Scene #1171: A Water Spirit's VR Dance and Discussion

Owner	Pose
Ayako Hasekawa	The Standby server that exists in Union Medical's FullDive facility is mostly used for Union members to prepare and meet up before logging into the various Seed-based VRMMORPGs. As a result, there aren't any of the typical RPG mechanics or rules such as HP. All the same, it's still good enough for Ayako to practice being a solid human with human-like limitations rather than the fluid watery entity she usually is. It's a pretty non-descript room to be honest. After all, it was made for people to just meet and organize. The water spirit herself is counting softly to herself, "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight." over and over to herself as she swiftly practices the energenic idol singer dances she once did so long ago. She seems to be doing pretty well! At least until she missteps and falls flat on her face onto the floor. "Eep!"
Landon al Cid	Prince Landon al Cid arrives at the Union Medical Facility with a bit of help. He's been here once before, though he's never been in this particular part of it. He's dressed in, uncharacteristically, the Alexander Academy uniform, presumably because he just came from a late-night class or something. The black suit hangs over his shoulders, and the tie is loose around his neck, dangling over his dress shirt. He watches Ayako for a moment, until sh falls over. Then he walks over to her and holds out a hand with a broad smile. "If I might, Lady Ayako?"
Tomoe	Ayako and Landon are not alone as a young woman with red hair, whosm is nearly six feet shows up. She's wearing on her back an old jacket that has a stylized line face in blue and gold, and she's got a grin on her face. It's not long before she's logged in and the woman that appears is nothing like her. She looks to be of mixed Asian hertiage, shorter and with very wildly highlighted hair she's also wearing what seems to be high tech form fitting armour from the looks of it. "This is about as close as my world gets to magic."
Riva Banari	Riva's been buzzing around GGO. Her exploits as BulletArtist Riva have gained her a legendart spot in 'number of people muted by' and 'number of rats aggroed (and not killed) over a 4 day period'. But now Ayako is working on being a /human/ and this excites Riva terribly for a number of reasons. In the distance, Riva appears, waving her hands as she runs towards their position. "HIIIIIIIIII!" She calls, jogging along neatly through the basic, nondescript room towards the water spirit's VR avatar. "Ayakooooo!" She's dressed up in a VR representation of her casual clothing because she can't access her GGO stuff here yet. Look out, Riva's here to /help/.
Ayako Hasekawa	"Uuungh... fell down again..." Ayako peeks upwards from her face down position on the floor. "Ah. Hello Landon." She smiles awkwardly at him and accepts Landon's hand. "A-ahh... umm... thank you." She blushes lightly-after all, people are arriving and she's still on the floor! And would let herself be helped up by student prince. She smiles softly at Tomoe, "It's still a wonderful thing, technology." And then blinks her eyes quickly when she hears Riva voice and the sounds of her approach. "A-ahh... Hello Riva!" On a side note, her VR avatar is just her. Although her clothing matches what she's wearing in the outside world. She didn't change out of the Alexander Academy's student uniform yet.
Kirito	Kirigaya Kazuto's basic FullDive avatar is an import of his Sword Art Online appearance. He hasn't used the FullDive standby server much, preferring his own Seed projects for testing - like the one that's being customized to be Yui's AI-central management setup. But he logs in to help Ayako out... or at least see how she's doing. Logging in is a strange thing to witness. First an outline of his form appears, and it rapidly fills with glowing light and data-lines until it gains texture. The Black Swordsman - minus his actual weapons - stands about 3 meters away from Ayako, looking on with youthful but very alert curiousity at her antics. "For someone who's been at this for just a day or two... that's pretty good." He offers encouragingly... even as she falls.
Landon al Cid	Landon helps her up with a smile on his face. "I think perhaps you might want to dial back to a waltz before you jump to, erm, popular dance. I personally find myself quite bad at popular dance, but ballroom is very simple and easy." Landon does not add in any thoughts about that being out of necessity for the upper class. Instead, he turns to Kirito, Tomoe, and Riva. The Prince bows to Kirito, and, unless actively prevented, kisses Tomoe and Riva's hands politely. Then he straightens. "This is really quite remarkable, I must admit. I've never seen such an extensive game."
