RP Concluded [Motoyoshi Rising] Gray Looms [OPEN]

[Hollander]

RP Date

YE 45.4

RP Location

ISS Evenstar

The Izakaya of the ISS Evenstar...

It was arranged in the format of a traditional Yamataian Izakaya, though one stretched large and wide enough to accommodate the vessel’s substantial crew. Naturally, the place was an outlet of the Tachi’s brand, inspired and designed by Motoyoshi Tachiko. Administering and staffing it was a tight-knit and dedicated team of civilians from the Tachi's division of Yugumo Signature. Management occasionally rotated decorations and themes, but always retained the spirit of a Tachi’s that the Evenstar crew had already come to rely on for stability and stress-management.

Immediately upon entering, one who was familiar with the Tachi’s experience or with the Yamataian drinking culture would feel right at home. The bustling, happy kitchens occupied a good portion of the vast room, spreading linearly along a wall. Buffeted right up against the kitchen space, a beautifully-shined bar counter of treated Jiyuuian Maple gleamed in tones of earthy red whipped with grains of chocolate. Comfortable and functional rotating stools were arrayed along its length, their seats the color of green beetle shells. Above the bar hanged paper lanterns, each adorned with Yamataigo characters urging health, happiness and the enjoyment of spirits.

The Izakaya’s surplus of space allowed for a number of walled customer spaces where drinkers in numbers of four to eight to even twenty could mingle a little more privately while still being a part of the broader experience. Many of these booths featured tatami floor seats around low tables for the most traditional of Izakaya aficionados; others had chairs and tables, or even cushioned booth seating. Yugumo Signature employees hustled about, cheerfully taking orders and doing their best to make the customer’s experience a satisfying one.

Tonight, the place was abuzz with merriment and joy. People laughed. People flirted. People drank, and toasted to the Empire. They were joyful, every last… Well, nearly every last one.

One man had brought a dark cloud with him into the Izakaya. It happened, from time to time. Passage through the place’s doors was often enough to blow away the clouds of anger or despair or dismay that a customer might have hanging around their shoulders. If it wasn’t enough, then the infectious jolly welcoming of the staff might do the trick, and if that failed, then the attentiveness of the bar staff and the chefs, and even the happy greetings of other customers. The alcohol itself could try its best, supported by a wide variety of snacks. Each of these had stepped up, testing themselves against the shadowy walls of the man’s storm. Each of them had failed.

The gloomy Lieutenant had climbed up onto one of the green stools like a man condemned, as though the hangman’s noose lay just above his head and he was eager to acquaint it with his neck. He had responded to the staff, and the chefs, and the other customers, greeting them in turn… But their smiles rebounded from his face like arrows fired at the eye of a tornado, only to be turned away by the gale. He sat, his muscular shoulders hunched, a half-drank golden beer near his clenched right hand. In front of him was something called an ‘Oyster shooter’. Within a glass sat the lovely combination of crystal-clear potato vodka, a glut of hot sauce sourced from shishito peppers, and a raw oyster harvested by Jiyuu III’s Shima District aquaculturists and preserved quite carefully in the Izakaya’s expansive foodstores. The man was glaring down at the shot glass, with a look on his face as though he were observing an enemy general across a battlefield.

The seats to his right and left were unoccupied; they were empty for four seats on either side, in fact. When a person tried to sit within the ‘glower zone’, some unseen force seemed to invade their spirit and urge them to depart. The man wasn’t doing anything to force this behavior. He was just there. In his clouds. Staring at the little dead oyster having its last swim.

 

[Yuuki]

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, there was someone, perhaps because of her own particular brand of glower zone, seemed to have some degree of resistance, if not outright immunity to it. Zabuza's clanmate, one of the youngest daughters of the unsinkable Heika-Taishō clan head, and the First Officer of the Evenstar itself. One Ketsurui-Motoyoshi Kuroko, grown into a blue-haired beauty with a dark and distant expression even when she's being gregarious, deigned to sit herself down right beside him. Out of uniform, she wore one of those perennially-fashionable kimono-inspired short dresses so often seen in Yamatai, in an elegant black, red, and silver, with loose, contrastingly-patterned legwarmers that reach to just over the knee, ending in shiny, ballet-slipper shoes, and that almost metallic-blue hair done up with a pair of hair-needles in an asymmetric bun.

Despite her rank, she seemed barely Zabuza's apparent age, if that, although she had a certain, almost serpentine way of simultaneously seeming both childlike and far, far older, reflected in the fashionable outfit and juxtaposition of the decidedly teenaged way of sitting herself in an undignified, adorable flop onto the seat beside him, versus the calculated, almost seductive poise and grace she expresses once so seated. She looked over at Zabuza and smiled, it was somehow both coy and predatory, shy and alluring- a dangerous smile.

