D2 Information Event: Sake and Skullduggery (Roleplay thread)

[Yogo Sadae]

"I do hate walking the edge of the room like some sort of gloomy revenant, thank you, Yogo-sama," she says, there was no humor in her tone but there was the look in her eye. Taking a seat opposite Sadae she settled in, and leaned. Glancing over the assortment of drinks only briefly before focusing on the man himself. "They have done their work," she said, not looking directly at him for that. "Kuni Koyuki, I'm attached to the embassy here serving as an attaché."

"One who has overstayed her welcome among the patrons here, it would seem." Glancing out over the room, she marks a few of the faces that different levels of wrong had transpired. She could blame a lot of things, but really it was just her.

"Yogo Sadae, nakado and genealogist." he introduced himself. The two professions often went hand in hand - after all, knowledge of family lines was paramount when matches were made. Advanced in genetics and transcriptomics had made the study of families and their connections paramount to the Scorpion efforts. Eugenics was such an ugly word. "What would Kuni-san mean? About overstaying her welcome?" Sadae looked a little puzzled.

[Kuni Koyuki]

"Yogo Sadae, nakado and genealogist." he introduced himself. The two professions often went hand in hand - after all, knowledge of family lines was paramount when matches were made. Advanced in genetics and transcriptomics had made the study of families and their connections paramount to the Scorpion efforts. Eugenics was such an ugly word. "What would Kuni-san mean? About overstaying her welcome?" Sadae looked a little puzzled.

"Not everyone at this gathering is as appreciative of my particular charms," she says, a small flicker across her expression. Strangely it felt like she picked that up from someone else, recently. Sounded like something that Usagi might have said, perhaps. Still, she at least kept to herself enough that she didn't sign off the comment with a smirk. Stony Kuni face, as always.

[Yogo Sadae]

"Not everyone at this gathering is as appreciative of my particular charms," she says, a small flicker across her expression. Strangely it felt like she picked that up from someone else, recently. Sounded like something that Usagi might have said, perhaps. Still, she at least kept to herself enough that she didn't sign off the comment with a smirk. Stony Kuni face, as always.

"Well, more shame to them." He offered her a sly smile, lifting his cup to a makeshift toast. "Charms can be found from most unexpected places. One merely has to know where to look for." She had his attention, as much was evident. "Not everyone wants to spend an evening with a polished Crane courtier."

[Ide Yamako]

Yamako arrived a bit late, resplendent in her chosen outfit. Unfortunately, she'd also let the sake go to her head as well. It was one of those nights though and she had a beautiful outfit. The only thing that would make it better was if Noburu was here, but she might as well wish for the stars. And he'd hate this anyway. He always hated the political mingling.

She found a lovely piece of wall to lean against and people watch while she sipped her water.

(PM if approaching)

[Susumu Yakumo]

"Indeed. I wonder if you could even start a tradition amongst the Spider of art. I know it's not exactly the sort of thing that's in the Clan charter like with the Crane. But I know I've seen and heard Spider art before, and it always seems to have a great deal of depth and inspiration behind it."

Whether or not that inspiration is always appropriate is another matter entirely.

"Perhaps," she regarded Tenma with a smirk, "but I'm curious now, officer, what sort of art from Spider have you seen before? It's not often such is given a chance to be displayed outside of Spider territores, so I'm eager to know. Which artists and what art - if it's old friends from home, it would be exciting to hear they've been able to expand their horizon."

[Soshi Kazumi]

Kazumi arrived late, between an emergency at work and taking time to get ready it had been an ordeal. But arrive they did even if it was fashionably late.

Kazumi wore a more traditional dark red kimono with golden floral patterns. Kazumi was also sporting bold red eye make up with hints of gold. One may not even recognize rhe Soshi if they weren't wearing their rather unique light up mask.

Kazumi moved through the party making small talk and checking on familiar faces.