Ayako Hasekawa	"Hmm... a waltz, huh?" Ayako smiles as she properly gets back up and straightens her posture. "Sure! That's something I should practice anyway." She shakes her head quickly. "Silly. Landon, this isn't even a game proper yet. This is just a small test server for people to meet and prepare before logging onto a real game." Ayako smiles softly at Kirito. "I... thank you very much. I've been working on this for days straight so..." She giggles brightly. "I've come a long way from the..." Her amber gaze goes off to the side as she remembers, "Monster-like movements that I started off with." She giggles brightly again and shakes her head slowly.
Tomoe	Eisen looks to the oths with a grind and offers her hand to Landon. "It something then again long term use has some effects but that's to be expected with idenity isn't it? Also Your doing really well like this Ayako. ALso just call me Esien like this, I like to not get confused depending on which avatar I'm using."
Riva Banari	Riva blushes when her hand is kissed, apparently on command. "Boy, aren't /you/ a charmer." She says jokingly. She flutters her eyes overdramatically, clearly hamming it up before she chuckles and squeals at Ayako and gives her a giant hug. "It's so niiiiiiiiice to see you in here, Ayako!" She lets Ayako go, though not without ensuring she stays upright. "Hoip! Let's keep it all proper, now! You're being so /diligent/! Don't worry about it, you looks perfectly normal! We'll have you moving perfectly normal too in no time!"
Kirito	"This? You think THIS is the game?" Kirito grins. "Just wait 'til you see the real thing. This is nothing but a ready room. A workout room. The real VRMMOs? They're huge. Endless skies to fly in. Monsters to fight, loot to be had. You guys from the Academy might find this weird but basically? The first few VRMMOs were designed to model things pretty close to the kind of world you're from. My world's pretty 'boring' compared to yours. No magic, no monsters, no rising far past what someone who hasn't gone through a regimen like you guys has. My world's only like yours when it's virtual." Though he doesn't sound bothered by this at all. He shakes Landon's hand firmly, then folds his arms at Ayako. ""Almost wished I could've seen that." Almost. Yeah, he's teasing her.
Landon al Cid	"A fascinating test server, then," Landon corrects himself with a smile, "I have never seen the like on Galianda, but then, such a thing is growing increasingly common amidst the rigors and wonders of the extraverse." "I'm often told that charm is the premiere weapon of the nobility," Landon tells Riva, his tone wry and self-aware, "But then, I also believe in basic manners, so I suppose it's one dozen of eggs or the other." "Eisen, then," he replies to Tomoe, "I assume it's your handle." That he understands just fine. Landon waves his hand dismissively at Kirito's assertion. "No, not at all. We have speculative fiction, too. I understand my world is very close to many fantasy settings amidst the Extraverse; this, by contrast, is the sort of thing we write about. Strange technology that doesn't function on magic, immersive video games..." Landon smiles. "It's not strange at all to me to imagine a different world from your own." He takes Ayako's hand a moment later, moving into a waltz position. "Alright, Lady Ayako. Put your hand on my hip; I'll put my arm around your waist, and then we'll begin the steps. It's very simple, so we'll go slowly until you're comfortable with something faster. Does that sound alright?"
Tomoe	Eisen seems a lot more at ease here in cyberspace than she does in the real world and she looks over to Landon nodding in agreement. "Other than this tech our world's very mundane yes, and you ain't seen nothing yet. We're not kidding when we have said people are building entire worlds and yes Esien is my handle on this Avatar. So we're a scifi novel on your world? I'm amused I guess you want what your world doesn't have. Then again it is pretty nice being the apex predator on Earth..."
