663/A Date Between a Countess and a Yakuza

A Date Between a Countess and a Yakuza
Date of Scene:	27 October 2023
Location:	Penguin Park
Synopsis:	Takumi and Hannah meet, and a certain Belkan snags a date!
Cast of Characters:	Hannah Steiner, Takumi Yoru

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Hannah Steiner has posed:
Penguin Park! It's one of Hannah's favorite haunts when it comes to exercise places that aren't RHA! For one thing, it's big enough to attract /people/, which the Countess loves as a person. Another is that it has some lovely running paths she can really reach deep in just as a person, and it's guide-animal friendly! Then there's also the smell of Cherry Blossoms which she's been falling in love with since her first sniff of them upon coming to this planet, an oddity that her home planet and the others she's visited hasn't had!

The fact that there's a zoo, and a /petting/ section? The fact she's signed up with an 'older student chaperone' position to that particular field trip definitely wasn't an excuse to pet a goat or rub a horse snoot or two or anything. No proof!

Today though she's here for purely exercise purposes. Dressed in a tank top, her usual hat and tinted glasses as well as a pair of track-suit pants? She has a practice sabre - the nearest enough to her Device - in her hand and is in a clearing just slightly off of the path of the park, still well in view. Her 'guide dog' Lyra has her butt planted in the grass, offering a bark or two as Hannah works through elegant yet forceful slices, stabs, and /smashes/ of the hilt of her weapon towards some imaginary opponent! Sweat drips from her brow, but the young woman seems almost blissful as she works through the interwoven practice-strikes!

Her striking blonde hair sways as she 'duels' again and again in her own mind, simply losing herself in the dance of self-improvement!

Hannah doesn't speak, but her face is all but /singing/ with joy in being able to indulge in martial perfectionism, and not have to think about her many troubles on her mind!

Takumi Yoru has posed:
Takumi has been struggling at the School. She hasn't made any friends yet, and she's been written-up several times for disorderly conduct. Generally, that just makes her act out more. She knows she's supposed to be being good so she can blend in, but it's difficult for her. It's so far from the life she grew up in it's almost as if she ALSO is from another planet.

Baggy jeans with skater shoes and a long, oversized Nirvana shirt with a baseball cap make up her outfit today. She cruises down the walkway of the park on her skateboard, earbuds in and blasting the thoughts out of her mind. She's as happy as she's been right now, but that means she's still not HAPPY. She spots Hannah as she turns a corner on the path, coming into view around a copse of trees, and she slows on her board until she fully stops. She watches her move with her faux-saber, and she cocks her head to the side to track her stance and strikes. It's very different from how she fights, but it's nice to watch (JUST because of the training, of course...).

Eventually she kicks her board up into her hands and tucks it under her arm. The trans flag is painted over the bottom of the skateboard. She crosses the lawn towards her and her dog, stopping about fifteen feet away or so until she's noticed.

Hannah Steiner has posed:
BORK!

Or really a Hiss-Bork, but the Veil takes care of that neatly! Two more of those exchanges, and with a swipe of her blade? Hannah returns the practice weapon back to its' home. Her head tilts, and that sound of a board being kicked up catches her attention!

"By Her Upon the Cradle, dear Lyra! What do I hear, hmmmmm?" She speaks to her guide-animal almost conspiratorially, but just slightly /too/ loud. Followed swiftly by a grin directed at the sound of that board-kick!

She braces her practice blade across one shoulder, and flicks her head aside to let her blonde locks flutter.

The /modern/ branch of the House of Steiner loves people, and Hannah is no exception! Her free hand makes a welcoming wave towards herself!

"A new freund perhaps?" The flash of perfect teeth is accompanied by a laugh, and she tries to zero in on the sound of Takumi!

Takumi Yoru has posed:
She reaches up to adjust her cap and then leans back against the nearby tree. She casts a glance towards the dog before turning back to the taller girl.

"Could be," she replies with a lopsided grin. "Could be." She leans her board up against the tree and crouches, leaning back in that position.

"I think I saw you in the cafeteria yesterday. Not, like...up close or anything. But I've definatly seen you at Radiant, right?"

Hannah Steiner has posed:
Hannah's lips quirk into a smile! She nudges her cane towards her, even as she settles her practice blade into a yellow waistband, thick and full of her House's colors! A second-hand bargain, but it's not like she's full of coin on this planet! A snap of fingers? And Lyra nestles her lead into Hannah's hand dutifully!

"No doubt! I am told by mein dear sighted freunds, that blonde is a most eye-catching color! Und in other words, I must demure to your own talents, mein freund! Hannah Steiner! To whom have I the pleasure of speaking?" She asks, and then offers a hand!

Should it be taken? The young Belkan presses her lips to those knuckles of Takumi's!

Takumi Yoru has posed:
She watches the larger girl curiously, taking it all in. Huh, she's blind. She watches the dog guide her over and grunts as she pushes herself back to her feet. "Takumi Yoru." She does give her hand over, and as Hannah guides it to her lips she can feel the callouses of not only an athletic skater life, but also brawling and possibly swordplay. "I just transfered in from Toyama last week. Since you're not Japanese, that's on the opposite coast."

