2026-10-26: Drinks at the Parabellum
- Log: Drinks at the Parabellum
- Cast: Remi Ryuuja, Hana Fukami, Miyako Akimoto (NPC)
- Where: Aoba Way
- OOC Date: October 26, 2026
- IC Date: Wednesday, January 30, 2013
- Summary: Hana and Remi arrange to meet for drinks at the Parabellum--and Hana brings Miyako, her... well, that's complicated. But the three enjoy drinks and getting to know each other.
(|================================= Aoba Way =================================|)
-=================================================== Sumaru City/Aoba Ward ====-
Ample shopping can be found at the stores that dot Aoba Way, but not just the
normal kind. Aside from a door to the Velvet Room for Persona Users, one can
hear and spread all kinds of rumors at Kuzunoha Detective Agency. At the
internet cafe Double Slash, one can surf on the web to find some of those very
rumors *and* munch on various snacks served at the back bar by an apathetic
teenage boy. The blue carpeting and wall-to-wall aquariums lend the place a
relaxing atmosphere.
The bar Parabellum has a more noir vibe, with a mostly wooden interior, brown
leather seats, green glass lamps, and brick pillars along the walls. The elderly
barkeeper offers a number of unique mixed drinks, all named after weapons...
which might be a clever cover for the fact that, according to rumor, he sells
*real* weapons. The fashion boutique Rosa Candida offers the latest in trends
and (per rumor) armor, its decor stark yet stylish, with clothes and bags alike
on display for customers along the walls and on a central table. A pair of
changing rooms are naturally available; to use them, just get the permission of
the saleswoman in red first.
Etheria offers spa treatments to the weary among bright lamps, stained glass
windows, off-white decor, and an esthetician with a giant blue crystal crown.
The name of the place fuses "ether" and "materia," and the treatments are
effective: those who use this spa walk away feeling refreshed in mind and body.
And, of course, it's not Sumaru City without a local Satomi Tadashi Pharmacy
branch. This one looks the same as all the others: aisles and walls laden with
medicine of all kinds, overseen from the back counter where magazines are
available by one of seven identical sisters. Satomi Sister #1 runs this one; an
English-language piano version of the store's theme plays here. "Always in the
side of those who fight: our local... drug store~ o/`"
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
Remi has been, if she's being honest, in a bit of a rut. Of course, the circumstances that have led to that are quite understandable, but it doesn't really change the fact of it. But one of her dearest friends has advised her to get out more, and she recently made a new friend (or perhaps it is more accurate to say, reconnected with an old one), and that, at least, is a place to start!
(Also helping: her efforts to establish herself as a Rumormonger, which finally seems to have caught on, and is at least an entertaining source of novelty, and a good way to keep an ear out for specific kinds of trouble.)
And so Remi is here at the tastefully appointed Parabellum, decked out in green and gold with stained glass lamps. She's grabed a table, and is dressed in a dark red dress and ankle boots, dark tights, and a black jacket, with her wavy honey blonde hair falling down around her shoulders.
At the moment, she's checking something on her phone as she waits for her friend.
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
Hana, on the other hand, has been doing quite well since the matter of her Kingdom was resolved. It's been two weeks since she got out of there, and there's been time to settle into her new apartment that she didn't have before as well as time to adapt to certain supernatural truths. Things with her partners are good, though not entirely settled with everything that came out for Hana. And...
She's reconnected with an old acquaintance who's quickly become a friend!
It was decided that they'd meet in Sumaru instead of Tokyo for a few reasons--one of which is that Hana wants to take advantage of Parabellum's 'secret' stock later. She has something on order..
But right now, Hana approaches with another woman. Hana's in pink, a short backless dress with a halter strap neckline and some lighter patterns, along with some jewelry and other accessories. and a white coat that she's going to shed at the table. As women go she's relatively tall at 5'5" before her heels--but her companion is about her same height, 5'4". in teal with a higher neckline and a plaid coat to go with it. She's in flats.