The otoshi course selected for her is a bit of calamari and some tempura prawns, different from the night's special but served to her fresh as if they anticipated her arrival, while the squidlike projection of her Companion, Krakenmuffin, looks on disapprovingly. Kuroko seemed to ignore it. Without a further word, Kuroko slides the plate over towards Zabuza until it's halfway between them, apparently offering to share. Her smile grew both sweeter and more wicked somehow, widening into a grin.

"It's my favorite."

 

[Hollander]

As his First Officer approached, Zabuza considered standing up to greet her. Though she was dressed in civilian wear… In very civilian wear, in fact... He still felt the instinct to treat her with the respect due to her earned rank. She was Ittō-kōkaishi, effectively four steps above him in authority, give or take a step or two. But in the end, even Zabuza wasn't quite so stiffly formal as to stand at attention in a bar. He did look at her when she plopped down, peering as her though a murky haze of emotion. He saw the fine fabrics encircling her body, and the colors reminded him of a particular bird native to Jiyuu III. Both the bird, and the girl, bore striking colors on their 'feathers'. Visceral reds, sheer silvers, deep blacks. The bird was notable for being a hunter with a peculiar habit... They would frequently impale prey that they captured onto thorns or the sharp ends of sticks, to better allow them to dismember and bite apart their meals. Zabuza couldn't remember the name of that particular bird... The strike? No, that wasn't it. The spike?

The Kuroko?

Whatever the name might've been, it remained lost to his muddled mind. Breaking through that muddling came the sliding plate of squid and crustacean, none of which were impaled on thorns. She revealed it was her favorite, her face in the midst of a peculiar grin that, despite Zabuza's mood, seemed to have an effect on his pulse.

Bugs and field mice also had a quickened pulse, right before meeting their end on a spike, didn't they?

"Well... that's kind of you, ma'am." he managed to say, his deep voice dusky and interrupted by a croak. Clearly, he hadn't spoken much for the last few hours. He lifted a pair of chopsticks, sliding the oyster shot further away from him before plucking a ring of breaded squid. Zabuza held it in such a way that he could look through it, peering at the little glass shot he'd moved away before eating the calamari piece. Somehow... the flavors failed to get through to his tongue. All he tasted was... numbness. He swallowed, looked at his beer, and then at the counter space in front of his first officer.

"Would you allow me to buy you a drink?" he asked, wanting to return her politeness, even if he couldn't return her cheer.

 

[Miko]

From afar one would see a person dance and move between people like water through a gorge. Normally for an event of this magnitude one of the direct of family would have attended. However everyone was busy off saving the universe or something of that matter. For this night those would be graced by the presence of Euphemia Belmont. Little was known of this person for they mainly worked behind the scenes. Though they played an important role within the family. This was the grand maid of the Belmont Compound. Though from how she dressed one would think of her more like a princess than a maid. Head held high and a walk that spoke of strength. Her high cut slit dress gave just enough view to ignite the imagination.

Her eyes turned towards the direction of the looming cloud. It was her mission to bring the light to those in need. A story as old as the Belmont clan themselves. As she approached she took notice of yet another. This night had turned interesting as she had heard of this person. Things were about to get wild.

She took a seat next to the young man. "Do not mind me, just thought I'd come have a seat. The excitement in the area seemed a little flat." She said with a sly smile. "Mind if I join the two of you?" She placed her drink on the table and ran her finger around the rim of the glass.

 

[Deleted member 6144]

Initially Yuki had bore no intention of departing from the depths or her art cave that day. Unfortunately for her on that front was a new paint she had begun utilizing was taking a little longer to dry than she had originally anticipated. The strawberry fields would have to wait, there was just no way around it. To pass some time by without going stir crazy and literally watching paint dry she figured that perhaps she should grab a drink or something to eat.

After changing she bounced up into the bustling social atmosphere ready to have a good time while that took far too long drying. Donned in a low cut, short purple halter dress and matching flats she waltzed right on in, her blue eyes immediately catching sight of a couple people she knew. One was was a cutie she had been quite familiar with, perhaps it was a good thing there had been an artistic mishap. On the other hand the handsome security officer was there to, she was not quite sure how to feel on that yet. He was alright in her book so far though, now if he would just sit for a portrait.

Yuki weaved her way through the throng of people observing that on her way over another had joined the two at the bar. With a not so subtle hair flick she moved her pink hair behind her shoulder slipping up next to the unoccupied side of Kuroko. In a flash she spun Kuroko around to face her, slender fingers caressed Kuroko's face planting a kiss right on the blue tinged black haired woman's lips before releasing her once more. As the pink haired norian leaned back she looked into those beautiful grey eyes delivering a saucy wink, "Always a pleasure," she said before bouncing off to find a drink.

