(D4, MM, Tian Tea, Expecting) Too much blood in my caffeine system

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka had been pushing herself pretty hard. Running the store, pushing the Carps, partying non-stop with people from across the Empire. And today was Fan-con and more. She was going to need an extra large boost to get through today. And so she made her way into Tian Tea, to get one of their concoctions that was high on energy and sugar. Probably not the best for her after all the drinking yesterday, but the Crab would soldier on.

[Hiruma Akito]

It would be a somewhat familiar face that found its way to Tian Tea while Taraka was there. Somewhat familiar, and yet decidedly different. Perhaps as though someone had taken the familiar face, taken a few years off, and given it some stubble. At least the frown was similar, although given the slight redness and squinting of his eyes, that might be a temporary condition.

Akito made his way to the counter with a grunt, straightening when he realized that there was a samurai there, who might find his hangover distasteful, and not just the heimen behind the counter, who would probably find it funny. "Mmm. Good morning, Yasuki-san." He greeted Taraka, his voice perhaps a touch soft. "How's the morning treating you so far?"

[Yasuki Taraka]

It would be a somewhat familiar face that found its way to Tian Tea while Taraka was there. Somewhat familiar, and yet decidedly different. Perhaps as though someone had taken the familiar face, taken a few years off, and given it some stubble. At least the frown was similar, although given the slight redness and squinting of his eyes, that might be a temporary condition.

Akito made his way to the counter with a grunt, straightening when he realized that there was a samurai there, who might find his hangover distasteful, and not just the heimen behind the counter, who would probably find it funny. "Mmm. Good morning, Yasuki-san." He greeted Taraka, his voice perhaps a touch soft. "How's the morning treating you so far?"

Taraka knew the signs. Given the recent few days, she could sympathize quite easily.

"About two miles into a one mile jog." she admitted. "But koku never sleeps, so who are we to leave it unattended?"

She turned to the barista.

"One Endless Watch please." she asked.

The Endless Watch was a Crab clan special, the strongest black tea with sugar and energy packets.

"And yourself, Hiruma-san?" she replied, her tone also a little softer than usual, and certainly not peppy.

[Hiruma Akito]

Taraka knew the signs. Given the recent few days, she could sympathize quite easily.

"About two miles into a one mile jog." she admitted. "But koku never sleeps, so who are we to leave it unattended?"

She turned to the barista.

"One Endless Watch please." she asked.

The Endless Watch was a Crab clan special, the strongest black tea with sugar and energy packets.

"And yourself, Hiruma-san?" she replied, her tone also a little softer than usual, and certainly not peppy.

Despite his apparent infirmity, that got a quick grin from the Crab. "Hah, yes. Believe me, I know the feeling. Still, that's an improvement. Earlier, it felt as though Gunso'd ordered the marching band to use my head as a drum."

"The same." He said, holding up two fingers. "If only because then I don't have to think of my own drink. That does sound good right now..."

Turning, Akito looked at Taraka, smiling, but with his brow creased. "Hiruma Akito. It's a pleasure." He sketched a quick bow. "Ah... you look familiar. Were you at that..." Akito made a face for a moment as he considered a few different words, "-shindig last night? On the boat?"

[Yasuki Taraka]

"I was at two different parties hosted by two different Mantises yesterday." she said, carefully reviewing the facts as she waited for her drink. "But I wasn't in costume for the boat one nor did I see you there."

She looked at him curiously.

"So...sorry, which party were you at?"

[Hiruma Akito]

"I was at two different parties hosted by two different Mantises yesterday." she said, carefully reviewing the facts as she waited for her drink. "But I wasn't in costume for the boat one nor did I see you there."

She looked at him curiously.

"So...sorry, which party were you at?"

That made Akito's brow crease further, his smile growing uncertain. "Two parties? Must've been a Mantis holiday or something."

He went on. "But if I'm mistaken, I apologize. I was in costume. It was a very memorable party. Drinks, dancing. A chocolate fountain I never got to appreciate properly." He sighed. "Magistrates. You know, everything you expect from a good Mantis party."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka offered him a small grin.

"Ah, your day went that well did it, Hiruma-san?" she asked.

She had heard of some parties that left people unsure jut where they'd been.

"But yeah, I was there. Had a pretty nice costume as the Spirit of Misfortune, if you've ever heard that one. What was your costume?"

[Hiruma Akito]

Taraka offered him a small grin.

"Ah, your day went that well did it, Hiruma-san?" she asked.

She had heard of some parties that left people unsure jut where they'd been.

"But yeah, I was there. Had a pretty nice costume as the Spirit of Misfortune, if you've ever heard that one. What was your costume?"

