D4 MA (expecting) Time for a Kappa Tea

[Suzume Hitomi]

After the bewildering excess of wandering through fancon, Hitomi tapped out a response to an earlier message from Yakura. It had been a while since they'd seen each other outside of city council or commerce organization meetings.

[Headed to Kappa's for tea and a bite after the con. Feel like I should send some of those mu-mujina to shove in museum archives for display next century. I'll save you a seat if you've got time?]

[Yoritomo Yakura]

[Haihaiiii. Pastries plz] Came the response, and soon a clattering of heels was audible, as Yakura entered. "Oh hi Suzume-san. Thanks for the text." She let out a short breath. "The last few days have been crazy. How's business been in the Feather?"

[Suzume Hitomi]

Yakura is directed to a booth, a local green tea scented with island florals steams on the table, and there's a plate of turtle buns beside some kabocha-shaped autumn wagashi.

Hitomi is still in her colorful Ra-shari-themed skirts and simple white blouse, her small attempt to blend in at the con. She offers a bit of a seated bow with a smile. "Business has been decent, even if there's a lot more rush sewing with all these costume events. I remain surprised at what people will pay for something they're likely to wear once and forget in the back of a closet."

[Yoritomo Yakura]

"So cute!" Shrieked Yakura at the turtle buns, as she sat down.

"Sounds good! Been having some.new faces over at the Dragon thankfully." She smiled. "Speaking of which, I need some old timey costume for my leech-wrsaith persona at some point."

She took a whiff of the tea. "Jist what I need, good."

She glanced back at the Sparrow. "Last.few days have been hectic, neh?"

[Suzume Hitomi]

snip

"They really have! I knew this investment initiative was going to take a lot of work and preparation. I didn't really expect that to include holovid scripts!" She shakes her head taking some time to pour the tea for them both. The next pot she'll brew with a bit of quiet between them for a proper ceremony, but it's good to shake off the bustle of the day first.

"For your what now?" She pauses in reaching for a bun. "Waaaiit..is that something from those emails on the commercial group list? Some weird game the governor is involved in?"

[Yoritomo Yakura]

"Yeah, I did not expect for my awesome pitch to be respected." She let out a dramatic sigh. "Maybe next pilot season. Ah well."

She took a sip of her tea, then a bite of turtle. "Oh yes, Edge of Darkness is a big in thing in these circles. It's gonna be fun for sure. You have to come, and you have to dress up. Dressing up is half the fun! And you have such good stuff in your shop!" She practically squeed.

[Suzume Hitomi]

snip

"OK, ok...I mean I got the drift that it was expected that people would want to pitch in and all. Why is my stuff good for this...wait, I thought all the extra business was for fancon, is this why I've got folks in asking for sexy versions of 13th century kimono...which are actually pretty hard to make sexy by modern standards, you know?" She sips the tea, that mellow green taste and the starflower scent is going to say Nakahama to her forever.

"I was really surprised they picked up my weird immortal warrior idea, but if half the movers and shakers in the town government are doing this game, I guess maybe it hit a nerve?"

[Yoritomo Yakura]

"OK, ok...I mean I got the drift that it was expected that people would want to pitch in and all. Why is my stuff good for this...wait, I thought all the extra business was for fancon, is this why I've got folks in asking for sexy versions of 13th century kimono...which are actually pretty hard to make sexy by modern standards, you know?" She sips the tea, that mellow green taste and the starflower scent is going to say Nakahama to her forever.

"I was really surprised they picked up my weird immortal warrior idea, but if half the movers and shakers in the town government are doing this game, I guess maybe it hit a nerve?"

"Huh, you can't? What would you recommend for mysterious, sexy, and from the past?" She asked with a piqued curiosity. "Huh, now that you mention it, the wandering immortal thing might be tied to it. Could be a cool cross promotion. You're brlliant Suzume-san!" She cheered enthusiastically. "Just spare me a cameo, eh?" Giggling, she took another bite and another sip.

"This is really good, you know? Like, really good. You're really good at this stuff."

[Suzume Hitomi]

snip

"I mean, there are some really minor tweaks that, at the time, would have read as sexy...showing extra wrist, or the neck bared in a graceful angle...oh my kami, did your stocking'd toes peep out at me!" Hitomi shakes her head with a chuckle, fanning herself. "Just doesn't read as 'sexy' these days."

