D5 LE - A Dance Deferred (Expecting but public location)

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Shinjo Suh-Hyun had ridden out to the club on her little scooter, the bike just proving to much of an issue given her choice of club wear. She figured on being a little daring, wearing a trendy skirt and top combination with a lightweight jacket. And because she felt a bit mischievous, the Unicorn had actually finished it with a fashionable pair of black calf high platform boots adding a good extra inch to her height. Might as well test the bravery of the Hiruma.

Speaking of she stood in line waiting to get in, fashion wise she blended in managing to fit in between the more casual clubbers and the extravagate outfits of the avant garde. Her now added height did backfire a little as the Unicorn grew a bit self-conscious of the way she towered over most of the crowd.

[Hiruma Akito]

Shinjo Suh-Hyun had ridden out to the club on her little scooter, the bike just proving to much of an issue given her choice of club wear. She figured on being a little daring, wearing a trendy skirt and top combination with a lightweight jacket. And because she felt a bit mischievous, the Unicorn had actually finished it with a fashionable pair of black calf high platform boots adding a good extra inch to her height. Might as well test the bravery of the Hiruma.

Speaking of she stood in line waiting to get in, fashion wise she blended in managing to fit in between the more casual clubbers and the extravagate outfits of the avant garde. Her now added height did backfire a little as the Unicorn grew a bit self-conscious of the way she towered over most of the crowd.

Fortunately, Suh-Hyun wouldn't have to wait too long by herself.

Traveling on foot, and wearing traditional clothing in a modern style, Akito came in sight of the club; slightly rumpled but in a stylish way that either suggested good fashion luck, or a lot of time spent getting just right. As an additional bit of fortune, spotting Suh-Hyun wasn't challenging in the least.

Striding up to join her, Akito grinned. His gaze started at her face, traveled down the length of her (LONG!), and back up. It took a few moments. "Damn..." He said, his voice low. "And you didn't even make an entrance this time." Still smiling, he looked up to meet her gaze. "You look great, Shinjo-sama."

He took a spot next to her as the line moved a step forward; it looked like they wouldn't be too long. "I didn't keep you waiting too long, I hope? If I did, I'll make it up to you." His grin flashed. "Promise."

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Fortunately, Suh-Hyun wouldn't have to wait too long by herself.

Traveling on foot, and wearing traditional clothing in a modern style, Akito came in sight of the club; slightly rumpled but in a stylish way that either suggested good fashion luck, or a lot of time spent getting just right. As an additional bit of fortune, spotting Suh-Hyun wasn't challenging in the least.

Striding up to join her, Akito grinned. His gaze started at her face, traveled down the length of her (LONG!), and back up. It took a few moments. "Damn..." He said, his voice low. "And you didn't even make an entrance this time." Still smiling, he looked up to meet her gaze. "You look great, Shinjo-sama."

He took a spot next to her as the line moved a step forward; it looked like they wouldn't be too long. "I didn't keep you waiting too long, I hope? If I did, I'll make it up to you." His grin flashed. "Promise."

Suh-Hyun likewise looks over Akito, she holds up a hand about face level between her face and his. She opens her fingers to peer at him the fingers. Nodding she drops her hand. "You look good without the mask Hiruma-san." She smiles, though it turns mischievous, "And what would you do if I said you had?"

[Hiruma Akito]

Suh-Hyun likewise looks over Akito, she holds up a hand about face level between her face and his. She opens her fingers to peer at him the fingers. Nodding she drops her hand. "You look good without the mask Hiruma-san." She smiles, though it turns mischievous, "And what would you do if I said you had?"

Raised eyebrows turned into an honest chuckle as Akito realized what she was doing. "Glad to hear that it wasn't just the mask. Or the cape. Although I kinda miss the cape." He turned, swiping his arm; if he'd had a cape, it would have swirled dramatically. Instead he just turned.

"Oh, well..." Akito's expression turned exaggeratedly solemn. "It's hard to come back from that. I'd really have to make sure you had a great time the rest of the evening to make it up. A good drink. Some better dancing. Walk you back after..." He gave her a sidelong smirk as they stepped forward.