Akito's lips quirked, more smile than not. "I had a good time." He said, slightly cryptically. "And yet, things ended on rather a down note for the party, didn't they? Not that I wouldn't go again, just perhaps I'd duck out fifteen minutes earlier."

He looked at her, eyebrows going up, smirking just a little. "Sprit of Misfortune, right. That's not bad luck. Hope not." He flashed a quick smile. "Myself, I went as Fancy Formalwear. You know, Starlight Miko Crusaders? Cape and mask and everything." He chuckled softly. "I was impressed. People got pretty creative with their costumes. I'd be hard-pressed to pick a favorite."

As he considered, pursing his lips, the barista offered the two samurai their drinks, one at a time, with both hands. "Thanks." Akito said absently as he accepted his.

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka took her cup gratefully, offering a small prayer to the fortune of the overworked and underappreciated, and took a strong sip. It was like a hot slap in the face by someone not holding back.

"Phew. I think I'd live on these if it wouldn't make my heart burst before the month was out." she admitted. "Still, a good strong kick to get going when you really need it."

She took a moment to savor the aroma.

"Ah you see, you missed your cue then, Hiruma-san. You were meant to toss a rose and declare 'My job is done here!' and vanish before the magistrate arrived."

Another sip of caffeine to reanimate the merchant.

"Amusingly enough, despite the theme of the party being to disguise oneself, for a lot of people that was the first real look at the governor and the head magistrate. Asataka-sama is missed." she said, with a slight lift of the cup in honor of the old magistrate.

[Hiruma Akito]

Taraka took her cup gratefully, offering a small prayer to the fortune of the overworked and underappreciated, and took a strong sip. It was like a hot slap in the face by someone not holding back.

"Phew. I think I'd live on these if it wouldn't make my heart burst before the month was out." she admitted. "Still, a good strong kick to get going when you really need it."

She took a moment to savor the aroma.

"Ah you see, you missed your cue then, Hiruma-san. You were meant to toss a rose and declare 'My job is done here!' and vanish before the magistrate arrived."

Another sip of caffeine to reanimate the merchant.

"Amusingly enough, despite the theme of the party being to disguise oneself, for a lot of people that was the first real look at the governor and the head magistrate. Asataka-sama is missed." she said, with a slight lift of the cup in honor of the old magistrate.

For his part, Akito seemed to not savoring the aroma, but attempting to ingest his through scent, taking deep breaths over it. It had limited success, but his color did appear a bit better.

"Ah, so you recognize the character." Akito chuckled softly. "Alas, one can't quite time these things quite as well as in fiction. Although I did do my best to make a suitable exit... once things had settled down a bit."

Finally, he took a sip, a rather large one. "Burnt my tongue. Don't care. That's good." He sighed, gesturing over to a nearby table, leading the way there.

Another sip (you couldn't burn your tongue twice, right?), and Akito looked at Taraka. "Mmm, yes." He lifted his cup. "First look I'd gotten in person at the new Governor, myself." He hesitated a moment, giving Taraka a sidelong glance, then shrugged, his shoulders rising and falling slightly. "She's doing alright though, eh? New business and all that. Or do you see things differently?"

[Yasuki Taraka]

For his part, Akito seemed to not savoring the aroma, but attempting to ingest his through scent, taking deep breaths over it. It had limited success, but his color did appear a bit better.

"Ah, so you recognize the character." Akito chuckled softly. "Alas, one can't quite time these things quite as well as in fiction. Although I did do my best to make a suitable exit... once things had settled down a bit."

Finally, he took a sip, a rather large one. "Burnt my tongue. Don't care. That's good." He sighed, gesturing over to a nearby table, leading the way there.

Another sip (you couldn't burn your tongue twice, right?), and Akito looked at Taraka. "Mmm, yes." He lifted his cup. "First look I'd gotten in person at the new Governor, myself." He hesitated a moment, giving Taraka a sidelong glance, then shrugged, his shoulders rising and falling slightly. "She's doing alright though, eh? New business and all that. Or do you see things differently?"

Taraka sat down with the Hiruma, more than happy to converse awhile while Endless Watch burned open the gates of sleep.

"Hmm, also, unlike fiction, Hiruma-san, you can't solve all your problems in thirty minutes." she teases a bit. "Which really is inconvenient for life to refuse to be so cleanly packaged. The governor inherited an economy in decline from her father. It's too early to tell if her imitative with the other clans will or won't turn things around. Perhaps you could think of it as the pilot of a spin-off. The cast and producers are hopeful, but whether it will take off yet or be relegated to a video titled, 'Top Five Governors who Fizzled Out'...it's just too soon to tell."

