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RP Hanami Festival of YE 38

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Kyoto - Waterfront Picnic Area

"Absolutely there is a backlog," Hanako admitted to Mehitabel. "One thing I would really like to get a handle on is making sure everyone has the correct medals they've earned for missions and such. But, tonight I would rather everyone have a good time and not focus on work. We should go get some food." Hanako get back on her feet and headed to the quickly-forming buffet line and shuffled through it, getting a little of everything and a glass of red wine, before returning to her spot on the blanket. "If we get into a war with these mysterious Kuvexians, things could get a lot more uptight around here," she commented. "It is not unlikely they could send more of their servant species to attack us. And there are any other number of enemies out there who need dealing with. In other words, in the life of a soldier one must enjoy oneself while they can, as the opportunity presents itself."
 
Kyoto Picnic Area

She nodded her understanding and took the Admiral's statement at value, she followed behind after a few moments to fill her own plate. Momentarily overwhelmed by the choices presented Mehitabel eventually selected some of the lobster, potato salad, and asparagus. Even though her plate wasn't totally filled, she found it hard to imagine going hungry after her first trip to the buffet. She picked up a glass of tea to cap things off before she slooooowly drifted her way back to the starting point, head swiveling to take in the still wondrous display of color and life!

Not to mention the growing crowd of what she took to be ship's personnel; nekos, Yamatians, and more all seemed to have gathered along the waterfront around the Eucharis crew. She arrived back at the Admiral's blanket, hovering in the background as she eats, listening to the words of her more learned seniors.
 
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Freyja was annoyed that the other Santo-Hei completely ignored her. When she discovered this was the Elysian clerk's first assignment, she realized it was unintentional. The enormous table filled with food drew her attention away from Hanako. Her stomach growled loud enough for anyone nearby to hear. "Oh, pardon me! I haven't eaten today.." She said before bowing and making a hasty retreat to the buffet line. The wide array of food set out stunned her.

Freyja looked at the lobster with apprehension. It smelled amazing, but the shell grossed her out. She shrugged and put some of it and everything else on her plate. The second she reached the drinks she grabbed a glass of red wine. She was grinning ear to ear as she sat down at the appropriate distance from Hanako. Her eyes never moved from her idol the whole time. Suddenly she realized that Shiho might be right, she might actually be feeling desire. She forced the stupid grin off her face and took a bite of lobster, maybe her first ever. "Wow, this is amazing!" The blue neko practically moaned. Her hand flew up to her mouth. "I-I'm sorry.. I've never had any before.."
 
Mehitabel's arms felt a little heavy as she tried to figure out how to eat and drink with both hands occupied as she held the vessels for her meal. She realized that everyone else had the good sense to take a seat, and did the same with wings unfurling slightly to help keep her balance. She took a seat a few paces from the bluish Neko, the plate balanced on her knees and tore into the shellfish tail with nimble fingers.

She covered her mouth to hide an indecorous chuckle at Freyja's expense and pushed away the remaining hull of her own tail blissfully unaware of the slight to her fellow spacer earlier. "Lobster certainly is delicious, isn't it?" she nodded in agreement, taking an extra gulp of tea. Her mind had helpfully supplied an image of the insectoid Rixxikor, cracked open and served with butter, that nearly made her gag.
 
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Kyoto - Picnic Area

As the trio of newly enlisted soldiers made their way through the throng of people getting food, hanging out, and carrying on, Aki gasped aloud at something.

"Wh-what's up, Aki?" Daisuke asked nervously, to which the blonde-haired neko turned about to face him, stars in her eyes.

"'What's up'? What's up is that, sitting right over there is only one of the best, awesomest, and most beautiful star captains to ever grace Yamatai," Aki said, matter-of-factly, to the other two, who slowly turned to see where she was pointing. Sure enough, nearby they could clearly see a blue-haired neko with elf ears, eating her meal with a few others nearby: Shosho Kesturui Hanako, captain of the YSS Eucharis herself. The three of them stood for what felt like a long time just staring, their food plates neglected in their hands.

"Should...should we go introduce ourselves?" Daisuke ventured.

Aki gasped and turned her face away, blushing lightly. "No, I'm too embarassed~ She wouldn't want to talk to newbies like us...right, Asta?"

