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Izurich
Phase
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Kumbaris
Yun Hana
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Hana recognized the name. Ryuuko was, if nothing else, well-known for being the prodigal daughter of her family. "You've managed some impressive work of your own," she greeted her praise in kind. "Nothing wrong with being in a hurry, I'm in the same boat, though, I don't think anyone's in dire need of first aid, from what I can see from here. Maybe they'd already left.
"How do you like the evening's festivities so far? Certainly a little more than I was expecting, I'd say."
"You're too kind." Ryuuko smiled as she responded to Hana's return-praise. She then briefly turned her gaze back to where the shards had rained down from the chandelier. Indeed, no one there seemed like they are in need of aid, confirming Hana's words. "Hmm, that's true isn't it. Or perhaps nobody had been harmed in the first place. One can hope, haha." She nodded lightly before continuing, now putting her attention fully to her fellow Egoist.
"Oh it had been quite nice, really. The food and beverages on offer are both diverse and pleasing, and the general atmosphere had been very fine so far. Yes, I suppose it's been more than I was expecting as well, haha. Still, nourishment and fine music are just the side dressing. This night exceeded my expectation most of all because of the people that I've seen and met here. It's incredible, don't you think? So many people of significant renown and achievements from all over the world... Including you, Ms. Yun. Or should I say, especially ones like you." Ryuuko's smile widened as she paused briefly.
"And I did not say that merely as flattery. After all, what you did with your skills were not only highly remarkable but also bravely straying from the convention, at least to me. And well, I found people who are brave enough to break the limitation of norm, convention or tradition to be most admirable indeed." She made a friendly grin, a little bit of obvious excitement visible on her face. "After all, that was what I did myself. Breaking away from tradition, that is."
"I haven't tried the wine yet. The food is quite impressive, just from the selection. I've grazed a bit, mostly on things I didn't recognize." Hana didn't really have too much to add in terms of the party itself. Other than the incident with the lights, it was quite a lovely, if large, gathering. "As for my own skills, flattery will only get you so far. My homeland's had plenty of time to move toward breaks with tradition and enjoy the fruits of trade with the rest of the world."
"From what I understand, you really aren't a fan of tradition at all, Miss Higashiakemi. It's most of what I've heard about you, striking out to forge your own path, and disowning your family, and all that. That has to take quite a lot of conviction. Or a lot of spite." Hana shrugged. "Either works, really." By her tone of voice, there's no judgment in her words, just an honest assessment. "Anyway, it is interesting what one can accomplish when not shackled by tradition, isn't it?"
"Haha, you understand right, Ms. Yun! By now, I've had way too many disappointments with the notion of tradition. And well, it's both out of conviction and spite really. My family simply didn't see eye to eye with me." Ryuuko saw no reason to lie about that herself. She made her own casual shrug before continuing. "Anyway, indeed. It's definitely very interesting!" Ryuuko nodded rather enthusiastically. "After all, traditions should not be used as an excuse to shy away from beneficial changes and advancements. Why stick with harmful traditions that no longer fit the ever evolving world, right? If only the people of my birth country can understand that..." She sighed, briefly looking to the side while recalling the arguments and the annoying family dramas that she had to deal with back then before she left Japan for Germany. Then she made a short amused chuckle before lightly shaking her head and turning to look at Hana again.
"I have to say that I am a bit envious of your homeland, Ms. Hana. An Oriental country just like Japan and yet wise and smart enough to understand the benefits of opening up to the rest of the world... Korea is smart to welcome the life improving changes from the Occident." She clicked her tongue in an expression of annoyance. "The huge majority of my people are still stuck in the past. The war had been over for a long while now and yet still they see the Occident as enemies to keep away at bay. Meanwhile, other countries like yours had cleverly moved forward."
