(D10, EA, Hospital) Patient Patients

[Yasuki Taraka]

You could see the waves of heat rising off the parking lot, as Taraka pulled into the hospital guest visitor parking lot. Even with her temperator, it was a real scorcher of a day. She grabbed some bags from the passenger seat and hurried inside the hospital. Ah, nothing like cool antiseptic air.

This time she went to a certain room with the correct purpose, and knocked on the door.

[Hiruma Akiro]

"Come in." As always, the tone of the speaker was even and cultured. Not as always, it was a bit more animated and interested than usual. It made sense; days of being in a hospital bed might make every knock more exciting.

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka went in, bags in hand.

"Afternoon, Hiruma-san." Taraka offered with a bow. "I thought I might come in and enjoy the climate controlled room with you awhile. It is HOT out there, even for Nakahama."

[Hiruma Akiro]

Akiro was much as Taraka had seen him last... well, fairly close, anyway. His gradually improving health was balanced against the gradual toll of an extended hospital stay. Overall to the good, but his hair wasn't quite up to its usual shampoo commercial standards anymore.

The flowers were different, although the lily she'd left still remained.

"Ah! Good afternoon, Yasuki-san." Akiro said, his tone bright, at least by his standards. He shifted a little, pushing himself up a little higher in his bed. "Is it? Goodness, I'd almost forgotten how hot it can get here. Well, here I am." He gestured around with open palm.

Looking back at Taraka, Akiro's eyebrows went up. "Am I mistaken, or were you riding in one of the two cars that placed first in the race the other day? Not long after our visit?"

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka grinned.

"You are not mistaken, Hiruma-san. I will admit for a brief time I wondered if we had somehow cast the spell for interstellar travel. I've certainly never gone that fast over ground before." she said, taking the visitor chair and setting her bags down.

[Hiruma Akiro]

Akiro's eyebrows went up in pleased surprise. "Well! That was quite a surprise. I was already enjoying the race, but knowing one of the participants added a bit of a personal edge to it."

He shifted again as she sat, turning more to face her. "Mmm, that Scorpion was quite a speedy driver. I've actually met her as well, at the Governor's party. She told me she raced. Drives like she talks, too." By his faint grimace, that was a mixed compliment.

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka nodded.

"She is indeed a bit of a motor mouth." she agreed.

Which the governor could, but probably never would admit to in public without a blush.

"But she's been a big supporter of Flying Battle Carps, and she's looking to bring her motorcycle company to Nakahama. Perhaps even marrying local." she adds.

[Hiruma Akiro]

Back to one eyebrow up. "Is she? Has she got a local all picked out, or is that something to be determined?"

Then he chuckled softly. "Ah, look at me. Cooped up in here for a few days, and I'm already eager to gossip about Scorpion. Well... I was trained by the Crane. Perhaps I should just lean into it."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka shrugged.

"Hard to say. For the past few days people have been talking about how inevitable it was that the Scorpion would be picked as the premier trading partner for the island. But the Dragon seem to doing what the Dragon are known for throughout history: remaining separate from everyone for as long as possible before sweeping in to save the day, so we'll see what happens." she said.

She was more than happy to gossip about the Scorpion.

"Actually the one with his eyes on real estate is Kazushi-san. He has that old world bias against spaces not being used to their full potential. While I did advise him against being the latest in the long line of doomed owners of Hotel Nakahama, he is pondering what can be done to revitalize Azuma Beach."

[Hiruma Akiro]

"Hmmm." Akiro's lips quirked. "Most of the stereotypes I know about Dragon involve them meditating on roofs. Perhaps if they win a significant bid, we'll see a growth in architecture firms?"

Grunting, he managed to shift a little bit onto his side; not an easy thing with two set legs. "Oh? And what ideas does this Kazushi-san have for it? I hope he understands that he has a challenge ahead of him. Local superstition and all." Akiro waved a hand. "Is he planning on catering to offworld tourists?"

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka chuckled a bit.

"I'm honestly not sure. He did say that Crane imported white sands for beaches that didn't meet their standards." she said. "I'm not sure if that was Scorpion commentary on the Crane or fact. I would think off-world tourists would be the easier solution."

[Hiruma Akiro]

"Mmm. Well, that's the trick, isn't it?" Akiro said. His brow furrowed a moment as he considered. "I suppose bringing in these foreign business will also bring in foreign samurai. Perhaps they'll find the black sand a delightful oddity rather than something inauspicious."

His fingers fiddled idly with the sheets. "The curious part of my mind wants to know the answers. I suppose it's too much to ask a Scorpion to give away the game, so to speak. Still, I keep wondering what sort of businesses will be coming here. Especially as it looks as though I'll be here rather longer than I thought..."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka chuckled.

"Ask a Scorpion or ask a Dragon, either way you get an answer that doesn't actually answer the question you asked." she remarked.

She stretched a little bit in her chair.

