[Day 11 - Mid Evening] RP Thread: Toast to the Departed

[Bayushi Senshuken]

Embarassment

Questions about the aforementioned embarassment

Oh no! She was almost made apparently. She clutches the pouch in her fist and doesn't dare to move away. Is it better to be considered a pickpocket or a predator? That's a hard decision. Senshu decides to let her instincts guide her. "I'm leaving tomorrow. Two weeks vacation. Come with me. I promise more flustering. Of the best kind." She whispers to Kisha before she needs to address Kotori's question. "Oh you know how it goes, Kotori san. Can we even be called humans if we're never embarassed?" She gestures to a servant for more shots.

[Yasuki Honoka]

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With the assurance of good luck from Kanna, Honoka thumbs the bamboo stick firmly pressed into her hand. At this rate surely she was going to accidentally break it, right? Wait did that mean it would reverse the fortune? Honoka's hand immediately goes as still as a statue. There was no sense risking it, even if it weren't true, but that means she has to get it somewhere discreetly. Discreet and safe... so where to put it? Oh gosh, where to put it.

Where was she? Oh right, a compliment. Honoka dips her head at the further compliment from Ayame, a soft awkward smile mixes in unintentionally. Knowing why she was wearing it, and whom she was talking to was.. well, connections abound. Oh right, the stick. Ayame was busy showing off her outfit, and while Honoka's eyes watch her focus follows her hand. Finding a small decent spot in her obi... wait no, horrible idea. What if she bends and it snaps or.. or there's a freak accident of.. gosh she's not that creative but what if something happens! Absolutely not, not there. So..

WAIT, RIGHT, OTHER PEOPLE. "That really is amazing, Yasuki Ayame-sama," she says, flashing a polite smile. "I will certainly have to pay her a visit myself someday. With such craftsmanship..." she says, taking the moment to gaze over the yukata again. However, it was a clever ploy. While she was looking at the dress she could think again- right, where could she put the good luck stick? Who could she trust with it? Could she.. wait, didn't... Honoka reaches down and moves her hand over her plush Crabbo, feeling his claws as discreetly as she might manage. Feeling for if his claws could open just enough to hold a stick and to her shock and surprise they could!!

Slipping the stick in between Crabbo's claw Honoka couldn't help but allow her smile to be revealed, hoping it would mesh with the moment. However, we should take a step back and admit something. All the while, every thought and bit of concentration Honoka was having was shown rather opaquely on her features. Every thought brought the slight furrow of a brow, and every time her focus went to her hand from her eyes they glazed over just a little bit that you could tell someone wasn't fully home. Honoka was a master at keeping her expression in check but tonight..

[Tamori Kanna]

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Kanna happily clapped her hands as Ayame showed off her yukata. Even though she had a teeny tiny ping of envy at how pretty and curvaceous Ayame was compared to herself. It was a feeling that dissipated swiftly, because the mood was good and Kanna was happy! Such ill feelings couldn't hold her for long.

"Really? I'll have to wear pink and blue more often! Thank you." This was nice! Everyone were being nice, even if they were maybe a little tipsy. At least she was. "Feather Your Nest has so many amazing things! Really, it is a treasure trove. You've been there too right, Yasuki Honoka-sama...?" It took Kanna a moment to focus in on Honoka's own intense focus. "... Goodness, should we get some water maybe? You looked a little unwell for a moment!"

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"Utaku Minso...she wasn't really a squadron mate, but was in the same carrier wing." Suh-Hyun's eyes were back on the stars, "A true Battle Maiden. Honorable, talented, beautiful. Seemed destined to be the sort of Ace whose face fills movie screens and posters. She rescued me once, downing a particularly tenacious enemy who I wasn't able to shake."

"She was quiet one in the carrier though, never seemed to waste words. But still somehow friendly, in her unobtrusive way." She smiled slightly, "I think her and another Utaku were...friends of a particular sort, more then just alleviating boredom. Minso died saving her friend, diving into a hopeless fight so I am told."

"I just remember coming in one day to see her friend in the mess, there but not quite there and alone."

Ichitaiyo would lift a glass with a smidgen of sake left.

"To Utaku Minso." She toasted and took those last few drops.

"We all leave that kind of voids, I guess."

[Yasuki Ayame]

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Ayame was rather oblivious to the rollercoaster of emotions that Honoka had just gone through right about now, unfortunately, merely just taking an amusing aside to pose with her gifted kimono for some camera-worthy poses, not that she knew if anyone was taking photos.

