[Day 1 - EN] Hole in One [RP Thread]

[Dapper Dog]

The Badger had come in late and unsure, then drunk like a tanuki... Then attempt a boasting that was clearly failed after something seemed to distract him - even after a remarkable amount of alcohol.

He kept quiet at a corner for some time. Seemed to be trying to cool down... But his eyes kept scanning the place, focusing on a certain Yasuki.

He noticed as Yoji left the place and apparently didn't come back, and that seemed to place a small smile on the corner of his otherwise tense face.

But that Yasuki... was he still around?

Yancho was seated with several Crab having a discussion and playing a dice game of some sort.

[Kitsuki Tanaka]

"It's not wise to have an empty ship if it can be avoided." The Captain agreeed with a grin. HE did wonder what she meant as something like that, perhaps she was meeting a potential match? Not that it really mattered.

"Though I should probably say you won't be walking the whole way on that second trip." He added with a chuckle. "Unless you intend to pace across the deck your entire time on the voyage from the isles to the mainland." Which would be silly but, there were strange people in the empire. "Though I should likely say that's the type of walking I do the most of."

"So you say, though one could charter enough ships to line them up front to back and just walk like it was a bridge no?" Tanaka smirked at that clear bit of whimsy on her part. "How about you Tsuruchi-sama, you mentioned returning to the isles but how far from them have you roamed? I do not think it a stretch to assume the length of the Empire's coast but how far in? Sticking to the rivers or has the sailor wandered past even the sight and smell of the sea?"

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

Shitoru had sent a message to the inn, to be certain his company later that evening would be available. When he returned, he had to admit that he felt not a bit like meddling between the Ikoma and Fuzake. He'd end up the fool, or worse, the villain for no good purpose. That was when he noted the oddly dressed woman speaking..to herself? An animal? Shitoru had seen things on this journey thus far, and met strange people...it was nothing to worry over. Perhaps the girl simply didn't like parties.

He would find out.

"Hello, samurai-sama", the Scorpion greeted Hanatsuko with a bow. "This one is Bayushi Shitoru, are you enjoying your stay here in Fire Shrimp village?"

Hanatsuko looked at the man. "Oh... This one is Toritaka Hanatsuko. It is an interesting place... as for enjoyment I really don't know."

[Ichiro Taiki]

The Badger had come in late and unsure, then drunk like a tanuki... Then attempt a boasting that was clearly failed after something seemed to distract him - even after a remarkable amount of alcohol.

He kept quiet at a corner for some time. Seemed to be trying to cool down... But his eyes kept scanning the place, focusing on a certain Yasuki.

He noticed as Yoji left the place and apparently didn't come back, and that seemed to place a small smile on the corner of his otherwise tense face.

But that Yasuki... was he still around?

Yancho was seated with several Crab having a discussion and playing a dice game of some sort.

Seeing him surrounded by other Crab instead of chatting up women again, he takes a deep breath, relieved. He slowly makes his way closer, but chooses not to interrupt them for now - unless Yancho himself notices his approach and chooses to interrupt the game.

[Bayushi Shitoru]

Hanatsuko looked at the man. "Oh... This one is Toritaka Hanatsuko. It is an interesting place... as for enjoyment I really don't know."

"Oh?" He seemed curious at that by his tone. "And what matter could obscure your feeling of enjoyment, Toritaka-san?"

[Kakita Masao]

"I'll take sake thank you. I'm not enough of a heavy drinker for shochu.

While the way to express their disagreement might have been more direct than what I'm used to, I fear I was the one at fault. Wrong story for the wrong audience in the wrong mood. Good lesson for the next time.

Though I'm apparently not the only one out of sync with the local atmosphere. The boy we're supposed to be partying in honor of already left."

Masao hands over the sake without a word as the Doji speaks, his eyes showing a bit of surprise as Yoji's exit is mentioned. "Ah, well then clearly I will meet my future cousin-in-law another time," the Kakita says, smiling and taking a seat near Yuma.

