D7LA, Is *This* a Date? (Expecting, but Open, sure)

[Miya Kisha]

Having taken just a bit to freshen up after oshidama, Kisha finds herself at Kappa's Pond, where she has been told she will meet someone of interest...

[Bayushi Hinata]

In walks a figure she has seen often, since day zero to be precise, and not once had the chance to speak to. A tall, handsome and unmasked Scorpion strides onto the establishment with a wide grin on his face, now wearing some more modest sportswear than what he had during the Oshidama tournament. Could Kisha really take the image of his exposed upper body out of her mind? Immaginign him naked wasn't an option to calm her nerves anymore it seemed.

"Ah! Miya-sama! It is good to finally have a chance to speak to you!" He bows low to the Imperial, a warm, disarming smile as he sits down in front of them.

"I recommend the parfaits, they're to die for in my opinion. Whatever you pick I'll do something different, that way we can sample. Deal?"

[Miya Kisha]

"That sounds lovely, Bayushi-san," Kisha replies, returning the bow.

As she rises, smoothing her dress, she adds "You sound like you're becoming something of a regular here. Or are you just being as bold off the oshidama courts as on them?"

A thought occurs to the Miya, and she gives it voice. "You're not related to Bayushi Senshuken, by chance, are you?"

[Bayushi Hinata]

"I've come here once before, and had a wonderful time enjoying the mango parfait. I'm thinking of asking for a chocolate and nuts one this time..." He looked her in the eye, raising an eyebrow.

"Being bold is something of a specialty. At elast I tell myself that. Someone's gotta gather the attention while the others sneak about no?"

He settles on the aforementioned parfait before tilting his ehad at the question.

"Define related? We are both of the same family yes, but no biological ties. May I ask why?"

[Miya Kisha]

"There's something in how you look that reminds me of her," Kisha replies. "So I figured I'd put the question to you."

To the server, she will say, "I'd like the mint lime, please."

Then the Miya returns her attentions to Hinata, not that she finds it hard to do.

"So, you're assigned as the distraction, then?" she asks, raising an eyebrow. "That seems like it could be a fun assignment or a dangerous one, more than many. How did you land that posting?"

[Bayushi Hinata]

"Oh you think so? I've haven't thought about it. Now the question is whether that's a compliment or not."

He asks for some plain barley tea. Returning his attention to the Imperial in turn. He seemed to match every glance, whether knowingly or not.

"More like volunteer. I think I don't much fit the subtlety for other assignments." He straightens his posture, looking slightly down at Kisha as he explains. "Danger is what bushi do neh? I've never been much one to hide rather than fight. For this particular assignment... well... you've met Bayushi Kazushi-sama? You danced with him and Kakita Haruhi-san the day before negotiations began with the crab right?"

[Miya Kisha]

"Oh, it's a compliment," Kisha says, nodding. "Decidedly so.

"And, yes, I know Bayushi Kazushi. Charming man, really. Well spoken, better dressed. His wife is a fortunate woman."

[Bayushi Hinata]

"I'll take note of your flattering words."

"Well, Kazushi-sama works in the same division as me, I just work security. But well... he sort of scouted me as a sort of model for one of our less popular lines for security guards. I usually wear that everywhere. Comfy, casual and formal, easy to patch up if you get into a swordfight." He shrugged, putting on a confident smile.

"Iam as much security as Iam advertising. I apparently did quite well, and earned a spot on this little trip as additional security. But let's not pretend like the sights and the activities feel more like a vacation."

[Miya Kisha]

"They are pretty nice," Kisha says, and her eyes flicker over Hinata. "Both the local and the imported."

Her parfait arrives, and she takes a bite.

"This is quite good," she says after she swallows. "What's been your favorite part so far?"

[Bayushi Hinata]

He smiles her way, accepting his own dessert and tea as they are presented.

"The island is plenty kind on the eyes. The places, the people." He meets her gaze before taking a bite out of his own dessert.

"Mmmph! This is so good. Please try this one!" He takes a spoonful and extends it across the table. Quite close to Kisha actually, being tall comes with matching arms.

"At risk of sounding too self centered. Oshidama is a personal passtime. Participating in the tournament alongside Kakita Hiroki was a blast. He even signed an autograph for my younger sister!"

[Miya Kisha]

The sudden spoon in her face startles Kisha slightly, and she leans back, blinking.

"I can see why you do well with a sword," she says, "moving so quickly."

She will take a spoonful of her own and offer it in trade. Her arm, less long, doesn't reach so far, and her other hand takes the spoon from his.

A moment later, "This is pretty good, but you might like mine better."