"She does have some wonderful wares and has done great work, I agree. I guess I should consider stopping there more," she said with a small smile. That might have been a throwaway polite statement, but considering that Umiko would have likely looked at Hitomi's store as a potential source for her wardrobe, that statement rang more true internally than just a passing one.

"Heh? Yasuki Honoka-san?" She said curiously when she finally realized with Kanna before waving over someone to get Honoka some water. Alcohol did have some rather peculiar effects on people sometimes, even more so when it's blessed and exquisite alcohol being shared at the temple! Ayame would easily find a monk who might have been wandering about with a bucket of water and a few ladles that could serve as cups on short notice. "Water over here, please!"

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Ichitaiyo would lift a glass with a smidgen of sake left.

"To Utaku Minso." She toasted and took those last few drops.

"We all leave that kind of voids, I guess."

"To Utaku Minso," Suh-Hyun murmured, "A life ended too soon and lives left worse for it."

The Shinjo looked at the crowd, "This is probably a healthier way of mourning then most. Remembering the positives, how one lived and not how they died."

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"To Utaku Minso," Suh-Hyun murmured, "A life ended too soon and lives left worse for it."

The Shinjo looked at the crowd, "This is probably a healthier way of mourning then most. Remembering the positives, how one lived and not how they died."

"Wholly agreed." After all, she hadn't elaborated on how her parents parted. "Do you have any names that had been carved on mainly you?"

[Miya Kisha]

delightfully bad influences

a good question about the aforementioned embarassment

"Wait, what do you mean?" Kisha asks. "What's the best kind?"

"And I'll do another shot, but I'll need another water, too, please," she adds to the servant. "Pacing matters, and I've got to do some things still."

[Yasuki Honoka]

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"Thank you, thank you. Oh, I am well I just.. well, if I must be honest I think I overdid it taking on the contest before," she says, abashedly. Bringing her hand up, the pads of her fingers scratching at her temple in embarrassment. Despite herself, and her prep, there is a definite flush to her cheeks just under the eyes. Not in any state to protest she takes the out, and accepts the water in hand. Drinking from it slowly at first, then feeling anxious and speeding up, then feeling anxious about speeding up and slowing back down. Altogether, probably not the weirdest way anyone has ever drank water but gosh did she need something to cool her nerves down. Before the water bearer would leave, she would dip her head ever so slightly in appreciation.

"I've been there before," she would say, being more mindful. She'd been found out, and she knew it. There was a definite intent behind her now. Besides, her main concern was rather well in hand.. or claw. "But I've never had anything commissioned. With what I'm seeing here though I really should change that," she says, looking down at herself and forgetting she was wearing a non-standard yukata. The koi seem to surprise her when they aren't dark blue and floral patterns. "I've.. worn many of the one's I've had for so long, I do think I could do with a refresh."

[Yasuki Ayame]

When the monk would rush over to give Honoka water, Ayame would make her way over to one of the seating benches that they had assigned for observation and sitting off the effects of the drinking contest. A seat would magically clear for the governor, and she was glad to offer it to Honoka.

"Well, maybe we should consider going there together one time, Honoka-san," she offered a small smile at the invitation, helping herself to calling her by her given name. It was uncharacteristic of her to help into her sister's shoes when it came to her circle of friends. But hey, if she was going to look into getting more traditional and authentic wear for the upcoming few festivals on the calendar, why shouldn't she consider taking along Honoka as well? Or at least, that was the reason, right? "Could probably use an eye for that sort of thing. I have to say, yukata weren't exactly a 'thing' when I was stationed on Naraku. Could be fun, right?"

[Kuni Junpei]

True to his word, Kuni Junpei was around at the Shrine of Wealth. He wasn't on duty, technically, but he was there to observe the proceedings while remaining sober. It was something of an unofficial shift, especially considering he was there to ensure that misunderstandings were kept to a minimum when alcohol was involved. However, he got to wear a yukata and haori combination at the very least. That spiced things up in his duties, right?

[Tamori Kanna]

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As Honoka was given some water to help her, and the two Yasuki women chatted about shopping and wardrobes, Kanna looked around them to make sure everyone was having a good time. Not too fast of course, since she was still feeling the alcohol and didn't want to get dizzy.