(Please pm if approached)

[Susumu Yuji]

Inasa might have noticed the small shifts of expression that would imply something going on beneath the surface, but as it is, the sake got in the way. He wasn't drunk, mostly just fuzzy, but it was enough to be a little distracting... as it had been to negotiations earlier. Still, he suppressed a sigh, because that was in the past and his current conversation partner was here now. "A pleasure to meet you, as well, Susumu-san. Something of a regular environment for you, then? Do you have a longer-term posting here, or are you a visitor?"

"I have been here for about five years now. I more or less consider the World of Dreams home. Serving at the Black House." He replied, attention for fully focused on the Akodo. "I can assume that you've only recently arrived?" The Susumu asked in reply, his tone affable and inviting.

"Are you excited for this season here? It's always wonderful to see a gathering of all the delegations here."

[Akodo Inasa]

"I have been here for about five years now. I more or less consider the World of Dreams home. Serving at the Black House." He replied, attention for fully focused on the Akodo. "I can assume that you've only recently arrived?" The Susumu asked in reply, his tone affable and inviting.

"Are you excited for this season here? It's always wonderful to see a gathering of all the delegations here."

He listened with a small smile, not fully stoic as was his normal wont. "I have. It's always interesting meeting new people and seeing what happens." What sort of nonsense and disaster goes down, specifically. "So I would say I'm excited. I get to watch it from the comfort of a cat cafe, as well, so that's a bonus. What is it like living here for the the long haul?"

[Bayushi Tenma]

"Perhaps," she regarded Tenma with a smirk, "but I'm curious now, officer, what sort of art from Spider have you seen before? It's not often such is given a chance to be displayed outside of Spider territories, so I'm eager to know. Which artists and what art - if it's old friends from home, it would be exciting to hear they've been able to expand their horizon."

"I'm a Scorpion, Susumu-san, not a Lion. Mostly it's been painting and sculpture though, I will admit. The governor of the planet I grew up on was gifted a statue by one Daigotsu Bususeiji as a celebration of trade, for instance; A striking piece of a split open apple rotting from inside, carved into black rock. Some thought it was an insult, but I think most people realized it would not be something so crass as that, no matter what the courtiers said."

She tilted her head at Yakumo curiously.

"I am curious how you would interpret such a gift to a world famous for its crabapples."

[Susumu Yakumo]

"I'm a Scorpion, Susumu-san, not a Lion. Mostly it's been painting and sculpture though, I will admit. The governor of the planet I grew up on was gifted a statue by one Daigotsu Bususeiji as a celebration of trade, for instance; A striking piece of a split open apple rotting from inside, carved into black rock. Some thought it was an insult, but I think most people realized it would not be something so crass as that, no matter what the courtiers said."

She tilted her head at Yakumo curiously.

"I am curious how you would interpret such a gift to a world famous for its crabapples."

A curious remark, she thought, but didn't think too much of it.

"Sculpture isn't my area of expertise, but," Yakumo thought about it honestly. Which was a challenge given the free flowing alcohol of the evening. "Maybe symbolic demonstration of how things are not always what they seem - as well as noting both our clans' reputation for striking at danger unseen by the rest of the Empire."

Yakumo shrugged and emptied her cup. "Or maybe Daigotsu-san was petty after being given a bad apple one on this world? Artists are touchy souls."

[Akodo Reki]

Reki turned her attention to the new arrival, studying her a moment before speaking, "Hotaru-san," She looked down at her own chest and shrugged, "Regulations state all must displayed. Most are more achievements really, there are a few combat ones. Staff officers collect the former more than the later one might say. Akodo Reki, Gunso, Operations Staff, 52nd Akodo Strike Legion."

She looks out to the crowd, "It's what I anticipated." Which did not actually answer Sakura's question...

"And yourself?"

"Ah! sugoi! Akodo-sama must have achieved a lot then." She looked at all the shinies on her chest. "It's...not what I Expected, but this is my first such outing, so...not sure what to expect. A lot of people seem to have come at least. And hey, the drinks are actually good.!" She held up a small glass in her hand with a smile. "How does Akodo-sama find the drinks?" She asked not noticing.

