2026-09-23: Seijin no Hi 2013
- Log: Seijin no Hi 2013
- Cast: Umie Akabane, Tatsuzou Sudou (NPCed by Penguin Sniper), Yanagi Nagisa, Remi Ryuuja, Shinobu Shimizu, Shiryuu Ryouhara
- Where: Meiji Shrine
- OOC Date: September 23, 2026
- IC Date: January 14, 2013
- Summary: The passage into adulthood is inevitable for all who are blessed to live long enough. In Japan, people mark this occasion with Coming of Age Day on the second Monday of every January. While adulthood does not end the weight one carries from one stage of life to the next, it can be a chance at a new beginning. Adulthood doesn't have to be a curse. You just have to break the cycle that those before you have enabled.
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
====EARLIER, AT SHIBUYA PUBLIC HALL====
Shibuya Public Hall (formerly C.C. Lemon Hall because capitalism rocks, baby!) has been host to many great Seiji no hi celebrations and performances. Located in the same block as other city buildings, the glass front is beginning to show some wear, and there's talk of the building being redone in the near future. But that... is not now.
'Ehhh... the turnout for Shibuya this year's even less than last year,' says a photographer to another as the 20 year olds, dressed in their finest, go to their seats. 'What is it now, about 1300?'
'That's not counting the ones who noped out and went to Destinyland instead.'
'.... True. Who's doing the speech this year?'
This year, the main theatre is host to Foreign Affairs Minister Tatsuzou Sudou, a powerful figure who has shaped politics in some way since the early 90s ever since he emerged from the ruins of the collapsed bubble economy of the late 80s. Whether anyone here would appreciate that history lesson, however, is another matter.
<Pose Tracker> Minister Pengu has posed.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
The cadence of an older man's walk with a cane, always with a pause to wait for one leg to catch up to the other. He steps onto the stage, wearing a ceremonial Haori. His features aquiline, severe as he makes his way in front of the podium.
An aide comes up to adjust the microphone, but he waves them off as if to say he needs it not. He takes his time, eyes surveying the crowd of young people in their ceremonial attire. However, they stop on one young woman in particular for three seconds, before then moving on.
All can look upon him now, the features of Tatsuzou Sudou, Japan's foreign minister, and the alleged leader of the New World Order.
"When I look at all the young people arrayed before me today. I see but one thing. ... Potential. For some, you will go on to be mentored by your elders, to be wielded by them as one might a freshly forged blade. You will be their legacy. But for some-"
Now his eyes rest upon one young woman again.
"-your potential will amount to nothing, found to be dross- rather than the tempered steel that this country requires. And to those who think of you at all in the days ahead, they will go no further than these words from their lips. ...'What a shame', 'What a waste'."
They move away yet again, as if dismissing her entirely, to look upon the crowd of youth.
"Your duty now to this country is simple. You must be responsible for forging its next generation. To raise your own children in accordance with our traditions. To resist the corrosive influence of Western culture that has tainted and corrupted the society we live in. Young men- now begins your true labor in the years to come. Work hard. Provide. Become as a blade, in defense of your country, your home, your kin. Young women- find strength in your submission. Marry young. Have children- yes children. Become as sheaths, safeguards and sanctuaries for your future husbands, a place for their hot-blooded passions to find repose."
He has not smiled once, that trend continues, even as he concludes his speech.
"It we are to create a future at all in this sinful world- then we must rid the blood of this country from the filth that has infected us. It is by your efforts that we will purge this land- and rid ourselves of impurity. ... As this nation's foreign minister, I issue only one command for you adults who have now come of age: make good choices, before the ability to choose is taken away from you."
Is this a speech, or a threat? A good number of the crowd, more conservative sorts cheer. While others look incredibly uncomfortable.
The man steps away from the microphone.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
It's more uncomfortable to listen to it going, than it was coming.
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
After the speech is yet another, made by a lesser official: something about 'hold yourself to the national values you've learned as you grown up in Japan' or something similar, that has as much presence as a konbini bento way past its sell-by date. Following that is another, just as milquetoast in flavor. At the very least, there's a performance of taiko drummers, and a reminder for people to use their newfound powers of 'adult' to vote.
====NOW, SOME TIME LATER, AT MEIJI SHRINE====
You have to know where to go to spot them, in these modern times: the fluttering long sleeves of colorful furisodes, the elegant clothing, the hakamas, the black suits. Most women have been out since early this morning getting their makeup and hair done, as well as their furisode (usually a rental) fitted. Most clothing is rented, and the locations, intentional: some go to izayakas later on to enjoy drinking for the first time, others have reunions with old schoolmates they haven't seen since graduating, others go home to family. A good percentage, however, are here at Meiji Temple, standing in the brisk cold to pray, take pictures, draw fortunes, and socialize.
