and the staff tends to work better if I'm not constantly there. We've got a good crew there making sure the customers are served. And I'm never more than a text away if they need my attention."

She considered a little box on the shelf.

"They certainly have a lot of little somethings here to choose from. From knick knacks to bric-a-bracs, all made the old way. Nothing you can plug in or log in." she mused.

Akiro's eyes narrowed, and then lit with understanding.

"Ah, you must be the proprietor there. I've heard it's quite the place." He gave her a firm nod. "Well done. I always like to see businesses from my hometown doing well." He gave a tiny apologetic shrug. "Although I admit, I'm not much one for that sort of thing myself. Still, if you're doing anything that these visiting clans might be interested in, do let me know."

Leaning forward, Akiro peered at the little box. "Mmm. My mother is rather old-fashioned that way. I use whatever tools I'm supplied with, of course, but I'll admit to a fondness for newer equipment." Indeed, all the gear he wore seemed to be of the latest model. "So what are you looking for here? Nothing for your shop, surely."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka chuckled.

"Understandable, Hiruma-san. The saying of old was, 'A samurai must be a master of summer and winter.' I don't think it flows quite as well these days to try and say 'A samurai must be a master of summer, winter, scriptwriting, fantasy flight, drone piloting, racing, computer programming, claw machines....'" she said before cutting off with a shake of the head.

"Perhaps the Kakita were ahead of their time. It's best to pick one thing and master that." she mused.

Besides, it was rude to try and push a sale for your store inside someone else's.

She moved to the next shelf looking at some netsukes.

"Oh no, nothing for the store. I don't think trying to fit the drones with tiny hand-crafted hakamas would be effective or aesthetically pleasing. But I have met a Kakita Haruhi over the past few days. While she's certainly very modern in the art she performs, perhaps she'd appreciate something from a bygone age if it's...Crane enough."

[Hiruma Akiro]

Taraka chuckled.

"Understandable, Hiruma-san. The saying of old was, 'A samurai must be a master of summer and winter.' I don't think it flows quite as well these days to try and say 'A samurai must be a master of summer, winter, scriptwriting, fantasy flight, drone piloting, racing, computer programming, claw machines....'" she said before cutting off with a shake of the head.

"Perhaps the Kakita were ahead of their time. It's best to pick one thing and master that." she mused.

Besides, it was rude to try and push a sale for your store inside someone else's.

She moved to the next shelf looking at some netsukes.

"Oh no, nothing for the store. I don't think trying to fit the drones with tiny hand-crafted hakamas would be effective or aesthetically pleasing. But I have met a Kakita Haruhi over the past few days. While she's certainly very modern in the art she performs, perhaps she'd appreciate something from a bygone age if it's...Crane enough."

Akiro grimaced. "That's certainly true. I've been through three different rounds of training to become an officer, and I still haven't seen real combat yet. Perhaps soon, Kami willing." He sighed. "Well, it's giving me a breadth of skills anyway, albeit little enough practical experience using them.

Perhaps that was why he didn't seem entirely comfortable shopping here. He followed Taraka as she moved from one shelf to the next, peering at objects and frowning.

"A Kakita?" Akiro's eyebrows went up. "As it happens, I was stationed in Crane space for a while. Perhaps I can be of assistance. What do you know about this Kakita Haruhi?"

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka thought it over.

"Drone artisan, but she makes very Crane drones, songbirds that sing on command. She's also very interested in conservation." she revealed.

[Hiruma Akiro]

Taraka thought it over.

"Drone artisan, but she makes very Crane drones, songbirds that sing on command. She's also very interested in conservation." she revealed.

"Hmmm." Akiro frowned thoughtfully. "She sounds to be a bit of a paradox. But people often are, or so I've found."

He considered a few moments. "Perhaps something handcrafted? Made from real wood. Just as the artisans of old used to do. That would seem to satisfy both the Crane and the conservationist in her, or so I might expect."

His frown turned into a grimace. "Now, if only I could find something for my mother. It almost seems that the more one knows about a person, the harder it is to gift for them."

[Yasuki Taraka]

This elicited a small shrug from the Yasuki.

"Sometimes a fresh perspective helps, Hiruma-san. If you'd like to share more about your mother beyond the fact that she produces handsome, capable sons, perhaps I might have a suggestion." she offerd.

[Hiruma Akiro]

This elicited a small shrug from the Yasuki.