Only one group between them and the doorman! Close enough that the steady bass of the club beat (because there was always a steady bass) was growing more audible.

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Raised eyebrows turned into an honest chuckle as Akito realized what she was doing. "Glad to hear that it wasn't just the mask. Or the cape. Although I kinda miss the cape." He turned, swiping his arm; if he'd had a cape, it would have swirled dramatically. Instead he just turned.

"Oh, well..." Akito's expression turned exaggeratedly solemn. "It's hard to come back from that. I'd really have to make sure you had a great time the rest of the evening to make it up. A good drink. Some better dancing. Walk you back after..." He gave her a sidelong smirk as they stepped forward.

Only one group between them and the doorman! Close enough that the steady bass of the club beat (because there was always a steady bass) was growing more audible.

"Capes do add a dramatic flair. I have to admit playing Horse and flipping that cape back while posing in her flamboyant manner was way more fun than it had any right to be." She laughed at that, "Brought me back to my childhood jumping up on the living room table with my old blanket wrapped around me." Another more nervous laugh came after that, "Well until mom or dad came in and I was grounded."

Suh-Hyun tapped her chin in thought, "Seems like a cheap price. I mean you would have wasted the valuable time of a skilled Test Pilot. I think that would be at least a meal." She winked, "Unless your dancing is really top notch."

"This place really is popular. And brings in the chic crowd."

[Hiruma Akito]

"Capes do add a dramatic flair. I have to admit playing Horse and flipping that cape back while posing in her flamboyant manner was way more fun than it had any right to be." She laughed at that, "Brought me back to my childhood jumping up on the living room table with my old blanket wrapped around me." Another more nervous laugh came after that, "Well until mom or dad came in and I was grounded."

Suh-Hyun tapped her chin in thought, "Seems like a cheap price. I mean you would have wasted the valuable time of a skilled Test Pilot. I think that would be at least a meal." She winked, "Unless your dancing is really top notch."

"This place really is popular. And brings in the chic crowd."

That won a warm grin from the Hiruma as he turned his head to look at Suh-Hyun. "I can imagine that. I may have done more or less the same once or twice, with very similar consequences."

They stepped up to the bouncer. A quick exchange, and they were in the door. It was certainly a mix inside, with some crowds talking, some dancing, all fashionable, and all overlayed with music and lights. A bar was off to the side; Akito confidently lead Suh-Hyun that direction.

"Is that so?" Akito chuckled. "Well, we'll see how the dancing goes." He gave her a playful smile. "On the other hand, if I owe you a meal sometime, who am I to say no?"

The comment got a quick sidelong glance. "Yeah." Akito agreed. "But that's the fun thing about dancing, right? It's just you and your partner, and no one else matters." His tone was casual, but there was a faint reassuring hint in it, as though he suspected she might be a bit anxious about standing out.

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

snip

"My siblings were more cunning," Suh-Hyun's grin turned lopsided, "They usually got out of punishment, sometimes by tricking me into taking the blame."

She kept her expression steady but her cheeks had reddened a fraction, "Well, you aren't in any danger...in truth I had just got here right before you." Her eyes looked out over the crowd, "But I wouldn't turn down a meal sometime."

The Unicorn was self-conscious about the situation. A lot her 'coolness' came from a sort of natural confidence in her uniform. Even at its gaudiest she generally felt more comfortable, it was after all tailored to make her look good and had years of tradition behind the design. "Yeah, but like those rare times the grand melee is joined between fighters, you have to keep aware of those around you. Even if only one matters at the time." She smiles down at Akito, a wordless 'thank you' written across her expression.

[Hiruma Akito]

"My siblings were more cunning," Suh-Hyun's grin turned lopsided, "They usually got out of punishment, sometimes by tricking me into taking the blame."

She kept her expression steady but her cheeks had reddened a fraction, "Well, you aren't in any danger...in truth I had just got here right before you." Her eyes looked out over the crowd, "But I wouldn't turn down a meal sometime."

The Unicorn was self-conscious about the situation. A lot her 'coolness' came from a sort of natural confidence in her uniform. Even at its gaudiest she generally felt more comfortable, it was after all tailored to make her look good and had years of tradition behind the design. "Yeah, but like those rare times the grand melee is joined between fighters, you have to keep aware of those around you. Even if only one matters at the time." She smiles down at Akito, a wordless 'thank you' written across her expression.

