D2 Information Event: Sake and Skullduggery (Roleplay thread)

[Ikoma Nishi]

Cup still in hand, a tipsy Nishi looked for somewhere to sit and let the world keep spinning. Dressed finely in a warm brown and gold patterned long-sleeved dress, long black hair let down loosely, masking the little fancy mouse that sat at the nape of her neck, she found a spot and people-watched.

.. (quote on approach)

[Usagi Rei]

Seika halts her flitting progress around the room with only the slightest wobble. "'Evening, um... Usagi-san!" She's pleased with herself for recognizing the Minor Clan insignia properly.

"Yeah, you could say that. Not officially, though. It's like--a hobby! I did check it's okay with the host first," she assures him with a winning smile. Which is true! At least, no one official had objected when she'd cheerfully showed off her holorecorder on the way in. That's basically permission.

"Keep frowning juuuust like that, Utaku-san, it makes you look cool!" she says brightly, snapping off a shot of Yesugen before turning back to Rei with her bold-painted lips still curving merrily. "I think that's gonna be a good one."

(It wasn't.)

Well. While perhaps lacking the gorgeous looks of Yakumo or Mariko, the young Yoritomo woman did have a pretty smile. Rei gave her one of his own, teeth flashing charmingly for just a moment. "I see." He said. "But if you're taking all the pictures, no one's getting a shot of you. That seems like a shame..."

Wait, Utaku-san?

Of course, she didn't think too much about her usual frown. "What is with everyone trying to document me today?"

Rei's smile became fixed as he realized, that once again, the weird Unicorn was here. Again! She seemed to be showing up every other time he tried to flirt with a pretty girl she was there to throw cold water on the situation. Like a bad zeni that he just couldn't get rid of.

"Relax, Utaku-san." Rei said, still smiling, but some sigh evident in his modulated tone. "She's just taking some pictures of the party."

[Matsu Eriko]

A polite bow was offered in return, which was probably fine because everyone around here was so relaxed now! "Nice to meet you Matsu Eriko-sama, I'm Hotaru Katsutoshi! I work at the MCA embassy. Been here 6 months now and never got to go to a party like this before." He smiled and took a sip of the sake he'd picked.

"I'm mostly involved in our trade operations, so if the Lion are looking for any particular minerals please feel free to contact me." That was the business pitch completed. "Honestly though, it's nice just to get out and meet samurai from other clans. I haven't met many Lion, and I'm guessing you probably don't bump into many Firefly!"

Eriko looked at what he was drinking. "Hey, what's that you got there? I'm trying to do a bit of catch up on what's going on around here."

"Six months?" She said raising her brows on that note. "That's much more length than my posting of a month-something. It's no surprise they would pull all the stops now for Winter Court. Here I thought I was going to be spending every day in a conference room. And I'll keep that in mind. Quite an occasion to have a Hotaru planetside and I've been told by a Hotaru, believe me! As for the trading business, that's not something I handle too much. I leave the real diplomacy for people like my wife and..."

She took a quick look around and saw a lone Ikoma standing about. "And Ikoma Nishi-san, over there, for example!"

[Kitsu Kanna]

"Well we used to be together all year round for the first two years and then our manager got upset about the Crab hiring some Hare drop troopers while we were on another planet. I don't quite know how he expected us to stop that. By singing at them? The Crab have never been very nice to our group to be honest so they probably wouldn't have listened."

He frowned into his two sake glasses.

"Oh maybe he meant the Hare . . . . ?"

Kanna looked at her glass. Maybe she hadn't controlled her alcohol consumption as good as she thought she had.

"Uh. Hm. Who's your manager exactly?"

She was feeling like she was looking at a puzzle which was missing most pieces. Or maybe talking to one.

[Asahina Hinata]

Kanna looked at her glass. Maybe she hadn't controlled her alcohol consumption as good as she thought she had.

"Uh. Hm. Who's your manager exactly?"

She was feeling like she was looking at a puzzle which was missing most pieces. Or maybe talking to one.