"Remi-chan," Hana greets warmly when she makes it over, and both of them remove their coats. "It's lovely tos ee you. This is Miyako Akimoto, my..." She glances around the bar, "Very good friend. Ya-chan, this is Remi Ryuuja."
Miyako bows lightly. "It's nice to meet you," she says.
They will sit!
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
Remi had a coat (and scarf, and hat and gloves--she's really been bundling up this winter) that has, likewise, also been set aside. Her ankle boots don't have much of a heel, but she's 5'6"--though she's also visibly not fully Japanese, which also explains the hair.
She is, of course, familiar with the special wares dold here... though she's never partaken.
She smiles warmly and slips her phone away, rising to greet the two new arrivals. "Hana-chan, so wonderful to see you," she says effusively. And she turns that smile to Miyako next. "Akimoto-san, it's very nice to meet you, dear." She'll return the bow, and then sit.
"How are the two of you doing tonight?" she asks. "I do hope the traffic wasn't too bad."
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
That means, by virtue of heels, Hana is tied for tallest! ...That's not super unusual for her among women, anyway.
Hana smiles warmly, and while Miyako is a little less effusive, it's probably just because she doesn't know Remi yet. "Thank you," Miyako says. Once they sit down...
"We're good," Hana says. "The traffic wasn't too bad or anything. We actually took the train this time."
Miyako adds, "Just in case." A beat, "I heard ahout you from Na-chan, and I admit, i was pretty curious about a friend from her school days..." She smiles. "Your hair's lovely, by the way. I can tell the care you put into keeping it."
"How are you?" Hana adds then.
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
Remi, of course, knows someone even taller than her... but she, too, is used to being a tall outlier.
Remi just tends to be like that naturally, and it'd feel a bit weird to switch so sharply, in any case, when she was being so warm to Hana to start with.
"I see, I see. Well that's good then--thank goodness the trains are so reliable, mmm?," she replies to Hana. And then she smiles to Miyato. "Only good things, I hope?" she says with a playful tone. "Curious? Well, I must say, I am also curious to get to know such a very good friend of Hana-chan's."
She smiles widely at the compliment, reaching up to tuck a strand behind her ear. "Why, thank you dear, that's kind of you to say." She tends to present herself as effusive in general, but her voice grows a little warmer at the compliment.
She doesn't always get compliments on her hair, considering, so it's nice when she does.
She leans forward a little. "Your makeup is quite striking, dear... and you have some lovely definition in your arms."
"I'm doing quite well," Remi replies to Hana. "Keeping busy, as always. A little hobby of mine seems to have taken off lately, so I'm quite grateful for that. Is there anything new happening with you?" And not to leave out Miyako, Remi directs another question her way. "And I must admit, I am rather curious about you, as well. What do you for a living?"
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
Miho Ijuuin in many situations is the tallest. And even when she's not, she's up there!
Miyako's just a little more retiring than hostess Hana or butler(!?) Remi. "Definitely," Hana agrees about the trains. She was hoping to drink tonight, after all; it wouldn't do to drive. And Miyako adds, softly, "It's a long story, her and me. But I am! An old acting friend? That's got to be interesting."
And it is kind, in some ways--it's a sign prhaps that Miyako for one isn't going to give Remi trouble for being half-French. ...Well, it dosn't necessarily mean that, but it's true.
"Ah, thank you--Day to day I don't do a ton of makeup, so I try to do it really well when I get the chance." And indeed; she has dark shadow that works with her brown eyes and blue hair, and an almost-perfect dark red lip. But, definition? She grins. "I'm a swimmer," she explains.
Hana, meanwhile, lifts her drink--she brought it with her to the booth--and smiles at Remi. "Is that so? I'm glad, then." She's curious, inviting Remi with her eyes to elaborate on the hobby.
