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  • 📅 February and March 2024 are YE 46.2 in the RP.

RP [Yamatai] Year-End Winter Holiday Party, YE 42 [Open RP]

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Her eyes just continued to avoid him as her cheeks remained a bright pink. Her lips meanwhile never broke from their smile. She wondered if she was making things awkward, then she became terrified that she was making things awkward. Slowly she forced her eyes to look upon him. The stool seemed to creak underneath her, why? It was then that she realized she may have been squeezing it too hard with her tail. The extra appendage loosened its grip, as she focused on moving it.

"Sometimes a little spontaneity is the spice of life," she replied as her eyes suddenly looked away again, no longer was she able to force herself to look at him. It was maybe a little too vague of an answer though, and she worried that she wasn't sending him the right signals. "It was very memorable, thank you." Damnit.... she thought, that was still more vague than she wanted. She was usually very good at speaking her mind so why not now? Time, she needed some time that was all.

Popping another of the takoyaki into her mouth she just sat there chewing, and stewing in the awkwardness of the situation. Which did her no favors with her mental state. After what felt like an eternity she swallowed and then moved her gaze to see what he was doing.
 
Takashi turned back to his takoyaki. Even without looking directly at her, he was keenly aware of her body language. Was she mad? Or happy? She hadn't responded to his apology, exactly. Instead she said something vaguely nice about spontaneity and memorability, and thanked him. And she wasn't looking at him. But she was smiling. That seemed good, at least.

Feeling his hands still shaking, he grabbed one of his takoyaki without breaking it open and put it into his mouth, biting down on it. He half expected to be burned, and though it was hot, it was a bittersweet revelation that the winter air had cooled it to the point where it was merely uncomfortable to eat. The revelation was bittersweet because he desperately wanted something else to think about, and a burnt mouth would do just the trick. Instead, he simply chewed and enjoyed the delicious fried ball of batter and seafood, and stole a glance in her direction.

A little spontaneity is the spice of life, she had said. It was very memorable, thank you.

For the second time tonight, he wished he had a better grasp of "subtext," as she put it. Her face suggested happiness, but everything else she was communicating suggested something else. Something he couldn't identify. Like the meaning of a lyric, or dialogue between two characters in a movie who just seemed to be talking past each other. Had he done something wrong? Other than not asking for permission. Maybe that was it? But they didn't ask for permission in movies. And she had every opportunity to prevent him from kissing her.

As his mind turned back to the kiss, he couldn't help but smile again. He imagined the scene from the point of view of a director capturing the moment. The sounds of the crowds around them quieted to nothing as he stood and stroked her antlers then raised her chin to kiss him. No quick cuts. No camera movement. No close-up. Just their two faces and his hands in shot. And fireworks in the night's sky above lighting up their faces. Perfect, he thought. That was the perfect moment, and it needed fireworks.

He finally broke the silence and barely coaxed his dry throat to say the words "you're welcome."
 
As the countdown to the new year began, Hanako took a moment to just give Katsuko a long, warm hug. To honest, she'd felt so distanced from everyone having to worry about keeping up appearances for her rank and position and although she'd met so many new people, she actually had been feeling lonely. It was just her and her loyal Eucharis crew, who were friends but also employees she was in charge of. Seeing an old friend, Katsuko, had made Hanako's night better and she reminisced on those old days in the 20s where they were in the Empress' Palace. She wondered if she'd ever get married, and imagined herself as a bride, maybe Sune's or even Katsuko's bride, for a moment, and smiled to herself in amusement. She was married to the military.

"Happy New Year, Katsuko," she smiled as the clock hit zero and the fireworks exploded in the Kyoto skies, filling the world with green and red splashes of light.

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Kozakura noticed that his lips were parting to say something, but at that exact moment the sky lit up with fireworks and the crowd around them erupted into cheers of 'happy new year.' So it was that she entirely missed what he said as her eyes were drawn skyward to take in the breath taking displays of the multicolored explosions as they colored the sky with various shapes and patterns. Truthfully she was quite happy for the distraction as it bought her precious time to think and served as a distraction from the awkwardness. While she was distracted with the display their waiter brought the checks over and set them down upon the table.