"There is some honor, I think, in not wanting too much attention put upon you. A selfless samurai is a better servant than one who seeks glory, neh?"

[Togashi Keigo]

"I do paint, but not as well as others. No, I dance as my calling," Yuuwaku replies. "There's just something about moving one's body in a rhythm, feeling the beat flow through, it's just" and she trails off in a contented sigh.

"I think you might do well at it, though. You've the build."

"I'd love to see you dance, Kakita-sama... Maybe learn some about it from you if you're willing," he suggested with a smile.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"So you say, though one could charter enough ships to line them up front to back and just walk like it was a bridge no?" Tanaka smirked at that clear bit of whimsy on her part. "How about you Tsuruchi-sama, you mentioned returning to the isles but how far from them have you roamed? I do not think it a stretch to assume the length of the Empire's coast but how far in? Sticking to the rivers or has the sailor wandered past even the sight and smell of the sea?"

The bit of whimsy brought a smiel to his lips as well as a soft laugh. "As long as you're careful moving ship to ship, the last thing you would want is a unintentional bath."

"I've spent time on land though, quite a bit of it in my younger days. I was born in Tsuruchi lands after all. My first real taste of the Ocean came when I sailed across it for my schooling on the islands." His cup was brought to his lips, but it was almost empty now. "That's about as far into the mainland as I've been though, and what traveling I do on rivers is rather limited. Kobune aren't exactly built to go up them."

"I suppose it would be nice to see more of the Empire one day though. Even if it means a lot of walking."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"I'd love to see you dance, Kakita-sama... Maybe learn some about it from you if you're willing," he suggested with a smile.

Either daringly forward or charmingly naive, Yuuwaku thinks, and such fun either way!

She laughs lightly, says "Well, I'm not so good a teacher as that, but I'm happy most always to demonstrate. Even seated, there is much that can be done--although" and she looks around "a bit more room is generally preferred. Indulgent as our hosts are, I doubt a hand to the back of the head, even accidental, would be welcomed."

Her chin dips, and her eyes look out from under her eyelashes at the Togashi. "And I am such a small person among such large company."

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"Oh?" He seemed curious at that by his tone. "And what matter could obscure your feeling of enjoyment, Toritaka-san?"

"I am quite used to hearing the screeches of the falcons and hawks... here is sqwaking seaguls." She sighed. "I seemed to have arrive to this place in a somewhat fortuitous occasion. I am not one to mingle amongst the humans." She nodded. "I guess I should learn to socialize."

[Hida Daichi]

A small smile, "You're not wrong on either account there. Me? For me I imagine I simply have more professional curiosity than anything else. I will admit, almost anyone can be an enemy one day, but some seem more likely than others. And the Crab seem much less likely than many other prime suspects."

"Oh really? And who do the enigmatic and aloof Dragon consider more of a threat than the Crab these days? I'm woefully out of the loop when it comes to clan politics. We have bigger concerns on the Wall so that stuff sort of just falls to the wayside." He said with a laugh pouring a cup of shochu and offering it to the Dragon before taking a swig from the bottle.

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"I am quite used to hearing the screeches of the falcons and hawks... here is sqwaking seaguls." She sighed. "I seemed to have arrive to this place in a somewhat fortuitous occasion. I am not one to mingle amongst the humans." She nodded. "I guess I should learn to socialize."

The humans...
Was this one three hawks in a kimono, playing pretend in ningen-do? Shitoru assumed not, he'd had enough to drink already.

"You socialize with this one now, and as a Scorpion, commend your honesty thus far", he offered. "Is there a manner of relations you feel you lack, or have you simply avoided people until now?"

[Yue]

"Gotta make what you can, where you can, eh?" she said with her cocky smirk, bit more intense than the usual maybe. Shifting how she stood a little, finding a less uncomfortable position. "Well, work that you can hopefully stomach anyway.." she shook her head. "But yea, yea," she looked around the room again, taking in the sights and people.

While Yoko was looking around the place, Yue was looking at her intently, perhaps trying to make heads and tails of the other ronin. She had some inkling, she'd like to think but her assumptions were something that she was going to keep to herself.