She doesn't answer the matter of new things immediately; instead, Miyako answers, "I'm a stuntwoman. I work at the station with everyone. It's fun work--I get to use my athleticism, and be around attractive people." She laughs a little at her own joke.
"Well," she says, "I'm trying to spend more time with Ya-chan here," she says, and reaches out to touch Miyako's hand briefly. Miyako smiles at her, and then they both look back at Remi. "But mostly, life goes on as it is! The show is going well."
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
Remi is, at times, a butler! But she was also, for a time, something of a socialite, and still possessed of a theatrical flair, so she trends towards being a bit exaggerated. But she'll tone down the energy a bit so as to make sure that she doesn't overwhelm Miyako.
"Well, I do love me a good tale," Remi says, but she smiles. I should hope so. I was quite surprised when I ran into Hana again after all these years."
Remi is certainly grateful not to be hassled over that--she can handle herself, of course, but she trusts Hana not to set up that sort of situation to begin with, too.
"I see. That's understandable, then, to go all-out when you rarely have the chance." A swimmer! "I see. You must work hard at it, then."
Remi smiles and raises her drink in return. It's had a few sips, but, she mostly waited for Hana and Miyako to arrive. She chuckles quietly, taking the invitation. "I don't suppose you know anything of Sumaru's Rumormongers?"
Remi laughs when Miyako makes her joke. "We should all be so lucky, hmm? But stuntwoman, how fascinating. Do you consider it alike at all to acting? I will admit, I am a bit of a fan of stage combat myself, though it has been quite a bit since I've gotten the chance."
"I see," she replies to Hana, of what she's up to. "Then I hope the two of you have an enjoyable evening. And I'm delighted to hear that your show continues to go well."
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
"Hmmm. Somewhere more private I'll tell you about it," Miyako decides. "But the short version is that Na-chan and I were friends first--we met through our previous partners. ...It's a pleasant story, at least." She smiles though. "Na-chan makes it easy to be happy to see her. I think that's half her job, right there."
hana meanwhile, adds, "She does! She's really quite the athlete." Miyako replies, "Thanks--it's important to me to stay in tune with my body. I never really feel as clear-headed as I do when I'm exercising."
As for the makeup--she is pretty happy with that. She does a little day to day--but not as much as tonight.
"Hmm... I know Sumaru has a big culture of rumors, but..." Miyako is not. "I'm aware," Hana says, on the other hand. "You can hear all kinds of really interesting things here. ...Like about how this place likes its guns."
Stunts! Miyako nods. "Definitely--you won't be showing your facial expressions as much, but your body language has to match the actor's, at the same time that you're doing complex physical activity. You're into it yourself?"
Hana then, "Oh, don't worry--you're not a third wheel. Having a friend with us was kind of ideal... It gives a little more atmosphere."
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
"Of course," Remi replies to saving the full tale for someplace more private. "I see. I am glad it is a happ tale, at least." Half the job... "... it's a wonderful thing, to ahve someone you look forward to seeing," she says a bit softly.
She'll try not to think about that too hard, for a moment.
"I imagine being in tune with your body must also be a great boon to your stuntwork, as well. Swimming sounds like a lovely idea, though... it has rather been far to cold, as of late..." In more ways than one.
She has to work pretty hard to stay in tune with her own body, as it happens, but for a far different reason.
"That would, indeed, be one of those many rumors," Remi confirms. For Miyako, she explains, "There are quite a few individuals who make it their business to gather, know, and trade in rumors and miscellaneous information--we call them Rumormongers. And, well, I can call myself a Rumormonger now, too."
Stunts! Remi looks thoughtful at the explanation, nodding slowly. "I'd never stopped to consider it before, but that does make sense, that you would have to match the actor's physical performance, in addition to doing the stunt itself. How long have you been in that line of work?" She smiles. "Well, I was rather into a very particular form of it, I suppose. But I grew up on tales of derring do, so perhaps it was inevitable."