When the display finally came to an end she turned her attention back to Takashi. "I had a lot of fun tonight," she smiled before pulling out a small wallet from her coat to pay for the drinks. "Are you going to be in Kyoto for long?"
 
As if cued by his thoughts, flowers of fire erupted overhead in a spectacular display of colour and sound just as he tried to speak. He began to look up, but stopped to watch the light play on her face instead.

"Just a few more days until I ship out," the words left his lips before he had time to think about them. Now that they hung in the air, he realized their implication and his heart sank. "I had fun too."

Seeing her pull out her wallet, he reached inside his coat and produced a KS card.

"I would like to see you again," he said plainly. "Are you busy tomorrow?"
 
"I'll probably be at SANDRA's Kyoto office until they give me my next assignment, but usually I get sent all over the planet...." she sounded sort of sad about that as her heart sank too. "Though I could request a local assignment tomorrow?" Her voice was somewhat hopeful about that last part but in the back of her mind she knew he was going to be gone soon, when he'd be back who could say. On top of which she'd probably be given another crap assignment and sent to the ass end of nowhere.

Carefully she pulled out a bellflower note or two and placed it on top of the check for the drinks. Her wallet was slipped back into her coat in one quiet smooth motion. She stood a bit more clumsily as a wave of uneasiness hit her. Her legs wobbled with drunkenness until she found her balance again. Slowly she walked over to Takashi, her tail wrapping around his back before she leaned in and planted a kiss on his forehead.
 
Takashi nodded solemnly, then jerked his head with a sudden thought.

"There's really nothing tying me to Kyoto, I just need to be back in a few days to catch my ride out." It wasn't exactly true. They were practically within walking distance of his parents' place, but he hadn't made any plans to see them. Visiting them was something he felt like he should do, but he was starting to make a habit of doing things he wasn't supposed to. Or not doing things he was. "So if you get assigned somewhere, I could come with."

Bringing his hand up to rub his neck, he smiled and looked back and forth between her and the ground.

"If you want," he continued quietly. When she stood up and nearly fell down, he suddenly wished he had any reflexes worth talking about. In his mind, he could have swept her off her feet then and there. Instead, he just put on a concerned expression and watched helplessly, glad that she was able to steady herself. When she stepped towards him, he didn't notice her tail wrap around his back, but he certainly noticed the kiss on his forehead, which lit up his face like more fireworks.
 
Hanako's entourage of black-coated Eucharis crew members, who had initially stopped her as a suspicious armed person, finally let Remy pass and she was able to get escorted to Hanako's table and present the wine.

"Neshaten liqueur from the Black Family?" Hanako repeated, looking at the unusual beverage and hoping Remy could elaborate on who the Black Family was. Seeing the worm inside, she double-blinked in surprise. "I must admit this is a quite unexpected present. Please forgive me but is this is the first time we have met?"
 
Katsuko hugged Hanako back, it caught her a bit off-guard but she embraced it. The elder Taisho watched as the gift was presented to Hanako from the "Black Family." Who was this family that went out of their way to bring Hanako gifts? Katsuko looked to Hanako with a slightly puzzled expression. Neshaten liqueur, that was the point where it seemed to end. She too waited to see if Remy would elaborate. PANTHEON at least revealed what it could about Remy Belmont, it was good Katsuko had decided to hold her tongue. "An interesting gift for sure, I don't think I have tasted anything Neshaten," she commented. She smiled, and looked to Hanako and said, "Would you like something to eat while you are here?"

Hopefully, Eri would have had some time to decide on food, the waiter was close to their table again. Katsuko made a light squeeze of her new fiance's hand.
 
The eyes of everyone at the table fell to the Minkan's approach momentarily, Matsuvo receiving a few nods and other gestures of greeting before the hushed mutterings of conversation ensued. Donvan's puzzled, blurple eyes offered the elven-looking man a quick once over before standing to greet him, hands deftly buttoning up his navy suit's crisp Jacket before speaking.

"I suppose one could say it's something like that," the blonde man smiled, standing a hair taller than Matsuvo with an athletic, playboy-esque build and overall vibe that belied the busy mind behind the handsome face.