"Ah but I don't want to bore you with my woes and personal displeasure of my country." She giggled lightly, making an embarrassed smile. "I'd be more interested to hear about your opinion as a citizen of your country, Ms. Yun. I have not had the honor of having a first hand source in regards to understanding the situation within Korea after all. Only if you do not mind sharing your mind on the matter, of course." Ryuuko raised her left hand slightly, showing her palm and smiling amicably as a gesture meant to show that she do not intend to force the matter at all if Hana doesn't feel like it.
Hana paused to think for a moment. It was a reasonable question, she just wasn't sure how much of recent history to summarize. "Well, I'm not sure how much I can really say. A lot of the stuff started before I was born, anyway. But, mostly we're learning what we can and taking advantage of what trade and exchange of ideas can bring, after opening up from isolationism. I don't remember a time when Seoul didn't have electricity, but it's still a pretty recent development. I can't say government's changed that much, but it's not really something I need to pay close attention to."
Other than borrowing the fruit of Occidental industry, what did they really have? "I suppose we've had some cultural influence, too. Some fashions you'd see closer to those in Europe, that sort of thing. But not like we're completely consumed with mania for the Occident, either."
"Ha, I see." Ryuuko laughed lightly at the mention of electricity. Mostly because of how Japan, despite their so-called pride and apparent refusal to accept the innovations from the west, had eagerly taken to integrating electricity to its society. They couldn't even be honest about it. All the denials... She then sighed lightly, a light frown on her face. "In any case, it's a great thing indeed that Korea had been reasonably open minded. I mean, something like wearing Occidental fashion in Japan would earn a person sneers and stares of disgust. I know for sure from experience. Heh..."
Ryuuko then shrugged casually, and the frown on her face turned into a friendly smile. "Anyhow, thank you, Ms. Yun. It's always more interesting to hear directly about a country from someone native to it. Hmmm, actually. You mentioned earlier that you've only tried a bit of the dishes on offer so far. Well, me too actually, and I'm feeling like getting an actual proper dinner." She giggled politely at that before continuing to talk. "If you don't mind, I'd love to talk more with you over that dinner. May I have the honor? Of course, no pressure involved, haha."
"Dinner sounds good. I have been grazing, but sitting down at a table's better for discussion, anyway." Hana nods in the affirmative, and starts wandering toward the food once again. She browsed the dishes on offer, continuing to focus on things she didn't recognize. Though, this time for more substantial items. A bit of that beef roast, that sort of thing. Helpfully, she pointed out anything she knew was worth trying to Ryuuko. Although, she wouldn't comment on why, in most cases.
After she filled her own plate, Hana was quick to move on with "I'll go get us a table," by way of explanation. It might take a bit of searching to find her again, but she had managed to claim a small table off to the side. It was a quieter space, more dimly lit and perfect for more intimate conversation.
"Splendid!" Ryuuko grinned wide at Hana after the other girl's acceptance of her offer. "And agreed. It will be much better to speak over dinner indeed." Thus, as Hana started to wander towards finding food once more, Ryuuko followed her closely. She appreciated Hana pointing out the things she knew was worth trying, which delightfully for Ryuuko turned out to mostly be things she have yet to try out. Of course, she still took only things that fitted with her unusual teeth configuration. It would be awkward not to be able to properly eat something after she took it after all.
"Very well, thank you!" Ryuuko answered as Hana moved on to go find a table for both of them. "I'll look around just a little bit more and find you after." In the end, it only took her about a minute more before she fully filled her plate with things that caught her interest. "Hmm..." She then started looking around to find where Hana was sitting, before deciding that it would be easier to try asking people instead. A waiter that she called on happened to saw where Hana was sitting and helpfully pointed the location out to Ryuuko.
Thanking the waiter, Ryuuko quickly strode off according to the waiter's direction, promptly finding Hana soon after. "Ah, I see you've made a good choice with our table, Ms. Yun." She smiled casually at Hana as she put her plate on the table and took a seat. "Very conducive for a pleasant dinner and talk between us. In any case, I suppose we can just start... Let us dine." And so with one more nod towards Hana, Ryuuko set into tasting the first bite of her proper dinner.
