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

[Bayushi Kazushi]

"It's an old series - dating back to the late twentieth century, I think?" Kazushi describes. "Shosuro Isamu described a future that thankfully didn't come to pass, in which corporations supplanted - indeed, completely replaced - the clans as a source of power in the Empire. Money becomes the only thing of importance, and greed rules with a grip that not even the Emperor can break. A few people, their identities wiped from the official records, conduct a hopeless war against the corporate would-be masters of the world, in the hopes of restoring the old order. Though he's not the lead in any of the books, each of them features a central figure called Prophet, who speaks of a coming clash not unlike a Day of Thunder... Unfortunately, the series never got that far, as Isamu died under quite unclear circumstances while writing what would have been the seventh and final entry.

"The world he described, lovingly illustrated by Isamu's contemporary Soshi Heyako, feature neon-lit, rainy streets, cities sharply divided into brightly lit corporate paradises and dark and dangerous slums populated by those who rejected or were rejected by that society, and a vast centralized virtual reality-based computer network - this was long before the concept of the data cloud was conceived. Clothing styles were depicted as a mix of utilitarian, with ease of movement, stealth, and storage prioritized, and a kind of cobbled-together appearance that one might expect from people living on what was discarded by the privileged."

[Yasuki Kaito]

Kaito quietly observed the exchange between his cousin and the Yoritomo, who supposedly went on a murder rampage. He half expected the yoriki to show up to make an arrest in the situation where the Mantis couldn't fight their primal urges and make a kidnapping or demand victory by knifepoint.

He finished his drink and cigarette, tossing the butt into the nearest ash receptacle, before making his way to another part of the gardens.

/exit to Koi Pond

[Yasuki Taraka]

With the Mantis having taken and made her shot in an impressive channeling of the spirt of Yoritomo, this side of the party became distinctly less interesting. And so Taraka headed over to see what was happening at the Koi Pond.

/exit to Koi Pond

[Yasuki Ayame]

-

Ayame gave a few appreciative nods at the summary given by Kazushi. Seeing as she didn't know much about the source material, it might have been asking a lot. Neon Prophecy might have been anything from a 90-minute 'short' movie or a serial spanning for 40-something seasons, like that one with Shosuro Hashi-something?

There was a point when Ayame was feeling a bit drinkless and decided to take inspiration from the Scorpion to get a glass of what he was having. She gave her wine glass an obligatory whirl before taking a small sip from it. It was a bit of s step down in strength, but this was a stroll and not a race. At the very least, she could feel somewhat courtier-ish.

"Mm, thank you, Bayushi-san. That sounds a little bleak of a setting, isn't it? Even a mercantile Family like the Yasuki wouldn't want to wish for some future where corporations were more powerful than samurai," she smirked as her gaze flitted between the two Yasuki megacorporations of drink and food in attendance here, half-wondering how the two companies would have it if it were up to them. All money went to their lord, but rivalry was rather strong.

"And what of...Jinx? Where does she fit in all of this?" She asked before taking another sip.

[Bayushi Kazushi]

...

Kazushi smiles, glad to talk about his favorite of the series.

"Jinx comes in to the action in book three, Shadows and Dreams. She's a computer hacker whose brother has been kidnapped by the worst of the megacorporations, cyTech Advanced Engineering, to try to force her to break in and steal a prototype computer program reported to have some unusual properties and capabilities. Knowing that cyTech will betray her as soon as the job's done, Jinx must assemble a team of outcasts and mercenaries who will try to keep her brother safe while she pulls of the heist."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"Oh the usual, a good work is rewarding, listening to music, drinks with friends in a more casual atmosphere," She shrugs, "I have been known to dance a few times as well. Though more of a rely on my natural limberness than real talent for it kind of dancer. I also like the occasional melodrama."

Her smile grows a fraction, "But mostly I love to fly. There is nothing quite like rocketing through the void, fighting the gravity even as the inertia dampeners are screaming as they hold back the worst of it. You start a hard turn and the world temporarily narrows, then you are out and suddenly your hyper focused again. Fortunately the Unicorn also like that I fly and give me a lot of chances to do so."