"But please, call me Donvan... I do apologise but we haven't met before have we? I don't often forget a face unless I want to and you seem like quite the bubbly fellow," the man introduced himself, each syllable dripping equal bits charm and an accent not often heard among the human-looking Yamataian and Nepleslian citizens so common around the sector.

The suave human stuck his hand out with some degree of caution though it was still an invitation as his twin sister continued business talks, Kryss trying her hardest to not roll her eyes at Donvan's antics in front of present company. Some way across the restaurant Remy's vibrant, green pools of light watched the interaction and deemed it something Donvan could deal with if things went sour, there was a reason he had a sidearm strapped to his ankle after all.

Her attention snapped back to the table of high-ranking Yamataian personnel as she was allowed through, checking that she was as presentable as could be before closing the distance with a few measured strides, forcing her smile to hold as she offered another respectful bow.

"I do not know if they have ever had the opportunity to meet you in person though I can safely say I have not, Remy Belmont of the Belmont Clan, I am simply a guest for the Black family's siblings this evening," she offered as a curt explanation before placing the bottle down on the edge of the table, straightening her posture and crossing both hands over her spacious lap.

"I am surprised you do not know of them, the Black family founded Galactic Horzion, one of the few non-Yamataian companies who have legally worked with a certain em-shielding coating your Star Army is fond of using, furthermore one of the few small companies to get contracts from half the sector's big militaries... though I apologize for rambling somewhat," Remy spoke, grimacing slightly before continuing.

"I simply came over to hand this small token from them to you, not act as an advertisement... I do not wish to intrude so I will wish you all a lovely evening and be on my way, should your security allow it," Remy offered with another elegant bow, holding it and allowing her wavy green hair to flow almost down to the floor as she awaited a response.

Donvan making her damn near spout the company's full history made Ms Belmont want to go kick the handsome bugger right in his semi-famous crotch, but hopefully this would make them even on a little favour she owed him.
 
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Kozakura smiled but she felt her heart sinking deeper and deeper, in a few days he'd be back in space and she'd be stuck here groundside before eventually shipping out on a journey of her own. Was that a life she was willing to live? She wasn't sure, her liquor addled mind said yes, but deep down she felt as if she knew otherwise. "That'd be nice...." she trailed off, having realized that she'd forgotten his name. What am I doing? she asked herself even as she found herself hugging him.

Slowly, she backed away from him a couple of steps. Her tail moving back to rest behind her own body. "We're like two ships passing each other on the dark side of a moon..." It made sense to her but would he understand that? Why couldn't she just come out and say what she was feeling? She took a deep breath, "If... if you don't mind things ending when you have to leave, meet me tomorrow outside of SANDRA." With that said, she turned to leave, not even waiting for his answer. Though if he was quick he'd be able to get in a few words or even stop her. She was pretty clumsy in her heels after all.
 
Her words made him experience a burst of emotions that he was simply unable to process all at once. Instead, he dealt with the most immediately pressing physiological reaction which felt like something was welling up in his throat. He swallowed hard, but the feeling didn't go away. He recognized that he was still able to breathe, though it hurt to do so, so he wasn't actively suffocating.

The image of two ships passing each other in the shadow of a moon appeared vividly in his mind, and he looked down. He swallowed again. He nodded. His thoughts returned to the implications of his rapidly-approaching date of departure. But the image she had painted stuck in his mind. If he were the captain of a ship passing another one in the outer space equivalent of night, would he go through the effort of sending an away party for such a brief encounter? Or would he transmit polite radio communications? Or would he simply leave it to the IFF transponders to make their brief exchange and establish that they were friends and not foes?

These questions continued to weigh heavily on Takashi, as he looked up to respond just as she was leaving his view. "Okay."
 
Eri had to sit back in her seat as the ring settled in on her finger and stare at it, incredulously at the turn of events for the day as she tried to replay through the last year and everything leading up to today. From the reunion as she heard of Katsuko coming back to take over the fleet again, to the combat out against the Tange and the Kuvexians then heading back to Yamatai for repairs and some downtime, then to... this. She had barely heard the comment about what she wanted to eat before she perked up and blinked. Though as the waiter came back around she had enough time to scramble through a quick order.


