Nakahama

Kazushi remains on the black sand beach, sitting on a bench watching the sun dip toward the horizon while Katsumi and Kurumi look over the Ethereal Sunset and reattach the banner, preparing it for the next challenge...

Senshu strides to the beach in a full trainer on a mission mode and the kind of determination usually reserved for final evolution battles.

She stops at the center of the 'arena', lifts a drone controller like it’s a PokeBall, and declares:

“Bayushi Kazushi! I challenge you to a duel!
Come out and face me, unless you’re still stuck grinding XP in the tutorial zone!”

She chuckles softly and bows. "I usually add a little bit of fun. I hope that you don't mind, Bayushi sama."

"Still grinding XP, I'm afraid," Kazushi replies, grimacing slightly at the terminology, "but I've had some training since our last bout. We'll have to see if it's done me any good..."

Given how he starts, it doesn't seem to have, but he's picking up a bit at the end. Probably too late to make any difference, of course.

*****

(OOC: Rolling five at once, since it's a best-of-five, so we can keep things moving smoothly.)
Duel 2 vs. Senshuken, Roll 1 | 3k3+2 ⇒ 12
Duel 2 vs. Senshuken, Roll 2 | 3k3+2 ⇒ 13
Duel 2 vs. Senshuken, Roll 3 | 3k3+2 ⇒ 12
Duel 2 vs. Senshuken, Roll 4 | 3k3+2 ⇒ 18
Duel 2 vs. Senshuken, Roll 5 | 3k3+2 ⇒ 24

She nods. "Prepare for trouble and make it double!"

"Bayushi Senshuken!"

"The Pinky Swear!"

She grins and her drone takes off. Well, Senshuken has also got better.

D5, LA, Drone duel vs Kazushi, 1st roll | 6k4+2 ⇒ 44

D5, LA, Drone duel vs Kazushi, 2nd roll | 6k4+2 ⇒ 41

D5, LA, Drone duel vs Kazushi, 3rd roll | 6k4+2 ⇒ 24

"Yep, definitely sticking with Fantasy Flight from here on out," Kazushi says as he brings the Sunset down sans banner once again. "I may have to donate this thing to a pilot who can do right by it."

"Don't be so pessimistic."

Comes a voice from the periphery of each Scorpion's vision. Hard to miss someone that tall and flashy, most times at least. The figure strolls up to the pair with his hands in his pockets.

"Besides, drones are easier to come by with Bayushi Senshuken-sama around. Might want to pick a hobby you can share with your child that is marginally cheaper."

"Ah, Hinata-san," Kazushi says, giving his coworker a bow as he approaches. "You're probably right, although it's far too early yet to start thinking about the little one's hobbies. Let's get through teething, walking, and talking first. You must have been busy since our arrival, though, as I don't think I've seen much of you outside of the governor's official events."

"Oh well, well." She offers a small bow. "The most anticipated third Bayushi, I suppose." She grins. "A pleasure, Bayushi Hinata san." She takes a moment to check his physique. Not bad. Not bad at all.

The young man bows to each Bayushi, confident smirk on his face as his feet settle their weight onto the sand.

"I've taken up chaffeur duties with some of our fellow delegates. I've tried to focus on our mission, fortunes know I've done my best to advance our clan's interests. I can't help but feel I've yet to impress the Governor. I might have to call in that favour with the Yasuki."

He rolls his neck, the amber light of sunset tinting his features in ominous lighting, yet the icy blue of his gaze remains cold and sharp as always.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Bayushi-Senshuken-sama. I've heard a lot about you." He gave her a sly smile. Game recognise game after all.

His smirk is met with one from Senshu. Patented Scorpion stupidly sexy smirks against each other.

"In what way do you want to impress the governor?" She asks.

"I would hope my dashing good looks might catch her eye. But that requires me to get close enough to be seen."

He relaxed his posture. Scratching the back of his neck.

"Iam afraid I might be ill equipped for most of her planned activities. Nor am I of wealthy cradle. I should probably set my sights to something more realistic eh?" His smile is genuine, if a bit embarassed. Youth has a way to fan the flames of ambition beyond capability.

"But I do have that favour from her cousin.... If I planned it properly I could get a meeting with her, Iam not so sure on his price though... I wanted to consult with the both of you before that."

His expression hardens somewhat, hand holding his chin. "A meeting for a meeting. I didn't much think on it at the time... he'd grab me an audience with the Governor. I'd have to arrange similarly for him... Why would someone of such high standing even consider someone like me as a fruitful connection? Does he have his eye on someone already?"

"You are an Orchid Department employee, Hinata-san," Kazushi reminds him. "You're not completely without connections, yourself. If he wants a meeting with someone you don't have a direct line to, I may be able to facilitate that, especially if it lets us score some points with the governor."

Senshuken's smirk becomes slightly slier if someone is inclined to notice minor changes like this one.

"Do you want an appointment or a date?" She asks.

"I know. But Iam still mere security. Iam not trying to sell myself short or be overly humble Kazushi-sama. The man may be looking for an audience with you, or perhaps Senshuken-sama. You two are my most overt, directly accessible contacts here in Tango."

He closes his eyes. It was a matter of motive, of intention. As it always was really, one does not give someone else what they want without getting something in return. The Yasuki and Bayushi understood that game better than most.

At the teasing from Senshuken, levity returns to the young man's expression as he lets out a soft chuckle.

"Iam better at dates than audiences I'll admit. Not going to pretend she isn't easy on the eyes either, but whatever my ulterior motives I still keep the clan's interest at the forefront of my mind. Honest!" He raises his hands I'm surrender, as if caught red handed, laughing as he admits.

"Easy on the eyes?" She chuckles softly. "Hot as hell fits better. I know so because I have a date with her later today." She doesn't exactly boast. It's more of... Ok. It's a covered up boast. "No middle man though. I just marched to her, spread my forces tactically and attacked relentlessly with teases and charm. She said yes."

The young man raises an eyebrow at her comment, and then purses his lips as his eyes widen at the follow up. Was it status or just brazenness? Either way it was clear he needed to up his game.

"You really are something else Senshuken-sama... I envy you. I've yet to be so brave as to approach someone of such higher status than myself without middlemen."

He smiles at her, warm and friendly. Envy didn't mean hard feelings, it meant being impressed.

"Hm," Kazushi replies. "It sounds like the Red Viper may need to find a different target, then. Perhaps the karo, Yasuki Umiko? She's not bad, herself, and it might be easier to arrange a meeting with her than it would be to jump straight to the governor."

"She is very nice, indeed." Senshu replies. "We had a drone duel together and had plans for a date, but unfortunately I had to cancel because... You know. They are sisters. I can't date them both."

"I never in a thousand years imagined you'd lack ambition Senshuken-sama." He snickers at the thought. Woe betide the clan with pretty women in positions of power, Bayushi Senshuken would crumble their empires in an afternoon

"I imagine so. Maybe a double date if it goes well? I'll see if I can arrange an audience with Yasuki Umiko, if it's clan bussiness I'm sure the Orchid Department won't mind if I choose a nice restaurant neh?" He smirks at Kazushi, a mischivious expression he'd seen a couple times before.

"The expense account will cover it," Kazushi replies with a nod. "I'll tell you what, though, I don't miss this aspect of single life. It may seem exciting, yes, but you're never sure what you're going to end up with..."