 

[Yuuki]

"Belmont-dono, welcome to the Evenstar, it is my pleasure as First Officer to have you aboard. I know you had a very long trip from Yamatai all the way out here to the distant frontier sector, and am happy to see you are settling in well."

Or something like that, is what Kuroko would have said, except that by the time she'd thought it, and opened her mouth to do so, she was ambushed, spun around, and suddenly kissed.

"Abuhua," her next syllables are unintelligible and loose-lipped, and the flush rising in her pale cheeks, neck, and décolletage, was every bit as pink as her assailant's hair. She hadn't even the time to inhale and collect her thoughts in order to use her words before Yuki was flouncing off through the crowd, out of range and out of sight. Without so much as looking looking, Kuroko's hand shot out to the side, across the bar, gripped Zabuza's abandoned oyster shot, and then she knocked the drink back in one go, leaning back all the way so her lips were skyward, head parallel to the bar.

She was once again surprised, this time by the oyster inside, and narrowly avoided choking.

Chewing, bringing her hand to her mouth and squinting her eyes shut after they had opened as wide as they could, Kuroko finally catches her breath. "Oh! That one was from back home. You can tell the difference from the ones they grow in the aquaculture chambers on the Daikoku." She pounded her chest with her free fist, still yet unable to let go of her white knuckled grip on the glass, pressing it into the bar with her (albeit dainty) weight.

"Anyway, the formality, no. You're my Clan-brother, right?" Of course there was distance between them in that dimension as well, as that hyphenated first part of her name that came before Motoyoshi highlighted she was one of Katsuko's daughters, and thus associated with the Imperial Ketsurui clan, if a distant, peripheral one of little import. Still, it was on the other side of the dividing line between the Motoyoshi Clan as a whole, and the family of the former Empress. "We're in our Clan's halls here, whether on duty or not!"

Finally, she stood and stepped away from her seat to give a small bow to Madame Belmont. "I trust your travels to this distant part of the galaxy suited you well, Belmont Dono?"

 

[Charaa]

Tomoko Sunabu, the Starship ISS Evenstar's Communications officer, sauntered towards the Ship's Izakaya, a welcome break from her duties on the Bridge of the Tanya Class Heavy Cruiser. The hum of the ship's machinery echoed in the corridor as she stretched her arms, relieving the tension that had built up during her shift. Her blue furry form, a distinctive feature of her alien race, moved gracefully as she navigated the metallic passageways.

The low hum of distant conversations and the occasional clinking of glasses grew louder as she approached the Izakaya. The enticing aroma of various intergalactic cuisines wafted through the air, enticing her senses. Tomoko's communicative prowess made her a vital part of the starship's crew, ensuring seamless connections with other vessels and celestial outposts.

As she passed by a vent, the gentle whirring of the ship's ventilation system brushed against her sensitive ears. The artificial gravity kept her footsteps steady, even as the starship hurtled through the vastness of space. The crew of the ISS Evenstar hailed from diverse backgrounds and species, forming a unique and cooperative unit.

Tomoko reached the entrance of the Izakaya, where the ambient noise and the warmth of the interior welcomed her. The holographic display near the entrance listed the day's specials, featuring dishes inspired by planets and cultures from across the Kikyo Sector in the Kagami galaxy. With a smile, she stepped inside, ready to unwind and perhaps share a few stories with her fellow crew members at the end of her shift. The Anthro-alien hybrid smiled as she saw people, two from the noble Motoyoshi Clan, and one she didnt recognize but recognized the insignia Belmont Clan.

The Izakaya's atmosphere enveloped Tomoko in a comforting blend of warmth and camaraderie. As she entered, the holographic display near the entrance showcased the day's specials, highlighting culinary delights inspired by planets and cultures from across the Kikyo Sector in the Kagami galaxy. Tomoko's eyes sparkled with interest as she considered the tempting options.

The Anthro-alien hybrid couldn't help but smile as she recognized familiar faces among the patrons. Two individuals from the noble Motoyoshi Clan, known for their prestigious lineage and influence within the sector, caught her attention. Their elegant attire and distinguished demeanor marked them as members of the esteemed clan.


Tomoko decided to join the gathering, hoping to unwind and share stories with her fellow crew members. The Izakaya, with its eclectic mix of patrons and the aroma of intergalactic cuisine, provided the perfect backdrop for such interactions. She made her way to an open spot at the communal table, ready to immerse herself in the lively atmosphere and perhaps learn more about the adventures and experiences of her crew, the clans Motoyoshi and the newcomer from the Belmont Clan.

 

[Hollander]

A member of the Belmont Clan? She seemed, to Zabuza, like a member of visiting royalty. He’d seen some traffic in security communications about a high-profile guest, and it seemed likely that this was her. She was dressed just as attractively as the First Officer, though in quite a different style.