"Sometimes a fresh perspective helps, Hiruma-san. If you'd like to share more about your mother beyond the fact that she produces handsome, capable sons, perhaps I might have a suggestion." she offerd.

"Hmmm." Akiro's smile appeared and disappeared again. "I do have a brother, in fact. He's very gifted, although I don't think he knows it. He just..." A hint of frustration was cut off before it went anywhere.

Frowning thoughtfully, he tilted his head. "She's very proper. Very organized. Kind, but stern." His frown deepened. "She enjoys gardening; not quite bonsai like the Crane do, but very artistic. I'd get her a plant, but she has her garden just so. I don't think it would fit in."

Tilting his head back up, he gave Taraka a smile again, slight but genuine. "I hope that's a clear picture. Perhaps you're right, it's easier with a fresh perspective."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka nodded.

"Ah, so gaijin scroll, clearly." she teased him.

She looked about the store.

"Hmmm, No No No.....ah." she said, halting the search in front of the kintsugi case.

":What about that vase, Hiruma-san?" she said.

[Hiruma Akiro]

snip

"Hah." Akiro smiled. "I'd prefer not having having anything thrown at me, thank you. My mother still has quite the arm."

He followed Taraka, eyes narrowing thoughtfully at her choice. "Hmmm..." Ever so carefully, he reached out, letting his fingers just barely touch the line of gold. "Very lovely. And philosophically interesting. It's no wonder this art has remained popular." He gave a sharp nod. "It shall do, I think."

Turning, Akiro bowed to Taraka. "Thank you, Yasuki-san. I think you've made my search much easier." Again, he gave her a slight smile. "Shall we now turn to your search? I feel it's only right for me to assist you, now."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka hadn't been seriously considering a gift for Haruhi, but it'd be rude to not let the Hiruma repay the favor.

She gestured to the store at large.

"Knock yourself out, Hiruma-san. She's planning on staying on the island for awhile as part of her duties, so something to brighten up her temporary home, with a bird motif, and properly Crane-y, is the best bet." she offered.

[Hatoful GM]

"Hmmm..." By the serious expression on his face, Akiro was taking this very seriously. He was silent for a time, thoughtfully stroking his chin as he carefully walked around the store.

Finally, he gestured with open palm to a carving:



"Perhaps this?" He suggested, again smiling gently. "It looks rather similar to the local birds here. I don't know this Kakita, of course, but you said she's interest in conservation. I expect a piece of local flavor might be especially appreciated."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka examined the piece with a critical eye before slowly nodding.

"I think you've found a winner, Hiruma-san." she agreed, setting the piece aside for purchase. "Thank you for your assistance."

She offered him a polite bow.

"Will you be attending any of the parties tonight?" she asked.

[Hiruma Akiro]

Taraka examined the piece with a critical eye before slowly nodding.

"I think you've found a winner, Hiruma-san." she agreed, setting the piece aside for purchase. "Thank you for your assistance."

She offered him a polite bow.

"Will you be attending any of the parties tonight?" she asked.

Akiro returned the bow solemnly. "I am pleased to have been of assistance, Yasuki-san." There was, in fact, a bit of self-aware humor in it.

"Parties?" He blinked. "Goodness. More than one, is there? I received an invitation for a Mantis costume party, but I think I shall pass." He shook his head. "If duty required me to be there, I would, but my schedule is rather packed, I'm afraid. What are the other parties?"

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka nodded.

"Ah well, Flying Battle Carps is co-hosting a party on the Azure Dragon this afternoon. I know you said you've no interest in participating, but nothing saying you can't swing by to watch." she offered. "Well, barring other duties or a general lack of interest in socializing."

[Hiruma Akiro]

Taraka nodded.

"Ah well, Flying Battle Carps is co-hosting a party on the Azure Dragon this afternoon. I know you said you've no interest in participating, but nothing saying you can't swing by to watch." she offered. "Well, barring other duties or a general lack of interest in socializing."

"This afternoon..." Akiro frowned, his brows drawing down. After a few moments, he sighed. "I'll try. I really shall. My schedule is rather full, but I'll do my best." He spread his hands. "It's not for me personally, but I enjoy spectating."

His eyebrows went up in polite inquiry. "Cohosting... with the Azure Dragon? I'd heard about that. It's in Mantis hands now, isn't it? Do they make good business partners?"