"So the sort of thing I've got stocked that reads that way is mostly from the other cultures at the time. The Ivory kingdoms had the sort of hot, sticky climate we have hear, and no personal temperators. So you get see-through fabrics, very loose and flowy, bare midriffs, leg, and shoulders. Even there you cover more as things get more formal."

Her head tilts a bit at the Mantis's gushing. "Doubt I'l get to stay involved. Typical Yasuki taking the work and running with it since we didn't have real contracts in place for all this. But I'll put in a word that you or the Dragon'd make a great cameo for local flavor." She pauses to munch her bun, considering a moment more then asking. "Been awfully busy, haven't you? You have enough help keeping all the balls in the air?"

[Yoritomo Yakura]

"I mean, there are some really minor tweaks that, at the time, would have read as sexy...showing extra wrist, or the neck bared in a graceful angle...oh my kami, did your stocking'd toes peep out at me!" Hitomi shakes her head with a chuckle, fanning herself. "Just doesn't read as 'sexy' these days."

"So the sort of thing I've got stocked that reads that way is mostly from the other cultures at the time. The Ivory kingdoms had the sort of hot, sticky climate we have hear, and no personal temperators. So you get see-through fabrics, very loose and flowy, bare midriffs, leg, and shoulders. Even there you cover more as things get more formal."

Her head tilts a bit at the Mantis's gushing. "Doubt I'l get to stay involved. Typical Yasuki taking the work and running with it since we didn't have real contracts in place for all this. But I'll put in a word that you or the Dragon'd make a great cameo for local flavor." She pauses to munch her bun, considering a moment more then asking. "Been awfully busy, haven't you? You have enough help keeping all the balls in the air?"

"Sort of, to be honest, I've been neglecting the Dragon lately, been absent more than I was there. I don't expect major issues, the staff is good, Yuki-chan knows what she's doing, and bored people should make good customers, so there is that." She sighed. "It's just been...I want to expand the business you know? Diversify. Perfect opportunity, now, but need to put the work in. But it's also a risk, if I'm neglecting my current business, and it just...feels wrong. Plus the Dragon is an inheritance, so there is some sentimental value in there?" She resisted letting out a groan, and just lean back.

"But don't worry about me, I'll manage. I'm made of stern stuff. Now tell me, how see through are we talking about? Do you have any pictures?"

[Suzume Hitomi]

snip

"Not going to lie, sounds like you need a partner, and with a family business that means a spouse and heirs to work with, neh?" Hitomi sips her tea looking over the rim at her Mantis...friend? business acquaintance at minimum. "And there's all these new folks to interview for the position! Unless your family's already begun arrangements."

Pushing the little pumpkin sweets at Yakura she continues, pulling out her densai to scroll through as she talks. "Probably a spa day to clear your head would help too. You know your staff have the day to day in hand. Now you need to clear the clutter and focus on the opportunities we've got floating around right now. You know that monk thing...'meditation 20 minutes a day. If you're too busy? 1 hour a day.'"

She sets her densai to share some holos. "These aren't even good historical examples of actual gaijin outfits, they're replicas of costumes from the Rokugani court pretending to be gaijin outfits. Layers of inaccuracy! But they can be sexy."

[Yoritomo Yakura]

Yakura rolled her eyes. "Now you sound likenmy grandfather. He's expecting greatgrandheirs alreasy! Can't a samurai-ko just have fun? Sheesh." She did smile in the end though. 'In the nakodo bsuiness lately Suzume-sa" she flashed a toothy grin.

"Spa day sounds lovely, to be honest. Maybe make a party out of it, invite a few people? I feel Taraka-san needs a break as well. Maybe someone else as well?"

[Suzume Hitomi]

snip

She lifts her hands, palms up, placatingly with a laugh, "I'm just saying, it's one way to share the burdens, neh? I'd be drowning if I couldn't push off my Rokugan-centered work to siblings!" She sips her tea with a smile. "Though...if you're looking for a minor clan spouse, I can probably toss you some introductions." The MCA had enough communication lines to put inquiries into for that kind of thing. But a wealthy great clan heiress was probably not looking in that direction.

"Now, a spa day!" she says, holding up another bun. "Day after next, I'll call ahead to arrange things. Yasuki-sama could probably use the break too, she's been running flat out with all this and her drone tournaments. I should see if Kaiu Nagisa-sama has time. She's done wonders keeping my bike functional and I never see her leave her work."