Senshuken's interest is immediately piqued. Akiro's comment makes it even more clear.

"That definitely makes me a fan girl about to ask for an autograph right on my chest." She jests. Probably. Or most certainly. Or just probably.

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Akiro sipped his drink, looking vaguely pleased as the two women of very different heights spoke, but he didn't interrupt.

"Oh, a pilot?" He gave Suh-Hyun a nod. "I've read about some of those new Unicorn ships. Sound like quite the machines."

He looked back to Senshuken. "If one of you is a pilot and the other a racer, does that make you cohorts? Or the opposite? From different worlds..."

"I'm a combat pilot. Well I was a combat pilot, now I'm a test pilot. There's certainly some overlap." Suh-Hyun chuckled a bit awkwardly, "Probably less so if Bayushi-sama is a ground vehicle only racer."

"What exactly do you do in the Crab forces, Hiruma-sama? If I may ask."

[Hiruma Akiro]

Senshuken's comment was well-timed; he was taking a sip of his drink. He coughed, just managing to not aspirate a mouthful of fruity beverage. After a moment, he took a deep breath, then shook his head. "I see." Was his only contribution.

His expression returned to one of refined interest as a question was directed his way. "I've only just recently begun proper service." Akiro said; careful ears might detect a hint of sensitive pride there. "I went from officer's training into court training into officer exchange training." He cleared his throat. "I hope to be leading a unit of proper Crab soldiers once this is over."

He took another sip of his beverage, more carefully this time. "In the meantime, I'm to attend the Governor's events, and I lead a few patrols around the island. Nothing too serious." He waved his free hand casually. "The aquatic life is more dangerous. Mostly, anyway."

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Senshuken's interest is immediately piqued. Akiro's comment makes it even more clear.

"That definitely makes me a fan girl about to ask for an autograph right on my chest." She jests. Probably. Or most certainly. Or just probably.

Suh-Hyun was trying to stay professional but suddenly being asked for an autograph wasn't expected. "Oh...um... what?" Then her brain processed the location and her on was gone replaced with visible confusion. "Wait where?"

She recovered well enough. "Oh ah, I wouldn't take the Crab as one that does courtly cross training."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"Oh no. Failed joke alert. Failed joke alert." She says in a robotic like voice. "Avoid further contribution to the conversation before the tides turn."

[Yasuki Ayame]

Kazushi smiles, glad to talk about his favorite of the series.

"Jinx comes in to the action in book three, Shadows and Dreams. She's a computer hacker whose brother has been kidnapped by the worst of the megacorporations, cyTech Advanced Engineering, to try to force her to break in and steal a prototype computer program reported to have some unusual properties and capabilities. Knowing that cyTech will betray her as soon as the job's done, Jinx must assemble a team of outcasts and mercenaries who will try to keep her brother safe while she pulls of the heist."

"A hacker? Okay," she took note of that with a chuckle. "The Yasuki are known to have some adept techs in the Clan, often a branch of the Courtiers. But most of them are found on the mainland for all the big tech duties than somewhere like the Tango province, so I can't quite tap...no, plug into much exposure of them locally."

She giggled at that thought, "I'll do my best with what I see in some serials, maybe. And what about her personality? Is she like aloof and mysterious, pouty face get-off-my-back type? Or she is super confident I-can-do-this-all-day kickass sort?"

[Bayushi Kazushi]

"Most assuredly the latter," Kazushi replies. "No angst about being stuck in such a situation, only anger and a determination to get through it and to take down the people who wanted to hurt her."

...

[Hiruma Akiro]

Suh-Hyun was trying to stay professional but suddenly being asked for an autograph wasn't expected. "Oh...um... what?" Then her brain processed the location and her on was gone replaced with visible confusion. "Wait where?"

