Nakahama

The rain certainly been coming and going these past few days. It was a good thing they hadn't scheduled for a duel at dawn. While the Kakita was pretty in rain or shine, the a duel in the rain would have been difficult.

Taraka made her way to the beach in light clothes for the coming head and humidity, carrying her drone and a sign for "Golden Battle Carps."

Now she had but to await her challenger.

Haruhi arrived with her drone and banner.

The banner had been painted to perfectly resemble a carp, like the carp streamers of old.

Her drone Sky Blue had been thus far modified to play a recording of the carp streamers folk song - Irakano Namito - as it flew.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXlPJ60 ... rt_radio=1

"Yasuki-san! I'm here."

Taraka bowed politely.

"Good to see you and Sky Blue, Kakita-san." she offered, glad the weather had cleared up, even if the wet sand was a bit of a hassle to walk through. "Are the two of you ready to take to the air against Coin's Edge?"

"I think so! Though you may need to guide me through the steps. I want to be sure I am following the rules."

Taraka nods.

"It's pretty straightforward, Kakita-san. We'll both take off and then try to sever each other's banner with a rotor. You can dodge and race about as you need to maneuver, just stay away from people and their things." she explains.

(Opposed Agi/Piloting rolls, essentially best 3 out of 5, do not count ties.)

Her drone took to the sky, looking lovely and filling the air with the charming folksong.

She tried to use the controls to make it move as carp like as possible!

This did not contribute to its speed or defense.

https://sakkaku.org/r/19130 19 pilot/agility

Taraka was honestly impressed. Well at least more impressed than concerned. She had been a little worried that the Kakita's modifications would break the ban on recording devices being installed, but as long as it could only playback, it'd probably be fine. Hopefully they didn't get any noise complaints about the beautiful music. Taraka rather liked the idea of setting music to the fights. It had potential.

But not the potential to distract her. She was clearly had the advantage in maneuvering.

1st pass, 29, because I keep forgetting to add the legends bonus to the roller vs. 19

"The music is a nice touch, Kakita-san. I'm impressed you managed to add that modification without affecting it's airworthiness." she offered as a sincere compliment.

Haruhi smiled.

"Thanks! It both connects it to tradition and adds ambience, I hope. Though the beach is a good setting also to bring the sound of the sea. Truly it is the combination of sounds that really works for flying carp battle music."


(what bonus does the legends drone give?)

Kakita Haruhi wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 4:46 pm Haruhi smiled.

"Thanks! It both connects it to tradition and adds ambience, I hope. Though the beach is a good setting also to bring the sound of the sea. Truly it is the combination of sounds that really works for flying carp battle music."


(what bonus does the legends drone give?)

(+2)

Taraka grins.

"We might have to see if you have time to put together an album. I could see it being something offered at the store." she offered.

Haruhi was feeling a little more comfortable after the first bout.

She sent her carp up again, still focusing on carp-like movement, but adding some raptor air combat technique. A little more defense and offense. But was it enough?

https://sakkaku.org/r/19139 25

(Haruhi 1: Taraka: 1)

The sudden switch in movements did manage to buy the Kakita some breathing room.

22 vs 25, Point to Haruchi

Taraka nodded appreciatively.

"Nice move there, Kakita-san, I wasn't expecting that." she complimented.

Haruhi grinned brightly. "I did not expect to get the upper hand in any of the passes! All that bird movement study is paying off!"

She sent up Sky Blue again, carp painting trailing.

She tried a bit more dance-like movements, but it didn't have the flexibility and articulation of her avi-drones. That cost her some speed and left her open for attack!

https://sakkaku.org/r/19144 16

(Haurhi: 1, Taraka: 2)

And just like that Coin's Edge was back on Sky Blue's trail.

"Don't get too cocky, Kakita-san. The air kami are fickle and do love to amuse themselves with those who are." she playfully offered.

Agi/Pilot 22 vs 19, Point Taraka

She was cautious now. Less confident.

Listen to the music. Relax.

But it wasn't her best showing.

https://sakkaku.org/r/19148 17

And as it was said, he who hesitates is lost. Or has lost in this case. Just as the folk music hit a high point, Coin's Edge sailed beneath it severing the banner. The two drones parted each other's company, as duelists passing each other after a strike might. But it was Taraka's banner that still flew proudly while the Kakita's fell back to earth.

24 vs 17, final point Taraka.


She bowed to her defeated opponent.

"You did well for your first time, Kakita-san. I can see a lot of potential in you should you choose to put more time in practicing your skill at this." she offered honestly.

She smiled.

"I need to study piloting, as opposed to choreography. But I can't think of a better way to learn! And I feel ready to face other challengers."

"Remind me of the cadence again? One match with each competitor per week?"

Taraka shook her head.

"Any specific pilot can be fought at most once per day. If you wanna rent an event space and challenge the entire leaderboard each and every day, that's the actual maximum. But I assume Kakita-san's duties will not see her quite that occupied with fighting." she reminded her.

"Oh no, indeed."

"And I have so much to work on! We captured wonderful footage of the Jimen Tori birds. All kinds of vocalizations and movement studies. It's enough to start working on the avi-drone schematics. I'll be heads down working on that. Not to mention the video production project."

"Actually, I wonder if you might be willing to help me with something. The Jimen Tori birds are searching for a secret place with many delicious fish. A hidden pool somewhere in the jungle? You've lived here your whole life. Have you heard tale of such a place? Do you know where I might look for maps? I want to help the birds. They are so sweet and kind."

Taraka thought it over.

"Hmmm, that's not an uncommon story, Kakita-san. But it's all children's stories with no sort of landmark to guide one. I could point you to a shop that sells maps, but I think your odds of finding such a map are roughly on par with your odds of flying by flapping your arms really hard." she mused.

She shook her head.

"And I know you've got a good heart, Kakita-san, but you've seen the travel advisories for the island, right? The flora and fauna in the jungle are quite deadly. It's bad for tourism for visitors to go in to them and not come back out." she advised, a little worried that the Kakita's good heart might take her to a bad place.

She nodded at the sage advice.

"I may have to organize a bit of an expedition. Not just me!"

"Do you know any local Crab who might be interested in a bit of adventure? Guard types?"