And the 20 year olds aren't the only ones here: the white of the snow draws out the crisp colors of various fabrics, with sharp lines, straight figures, broad shoulders contrasting with graceful ornaments and fake flowers in various updos and braids, or the softness of fake fur shawls to guard one's exposed nape agaisnt the bitter cold. It's a winter garden, and people from different age groups are here to observe, support, and take photos.
Shiryuu Ryouhara has arrived from Central Street - Main.
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
"....." It's been well over an hour since the speech, and, for a certain blonde here, it's not enough to wash out the bitter taste. All the times she's 'trained' with temples, attempting to desensitize herself to being on temple grounds, all the time she's spent, putting funds away for the cost of the rental. All the preparations she's made, just to never consider that, of all people...
... *Tatsuzou Sudou* would be there.
"...." Umie Akabane's just not in a good mood right now, standing there by the landmark she had pointed out to Shiryuu on the website's map.
She remembers joking with Goro Akechi about how lovely she'd look, and, to be honest, Umie's certain she looked stunning this morning, and maybe, even now. Dressed in a red furisode, the white faux fur shawl blends nicely with the watercolor-like edging on the hem, as well as the white breadseed poppies along the bottom portion. The gold and black swirls of the obi itself match the occasional gold butterfly in the upper portion of kimono.
(https:'www.okamoto-kimono.comgalleryimagemedia202606mda_1780644265.jpg)
A gloved hand touches the silk white and tan flowers in her hair, done up in the best updo the hairdresser could manage with her hair.
Her right hand goes to the good luck charm on her left wrist, fingers rolling the tiny bell between index finger and thumb... then, to the metal charm pinned to the top of her kimono, where a pale jadeite stone is set.
Whatever you do, _never let him win_, Umie Akabane. you will have a *fantastic fucking time*, and _where is Shiryuu_.
<Pose Tracker> Yanagi Nagisa has posed.
Yanagi wasn't there for Tatsuzou Sudou's speech. She knows what things are and aren't worth showing up for. Instead, she's been enjoying the sights of all the 20-year-olds at Meiji Shrine walking around in their beautiful kimonos. She'd be wearing one herself, but alas, she's operating on her own at present.
She instead enjoys a fur-trimmed dress with warm boots and a hooded cloak, with a jeweled belt, bracelets, and earrings to match--and, of course, hair clips. Today, her colors are themed around garnet and gold with black and white trim. It's much more vivid than her usual, but it's winter, after all. It's fun to pop out when everything else is so drab! (Including Yanagi herself, with her pale gray hair and dark gray eyes... Her make-up highlights them well, though.)
She's seated at a bench with her walking cane in hand, admiring everyone with a smile. Strictly speaking, her own coming of age ceremony would have been last year--she turns twenty-one next month! So exciting!!--but she was busy being a) very sick b) legally dead. Neither of these things has changed, but point A is at least getting managed far better now.
When Umie happens to pass nearby in her ruddy pink kimono, Yanagi takes a moment to admire the bell bracelet and jadeite charm she's wearing. Now, is that bell purely cosmetic, or does it jingle? She might just reach out with her cane and poke her to find out!
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
Remi, sadly, did not receive the opportunity to attend a Seijin no Hi ceremony. Or at least, she did not get to attend a public one, owing to being in captivity at the time.
And she is 23 now, regardless, well past the time to experience such a thing vicariously. Just one more in a growing list of moments that were stolen from her and Yua both.
Yua is, of course, at the forefront of her mind, given her current state; Remi does not have much time to spare but she wanted to come support Umie regardless.
She is dressed much more for the winter chill than for fashion, in dark colors, gloves, a long coat, and a green scarf and beanie. She also has several layers underneath what's visible and she's still shivering.
But her voice is warm as she approaches, "Akabane-san! Congratulations. You look simply splendid, as well."
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
Shinobu Shimizu hasn't been 20 for 9 years. She still remembers her Coming of Age day, though. It wasn't traditional in a lot of ways, but then again, neither is she. Hers was a private celebration with people she cared about... so this might be the first time she's actually paying attention to the public event.
Why? Well... she's pretty sure some of the people she's met lately - mostly on Persona business, but some not - are around that age. It'd probably be the responsible adult thing to do to support and congratulate them.
And so that's why she's sitting back, watching the speech on her phone with a scowl on her face.
She's not sure what she expected, but his comments about women? And about 'filth' and 'impurity'? She's not sure what's more disgusting - the speech, or that there are audible cheers in the crowd. She'd throw her phone if not for the fact that that's not an expense she can afford right now.
...Maybe she needs to add 'apologies' to the list of the reasons why she's here.
And so, Meiji Shrine. She's here with her hands in her pockets in a nice winter coat and boots, plain but sleek in a way that works. There's a lot of people here - it looks like she isn't the only one coming out here to support the new twenty-year olds.
She scans the crowd, looking to see if she spots any familiar faces... and she does spot one.
Shinobu strolls over, drawing a hand from her pocket to offer a casual wave.