"Ju-Just a salad. I'm fine with a salad for now, House salad, house dressing." She explained to the waiter as her eyes quickly fell back to the ring then to Katsuko, back and forth though a goofy grin began to spread, something completely out of place on the usually smarmy woman's face.
 
OOC: Skip to the end for a summary if you don't feel like reading everything.

Takashi settled the rest of the bill, happy to find that he had enough on his KS card to cover it. Honestly, he wasn't sure how much was in his account. He hadn't thought about money since he had enlisted almost two years ago now. In fact, he hadn't thought about money before then, either, but he had needed to sign up for an account when he enlisted in order to receive his pay, which was precisely the extent to which he had thought about money before in his life. Takashi pulled himself off his stool, and was once again relieved to find that he was better able to balance himself than before. Considering how badly the rest of him felt, he tried to hold onto the small comfort it gave him, but it slipped away before too long.

Just as he had two years ago in the week before he enlisted, he tucked his frigid hands into his pockets and walked out into the city with no destination in mind. Revellers bustled around him, but he was hardly aware. After several minutes passed, he gradually felt...not better, exactly. But more removed. Like he was observing his feelings as an outsider rather than being an active participant. What was he feeling? He tried to find the words. Above all, he felt something in his chest like some internal organ was being pulled away, and no matter in which direction he walked, he couldn't follow the direction it wanted to go. Was it his heart? Suddenly, some song lyrics came to mind that started to make more sense. Underneath, he felt an energy within him, buzzing at the thought of spending more time with Kozakura. It prickled at the back of his neck and up the back of his head. What did he want to do with her? He couldn't say. Just doing something with her. Finally, he found the feeling that he least wanted to unpack. It was like a hole in his gut and it ached, but not in the same way that his heart did. It wasn't so bad now, but he could feel it slowly getting worse as the minutes ticked inexorably towards his eventual departure from this world. From Kozakura's world.

Looking up, he realized that he knew where he was. How long had he been walking? He turned around to look at the road down which he had walked and saw the revelry only as a point of light in the distance. His eyes looked to an unmarked set of sliding glass doors that lay between two storefronts. Someone of indeterminate species and gender was leaned up against the doors, head lolling to one side and then the other. Were they trying to get in? He wondered, and watched them for a few minutes before they gave up and wandered on down the street. Takashi walked up to the doors and they silently slid aside, granting him entrance. Within, a receptionist at a small desk stood, walked around in front of the desk, silently bowed deeply at her waist, and waited. Takashi moved awkwardly past her into the hall of elevators that lay beyond her desk. One of the elevators opened, practically beckoning him inside. Without pressing a button, it began its ascent.

When the elevator doors opened, he stepped out into the cold air again. Around him, the rooftop terrace was immaculate. Snow covered everything except the koi pond from which a gentle mist rose into the night. Directly across from the elevator was a small wooden building with paper walls, illuminated softly from within. Somewhere unseen, trickling water caused a piece of bamboo on a hinge to tip over, pour out the water it had collected, then snap back upwards and strike a rock with a hollow thunk. Takashi crossed the garden and reached the house, where he took off and left his boots outside before opening the paper wall and entering the living room.

Within, an older woman sat quietly at a low table. She wore a black formal dress with a gold belt around her waist. Her lower body was hidden under the low table, which seemed to have a built-in blanket to keep the cold of the room out. On the table in front of her was a pot of tea beside which sat two cups. A third cup was delicately suspended in the air in front of her face by her delicate hands, as she had been in the process of taking a sip when he entered. She only hesitated for a moment before she completed her action, sipping quietly at the substance within the cup, then placing it back down on the table, careful to sweep the flowing sleeves of her gown away in a motion that was so effortless, he knew that she had practiced it a thousand times before. She didn't look up. Neither of them spoke.

