[Day 1 - Early Evening] Making an Impression, Koi Pond Area (RP thread)

[Yasuki Kaito]

Kisha smiles and accepts the card with a bow. "It's always a pleasure to meet a fellow professional," she says as she rises. She also takes out her communicator and presses a button, the screen showing a code. "My contact information, if you'd care to scan it.

"I think I might have seen you at the Pink Lotus last night, talking with a young Scorpion? And I take it you're local to the area, at least? I remember you mentioning something about it in some of your earlier work.

"Speaking of, what all are you working on these days?"

Kaito raised his brows at first. It wasn't a card of her own, but it was most certainly better than a piece of fancy cardboard. He would pull out his communicator and happily scan the offered code, forwarding his own contact as the very next thing he did. "My thanks, Miya-san."

"Sitting over there with Bayushi Hinata-san? Yes, that was me. I was assuming that he was an acquaintance of yours, considering you were dancing with his charge, I believe? Anyway, small details," he smirked as he moved on from that topic. "Not-quite-local but the next best thing. My home is actually on Gakko Island, neighbouring Shiawase Island and in the Tango Province proper. While this island hosts the bushi dojo, we have the Yasuki Courtier dojo. The Radiant Scales Dojo is perhaps the oldest school on the Green Carp. I've been here plenty of time to make me an honorary local, so to speak. It also helps that I'm well acquainted with both Ayame-chan and Umiko-chan"

"Where do I begin, Miya-san?" He posed a rhetorical question as he grinned. "Silver Fin Productions is here to help with Ayame-chan's gathering and mastermind some of the events. Of course, this is an opportunity for us to get some coverage, scout for new talent, get some new content, and as well as shoot some classic shows."

[Miya Kisha]

snip

"There does seem to be plenty of content to be had," Kisha says, looking up at Kaito. "I can imagine that some producers might find the variety overwhelming. I'm not among them, I hope, and from what you've said, I don't expect that you are, either.

"But that does invite the question of what kind of talent you're looking for," the Miya continues. "I mean, there's content and content, so there's talent and talent."

She snags a small bit of food from a passing hors d'oeuvres tray and pops it into her mouth, chewing slowly and enjoying the shrimp flavor.

[Tamori Kanna]

Hearing Kanna speak up, Iwane turned to her, blinking. "Thank you." He was a little confused, but figured that the small woman was merely tipsy. The umeshu they served was good, and she did look like a lightweight. "Good evening, Tamori-san," Iwane greeted the tiny Dragon specimen.

"Kuni Iwane." He offered Kanna a stiff bow, unsure what to make of her. "I take you haven't met many of my kin before?"

"M-m," she said with a soft shake of her head. "I met a Kuni once back home. They were an exchange student with the Tamori, but she still had the face paint. It was very pretty - like some Kabuki-hero!"

While she seemed overly positive and enthusiastic, she was drinking a non-alcoholic beverage. "Oh yes, I am Tamori Kanna of the Dragon! I represent the brand of Usagi no Yomogi. It is a pleasure to meet you." A quick bow was given.

[Asako Hikari]

Taraka nods.

"Indeed, there's a saying from back in the homeworld, 'The walls of Kyuden Hida are very hard, but the pillows are very soft.' I'm glad we're delivering upon such a reputation." she recalled.

"I support my father's business as a junior manager at Flying Battle Carps. He's been....busy as of late, so I've been doing some of the networking...that he'd normally be doing." she explained, mostly truthfully.

It sounded better than her father was locking himself away in a design lab rather than taking up the mantle of networking that her dead mother was responsible for.

"But you are just as mysterious, are you not, Asako-san? You're literally otherworldly. So what brings you to Green Carp besides soft pillows?" she asked.

"Flying Battle Carps? That sounds...vaguely toy-like in some fashion. Unless the Yasuki have suddenly created carp-shaped military drones. Then again, I think the Kaiu and the Kuni might find that incredibly appealing. A pond full of seemingly innocent fish let loose on some Jigoku-tainted world...and then BAM, little jade cannons inside." He chuckles and then raises a free hand to lightly adjust his temporator.