[Bayushi Hinata]

"Strike first...." The motto of the Bayushi Deathdealers. He lets go of the spoon without a hitch, his extended hand moving to take the spoo of of Kisha's, his fingers 'accidentally' brushing agaisnt hers as he removes it from her grasp. He maintains eye contact as he takes the dessert into his mouth. Licking his lips after he's swallowed.

"Strike last. But this one goes to you Miya-sama, your dessert is quite nice. I like these bolder flavours."

He licked his lips once again, not bothering to return the spoon. Taking another bite from his own parfait.

"What has been your favourite thing from your visit?"

[Miya Kisha]

That he touches Kisha's hand, she notices. But she is accustomed to Unicorn traditions, and it does not faze her so much as it might another woman; an incidental brush of fingers against handshakes is a small enough thing, and she is still feeling oshidama, anyway.

She does raise an eyebrow at her spoon, but she says nothing. Perhaps it is simply the custom on this world or on his world, and she is a Miya.

Even with her surprise, the shisha answers the question. "So far? It's been getting to meet so many good people. It's honestly one of the best parts of doing the work that I do, that I get to meet new people and learn about them, as well as their customs and different ways of doing things."

[Bayushi Hinata]

He smirks her way with every spoonful of parfait he brings to his lips with her spoon. Eyes wandering her features as they speak.

"It's been quite an experience yes. I'd never left the World of Dreams myself, while I met plenty of people from outside the scorpion it's been enlightening not being the local."

"Any place you've been to that's been of particular significance? Any souvenirs you've collected of this little trip?"

[Miya Kisha]

"Here, you mean?" Kisha asks, her face wrinkling just a little bit with his attentions and his smirk.

"I picked up a few things at FanCon a few days back," she says. "They seemed glad that I helped out, and I was glad to do it. But for the most part, I don't really collect souvenirs. Miya travel, you know, and I'm so rarely home that I more or less live out of my luggage. When you do that, you don't necessarily gather a lot of stuff together. It's enough of a hassle bringing Dento along sometimes, and she has to come for some things.

"But what about you?"

[Bayushi Hinata]

"I picked up a plushie with the help of a Spider courtier. I've used it as a pillow, the Restful Inn didn't have many to spare."

He licks his lips as he finishes his desert. Picking up the cup of tea to wash down all the sugar.

"I've not picked up much myself. I think I've found the experiences and people more valuable I'm that regard. Maybe I'm a natural for travel!" He chuckles softly.

[Miya Kisha]

"It's possible," Kisha says, "and it's good that you've made friends who will give you places to rest your head."

The Miya takes another bite of her parfait, eating more slowly than her companion.

"But this is a kindly, pleasant world. I've been to some that haven't been so commodious as this one. They had their charms, as most worlds do, but this one...this is a good start, a good introduction to travel, but it's really not representative of the experience. I don't want you to get the wrong idea."

[Bayushi Hinata]

"How kind of you keeping my perspective straight." Another sip, his posture relaxing as the warmth of the tea seeps into him.

"Do tell me about your travels! You must have visited so many wild places! I know you have your social media but ai'd much prefer the unfiltered accounts."

He leans forward and to the side, resting his elbow onto the table and cupping his face as he listens intently with an excited smile.

[Miya Kisha]

"Unfiltered?" Kisha blinks again in surprise.

"The only way to get that is to go," she says, nodding. "Anything I tell you, even if I tell you more than my subscribers get, is going to be what I can remember."

Here, the Miya smiles a little bitterly. "I'm told I've got something of a wind tunnel going on, so that's probably not as much as you want."

The smile sweetens as the shisha continues. "That said, my trip to Anadan stands out. Shallow seas, so no good fish. Grassy, so Dento liked it a lot. Lots of tubers and berries in the cuisine, and what they do with jellies is amazing. I wouldn't have expected it from a Lion world, honestly."

[Bayushi Hinata]

"I guess I do! I won't know for sure whether I'll enjoy a place or not until I've been there." He scratches the back of his neck with an apologetic expression, softening once he sees the shift in demeanour from the Miya.

He leans forward, listening intently to her description of Anandan.

"I didn't mean anything by my earlier comment. I... try to be bold in my approach, and often manage only blunt and insensitive. Iam glad to know you enjoy your travels, Anandan sounds like a wonderful place, much better suited for your Pony. It is often entretaining to see more facets to a clan. Umm..."

He lifts himself from the table, taking a more respectful demeanour. Another sip of tea before he continues.

"I think you really know how to see the good in places you visit. Could you please tell me about more of your travels? You make the galaxy sound like a wonderful place to walk around." His smile is now warm and welcoming rather than mischivious. No smirks, no games, he at least seems sincere, for an unmasked scorpion.