(D6, EA) Betting on your own horse

[Yasuki Taraka]

With confirmation from the store that the Dragon of yesterday was the Dragon duelist of today, Taraka made her way to Azuma beach. She set the same Flying Battle Carps sign back oiut, and got Coin's edge ready for the duel.

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

With confirmation from the store that the Dragon of yesterday was the Dragon duelist of today, Taraka made her way to Azuma beach. She set the same Flying Battle Carps sign back oiut, and got Coin's edge ready for the duel.

Ichitaiyo appeared soon enough, bearing a passionate red two piece suit, looking around the competition grounds. It wasn't a big secret that the preparation for the Jade Chef event had taxed the Dragon, with her stress lines a little more defined today.

"Yasuki-sama?"

[Yasuki Taraka]

With confirmation from the store that the Dragon of yesterday was the Dragon duelist of today, Taraka made her way to Azuma beach. She set the same Flying Battle Carps sign back oiut, and got Coin's edge ready for the duel.

Ichitaiyo appeared soon enough, bearing a passionate red two piece suit, looking around the competition grounds. It wasn't a big secret that the preparation for the Jade Chef event had taxed the Dragon, with her stress lines a little more defined today.

"Yasuki-sama?"

Taraka bowed.

"A pleasure to meet you again Kitsuki-san. I hope my staff at the store was able to accommodate your needs and find just the right drone that met your standards?" she asked.

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Taraka bowed.

"A pleasure to meet you again Kitsuki-san. I hope my staff at the store was able to accommodate your needs and find just the right drone that met your standards?" she asked.

Oh she did. She didn't expect for the entry price to be so quite.. steep. But not showing up would have been the dishonorable decision. She held a Battle Hardened Carp on her arms. This clearly wasn't a hobby for kids.

"I think this is sufficient. Your staff was certainly well trained."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka smiled.

"Excellent. I know they're a good crew, but customer feedback is so very important when it comes to improvement." she says pleased with the information.

She looked over the somewhat stressed Dragon.

"Would you like to take a moment to appreciate the scenery before we get into the meat of the competition? I know the surroundings don't appeal to the locals, but I've been told the tourists find them exotic." she asked.

Because it'd be shameful to directly address the Dragon's distress, but out of courtesy, she could offer her a moment to appreciate nature.

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Taraka smiled.

"Excellent. I know they're a good crew, but customer feedback is so very important when it comes to improvement." she says pleased with the information.

She looked over the somewhat stressed Dragon.

"Would you like to take a moment to appreciate the scenery before we get into the meat of the competition? I know the surroundings don't appeal to the locals, but I've been told the tourists find them exotic." she asked.

Because it'd be shameful to directly address the Dragon's distress, but out of courtesy, she could offer her a moment to appreciate nature.

Ichitaiyo sighed and let herself sit on a nearby bench and rest her mind and eyes for a moment. "Have you ever run a kitchen? Because my studies are showing it is not going to be fun."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Ichitaiyo sighed and let herself sit on a nearby bench and rest her mind and eyes for a moment. "Have you ever run a kitchen? Because my studies are showing it is not going to be fun."

Taraka sat down next to the Dragon.

Taraka shook her head.

"I can't day I've done it myself." she admits. "Growing up it was always my older sister who was Lord of the Kitchen. Sometimes my younger sister would try to help, and my older sister would always smile no matter how many times my younger sister confused salt for sugar or fish sauce for soy sauce."

"And I've had an unpleasant encounter with Yasuki Honoka, owner of Crabkaku, so from those two frames of reference, I understand that it's not just the food under a lot of heat and pressure." she added.

"Not a challenge you're looking forward to, huh?"

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Taraka sat down next to the Dragon.

Taraka shook her head.

"I can't day I've done it myself." she admits. "Growing up it was always my older sister who was Lord of the Kitchen. Sometimes my younger sister would try to help, and my older sister would always smile no matter how many times my younger sister confused salt for sugar or fish sauce for soy sauce."