She furrows her brow at the knuckle kiss, the girl blushing. Thank God Hannah can't see the blush.

Hannah Steiner has posed:
~Smooch~

Her lips linger, only to pull away, and the Countess offers a warm smile, then nods her head!

"Frau Yoru! By the Sankt, such...acht, 'weich' names for even the most forthcoming namen amongst you all!" Despite how some locals might phrase such things, Hannah sounds only amused! Nor does she seem to explain this 'Sankt' of hers!

A simple nod about the other-coastness of Takumi, but it seems Hannah is just considering Takumi!

A pause. Silence. She considers.

To some an ocean of stars might be a gulph away. To this world? Perhaps even a mere coast?

Koji and Chrono both have given her things to think about in many ways.

Rough hands only make Hannah regard her new freund more, and she lets that grip linger before letting go! "...What is the term? 'European'? A country a spare few would have heard of!" She proclaims, and then nods several times!

Her hand taps Blauer Greif!

"Are you a student of Radiant Heart Academy, perhaps?" She asks, sightless eyes sparkling, as though /that/ wasn't a common answer around here!!!

Takumi Yoru has posed:
"Geography is not my strong point," the other kid admits. She leans back against the tree again when her hand is released, thankful her red cheeks aren't visible to the other girl.

"Mmmhm. Grade 10. Just started there, like I said. I was mostly homschooled back home so it's really different." She doesn't sound like she's a fan of that difference. "What's the name of the pup?," she asks. She extends her hand to the dog so they can get a good sniff and get to know her scent.

"Were you born blind?," she asks blunt. "Or is it...like...a condition?"

Hannah Steiner has posed:
Amusement dances under her tinted glasses, and equally shows in her face1 "The stars und terrestrial landmarks are equally mein own, ironically enough. Amongst manyfold talents!" Her head tilts, and she's clearly doing a bit of puffing, but mostly for effect as she taps her own chin, chuckling in a good natured way!

"Forgive mein rudeness! The fluffy terror before you is Lyra Steiner! Lyra! Cl..." Pause. "Paw!"

An appendage goes up!!! ...Any hand upon said 'paw' would result in many a Not-Lizard Lick in affection!!!!

"Hm! A mixture for meinself. One part a...religious academy, shall we say, und further study in a private institution though both had financial und familial ties alongside private tutoring lessons." So, in other words, the best education money and /influence/ could buy even if she's not naming a country exactly.

Hannah considers the question with little bother. "A rare birth defect, actually. Und...how shall we put it?" She's not going to blurt out 'Cybernetic Rejection Syndrome' atop it all.

"Certain other boring medical conditions that resisted treatment leading to mein optical nerves never growing in properly." A shrug.

"But given mein life's otherwise largely upwards trajectory?" She tilts her head the other way, and can at least justify most of that as /not/ a lie to herself, comes off mostly with a straight face!

"She Upon the Cradle balances all things in time, as they say." A strange symbol in the air with her free hand, and she's all warmth again!

Takumi Yoru has posed:
"Lyra, huh?," the skater asks. She can't help but grin a little bit as her hand is licked, and she offers pets as she glances over at the larger girl.

"Ah, so you're Money?," the skater asks, standing to lean back against the tree again. "I didn't come from poverty, but not Money, either, really. And I left that behind when I ditched my stupid dad back in Toyohama. Good riddance." She brushes her fingers back through her hair as she watches Hannah.

"Ah, well. It'd be rude of me to say 'sorry' for your blindness. Besides, you seemed to be handling that saber really well out there. Was that a style from home?," she asks, curious. "Dad is really into Feudal history, so had me training with a daisho since I was a kid."

You're a kid now, Takumi. She fishes out a pack of cigarettes and lights one up, taking a long drag and blowing it aside.

"Does that mean that it all turns out alright in the end? Cause I can promise you it doesn't. Not for everyone. I'm sure you'll be fine, but that's a broad statement, y'know?"

Hannah Steiner has posed:
Oh gods! Lyra leeeeans into those pets! Just, absolutely /reveling/ in getting attention! She reluctantly pulls away, loping a few steps over to her owner, who quickly gives the big ol' not-Doggo a scritch upon an ear!

A single pause. "Something to that effect." She offers in pure, warm neutrality.

"Hm! No doubt your vater is unworthy of your House's namen!" Comes Hannah, the smile on her face not exactly reaching either her eyes or her face. Luckily 'history' is one of her good subjects, and so she nods.

"A fellow student of bladed artistry then?" Her smile grows, and this time genuine!

She's about to indulge in Ancient Belkan Bladework before Takumi lights up! Her smile suddenly twists into a frown, followed by an irritated cough.

"...Lyra."

There's a series of barks. Hannah snatches up that practice blade, raises it, and with an utterly friendly smile directed at the smell of smoke and Takumi's voice?