She recovered well enough. "Oh ah, I wouldn't take the Crab as one that does courtly cross training."

"Oh no. Failed joke alert. Failed joke alert." She says in a robotic like voice. "Avoid further contribution to the conversation before the tides turn."

Senshuken's antics, failed joke included, at least got a chuckle out of Akiro.

Looking at Suh-Hyun, he shrugged. "The Crab had to modernize the same as everyone else." He said, just the tiniest bit coolly. "We're not just guardians of The Wal anymore. We're a multisystem Clan, just like the others. Combat and fortifications still have their place, but so does interplanetary logistics systems and mutual support pacts."

He gestured around. "Which brings us here, I suppose. Officers and courtiers and racers all."

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

"Oh no. Failed joke alert. Failed joke alert." She says in a robotic like voice. "Avoid further contribution to the conversation before the tides turn."

Senshuken's antics, failed joke included, at least got a chuckle out of Akiro.

Looking at Suh-Hyun, he shrugged. "The Crab had to modernize the same as everyone else." He said, just the tiniest bit coolly. "We're not just guardians of The Wal anymore. We're a multisystem Clan, just like the others. Combat and fortifications still have their place, but so does interplanetary logistics systems and mutual support pacts."

He gestured around. "Which brings us here, I suppose. Officers and courtiers and racers all."

You've done it now. Suh-Hyun managed to keep a smile even as she suddenly had a thought of her plane flaming out. Well conversation was kind of like dogfighting, remain calm, gain altitude, and dive in. Technically she already had altitude, and going on to her tip toes would be both painful in these boots and probably counterproductive.

"A joke yes, sorry," Her awkward laugh was more self depreciating than mocking. Probably giving the accurate impression she had been the butt of the joke.

"Oh, I meant more...I always ascribed a level of pragmatism to the Crab. I forgot part of that is reassessing and changing to meet the situation." She realized, a drink would have been taken if she had one.

[Yasuki Ayame]

"Most assuredly the latter," Kazushi replies. "No angst about being stuck in such a situation, only anger and a determination to get through it and to take down the people who wanted to hurt her."

Ayame tapped her chin on that thought as she took in the idea before trying to do her best to adopt a grim and determined face. However, she could only hold it for a moment before she broke out in laughter. "...Maybe that's too serious there, sorry. But that's good to keep in mind when it comes to potential photos. I don't think I need to go as far as actually role-play her. We'll see! The story does sound a bit interesting, even if it's a bit grim. I can probably overlook it for the style, especially if there's some action involved."

She took a small sip of her glass, taking a moment to appreciate the notes of fruit in the wine choice.

"I could only imagine that you must have some really elaborate plans for Fan Con? Are you also going to be fulfilling orders for your kinsmen? Should I expect a structured, organized scheme from the Scorpion Clan representatives?" She smiled with a glint in her eyes at that idea.

[Bayushi Kazushi]

"We actually haven't had much opportunity to coordinate, I'm afraid," admits the Scorpion. "I've only met one of them before, Bayushi Hinata, and that was on the journey here. Of those that I've met, our styles are...fairly incompatible. Hinata and I prefer business semi-formal, although I can adopt other styles, as I have here. Otherwise, I've met a bike racer..."

He nods toward Senshuken.

"...and an understated independent computer programmer. Perhaps our approach should embrace this wider range, though, rather than attempting to focus on any single concept. I have something picked out for myself, of course, that should fit the event's theme..."

...

[Hiruma Akiro]

You've done it now. Suh-Hyun managed to keep a smile even as she suddenly had a thought of her plane flaming out. Well conversation was kind of like dogfighting, remain calm, gain altitude, and dive in. Technically she already had altitude, and going on to her tip toes would be both painful in these boots and probably counterproductive.

"A joke yes, sorry," Her awkward laugh was more self depreciating than mocking. Probably giving the accurate impression she had been the butt of the joke.

"Oh, I meant more...I always ascribed a level of pragmatism to the Crab. I forgot part of that is reassessing and changing to meet the situation." She realized, a drink would have been taken if she had one.