"You pay me quite the compliment Yasuki-san, but I am afraid that I am but a mere man. I was invited as part of the investment initiatives. Few among the Phoenix are well-versed in the business of economics and the intricacies of trade agreements, so I find myself here enjoying the hospitality of your world." He reaches into the black plastic case he carried and pulled out one of the wafer-thin touch reactive business cards he carried, in case Taraka had not received one earlier in the mingling, offering it to her if the case. "I represent Renewal Financial, an interplanetary investment firm."

[Kakita Hiroki]

A swirling and painfully dizzy mass of silver and green erupted onto the koi pond with the power of a thousand suns!

The Otomo had put his suit back on after dancing for the governor, but unfortunately for his sense of style putting the stilts back on required taking his special pants off and the assistance of a servant, neither of which he was willing to engage in public. So he settled for allowing his nauseatingly patterned clothing to do its holy work all on its own without the extra meter and a half of light-weight steel to prop him up.

Spotting a Crane who looked vaguely familiar he moved with purpose until he was able to enter close enough to bow, which he did so with significantly more respect than was really necessary. Partly because after using the stilts for so long his balance was off, and partly because his sense of recognition at the sight of the Crane suggested to him that they were someone important in the Crane bureaucracy or related to someone important.

"Greetings, this humble servant is Otomo Koroshi, might I know the honored one's name?!" Koroshi's voice was naturally loud, and he saw no point in letting it sit any softer than a battlefield command.

The sudden appearance of a fashion . . . . statement, yes . . . we'll go with statement and not victim because Otomo, literally shocked Ki-kun about any doubts he was having of picking this side of the evening to mingle in.

"Oh my . . . that . . . that's certainly an eye catching outfit, Otomo-sama. This one is Kakita Hiroki, a mere idol singer of the Crane."

Is it rude to put my shades on now or can I put up with the dazzle for another five minutes and then put them on . . . . ?

[Kuni Iwane]

"M-m," she said with a soft shake of her head. "I met a Kuni once back home. They were an exchange student with the Tamori, but she still had the face paint. It was very pretty - like some Kabuki-hero!"

While she seemed overly positive and enthusiastic, she was drinking a non-alcoholic beverage. "Oh yes, I am Tamori Kanna of the Dragon! I represent the brand of Usagi no Yomogi. It is a pleasure to meet you." A quick bow was given.

"Pleasure is all mine, Tamori-san." Iwane reached into his sleeve and handed the small Dragon his business card, holding it with two hands. "I represent the interests of Gensei Iyakumono." There was a hint of pride in his voice.

"Usagi no Yomogi? I have to admit I haven't had the honor of hearing about the company you represent." Then again, Iwane could count the Dragon he had ever talked with fingers of one hand, including Kanna. "I take Tamori-san is here for business then?"

[Agasha Sorato]

"Oh, it definitely counts." Yakura's lit up like a child who has been forcefed a shitton of candy. "Isn't the Dice the BEST?"

Thank god he wasn't a stuffy Phoenix. She knew the damn Phoenix had some insame vice laws in some areas. What do you mean there is a maximum amount you can bet?!

"You will love it on the Dragon then, I had some slot machines imported from the Dice special." She glanced towards Karo-chan. "Even though the customs were a hassle." She winked at Umiko to signify that this was a joke.

"Ahi, I am sorry to hear that Yasuki-sama. Any interesting places you did get to visit though?" She recalled that the karo was part of the idol group. I should look up some songs from that era.

Umiko could only offer a small titter at the mention of the slot machines. It was a hassle that was necessary, unfortunately for the Mantis. They had to ensure that the machine was up to code, clocking the appropriate income and output, as well as mathing out the return that Yasuki could tax for their portion.