Lyra and Hannah's level of trust are perfect. And so she relies on those barks to not cut off Takumi's nose. Instead? A single slice is /just/ close enough to be worrisome, but not too close to actually hurt Takumi!

That cig falls down, split in half.

Then she hefts that blade across one shoulder!

"Very fine, in fact! The Sankt Kaiser keeps those who keep her promises towards others! ...Also no smoking in the park. Some of us enjoy preserving our lungs!" She rams that friendly smile right at Takumi, somehow even sharper than the sword she used to slice up a cig!

Takumi Yoru has posed:
"You're accent is really hot, but I'm gonna need a translator or something," she grumbles around her cigarette. Her eyes widen and she grabs for something under her shirt at the sudden lunge from the dogged-blade. She relaxes when she discovers she was not the target, though, and she sighs as she spits the ruined cigarette out of her mouth.

"Don't smoke around you. Fine. Got it. You coulda asked, beautiful."

The punk sighs and slips the lighter and pack away for now, narrowing her eyes at the dog. She makes a little gesture where she points at her own eyes, then at Lyra and the sword.

"Yeah, he had me training all the time. Kinda fun, actually, as much as he sucks."

Hannah Steiner has posed:
Hannah laughs! "Nein, mein dear leibling! Mein House prefers...directness und action rather than relying entirely upon our silver tongues!" Smiiiiile! She's so full of herself, even now! Those perfect brows narrow as Lyra barks.

"...However Lyra tells me you are hardly one to be underestimated." Somehow, the fact Takumi could have stabbed her only seems to make her happier!

Belkans are weird!

Stowing her blade, she wanders over to Takumi, and offers an arm!

Lyra also does a big ol' hiss-bork! The hiss is friendly! But she also flexes her claws into the ground! Message recieved, the smart Razorhound!

"...Mein Mutter was just as aggressive on training. Und mein Vater on economy und governance. I am sorry your parent was so...lacking as a person." Teeth grit. Hatred flares in her features. 'Bad Parents' seems to be a sticking point for this noble!

Takumi Yoru has posed:
She eyes the offered hand, before she reaches out to take it like a handshake. Hannah can feel the callouses of someone who skateboards and falls daily, mingled with a VERY skilled fighter, both in brawling and swordplay. Perhaps not as good as her, but more then you'd expect from a random skater girl.

"You'll hear the rumors around school, so I'll just say it: I was raised in a Yakuza family. Know what that is? Organized crime. Dad was raising me to step-up when I got older so I learned a lot of...I was around a lot of bad things. It's why I got out," she lies. Well, she's only lieing about that last part. No waver in her voice or anything. She is an expert at subterfuge.

Hannah Steiner has posed:
The shake is firm, but not clenching! She doesn't play some kind of strength game! Instead, she simply nods!

"By the Sankt! ...Let us merely say I am a daughter of the merchant class first und foremost! So much as mein House would deny it? Well. More than one of our closest advisors are from similar backgrounds. Any true House of Coin knows both the Market of Light und the Market of Darkness, if you will indulge me!" Smiiile!

Takumi proves good at deception, and the rather loud Steiner /wants/ to believe it!

She reaches for Takumi's chin, to gently peer eye-to-sightless-eye!

"Kark those rumors. True or not. Your voice pleases me, und I should like to know more of you!" Pause.

"To be perfectly transparent...I have a girlfriend. We are in an open relationship. Should such please you? I should enjoy a date with you, frau Yoru!" She offers, then dips into a Royal Bow towards Takumi!

Takumi Yoru has posed:
She begins to reply to the first part, about merchant houses and stuff, when her chin is lifted like that. Hannah might not be able to see the girl blush crimson, but she can certainl feel her skin heat up from it! "I...uh. T-thanks," she stutters, before internally kicking herself and standing tall(ish) again.

The offer of a date absolutely catches Takumi off-guard, though, more then any of the rest of it. "I mean...sure? If your girlfriend doesn't mind. My dad tries to set me up with a few people back home for his 'empire', but gross, y'know?"

The skater takes a deep breath. "Yeah, a date sounds cool. What...kinda stuff would we do?" She's never actually been on an official date before.

Hannah Steiner has posed:
Grin! "Hah! Arranged marriages in.." She pauses, avoiding the words 'Belka', before she nods!

"Mein country are oft from the back of Duels! I would have defeated your patriarch's suiters by bladework alone!" Griiiin!

She considers the question! And then nods to the 'skater' and 'totally not a mafia member'!

"A movie, popcorn, und then dinner!" Smile!

"Acceptable?" Grin!

Takumi Yoru has posed:
"I beat up the first one. You figured Daddy'd learn his lesson, but nah. That's not really in his skill set," the teen growls softly.

"Yeah. Yeah, totally acceptable. I get to choose the movie, though. And sushi! Sushi for dinner." She finds herself smiling despite herself, and what's that her Dark Heart is doing? Is it racing? And NOT to wreak havok? Okay, that's weird.