If Hinata was a puzzle then he was definitely missing some pieces, and had the instructions for a different puzzle included.

"Oh Doji Takakenta-samaaa!!! He's been our manager since the beginning. Even Naz-kun listens to him. . . . Well most of the time."

[Kitsu Kanna]

If Hinata was a puzzle then he was definitely missing some pieces, and had the instructions for a different puzzle included.

"Oh Doji Takakenta-samaaa!!! He's been our manager since the beginning. Even Naz-kun listens to him. . . . Well most of the time."

Well, there are millions of Crane samurai through the galaxy, the chances of having heard of that specific one were indeed quite low.

Though, it did make Kanna realize the immensity of the context she was missing. It was one of the very rare times she actually regretted being far away from her colleagues of the gossip pages.

"How does one become an idol manager by the way? Or an idol actually? Is there an idol course at the Kakita Academy, and then you branch out to the scene or the management depending on how good you sing?"

[Asahina Hinata]

"How does one become an idol manager by the way? Or an idol actually? Is there an idol course at the Kakita Academy, and then you branch out to the scene or the management depending on how good you sing?"

Hinata looked happily blank and swayed slightly to one side as he listened.

"Well I have no idea how you become a manager. Doji-samaaa!! has never told me. As for becoming an idol, it was easy. I'd just finished my schooling at Shiro Satsuki and was waiting to be assigned somewhere when Doji-sama came and told me to come with him. A quick shuttle to the Kakita system and then I met the other boys and started training for group. Then we started recording and doing concerts."

[Akodo Inasa]

The Deceiver was shocked that an Akodo would approach him, but he kept his On in tact. Bowing to the other man, to thr appropriate level of his station. The drink in his hand completely undisturbed by the movement. "Like all social events, it would be difficult to not enjoy oneself." His eyes were half-lidded, the relaxing effect of the libation just at the edge of his feeling. "Susumu Yuji. It is a pleasure, Akodo-san."

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?"

[Susumu Sumiko]

Cup still in hand, a tipsy Nishi looked for somewhere to sit and let the world keep spinning. Dressed finely in a warm brown and gold patterned long-sleeved dress, long black hair let down loosely, masking the little fancy mouse that sat at the nape of her neck, she found a spot and people-watched.

.. (quote on approach)

Sumiko had watched more and more people getting far too drunk with amusement. There would be many headaches and gossip tomorrow! One such person had moved in her direction, towards a seat near her.

She bowed to the Lion and smiled.

"Can I get you a glass of water Ikoma-sama?"

[Miya Nishida]

The Dragon notes the Imperial who didn't look so well. He moved to aid the man and add some conversation to his mix. "Miya sama, would you like to sit down?"

A Dragon? Was approaching him. "I have no interest in a soul jounrey" he slurred before understanding the question, "Oh sit? Yes,.. maybe,.. no,.. but maybe a good idea". he said drunkingly

[Mirumoto Shigure]

A Dragon? Was approaching him. "I have no interest in a soul jounrey" he slurred before understanding the question, "Oh sit? Yes,.. maybe,.. no,.. but maybe a good idea". he said drunkingly

Shigure shrugged. "I am not here for that sama. Each walk the path of their own choosing." The Dragon found a seat for the imperial. "I hope you don't mind me."

[Miya Nishida]

Shigure shrugged. "I am not here for that sama. Each walk the path of their own choosing." The Dragon found a seat for the imperial. "I hope you don't mind me."

"Unless you want to talk philosophy. My head hums enough as it is," he replied, still babbling. "Who were you again?" he asked. "With all the guests, I'm afraid I'm missing a few names, pardon me."

[Mirumoto Shigure]

"Unless you want to talk philosophy. My head hums enough as it is," he replied, still babbling. "Who were you again?" he asked. "With all the guests, I'm afraid I'm missing a few names, pardon me."

"I am Mirumoto Shigure, a simple man with not much to lose." The Dragon bowed and took a seat. "I am no theologian. I am a survivor, sama. A path given to this one."