"And I've had an unpleasant encounter with Yasuki Honoka, owner of Crabkaku, so from those two frames of reference, I understand that it's not just the food under a lot of heat and pressure." she added.

"Not a challenge you're looking forward to, huh?"

Ichitaiyo shook her head. "It is something to study the task at hand and practice to be prepared, however, to lead a team of people that are unknown to you, in a task where you are wholly ignorant? It is quite like being a blind woman gearing to help a ship to navigate."

"You can fail yourself and simply get up, but to fail to other people comes at a cost, as you're not the only one taking the ill consecuences."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka studied the waves for a moment before sharing her wisdom.

"Well...yeah, Kitsuki-san." she agreed.

"Believe me, the Crab are no strangers to doomed last stands. Countless times throughout the Empire's history, Crab commanders have seen unstoppable waves of the Enemy pouring towards the position held by themselves and those they commanded. No salvation, no mercy, and if they were lucky death rather than having their immortal souls damned for eternity." she said reverently.

"Yet just like your blind woman when she felt the water hit her and felt the pull of Suitengu's court, they fought. With every inch of their being. To buy just a few more seconds. It would have been easy to sink silently beneath the waves, but they did not."

She looked over to the Dragon.

"The fact that you feel the weight of their expectations is a good thing, Kitsuki-san. When you no longer care about those who depend upon you, when they become merely go stones on the board to be sacrificed without hesitation, that's when you lose something truly human about yourself."

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Taraka studied the waves for a moment before sharing her wisdom.

"Well...yeah, Kitsuki-san." she agreed.

"Believe me, the Crab are no strangers to doomed last stands. Countless times throughout the Empire's history, Crab commanders have seen unstoppable waves of the Enemy pouring towards the position held by themselves and those they commanded. No salvation, no mercy, and if they were lucky death rather than having their immortal souls damned for eternity." she said reverently.

"Yet just like your blind woman when she felt the water hit her and felt the pull of Suitengu's court, they fought. With every inch of their being. To buy just a few more seconds. It would have been easy to sink silently beneath the waves, but they did not."

She looked over to the Dragon.

"The fact that you feel the weight of their expectations is a good thing, Kitsuki-san. When you no longer care about those who depend upon you, when they become merely go stones on the board to be sacrificed without hesitation, that's when you lose something truly human about yourself."

"Thank you, Yasuki-sama." Ichitaiyo granted with a solemn nod. "I believe that in accepting and acknowledging one's vulnerabilities and fears, one can act around them or act questioning if they might bias one's path forwards. Never be blind to weakness."

And she offered a smile. "Luckily, today nobody has to die. I just have to give my best for my Clan and myself. And hopefully, if I manage to settle here, for Green Carp."

[Yasuki Taraka]

"Thank you, Yasuki-sama." Ichitaiyo granted with a solemn nod. "I believe that in accepting and acknowledging one's vulnerabilities and fears, one can act around them or act questioning if they might bias one's path forwards. Never be blind to weakness."

And she offered a smile. "Luckily, today nobody has to die. I just have to give my best for my Clan and myself. And hopefully, if I manage to settle here, for Green Carp."

With the Dragon's composure seemingly somewhat restored at least, Taraka gave a firm nod.

"The nice thing about flying carps is there nothing serious on the table, but you certainly feel a little bit of a spike in your adrenaline." she offered.

She got up and prepared her drone for flight.

"You might be relocating here, Kitsuki-san? That is welcome news, we have a lot to offer here beyond stressful cooking shows."

(OOC: going to get 5 rolls in so we avoid dayflip, but RP shall continue!)

First Pass: 15
Second Pass: 26
Third Pass: 19
Fourth Pass: 38
Fifth Pass: 26

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

With the Dragon's composure seemingly somewhat restored at least, Taraka gave a firm nod.

"The nice thing about flying carps is there nothing serious on the table, but you certainly feel a little bit of a spike in your adrenaline." she offered.

She got up and prepared her drone for flight.