Zabuza echoed Kuroko’s polite welcome… Or at least he would have, if a pink-haired surprise hadn’t rushed in and planted a pair of lips upon the First Officer.

“Oh!” he said eloquently, and with great expository detail.

But then, the elfin woman was gone. Kuroko then swiped Zabuza’s waiting oyster shot and downed it, with a bit of chewing, correctly identified the oyster's source. She spoke to him about formalities, and though he appreciated her sentiment, he wasn’t quite sure he’d be able to let down that wall of professional distance. Though they were indeed Clan-mates, there was quite a difference in esteem and authority between them. Despite being alike in apparent age, and though both Kikyo Scouts and proud members of the Konpeki Gundan, Motoyoshi Kuruko was the First Officer of a vessel with a crew of hundreds. Talent, skill, connections, beauty, one or all had propelled her to a station far beyond that of a mere Security Lieutenant whose own heritage lay among dead secessionists. She was also a first officer accustomed, to an extent, to receiving rather enviable kisses from that pink-haired Navigator, Yuki Inihara. Zabuza couldn't claim such a status.

Outwardly, Zabuza nodded, trying to casually assent to Kuroko’s preferences through the fog of darkness that remained around him. She hadn't indicated an interest in his offer for a drink, so he let it fade into the shadows of his mood. He brought his attention back to the Belmont woman, quietly waiting to hear her answer to Kuroko’s talk. In the meanwhile, Zabuza signaled to the bartender for a replacement oyster shot, which appeared in front of him in due course. He rolled his muscular shoulders at it, as though he could intimidate it somehow, and he was just about to slip back into his staring contest when...

It was then that the feline alien entered the Izakaya, approaching their group. Zabuza had noticed the woman before; how could one not? Beyond her remarkable animal-like features, including a tail, the woman glowed. I can't help but be curious about her. he thought to himself, just as he was curious about Yuki, Kuroko, and even this Belmont visitor. Well, it's unlikely she'll head over here too-... Aaaand here she comes.

Trying to muster a bit of bravery by pulling it up from the mucky swamp of his emotions, Zabuza greeted Tomoko politely. She was also a Legion member, of course. A Cadet, if he remembered correctly.

"Welcome. Lieutenant Zabuza. Security." he said to her in introduction. She was likely here for more interesting or lively conversation. He had no way yet of knowing the meaning of Tomoko's bioluminescence, but if Zabuza himself glowed like she did, he'd be lighting up the room with the mood-colors of deep despair.

 

[Deleted member 6144]

Yuki had bounced into the group, then out so fast she had not quite registered facial expressions of those that had gathered. What did draw her attention was the very eloquent yet expository "Oh!" from Zabuza. This made her turn around partially to face him, looking right into his handsome brown eyes so there was no mistaking who her actions was directed at, she threw him a playful wink. Unto Kuroko she blew the most adorable little kiss from afar. Tomoko could have some hugs to if she wanted, but that bridge had not been crossed yet. The other person, Yuki had no idea who they were so it had not even crossed her mind, regardless it looked like the woman was happily occupied.

As she spun back around she spotted another deck crew member, her cohort in crime Ialnys with some others from her department. She bounced her way on over popping into the conversation with ease. Ialnys looked at her, "Boss lady, where's your drink?". "Oooop, well I might have..." she trailed off sharing through vesper exactly what she had done and her feelings on the matter. The norian male smiled, "What do you want?" Yuki took a moment to think, "Sake!" she said hopping a little excitedly. "As you wish, I will be right back" Ialnys responded walking over to the bar. He ordered two sake, one for Yuki and one for himself. Without pausing to peek at the group gathered he walked back to the gathered deck crew and handed boss lady her drink. "Thank you," she said gracefully accepting the sake and sinking back into the conversation.

 

[Commissar Farzi]

The rumble of an engine could heard outside the Izakaya as the door slid open revealing a man wearing what seemed to be a great, smoking suit made out of various hides stitched together to form a crude suit-smoke from two stubby exhaust ports the stuck up the back-though it wasn't quite as bad as usual. "You know Bel," Steelbender chirped, looking up at him through her holographic projection, an eyebrow raised in amusement, "You don't have to wear that armor all the time." To that the Eradani snorted. "Nonsense Steelbender," He replied in trade as they entered, "An Eradani without his armor is no Eradani." He cocked his head to the side as if remembering something, and then added, "Let alone a man."

A noise, half-sigh, half chuckle could be heard for a moment followed by a response of "Whatever you say Beldagor." Her tone was knowing-this...Valhallan was odd-even for one of them-thinking that powered armor made one a man. As he made his in, heavy footfalls sounded throughout the room. He paused for a moment, before noticing a familiar face. "Greetings Yuki," he called as he approached, his hand resting idily on the head of his spirit axe, "I trust you are well?"

