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

[Asako Hikari]

Having presented his gift and mingled about with the various courtiers a bit, Hikari wandered over to the koi pond, idly sipping from a champagne flute filled with sparkling water and taking a bite from various charred vegetables and meat skewered on a stick. At least the Crab have good hors d'oeuvres at parties...and little curiousities such as the holographic koi. Lifting a hand to interrupt the path of one of the holograms, he gives a small smile at how it flies through and around the obstruction. After a minute or two of playing with the fish, he turns and takes note of the other samurai near by, offering them bows as appropriate to their station...or at least as far as he can tell. The governor's karo would of course receive one of the deeper ones out of respect, but he does not yet interrupt their conversation out of propriety.

[Agasha Sorato]

Not wanting to fall back into a spot to play a wallflower, and considering that she had just been roped into a visit, Umiko spoke up to the question. She had the status to speak up, after all. "The Azure Dragon is a grand casino and gambling den, Agasha-san. Nakahama City has been more than happy to host Yoritomo-san's stay here. I believe that during her time on the island, her business has become a fixture at the Harbourfront. I would dare say part of the skyline, even. The Azure Dragon is just one of the many businesses part of the island's vibrant and cosmopolitan tapestry of commerce."

She took a small sip of her soft drink and let out a good-natured chuckle. "I suppose a potential visit could put you in a position to consider a stance on it."

"Ah." That explains the question. For a brief nervous moment, Sorato had wondered if he was going to be put on the spot to present the Agasha position on vice laws--and he has no idea if the family even has a position on that issue. But no, this is a Crab province, not a Lion or Crane one, after all.

"I've never been to a casino, unless the spaceport on Daikoku's Dice counts," he admits. The rows of slot machines lining the space station corridors, emitting music and jangling coin noises to attract bored travelers, hadn't made the most appealing impression. But surely an establishment with a glamorous name like 'the Azure Dragon' must be rather more elevated. "It sounds as if I'd better add that to my explorations here."

[Yasuki Umiko]

"Ah." That explains the question. For a brief nervous moment, Sorato had wondered if he was going to be put on the spot to present the Agasha position on vice laws--and he has no idea if the family even has a position on that issue. But no, this is a Crab province, not a Lion or Crane one, after all.

"I've never been to a casino, unless the spaceport on Daikoku's Dice counts," he admits. The rows of slot machines lining the space station corridors, emitting music and jangling coin noises to attract bored travelers, hadn't made the most appealing impression. But surely an establishment with a glamorous name like 'the Azure Dragon' must be rather more elevated. "It sounds as if I'd better add that to my explorations here."

"Oh, Daikoku's Dice?" She highlighted with an impressed nod on the matter and cast a knowing look at Yakura for a moment. In Yakura's gift presentation, she recalled that the Yoritomo mentioned that it was her home, which clearly was a potential in for her in the conversation in case she might have taken the wind from her property. At least, she spoke highly of it in relation to the city.

Umiko let out a soft shy with a meek smile. "I can't say I've had the pleasure of visiting Daikoku's Dice before, even with my many tours around the Empire when I was a member of Aoi48. Alas, I believe our tour schedule was often charted a year in advance to make many changes, often needing to honour certain contracts and agreements made long ago. I think as a result, it hasn't made me a very experienced gambler, even compared to you, Asako-san. Yoritomo-san's most recent gift to our office has reminded me of her residence here, and I'll be visiting the gaming ship as soon as tomorrow. After the First Market, that is."

[Kuni Iwane]

Iwane, dressed in a dated, but otherwise perfectly serviceable haori stood by the koi pond with a glass of umeshu in his hand. He eyed with lazily swimming fish with suspicion, tilting his head to the side as if he was trying to make sense of something. Shaking his head, he turned away from the pond and took a sip, his frown melting into a soft smile that looked a little out of place on his painted features.

As Kanna noticed another person, she snapped out of her own observations of the fish (real and holographic), and offered a kind smile.