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako smiles softly at Tomoe-no, Eisen! "Eh heh... alright, Eisen. And thank you!" Her amber eyes close halfway as she glances to the side at Riva. "Riva, you overacter." Then shakes her head quickly and then giggles brightly as she returns the giant hug to Riva! "Eh heh... do I now? That's... kind of a relief." Ayako nods her head slowly, "I think I have the normal movement down pretty well, but... I'm just trying to make sure I don't move in a way that's... uhhm... unnatural looking. Might start rumors and all." A bright giggle follows. Her amber eyes move straight to Kirito. "Hmmm? Do you now? I still remember how I used to move. I could show you if you wanted. Although... I think you might flinch and your muscles might ache just watching it." Ayako shakes her head quickly. "But... I won't! I've been practicing so I wouldn't have to show anyone that!" She turns back to Landon and smiles softly when he mentions 'charm'. "A girl's charm is her armor, her ribbon her shield." Ayako giggles brightly and flicks her hair ribbon tied into a bow with her pointer finger. And then bows gracefully to Landon as her hand is taken. She moves quietly into the waltz position as well. It does seem like she knows how to ballroom dance herself. Although the real question is if her body can actually utilize this knowledge-she's not made completely of water anymore, after all! She places her hand on Landon's hip and nods her head slowly. "It sounds alright... I hope I don't mess this up too badly."
Riva Banari	"Oh you~," Riva giggles as she shakes her head. "You're going to do fine!" She pulls back, and lets her start dancing with the Prince. "Oh my, the water spirit learns how to dance from a handsome young prince! It's like a fairy tale all on its own." She grins at that and puts her hands on her hips, tipping her head at Landon. "Don't you worry about it, Prince. I'm not one for ceremony, but you're way better behaved tham most guys I usually deal with." She chuckles. "You just keep that right up." As they goto begin their dance, Riva looks over to Kirito. "So, tall, dark, and swordy, how's it going?" Ever the joker. "Everything going fine on your end so far?
Landon al Cid	Landon slides his arm around Ayako's waist. He doesn't blush. Apparently, when he's teaching, he's got a good sense about him. "Now...it's very easy, Lady Ayako. You bring your foot in step with the person leading. I'll let you lead first, so you get a sense for it; it's much easier to lead than to follow." "Take a step forward, as I take a step backwards. Then, with your other foot, step forward further. Then bring your feet together at the side." He glances over at Riva. "I haven't heard that particular fairy tale, I admit. My personal favorite stories aren't fairy tales, though; I grew up hearing tales of my world's history, and I admit, I have a strong affection for it. It's quite full of knights and heroes and derring-do, and that sort of thing." He purses his lips. "Of course, it's full of the political nonsense, as well, but that's not really the sort of thing that makes it into children's stories, is it?" "Yes, I believe it's natural for people to fantasize about what they don't have," Landon agrees with Tomoe/Eisen/whoever she is as he moves into the dance. He's...surprisingly of good posture and grace. But that's probably not that surprising, when you get right down to it - he's a Prince, after all. He must've been trained to do this kind of thing for a long time. It's a wonder he didn't end up a Dancer.
Kirito	Kirito glances Riva's way, and answers in a somewhat distracted tone, "Well enough! We've just gotten started making a name for ourselves--" Yeah, he's distracted, alright. Despite himself, he's kind of drawn to watch the dancing...
Tomoe	Eisen looks at Riva for a moment with an amused look on her face and tilts her head before looking to the dancing pair. "You know you have a point Riva this is almost the thing fairy tails start with isn't it?" She now listens ot the prince and muses for a moment on his reply. "Never thought i'd run into Royalty. Eh my world's hisotry might not be that inteesting or alatively it's might be nightmare fuel...even without magic we're far too good at designing weapons."