[Yoritomo Yakura]

She lifts her hands, palms up, placatingly with a laugh, "I'm just saying, it's one way to share the burdens, neh? I'd be drowning if I couldn't push off my Rokugan-centered work to siblings!" She sips her tea with a smile. "Though...if you're looking for a minor clan spouse, I can probably toss you some introductions." The MCA had enough communication lines to put inquiries into for that kind of thing. But a wealthy great clan heiress was probably not looking in that direction.

"Now, a spa day!" she says, holding up another bun. "Day after next, I'll call ahead to arrange things. Yasuki-sama could probably use the break too, she's been running flat out with all this and her drone tournaments. I should see if Kaiu Nagisa-sama has time. She's done wonders keeping my bike functional and I never see her leave her work."

"Eh, too true. Are you thinking about something like that Suzume-san? You are the ripe old age of...19?" She shot a wild guess. The Sparrow certianly looked young enough. Must be all the malnutrition and starvation or something. "That sounds really good. Just a day of relaxation. Or half a day. Or at least a morning." She sighed. "Met anyone interesting over the last few days?"

[Suzume Hitomi]

"Eh, too true. Are you thinking about something like that Suzume-san? You are the ripe old age of...19?" She shot a wild guess. The Sparrow certianly looked young enough. Must be all the malnutrition and starvation or something. "That sounds really good. Just a day of relaxation. Or half a day. Or at least a morning." She sighed. "Met anyone interesting over the last few days?"

"Twenty-five, though it's kind of Yoritomo-sama to think I've accomplishing this much at such a tender age!" Hitomi laughs at the idea, then sobers a bit considering. "I should probably ask what arrangements my family has been considering, I've certainly been to busy to attend to that."

"As to meeting people... Well there's all sorts of new folks around. Your cousin might be the most *interesting* of the lot, but we'd be poorly matched for that sort of thing. "Met a Hiruma this morning, local but just returning for a bit from the usual kind of Crab deployments. Interesting in that he's the first new person who's not here hunting for commercial partnerships." She thinks a few more moments, chewing on the sweet red bean bun. "Oh, and a rather eccentric Otomo. I think his costumes and all are part of how he works with the spirits? But he certainly makes an entrance."

Pouring the remainder of this first pot of tea, she asks, "and you? Anyone strike you as worth talking to more?"

[Yoritomo Yakura]

"Twenty-five, though it's kind of Yoritomo-sama to think I've accomplishing this much at such a tender age!" Hitomi laughs at the idea, then sobers a bit considering. "I should probably ask what arrangements my family has been considering, I've certainly been to busy to attend to that."

"As to meeting people... Well there's all sorts of new folks around. Your cousin might be the most *interesting* of the lot, but we'd be poorly matched for that sort of thing. "Met a Hiruma this morning, local but just returning for a bit from the usual kind of Crab deployments. Interesting in that he's the first new person who's not here hunting for commercial partnerships." She thinks a few more moments, chewing on the sweet red bean bun. "Oh, and a rather eccentric Otomo. I think his costumes and all are part of how he works with the spirits? But he certainly makes an entrance."

Pouring the remainder of this first pot of tea, she asks, "and you? Anyone strike you as worth talking to more?"

"Or you can put it off until forced." She winked at the Sparrow. "Oh, a Hiruma? Haven't met one in a while, I probably should reach out. Not hunting for commercial partnerships? What on earth is he even doing here then?" She asked with wide eyes.

"Hm...I've been speaking to our dear Karo, she is certainly a dear. And have you met my cousin but not really, O-chan? She is....well, she is who she is." she stated tastefully. "Oh, and an absolutely lovely Unicorn pilot. Shinjo...Longname-san. Sorry, I forgot. I hope she is having a good time no the island. Caught her the other day without an umbrella.

[Suzume Hitomi]

snip

"He's local guard, basically. The folks keeping an eye on threats like giant bird stampedes--not that I've ever heard of one happening. I imagine they're also muscle for the magistrates to call on if needed. But yeah, not a business person, so I'm not suggesting him to you."

"Putting marriage off until forced just mean you keep being overworked and then you're stuck trying to train a complete stranger up to be useful," she chides. "At least put one of your assistants on the task, neh?"