Reki held her hands palm up, displaying her lack of a glass. "Haven't tried any." She shrugged and added ruefully, "Though I have heard good things."

"I assume the Hotaru do not have much use for these sort of parties?" She lowered her hands, "Or at least your outfit hints at Hotaru, I may be mistaken." The Lion's smile turned a fraction lopsided, she rather hoped her conversation partner caught the implied you haven't introduced yourself. The girl did seem inexperienced, not that such should be taken as a given among the halls of the Scorpion.

[Kuni Koyuki]

"Well, more shame to them." He offered her a sly smile, lifting his cup to a makeshift toast. "Charms can be found from most unexpected places. One merely has to know where to look for." She had his attention, as much was evident. "Not everyone wants to spend an evening with a polished Crane courtier."

"More shame to them," she didn't return a smile, but she raised her glass. Toasting, and then drank. A slight narrowing of her eyes betrayed the potential of her amusement. He had a certain energy to him, that was sure. "Though you strike me as a man who handles both extraordinarily well. Crane courtiers, and those who are not. Professional hazard?"

[Bayushi Tenma]

Yakumo shrugged and emptied her cup. "Or maybe Daigotsu-san was petty after being given a bad apple one on this world? Artists are touchy souls."

"Or maybe he was the bad apple, who knows? As you said, I'm no expert on sculpture either. Would you know enough about alcohol at least to tell me how the provided libations are? Compared to other parties and events you've been to that is."

[Susumu Yakumo]

"Or maybe he was the bad apple, who knows? As you said, I'm no expert on sculpture either. Would you know enough about alcohol at least to tell me how the provided libations are? Compared to other parties and events you've been to that is."

"Hmm?" At that Yakumo noticed that her cup was empty.

Lucky for her, there were handsome servers around providing endless alcohol, and one passed by the pair soon enough for her to get some more.

"It is pretty good!" that she could say honestly. "Don't know if it's the best I've had, but I'm currently drawing a blank on any nameworthy competitor. The Dark Blossom Blend is really nice... which one is your favorite?"

[Ide Yamako]

Yamako heard a familiar voice as she went for a refill of her water and couldn't decide if she should run or stay still so as to not attract eyes. Ohhhh let it not be...

It was. The spider singer Yakumo from New Kalani. Both an education and a terror rolled into a deceptively frail package.

Yamako would have to be cautious to avoid any Spider snares this time. She asked for a small coffee at the bar, determined to sober herself up.

[Bayushi Tenma]

"Hmm?" At that Yakumo noticed that her cup was empty.

Lucky for her, there were handsome servers around providing endless alcohol, and one passed by the pair soon enough for her to get some more.

"It is pretty good!" that she could say honestly. "Don't know if it's the best I've had, but I'm currently drawing a blank on any nameworthy competitor. The Dark Blossom Blend is really nice... which one is your favorite?"

"I will admit, the Red Swallow is the only offering here I've ever tried, and it was most exquisite indeed. If the Dark Blossom is as good or better..."

Tenma hesitated a moment before grabbing a glass of Dark Blossom Blend off a tray.

"...I suppose there's only one good way to tell though."

She took a small, Crane-like polite sip, letting it settle on her tongue and spread out.

[Yoritomo Seika]

"There's all kinds of illusions here, too," she adds, waving a hand airily at both Unicorn and Hare. "On this planet. Truth and illusions... they both make great pictures. Great art... Like, is this peace an illusion? Or is all the fighting and stuff an illusion, and we're just not drunk enough to wake up from it the rest of the time?"

As she twists sideways to capture a shot of the heimin waiter offering a fresh glass of sake to Yesugen, she sways a bit nearer to Rei.

"... maybe." Rei said agreeably. What? It took him a few moments to sort that out. "There may be illusions everywhere, but take it from someone who's lived here a few years. It's not worth trying to sort reality from illusion here."