Astridr shrugged, having finally had the sense to close her mouth to stop gawking. "You think one of us will be assigned to the Eucharis?" She asked the question bluntly, almost off-handed.

Aki nearly threw her food in the air. "That would be a dream come true! Just think: exploring the stars and fighting the enemies of Yamatai alongside the beautiful captain herself," Aki stared off into space, starry-eyed, and sighed dreamily. Astridr just smirked and shook her head as the three of them found a lace to sit down nearby, at Aki's insistence that they be allowed to "view her beauty", while they soberly discussed the possibilities of their assignments and the adventures that might come to follow.
 
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"I will keep your secret, provided you bag me up some leftovers." Shiho's voice drifted back in to Freyja's mind, although the actual person had apparently drifted away from the party the moment an Admiral's colors were unveiled. "I'd keep it anyway, but I'm not going to risk making the top brass angry and don't have much to spend on food for today."

The red neko had sidled not far away, and plopped herself down leaning against one of the cherry-blossom trees. Her ears twitched as she listened in to the conversations nearby. "But you're doing okay, I guess? I think everyone else there is someone she works with, so you're the only one there only with friendly terms."
 
Kyoto - Waterfront Picnic Area

Hanako finished her bite of chicken completely before responding. She didn't want to touch the lobster with her hands so she awkwardly extracted the meat from the shell with her knife and fork. "I am not sure the last time I had lobster," she said. 'As clerk, you are my new right-hand woman," she told Mehitabel. "The first task I have for you is something you can do at the same time as you can fun. Just keep an eye out for potential crew members. We are short on infantry. Our ship could also use a science officer. If you run across anyone wishing to get transfer orders, I can probably arrange that for them. It is a perk of being an admiral," the Shosho grinned. "Maybe we can set up something where you can interview crew members, too."
 
Kyoto - Waterfront Picnic Area

"Domo Arigatou, Shiho-chan! What do you want me to save for you? Hey, if you want I can ask if you can join us." Freyja replied to the other Orochi veteran. Since the Orochi mission ended, she had tried to keep in contact with all of the new friends she made. Shiho was one of the closest friends she made, although she considered everyone in her squad family. Her original "family", her small squad from the Awaji, wasn't as fortunate as the Orochi's Infantry. They were wiped out by the missile salvo that forced her to teleport away and join up with another squad. Not the best way to meet new friends, but that's the reality of a Nekovalkyrja.

Her heart jumped and her furry ears stood straight up when the Shosho mentioned a need for Infantry. She chewed a bite of lobster to keep herself from blurting something out again. Waiting patiently, she listened for a break in the conversation to say something. "Pardon me, Shosho Ketsurui, but I am an Infantry Nekovalkyrja! I have experience boarding and disabling a NMX ship, as well as fighting on the ground. I fought at Jun when they attacked during the Yuletide celebrations. I would be honored to have you as my Captain." She said, trying to bow despite being seated. Her tail danced back and forth behind her, giving away how nervous she really was.
 
New Kyoto - Waterfront Picnic Area

Mehitabel nodded her understanding! That was the role of a ship's clerk, after all, she had read. "I will try to be as discreet as possible. Are there any qualifications you're looking for, ma'am?" she said with a serious glint in her eye, "There tend to be loose lips at parties, although your name alone would be enough to drum up a crew. Perhaps someone will-"

When Freyja spoke up, she stood by before lamely pointing to the neko in question. "Ah, Yuuki-hei appears to be interested in a new assignment, Admiral," she says, chagrined at even adding something after that. Mehitabel had discretely brought up her communicator, to see if she could connect to the Eucharis. At the very least it enabled her to take notes down quickly.
 
Freyja would find her mind filling with a very long, drawn out groan of indecision. One big 'eeeeehhhhh' that didn't need to stop for breath. Shiho had historically had her problems with her superiors, and this person wasn't likely to wind up sending her off to mop floors or wash rice for the entire ship. An invitation to an admiral's table was... Dubious in its blessings and bounty.

"I can't really see what's there, and I don't know what most of it is anyway. Just grab something you liked and I'll try it." She finally cut her eh. "If you want me to join you, go ahead and ask. But I'm fine over here on my own."
 
Jax took another swell of his beer as he casually floated through the party, taking in the scene, his knees tucked up to his chest. He wore a giddy little smile as he did so, knowing some would call him childish.

