Nakahama

After being too busy to get it up into the air yesterday, Kazushi has the Ethereal Sunset out this afternoon, putting it through its paces. He guides it through steep climbs, daring dives, and shocking swoops as he prepares for his next duel, determined to do better in his third than he had in his first and second...

After the entirely predictable results of the Final Fantasy tournament final that didn't even bear discussing, Taraka had noticed an open duel request on the Flying Battle Carps website. There hadn't been a response yet, and much like a bird trying to fly, Taraka found herself needing to keep pushing to keep Flying Battle Carps in the air. So she made her way down to the beach with Coin's Edge and the advertising sign for Flying Battle Carps.

She bowed to her opponent.

"Afternoon, Bayushi-san. I saw your open request, so I thought I might have the honor of facing off against you." she offered, getting set up for the fight.

"I'm up for that," Kazushi replies as he brings the Sunset down for a last check before they began. "My competitive fire hasn't been quenched by the tournament, after all..."

Taraka nodded firmly sending her drone into the sky.

"Good to know. People turning away when faced with a little adversity will never amount to much."

She sent Coin's Edge into the air.

Her piloting remained.....pretty consistent as usual.

Agi/Piloting 32

"It was a good gathering though. Especially with those Unicorn jumping in. Those were some amazing moves to watch, even if it meant getting beat."

"Very good, as expected, Yasuki-san," Kazushi says as he strains to pull away from Taraka's attack. His piloting is...amateurish, as one would expect from one who's usually chauffeured, but the natural maneuverability of the Sunset helps...a little...

*****

I forgot to add the bonus from the high-end drone, so doing that manually.

Day 5 Untrained Pilot Roll 1 | 3k3 ⇒ 17 (+2 is 19, so 1-0 Taraka)

(Just to keep things moving, here's the four remaining rolls, as my access is going to be spotty tomorrow.)

Day 5 Untrained Pilot Roll 2 | 3k3 ⇒ 20 (+2 is 22)
Day 5 Untrained Pilot Roll 3 | 3k3 ⇒ 17 (+2 is 19)
Day 5 Untrained Pilot Roll 4 | 3k3 ⇒ 22 (+2 is 24)
Day 5 Untrained Pilot Roll 5 | 3k3 ⇒ 24 (+2 is 26)

Coin's Edge wasn't letting the Scorpion sweep into the sunset that easily.

31 vs. 22, Taraka 2, Scorp 0

"But how have you been enjoying the hospitality of my clan, Bayushi-san.?" she asked. "There's certainly been a lot to do and see over the past few days."

"The planet is...different," he admits as he grunts in effort, trying to dodge another attack. "Good different, I assure you. It reminds me of the Islands of Spice and Silk, but only in as far as climate goes. It has a unique and enjoyable local character. Eccentric in places, with a bit more attention to popular culture than I'm used to, but that keeps it interesting. Natsuzora is easily the equal of any similar resort back home. I'm definitely considering establishing a vacation home here - Namiko would love it, and I'm sure it would be a good and safe place for little Kijuro."

Of course, he didn't know about the wild animal attack that would be incoming, but such events must be excused...

The Scorpion had been doing a passable job dodging, and he very nearly dodged Taraka's attack, but alas she just managed to clip his string and the banner came down.

3rd Pass, 22 vs 18, and that's game!

Taraka piloted Coin's Edge home victorious.

"Well that's quite good to hear Bayushi-san. I've truly come to enjoy the company of some of our guests for this event and learning that you won't all be disappearing to the far reaches of the Empire is welcome news indeed."

She smiled a bit at him.

"In fact, if you do acquire a vacation property here, let me know, and I'll show up to the housewarming with a gift."

"I'll do that," Kazushi says as he brings the now bannerless Sunset down, apparently not disheartened by the loss. "If the Department and Zakuro-ishi can arrange for some presence in the province, I might be here very often indeed. I'll need to be, if Ethereal Sunset and I are ever going to beat you."

He laughs, genuinely sounding like he's looking forward to the challenge.

Taruka grins.

"Believe it or not, I was not born with a controller in hand, Bayushi-san. I'm not so sure about Shinjo-san." she says amused.

She considers the prospect.

"Hmmm, any idea what sort of presence might be possible?" she asks, curious.

"Hmm...," he says, considering the possibilities. "The Orchid Department would probably focus on retail space, but manufacturing would be a possibility - we've got a lot of galaxy to cover, and supply meeting demand is a rarity. Zakuro-ishi, on the other hand, is a consulting firm, so they would be setting up a field office and working on offering assistance to local businesses that want to expand their reach or make their operations more efficient."

Another person had seen the message, though the Unicorn wasn't really seeking out combats. It had occurred to her that she both hadn't met the person who posted the challenge and that he might not have gotten anyone else.

So Suh-Hyun decided to head down there. What didn't occur to her was wearing a fighter pilot's uniform was probably, and unintentionally, intimidating to a potential opponent.

Not that it mattered, her arrival landed right as the duel was winding down. As the two were talking she stood off to the side and watched patiently.

"Now we're in trouble...," Kazushi says as he sees the new arrival on the beach. "After you, Yasuki-san?"

Taraka chuckled.

"I believe you were the one who posted that you were open to all comers even though you were expecting a challenge." she said. "You have gotten to meet Shinjo-san, have you not? I know you were both at the party on the Azure Dragon."

Well know she was being talked about...so the Unicorn approached.

"Hello Yasuki-san," Suh-Hyun's eyes flicked to the Scorpion, "Bayushi-sama, I don't believe we have met. Shinjo Suh-Hyun, 2nd Testing and Evaluation Squadron, Unicorn Navy." She bowed in greeting.

"I was worried you would be left opponent less but it seems Yasuki-san has the same concern." She smiled her friendly smile.

Kazushi nods.

"We were on the Azure Dragon at the same time during Yoritomo-san's party," he answers, "but I was rather distracted by our hostess and wasn't able to socialize as much as I would have liked. I'm afraid I won't be much of a challenge for a pilot of your calibur, Shinjo-san, but I learn a bit with every flight..."

Taraka nodded.

"I can attest that you definitely learn a thing or two watching Shinjo-san at the controls. I'm still hopeful that if she teaches enough lessons that someone who actually pushes her will appear." she agreed.

Suh-Hyun laughed one of her awkward laughs, "Well yes, but I have considerably more experience."

"Actually I have no problem teaching some of the basics of dogfighting. It's not all applicable to the drones but it gives a foundation." She rubs her chin in thought she adds absentmindedly, "Oh that party. I wonder if the hoof prints buffed out of the railing."

Kazushi brings the Sunset around, patting it like a pet. "Time to go again, friend."

Suh-Hyun nodded and took off her bad, unpacking the drone. Turning it on her expression grows more serious. A few pre-fight checks and she was attaching the banner. "Ready when you are Bayushi-sama. Eager for combat I take it?"

"How many battles have you faced so far? If I may ask," The little drone drifted up to roughly a starting position. Her eyes studied him and then his machine. Recognizing it was superior to her own, that would be taken into account in her attack plan.

(OOC Roll per post or at once?)