 

[Air Admiral]

Masumi Kataoka was still getting used to his new posting, the Evenstar being his first since completing sensor specialist training. Worn out after a long day of sim training and profile analysis, he finally approached the bar after having spent the better part of twenty minutes working his way there. Ordinarily, he could have simply searched up the best route there from his quarters, but despite his weariness he was intent on forcing himself to learn the layout of the ship to the point of second nature. Even so, this intense attitude mostly just exacerbated his tiredness.

Despite his state, Masumi had still managed to clean his uniform to perfection before leaving his quarters on the assumption that he could still run into a senior officer there. He still didn't have a full appreciation of the expectations of an event like this, so despite being there to unwind he maintained a somewhat formal air about him. Even to someone visiting the vessel, his lack of experience on the ship was obvious.

Taking a stool towards the end of the bar, he pondered the menu for some time before deciding on some Karaage and Chuhai, settling in for a well-deserved evening off.

 

[Yuuki]

"Right away!" The young Nepleslian in the deep indigo samue didn't even reach for the pad and pen in her white half-apron while the high-end Yugumo-made augmented prosthetic hand laid out otoshi of assorted bar snacks. And it was true, for the karaage: any izakaya this size had a veritable fried-chicken pipeline in the kitchen and the server had scarcely turned around to the window than she'd turned once more back with it for Masumi. Chuhai, on the other hand, were not decanted from the tap, or even canned, but expertly hand-mixed with pomelo and yuzu grown on the ISS Cornucopia and shōchū distilled on the ISS Drunken Master, both titanic agricultural ships that ringed the Evenstar inside the eight-cornered cuboid palisade of its Yugure 2 Merchant Destroyer escorts, a Daikoku Horticulture Specification and its Brewing and Water Purification Variant, respectively, like a manor and its fields and hamlets inside a protective curtain wall. This meant there was a queue for the drink, but a wait well worth seeing a few highballs go to tables that ordered later, although the mere minutes may have seemed far longer to a thirsty officer coming off shift.

"Oh, are you paying tonight or is it going on your employee retail allowance?" She asked, tucking the dyed purple streak in her otherwise inky hair behind one ear.

One hand raised in the air with a grasping gesture to say "I caught the kiss," to Yuki, along with a little wink, Kuroko interrupted the server, "Crew are all on the Clan tab, tonight! Orders from the top! Oh, Masumi," she addressed the sensors officer, talking around the Zabuza beside her, "Nice work on first shift today. I think we have a class together this week coming up in the Medical Science Complex?"

It was loud enough in the busy tavern, and enough smell of smoking frying oil and sizzling proteins and fats dense enough in the air, that the recent tune-up Beldagor had apparently given his armor's engine meant that its presence wasn't enough to register with her from where she was. Of course, Kuroko wasn't the type who particularly cared– indeed, she enjoyed the chaos of the disruption and distraction his idiosyncratic and very noisy costume generally left in its wake. And not only that, they were topside. Off post. Out in Town. In civvies. The first officer knew her engineer chafed at the uniform standards enforced on-duty. If he wanted to wear what made him feel himself in his free time, as a leader she owed him that. Not to mention the pass having that Azure Legion status gave you– prodigies were expected to be eccentric, after all. And, Kuroko had certainly taken advantage of those expectations herself, on occasion.

Spoiler: OOC

The big main Tavern in the bow of the Tanya that's on the bow end of the Arboretum near the civilian residential complex by the theater and auditorium is not a strictly a Tachi's branded location, but the menu and dining experience, along with the employee uniforms, are very similar, sufficiently enough to be used as references.

 

[Charaa]

As Tomoko responded to Zabuza's greeting, the atmosphere in the Izakaya took on a gentle, ethereal glow. The ambient lighting seemed to harmonize with Tomoko's bioluminescence, casting a warm and inviting hue across the surroundings. anyone observant, noticed the subtle shift in the color of Tomoko's glow from a content green to a shy yellow.

Despite her radiant exterior, there was a noticeable hint of shyness in Tomoko's demeanor as she faced the prospect of meeting someone new. Her species' bioluminescence, much like a mood indicator, betrayed a momentary shift in emotions. However, she admirably pushed through any reservations and offered a gracious smile.

"Thank you, Lieutenant Zabuza. Tomoko Sunabu, Communications," she introduced herself, her voice carrying a melodic tone that complemented the enchanting atmosphere around her. The playful flicker of her tail continued, underscoring her anthro-alien nature. The eclectic mix of species and backgrounds in the Izakaya seemed to dissolve any initial hesitations, creating an environment where differences were embraced.