"Hey, Akabane. Congrats on making twenty." Shinobu offers, and nods. "You look good."
But she isn't the only one coming to greet her, she glances toward Remi.
"Ryuuja. Long time no see." She greets with a nod. And also... there's a fashionable young woman on the bench nearby. She's not wearing a kimono, but her outfit stands out all the same...
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
He knows something about tempered steel.
THEN.- The young man in the lighting bridges above the auditorium was not among the other youths, despite his own obvious age -- certainly, there are questions among Sudou's attending staff as to if they were 'just children,' the grey-haired young man and his subordinate, a hard-eyed kid who was clearly his junior by at least a year or two, on opposing sides of the hall. The boys are extra overwatch, though they don't seem to be fond of eachother. It's fine -- in the ways that matter, they are loyal.
They still have a 'penance' to pay, after all.
Lit in pale blue, Shiryuu gets to watch His Excellency's speech from behind him, as opposed to before him. His cold glare narrows, before focusing on the crowd ahead.
NOW.- Luckily there was an hour since the speech, and Shiryuu swiftly divested himself of the responsibilities of support for the Minister, discharging the obligation to Kouhei, whom he was sure was glad to be rid of him for the time being. Sighing, the young man slipped into the back of the car.
He arrives at the shrine in a completely different outfit. Gone is the tirelessly business, over-tailored western-styled suit. It's replaced with a simple black noragi with a silver chain brooch, worn over a dark sweater and a splash of color in the form of a handmade-looking scarf in shades of blue, in what is a concession to the weather (...?). He doesn't exactly blend in with either crowd, wearing wider cut but simple trousers secured with a sash and a loose beaded obijime. He even wears Onitsuka brogues.
Truthfully, for a boy who always wears a haori at minimum, it's actually rather hard to tell if he's formally celebrating anything at all, with a set of rounded shades to proof against the white glare of the snowfall.
The fanciest thing he wears are a set of amethyst dragon earrings.
"It's crowded again," Shiryuu observes passively, to no one in particular. Mid-step, he has a habit of appearing out of nowhere, and today is no different. He's somewhere in Akabane's blind spot, standing not far off from the chozuya.
When he turns towards her, he would say something about the bright woman trying to poke at Akabane with a cane. He does, in fact, notice. He also notices Remi, earmarked as unexpected, and consequently examined as suspicious.
He notices them. Really. Unfortunately, Shiryuu notices Umie a second later, and is consequently railroaded into distracted silence by the other two before he can think to say anything cool, mouth open with the word just on the end of his tongue. "...aah."
What a shame, what a shame.
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
'Akabane-san! Congratulations!' "Ryuuja-san..." Umie blinks, then chuckles. "You didn't have to come here for me. I was going to throw out a selfie to anyone who asked."
Similarly, Shinobu comes over as well, drawing Umie's mood further upwards. "You too? Man, I wasn't expecting this..." She gestures to Remi. "She's been doing shifts at the Le Chat Marron, in Electric Town. You should come on down sometime!"
But really, it's such a shame: a lovely outfit that could, theoretically, fit anyone's shape, as long as the proper amount of padding is applied. However, it needs help to be applied, no matter how able-bodied a person may be.
Yanagi, on her way to see this winter garden of bright fabrics and fresh faces (including her own, as long as no one is looking!), is brightly colored herself, and Umie notices, as she makes a glance around for Shiryuu before getting too invested in chatting.
Both accessories look hand-made; the charm bracelet a simple kumihimo weave of red silk thread, the metalwork of the broach fine pewter. The only other accessory is the usual clasping purse, which many others similarly dressed are holding.
As for that little bell? When Yanagi shows interest, Umie extends her hand out, letting the bell twinkle just so. "Well, well. Good to see you as well... Are you also in the turning 20 club, or here to support?"
Umie looks at Shinobu with a lopsided grin. "In spite of *certain people*, I do think I am." She looks among the three. "Did any of you see that speech? The foreign minister's. It was at the Shibuya Public Hall."
Sure, she won't let him win, but that doesn't mean Umie will forgo the pleasant activity of callous gossip at the man's expense.
But really. *Where is Shiryuu?*
(She *could* judge by resonance if he's close by, but it's been hard enough trying to keep her *own* under wraps.)
<Pose Tracker> Yanagi Nagisa has posed.
"Oh, Remi," Yanagi says blasé to the NWO agent. "How nice to see you again in the wild!"
What's that supposed to mean? Probably nothing, right? Right.
There's another young woman nearby likewise greeting the bell girl along with Remi. She smiles brightly at Shinobu, before Umie kindly jingles her bell herself. Yanagi looks delighted!
"I'm twenty now!" she chirps, which is not precisely the answer Umie was looking for but is the one she's getting all the same. She leans forward to get a better look at Umie's accessories--and spots a certain someone behind her. There's lots of someones behind her, but this one is clad in delightfully eccentric digs, and that can't help but draw her fascinated attention. For all that his entire outfit catches her eye, though, what she zeroes in on is--
"My! I adore your earrings!" she enthuses to Shiryuu, her own phoenix-themed earrings and hair clips shining in the sunlight. For all that she's wearing garnet right now, amethyst is her birthstone, after all. Yanagi's partial to it. "Wherever did you acquire them?"