They, however, could suck it. Being able to fly was, to coin the phrase, totally freaking sweet.

"Tari! Tugbooooaaaat," he called as he neared the couple. He stopped and hovered next to them. "Fancy meeting you here!"

That was when he noticed Taharial's mother. He stared at the older woman in scrutiny, trying to find out why it was she looked so similar to the Eucharis' medic.

...
...
...
OH!

"Mrs. Chasan, I presume?" He greeted with a respectful bow. "May I just say from first hand experience that your daughter is quite skilled at treating electrical burns!"
 
Kyoto - Waterfront Picnic Area

"I like that you work so fast," Shosho Hanako complimented Mehitabel. "Please update the ship's crew roster to include one Santo-Hei Freyja Yuuki, transferring from the YSS Orochi in Eighth Fleet."

Mehitabel found that the Eucharis was still at least partially online so that the computer and AI were still available throughout the repair process.

Hanako then turned to Freyja, giving a respectful nod in return.

A gust of wind filled the air with pink petals for a moment or two, and carried the scents of the ocean and the cooking meat in the air.
 
"Yes ma'am. She did most of the work for me," Mehitabel remarked and cleared her throat quietly, embarrassed at having added anything to Yuuki-hei's own declarations. She connected her way into the systems that had remained up, making sure she had been added as well, she proceeded to transfer over Freyja's personnel record to Eucharis.

Her head lifted to take in the delightful swirl of cherry blossoms in the air with a mild, surprised 'oh'. Quite the scene was set around the Admiral and the new infantry specialist, she thought.
 
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Tesgi and Teta continued their course through the festival. Tetes was in her floating chair with Teta pushing it. The adults were sharing a container of fresh fruit and taking in the sounds and smells. They watched the various groups that were gathered and would pause to watch the activities or antics of each group.

Tesgi was truly enjoying the day. A change for at least a little while to put aside his duties and spend some quality family time. He paused when his ears caught a familiar voice. One he had heard on several occasions. He looked around and spotted the face that went with the voice.

"Teta, it would seem that Siamaka has favored us. Over there is a member of the royal family of Yamatai." He said pointing towards Hanako and her group.

"Let's go over and offering our best wishes." Teta replied.

Tesgi paused for a moment, prior to his appointment as Poku-Rya'ta he would never have presumed. He grinned at his imat, he took the handle of Tetes' chair and walked with purpose towards the group.

He approached the blue haired neko as he recalled the information that he had about her. His file clearly stated that she preferred to be referred to by her prime name and rank. Which was curious, but he would follow it.

"Greetings Shôshô Hanako." He said in Yamataigo a voice with only a trace of an accent. "Pardon the interruption I hope that we are not intruding on a private event. My wife Teta and I came to observe the festival with our child to learn more about your culture. Seeing a member of such position within the Star Army of Yamatai. It only seemed proper to make our introductions to you."
 
Kyoto - Waterfront Picnic Area

Hanako stood up on the quilted picnic blanket and gave the Poku representatives a deep, respectful bow.

"Ah, welcome to Kyoto, heart of the Empire, and my former home," Hanako greeted Tesgi. "It is good to see you and your kind again. You should know that despite your nation's humble background, or perhaps because of it, you are very favored as an ally among leadership of the Star Army of Yamatai, and we are eager to cooperate with you for our mutual benefit, especially now that Yamatai is longer entangled with certain defense treaties. This is a public event and you are very welcome to be here. Eat as much as you want and be merry. The time of the cherry blossoms' blooming is a time for new beginnings."
 
Stepping off the airbike a ways behind Jax was said Neko, clad as she was in a strikingly different outfit than her beau that caused her to take her time. It was a somewhat understated black silk yukata kimono with patterns of arranged flowers near the purple hem, along with a traditional obi tied around her waist that was cream in color with a simple paper fan stuck into it. The ensemble seemed to coordinate well with her wisteria-shaded skin tones and sage green eyes, along with the plum-purple hair tied neatly up in a bun with the ornate kogai that he had given her. The sound of her two geta sandals hitting the pavement made a familiar clacking sound, before soon sinking into the soft earth of the picnic grounds with quiet footfalls to catch up to the young Nepleslian. "Matte, Jax-san!"