"Do you often get hired to duel? Do you end up duelling, most of the time?" she asked curiously.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

The humans...
Was this one three hawks in a kimono, playing pretend in ningen-do? Shitoru assumed not, he'd had enough to drink already.

"You socialize with this one now, and as a Scorpion, commend your honesty thus far", he offered. "Is there a manner of relations you feel you lack, or have you simply avoided people until now?"

Hanatsuko looked at the non existent body of her brother then back to the Scorpion. "I really don't lack a skill I just tend to avoid people... I feel like I will always say the wrong thing. I right now feel somewhat exposed." Her back up being the dog and the falcon. Right now she was alone with the spirit of her brother and now this stranger.

[Bayushi Shitoru]

Hanatsuko looked at the non existent body of her brother then back to the Scorpion. "I really don't lack a skill I just tend to avoid people... I feel like I will always say the wrong thing. I right now feel somewhat exposed." Her back up being the dog and the falcon. Right now she was alone with the spirit of her brother and now this stranger.

"Quite normal, this one assures you", the Bayushi answered. "When found lost, alone, or simply uncomfortable, a kind word can go a long way. Are you a guest for this wedding? I understand Toritaka lands are not too far from the Crab's own, are there relations among your family and theirs?"

[Togashi Keigo]

Either daringly forward or charmingly naive, Yuuwaku thinks, and such fun either way!

She laughs lightly, says "Well, I'm not so good a teacher as that, but I'm happy most always to demonstrate. Even seated, there is much that can be done--although" and she looks around "a bit more room is generally preferred. Indulgent as our hosts are, I doubt a hand to the back of the head, even accidental, would be welcomed."

Her chin dips, and her eyes look out from under her eyelashes at the Togashi. "And I am such a small person among such large company."

"The height does make it feel a little like being in the middle of a very enthusiastic forest."

He considered her words with the genuine seriousness of a somewhat naive young monk. "I've never considered the idea of seated dancing, though I agree that a little more room would be ideal. An open space with beautiful surroundings would be more suitable, anyway," he agreed.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"The height does make it feel a little like being in the middle of a very enthusiastic forest."

He considered her words with the genuine seriousness of a somewhat naive young monk. "I've never considered the idea of seated dancing, though I agree that a little more room would be ideal. An open space with beautiful surroundings would be more suitable, anyway," he agreed.

"Oh, yes, there are several dances that have at least one participant seated. I am told by some of my more martially inclined cousins that it is like hanmi handachi and suwari waza.

"But it's so sweet of you to say we should dance amid beauty!" She looks at him fuller in the face, smiles broadly. "But isn't there beauty to be found most everywhere?"

[Doji Yuma]

Masao hands over the sake without a word as the Doji speaks, his eyes showing a bit of surprise as Yoji's exit is mentioned. "Ah, well then clearly I will meet my future cousin-in-law another time," the Kakita says, smiling and taking a seat near Yuma.

"There is some honor, I think, in not wanting too much attention put upon you. A selfless samurai is a better servant than one who seeks glory, neh?"

Yuma only took a very small sip of sake before answering:

"The ancients do not agree on that point. We tell the tale of heroes to remind ourselves that we also can be great would say one. A great general accepts none of the credit, and all of the blame would say another. Guess it all depends on the situation. In the present one there is definitely no shame in quietly departing after having accomplished one's host duties indeed.

But you say cousin... Do you share a grandparent with the bride? Or is this more in the general sense of 'a fellow Crane'?"

[Dapper Dog]

Seeing him surrounded by other Crab instead of chatting up women again, he takes a deep breath, relieved. He slowly makes his way closer, but chooses not to interrupt them for now - unless Yancho himself notices his approach and chooses to interrupt the game.

"You playing or just watching," an older Crab said looking at the Badger.

[Kitsuki Tanaka]

The bit of whimsy brought a smiel to his lips as well as a soft laugh. "As long as you're careful moving ship to ship, the last thing you would want is a unintentional bath."