Will he regain his wits quickly enough after seeing Umie all dolled up to come up with an intelligible response? Let's find out!
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
REmi watched the speech, too. Tatsuzou Sudou is, unfortunately, of interest to her... and sadly, his speech is not outside of the realm of what she expected.
... it is best, for her, if she tries to put her feelings about her French blood being called filth out of mind. (To say nothing of his attitude towards women; and truly, the less said the better.)
Tatsuzou Sudou simply isn't a man she can afford to get angry at. Not unless she can do something about her damnable conditioning.
But here and now, she only has a smile for Shinobu. "Shimizu-san! Lovely to see you-- you are correct, it has been far too long. We simply must catch up soon. Time permitting, of course."
And as a certain ninja notices her, Remi notices a certain ninja. She doesn't say anything, but there is a moment of eye contact.
Umie says she didn't have to come here just for her. "Perhaps not, but this is a day that only comes once in one's life, non?"
And then Umie tells Shinobu about Le Chat Marron. "And we are also coworkers, are we not? But yes, it is as she says," Remi asides to Shinobu. "We should be more than glad to receive you, if you wish to visit."
Yes, Remi butles. Yes, she is very French about it. It's fine. And fun!
And then she turns, "Ah! Nagisa-san. What an unexpected pleasure." In the wild. Does that mean anything? Remi doesn't react to it. "Why yes it is-- I do hope you've been well?"
But Yanagi engages Shiryuu, and Remi can't help herself. She leans in to stage whisper to Umie. "Don't look now, Akabane-san--but it appears you have an admirer."
But as for the speech. "He gave a speech?" Remi says, completely feigning ignorance. "How lucky--I am certain the demands on the foreign minister's time are quite formidable."
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
"Yeah, nice to see you too." Shinobu offers with a small smile toward Remi. She nods. "Yeah, absolutely."
Umie acknowledges her. She wasn't expecting this - and given she didn't announce herself or anything, Shinobu can't blame her.
"Hah. In a good way, I hope." Shinobu replies with a small laugh. She glances toward Remi as Umie gestures to her. Le Chat Marron... That's the butler cafe, if she's remembering correctly. She thought she saw an ad for it... They're coworkers, Remi says. "Oh yeah? Then I'll have to stop by sometime."
She looks toward Yanagi, then, offering her a smile back in return. Her comment toward Umie...
"Then you're one of last year's, huh? Well, congrats all the same." She offers.
But Yanagi acknowledges the young man who's staring, and so does Remi. She looks up and over.
"Do you know him?" Shinobu asks, glancing toward Umie. But, she asks a question...
A wry smirk crosses Shinobu's face.
"Oh, I saw it, alright. Nearly chucked my phone into the river." She replies. "With how much venom he was spitting, I'm surprised you all didn't drop dead on the spot."
She shrugs.
"I mean... I've heard the 'blah blah be obedient, make babies' shit all the time from his type, but it never ceases to make my blood boil hearing it. And all that talk about purity? The hell?" She sighs - then laughs sheepishly. "Sorry. Maybe that's too much. This is supposed to be a good day for you."
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
The smooth, serpentine curves of glittering violet hung from silver at ears wave lightly as the young man's glance locks in. Behind his rounded shades, it's hard to tell what he's picked out in the crowd, and he certainly doesn't seem willing to make it terribly obvious.
Unfortunately, as Umie gets more annoyed with him not being there, the young man standing not even a stone's throw behind her doesn't have anything particularly clever or suave to say, finally thinking to wisely shut his mouth before some winter bug flies in. Mmnph.
Unfortunately, someone else already notices him.
He's over a head taller than Yanagi -- even getting closer, she is not proving to be a noticeable physical impediment at all to his attention. Oh, that's what her tidal wave of extrovert charm is for.
"...? Eh... earrings?" Shiryuu asks, with the facial expression of a cat who was just spritzed with water. A small sprig of silver hair at the top of his head bristles, as if alerting Shiryuu to the intruder. It does not help. She's wearing ... phoenixes?
"...They are nice," he agrees, with something she didn't say.
"..yeah. Like .. Suzaku .. ?"
It takes a full ten seconds after he says it to blossom into a question. At this point, Nagisa will notice what seems like Shiryuu trying to make out what Shinobu and Remi are conspiring with Akabane over. Is this part of some scheme? Oh. He's backing up, on those tech-looking red and black brogues.
Yanagi will notice the young man's subconsciously stepped out of the maximum reach of her cane. If she follows him, she'll notice he keeps doing it. "...." He tries to think of something else to say.
"....I'm not for poking," he tells her, finally.