"Awww..." Akito's smile was both amused and sympathetic. "But I think that's the way to do it. We have to own our messes as well as our successes, right? So hey, I think your younger self did the right thing, even if she ended up grounded sometimes."

Gosh, he didn't usually have to look up at a woman, or at least not that up. Akito's smile grew ever so slightly as he spotted that blush. "We might just have to see about that."

They arrived at the bar. "I've got another for you to try. A bit higher-end, a bit smoother." He pointed to a bottle, and held up two fingers. The bartender nodded, getting out glasses.

Leaning casually on the counter, Akito turned his attention to Suh-Hyun, his smile warming at her look. "Yeah. I guess that's true. At least you're not swinging a sword while you're dancing." His eyes narrowed playfully, his smile turning just a bit more playful. "Does that mean we're opponents out on the dance floor? Oh." His expression turned more serious. "Could you call me by my chosen name? I'd like that."

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

"Awww..." Akito's smile was both amused and sympathetic. "But I think that's the way to do it. We have to own our messes as well as our successes, right? So hey, I think your younger self did the right thing, even if she ended up grounded sometimes."

Gosh, he didn't usually have to look up at a woman, or at least not that up. Akito's smile grew ever so slightly as he spotted that blush. "We might just have to see about that."

They arrived at the bar. "I've got another for you to try. A bit higher-end, a bit smoother." He pointed to a bottle, and held up two fingers. The bartender nodded, getting out glasses.

Leaning casually on the counter, Akito turned his attention to Suh-Hyun, his smile warming at her look. "Yeah. I guess that's true. At least you're not swinging a sword while you're dancing." His eyes narrowed playfully, his smile turning just a bit more playful. "Does that mean we're opponents out on the dance floor? Oh." His expression turned more serious. "Could you call me by my chosen name? I'd like that."

"Well, my younger self would thank you," She winked, "And then say something like 'old man'. In truth I don't hold it against them. My elder siblings still had my back when anyone outside the family was trying to cause trouble."

Suh-Hyun picked up the glass, smiled and took a cautious sip, "Well this one doesn't burn like it's sterilizing my insides. Still good though."

She turned the glass idly, "Well more the dance of fighter craft. The approach then the circling twisting and turning to gain favorable position. Though in a dance it's more complimentary with your chosen partner than aggressive." She smiles a little, "Alright. Akito-san, but only if you do the same with my name."

[Hiruma Akito]

"Well, my younger self would thank you," She winked, "And then say something like 'old man'. In truth I don't hold it against them. My elder siblings still had my back when anyone outside the family was trying to cause trouble."

Suh-Hyun picked up the glass, smiled and took a cautious sip, "Well this one doesn't burn like it's sterilizing my insides. Still good though."

She turned the glass idly, "Well more the dance of fighter craft. The approach then the circling twisting and turning to gain favorable position. Though in a dance it's more complimentary with your chosen partner than aggressive." She smiles a little, "Alright. Akito-san, but only if you do the same with my name."

"Oof!" Akito laughed. "And I'm the baby in my family." He took a breath at that wink, smirking back. "I guess I'm glad that I'm spending time with the grown up version." Glad, indeed. He nodded. "Sounds like your siblings are alright, though." The slightest wry twist of the lips at that.

He chuckled as she took a sip. "Glad you like it. And huh." His handsomely affable face turned thoughtful. "I'm no pilot, but that sounds right. Coming together, to exchange radiant cannon fire, or to share music..." He lifted his own glass, but to peer into it, as though imagining two starfighters. Or maybe two dancers.

Akito smiled. "I'd like that. Suh-Hyun-san." He raised his glass. "Last time, we toasted to mysteries. Perhaps this time... to the dance?" It sounded simple, but there were layers, just as there were in the smile he gave the tall Unicorn.