She smiled warmly at the question. "Most of our obligations typically kept us in Aoihama, but the group managed to negotiate some tours around the Empire. I'm very thankful to have been a part of those opportunities during my tenure in the group, allowing me to see much of the Empire at an early age, even if those stays were too brief to my liking. I've been to the Scorpion World of Dreams for an allied concert broadcast with the Soshi Network, as well as a few date on the Dragon world of Glitter Scale. Perhaps the most daring breakthrough during my time was a few small dates on both the Crane world of Miyabi and the Golden Mirror."

There was a shrug of her shoulder on the last two words. Aoi48 was perhaps predetrian compared to the Crane's cultivated custom of idol groups, but the fact that they could try was at least something. Right?

"I... think I'd find it more interesting to play at something with other people, actually," Sorato says, diplomatically, at the further mention of slot machines. "The Dice was certainly impressive, though." Rather overwhelmingly so, especially since he had transited through it on his way back from several very quiet months in a tiny research outpost with only a few other humans around.

"More as an, uh, unique urban cultural site than a performance venue," he adds, somewhat apologetically, to Umiko. "I can't say most of the people doing business there looked like they had much time to spare for musical performances."

Sorato has some vague notion that the governor's sister used to be in one of those mass idol groups, and he doesn't imagine that would be the type of music popular in the galaxy's most prosperous hive of scum and villainy. Then again, what would be? Black metal pirate chanties, perhaps? Anyway, surely something with dirtier lyrics than a songwriter would put in the mouths of forty-eight of the Green Carp's most wholesome young female celebrities.

"I've always been curious about Golden Mirror, though I've never been. Where do you call home, Yasuki-sama?"

[Yasuki Taraka]

"Flying Battle Carps? That sounds...vaguely toy-like in some fashion. Unless the Yasuki have suddenly created carp-shaped military drones. Then again, I think the Kaiu and the Kuni might find that incredibly appealing. A pond full of seemingly innocent fish let loose on some Jigoku-tainted world...and then BAM, little jade cannons inside." He chuckles and then raises a free hand to lightly adjust his temporator.

"You pay me quite the compliment Yasuki-san, but I am afraid that I am but a mere man. I was invited as part of the investment initiatives. Few among the Phoenix are well-versed in the business of economics and the intricacies of trade agreements, so I find myself here enjoying the hospitality of your world." He reaches into the black plastic case he carried and pulled out one of the wafer-thin touch reactive business cards he carried, in case Taraka had not received one earlier in the mingling, offering it to her if the case. "I represent Renewal Financial, an interplanetary investment firm."

"Well, your near the truth, Asako-san. The originals were military prototypes of quadcopters, meant to be used in testing of new materials and weapon systems. My family secured the rights from Kaiu Heavy Industries to make a civilian version for aerial drone combat. Civilian materials, a fresh coat of scales, a rebrand and poof, Flying Battle Carps." she explained.

She took the offered business card with both hands and examined it carefully. It was....seriously impressive. She almost didn't want to give him one in return, but while her card was much much more plain, it did have her contact information, so she offered it in return.

"My my, Asako-san, that is quite the card, worthy of the job listed upon it. Your work must see you travelling quite frequently and seeing the best of so many worlds."

[Tamori Kanna]

"Pleasure is all mine, Tamori-san." Iwane reached into his sleeve and handed the small Dragon his business card, holding it with two hands. "I represent the interests of Gensei Iyakumono." There was a hint of pride in his voice.

"Usagi no Yomogi? I have to admit I haven't had the honor of hearing about the company you represent." Then again, Iwane could count the Dragon he had ever talked with fingers of one hand, including Kanna. "I take Tamori-san is here for business then?"

Accepting the card, Kanna looked it over, and fetched a business card from her purse to offer in return. Even its make was as bright and cheerful that she was - who knew, maybe she had a hand in designing that cutesy logo too.