It was plain to see there was something definitely up with the mild mannered operator of the Eucharis as well. Though she was perfectly put together as a Yamataian lady should be in her hanami viewing outfit, hidden underneath the thin robe was also some already healing marks on Umeshu's body made in the heat of passion finally consummating her not-so-secret relationship with the nekojin at the posh Galaxy Hotel only a few hours prior. Just like the cherry blossoms taught, one had to fully enjoy the fleeting moments of spring love while they lasted... it was indeed a magical and precious few hours behind closed doors before she had to go out into public and observe the Samurai Code on affectionate displays once more, as much as it pained her to do so.

Even if Hashimoto-taii couldn't show off that they were an item directly, it was plain to see for those with the eyes to know. She certainly couldn't hide that certain glowing energy that radiated from her face like a fruit that had grown to the peak of tantalizing ripeness. Her body language, too, conjured the image of a proper Yamataian schoolgirl running after a bad boy sweetheart more than an officer chasing an enlisted soldier, as pink petals danced in the air kicked up by the Nekovalkyrja's dainty steps.
 
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Kyoto - Waterfront Picnic Area

Freyja was about to start drooling over Hanako again when the Poku family showed up. Following the Shosho's example she stood up and bowed politely but kept quiet, observing the interaction while slowly finishing her food. The whole situation was far more intimidating to her than fighting Mishu. She was much more comfortable in a Mindy than traditional garments and high-rank officials. The slow movements of her tail had transformed into a blur of motion.

"Shiho, I'm going to be on the Eucharis! They need Infantry, maybe you can join the crew too!" She said to her former squadmate enthusiastically. "Anyway I will just bring you some lobster and a little bit of whatever's left." Talking to someone she knew helped calm her down a little. Her tail settled into a gentle swishing motion. She turned to Mehitabel. "I take it you are the Clerk, Callidius-hei? Maybe we can talk while the Shosho is busy. Do you need any more information?"
 
"Join some admiral's command vessel? Sure, see if they need more infantry." Shiho sent the words she would probably live to regret. From where she was sitting, Freyja seemed to not be on the way to getting that date. One good moment interrupted after another, and that admiral being too darned polite to turn anyone away because she's already speaking with someone. Much less talking to someone in the infantry. Typical, Shiho supposed.

But if she could get some cushy job on an admiral's vessel? Sounded almost ceremonial, even this picnic was all banners and manners. Hopefully Freyja could put in a good word. Of course, Shiho was probably very mistaken. Very, very mistaken.
 
Junko wasn't quite sure what to make of the festival.

After finishing training, she was expecting to be shipped off almost immediately. Apparently in the time between, she and the rest of her batch had been given leave. To celebrate, of all things. Instructor said it only happened once a year, something about being a shame to miss it when it was here.

So here she was.

"Celebrating."

Junko tried to slip through the people, as unobtrusive as she could manage in her T-31 work uniform. Everyone looked so much more at ease, more colorful, in the bright robes. Their was a stand selling them, actually, but she had no idea what was appropriate and the task became more daunting the longer she looked. It wasn't like she was the only one in military wear, anyways.

She'd spotted them easily enough, a distinct group on their own near an umbrella. Maybe this would be a little easier with comrades than civilians. Halfway their, she heard someone calling and stepped aside for another Neko. Apparently she knew someone here.

Something was strange, though, in the way she was running. Or maybe it was something about the color in her face. She'd sworn she'd seen something similar elsewhere, before, but she couldn't quite place it. So it was the infantry woman followed her to the group, glancing over occasionally, puzzled.
 
"Thank you for your hospitality." Tesgi replied, he touched the Vit'taka that Teta had wrapped on her left arm. "A moment imat, let me spread the blanket for you and Tetes." sent telepathically. He then reached into the back of their child's floating chair. He lifted a brown cloth that was decorated with an assortment of flowers common to the clan. He spread it out on the ground near enough to Hanako to continue their discussion, but not so close as to interfere with her other celebrants.

Teta sat gracefully with her legs tucked close to her body. She put her daughter down, and looked at Hanako. "Thank you Sar-Hanako. I have had some dealings with a former crew member of your ship. Captain Sune of the Genshō. As he is leading the expedition on Âtoma we talk frequently since my position is Science Advisor for the Clan."

Meanwhile Tetes looked around at all the brightly colored items and the people. Tesgi watched as his daughter started crawling towards the edge of the blanket on an apparent path towards Hanako.
 
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