Sango Quest - Phwee Phwee Style, Phwee Phwee Grace!

[FinnKaenbyou]

Should we hit up the aquarium? I dunno if Harami would be...well...down with that. Might be like visiting a slave auction.

>"They aren't the same," Harami says as you ask for her opinion. "Creatures like myself, and the nation of Odonto - we've become something far beyond our former kin. We're similar in appearance and almost nothing else. I understand you keep dolphins here, but you look after them with love and care - that's more than the open sea would ever offer them, so if anything we should thank you."
She looks up towards you with a smile. "Although we're mad that you keep fish like salmon and mackerel to yourselves. They're something of an Odonto delicacy, you see..."

[Sect]

> "Heh, well, they're so delicious!" Swing over to the aquarium.

[E-Nazrin]

Should we hit up the aquarium? I dunno if Harami would be...well...down with that. Might be like visiting a slave auction.

More like a live food emporium, unless there's a dolphin locked away in there. She's already eaten fish without hesitation.

Now, the other Royals may be less understanding...

[FinnKaenbyou]

> "Heh, well, they're so delicious!" Swing over to the aquarium.

>You take a trip to the Gensoushima Blue Ocean Aquarium, where fish of every colour swim around tantalisingly out of reach. You swear you see Harami drool as she walks past some of the tanks, murmuring something like 'they won't miss just one'.

It's coming up to noon now, so the daily show will be on. They have a trainer working with some of the dolphins the aquarium has to offer, and it's free entry for anyone. You could work around it to stop Harami from seeing if you wanted, or you could have her head straight in and hope the human race does nothing to embarrass you.

[E-Nazrin]

>She should know about it, but whether she wants to see it should be her choice.
>"Um... there's a free dolphin show coming up soon, but I'm not sure you'd like to see it. Some of it might seem a little... silly."
>Is there anyone within earshot of our conversation? Actually, how crowded is the aquarium for the most part?

[FinnKaenbyou]

>She should know about it, but whether she wants to see it should be her choice.
>"Um... there's a free dolphin show coming up soon, but I'm not sure you'd like to see it. Some of it might seem a little... silly."
>Is there anyone within earshot of our conversation? Actually, how crowded is the aquarium for the most part?

>Harami turns to you, tilting her head.
"Silly? I'm not sure what you mean by that. You're just watching them feed the animals, right?"
>The aquarium has a decent turnout, but you should be able to find an empty room easy enough if you have to.

[Zengar Zombolt]

>"Er... no. They do, you know, tricks and all."

[Hello Purvis]

>If she doesn't object, let's just go watch some dolphins. It'll be like watching trained monkeys for her!

[FinnKaenbyou]

>"Er... no. They do, you know, tricks and all."

>Harami just stares. She clearly has no idea what you're talking about here.

>If she doesn't object, let's just go watch some dolphins. It'll be like watching trained monkeys for her!

>You find a few seats near the front of the stand. For the few minutes until the curtain rises, Harami is squirming around. You're not sure if she's curious or nervous. It becomes clear when the curtain is lifted, revealing a pool filled with maybe half a dozen dolphins - one of whom leaps a good five feet out of the water, performing a spin on the way down.
Harami's jaw hits the floor. She stares on in sheer shock as a trainer comes out from the side and talks the dolphins into leaping through hoops, balancing balls on their noses, and - the crowd love this one - playing games with their own air bubbles.
"...It's like teaching an animal how to dance."
She won't admit it, but Harami certainly sounds impressed.

[Sect]

> Relax since Harami isn't offended by the whole thing after all.
> "Humans like to train lots of animals, like monkeys, dogs, birds... Rin tries to do it with her cats, but they mostly run the show there."

[Zengar Zombolt]

"...It's like teaching an animal how to dance."

>"In some cases, we do that too."

[FinnKaenbyou]

> Relax since Harami isn't offended by the whole thing after all.
> "Humans like to train lots of animals, like monkeys, dogs, birds... Rin tries to do it with her cats, but they mostly run the show there."

>"Phwee...>_<"
>"I noticed. Your friend would do better if she wasn't so similar to the creatures she's trying to feed - so impulsive and curious at one moment, then lazy and carefree the next. Honestly, are you certain she isn't a cat?"

>"In some cases, we do that too."

>Silence.
"...You are a strange race."

>The show ends, and there's a small round of applause as the curtain falls again. One or two people seem to be hanging around in the back of the audience, though you aren't sure what for.

[Sect]

> Keep an eye on them: they might be agents of the other kingdoms.
> Start making our way to the exit.

[E-Nazrin]

>Were these people within earshot during the show?
>Some of our comments were a little... sloppy.

[FinnKaenbyou]

> Keep an eye on them: they might be agents of the other kingdoms.
> Start making our way to the exit.

>You catch one of them looking at you on the way out. You can't make out much of them - they're dressed in a jumpsuit, with a cap and visor to cover their eyes. From this distance you can't even be sure about their gender, but what's for certain is that they're paying attention to you in particular.

>Were these people within earshot during the show?
>Some of our comments were a little... sloppy.

>They were at the back of the audience, from what you recall. They probably wouldn't have heard you above the crowd. If they'd seen you before, though...

[Sect]

> Wander through the aquarium again, trying to see if they follow us.

[FinnKaenbyou]

> Wander through the aquarium again, trying to see if they follow us.