"It is a medi-spa in Dragon space, owned by my family. We are looking to expand, and we believe that the services could be welcome here on Green Carp! So with the invitations given by governor Yasuki-sama, I am here~," she shared with an easy voice, having gone through much of the same spiel so far that evening. Though she much more preferred talking over the cards.

[Yasuki Kaito]

-

"Oh Kami, no," he said on the matter dismissively with a scoff. "Even with just the Chill channel, there are far too many tabs to micromanage that it would make anyone lose their minds, heh. No, I'd say that my position in all of this is more higher level, more supervisory and shot calling. That said, there's still that appeal of being on the street and sometimes catching the opportunity where content is made, spontaneously and on the spot."

He offered a glance around the party and shrugged, as if saying, 'maybe in a place like this'.

"I think we would welcome some Imperial interests, if it were up to me," he said before holding out his hands. "Now, I don't know how the heads at the top would feel about that, or your own work schedule, Miya-san. I'm a knowledgeable guy, and you're someone with your own platform."

"We do things a bit differently in the Crab Clan. Our talents don't always come from an established traditional artisan pipeline but instead they are discovered. Our procedure is more fluid. Sometimes they find fame on their own and are recruited, or show some potential on first impression. Call it the modern draw lot play, in a way," he snickered. "Actually, the studio is hoping that some here would be willing to be recorded during their participation in the events, with their permission, of course."

[Kuni Iwane]

---

He had to admit that her card was far cuter than his. Then again, GenYaku had always been practical, and while the company had a marketing department, no one had bothered to ask them for a design for business cards. Iwane made a mental note to check if the design team could be asked to produce something more presentable.

"Oh." She could see an eyebrow rise. "How medical, if I may ask? Traditional? Herbal?" She could hear the curiosity in his voice. "Though, perhaps this topic should be discussed somewhere else. I wish not to bore Tamori-san with business on such a lovely evening." Iwane had almost forgotten he wasn't supposed to talk money in public.

[Miya Kisha]

snip

"Oh, that would be lovely," Kisha replies. "A live-streamed draw-lot, complete with audience feedback, could be quite the thing. I don't recall that it's been done before, so it would be novel in a rare way. And even the edited version that would follow would be a remarkably useful thing for later content creators...what a wonderful idea you've hit on!

"It's exactly the kind of thing that my audiences would enjoy. I'll look forward to talking to you more about it, maybe sometime when we can sit down and do more to take better notes." She smiles, gesturing around. "It'd be a shame not to take advantage of seeing what's showing itself here.

"And as far as my involvement in it," she continues, "one of the advantages of leading the brand is that I've got a lot of, shall we say, flexibility in what goes on with it. There are some I still answer to, of course, but they're, how do we say, inclined to go along with what I do."

Another passing plate goes by, and another little morsel is plucked delicately from it. Or as delicately as the clear height difference makes possible, anyway.

[Tamori Kanna]

---

He had to admit that her card was far cuter than his. Then again, GenYaku had always been practical, and while the company had a marketing department, no one had bothered to ask them for a design for business cards. Iwane made a mental note to check if the design team could be asked to produce something more presentable.

"Oh." She could see an eyebrow rise. "How medical, if I may ask? Traditional? Herbal?" She could hear the curiosity in his voice. "Though, perhaps this topic should be discussed somewhere else. I wish not to bore Tamori-san with business on such a lovely evening." Iwane had almost forgotten he wasn't supposed to talk money in public.

"Herbal and traditional mostly," she didn't mind answering the question. Wasn't that why they were here? "Our mission is to offer a relaxing retreat for those recuperating. No operations of surgery or anything like that, but treatments with focus on wellness and recovery. Of course, we welcome other visitors too and offer them more aesthetic services."

Kanna smiled reassuringly. "It's no trouble talking about this. We're here to mingle and talk about who we represent, I think?"