"Mmm... I do rather appreciate you saying so, Hana-chan," says Remi after a moment. "If it is atmosphere you require I shall be glad to give it."
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
"It is," Miyako agrees with Remi. "...And sometimes it's all the better, if you have more than one."
But--
"It is," Miyako answers. "Hmm--I know a place with a heated pool in Tokyo, if you're interested."
But Hana caught a rumor! Hooray! she's very interested to hear that Remi is taking up that particular mantle. "Fascinating," Hana says. "Well, you'll have to tell me if you come across anything worth sharing! I might have to find some, too... To trade, of course."
Miyako nods along to Remi's response. "That's just it. And me? About... five, six years now--since I graduated university." She's older than Hana!
"Swordplay, then? That's fun."
Hana then smiles. "You see," she says, "We're more... partners of partners, at the moment. I thought it would be easier to get to know each other more in a group, with a friend..."
Miyako nods. "And maybe we can be friends, too."
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
More than one... "Mmm. I imagine so." Not that she's had that type of relationship lately, but back in high school.. well, she doesn't want to dwell on that now.
"A heated pool..." Remi pauses to considerthat for a moment. It's a serious consideration for her, of course--her body runs a lot chillier, and there is the other matter... "You know what? I may take you up on that. It shall be worth trying at least once, I think."
Remi chuckles and nods, "Oh, I shall be sure to do so, dear--with a suitable trade, of course." But Hana's already on top of that! "That's the standard trade," she asides to Miyako. "A rumor for a rumor, though some do it differently."
"I see! You've been at it for quite a while, then. What's the most interesting project you've worked on? Or your favorite."
Swordplay! "Indeed. I was quite into rapiers, in my school years... on and off the stage, as a matter of fact. Though I will admit, something more involved could be appealing, in the right role..." she muses to herself.
She listens to Hana with interest. "Partners of partners... I think I see. I had no idea the distinctions in such an arrangement could become so precise. Fascinating."She cnsiders that a moment longer. "Well, as I said, if I can be of service, I am glad of it."
She smiles to Miyako next. "I think I should like that as well."
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
Miyako doesn't elaborate on that for now. Instead she says, "Good. Then let me know; I'll give you my number, too."
And Hana beams. She knows how it works. Miyako nods along, thoughtful. "These rumors... They can be really strange, can't they?" she asks. "Like the one about this bar." A beat, as she says, "I have. Hmmm... What I really like are the complicated martial arts movies," she says. "They really let you show off your skills."
Rapiers, though... "I see! That's not a skill I have, but I've seen a lot of classic films that employ them."
Hana then nods. "They can. ...we'd like to get to know each other more," she says, sharing a look with Miyako, "But," Hana continues, "We're easing into that a bit, still. So a night like this is good."
Miyako adds, "Then maybe that's what'll happen. ...Hmm."
"If we're going to be here for a bit," Miyako says, "Let me buy you another drink." She lifts her own. "I want to have a good time tonight."
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
"Certainly." She'll provide hers, as well. "I'm looking forward to it. Thank you for the suggestion and the recommendation."
Full marks for Hana! Remi smiles to Miyato. "They can be quite strange indeed... including the one about this bar. But that's what makes them so fascinating, don't you think?" Of course, they can do more than just be strange, but Remi's not about to spill that tidbit in mixed company.
"Martial arts films? How interesting! That's never been a hobby I've picked up myself, but I can appreciate the technical skill of it." But rapiers, though. "Indeed. They feature prominently in a lot of the French fiction I read as a child, so that's where I picked up my love of them."
Easting into things. "That would seem a sensible measure," Remi agrees. "At least, from my outside perspective." She lifts her glass for a moment. "Then I'll toast to that."
Speaking of toasts, Miyako makes an offer, and Remi smiles. "Why thank you, darling, I do appreciate it. I'd also like to enjoy myself tonight."
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
"You're welcome!" says Miyako, whose body language is very friendly with Hana--but not much farther than friendly, here in this public place. Open way of being, the occasional touch.