"You might be relocating here, Kitsuki-san? That is welcome news, we have a lot to offer here beyond stressful cooking shows."

(OOC: going to get 5 rolls in so we avoid dayflip, but RP shall continue!)

First Pass: 15
Second Pass: 26
Third Pass: 19
Fourth Pass: 38
Fifth Pass: 26

And with the declaration, Ichitayo stood with some nice energy and strolled over to the sand along the Crab, then setting down the carrying case, and carefully beginning to set up the pieces, as if she was handling a real weapon.

"I hope so. I'm thinking of trying to get the right favors and lines to pull on the matter. I was schooled as a Investigator, so, I would like to apply my actual lessons, rather than keep working for the corporation I do. Law enforcement, or maybe being a private investigator.."

"Nakahama has given plenty to me in such a short time, I intend to give back."

==

Damn, forgot to add my rolls

First Pass: 19
Second Pass: 26
Third Pass: 17
Fourth Pass: 20
Fifth Pass: 16

[Yasuki Taraka]

The Dragon's declaration was a surprising one to the Crab. A surprise the Dragon was able to capitalize, getting into a superior position off the jump.

"Well then, I'm very glad to hear that Kitsuki-san." she offered. "I've gotten to meet quite a few people of other clans over the past few days, and when I hear about someone staying rather than heading back off into the stars, I really feel like the governor's programs are paying off."

She maneuvered the drone, ducking and dodging, regaining her footing from the initial launch.

"Hmm, private investigation might be the way to go. All the new business and people will be good for Nakahama, but growth does come with change. Private investigation would fill a pretty nice niche, sidestepping the jurisdictional issues that the local magistrates might have to deal with with all the new non-Crab about without having go through the whole process and time involved in summoning an emerald magistrate." she said.

It seemed like a pretty solid plan to Taraka, find a niche, fill it, profit.

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

The Dragon's declaration was a surprising one to the Crab. A surprise the Dragon was able to capitalize, getting into a superior position off the jump.

"Well then, I'm very glad to hear that Kitsuki-san." she offered. "I've gotten to meet quite a few people of other clans over the past few days, and when I hear about someone staying rather than heading back off into the stars, I really feel like the governor's programs are paying off."

She maneuvered the drone, ducking and dodging, regaining her footing from the initial launch.

"Hmm, private investigation might be the way to go. All the new business and people will be good for Nakahama, but growth does come with change. Private investigation would fill a pretty nice niche, sidestepping the jurisdictional issues that the local magistrates might have to deal with with all the new non-Crab about without having go through the whole process and time involved in summoning an emerald magistrate." she said.

It seemed like a pretty solid plan to Taraka, find a niche, fill it, profit.

"That's a key element- PIs cannot enforce. Sure we can investigate and get into places others might not, however, when it comes to setting a sentence and enforcing it, I would still be powerless, you'd still need an Emerald Magistrate for me to show proof to." She spoke idly, all too unaware she had gotten a good first strike of sorts, then following the chase.

"Now, internal Crab matters? Heimin matters? I should be able to do good work. I.." and she glanced to the sides. "Saw the Karo fearing for something. Looking around. I didn't find the source of the danger but... I think there is something underlying people are not aware of."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Noir Dragon noises

Taraka seemed more focused now, getting into more position, though she was still cognizant of what her companion was saying.

"Ah, but if we were all paragons of honor, we'd have no need for magistrates, witch-hunters, or investigators. Sadly, the Kami only showed us the way, it's up to us to walk it." she mused.

The waves rolled in and out as the two dances through the sky.

"I think your perceptive skills are quite good, Kitsuki-san" she said honestly. "Is there something going on beneath the surface? Almost certainly. Is that the cause of the Karo's fear? Most likely. After all, her sister has taken up her father's position as governor after a...less than prosperous stint in that role. As karo, she is expected to be the strong right hand of the governor, to see her dreams made real. Quite the jump up in responsibilities from remembering her lines and delivering to the right camera. With a ton of family baggage to go with it."

The drone dipped then sailed upwards on the winds.