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Snip

Suh-Hyun smiled as she raised the glass, "The dance." This time she took only a modest sip, giving a small wink be for tipping the glass up and taking a little more. "In starfighter combat, the fight often begins as two fighters approach. Crossing over each other and then turning either away from each other. Or if one pilot is confident in their machine...turning toward the opponent. Then begins the turns and twists, shedding momentum to gain position or altitude for speed at least in atmosphere. It's all about controlling energy. every movement calculated to draw the opponent in for the final attack."

"So then Akito-san." She leaned onto the bar and braced her head on her hand, "Are you the cautious pilot who takes the safer route. Or the confident pilot who believes they have the advantage and takes the riskier route."

[Hiruma Akito]

Suh-Hyun smiled as she raised the glass, "The dance." This time she took only a modest sip, giving a small wink be for tipping the glass up and taking a little more. "In starfighter combat, the fight often begins as two fighters approach. Crossing over each other and then turning either away from each other. Or if one pilot is confident in their machine...turning toward the opponent. Then begins the turns and twists, shedding momentum to gain position or altitude for speed at least in atmosphere. It's all about controlling energy. every movement calculated to draw the opponent in for the final attack."

"So then Akito-san." She leaned onto the bar and braced her head on her hand, "Are you the cautious pilot who takes the safer route. Or the confident pilot who believes they have the advantage and takes the riskier route."

Akito drank most of his before he realized that Suh-Hyun took only a modest sip. He lowered his glass, setting it on the table.

As Suh-Hyun spoke, Akito's eyes narrowed in appreciation, his head tilting to give her a look best described as smoldering. "That's very well put, Suh-Hyun-san." He breathed, his voice low, just audible above the beat of the music. "I'd like to think that I'd be a confident pilot. That's how I am." He tilted his head just a little further, matching her lean. "But I can tell you're a very good pilot. So maybe I'd think I'd have you right where I wanted, when really I'd be right where you wanted me."

He tossed back the rest of his glass. "Only one way to find out." Akito said, offering his hand with a smile. As Rogukan had invented new styles of dance, some amount of contact was permitted, even expected, of course. Leading out to the dance floor was a tad more of a grey area, but, well, it was a hip new club, after all...

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Snip

The Unicorn tipped back her own glass and downed it in imitation of the Crab. She saw the hand and eyed him for a moment, "The first thing to remember, Akito-san, is the second you let the opponent out of your sight," She tapped her fingers on the bar softly, letting him feel a little doubt, "Is the second before you are shot down."

Her hand raised up slowly, painfully so, "The second thing," She placed her hand in his, "Is that your opponent is always better than you are." She stood up now, leaning in to whisper as she rose, "The third is if you ever doubt yourself in the dance, you have already lost." Straightening up she smiled again. "Lead on, Akito-san."

[Hiruma Akito]

The Unicorn tipped back her own glass and downed it in imitation of the Crab. She saw the hand and eyed him for a moment, "The first thing to remember, Akito-san, is the second you let the opponent out of your sight," She tapped her fingers on the bar softly, letting him feel a little doubt, "Is the second before you are shot down."

Her hand raised up slowly, painfully so, "The second thing," She placed her hand in his, "Is that your opponent is always better than you are." She stood up now, leaning in to whisper as she rose, "The third is if you ever doubt yourself in the dance, you have already lost." Straightening up she smiled again. "Lead on, Akito-san."

It was hard not to feel a twinge of uncertainty as Suh-Hyun stretched the moment out. But Akito had guts, and he stood by his decisions, his smile only fading the tiniest bit. His pale eyes glinted as she tipped back the glass, and he took a deep breath as she placed her hand in his, leaning closer to whisper to him.

"Fortunes, you're hot." He murmured back, matching her smile. "Alright. Let's go."

Akito lead Suh-Hyun confidently out onto the dance floor. He paused a moment to survey the area, then, his hand still warm and pleasantly dry in hers, led them over to an area that was just a little quieter, just a little less populated. The music playing was one with a slow to medium pace; as club music, it had a bass, of course, but as Crab music it also had a lot of drums.

Turning, Akito released Suh-Hyun's hand, beginning to sway in time with the music, looking up to meet her gaze; untrained but practiced. Close, but not touching. Yet. "Tell me about piloting." He said, his voice pitched to be audible. "I can tell how much you love it."