"True," Miyako answers, and Hana nods. "They can be really interesting, yes. Of course, we both have reasons to keep track of rumors... but these are a little more fun than the garden variety."
Miyako looks distant for a moment. Then she says instead, "Yes. It's like me and rapiers," she says. "Maybe we could learn from each other sometime." French fiction... "Aaah," she says. "French! I'm no good at it, but it's a romantic language."
And Remi's outside perspective prompts a toast, which lets them all drink--and get refills. Hana smiles. "Indeed."
"It takes somet ime because..." Miyako trails off a moment and then says, "Well, part of how things started with Na-chan is that I was sleeping with her boyfriend," Miyako says quietly to Remi, with a touch of mischief and soem obvious fondness. "He really is very dashing--but we were friends who spent extra time together, so to speak. And then Teruo--that's him--is my girlfriend's ex-..."
"Well." Miyako continues, "Does your romantic life have anything exciting to it, lately?"
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
Remi, for her part, is friendly and interested--though of course she has no reason to be anything else. But she is observing the others' body language discretely with some interest.
Sorry, they've been talking about their relationship, so now she's interested. (She's not leering or anything though.)
Rurmrs! But the less fun kind. Remi nods sympathetically. "Of course, of course. Quite understandable--and I daresay you are quite right."
"An exchange?" Remi brightens. "That is a lovely idea. I must warn, I may be a bit out of practice, but... I should still remember a trick or two." But she smiles, at the mention of French. "It is a beautiful language, non? I am half-French, and, well... `French is very dear to my heart.`" That last part is, of course, in French.
Dashing! "So I've heard," Remi says with her own touch of mischief. "Though sadly I am given to understand he does not have a brother." There is an overly dramatic--and entirely unserious--sigh to that. But her eyebrows lift a little. "Oh, I see--that is quite an interesting confluence of circumstances..."
Remi sighs and shakes her head. "Sadly, not as of late... I am rather embarrassed to admit the last relationship I had was in high school..." She can't help but grin a little. "... though it was very exciting."
She sobers again as she takes a long sip of her drink. "But recently there hasn't been much... though... I've been giving some thought to trying again, but I'm a bit at a loss for where to start. Or even 'how'."
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
"Mm."
Hana smiles to see Miyako and Remi gettinga long, as Miyako sighs about the French. "I see! So your hair is natural, then?" she prompts. But Hana laughs a little at the matter of him not having a brother. "Afraid not," she confirms. But indeed, those were the circumstances. Miyako continues, "How that came to be is a story for another time, but casual encounters weren't unusual for us--we just... became rather more than casual, together, as a whole, as we found ourselves more compatible than we imagined."
But Remi sighs, and Hana gives her as ympathetic look--and a little laugh about high school. "My."
Miyako hmms. "Oh?" she asks. "Well, i happen to know someone who runs mixers every so often in Shinjuku--depending on your tastes, I could set you up with men or women. 'Both' is a little taller an order, though."
Hana nods along, "I'd be happy to facilitate. That's pretty much the best way--just to get out there, and start."
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
"Oui," Remi replies about her hair with a smile, and then nods. "Yes. I am rather fond of it.. I suppose I could dye it, but... I've never felt the desire to. But I am fluent in both Japanese and French... and English, as it happens."
Casual counters that turned into something more. "I see... how interesting. And that you should then find such campatability amongst yourselves..."
Remi smiles at Hana. "I believe you know of whom I'm thinking... though perhaps Akimoto-san might enjoy the tale?"
"A mixer... yes, I do believe that would be just the thing..." But her tastes? "... as it happens, my tastes are rather... flexible." Remi there's a word for that you don't have to be poetic about everything.
"Thank you, Hana-chan, I'd be glad for any assistance either of you would care to offer."
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
"Three languages! You'd get along with Sa-chan." She doesn't elaborate on that for now--it can wait for later. Instead...