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako smiles softly at Riva. "Well... we'll see, I guess." And then quickly sticks her tongue out slightly at her. "Riva! Ohh... putting it like that..." She shakes her head slowly and giggles softly at the suggestion of the situation being like that of a fairy tale. Ayako then smiles softly and nods her head as she follows Landon's instructions and takes the lead. At first, her footsteps are a bit unsteady and hesitant, but after a few rounds, it starts becoming obvious that she's danced in this manner before. "Eh heh... heroes, huh? That's sort of the type of thing I like myself." She thinks to herself for a moment. "Hmm... by the way, I think you should take the lead." And she giggles softly. "I haven't lead much, and... this feels a bit odd." Ayako glances over at Kirito, "Oh? What kind of name for yourselves?"
Kirito	"Bullet of Bullets." Kirito declares with a bit more enthusiasm than he actually feels. "We're aiming for the top. Best players on the game. .... because that's..." His tone turns a bit grim. "It's who Death Gun's been targeting so far. We need to draw him out."
Riva Banari	"Hahahaha, it's okay." Riva waves to Kirito. "Everything is cool. I've got a long way to go before I can really help with that, I think, but I'm going to work hard to catch up to you punks!" Eisen, however, backs her up, and she giggles at the comment. "Royalty is a thing, but you know what? He's just a guy too! People just dump all kinds of crap on him." Riva shrugs. "It's up to him what he does with it, right?" Landon replies to Riva, and she grins and winks. "That's because you're writing the story right now, Prince~" She says, teasingly. "I can appreciate a good, solid imagination though. It keeps you healthy! The politics are just a thing that happens. Everyone wants their cut, right?" She shrugs. Riva hops back and forth a little on her feet, humming a little tune to herself as she watches Ayako dance with the Prince, then. "Maybe one day, you'll find a hero too, Ayako." She grins.
Landon al Cid	"Is royalty that uncommon among the Extraverse?" Landon inquires as he politely takes the lead. He's much better at leading than he is at following (an ironic statement to be sure), and at a couple points he actually dips Ayako quite low, or spins her around like a lady on a ballroom floor. "You've done this before," Landon observes after a moment, "Should I shift to a tango? I'm familiar with a number of couples' dances. You'd be surprised the sort of things you have to learn to keep up in the upper class." Landon takes a glance over at Riva. "I suppose that I am," he agrees, "Along with many others. There are a large number of people involved in the new story of Galianda. I'm most excited to see where it leads. I feel we have a bright future ahead of us." He doesn't comment on being 'just a guy'. That's...getting into some issues. Instead, he directs his attention at Kirito. "Draw out a player? What for?"
Tomoe	Tomoe says "Depends where, but where I and Kirito are from? Only a few tiny nations are ruled by noblity a large nunber of nobles were wiped out in uprisings by the people they ruled others. Those who remain for hte most part willingly stepped out of direct power and don't have any real say in the day to day running of their nations." She looks at Landon for a moment. "We have a possible killer lose...it shouldn't be possible given the changes to the hardware used to access such games. We're looking into it and if it's someone from off world we could have an issue as it could be anything at that point."
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako nods her head slowly towards Kirito. "Aahh... I read about that stuff... if I can help, let me know, please!" She smiles a bit too cheerfully at Riva as she says with a bit too much sweetness, "Working hard is fine, Riva. But please don't overuse Orange Healing Water." Her tone and smile go back to normal swiftly, though. "Hmm? A hero?" Ayako lets herself be led, and she seems much more comfortable with this. At the very least, she doesn't lose her footing. She smiles softly, "I have, I have. Hmm... a tango, huh?" She pauses for a moment, as if trying to remember something... and then nods her head once. "I think I can handle that."
Kirito	Kirito's expression turns a bit grim at the mention of Tomoe's explanations. "That about sums it up. We're becoming bait. That's why the medical ward's gearing up secure login places to ensure nothing can possibly go wrong."
Riva Banari	Riva manages to look guilty at the mention of Orange Healing Water by Ayako, shifting nervously as she looks down at the ground. "Yes. Of course!" She says, clearly taking that too-sweet tone for what she believes it to be. "Nothing's going to go wrong!" Riva says to Kirito, but she seems to be having a crisis of exuberant enthusiasm at the moment.