Takashi crossed the tatami mats until he was standing at the closest edge of the table and she was on his left. He knelt. Two years ago, he might have tucked himself under the blanket, but something within him urged him not to. Not tonight. Perhaps never again. Without saying a word, she picked up the teapot and filled his cup. The teapot was only barely within her reach, but her movement was so graceful, it reminded him of the effortless way she dealt with her impractical sleeves. Once his cup was filled, she put the cast metal teapot down again, doing so without allowing its contact with the table's surface to make a sound. In the garden outside, the sound of bamboo striking a rock echoed. She pushed the cup towards him ever so slightly, then returned to her own tea. Takashi removed his hands from his coat pockets and used both to pick up the cup, the warmth was welcome against his practically frozen fingertips. He drank.

They drank tea in silence for some time, until the paper wall directly across from Takashi slid aside and in stepped an older man dressed in a gown that matched the older woman's only in its anachronism. The man walked across the matted floor and sat on Takashi's right-hand side. The woman began to fill his teacup in precisely the same way that she had filled Takashi's.

"I've joined the army," Takashi finally spoke. The interruption made both of the older people stiffen slightly, and though the woman was mid-pour, she didn't allow a drop to be spilled.

The woman finished her action, set down the heavy teapot again, and gave the man's teacup a gentle push. The man responded to the gesture by bowing his head slightly and reaching forward to grasp it with both hands, drawing it to his lips and taking a sip.

"How did you know I was coming?" The second interruption made the man seize up again, then place his cup gently down on the table.

A silent moment passed. Takashi knew that they wouldn't respond until the moment was appropriate, but something compelled him to speak out of turn. Something had changed within him two years ago.

"You are leaving again soon," the man said flatly without looking up from his cup.

"Yes, I..." Takashi started.

"That wasn't a question," the woman interrupted. Takashi looked at her, but she too refused to look at him. The man and woman took another sip of tea, and while Takashi longed for its warmth, he resisted the urge to join them. A dull thunk sounded from the garden once again.

"You are a science officer," the man spoke again. "What is your rank?"

Takashi studied the man's face, which gave no indication of interest in the answer to the question. Takashi suspected he didn't need to answer.

"Santô Hei."

Takashi continued to stare at the man, who continued to stare at a fixed point in space occupied by nothing.

"How long will it take you to become a real officer?"

Takashi stood quietly, left the room, retrieved his boots, entered the waiting elevator, passed the still-bowing receptionist in the entrance lobby, and started walking back to his hotel.

Well, he thought quietly to himself. Now I won't have the thought of visiting my parents on my mind when I see Kozakura tomorrow.

OOC: In summary, Takashi tries to deal with some emotions and ends up visiting his parents.
 
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"Thank you," Hanako told Remy, examining the bottle with interest. "And a happy to year to you!"

She smiled and just savored breathing the air full of alcohol aromas, firework smoke, and a dry crispness that just smelled like snow.
 
The eyes of everyone at the table fell to the Minkan's approach momentarily, Matsuvo receiving a few nods and other gestures of greeting before the hushed mutterings of conversation ensued. Donvan's puzzled, blurple eyes offered the elven-looking man a quick once over before standing to greet him, hands deftly buttoning up his navy suit's crisp Jacket before speaking.

"I suppose one could say it's something like that," the blonde man smiled, standing a hair taller than Matsuvo with an athletic, playboy-esque build and overall vibe that belied the busy mind behind the handsome face.

"But please, call me Donvan... I do apologise but we haven't met before have we? I don't often forget a face unless I want to and you seem like quite the bubbly fellow," the man introduced himself, each syllable dripping equal bits charm and an accent not often heard among the human-looking Yamataian and Nepleslian citizens so common around the sector.
"We haven't, but I'm familiar with some of the pieces your company has produced for the Star Army." Matsuvo explained before continuing, "The Star Army Rikugun has been reorganizing lately, and I've seen many soldiers issued your hardsuits, and I've heard about marksman teams using your anti-material rifles. It's surprising to see a company with such success outside of one of the Zaibatsus."

Matsuvo took a moment to take a sip of kanzake before speaking again. "Pardon me if I was too direct earlier, however it's hard to miss someone walking up to the center of the party. It's not often a stranger tries to talk to Hanako-Taisho, and it seems like almost everyone who does has some kind of agenda. I had assumed that your bodyguard was sent to try and gain favor for your company, but perhaps I was presumptuous."
 
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