He's still lost in his head. Shinobu's looking at him now, too. This makes him more suspicious, in a very who-is-this-person-in-front-of-me-also-she's-jingling-a-bell way. What are they all plotting?
Should he neutralize them all? He doesn't have his sword right now, but perhaps his new technique will be enough.
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
Yanagi's answer, and her cheer, is enough of an answer. "Congratulations," she says, and means it. "I was wondering; your outfit is lovely. Of course, every time we meet, you *do* seem to have a great outfit on." And, not hard to see why, seeing as she is associated with Peacock Silk.
If she's someone who can make her own clothing.... all the more reason for Umie to be pleasantly jealous. "If I was a little faster being born, I'd be in last year's, so..." She waves a hand. "I could have been a proper April Fool."
"No, no." She smirks, at Shinobu's comment her eyes narrowing to slits like a pleased cat. "I *want* to hear you complain. It makes me feel like my brain isn't going haywire." Like how it did growing up, hearing her parents sometimes insist and repeat the same credos, as if repeating them enough made the less palatible words be easier to swallow in front of their child. They owe the Order, and, by extension, him for his generosity for their own child's life. His standards are high because he expects them of greatness.
'Perhaps not, but this is a day that only comes once in one's life, non?' Umie shrugs. "Yeah, but, so many people tend to skip these things nowadays. Honestly, I wouldn't have gone through with it if..."
'My! I adore your earrings!'
'Don't look now, Akabane-san--but it appears you have an admirer.'
'Do you know him?'
Naturally, Umie looks behind her, using Yanagi's gaze as a guide.
She had gone for a splash of red as her eyeshadow, about the corners, a color choice echoed in her lips, some light blush to better shape her face. Her earrings, however, are simple: gold hoops.
Umie pauses for a moment, looking over Shiryuu's outfit; at this angle, it's clear to see the recognition in her eyes, and the affectionate smile on her lips, as she smiles, and then--
"Nope, don't know this really hot guy at a--" she was going to JOKE AROUND but APPARENTLY HER BOYFRIEND'S KILLING INSTINCT IS GETTING ACTIVATED.
"Congratulations," she says, not wanting to further discombobulate the poor shihaisha by using his surname in front of others. "... I guess we both made it, eh?"
It's at that moment that snow begins to fall.
It's light and fluffy, falling in quiet clumps from the air like miniature fairies. It collects on hair, shoulders, bows, coats the grounds in a slowly manifesting blanket of white. It collects on eyelashes and suspended on furry cuffs, presenting brief glimpses of crystalline, delicate worlds before they melt away or are brushed away.
Umie looks up, cupping her hand (her left, letting Yanagi hear the jingle of that bell again) in order to catch some. "... Huh... I thought the snow wasn't going to start until later tonight..."
<Pose Tracker> Yanagi Nagisa has posed.
"Nope!" Yanagi chirps to Remi.
...a-as in, no, she hasn't been doing well? Well, given her terminal condition, maybe that's no surprise. She seems awfully chipper about it, though... (That's just how she is now, though. Back in the day, she could put on a smile, but it was always strained, and as time passed, she grew more and more withdrawn. These days, she's clearly happier in general, so maybe that's it?)
Indeed, she beams to Umie when she compliments her outfit, not just this one but basically everyone she's ever seen her wear. "Thank you! Tsumugi will be pleased to hear it, maybe~" (Tsumugi is Peacock Silk's tailor, and it's hard to know for sure how they feel at any given moment.) She considers her lament about being born too late, then comments, "Couldn't being late make you that much more foolish?" She sparkles. "You can be as foolish as you like!"
It's encouragement sincerely meant. That's just how she rolls.
"I am!" Yanagi confirms to Shinobu--though considering many people celebrating Coming of Age Day today have already turned twenty by now and there's only two and a half months' worth of people who haven't yet, she had a good chance of getting that one wrong. Kudos to her intuition.
She pays no heed to talk of Tatsuzou's speech and how terrible it was. (No one wants her making babies anyway, considering Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a genetic disease.) Once again: Yanagi knows what things are worth her time and attention, and right now, that's Shiryuu's accessories. Stunning. Marvelous. Absolutely divine. And never mind that Shiryuu seems to want very much to know about that very talk she's not heeding.
"Yes! Yours!" she tells Shiryuu. She has lived with and been an awkward bean, so she doesn't mind that the two of them are having a slightly different conversation at first. Indeed, when he compliments hers by implication, she beams and turns her head to better show them off. The gold sweeps into wave-like wings, slivers of garnet forming feathers while beads form the eyes. Indeed, both the hair clips and the earrings form either side of the mythical firebird.
"You like them? I made them! I'm a professional jeweler, you know. That's why I'm interested in yours! Like Seiryuu. Although I suppose a proper Seiryuu ought to be done with aquamarine or sapphire, if you're going to do a birthstone. Otherwise, I think sodalite would be striking, or lapis lazuli. I do love amethysts, though. That's also why I'm interested in yours!" And, to bring things full circle: "Wherever did you get them?"