Landon al Cid	"A killer," Landon murmurs thoughtfully, "People die in video games here? What a frightening thought. So you're using yourselves as bait to ensure that no one else gets caught in the situation, then?" There's an approving tone in the Prince's voice. Clearly he appreciates that sort of thinking - the sort that puts the self behind the people at risk. The sort that makes sure that the only people in danger are the ones who an handle it. It satisfies him to know that there are a lot of people like that out here. "Should you require any support, I'd like to offer my assistance," Landon adds. He looks between Ayako and Riva for a moment, but doesn't ask. Instead, he dips Ayako back, then brings her spinning up again as he shifts up the dance to the tango. "It's quite a bit faster," he warns her as he pulls her back in, "Are you certain?" "Or," he notes wryly, "Is this something you've done before, as well?"
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako looks towards Eisen and nods her head once. "I don't like the idea of someone using an MMORPG to kill! And so..." She smiles happily at Kirito and Eisen. "I'll help you out! Well... if you want me to help, I mean." She smiles sheepishly and then looks towards Riva. "Riiva! Don't feel bad. I don't mind you using Orange Healing Water, but not to the point where you start depriving yourself of sleep!" Ayako nods her head once at Landon. "Un. It's a nasty thought, isn't it?" And then she is dipped back and brought up spinning again. "Oh, I know it's quite a bit faster." And then giggles and nods when Landon asks if it's something she's done before. "Yes, it is! Although I'm not sure if I'll fall still."
Tomoe	Eisen shrugs a bit and adds "The best idea we got is it's someone off world using alien technology or magic and if it's the latter my world won't know how to handle that."
Riva Banari	"Yeah, exactly, Landon. A lof of these guys are super qualified to handle this, and we'd be much harder targets than the people who have been victims so far." Riva replies, and then points. "Of course I want you to help! You'll be great!" Though she's not sure how Ayako is going to handle actually having access to guns. And no healing water. "The orange healing water is just so good! It's so nice to just get all that energy and not need to sleep..."
Landon al Cid	"I had a sneaking suspicion," Landon notes at Ayako as he moves into the tango proper, "That you were far more proficient at dances than you let on. I shall have to find some other way to repay my debt to you, I suspect." "This is far too enjoyable to be a proper payment, after all." He glances over at Riva. "I imagine a lot of players were also most unprepared for such an event. It must've been..." Landon frowns. "What a horrible thing, to make a weapon of a toy and pervert entertainment into blood sport."
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako smiles cheerfully at Riva. "It's a game after all. I don't have to worry about hurting someone or killing someone. Besides! I can't forgive someone who's turning something meant for fun like an MMORPG into a tool for killing." She nods her head once, seriously. After all, she didn't play one MMORPG that she happened to like for five years straight just for show! "I'll... do my best. I guess we shall see if it's great or not." And then she returns her attention to Landon as he moves her into the tango. "When you live for several thousand years, you pick up a few things." Ayako giggles brightly. Her footwork is a bit unsteady for a while until she gets used to the rapid steps of the tango. But she manages not to fall-sometimes barely as her weight sometimes doesn't shift quite properly until she gets used to it. "Oh, there's nothing wrong with enjoying yourself a little!"
Riva Banari	"It's super terrible. And he calls himself /Death Gun/. Seriously, what kind of lamer calls themselves /Death Gun/?" Riva grumps. She tilts her head as Ayako reveals she's several thousand years old again. "You know, I remember that on an intellectual level, but it's just so easy to forget that around you." Riva comments.
Landon al Cid	"You certainly don't look or move like you're a thousand years old, my lady," Landon agrees with Riva politely. He's quite careful to keep her from just tipping over and potentially hurting herself; even in the game, that's just chivalrous. "The mere concept is frankly astounding to me. You're older than much of the modern-day ideas of Ramuhan civilization." "Perhaps he's a Necromancer and a Gunner," Landon tells Riva after a moment, because that makes perfect sense to him. JRPG world!