"Your face paint is very beautiful!" she said in a chipper but honest voice.

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?"

[Yoritomo Yakura]

Non-stuffy Phoenix talk

Idol Karo talk

"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.

[Susumu Sumiko]

Having taken her time to mingle and also present her gift, Sumiko had found herself with a brief moment beside the Koi pond. She smiled as she watched the fish swimming around, almost chasing each other. It was a simple moment but it allowed her that chance to process the gathering so far. With how she was dressed it wouldn't look too far from stories of the past with samurai clad in kimonos standing by real koi ponds


(ooc - tag to approach!)

[Ikoma Nonoko]

Walking amongst the people the small Lioness in a not so fancy kimono. She knew that people might put on their fancy wares and she didn't want to compete. She in these event didn't want to call much attention by wearing all bells and whistles. She followed protocols of greeting people.

/tag or quote if approached

[Kitsune Kiyoshi]

Kiyoshi and the Detective made their way around the pond, stopping here and there for bits of conversation. They didn't have any particular destination in mind and were simply enjoying meeting everyone.

[Kakita Haruhi]

Kiyoshi and the Detective made their way around the pond, stopping here and there for bits of conversation. They didn't have any particular destination in mind and were simply enjoying meeting everyone.

A young Crane woman dressed in a blue kimono approached him. She gave a bow to him, and to his monkey friend.

"Kitsune-sama, I so enjoyed your presentation! That bird! It was so beautiful."

"I'm Kakita Haruhi. I would love to hear more about where you found that bird and how you taught it to come to you. What kind of bird it is. Ah, I am very interested in the birds native to Nakahama."

"Oh, and is this the famous Detective with you? Hello, Detective-sama! I hear you two are quite the pair."

[Yasuki Umiko]

"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 pedestrian compared to the Crane's cultivated custom of idol groups, but the fact that they could try was at least something. Right?

[Kitsune Kiyoshi]

They both returned the bow. "It is a pleasure to meet you Kakita-san. You are too kind. I do not know if the locals have a different name for the bird, but I know it as a hachietto. I explored the island a little, after this morning's storm. I spotted it from the edge of the jungle and followed it. I have always been good at befriending animals and the hachietto was quite friendly."

The monkey made a chittering noise.

"Oh, yes. This is the Detective. He is also quite friendly."

[Otomo Koroshi]

Ki-kun was dressed like an album cover Idol. Which was easier than you'd expect as he'd done exactly that many times before. It began with high heeled powder blue boots that added maybe four inches to his height, from those we moved up to blue and white diamond patterned thigh high socks. After the perfectly proportioned Absolute Territory came a one piece short shorts and sleeveless top in a blue and white domino pattern. Elbow length gloves with a matching pattern to his socks completed the look.

Well gift successfully presented to the governor. Ki-kun chose the part of the party that had the other host in. He practically sparkled as he smiled and greeted those in the area. A Mantis, another Crab, a Phoenix . . . oh yeah this could get lively.

--

/ooc PM if approaching for a chat please. These threads can get big and unwieldy very quickly and I miss things easily.

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.

[Miya Kisha]

The Otomo's not the only one who goes out to mingle, oh, no.

Miya Kisha is drinking everything in, seeing who talks to whom, trying to distill some sense of pattern and practice from what presents itself to her eyes. And there is certainly a lot of it, so much so that it threatens to overwhelm.

But threats and reality are often at odds.

(PM or quote me, please, just to help me keep track of everything!)

[Kakita Haruhi]

They both returned the bow. "It is a pleasure to meet you Kakita-san. You are too kind. I do not know if the locals have a different name for the bird, but I know it as a hachietto. I explored the island a little, after this morning's storm. I spotted it from the edge of the jungle and followed it. I have always been good at befriending animals and the hachietto was quite friendly."

The monkey made a chittering noise.

"Oh, yes. This is the Detective. He is also quite friendly."

"Ah, I will try to follow your footsteps. The hachietto is so beautiful! I can't wait to hear its song and study it. I make avi-drones and am here to make patterns for birds native to Green Carp."