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

It was hard not to feel a twinge of uncertainty as Suh-Hyun stretched the moment out. But Akito had guts, and he stood by his decisions, his smile only fading the tiniest bit. His pale eyes glinted as she tipped back the glass, and he took a deep breath as she placed her hand in his, leaning closer to whisper to him.

"Fortunes, you're hot." He murmured back, matching her smile. "Alright. Let's go."

Akito lead Suh-Hyun confidently out onto the dance floor. He paused a moment to survey the area, then, his hand still warm and pleasantly dry in hers, led them over to an area that was just a little quieter, just a little less populated. The music playing was one with a slow to medium pace; as club music, it had a bass, of course, but as Crab music it also had a lot of drums.

Turning, Akito released Suh-Hyun's hand, beginning to sway in time with the music, looking up to meet her gaze; untrained but practiced. Close, but not touching. Yet. "Tell me about piloting." He said, his voice pitched to be audible. "I can tell how much you love it."

"Akito-san likes tall and scrawny then?" Suh-Hyun teased as their hands separated, though she couldn't hide a hint of her own self-conscious awkwardness from slipping into her voice.

She wasn't a professional dancer but her natural agility and just a little time spent on the basics did wanders. Maybe she was amusing herself by just dipping in a little too close, nearly coming into contact before shifting back. Her eyes certainly seemed to confirm there was something mischievous at work.

"I've been flying my whole life nearly." Her smile was more wistful. "New Hope Castle is large enough to allow for gliders, it's a recreational activity. I was one of the youngest glider pilots on station. From there the Unicorn Navy snatched me up and directed me to the piloting branch of the Shinjo's ancestral school."

She winked at him and her expression took on a prideful air, "The Utaku wanted me for the Sky Raiders but the Shinjo had given many of it's most promising young pilots to them already. And I was an exceptional student."

The tempo of the music shift, and with it Suh-Hyun's movements gaining speed as the rhythm shift up. "Flying is hard for me to describe. It's such a natural part of myself. The feel of being in tune with the raw power of a fighter craft. Tons of metal shifting, turning, burning full force. Struggling to breath and stay conscious as you pull a hard burn, warning lights flaring." Her eyes grow wistful. "It's also... well I just feel connected to the great void between stars." The Unicorn meets his gaze, "it's soothing. Even just drifting, the light of a million million stars shining down on you."

"Have you ever flown. I mean really, not just been stuffed into a hold and transported but flown?"

[Hiruma Akito]

snip

An exhilarated grin flashed across Akito's features as he and Suh-Hyun moved closer, close enough that she could feel the heat of his athletic form, and detect the pleasantly earthy cologne he wore, but not touching. "I like brave, playful, and passionate." He smirked. "And great legs. Just to be clear that I'm working on a few levels here."

As Suh-Hyun spoke, Akito listened, first grinning. "Hah! So that little Suh-Hyun jumping off the table knew what she was about, huh? From that, to gliding, to real flying..." As she went on, his smile grew more wistful, matching hers.

"I never have, no." Akito shook his head, even as the two of them danced with growing intensity. "Stuffed in a transport, yeah. A couple hot drops that were definitely exhilarating, although I had no control there." His eyes glinted at her. "Although that's an exhilaration on its own."

"Fortunes, you make me want to, though." He smiled up at her as their gazes met. "I think I've felt a bit of that, looking out a viewport. I didn't feel connected, but I felt... possibilities..." He took a breath. "After all, with a million million stars, anything must be possible, right?"

The tempo beat faster again. Akito's hand came up to rest on Suh-Hyun's hip, the better to guide their movements together. And because, well, he was working on a few levels.

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Snip

"I broke fewer vases in the glider," Suh-Hyun laughed softly, her cheeks reddened at the hand on her hip. She leaned in close, their cheeks a hair's breadth apart. When she whispered, Akito could feel her breath across his ear, "You are a bold one, careful you don't overshoot your target." She leaned back, placing her own hand on his shoulder. Her cheeks were still red.

"Oh? They call us fighter pilots maniacs but the assault transport crew," She swayed a little closer, almost brushing against the Crab. "Those are the real crazy pilots. Sadists too, they won't admit it to you but they all find it funny when you guys lose your lunch."