Ayako Hasekawa	"Ungh, I know, right? It sounds like a teenager trying to make themselves seem big." Ayako rolls her eyes playfully, yet full of scorn towards someone who would name themselves 'Death Gun'. And then Ayako blinks her eyes quicklyy and blushes lightly. "A-ahh? Really? Eh heh... thank you Riva. Hmm... do you sometimes forget that I'm a water spirit too and not a human?" She smiles happily at Landon and her light blush deepens slightly more. "Oh you too, Landon?" Ayako's eyes do notice when Landon keeps her from tipping over at several points, and she smiles in thanks at each time he does so. "Well... to be honest, I don't know how old I am really... I stopped counting at two thousand. Because it just stopped mattering much to me."
Riva Banari	"That doesn't excuse it!" Riva says indignantly. "Even if he is like that, to have such a terrible name is just a crappy insulting cherry on top of a horrible pile of /evil/ and /jerkface/." She seems to be pretty indignant about this. "I mean, you have to have some STANDARDS here! Something like DRAAN THE SHIREKING DOOM, or AZRAEL, THE SOUL BULLET, or even witty like THE SECOND GUNMAN. Nope. DEATH GUN. Ugh!" She throws up her hands at that in possibly overacted frustration. But who can tell with Riva? "Anyway, well..." Riva rubs her chin, then nods to Ayako. "Sometimes, yeah. And you're always fun to be around. Even then I don't see any problems with you as you are. I just want you to be happy, you know?" Riva tilts her head.
Landon al Cid	"You don't handle yourself like an ancient spirit, my lady. You handle yourself like a lovely young woman, perhaps around my age, maybe a bit older - but certainly not over a hundred times my age." Once he's certain she has the tango down, Landon switches up his step, moving into a much faster dance that she most assuredly hasn't done - the Waltz de Chocobo, a very famous waltz popular among Galiandan nobility. It's much faster, and its steps are highly irregular - Landon takes it slowly at first, but once he thinks Ayako can handle it, he picks up the pace significantly. "I'm afraid I don't understand any of those references," Landon notes to Riva politely, "But Death Gun at the very least ensures that no matter where, whether Galianda or the extraverse, one gets the general gist."
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako blinks her eyes quickly for a moment... but then... agrees with Riva! "That's right! You need to think clearly about names! Names are very important! They're your first impression, and if they're well thought out, they have a power of their own! But 'Death Gun'? Ick." She nods her head once... and then blushes. "I... Eh heh... thank you Riva. For someone like me, who takes a lot of pride in how well she imitates being a human, people forgetting on their own that I'm a water spirit is a really big compliment! And... I want you to be happy too, Riva!" And then blushes even deeper when Landon says it also! "A-ahh... thank you Landon." Ayako temporarily rests her palms on her cheeks. "I may misstep because of something completely unrelated to my balance!" She giggles brightly and then notes the extremely odd tempo of Waltz de Chocobo. "Hmm... now this one I'm not familiar with." And she is quite thankful when Landon takes it slow at first. But she catches onto the irregularity pretty quickly.
Riva Banari	"It's okay, you don't even need to know. The names are /much more interesting/." Riva smiles though, pleasantly, to Ayako. "Well, that's what friends are for, right?" She grins, then folds her arms and watches Ayako get thrown off her game slightly, shaking her head. "You're getting the hang of this really well!"
Landon al Cid	"You've nothing to fear, my lady; I'd be a poor teacher if I allowed you to fall." "Well, there is a style of schooling that encourages such things, I suppose, but I don't ascribe to it." Landon beams brightly, "So don't worry." "Yes, it's a popular dance from Galianda. They say it's derived from the beat of a chocobo's footsteps, but I'm not certain that's true. I've heard chocobos walk. They're not so.../musical/. I suspect it's simply a musician being poetic." "I must agree with Lady Riva. You're a far better dancer than I would expect one without muscles to ever be." Landon glances over at Riva mid-step. "Are names that important? I've never put much stock in it."