Yanagi does not follow him about, at least; she's still seated on that bench at present, and fairly content to stay that way for now. She tilts her head when Shiryuu says he's not for poking, though, and looks him up and down, noting that he has indeed placed himself out of poking range.
"Why not?" she wonders with painful sincerity.
Shiryuu's sure to have a great time with that one, particularly as flakes of snow begin to drift down. How atmospheric... Especially with that jingle-jingle-jingle. Yanagi might need to start heading back to her hotel soon if it keeps up, though.
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
Shinobu will stop by. Remi smiles. "Splendid! I look forward to seeing you there."
But Shinobu's reaction to the speech draws a rather vehement reaction from Shinobu. Remi (pretends to) look shocked. "Oh, my. It seems like that speech made quite an impression."
Which is technically true, and it's safe to say.
And Umie wants to hear the complaining, of course. Remi sighs inwardly but keeps up her outward facade.
Remi isn't scheming anything, Shiryuu. Except, perhaps, mild embarrassment at your expense. (She has no idea about Umie and Shiryuu--won't she be surprised!)
Umie says many people skip these things. Remi can see the truth in it, but... her (mostly) genuine cheer dims for a moment. "... do not discount these moments so readily, for they are but fleeting grains of sand. Time, once lost, cannot be regained."
If pressed, though, Remi will be reluctant to say why she believes this so strongly. But there it is.
And Remi is, indeed, surprised. "So you two do know each other, then? I certainly did not mean to presume..."
Remi blinks as she looks up, frowning just a little bit at the snow. "... I thought the same," she says of the weather report. She tries--and fails--to supress a violent shiver as she puols her coat tighter around herself. She's already so bundled up how can she still be cold.
Yanagi... isn't doing well. But she sounds so chipper saying it. "Ah! Well, more's the pity, dear." Remi will just roll with it, apparently. "Though I must agree, your outfit is resplendent."
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
Shinobu smirks as Umie assures her that she wants to hear her complain.
"In that case, don't worry. It's not yours goin' haywire." Shinobu assures. She looks toward Remi with a small laugh. "Oh, it left an impression, alright. The same kinda impression a cannon makes firing at a wall. Like... did anyone else get an ominous vibe from the end there?"
"Cool." Shinobu replies with a nod, as Yanagi confirms her suspicion.%rUmie says she doesn't know this 'really hot guy', and a smirk crosses Shinobu's face. So it's like that, huh. She watches as she addresses him seriously.
"Nice to meet you, then." Her smirk grows wider. "...Should we leave you two alone?"
And then, snow begins to fall. Shinobu looks up, holding a hand out to catch some, looking at it before it melts.
"...I thought so, too. I mean, it's nice, but... you're all gonna freeze like that." She comments, then looks toward Remi as she shivers. "...You, uh, look like you might, too."
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
...this isn't good.
Shiryuu did not expect to be spotted so quickly and so easily by anyone who wasn't a rebel commander with whom he shared a sacred understanding with. Now. Now, with multiple people whispering what is no doubt mischief in his bond's ear, it falls to him to be the sword that guards the misfit realms.
Remi's right to trade a glance with him, and though she may be completely in the dark as to Shiryuu's personal life, she will know enough to know that the Ryouhara clan are typically armed to the teeth, no matter how nicely they're dressed.
"...ah, it's ... a custom." Not Seiryuu. It's not at all clear he even understands the meaning of the stones she whips past his senses in the roll of the conversation, but it is a credit to her outfit that her earrings, when so flaunted, are almost as distracting to him as Umie and her jingling in the background. "Wang Long," he manages to explain. "I'm ...friends with my local vendor.. your craftsmanship.." is nice?
Absently, while he picks out things to say, Shiryuu slowly lifts his hands, showing off his wrists. There's a little pale and handwoven silk cord that he wears around his right wrist, but his left has some sort of other gunmetal grey on it. Some sort of bangle. Matte, subtle, and seamed. his attention still focused on targets nearby. Nagisa asks him why he's not pokable. She is relentless.
"ah...because I'm too fast, I'll catch it," Shiryuu manages. Can you be confident and hopelessly overstimulated at the same time? Ryouhara absolutely can.
Case in point: Juurishojin unlocks with a barely audible *click*.
Shinobu picks exactly the wrong time to smirk at him. "Should we leave you two alone?' "Wh," Shiryuu manages at her, his brow furrowing. "It's not proper.." Absent the wash of goodwill and cheer, it's easy to see how quickly Shiryuu picks up on oppositional energy. He pauses, midsentence, and finally takes a step out of Yanagi's direct line, as if he's about to say something.
'Congratulations. I guess we both made it.'
Ryouhara stops, mid-step, his attention falling back to gold hoops and red lips. "... ah," Shiryuu snaps to his senses, or what accounts for them, a straight rod of steel lifting and locking the boy's spine and chin into a wary tilt. Eyes focus on her. Then break away quickly.