The drink was working, and Taraka could afford to grin a bit at the Hiruma.

"Unless your fanfiction of Fancy Formalwear gives him the ability to see into the future, that is." she said. "Then not only do you know how it will play out, but you should really spend more time at Azure Dragon."

[Hiruma Akito]

Taraka sat down with the Hiruma, more than happy to converse awhile while Endless Watch burned open the gates of sleep.

"Hmm, also, unlike fiction, Hiruma-san, you can't solve all your problems in thirty minutes." she teases a bit. "Which really is inconvenient for life to refuse to be so cleanly packaged. The governor inherited an economy in decline from her father. It's too early to tell if her imitative with the other clans will or won't turn things around. Perhaps you could think of it as the pilot of a spin-off. The cast and producers are hopeful, but whether it will take off yet or be relegated to a video titled, 'Top Five Governors who Fizzled Out'...it's just too soon to tell."

The drink was working, and Taraka could afford to grin a bit at the Hiruma.

"Unless your fanfiction of Fancy Formalwear gives him the ability to see into the future, that is." she said. "Then not only do you know how it will play out, but you should really spend more time at Azure Dragon."

"Mmmm." Chuckling, Akito brushed a hand across his face, still slowly recovering. "Was that one of the shows that someone pitched yesterday? It'd probably have a good following, but finding contestants might be a challenge."

He took another sip of his drink, followed by a deep breath. "Ah. That's better." Indeed, his color had improved noticeably, letting him flash a smile back. "Anyway. Perhaps I'm optimistic, but I think her initiative will work out. Although I've talked with more than a few who seemed to have ruffled feathers about the whole thing." He shrugged.

The question made Akito grin. "Orrrrr... I could have foreseen this headache, and had a bit less to drink last night. But no." He nodded firmly. "I stand by my decisions. Azure Dragon sounds fun, though. Would you believe I've never been there?" He flashed another quick smile. "I think they prefer that you have money when you walk in the door, not when you walk out it."

[Yasuki Taraka]

"A samurai should not give in to regret, even when said samurai's head is splitting open." she agrees with a firm nod.

She looked thoughtfully at her cup.

"Hm, do you think the head magistrate is one of the one's who is feeling a bit....ruffled? Because depending on casting, you could either had read those lines last night as, 'I'm just here to fairly enforce the laws, please do not concern yourself governor and enjoy your evening.' OR "Get out of my way party girl, I know what's best.'" she offered.

"Misunderstood, slightly awkward good guy, or smirking antagonist?" she asked, curious what the Hiruma thought of the man.

[Hiruma Akito]

"A samurai should not give in to regret, even when said samurai's head is splitting open." she agrees with a firm nod.

She looked thoughtfully at her cup.

"Hm, do you think the head magistrate is one of the one's who is feeling a bit....ruffled? Because depending on casting, you could either had read those lines last night as, 'I'm just here to fairly enforce the laws, please do not concern yourself governor and enjoy your evening.' OR "Get out of my way party girl, I know what's best.'" she offered.

"Misunderstood, slightly awkward good guy, or smirking antagonist?" she asked, curious what the Hiruma thought of the man.

Akito chuckled. "That's the spirit!" He took another sip, longer this time.

The question turned his smile into a frown; at least it was a thoughtful one. "Huh. I don't know much about him, personally or professionally. But with him showing up and embarrassing the Governor like that, I sorta wondered if someone is up to something." Akito grimaced. "And that's about as detailed as I can get into political goings-on. Someone might be up to something!"

The question made him chuckle again, short but sincere, almost a snort. "It's probably a matter of perspective. He reminds me a bit of my brother. Fortunes he's a prick, but he's also my brother." Smiling, Akito shrugged. "But the main thing I've heard about him is professional. I don't know if that makes him a good guy, but maybe it doesn't make him a smirking antagonist either."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka nodded.

"A wise stance when one isn't in the game of politics and an even wiser one when one is." she agrees.

For the moment, she was just enjoying the warmth of the cup than continuing to drink.

"I have heard it said that famiy is a four letter word," she said sympathetically. "Overall, I get along with my sisters, even if Mizuki is too kind sometimes and Seiko is too hard headed at times. "

She looked over Akito a little more carefully.

"Hmm, I might have run into your brother somewhere. Clean cut with a sword? Might've been cast as Background Crab Soldier #2 in a low budget Crane military drama?" she guessed.

[Hiruma Akito]

Taraka nodded.

"A wise stance when one isn't in the game of politics and an even wiser one when one is." she agrees.

For the moment, she was just enjoying the warmth of the cup than continuing to drink.