"I think a lot of the people sent here to negotiate have come because they're hoping to expand the reach of the companies they work for. Tamori-san wants another spa, Kitsuki-san a private investigator office, Asako-san a new financial firm..."

She shrugged.

"I wouldn't be surprised if that was true down the board. After all, if you're looking to sell noodles, it makes little sense to send a drywall expert."

[Hiruma Akiro]

Akiro's lips quirked. "That's true." He agreed.

One bit of Taraka's speech jumped out at Akiro, making him do a very mild double-take. "A private investigator office? Hmmm. Does Kitsuki-san imagine that we have so many mysteries here that such an office would be warranted?" He was silent a moment. "And yet, I was just kidnapped by a murderer. I suppose I can hardly argue."

His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "And I know Bayushi-san works with bikes. Perhaps we'll have another way of getting around the island soon enough." Akiro's cool gaze refocused on Taraka. "And does your dream of an intergalactic Flying Battle Carp seem likely to manifest anytime soon?" He smiled at her, just a little.

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka shook her head.

"Seems to be getting less likely by the day." she admits. "The deal with the Scorpion is in serious danger of falling through for me. So I'll probably be hustling them locally for awhile."

It was....disappointing, but it had always been a possibility. Still she wouldn't be bowed by this setback.

"As for Kitsuki-san, I'm not sure. She wants something that takes advantage of her talents for investigation that's not doing corporate auditing. She'd be satisfied joining the magistrate's office, though there's hurdles for doing that when you're not just not local, but not of this clan." she said.

[Hiruma Akiro]

"Ah, well." Akiro gave a sympathetic bob of his head. "I'm sure you'll do alright. If the Governor's plan works, the economic boom will surely be enough opportunity to make up for a missed opportunity. And if it doesn't, well, it's probably better to not be part of a failed project. At least, in my experience."

He smiled, just a little. "And you'll get business from me, anyway. And my brother, although he doesn't know it yet." Akiro's eyes glinted. "I feel I'm almost obligated, as older brother, to show him that I'm the superior drone pilot."

He waved a hand again. "Anyway. That will also be a challenge for Kitsuki-san. Perhaps she might work as a consultant? I'm not sure how much need for that is, but again..." Sighing, Akiro gestured down at his legs. "I am grateful she was there the other night. Her and that Mantis. Although she made the point she was only rescuing me incidentally." Akiro's lips quirked. "I suppose it's the result that's important."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka looked a little confused.

"Rescuing you incidentally? That's....a little harsh. It's not like you're some NPC bonus objective in a game." she said with a shake of the head.

She reached down towards the bags.

"Ah, right, speaking of being a customer, I did mention offering delivery yes?" she said with a grin.

She pulled out the three different models that were offered at Flying Battle Carps.

"I wasn't sure which you'd want, so I brought all three so you could look them over and pick for yourself. I won't even charge you a restocking fee for the other two." she added.

[Hiruma Akiro]

"Yes, well..." Akiro sighed. "She did gun down the killer, and I was rescued. It was probably just standard Mantis tough talk."

As Taraka reached down, Akiro leaned a little further, his eyebrows rising curiously. Enlightenment lit his handsome features as she withdrew the drones. "Ah! I see. How delightful." He smiled at her. "That's very kind of you, Yasuki-san. Especially the bit about the restocking fee."

He gestured to the drones. "Tell me about these. Is there one you think I would favor?"

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka offered a soft smile.

"I have a feeling I know what you're going to pick, but I'll give you the benefit for a full sales pitch." she said.

She pointed to the first box.

"This is from our battle tested veteran line. From time to time, people no longer wish to keep their carps. Rather than allow them to wind up in a landfill, we take them back. They're perfectly flyable, but may have a little bit of cosmetic damage. Still, they're a good entry point for those looking for a low price point of entry to the hobby or want to have a lot to work on for fine tuning. And some people like a few scars on their fighters."

She pointed to the second box.

"This is from our Rookie Ace line. A bit pricier, but great for those looking for a little bit of a competitive edge."

She pointed to the third box.

"Then for those who demand the very best, we offer the Legend. Top performance for top price."

[Hiruma Akiro]

Akiro listened to Taraka's pitch.

"Hmmm. I suspect you do know." His lips quirked, and he shook his head. "Perhaps a week ago, I might have gone for the Legend. I have money. I would want the best. I would expect that I would have the skills to handle it."

Looking at the first model, Akiro sighed, mixed pleasant and not. "Now, I shall admit to feeling some kinship for this one. I've certainly taken a bit of damage; I hope it shall prove to be only cosmetic, months from now. I certainly hope not to end up in a landfill. And I do have a lot of time to work on fine tuning."

He looked back to Taraka, smiling gently. "And like you say, some people do like a few scars." He paused a moment. "I hope that's not a disappointment, that I'm choosing the cheapest offering. But, well, it suits me."