"...yeah," he agrees, loquaciously.
Hey, remember, someone just said it was nice to meet you.
Shiryuu comes just shy of making a face.
"....yeah," he agrees, creatively.
"...Shiryuu," he adds as an afterthought, locking his bangle again.
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
'Nope!' Yanagi says to Remi. It's said so earnestly, with such ease... Umie has to pause to put a hand close to her mouth, to stifle that unladylike cackle.
It's a worthy attitude to have. "Then feel free to tell them that--" Tsumugi, that is "--and that this fool will have to stop by the Peacock Silk soon. " (She's still been saving up for that outfit, even now, but even if she hadn't... she'd want to, just to see what they have now.)
Especially seeing how marvelous those earrings are... "So... Suzaku, Seiryuu..." Two of the cardinal directions. Is... Shiryuu going to make a friend? (One can only hope)
Alas, when Yanagi goes after Shiryuu, Umie operates swiftly and resolutely, to protect her boyfriend's honor--
.... "Yes, we do know each other," Umie confirms to Remi. "He's my boyfriend~" It should be fine, as long as she doesn't say a name, right? Why should she hide this person?
.... especially when she can senselessly tease him with this new and unpredictable set of circumstances~~
But, there's a flutter of pride when Shiryuu shows Yanagi those two bracelets, one of which she made. "He... made this broach for me," she beams, framing the metal setting with white gloved fingers. "As a Christmas gift."
She'd go further, if she didn't see Remi's shiver, as well as Yanagi's cane, as Shinobu pays attention to them all. Shinobu's... really good about that, isn't she? She came out to see her, after all. So did Remi. And, she got to meet Yanagi, and introduce them all to her--
The click of Shiryuu's Juurishojin punctuates that thought.
She looks at the four of them, her lips widening in a blackbird's smile. "You know what? We can pray any time at all. How about we go find a izakaya or something? This snow's pretty, but it'll be prettier from a window. Let's go be productive members of society by partaking in it~"
Well, no alcohol for her, but she's not about to enforce that for anyone else.
<Pose Tracker> Yanagi Nagisa has posed.
It helps Yanagi's ninja-spotting capabilities that she's an experienced Navigator--but that's neither here nor there, probably.
"Oh, no need for pity," Yanagi reassures Remi. "I'm doing what I want to do."
It might not necessarily be what she would've chosen in a vacuum--certainly she never thought she'd see her family again, and was at peace with that--but isn't that how life is? Indeed, the fact that time cannot be regained earns Remi an emphatic nod of agreement. "So you really have to live the most in each moment!" she adds.
Point in fact: for all she may or may not actually see her twenty-first birthday in a month (and it's astonishing and thrilling to her that she's so close to seeing it at all), she sparkles just the same at the added compliment. "Thank you! <3 I usually prefer whites and pastels, but there's something about winter that makes you want to pop with color, isn't there? Like a robin, or a cardinal!"
Or a peacock, as it were. Umie says she'll have to come by Peacock Silk soon, and Yanagi nods decisively. "Yes you will!" she declares, functionally agreeing that Umie is a fool.
She does not, in fact, agree to tell Tsumugi about it beforehand. Umie, fool that she is, will get to find that out for herself later.
Shiryuu explains that the dragons aren't Seiryuu but Wang Long. "Oh! I've heard of that. It's very popular in Sumaru! Let me think, the Purple Dragon, then? I think that's... December?" Yanagi muses. She giggles. "Then if it were Seiryuu, it'd have to be turquoise! Turquoise and silver are a classic combination--very popular with the Indian Americans in North America." (She means American Indians. She's also talking about birthstones again. Once again: two different conversations.)
She leans forward to more closely inspect his bangle and his corded silk bracelet; she tilts her head at the latter and looks back at Umie's wrist, where she may or may not have a similarly handwoven bracelet. "A very good person to be friends with," she says matter-of-factly either way. "There's something exciting about custom accessories, isn't there?" She raises her wrist to show off her bracelets, smiling warmly. "These items are one-of-a-kind. In the fashion world, there's nothing better!"
Sure enough, when Umie reveals that her brooch was one Shiryuu, her ~*boyfriend*~, made for her for Christmas, she gasps, eyes glittering like the Milky Way. "So he makes his own too?! How delightful!" She beams at him. "Shiryuu, is it? I'm Yanagi! We absolutely must talk more!" (oh no (oh yes))
Shiryuu explains, rather haplessly, that he is not for poking because he's too quick. "Hmmm..." Yanagi inspects him even more closely as she considers this. "So you would only be for poking if you weren't fast enough to avoid it?" One can just about see the cogs turning in her head on whether she ought to test this or not.