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako smiles cheerfully towards Riva. "Un! That's true!" And once Riva says she's getting the hang of this, Ayako is quickly forced to look down at Landon's feet to re-examine the tempo. "I thought I was getting the hang of it too, but... jeez... this waltz has a tempo that switches around like a wild thrashing bird." She then glances up at Landon and smiles softly. "Well, I'm quite thankful for that!" Ayako giggles softly when Landon mentions that this tempo is from the beat of a chocobo's footsteps. "Poetic and quite chaotic to boot." And a light blush returns to her face. "Well... I'm glad that having several dancing styles taught to me again and again has some result." She then nods her head swiftly once and seriously. "Names are important. Far, far more so for a spirit."
Riva Banari	"If that's what a chocobo is like, they'd be /amazing/ with tapdance shoes or something." Riva comments. "It's pretty amazing. And well, names..." She shrugs. "I guess it depends on what you want out of life right? And what's important to you." She doesn't have much to say about the spirit thing. Even she knows about the whole true name thing.
Landon al Cid	"A wild, thrashing bird...I hadn't thought of that metaphor before," Landon notes thoughtfully, "It is appropriate, isn't it? It's sort of...wild and unfocused, for a waltz. But it's quite popular among the nobility of Galianda. If you master this dance, you'll be capable of going to any ball you like, provided you have an appropriate date or invitation." He spins her again, then frowns. "Why are names so important, if you don't mind me asking? I've never put much thougt into a name. What does a name bring to life that makes it so important?" He glances over at Riva mid-step. "What does it say about you, your name?"
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako giggles softly and nods her head quickly as she agrees with Riva. She looks back towards Landon and smiles. "It is, isn't it? And huh. A ball... I don't even know the clothing styles on Galianda, and I'd probably commit several faux pas." She smiles softly and then shakes her head after she gets spun. "I don't mind telling you. If you know an entity's true name, you can control them. And it's extremely easy to control a spirit if you know it's true name." Her feet are now keeping up with the very irregular tempo of Waltz de Chocobo. "I hope you understand when I don't give you said name. But besides that... the name I have right now means quite a lot to me."
Riva Banari	Riva nods. "Even besides that, there's, well... How do you really want to be remembered? Your name is a like a signature on the book of your life, you know?" She nods. "Yeah! And well, I don't know what Galiandan balls are like, but you could totally keep up in any dance club I've been to." She chuckles, and then thinks, watching Ayako intently. "I wonder..." She says... But then doesn't follow up. "I'm going to go head out. There's a couple things I need to do. You both have fun now, okay?" She waves, and then logs out.
Landon al Cid	"I would never ask such a thing, my lady," Landon replies, perhaps a bit stiffly, "The al Cid family doesn't believe in controlling people against their will. The Law is there to help people, to protect people, to give them justice and safety. We aren't tyrants." "I think the name you've already given me suits you perfectly well, in any case." He doesn't comment on the fashion or social faux pas. He's probably seen enough faux pas himself. "I suppose that makes sense," Landon agrees, "A signature on the book of one's life, is it...ah, yes, have a lovely evening, Lady Riva."
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako smiles softly at Riva and nods her head slowly. "Hmm... that's true..." And then she blinks her eyes quickly and inclines her head to the side gently. "Hmmm? You wonder what? Ah! See you later, Riva!" She smiles cheerfully at Landon. "Ah... well, thank you very much." Ayako giggles softly.
Landon al Cid	"It's my pleasure, my lady. But I really must insist that you find another way for me to repay you. You did save my life, after all. I don't think teaching you a /dance/ quite compares." The Prince looks down at her thoughtfully. "Really, I don't feel that teaching you to dance is much of a repayment at all, but..."