[Yoritomo Seika]

Seika halts her flitting progress around the room with only the slightest wobble. "'Evening, um... Usagi-san!" She's pleased with herself for recognizing the Minor Clan insignia properly.

"Yeah, you could say that. Not officially, though. It's like--a hobby! I did check it's okay with the host first," she assures him with a winning smile. Which is true! At least, no one official had objected when she'd cheerfully showed off her holorecorder on the way in. That's basically permission.

"Keep frowning juuuust like that, Utaku-san, it makes you look cool!" she says brightly, snapping off a shot of Yesugen before turning back to Rei with her bold-painted lips still curving merrily. "I think that's gonna be a good one."

(It wasn't.)

Well. While perhaps lacking the gorgeous looks of Yakumo or Mariko, the young Yoritomo woman did have a pretty smile. Rei gave her one of his own, teeth flashing charmingly for just a moment. "I see." He said. "But if you're taking all the pictures, no one's getting a shot of you. That seems like a shame..."

Wait, Utaku-san?

Of course, she didn't think too much about her usual frown. "What is with everyone trying to document me today?"

Rei's smile became fixed as he realized, that once again, the weird Unicorn was here. Again! She seemed to be showing up every other time he tried to flirt with a pretty girl she was there to throw cold water on the situation. Like a bad zeni that he just couldn't get rid of.

"Relax, Utaku-san." Rei said, still smiling, but some sigh evident in his modulated tone. "She's just taking some pictures of the party."

"Hm... You miiiiight have a point there, Usagi-san," Seika replies, with another smile. "What's that old line? The sandal-maker's children go barefoot, right?" She adjusts a setting on the holorecorder (unbeknownst to her, and probably to Rei, it's the wrong dial, so now the next half-dozen shots will be overexposed as well as unfocused). "Still, who else could I trust to handle my baby?" She pats the holorecorder fondly.

"Don't worry, Utaku-san, I'm not documenting anybody. I'm making art!" she reassures Yesugen with a grand gesture of her arm.

Of course, that might be just what a thief who's plotting to heist the person of an unsuspecting Unicorn pilot would say.

[Susumu Yakumo]

Tenma noted hearing the exchange but didn't glance over; If Yakumo wanted to talk to her fellow Crab about such things that'd be her purogative, "If it wouldn't be too forward to ask then... what made you decide you wanted to leave Shiragiku? Wanderlust? Opportunity? Feeling a calling to what you're doing? If it's something too personal, I understand if you don't wish to talk about it, of course."

She made a note of what the ronin said as well, wondering to herself would have thought to have hired a ronin to bring to something her Clan was hosting, of all places...

Since it seemed the situation didn't escalate into escandalo, Yakumo focused easily back to Tenma. The idol offered a shrug, and a reassuring smile that it wasn't too much of a personal question. "It wasn't my choice to leave, really. There was an invitation to study with the Kakita Artisans, and it was given to me. I was just a child and the adults made such decisions for me. To be honest, I've spent more time with the Crane than the Susumu, growing up. I don't regret leaving Shiragiku though - it is a difficult world to live on, and with my training I've been able to serve my clan well."

[Ikoma Nishi]

Sumiko had watched more and more people getting far too drunk with amusement. There would be many headaches and gossip tomorrow! One such person had moved in her direction, towards a seat near her.

She bowed to the Lion and smiled.

"Can I get you a glass of water Ikoma-sama?"

"Hmm? Oh no, no, thank you, I'll be alright," Nichi said with a amicable smile, and nodded her head to the seat next to her. "Ikoma, uh, Nichi," she held back a hiccup. "It's nice to meet you?" Was it a question, it sounded like a question but it probably wasn't.

[Hotaru Katsutoshi]

Eriko looked at what he was drinking. "Hey, what's that you got there? I'm trying to do a bit of catch up on what's going on around here."