That was when she spotted him. Junpei. The one she had thought wasn't here, so he wouldn't have heard her drunken exclamations earlier about him being handsome. Oh noooo! She felt a fit of panic, and attempted to sneakily find cover behind Honoka and Ayame.

[Bayushi Senshuken]

a good question about the aforementioned embarassment

another good question about flustering this time

Senshu's eyes follow the Governor who approaches the benches they are sitting on, but it's only for a moment. Her mother is right. Lying to your own self is a very mature and efficient way out.

"You will just have to keep wondering. Until you feel it." She leans closer to Kisha to whisper to her ear.

Then she takes the three shots from the servant and gives one to each of the two women. "What do you think Kotori san? Should we drink to the best cause of flustering?"

[Kuni Junpei]

That was when she spotted him. Junpei. The one she had thought wasn't here, so he wouldn't have heard her drunken exclamations earlier about him being handsome. Oh noooo! She felt a fit of panic, and attempted to sneakily find cover behind Honoka and Ayame.

The call for water did have Junpei's attention for a second. It wasn't an emergency in the slightest, but the governor was involved. There were a number of things he might have been willing to do when it came to enforcement of the rules, despite what opinions the governor might have with the rules, this was easily not it. The bit of blue and pink with the skittering of crab imprinted on the fabric did get his attention for a moment, however. He would curiously circle about the grounds, not wanting to intrude on the water business but rather to see how Kanna was doing.

Perhaps she also wasn't feeling well, but didn't want to take the governor's attention? Or potentially stalked by yet another crazed trap-maker and serial killer? Or perhaps the True Scions of Gusai had her on their hit list? Did she see a stolen military vehicle in the distance? This could be magistrate business!

"Tamori-san!" He would call out to her, giving a waving gesture for her to come over but only if there was adequate waist-high cover that provided +5 TN.

[Yasuki Honoka]

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Honoka felt a little stunned, maybe because every social development she usually expects in some form or another. However, Ayame switching to her given name. Well, that felt... good. Yea, that felt really good. There was a warmth from it that had her thumb brush up against that stick in Crabbo's hand again.

Which is probably why, in Honoka's receiving of this, she wasn't the best blocker and poor Kanna was caught!

After all, she did focus her efforts on asking, "Yes that would be a lot of fun!" she says, a giddy little laugh falling out. "Umiko-chan speaks so highly of you all the time, and we never have had the chance to.. well, I would like to get to know you myself as well." Normally, she probably woulda been more eloquent but she stumbled out, "Should I.. uh.. also, should I still say Yasuki Ayama-sama or...?"

[Yasuki Ayame]

Honoka felt a little stunned, maybe because every social development she usually expects in some form or another. However, Ayame switching to her given name. Well, that felt... good. Yea, that felt really good. There was a warmth from it that had her thumb brush up against that stick in Crabbo's hand again.

Which is probably why, in Honoka's receiving of this, she wasn't the best blocker and poor Kanna was caught!

After all, she did focus her efforts on asking, "Yes that would be a lot of fun!" she says, a giddy little laugh falling out. "Umiko-chan speaks so highly of you all the time, and we never have had the chance to.. well, I would like to get to know you myself as well." Normally, she probably woulda been more eloquent but she stumbled out, "Should I.. uh.. also, should I still say Yasuki Ayama-sama or...?"

"Really? That's great to hear," she smiled at the mention of her good review from her sister. Admittedly, she wasn't too sure what was said about her behind closed doors, but this outing idea was a good sign at least. "We hung out at different interests and circles, I guess. She was playing Mecha Rangers and driving with her kami-wheels while I was trying to run my own play-food stall and feeding my plushies, so I guess that explains why we didn't run into each other often."

"Ayame-sama is just fine with me," she nodded at the suggestion. It wasn't her intention to subplant her sister's place in the slightest, to be clear, just an overdue reach out.

[Yasuki Honoka]

"Really? That's great to hear," she smiled at the mention of her good review from her sister. Admittedly, she wasn't too sure what was said about her behind closed doors, but this outing idea was a good sign at least. "We hung out at different interests and circles, I guess. She was playing Mecha Rangers and driving with her kami-wheels while I was trying to run my own play-food stall and feeding my plushies, so I guess that explains why we didn't run into each other often."

"Ayame-sama is just fine with me," she nodded at the suggestion. It wasn't her intention to subplant her sister's place in the slightest, to be clear, just an overdue reach out.