"The plans to bring all the clan representatives here is a bold one. Fortunes, even the Spider weren't turned away at Skycarp. It's a potent mixture of koku and ambition. If things go well, it will be the fuel that drives Nakahama to a brighter future. But, if it goes wrong, and when you bring together so many people from different backgrounds together, there is always the chance things will go explosively wrong, and if that happens that fuel will be what torches her family's legacy in full. "

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Drone Crab Noises

And Ichitaiyo's begginers luck ran out, as suddenly from an even pursuit, she was turned into the prey of the chase, with turned tables.

"Maybe, but I doubt that it would be the workings of the other clans, after all, the announcement came in rather short notice to form an elaborate plot. Like you hinted at, this is probably the work of internal enemies, ones that are very resistant to allowing other clans, even friendly ones, to set foot in here."

"Us outside clans are nothing but the tinder some are willing to lit. But they forget that our personal business designs on the Island might desire stability under the new governor, rather than a sudden second change of rules. Our opportunity lies with Lady Ayame-sama, and as thus, I predict our clans will rally around her... which will incense hardline isolationists even more."

Her arms swung to the right as she tried to evade.

"I will attempt to reach out the the Magistry. See if I can offer my assistance."

Or realize they are the secret enemy, she held to herself.

[Yasuki Taraka]

Drone Crab Noises

And Ichitaiyo's begginers luck ran out, as suddenly from an even pursuit, she was turned into the prey of the chase, with turned tables.

"Maybe, but I doubt that it would be the workings of the other clans, after all, the announcement came in rather short notice to form an elaborate plot. Like you hinted at, this is probably the work of internal enemies, ones that are very resistant to allowing other clans, even friendly ones, to set foot in here."

"Us outside clans are nothing but the tinder some are willing to lit. But they forget that our personal business designs on the Island might desire stability under the new governor, rather than a sudden second change of rules. Our opportunity lies with Lady Ayame-sama, and as thus, I predict our clans will rally around her... which will incense hardline isolationists even more."

Her arms swung to the right as she tried to evade.

"I will attempt to reach out the the Magistry. See if I can offer my assistance."

Or realize they are the secret enemy, she held to herself.

Taraka did seem to be doing well after the initial rough start.

"Hmm, let me know how that goes, Kitsuki-san. The head magistrate is also a new face, after all. And after the confrontation at Yoritomo-san's costume party, people are definitely not 100% sure about him." she admits.

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Taraka did seem to be doing well after the initial rough start.

"Hmm, let me know how that goes, Kitsuki-san. The head magistrate is also a new face, after all. And after the confrontation at Yoritomo-san's costume party, people are definitely not 100% sure about him." she admits.

"Maybe he felt he needed to put a show of force- something that reinforces he is actively working. However... targeting members of the governor's guests doesn't quite help to show an united front." Ichitaiyo mused, as her carp formed an easy target for the Yasuki's just a mistake away from being torn to shred by the saleswoman's drone.

[Yasuki Taraka]

Tarakja pulls up closer to the Dragon's drone. Will she move left? Right?

"Hmm, so you could say that's one less thing that's beneath the surface, Kituski-san I suppose. A presented united front can conceal quite a bit. But his motives are not actually laid bare yet, we can only guess. It really could be many things from incompetence to corruption, political power play or political power fumble?" she suggested.

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Tarakja pulls up closer to the Dragon's drone. Will she move left? Right?

"Hmm, so you could say that's one less thing that's beneath the surface, Kituski-san I suppose. A presented united front can conceal quite a bit. But his motives are not actually laid bare yet, we can only guess. It really could be many things from incompetence to corruption, political power play or political power fumble?" she suggested.

"We may not know but in due time. Paying deeper insights. We can just hope that whatever clan ends up being her partner is capable of not just providing wealth, but providing security and intelligence for a prolonged rule. This is far more than just koku."

And the rookie that Ichitaiyo was, her drone didn't move, unaware to tell that deadly swoop awaited her for her ignorance.