"We just thought..." Miyako looks to Hana, who continues, "It would be nice to know each other as well as each of us do the others." Miyako watches Hana a few more oments, and then hana says, "I think she might!"
"I like romance," Miyako allows after a moment. But she adds, "Then I'll get you the info for two of them. Now, you're unlikely to meet the love of your life here, but it should get you back into things. ...I'm the same way," Miyako says quietly to Remi, "On 'flexible'. Maybe one day I can be more out about it, but... Not just yet."
Hana looks encouragingly at Miyako--and then turns her head back to Remi. "Sure," she says. "There's also just going to bars and clubs, of course; I met Teruo at a gay bar. But this is a little more... focused."
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
Hana can at least guess who Sa-chan is, as in being a part of the polycule. "Would I now? I'd be delighted to meet them, then." Later, of course.
She nods, as Hana explains they wanted to get to know each other. "That makes sense, then... I suppose these things take time to develop."
Remi smiles to Miyako. "I was in Drama Club, you see. And for my last year I wanted to do something memorable, so I pushed for us to perform Romeo and Juliet... And I took the leading role of Romeo." There is a small, very satisfied smile at the memory. "... and let us just say, I and my Juliet had excellent chemistry."
"That's fine, I understand. I am not presently looking for some deep, grand commitment... just, perhaps, a bit of companionship." Remi nods quietly. "I understand. It is a very small numver of people I have admitted it to, myself."
"I see... I don't believe I have been to a club before... and in any case, I wouldn't know which ones might... cater to those tastes." She nods. "... focused would be good, I think."
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
"She's great," Miyako says. "You'll definitely like her." Hana smiles. And then, Remi hears her explanation, and Hana nods. "I have... a bit of a history with women,"Hana admits, and it's Miyako's turn to look sympathetic. "Things can be different now," she encourages her, placing a hand on her forearm for a few moments. As it happens, Miyako's nails are shorter than Hana's. Remi might or might not notice.
But Remi explains! "Ahhh," Miyako answers. "I think I might have more fun being a Romeo than a Juliet too," she says. "I usually dress a lot more casually than this."
"But you look incredible," Hana points out.
"...Might be a reason I went for it, tonight," Miyako answers.
"But I believe you," Miyako says. "That sounds like a lot of fun."
And what they're looking for... "That's pretty likely then," Miyako assures Remi. "And... Yes. Na-chan's out to almost everyone, but..."
"It's different for me," Hana says. Then she considers. "Haven't been, mm? Well, let's start you with the mixer, but..."
Miyako chimes in, "I'll take you sometime. Shinjuku ni-chome has a lot of the places that cater to people like us. ...Which includes hotels that won't look askance at women couples, if you happen to meet someone you like."
"Though you might find romance," Hana admits. "After all, the reason Teruo and I got together is he insisted on a proper date instead of just another hookup. ...So keep an open mind, hm?"
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
Remi smiles, "Then I shall look forward to it, someday." But Hana has a history... "Oh?" She's open to hearing more, but she won't pres--she's not sure how sensitive this could be.
She does notice, as it happens. Her own nails are also kept short, though for tonight they're painted a dark green. (They match the flecks of green in her brown eyes.)
"I had great fun playing Romeo," Remi admits. "Though for the right Romeo, I wouldn't mind playing a Juliet, either... Of course, most time the Juliets don't get to do swordfights..."
It's different for Hana. "Understandably. I... do not regret dating my Juliet, but we took great pains not to be found out. we both had our families to think about, after all."
"I'm afraid not." She has been to a bar though--she's in one right now! She smiles to Miyako. "Shinjuku ni-chome... I'll look forward to it."
"I am certainly not opposed to a romance, or even the idea of a proper date or three. But for now, I'd just like to dip my toes back in the water and see where that leads me."
"But..." Remi lifts her glass once more. "I look forward to... mmm. New beginnings?"