>They do not, though you see a few other jumpsuit-wearing employees giving you a bit of a glare...

[Hello Purvis]

>What's their problem?
>Make our way out.

[FinnKaenbyou]

>What's their problem?
>Make our way out.

>You feel a few more glares in your direction on the way out, but no-one stops you as you exit. Harami waits until you're well clear of the building before she speaks.
"...So. I get the feeling we shouldn't head in there again unless we're looking for a fight, if you know what I mean."

[Sect]

> "Were those guys part of the other nations?"
> Start heading to Kawashiro's, checking over our shoulder every now and then.

[FinnKaenbyou]

> "Were those guys part of the other nations?"
> Start heading to Kawashiro's, checking over our shoulder every now and then.

>"Almost definitely. From the general MO, I'd assume Anguilli. They're typically the sort content with waiting around until the best time to strike. The last thing we want to do is take the fight to them while you're still a beginner. Get a few fights under your belt first."

>No-one's following you for the rest of the journey, much to your relief. You make it to Kawashiro's Dive Shop and Swimsuit Emporium with no further incidents.

>The store's the same lightshow it's always been. Harami winces a little at the sign, and keeps her head down as she enters the building proper. The store is split into two distinct segments - the hardcore dive shop to the left, and the less interested and/or cheaper swimsuit racks to the right. You opt for the right, looking for swimsuits around Harami's size. There's dozens of patterns to choose from here, and thankfully no need to choose from an incriminating animal motif this time. Anything you'd want, you'll find here, and in Harami's size.
"I'd rather not delve into your human 'bikini' nonsense," she says, a bit too critically. "I'll wear anything besides that, as long as you can cut a hole in the back of it."

[Sect]

> "That's good, 'cause I don't care much for bikinis, either. Let Rin have that, it's one pieces all the way!"
> Hee hee... we're going to have fun with this! Start picking out and showing Harami different styles and colors: frills, sleek, sky's the limit! If we can find ones that are low cut in the back, then good!

[Hello Purvis]

>And Okuu, of course.
>Try not to get something too expensive, though. And while she's trying it on, let's sidle over to the hardcore diver's stuff. Might be something useful.

[FinnKaenbyou]

> "That's good, 'cause I don't care much for bikinis, either. Let Rin have that, it's one pieces all the way!"
> Hee hee... we're going to have fun with this! Start picking out and showing Harami different styles and colors: frills, sleek, sky's the limit! If we can find ones that are low cut in the back, then good!

>You find plenty with an opening already in the back for Harami to wear. Of these there are two that aren't horribly overpriced - a white number with frills and a moon on it, and a pink swimsuit with a picture of a mermaid.

>And Okuu, of course.
>Try not to get something too expensive, though. And while she's trying it on, let's sidle over to the hardcore diver's stuff. Might be something useful.

>You leave Harami to rummage around herself for a moment, examining the other side of the store. Most of this is what you'd expect - scuba gear, fins, diving masks, snorkels and so on. You can probably get Harami to buy some of these if you feel the need, but you CAN sort of hold your breath for half an hour now.
There are underwater flashlights. Might help if things get dark, admittedly. And a contraption called a Spare Air, which is apparently meant to offer a few quick breaths of air in a little bottle. Handy for emergencies, maybe?
If there's anything else you're looking for, you'll need to go look for it in particular. This place is pretty large.

[Sect]

Well, I don't know much about what's available for underwater things, but I think the only things we might need is an underwater flashlight, and maybe a knife (not really for combat, more for cutting things up like ropes or something). We already have a "spare air" ability.

> Look at what sort of knives they have available. Maybe something small that we can tie around our arm or thigh.

[Kips McKipzerson]

Well, I don't know much about what's available for underwater things, but I think the only things we might need is an underwater flashlight, and maybe a knife (not really for combat, more for cutting things up like ropes or something). We already have a "spare air" ability.

The spare air option wouldn't be there if Rou didnt think we're gunna need it sooner or later. I say we get the flashlight and the knife, if possible the spare air.

[Hello Purvis]

Not necessarily, Kips. It might just be there because it'd be logical for it to be there.

That said, unless it's heavy or something, having a recharge or three would be a good idea just in case. We might need it for someone else.

[E-Nazrin]

At this point, looking for a miniature harpoon gun would probably be a little too suspicious, as much as I'd love to cheat the system.

[FinnKaenbyou]

> Look at what sort of knives they have available. Maybe something small that we can tie around our arm or thigh.

>You find a mean-looking serrated knife for sale that'd probably cut through any rope - any most muscles, too. The only problem is that Japan's got pretty strict knife laws - if it's longer than 6 inches, you need a permit to have it. Unsurprisingly, a high schooler like you does not have a knife permit.

>There are some smaller knives that you can get away with using, though. Good for cutting rope and such, but too short to be much of an offensive threat.

That said, unless it's heavy or something, having a recharge or three would be a good idea just in case. We might need it for someone else.

>You can hold it in your hand without much trouble.

>Harami emerges from the aisle on the right, holding the white swimsuit from earlier. Apparently she chose for herself while you were away.
"Unless you have any objections, I'll be taking this one."

[Sect]

> "To be honest, I was kind of hoping you'd pick that one, it's the cuter one! Anyways... I figured that there might be some things that'll be useful."
> Show her the Spare Air, the underwater light, and one of the dive knives and explain what they do.