Seika swayed closer to Rei. Rei swayed closer to Seika. A mild collision, their shoulders bumping, occurred. "My apologies, Yoritomo-sama." Whoops, were they standing too close? Nahhhhhhh...

"I'd imagine alcohol often results in the opposite," Yesugen said, adjusting her glasses; she was indeed blissfully unaware of how much of a huge NERD she looked like at that moment. "Though I will say that any violence while intoxicated is less likely to be coordinated." She pursed her lips. "Lethal, though? Uncertain."

Nerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd! Rei managed not to say it; normally, he wouldn't have even thought it. "Well, not on World of Dreams." Rei said, swaying a little again. "Other sorts of trouble though." Chuckling, he raised his glass. "To trouble!"

"Whoops! Sorry, Usagi-san." Seika recovers from the minor collision, bouncing back to vertical... well, a bit past it the other way, at first, but she ends up there shortly. Giggling, she gives Rei a light, apologetic pat on his tailored shoulder with her non-holorecorder-holding hand. "Utaku-san is right, that was totally uncoordinated... uh, unintentional violence, I swear."

She waves over a server and claims a fresh glass of sake, which is probably a bad idea, but whatever, the part of her brain that might draw this conclusion is off on the same magical journey as the part of her brain that knows how to focus a holorecorder in dim, high-contrast indoor lighting. Raising the glass to Rei and Yesugen, she echoes, "Sure, to trouble. I hear this place has plenty!"

[Yogo Sadae]

"More shame to them," she didn't return a smile, but she raised her glass. Toasting, and then drank. A slight narrowing of her eyes betrayed the potential of her amusement. He had a certain energy to him, that was sure. "Though you strike me as a man who handles both extraordinarily well. Crane courtiers, and those who are not. Professional hazard?"

"Well." There was a short, somewhat pregnant pause. "Yes. Professional hazards. Courtiers, that is. Cranes less often." Sadae glanced at one of the all too tipsy Cranes present. "Though if I could have my way, I'd avoid working with the Crane. They have all the ideas." he pretended to shudder. "That said, can't remember when we last had someone marry a Crane. Powder blues being all cozy with Mantis sits poorly with a lot of people."

[Hotaru Sakura]

Reki held her hands palm up, displaying her lack of a glass. "Haven't tried any." She shrugged and added ruefully, "Though I have heard good things."

"I assume the Hotaru do not have much use for these sort of parties?" She lowered her hands, "Or at least your outfit hints at Hotaru, I may be mistaken." The Lion's smile turned a fraction lopsided, she rather hoped her conversation partner caught the implied you haven't introduced yourself. The girl did seem inexperienced, not that such should be taken as a given among the halls of the Scorpion.

"Ah...gomenasai!" Sakura bowed deeply. "I am so sorry! Hotaru Sakura, of the Firefly. Akodo-sama is perceptive as ever. She straightened, but did not look the Gunso in the eye...or anywhere near the face, really. "The Firefly usually don't do parties like this." Theirs are much wilder, usually. "At least, not any which I have been invited to."

[Kitsu Kanna]

"Oh but the air kami get to be part of the show and they looooooooove that!!!"

He swayed a bit alarmingly to the left at the excited outburst, but seemed to automatically balance himself back to the right, making it look like he was swaying on the spot.

Cogs were turning inside Kanna's brain:

"Yeah, thinking of it, I can understand why they would consider that a form of worship. Especially with all the religious imagery already attached to idol groups.

I mean... Idols? Fanatics? Really?"

Kanna looked at her glass again. This sounded a bit too much like one of these big reveals you had when drunken as hell, the kind you would realize was incredibly dumb by the next morning. If you even remembered it.

"Naming convention aside, there's a parallel to be made with the sacred dances and songs of old.

Though now I'm wondering if there are bands working with the kami of water, earth, and fire, so to keep the balance right."