Her brown eyes looked into his, "So what was little Akito doing as a child that led him here?"

[Hiruma Akito]

"I broke fewer vases in the glider," Suh-Hyun laughed softly, her cheeks reddened at the hand on her hip. She leaned in close, their cheeks a hair's breadth apart. When she whispered, Akito could feel her breath across his ear, "You are a bold one, careful you don't overshoot your target." She leaned back, placing her own hand on his shoulder. Her cheeks were still red.

"Oh? They call us fighter pilots maniacs but the assault transport crew," She swayed a little closer, almost brushing against the Crab. "Those are the real crazy pilots. Sadists too, they won't admit it to you but they all find it funny when you guys lose your lunch."

Her brown eyes looked into his, "So what was little Akito doing as a child that led him here?"

Akito's breath caught as he felt Suh-Hyun's breath brush across his ear. As she leaned back, his pale eyes were hot as they met hers, his lips curling up into a smile. "Good advice, pilot." He said. "I don't know flying, but I can see how too fast might be even worse than too slow."

The muscle of his shoulder was solid beneath her touch as they kept up their game, joined at hip and shoulder, bodies almost touching, but not quite. He grinned at her words. "I knew it. 'S funny how they can suddenly fly steady and smooth when brass is aboard. And then it's just us grunts, and suddenly I'm wondering how many Gs my seatbelt is rated for."

Akito smiled again as his pale eyes met her brown. "That's a good question." He said. "I guess... I was the creative one in the family. I was always trying new things. Art, music, activities..." His expression grew more pensive. "I was good at a lot of them, but I wasn't born to them. But I was fit, I could handle myself, and I don't get spacesick, so I ended up as a marine. The space sort." He chuckled. "I probably don't have to tell you that, but being from here, with all the ocean..."

For a few moments, he just enjoyed the feel of the music, the feel of dancing with Suh-Hyun. "Saw some action. I'm between deployments now. Helping out my parents, and with this project of the Governor's."

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Snip

"I bet you still bought them drinks after they pulled your," Suh-Hyun squeezed his shoulder a little as if checking it and whispered, "probably well muscled bottom out of the fire."

She smirked and swayed pressing her hip into his hand, "A marine? But I've heard you speak in sentences with more than five words. And a marine that views colored chalk as something other than a snack?" Her hip pulled away from his hand, forcing him to follow it's movement, "I'm impressed."

Her expression grows more sympathetic, having had her little jest the Unicorn's empathy took over. She spoke softly, more soothing than flirtatious, "Expectations can be a heavy burden. I know my own life was fortunate in expectations, skill, and my own wants all lined up. Mostly."

"I was on carrier fighter wing until recently," She looks down, eyes not meeting his, "anti-pirate operations."

Suh-Hyun recovers a little, her smile returning if but tinged with a little sadness. "I'm a test pilot now. Still flying."

[Hiruma Akito]

Snip

"I sure did." Akito murmured, smirking, his shoulder flexing slightly under her touch. "Just like I did when flyboys like you came in with some well-timed air support. As for the rest..." his smirk grew, "-another mystery to be solved."

Could one lead a dance with hips alone? Perhaps if they didn't lie, and Suh-Hyun's were surely honest. His fingers squeezed a little more tightly as she pressed forward, and he followed as she drew back, his eyes glinting in appreciation of her moves. "Why, have you got some colored chalk on you?" He chuckled. "But I know the type. Neck thicker than my thigh, head denser than their rifle."

Akito's smile went from playful to warm, gentle. "Yeah. Knowing where you want to be, and being able to get there... that's really something." He gave a tiny shrug, his shoulder moving under her hand. "I haven't always known." In fact, he still didn't...

His pale eyes narrowed ever so slightly. It was clear there was a story there. The floor of a dance club probably wasn't the place for it, even if he wanted to know. When Suh-Hyun met his gaze again, Akito's smile was even more gentle. "So you're still doing what you love. Still helping your clan. Test pilot sounds dangerous as hell." His hand moved ever so slightly, from hip to waist, holding her a touch closer, warm and reassuring. "Even if its not the same as what you were doing."