Meanwhile, Akiro had finished his drink. He placed his empty glass on the tray of a passing server.

"It's fine." He said, smiling for a brief moment before his face snapped back to Resting Uncomfortable Face, albeit a handsome version of it. "There's plenty of Crab that think all we're good for is building walls and hitting with tetsubos. And drinking sake, of course."

He took a breath, then smiled again. "So. Shinjo-san. May I ask what project the Unicorn wish to bring here? If it's not a secret, that is." Akiro looked at Senshuken, raising an eyebrow; was what she'd told him secret, or did she want to share it with the Unicorn, too?

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Meanwhile, Akiro had finished his drink. He placed his empty glass on the tray of a passing server.

"It's fine." He said, smiling for a brief moment before his face snapped back to Resting Uncomfortable Face, albeit a handsome version of it. "There's plenty of Crab that think all we're good for is building walls and hitting with tetsubos. And drinking sake, of course."

He took a breath, then smiled again. "So. Shinjo-san. May I ask what project the Unicorn wish to bring here? If it's not a secret, that is." Akiro looked at Senshuken, raising an eyebrow; was what she'd told him secret, or did she want to share it with the Unicorn, too?

"Well, I was expecting an Ide here to answer that but for whatever reason that hasn't happened." She did sigh now letting her exasperation at the situation leak out a little, "So personally I figure the best thing for it is to find out what you folks want and just help you get it. I hope to canvas your local shops over the next few days and see if I can get an idea what would help their businesses. Hopefully my clan can provide it, but regardless it's your homes and your lives that will have to live with the decision."

Suh-Hyun smiles awkwardly, "I suppose I am being naive."

[Hiruma Akiro]

"Well, I was expecting an Ide here to answer that but for whatever reason that hasn't happened." She did sigh now letting her exasperation at the situation leak out a little, "So personally I figure the best thing for it is to find out what you folks want and just help you get it. I hope to canvas your local shops over the next few days and see if I can get an idea what would help their businesses. Hopefully my clan can provide it, but regardless it's your homes and your lives that will have to live with the decision."

Suh-Hyun smiles awkwardly, "I suppose I am being naive."

"Hmmm." Akiro said, frowning thoughtfully. "Well, it seems to me that you wouldn't have been assigned here without reason. And if you were supposed to have an Ide, and it didn't happen, you'll just have to make the best of it." He gave her a nod. "Just do the work, I'm sure you'll do fine."

He grimaced, rubbing his hands together as he looked around again. "I wish I could help more. I grew up here, but I've been away for years. It hasn't changed that much, but nevertheless..." He looked back at Suh-Hyun. "Unless you want to eat a lot of Crab; I know where to find that. Try Crabkaku."

[Yasuki Ayame]

"We actually haven't had much opportunity to coordinate, I'm afraid," admits the Scorpion. "I've only met one of them before, Bayushi Hinata, and that was on the journey here. Of those that I've met, our styles are...fairly incompatible. Hinata and I prefer business semi-formal, although I can adopt other styles, as I have here. Otherwise, I've met a bike racer..."

He nods toward Senshuken.

"...and an understated independent computer programmer. Perhaps our approach should embrace this wider range, though, rather than attempting to focus on any single concept. I have something picked out for myself, of course, that should fit the event's theme..."

"Oooh, so something of a mixed squad then?" She brought up with a raised brow, thinking back to some of those gift presentations as she looked around the clearing for other Scorpions. "A coordinated presentation would have been interesting for a few seconds, but actually, actually, I think I'm more in favour of a bit more variety than anything else. Just doing a little digging to see if there was a plan within a plan put out there."

She took a delicate sip from her glass this time, nursing the drink a little, "Is this your first time on the Green Carp, Bayushi-san? You kind of strike me as someone who has been to more than a few places. Maybe not Shiawase Island, but here before. The Skycarp, maybe? Aoihama?"