As Yuki Inihara, the Norian Pilot, made her entrance into the Izakaya, Tomoko couldn't help but feel a surge of pleasure and surprise. The bioluminescent markings on her blue fur began to shift colors, reflecting her mixed emotions—pleasure at seeing a familiar face and surprise at the peculiar entrance of Beldagor, the heavily armored individual whose outfit seemed to emit a curious smoke.

Beldagor's presence, with his intimidating armor and enigmatic appearance, drew Tomoko's attention. Her eyes blinked in a mix of curiosity and surprise, wondering about the nature of his arrival and the distinctive features of his unique attire.

Following closely, Masumi Kataoka entered the scene, and Tomoko noted the new faces with a friendly but cautious curiosity. Assuming they were original members of the ISS Evenstar and not part of the Shiori crew, she greeted them with a warm smile. The bioluminescent markings on her fur continued to shift, now influenced by the mix of emotions sparked by the arrival of both familiar and unfamiliar faces.

Kuroko's announcement about the Clan tab and the shared celebration prompted a delighted smile from Tomoko. The invitation to join the crew on the Clan tab for the night's festivities lifted her spirits further. The shift in her bioluminescence reflected her increasing excitement and anticipation for the camaraderie that awaited.

With a final wave to Zabuza, the security officer, Tomoko made her way towards Kuroko with a smile, ready to participate in the shared celebration and immerse herself in the lively atmosphere of the Izakaya. The diverse group of Legion members, now gathered in the midst of interstellar adventure, promised an evening filled with stories, laughter, and the forging of bonds among the crew of the ISS Evenstar.

As Tomoko approached Kuroko, a sense of camaraderie and affection enveloped her. Unable to contain the surge of warmth she felt for her fellow crew member, Tomoko instinctively placed a gentle hand around Kuroko's shoulder, a gesture of familiarity and friendship.

Turning her attention to the rest of the crew, Tomoko's bioluminescent markings continued to shift in response to her evolving emotions. The glow emanating from her fur flickered with a mix of colors, reflecting the complex tapestry of feelings she experienced in the presence of her diverse companions.

As she contemplated her order for the evening, Tomoko's thoughts danced between the various concoctions offered by the Izakaya. The holographic menu displayed an array of intergalactic beverages, each with its unique flavor and characteristics. Considering the celebratory atmosphere and the shared excitement among the crew, Tomoko decided to opt for a drink known for its popularity among the Legion members.

A waiter, an android with sleek metallic features, approached the group to take their orders. Tomoko, with a thoughtful smile, placed her request for a signature drink that held significance among the crew—a concoction named "Moon’s Nectar." This beverage, a blend of apples and honey from different corners of Yamatai Star Empire.

As the waiter scurried away to fulfill the order, Tomoko turned back to the group, her hand still affectionately resting on Kuroko's shoulder. The anticipation of the evening's festivities and the prospect of engaging in lively conversations with her fellow crew members filled Tomoko with a sense of joy, her bioluminescent markings now radiating a vibrant and harmonious glow. The Izakaya, bathed in the warm hues of friendship and celebration, awaited the unfolding of yet another memorable night among the crew of the ISS Evenstar.

Spoiler: OOC

Sorry if i ended up causing a control of your characters other then the waiter

 

[Deleted member 6144]

After having seen Kuroko wink at her she lost all sense for a moment. It made her jaw drop in surprise, she tossed back that shot of sake so fast someone might not have seen her do it. Gods help her! Before she turned back she noted the other newly arrived crew member sitting at the bar. "Interesting," she thought. Then her nose wrinkled a touch at the smell of someone she had not quite anticipated showing up, she could hear those thundering footsteps miles away. Thank goodness she had remembered to put those fancy scent filters in before leaving her room. Now, as long as he did not get the sludge dripping from his armor on her it would all be just fine.

With an excited look complimented by a fairly pleasant tone she looked towards Beldagor, "Beldagor! Hello there, I am just fine. I see things are in tip top shape per usual, so I hope you are also doing well?" Yuki paused to very matter of factly observe things in their entirety. Oh how she wanted to just slap him right now. "No, do not slap. He is friend, not target. He also could squash me like a bug," she thought regrettably. "If he touches me, you are going to have to rip me out of here before I do something stupid." she vespered to Ialnys. "Say less," he responded in vesper, conveying that if needed he would get her out of there.

 

[Air Admiral]

Starting slightly at Kuroko's interruption, Masumi's head snapped up. "Thank you kindly, ma'am." Gods knew he needed that today. At her question, he racked his brain for a moment, not immediately remembering his schedule so far along the week. Remembering the class, he winced slightly before responding in near unbroken formality. "Ah yes, looking forward to it!" Being as worn out as he was, though, he did a pretty poor job of disguising his dislike of the class.