"I do not have your skill with animals, but perhaps one will linger long enough for me to take recordings. Or perhaps the offer of a picnic or other favor might convince you to go bird watching with me!"

"It's an honor to meet you both! Such stars! What brings you to Green Carp? Are you involved in an animal sanctuary project here?"

[Kitsune Kiyoshi]

"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."

[Yasuki Kaito]

The Otomo's not the only one who goes out to mingle, oh, no.

Miya Kisha is drinking everything in, seeing who talks to whom, trying to distill some sense of pattern and practice from what presents itself to her eyes. And there is certainly a lot of it, so much so that it threatens to overwhelm.

But threats and reality are often at odds.

(PM or quote me, please, just to help me keep track of everything!)

/enter from Park Area

Kaito meandered through the gardens and crossed the invisible barrier into the koi pond area of the garden. He walked through the area with his hands in his pockets to see who was here. His cousin, Umiko, was here naturally. He also assumed that a majority of people who were more hungry than thirsty would be found here, probably ones who couldn't handle a drink. Speaking of hungry, he was a bit disappointed to not see a certain Scorpion in attendance.

However, he did find some opportunity here at the very least. He walked over to the short Imperial with a faint smirk.

"Good evening, Miya-san, I hope you're enjoying yourself tonight?" He took out a prepared card and presented it with a bow, printed with a subtle blue ink pattern on its white background and his name in gold. "I'm Yasuki Kaito, Executive Producer at the Silver Fin Productions, Tango Province Office. Big fan of your work. Bigger fan of your company."

[Miya Kisha]

A fulsome introduction

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?"

[Yasuki Taraka]

Having presented his gift and mingled about with the various courtiers a bit, Hikari wandered over to the koi pond, idly sipping from a champagne flute filled with sparkling water and taking a bite from various charred vegetables and meat skewered on a stick. At least the Crab have good hors d'oeuvres at parties...and little curiousities such as the holographic koi. Lifting a hand to interrupt the path of one of the holograms, he gives a small smile at how it flies through and around the obstruction. After a minute or two of playing with the fish, he turns and takes note of the other samurai near by, offering them bows as appropriate to their station...or at least as far as he can tell. The governor's karo would of course receive one of the deeper ones out of respect, but he does not yet interrupt their conversation out of propriety.

/enter from Park

Taraka leisurely made her way, scanning the crowd for any possible points of interest. Probably not as interesting as the the Governor taking a lover in the park openly, but some stories you were meant to be a part of, and some you were meant tro share.

Spotting a Phoenix nesting in among the wallflowers, she decided to approach.

"Good evening, Phoenix-san. I am Yasuki Taraka, I trust you are enjoying yourself?" she asked with a bow.

[Asako Hikari]

Snip

Despite the fact that he was being a wallflower, Hikari didn't much mind that he was approached, returning the bow to the Yasuki. "Ah, good evening. I am Asako Hikari and it is a pleasure to meet you, Yasuki-san...and yes, the party is quite nice. I had heard that the Crab take their leisure quite seriously, especially given the dour nature of some of your duties. Good to see that the reputation holds up." He takes another sip of his water while offering a smile.

"What is it that you do here on Green Carp, Yasuki-san? I'm afraid that I've yet to make the acquaintance of all of the locals and so find myself at something of a disadvantage."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Snip

Despite the fact that he was being a wallflower, Hikari didn't much mind that he was approached, returning the bow to the Yasuki. "Ah, good evening. I am Asako Hikari and it is a pleasure to meet you, Yasuki-san...and yes, the party is quite nice. I had heard that the Crab take their leisure quite seriously, especially given the dour nature of some of your duties. Good to see that the reputation holds up." He takes another sip of his water while offering a smile.

"What is it that you do here on Green Carp, Yasuki-san? I'm afraid that I've yet to make the acquaintance of all of the locals and so find myself at something of a disadvantage."

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.