[Kuni Iwane]

----

"Herbal and traditional mostly," she didn't mind answering the question. Wasn't that why they were here? "Our mission is to offer a relaxing retreat for those recuperating. No operations of surgery or anything like that, but treatments with focus on wellness and recovery. Of course, we welcome other visitors too and offer them more aesthetic services."

Kanna smiled reassuringly. "It's no trouble talking about this. We're here to mingle and talk about who we represent, I think?"
[/quote]

"So all natural, all herbal?" Iwane nodded. She had caught his interest. "You'll find my kin very pragmatic, Tamori-san." Raising his glass to his lips, he took a sip of the sweet umeshu."That said, Crab have always been traditional, deep down. So you might have a market here." In some ways, the Crab were more traditional than the Crane.

"I suppose." Tilting his head to the side, he tried to make sense of the fashionably dressed young woman. She did not look like a beacon of tradition. "What sort of services are you talking about?"

[Yasuki Umiko]

"I... think I'd find it more interesting to play at something with other people, actually," Sorato says, diplomatically, at the further mention of slot machines. "The Dice was certainly impressive, though." Rather overwhelmingly so, especially since he had transited through it on his way back from several very quiet months in a tiny research outpost with only a few other humans around.

"More as an, uh, unique urban cultural site than a performance venue," he adds, somewhat apologetically, to Umiko. "I can't say most of the people doing business there looked like they had much time to spare for musical performances."

Sorato has some vague notion that the governor's sister used to be in one of those mass idol groups, and he doesn't imagine that would be the type of music popular in the galaxy's most prosperous hive of scum and villainy. Then again, what would be? Black metal pirate chanties, perhaps? Anyway, surely something with dirtier lyrics than a songwriter would put in the mouths of forty-eight of the Green Carp's most wholesome young female celebrities.

"I've always been curious about Golden Mirror, though I've never been. Where do you call home, Yasuki-sama?"

"I would say my home is easily, Shiawase Island," she nodded firmly at her answer. Assuming that the Phoenix was asking where she felt most at home, especially after her previous career might have displaced her, according to her shared resume of travels. "I was born and raised here in Nakahama City, although my adult training brought me to Aoihama. It's been nearly a decade since my permanent return to the island, but even then, my homecoming has really felt natural. Especially now, that I've come to see how the city has grown but still felt familiar, as well as pick up a few friends along the way in my absence, that made themselves a part of the island's family. I'm honoured to be welcomed back."

It was a bit of a practiced answer, admittedly, but said with great sincerity.

Day 1 - Early Evening, Sincerity (Honesty)/Awareness: Benten's Blessing with Void 1/3 | 9k5 ⇒ 40

[Kakita Haruhi]

"I am hoping that a sanctuary could be established." he nodded. "Hopefully, the Yasuki will be amenable to the idea. We would be happy to go bird watching with you. I might be able to help you with those recordings."

"Oh that would be wonderful. I appreciate your help. I think we could help each other. Making avi-drones of the local birds - particularly the unusual jungle birds - invests people in their story and preservation. It's like having a pet bird. You love the bird it represents and want to do your best to make sure they have all they need. Or, hopefully that's how people feel. I think awareness of the birds - their appearance, names, songs, unique features - and a simulated pet experience is a great way to generate interest in the sanctuary."

[Tamori Kanna]

"So all natural, all herbal?" Iwane nodded. She had caught his interest. "You'll find my kin very pragmatic, Tamori-san." Raising his glass to his lips, he took a sip of the sweet umeshu."That said, Crab have always been traditional, deep down. So you might have a market here." In some ways, the Crab were more traditional than the Crane.

"I suppose." Tilting his head to the side, he tried to make sense of the fashionably dressed young woman. She did not look like a beacon of tradition. "What sort of services are you talking about?"

Kanna on the other hand sipped more drink through the straw in her can of Kaiu Cola. "Oh, I didn't know the Crab were so traditional! I saw all the big weapons and stuff and thought you were more... non-traditional?" she wasn't quite sure how to put it into words.