"I've spent time on land though, quite a bit of it in my younger days. I was born in Tsuruchi lands after all. My first real taste of the Ocean came when I sailed across it for my schooling on the islands." His cup was brought to his lips, but it was almost empty now. "That's about as far into the mainland as I've been though, and what traveling I do on rivers is rather limited. Kobune aren't exactly built to go up them."

"I suppose it would be nice to see more of the Empire one day though. Even if it means a lot of walking."

"I think a bigger concern is the needed influence that such a chartering would require. The bath would be but an inconvenience with so many ships ready to fish one out." Tanaka waggled a finger.

"Ah...yes I should have probably guessed that given your family's home." A simple bob of her head, "As for a further trip in land...I suppose you could also learn to ride as the Unicorn. Well to a point at least, my own homeland is not particularly suited to sailors or riders."

[Shosuro Himeko]

Saisei was about to intervene in her request, but, Jigoku, delicious noodles for lunch and for dinner, why not?

He's still growing into a full man after all. Better do it as the Hida while in Crab lands.

The young man smirks, the explosion topic was always an ice-breaker. With a single cracked laugh, he also mentions, "After the last war, though, I am not sure those wards are actually activated. But you shouldn't worry. Honorable samurai are used with some sort of headache or migraine from time to time. That should be a good price to pay to be able to there, no?"

Himeko looked thoughtful for a moment before bringing her fan up to her face.

"So I shouldn't be concerned if I were to enter the wards? What do you think would happen to me Otomo-sama?" Himeko tilted her head, studying the boy curiously with her eyes just above her fan looking at him. "Will I explode? Or just experience strange sensations? Or perhaps a feeling of being welcome?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"I think a bigger concern is the needed influence that such a chartering would require. The bath would be but an inconvenience with so many ships ready to fish one out." Tanaka waggled a finger.

"Ah...yes I should have probably guessed that given your family's home." A simple bob of her head, "As for a further trip in land...I suppose you could also learn to ride as the Unicorn. Well to a point at least, my own homeland is not particularly suited to sailors or riders."

"Well, at the time of falling it'd be just two. Though that is still one more then plenty." He replied clearly amused at it all. "I suppose the real decision would be if you could accept letting the second ship rescue you and thus miss a few steps."

"Riding may be preferable to walking." He agreed thoughtfully. "Though from what I understand it's a bit of a pain to get used to." Not that he really was an expert there. "So likely best i stick to walking, especially if Dragon lands are on my list of destination."

[Yoko]

While Yoko was looking around the place, Yue was looking at her intently, perhaps trying to make heads and tails of the other ronin. She had some inkling, she'd like to think but her assumptions were something that she was going to keep to herself.

"Do you often get hired to duel? Do you end up duelling, most of the time?" she asked curiously.

"Nope," she shook her head. Bringing a hand back up to her chin, rubbing it with her thumb. "My mom did once, far as I remember. Still, when she was teaching me how to," she laughed, putting her other hand on her daisho, giving it a little shake, "play with metal sticks, she made sure I knew the rules if it ever happened. A Ronin doesn't have anyone but themselves so, best to learn how to defend yourself in all the ways that matter, eh?"

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"Quite normal, this one assures you", the Bayushi answered. "When found lost, alone, or simply uncomfortable, a kind word can go a long way. Are you a guest for this wedding? I understand Toritaka lands are not too far from the Crab's own, are there relations among your family and theirs?"

She gave it some thought. "We are in a friendly relationship with the Crab as our shugenja children study under their tutelage. As for me... well just bothered the wrong spirit and ended up here." She nodded. "One of my siblings will be soon coming to study with the Crab."

[Bayushi Shitoru]

She gave it some thought. "We are in a friendly relationship with the Crab as our shugenja children study under their tutelage. As for me... well just bothered the wrong spirit and ended up here." She nodded. "One of my siblings will be soon coming to study with the Crab."

"Here at this village will they study? I understand there is a Kuni here, a court physician I believe."