"Ayame-sama then," she says warmly, and that warmth isn't coming from a place it would with Umiko, but it was coming from Umiko. This was Umiko's sister, and in that way she was special to Honoka too. Having taken the seat prior that was afforded her by Ayame she now sits with Crabbo resting nicely in her lap. Thumbing his little claws absentmindedly.

"Your sister really is amazing. Brave, brave in ways I still don't know if I can ever be, but I hope to be. I've wanted to get the chance to know you better, because it seemed almost a little strange I hadn't allowed myself to before now. Considering how close I am with your sister but, you are right, we never really did happen into the same things. Always more time to make up for lost time, though. Has Umiko-chan ever spoken to you about how we met?"

[Yasuki Ayame]

"Ayame-sama then," she says warmly, and that warmth isn't coming from a place it would with Umiko, but it was coming from Umiko. This was Umiko's sister, and in that way she was special to Honoka too. Having taken the seat prior that was afforded her by Ayame she now sits with Crabbo resting nicely in her lap. Thumbing his little claws absentmindedly.

"Your sister really is amazing. Brave, brave in ways I still don't know if I can ever be, but I hope to be. I've wanted to get the chance to know you better, because it seemed almost a little strange I hadn't allowed myself to before now. Considering how close I am with your sister but, you are right, we never really did happen into the same things. Always more time to make up for lost time, though. Has Umiko-chan ever spoken to you about how we met?"

Ayame found herself raising her brows momentarily. Well, if she was only planning to engage at least four tangos with words, she supposed that could count as a sort of brave. Umiko could have easily run away in the ensuing chaos at the first opportunity, too. She thought that her sister was pretty lucky to be alive, all things considered...

"Well..." She said at first with an uncertain and sheepish smile on her face. "Sorry, I don't think she has. We only had the chance to talk to each other tonight, like really talk to each other. So, there are a few things you might have to help me fill in the blanks on, Honoka-san.

[Tamori Kanna]

"Tamori-san!" He would call out to her, giving a waving gesture for her to come over but only if there was adequate waist-high cover that provided +5 TN.

Busted by the fuzz! Or something along those lines, was what Kanna thought someone like Ochiba would say in this situation.

"Ahaha," she chuckled a bit nervously, "excuse me, minna-sama. Gotta make sure everyone's having a good time. Enjoy your evening," Kanna bowed to Ayame and Honoka, shuffling off respectfully from the two ladies engaged in a very familiar talk that she felt wasn't her place to participate in. But it was good because they seemed happy!

Winding her way over to Junpei, Kanna pressed her cheeks briefly and hoped she could play off the redness as a side-effect of the drinks. "Kuni-sama, good afternoon!" she greeted, smiling as usual. "Glad to see you could make it. Here for the drinks too?"

[Yasuki Honoka]

Ayame found herself raising her brows momentarily. Well, if she was only planning to engage at least four tangos with words, she supposed that could count as a sort of brave. Umiko could have easily run away in the ensuing chaos at the first opportunity, too. She thought that her sister was pretty lucky to be alive, all things considered...

"Well..." She said at first with an uncertain and sheepish smile on her face. "Sorry, I don't think she has. We only had the chance to talk to each other tonight, like really talk to each other. So, there are a few things you might have to help me fill in the blanks on, Honoka-san.

Honoka would dip her head when Kanna departed, a quick gesture so she could get into the meat of what she wanted to say. Which was good, because things were about to get deep and she nearly forgot to feel awkward about doing so in front of Kanna. With the space now for her, and Ayame, she would continue.

"See me today, and you might be surprised but I was not the most.." she chuckles to herself, glad for what she believes to be alcohol bravery but that's honestly probably worn off a bit. "Charismatic? I didn't have many friends, growing up. Didn't have any until your sister that is. Still don't, really. I have a few, but I have been known to scare many off. You never think talking about crabs would be that frightening but it makes sense that people get tired of it, tired of me. Anyway, your sister was the first person I think to ever approach me and not get chased off," she furrows her brow. "I wasn't the happiest of children. Used to pinch people that really annoyed me, which was most other kids. Anyway, it was about a toy, or something she was interested in? She was inviting me to come along with her, and I just remember walking with her for a long time listening to her," she shakes her head. "Details are a little hard to remember.. I was shocked, there was this girl and she was so.. sweet, and in a way that felt genuine, real. Umiko-chan was always good with people in a way I aspired to be. Knew it from that first day because... well, she was good with me."