"And not that cousin!" She laughs. "Yoritomo Ochiba is definitely something. But I don't think you want her picking a partner out for you." After a moment, she shrugs. "Or...maybe at least get suggestions, she's certainly out meeting everyone!"

"Which...is something I need to do more of if I hope to get a better foothold for the Sparrow and Minor clans in general here. But it's tough to see what will shift things. Stereotypes a few millenia old make it tough to sell a Crab world as a great vacation spot, you know?" She starts to mention that the wars don't help...seeing as how they make folks less likely to travel for something as frivolous as a vacation. But seeing as how Yakura's clan is central to recent conflicts...

[Yoritomo Yakura]

"He's local guard, basically. The folks keeping an eye on threats like giant bird stampedes--not that I've ever heard of one happening. I imagine they're also muscle for the magistrates to call on if needed. But yeah, not a business person, so I'm not suggesting him to you."

"Putting marriage off until forced just mean you keep being overworked and then you're stuck trying to train a complete stranger up to be useful," she chides. "At least put one of your assistants on the task, neh?"

"And not that cousin!" She laughs. "Yoritomo Ochiba is definitely something. But I don't think you want her picking a partner out for you." After a moment, she shrugs. "Or...maybe at least get suggestions, she's certainly out meeting everyone!"

"Which...is something I need to do more of if I hope to get a better foothold for the Sparrow and Minor clans in general here. But it's tough to see what will shift things. Stereotypes a few millenia old make it tough to sell a Crab world as a great vacation spot, you know?" She starts to mention that the wars don't help...seeing as how they make folks less likely to travel for something as frivolous as a vacation. But seeing as how Yakura's clan is central to recent conflicts...

"Send pictures. Pictures are worth more than words...according to some poet?" She tried recalling who said. Eh, who cares. She wasn't a nerd like that. "The idea of O-chan as a nakodo is amusing...probably until the first conversation. Her idea of compatibility might be different." Shge smirked. "What would be your ideal mate like, eh?"

[Suzume Hitomi]

sbip

She nods agreement, setting up the pot for a small bit of ceremony. "I suppose those Silver Fin productions will put pictures out into at least some spaces, assuming they get it distributed outside of Crab networks."

There's a small space of quiet as she prepares the next pot with a grace and care for the movements that is all Doji. After tea is poured, examined, sipped, she lets a wry smile settle.

"Your O-chan would have a very different idea of compatibility, for certain. Someone to keep up with her, at minimum." The tea cup is nestled between her palms, familiar warmth. "I mean, I guess we all want someone who can keep up with us. Just her energy level is a lot higher than mine. I'd want to stay with the Sparrow...so that's a bit harder to find when out here among the great clans. Someone with at least an appreciation for history would be nice. A head for business is nice, but not required. But able to pick up some part of the partnership, you know? Maybe good at keeping a house in order?"

"How about you? I know you're putting it off, but...what's your list look like?"

[Yoritomo Yakura]

She nods agreement, setting up the pot for a small bit of ceremony. "I suppose those Silver Fin productions will put pictures out into at least some spaces, assuming they get it distributed outside of Crab networks."

There's a small space of quiet as she prepares the next pot with a grace and care for the movements that is all Doji. After tea is poured, examined, sipped, she lets a wry smile settle.

"Your O-chan would have a very different idea of compatibility, for certain. Someone to keep up with her, at minimum." The tea cup is nestled between her palms, familiar warmth. "I mean, I guess we all want someone who can keep up with us. Just her energy level is a lot higher than mine. I'd want to stay with the Sparrow...so that's a bit harder to find when out here among the great clans. Someone with at least an appreciation for history would be nice. A head for business is nice, but not required. But able to pick up some part of the partnership, you know? Maybe good at keeping a house in order?"

"How about you? I know you're putting it off, but...what's your list look like?"

"Have you talked to some of the Minor clanners visiting? I think I only met...the Fox with his monkey." She kept her patriotic disdain hidden properly. "Ha, yeah, compatibility is important. My father and mother complement each other well. Mother is more like O-chan, while my father is more...stable, and grounded? I guess I would like someone similar. I have bursts of activity and energy, and I would appreciate someone who can step in when I'm at my lows..like a business partner. Though I guess marriage is just a different kind of business?"