Having placed his order, he noticed the recently entered Eradani, though he frankly couldn't care less about the noise or mess. He figured that Beldagor probably wasn't in much better of a state than himself. Turning back he also noticed the Norian that Beldagor was speaking to, being nearly the polar opposite of him at the moment. One patron that did catch Masumi's attention, though, was Tomoko - if only because of her unique properties. He made a note to himself to look into the databases later to see if he could learn more about her luminescence.

For now though, Masumi's attention returned to the menu, being somewhat invigorated at the prospect of bottomless drinks.

 

[Yuuki]

As the utilitarian, spherical forms of KAIMON/Ascendant Companion drones without their friendly holographic projections up followed Beldagor into the Izakaya, spraying, cleaning, vacuuming, and otherwise accounting for what's out, Kuroko put her arm around and and under Tomoko's in turn. "Hey there, you!" Kuroko laughed, and gave Tomoko a feline nuzzle right on the side of Tomoko's feline cheek. "How'd your shift go, kitten?"

Those drones took up positions nearby, continuing to siphon off the air around Beldagor with their extended vacuum nozzles. Kuroko had finally got a glimpse of him as she tracked Yuki's pink coiffure through the busy tavern. She frowned a bit, fearing another confrontation between the two, even if she did sort of find Beldagor's eccentricities funny. And, to be sure, Yuki's frustration was a little amusing to her as well, but concern it would boil over onto the burner was starting to crowd the latter feeling out. «Make sure things go smoothly over there,» she sent the drones, wirelessly, «Cool it down if you have to.»

Giving Tomoko another affectionate nuzzle, ending in a kiss to the cheek, Kuroko held direct eye-contact with Masumi and then grinned widely. She was feeling particularly sociable tonight, even if she still used relatively few words. "Anytime," she replied to his thanks.

As for Zabuza, Kuroko pointed at his drink, and requested one for herself from the bartender with a pointing-at-herself-gesture, then tapped the appetizer plate and held up two fingers to get another each. "Being actually old enough to just order the stuff isn't nearly as fun as stealing it from Hitomi-sensei's liquor cabinet in her stateroom." She giggled at Zabuza while hugging onto Tomoko more tightly. "Either of you want anything else?"

 

[Charmaylarg Dufrain]

Izakaya

Where more than three patrons arrived in any formal establishment urban legends would one day tell to be wary of not drawing too much attention as a paticular establishment had on the Evenstar that eve. Tall, but not the tallest, a spectre loomed in the haze of cleansing steam following Beldagor as pink eyes scanned about and rings clacked against keratin-formed horns as Kazumi shuffled inside.

Wearing a rather baggy mofuku-style kimono combination with wide, open sleeves longer than her arms that were bunched up around the wrists to give her hands freedom of movement, a low-knee cut showing a lot of ankle and shin covered by long black hali socks and sandles, and arrayed in a blue so dark in the light it might as well have been black with cascading wave patterns of blues and purples interwoven with a metallic silver thread trim that against the dark scheme of her robes glittered pleasingly to the eye while the loose-outer robe shifted frequently and generously as the Oni moved as it hung loosely over her much more thin frame that it looked to bulk out slightly from the three additional layers upon it.

Beyond this her garb complimented her pale and dusky-blue skin, the snow-white hair that hung down to the waist only enunciated the two onyx-black horns that split from near her temples and curved ever so slightly upon which in each groove was a matte-black ring that fit perfectly in each groove for its size only to to jostle as KAzumi shifted her head, clack or ring, and then fall right back into its place.

It was one of her off-days. So the Onigashima-born girl had dressed nicely out of her much more constricting duty uniform and had decided to spend the day doing casual things young maidens were oft know for; Like eating half her body weight in food and investing most of the day exploiting a bar tab. It was not much of a suprise to see some of her comrades of Lord Eidans harem or staff in the Azure Leigon that she too resided when the compliment of the ship and the places many could go on off-hours were so limited.

With greetings of "Yuki!" "Tomoko!" and "Bel!" as she passed with the last clipped as she jostled about around the cleaners to take up a place walking alongside Beldagor. There were others she was less familiar with or didnt often associate but for a lack of social energy she would rely on such individuals to at least join her after she found a spot and started drinking as tired as she already was being on her feet.

"You shouldn't carry weapons in communal spaces, Bel." She admonished with a head-tilt and a long-nail tapping on his armored arm as she stopped to give a short nod barely worthy of the word bow to Miss Kuroko in the less formal setting before looking past them all and ordering a glass of Umeshu from the bar with a practiced gesture of a seasoned barcrawler despite being one of the youngest in the crew insofar.

 

[Hollander]

I’m not on duty, not on duty… Zabuza was telling himself, but his instincts were also telling him that a particular pink-haired pistol was probably about to go off. He wanted to reply to Kuroko, who was kindly offering a drink, but he was a man with a calling. If he didn’t do something about it now, it was going to erupt like a civilization-melting volcano. With a sigh, Zabuza stood, rising to his full six feet of height. His head ‘bopped’ off of the paper lantern above him, sending it dancing back and forth on its strings. Its Yamataigo character read: ‘Peace’.