"Six months?" She said raising her brows on that note. "That's much more length than my posting of a month-something. It's no surprise they would pull all the stops now for Winter Court. Here I thought I was going to be spending every day in a conference room. And I'll keep that in mind. Quite an occasion to have a Hotaru planetside and I've been told by a Hotaru, believe me! As for the trading business, that's not something I handle too much. I leave the real diplomacy for people like my wife and..."

She took a quick look around and saw a lone Ikoma standing about. "And Ikoma Nishi-san, over there, for example!"

Katsutoshi blinked a few times while tried to remember which one he was drinking now. "Oh, White Rat! It's quite rich but very tasty." He raised it for another sip.

"True about us Firefly, we don't usually stick around on the surface for long! But I asked for this post so here I am. Felt like the right time for trying something completely different, you know?" He did his best not to look at where his arm used to be. "But yeah, I've been in a lot of conference rooms lately so this is a nice change."

He looked over to the Ikoma and saw a Spider walk up to talk to her. "Oh, great! I will try to catch her this evening, thank you Matsu-sama. In the meantime, may I ask, what sort of things do you handle?" Maybe she was one of those famed tacticians?

[Bayushi Tenma]

Since it seemed the situation didn't escalate into escandalo, Yakumo focused easily back to Tenma. The idol offered a shrug, and a reassuring smile that it wasn't too much of a personal question. "It wasn't my choice to leave, really. There was an invitation to study with the Kakita Artisans, and it was given to me. I was just a child and the adults made such decisions for me. To be honest, I've spent more time with the Crane than the Susumu, growing up. I don't regret leaving Shiragiku though - it is a difficult world to live on, and with my training I've been able to serve my clan well."

"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.

[Utaku Yesugen]

Well. While perhaps lacking the gorgeous looks of Yakumo or Mariko, the young Yoritomo woman did have a pretty smile. Rei gave her one of his own, teeth flashing charmingly for just a moment. "I see." He said. "But if you're taking all the pictures, no one's getting a shot of you. That seems like a shame..."

Wait, Utaku-san?

Rei's smile became fixed as he realized, that once again, the weird Unicorn was here. Again! She seemed to be showing up every other time he tried to flirt with a pretty girl she was there to throw cold water on the situation. Like a bad zeni that he just couldn't get rid of.

"Relax, Utaku-san." Rei said, still smiling, but some sigh evident in his modulated tone. "She's just taking some pictures of the party."

Yesugen, for her part, didn't much think of herself as a thorn in his side. Although I have only ever seen him flirting with women from all over. She pursed her lips; he hadn't done so much to her, not that she desired it. At least, she couldn't remember anything.

"To distribute to whom, I must wonder," Yesugen said, closing her eyes with a faint sigh. "For one's own liking is an acceptable answer, though."

"Hm... You miiiiight have a point there, Usagi-san," Seika replies, with another smile. "What's that old line? The sandal-maker's children go barefoot, right?" She adjusts a setting on the holorecorder (unbeknownst to her, and probably to Rei, it's the wrong dial, so now the next half-dozen shots will be overexposed as well as unfocused). "Still, who else could I trust to handle my baby?" She pats the holorecorder fondly.

"Don't worry, Utaku-san, I'm not documenting anybody. I'm making art!" she reassures Yesugen with a grand gesture of her arm.

Of course, that might be just what a thief who's plotting to heist the person of an unsuspecting Unicorn pilot would say.

"Yes, art," she said without any sarcasm; she truly noted the skill behind it, reminding her of paintings. "I suppose one could say this is an example of how the entirety of the Empire can get along. To document it could be endearing."

[Akodo Reki]

Sakura wore something black with long sleeves tonight. She glanced around, and saw Yurei-chan conversing with a Kaiu, Usagi-sama be coolly aloof, and it seemed even Katsutoshi-sama was speaking with someone.

Time to brave the waters then! She glanced around, and saw someone wearing....a dress uniform. But Asahina-sama said dress uniforms are not good for tonight? It must be someone brave then!

"Ah, greetings...Akodo-sama?" She managed to make out an Akodo pin in the many, many, maaaaaaaany pins and medals there. "Is Akodo-sama enjoying herself?"

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?"