"I have heard it said that famiy is a four letter word," she said sympathetically. "Overall, I get along with my sisters, even if Mizuki is too kind sometimes and Seiko is too hard headed at times. "

She looked over Akito a little more carefully.

"Hmm, I might have run into your brother somewhere. Clean cut with a sword? Might've been cast as Background Crab Soldier #2 in a low budget Crane military drama?" she guessed.

Akito grunted. "That's certainly true." He looked at Taraka curiously. "Is that a game you play, Yasuki-sama?" He asked.

Another chuckle at the saying. "Yeah, that sounds about right. Hmmm, so if Mizuki is too kind, and Seiko is too stubborn... which order do all three of you fall in?"

This time he did snort. "That's probably him, although he wouldn't settle for anything less than Background Crab Soldier #1. He is the older brother, after all." Akito shook his head, then took a drink of his tea, drinking more like it was a cheap sake than a caffeinated beverage. "You meet him at the fancy Governor's party a few day's back?"

[Yasuki Taraka]

Another sip, and a small bit of a grimace.

"Huh. Umiko-sama also commented on my political acumen and possible ambitions. I'm not certain if I should be flattered or insulted." she said amused.

She grinned.

"The middle sister, clearly. How could it be otherwise?"

She shook her head.

"I don't think so. If it's who I think it is, he was shopping at Feather Your Nest for a gift for your Mother." she revealed.

[Hiruma Akito]

Another sip, and a small bit of a grimace.

"Huh. Umiko-sama also commented on my political acumen and possible ambitions. I'm not certain if I should be flattered or insulted." she said amused.

She grinned.

"The middle sister, clearly. How could it be otherwise?"

She shook her head.

"I don't think so. If it's who I think it is, he was shopping at Feather Your Nest for a gift for your Mother." she revealed.

Akito raised his hands. "Hey, all I feel qualified to comment on is your taste in tea. Which is good, so there's that." He flashed her a quick smile, then frowned thoughtfully again. "I don't know. Umiko-sama's a hard one to get a read on, huh? I can't tell if she's a savvy political operator or... very much not that, I guess."

At that admission, Akito grinned back. "Hah, I thought so. Of course, I'm the youngest of two. If there'd have been a third, I bet I'd have been the middle." He wasn't quite sure what that entailed, but it felt right.

Akito paused for a sip of tea, then nodded. "The kintsugi vase? Yeah, that'd be him." Akito's tone grew a bit dry. "Mom loved it, of course." He took a breath, letting it out in a puff. "Heh. Well, like you said. Your family live here, too?"

[Yasuki Taraka]

Akito raised his hands. "Hey, all I feel qualified to comment on is your taste in tea. Which is good, so there's that." He flashed her a quick smile, then frowned thoughtfully again. "I don't know. Umiko-sama's a hard one to get a read on, huh? I can't tell if she's a savvy political operator or... very much not that, I guess."

At that admission, Akito grinned back. "Hah, I thought so. Of course, I'm the youngest of two. If there'd have been a third, I bet I'd have been the middle." He wasn't quite sure what that entailed, but it felt right.

Akito paused for a sip of tea, then nodded. "The kintsugi vase? Yeah, that'd be him." Akito's tone grew a bit dry. "Mom loved it, of course." He took a breath, letting it out in a puff. "Heh. Well, like you said. Your family live here, too?"

Taraka nodded.

"Yep, family has deep roots here. But it's still a big island, so it's not like I know everyone personally." she admitted.

She couldn't help but smile a bit about the vase.

"Ah, I'm glad my suggestion was met well then. I might not be a Crane, but I still like to think I'm pretty savvy at picking out gifts." she said with a little pride.

[Hiruma Akito]

Taraka nodded.

"Yep, family has deep roots here. But it's still a big island, so it's not like I know everyone personally." she admitted.

She couldn't help but smile a bit about the vase.

"Ah, I'm glad my suggestion was met well then. I might not be a Crane, but I still like to think I'm pretty savvy at picking out gifts." she said with a little pride.

Akito smirked. "And yet, you're offworld, say you're from here, and someone's like 'oh, you must know Yasuki Taro, he's from there...'" He shook his head. "Every time."

One last drink, with Akito banging his cup a few times on the bottom, and he set it down empty. "That's much better." And indeed, he looked better too, with healthy color and more animation in his movements. "If I find myself in need of a gift, well, I know who to ask, then."

He stretched, arms reaching up over his head; he had a bushi's build, it was clear. "Maybe I can get it from your place." He suggested, smiling. "Wherever that is. If you're in logistics or, I don't know, your company makes giant steel construction beams, guess that's no good. But in fact they...?" He looked at her, eyebrows up expectantly.