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako inclines her head to the side gently. "Hmmm? Well, in my opinion, you shouldn't worry about it. Besides, I'm quite sure an opportunity for you will come up sometime in the future." She smiles softly. "As allies and friends we'll always end up helping each other, repayment or not."
Landon al Cid	"I'm not worried about it," Landon replies smoothly, a smile on his face, "As I said, it's simply the policy of my family. Repay those you owe a debt to. Be honorable in all things. Defend the people in need of defending, and punish those who need punishment." "Are we, then, friends, Lady Ayako? Friendship is certainly an easy word amidst the Extraverse. I've heard it thrown about like a ball, as of late." Landon purses his lips. "Not that that displeases me, you understand. I'm simply used to..." "Well. Let us say that, in Ramuhan political circles, /friendship/ is a word that can mean /servant/ as well as it can /ally/, and that I rather am used to people carefully guarding that word."
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako nods her head slowly, "Aahh... I see. Those do seem like good policies." Her head inclines to the side gently. "Hmm... it is true that friendship is thrown around quite a bit in-" She pauses for a moment, "-the Extraverse. Well... I can't speak for everyone but... it is true that I try to make friends as much as I can." She smiles softly and then listens quietly. "Hmm... I see, I see. Well, I'm not the type to have servants."
Landon al Cid	"Nor," Landon notes wryly, "Am I the type to serve, Lady Ayako." "Friendship is a powerful weapon. I suppose that might be a cynical way of viewing it, but you saw what my team did in the qualifying finals. We did an excellent job because of our connection and our trust. There's very little friends can't overcome." Landon purses his lips. "I suppose you can imagine, then, why I say something like that, and won't take offense to the observation. It is in no way meant to diminish the value of the concept, nor of your friendship in particular." "It's simply...something I've thought about, with all the friendship being tossed about in the Union." "Have you any codes, Lady Ayako? Any ways by which you live your life?"
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako giggles brightly. "That's true. Except perhaps for the good of all." She nods her head slowly. "Un un. It can be. And I did see." Ayako shakes her head slowly. "No no, I understand. Although I do admit, I'm not nearly as close to the people I call friends than I would like, but then... I have just met them, really." Her head inclines to the side gently. "I unified only a few months ago, and am still really getting used to things and how the Multiverse is." Upon being asked if she lives by any codes she nods her head once. "That I do. Help spread hope and healing to the people of this world. Do no harm to the living or-" She cuts herself off abruptly as she shakes her head.
Landon al Cid	Landon pauses, concern flickering across his face. He looks at her for a long moment as she shakes her head. "...are you alright, Lady Ayako?" Landon steps back from their whirling dance, letting her stand on her own rather than keep spinning. He looks quite worried. "Did I say something to upset you? I apologize deeply if I did. I should hate to have offended a lady."
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako smiles softly and nods her head once. "Y-yes, I'm alright." She shakes her head no quickly as she stops the oddly tempoed tango. "You didn't upset or offend me. It's... just... well, there are certain things I don't like to talk about much." Her amber eyes close for a moment as she thinks quietly to herself. "Sorry that I startled you."
Landon al Cid	"It's quite alright, Lady Ayako. I didn't mean for our pleasant conversation to broach into a subject that isn't pleasant for you." Landon flashes her another broad smile and takes her hand. "You've been an excellent dance partner. My concern was solely for you; if you're quite alright, then you've nothing to apologize for." The Prince puts his arm back around her waist and moves back into a simple ballroom waltz, presumably to wind out the night after the fast-paced Waltz de Chocobo. When they're finished, he bows to her politely, kisses her hand, and lets her log out.
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako shakes her head slowly while making a softly disagreeing noise, "Mmm, no no... it's alright. I did sort of speak my way into it myself..." She smiles softly and lets herself be led back into the slow, simple ballroom waltz. Once Landon brings the dance to a close, she curtsies elegantly in exhcnage to his bow. She does blush lightly when he kisses her hand, though! Ayako does pause for a moment, though. And then cheerfully explains to Landon how to log out before logging out herself.