Leaving the freshly-made oyster shooter in its place, Zabuza turned and twisted into the little crowd until he was parallel to one Yuki Inihara. Just as she had made her own little ambush on their Chief Officer, he now ambushed her. With a “Hup.”, he ducked his right shoulder down to her hips and pushed into her, his right hand coming up on her back, his left swinging around to grip her thigh. With an easy lift, he hefted her up into the air on his back and shoulders. “Alright, let’s see about getting you somewhere that we can vent all this steam you’ve built up.” he said, giving her rear-end an affectionate pat. His tone was that of a blue-collar working man, clocking in for yet another twelve-hour shift… But under his demeanor, he was kind of glad to have something to do, something to get his mind off of the looming grey cloud over his head.

Spoiler: OOC

Worked out the departure of Yuki and Zabuza with Nakshatra over Discord. Carry on, Izakaya-goers!

 

[Commissar Farzi]

Beldogor turned his head to the oni, brushing off her criticism as the pair left. Shame-he didn't get to talk to her long. Oh well. He spoke as he watched them go-"You'd be considered a fool for not carrying one Kasumi." Unbeknownst to him he'd bungled the pronunciation of her name. "There's always that one thurok-fucker who goes looking for trouble, even in a bar." And with any luck, he'd have a new spirit for his armor to take if that was the case.

He idly adjusted the throttle of his machine downwards as he debated on what brew to sample-so many choices...

 

[Charmaylarg Dufrain]

"Ah." Kazumi intoned to herself at the familiarity of Beldagor though couldn't complain at the use or mispronunciation of her forename. In friends, equals, and associates such social norms were acceptable and she could give Beldagor the slack from one misfit oddball to another.

"That may be so but we have security for that. Oh, and you shouldn't swear." She made a follow-up clack sound of one of her nails poking his armor as the junior Motoyoshi, Zabuza, left his seat and move off to abduct Yuki in a manner that got an eye raise from Kazumi as she covered her mouth slightly to hide her expression. She had gotten used to such displays by now but it still stirred a maiden's heart to see such passion firsthand.

She would use the scene between Zabuza and Yuki for inspiration in the next writing session she shared with some of her new shipmates she had found shared her... Preferred genres in an anonymous publishing group they had formed. But now that they were gone~

"There's room over here, Bel."

Sidiling up next to Kuroko in the now vacant seat, Kazumi looked down at the oyster shot, up at Kuruko, down again, and casually pushed the drink off to the side with a nail as if its presence offended her by its low alcohol content. Making a long-practiced gesture to get the proprietor's attention she made several follow-up gestures and hand movements and ordered two of the sweet plum Umeshu wine glasses on ice and a single glass of Karinshu with a side of soda water. While she waited for the drinks she looked back over to Kuroko, now without her recent conversation partner.

"Ah," Kazumi raised a dainty hand, fingers ever so curled in greeting the other casually cupping her own cheek as she leaned on it, enjoying the atmosphere. "Good day, Lady Kuroko" she greeted her senior was her usual casual stoicism that she seemed to share with the other woman as she moved several stray strands of hair from over her own eyes and clacked several of the fingers of her free hand on the tabletop as she waited to see if Beldagor or anyone else would join them in the meantime as she watched Yuki and Zabuza from a side eye as they left the Izakaya, Imagination already wandering as her mind already was formulating overly-exaggerated terms for a new chapter she would propose for her writing groups cooperative novel.

Spoiler

Wisteria Touch of Whispering Dreams - page 644:
Like the call of a valiant knight ready for battle, he gallantly dipped his shoulder, sweeping her into his embrace with the finesse of a seasoned dancer. His touch was electric, sending shivers down her spine as his hand found its place on the small of her back, while the other effortlessly lifted her enunciating the layers of corded, glistening muscle as he cradling her like the most precious treasure.

"Behold, my love," he declared with a voice as smooth as melted chocolate that made her long, elvish ears turn beet red, his gaze burning with passion, "let us embark on a journey to a realm where we can unleash the torrents of desire that have been simmering within you."

With a playful yet tender pat on her behind, he revealed a hidden depth beneath his rugged exterior, like a rugged hero with a heart of gold, ready to conquer not only her body but also her heart that not even the difference in their stations could keep apart. And though he spoke with the rugged charm of a blue-collar laborer, his actions spoke volumes of the longing he harbored, a desire to escape the shadows that threatened to engulf him, finding solace in her embrace, in their shared ardor...

Yeah... She had to make sure nobody else in the Azure Legion ever read it. Or at least never figure out which of the collaborative authors listed as Dreamer was...