"The aesthetic services are for skincare, wellness, beauty, and health. A lot of the usual stuff you will find at a spa - facials, massages - with a focus on traditional treatments in a place of calm - a samurai with a centered mind and spirit can accomplish more! In our main location, we have aestheticians for beauty appointments, instructors for exercises, dermatologists for skin health and treatments, and masseurs for massages. Our brand name comes from the traditional use of mugwort in medicine and herbal treatments, and it's a signature ingredient for the products we use."

[Otomo Koroshi]

The sudden appearance of a fashion . . . . statement, yes . . . we'll go with statement and not victim because Otomo, literally shocked Ki-kun about any doubts he was having of picking this side of the evening to mingle in.

"Oh my . . . that . . . that's certainly an eye catching outfit, Otomo-sama. This one is Kakita Hiroki, a mere idol singer of the Crane."

Is it rude to put my shades on now or can I put up with the dazzle for another five minutes and then put them on . . . . ?

"You are kindness itself to say so! I will immediately request one to be made in your size, though I think gold instead of silver! Yes, gold!" He literally patted himself on the back before adopting a more serious mein.

"This one knows the work of an idol is never mere anything. My mother owns and operates a dance studio in Toshi Ranbo which gives me a unique look into the life and struggle of actors, idols, and professional dancers. Many hundreds of hours go into every minute of a performance." The Otomo began to dance a little to music only he could hear but stopped himself before he punched the Kakita with a fist.

"You look familiar. Have you ever visited Toshi Ranbo?" He asked, adjusting his suit jacket again after the little twirl.

[Asako Hikari]

"Well, your near the truth, Asako-san. The originals were military prototypes of quadcopters, meant to be used in testing of new materials and weapon systems. My family secured the rights from Kaiu Heavy Industries to make a civilian version for aerial drone combat. Civilian materials, a fresh coat of scales, a rebrand and poof, Flying Battle Carps." she explained.

She took the offered business card with both hands and examined it carefully. It was....seriously impressive. She almost didn't want to give him one in return, but while her card was much much more plain, it did have her contact information, so she offered it in return.

"My my, Asako-san, that is quite the card, worthy of the job listed upon it. Your work must see you travelling quite frequently and seeing the best of so many worlds."

"That does make a great deal of sense. As pragmatic as ever it would seem. As for the civilian product, that seems like it could be a unique niche to be filled. I know that there are small drones used for filming and such, but to do battle with them is intriguing. Do you have a sort of league structure or is it more loosely organized?"

Hikari takes the card from Taraka and nods, slipping a small pen from within the sleeves of his haori and scribbling down a few notes on it before slipping the card into his case with the others.

"My thanks, Yasuki-san. My travels do let me see a great many places and while I do get to see what my hosts are keen to present to me, I prefer to do a bit of research on potential clients myself. I was trained by the Ide," he would say, pointing to a small purple mon embroidered on his suit. "And so find myself with some of their ideals when it comes to business partners. Honesty, flexibility, and most importantly: Always see how they treat those beneath them when they don't think you're looking."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Money Noises

Well that was an interesting little addendum at the end.

"Well, it's sort of a league structure, taking a bit of inspiration from the wandering duelists of old." she explained. "The rules are meant to encourage people testing their skills against different opponents, and discourage unfavorable results like one strong pilot repeatedly pummeling a weak pilot, experienced pilots refusing to duel new pilots, or a skilled pilot having their standing ruined by a fluke." she explained.

She shook her head.

"Of course, inevitably as soon as you write a rule down, there's someone looking to find a way to bend if not break it outright. We'll see what happens and update accordingly for next time."

She smiled a bit.

"I'm sure you've had to deal with similar. You simply want an honest assessment of potential so you can make an informed decision so you can get a return on your investment to do more investing. It's easier to paint over problems than fix them, and without your discerning eye, you might find yourself setting sail in a boat that's all paint and no wood."