Fortunately for both of them, Shinobu intercedes both by teasing Shiryuu and telling Yanagi and the others they're going to freeze. Yanagi tilts her head the other way and upwards to consider this; a snowflake lands on her eyelashes, and another on her nose. Delicately, she sneezes.
"It is very chilly," she concedes--and as she isn't mentioning, there's something important she needs to see through right now. "You're right. I ought to head back where it's warm." With care and difficulty, she leans forward with the support of her cane and rises up to her feet. If Remi looks like she might freeze despite her layers, well... Yanagi knows not to comment on it.
Just as she doesn't comment on that low click.
However, then Umie proposes that they all head to an izakaya. Yanagi brightens. "Oh, I was just getting hungry. Yes, let's do that!" A place to chat with acquaintances new and old while getting something hot and delicious to eat sounds like a wonderful way to spend the evening to her.
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
Like a cannon to a wall. "My word. I shall have to take your word for it. And I couldn't say, about the ending."
Yes, Shinobu. There isn't anythinga bout the NWO that isn't ominous. Not that Remi can share the depths of how far that goes.
But Shinobu spots her chills. "Ahh--please do not be concerned." She's still pulling her coat tighter, reseating her gloves and scarf, and brushing off any snow she can. "It is an issue of poor blood circulation. Hopefully the snow will pass quickly."
Remi has seen enough to glean that, yes. She does not opt for being quite so armed, in non-supernatural spaces. Though it's not like she doesn't know where to find a weapon on short notice, either.
"My, a ~boyfriend~!" Remi says to Umie, with a playful mock gasp. "I do hope he treats you well, dear." She leans in conspiratorially. "If you would like some time alone to, shall we say, 'commemorate' the occasion, do say the word."
Remi can't gossip about the foreign minster safely, but she can gossip about boyfriends. Especially when it might also have a chance of making Shiryuu uncomfortable.
And Shiryuu made the broach! "How delightful."
But a trip to an izakaya is proposed. "I certainly won't argue with that." She gives Shiryuu the warmest smile she can. "Remi Ryuuja. I'm a coworker of Akabane-san's. A pleasure to meet you."
Just to help cover for the unexpected circumstnce, she pretends to introduce herself.
"Ahh, but I meant no offense. I am glad you are making the most of the time." And she agrees, further. "Indeed!"
And she will, of course, appreciate Yanagi's discresion in this matter.
"I, for one, am looking forward to a drink of something warm. I believe I have time enough for a celebratory meal, before I am needed in Sumaru..."
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
Remi says not to be concerned - but Shinobu frowns just slightly at that.
"Is that so? Well, alright... Just don't hesitate to speak up on our account, yeah?" She replies. Seems she has Shiryuu at a loss - but he does manage that it isn't proper. Shinobu shrugs.
"Eh. 'Proper' is overrated. I think that should be for you two to decide." She replies. Umie confirms to Remi that he's her boyfriend, though - and it seems like she guessed correctly. And he made the broach she wears!
"Hey, that looks really nice." She comments. He does provide a name - Shiryuu. She nods in acknowledgment.
"Shinobu Shimizu." She offers in return - for both him and Yanagi, who she isn't sure she knows.
Yanagi concedes that it's chilly, and she ought to head back. Umie makes a suggestion, then - they can pray at any time, so how about going to find an izakaya? Shinobu grins.
"That gets my vote. Let's do it." She agrees. That'll be much more interesting than standing around here in the cold.
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
"...Shiryuu--"
'He's my *boyfriend*~~'
"IIh--! Umie!" POOR TIMING. Shiryuu is not at all on board with the lavish acknowledgment of their dangerous bond, and the young man immediately folds his arms, the idea of him wearing anything at all sentimental disappearing in a heartbeat. (Unfortunately, he's still wearing a suspiciously colorful designer scarf, which is now bunched up over his mouth with the sheer force of his hiked armfold.)
Well, it's not that he's ashamed..
The onmitsu breathes quietly, in something approaching concession. "...That's right," he finally confirms. "Akabane's strength is inextricably bound to mine," he explains, as if 'boyfriend and girlfriend' needed explaining. There is a cold edge of pride, there.
What is less overtly detected is the implication that your lives are as dust if any of you gossips let it get out. It's harder to pick up on that part, unless you're Umie. Or Remi. She's heard that tone of voice before.
It is weird how fast Shiryuu gets it together.
'If you would like some time alone to, shall we say, 'commemorate' the occasion, do say the word.'
...and promptly loses it again.
Shiryuu's arms lock, his hair piking out in alarm. "IIh--I heard that, you!!" He's in the background. "I'm not just... some reprobate wild commemorator," he objects. Vehemently!
The young man's eyes close. "...it's fine," he agrees. "Akabane will catch cold, out here." He'll get everybody something warm.
Nevermind he has no idea where anyone is going.
Wait.
"What did she mean, 'we must talk more...'" Shiryuu wonders under his breath. He absolutely wasn't paying attention to the mad light in the relentless woman's eyes.
Akabane was being a whole problem...