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

[Yasuki Ayame]

Ayame crossed her arms and turned a bit serious as she gave a few nods. "Yes, I did get the message about that earlier...Sooo, I guess you're just going to leave tomorrow, as you said?"

Her question lingered a little, as she still hadn't quite made up her mind about what to say. It wasn't quite to right time to confront her about this, in public and after a few cups of alcohol. Still, if she didn't quite want to let this go with a mere 'chance' bump. Ayame let out a sigh and just spoke up to get her thoughts out. "Just seemed abrupt, that's all. I get why, yeah. Surprised, in many ways. You know?"

[Bayushi Senshuken]

Ayame crossed her arms and turned a bit serious as she gave a few nods. "Yes, I did get the message about that earlier...Sooo, I guess you're just going to leave tomorrow, as you said?"

Her question lingered a little, as she still hadn't quite made up her mind about what to say. It wasn't quite to right time to confront her about this, in public and after a few cups of alcohol. Still, if she didn't quite want to let this go with a mere 'chance' bump. Ayame let out a sigh and just spoke up to get her thoughts out. "Just seemed abrupt, that's all. I get why, yeah. Surprised, in many ways. You know?"

"No, I don't know." Senshu replies immediately. A million statements and another million questions come to her mind. Why wouldn't she leave. For Ayame she's the diplomat that caused a serious incident. The type of an incident that strains clan relations and ends careers. Leaving unharmed was the best she could hope for. If you don't count, the hopes that she can't even admit to herself. "Surprised how?" She asks after a moment.

[Yasuki Ayame]

"No, I don't know." Senshu replies immediately. A million statements and another million questions come to her mind. Why wouldn't she leave. For Ayame she's the diplomat that caused a serious incident. The type of an incident that strains clan relations and ends careers. Leaving unharmed was the best she could hope for. If you don't count, the hopes that she can't even admit to herself. "Surprised how?" She asks after a moment.

Ayame frowned at Senshuken's answer, at first, the displeasure wasn't directed at her specifically but rather the realization of how vague she was with her wording. It was perhaps for the best, considering that bringing such issues would be terrible for the celebratory occasion.

"Just everything turning out like this, I guess," she said after some contemplation, doing her best to be vague. "Blindsided in some ways, taken advantage in others. Some losses. I was just hoping things would be a little more chill, that's all. I know, it was probably too hopeful of me."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

Ayame frowned at Senshuken's answer, at first, the displeasure wasn't directed at her specifically but rather the realization of how vague she was with her wording. It was perhaps for the best, considering that bringing such issues would be terrible for the celebratory occasion.

"Just everything turning out like this, I guess," she said after some contemplation, doing her best to be vague. "Blindsided in some ways, taken advantage in others. Some losses. I was just hoping things would be a little more chill, that's all. I know, it was probably too hopeful of me."

Senshuken has so many things to say about this admission, varying from a simple I-told-you-so rubbed to Ayame's face and offering important pieces of advice on how to organize her government according to how she has seen her own mother doing it to a full scale confession of... attraction. Still it is not the time or her place to do so.

"The diplomat inside me," she speaks at the end, "wants to offer words of sympathy. The Scorpion advice that is never free of charge. I want to..." She chuckles softly. "Yesterday I exchanged a few emails with my mother. She said that everyone knows that deception is perhaps the Scorpion's best tool in dealing with others. What we only know, though, is that it is also our best tool in dealing with ourselves." She pauses to let that sink in." It is the road I have to walk once I leave this island, I have no other sane choice. But I haven't left yet." She looks at her straight into the eyes.

" Would you indulge me with a walk?"

[Yasuki Honoka]

Honoka watches Ayame go, a little too slow to keep up with her movements. Wondering, perhaps, if this was maybe another little sign the world was giving her. Finding that stick in Crabbo's hand she pulls it out and grasps it firmly, but gently. As the party melted around here into a blob of sound and lights she find herself alone. Alone with a hope, and a dream, for something magical.

Hiroto would clear his throat, standing beside her and bringing her back to the world of the living and real.

"Shall we get you home then, Honoka-sama? Look like you could use some rest," he would suggest.

"Oh.. that would be a brilliant idea Hiroto-san. I could certainly use a nap, and some recuperation before tonight. Thank you," she would say, and smile to him.

Then this pair of Yasuki would depart from the festival, and Honoka would return to her penthouse up in the clouds with a renewed sense of all that was around her.

/exit

[Yasuki Ayame]

Senshuken has so many things to say about this admission, varying from a simple I-told-you-so rubbed to Ayame's face and offering important pieces of advice on how to organize her government according to how she has seen her own mother doing it to a full scale confession of... attraction. Still it is not the time or her place to do so.

"The diplomat inside me," she speaks at the end, "wants to offer words of sympathy. The Scorpion advice that is never free of charge. I want to..." She chuckles softly. "Yesterday I exchanged a few emails with my mother. She said that everyone knows that deception is perhaps the Scorpion's best tool in dealing with others. What we only know, though, is that it is also our best tool in dealing with ourselves." She pauses to let that sink in." It is the road I have to walk once I leave this island, I have no other sane choice. But I haven't left yet." She looks at her straight into the eyes.

" Would you indulge me with a walk?"

Ayame would look back at her, seemingly maintaining a neutral expression. She unfortunately didn't have much in the way of Scorpion-wisdom-speak to return anything in kind. In many ways, she more or less made up her mind, but coming to terms with it was a whole other battle entirely.

"Sure," she would say easily enough, whether it would be for a little privacy or just to clear their heads a little more. Just facing each other already had a tension to it.

[Bayushi Senshuken]

Ayame would look back at her, seemingly maintaining a neutral expression. She unfortunately didn't have much in the way of Scorpion-wisdom-speak to return anything in kind. In many ways, she more or less made up her mind, but coming to terms with it was a whole other battle entirely.

"Sure," she would say easily enough, whether it would be for a little privacy or just to clear their heads a little more. Just facing each other already had a tension to it.

The neutral expression, the one word answer. Everything is recognized for what they are. Indifference. Senshu feels a drop of sweat running down her spine.

She gestures for Ayame to lead and follows her. She walks slowly mostly because this silence offers her solace. Solace from the conversation that she's been wishing for since this morning. A soft chuckle escapes her as she realizes the hilarity of the whole situation. It is the very first time in her life that she's absolutely, utterly and devastatingly speechless.

"You broke me. Or the situation did." She says in the end and laughs. "Kami, someone broke me! I was driving a Bayushi Lightning, at least 200hp, and now I'm at a Shiba Ecomotor that barely reaches 50 km/h. And to make matters worse, I like it. I get to see the view out of the window for the first time." She looks at her. "Feel free to dismiss me, Ayame sama. I know that I blew my chances and if this ever was meant to be my last one in one million shots, I would blow it again because I don't even know what to say to you."

[Yasuki Ayame]

The neutral expression, the one word answer. Everything is recognized for what they are. Indifference. Senshu feels a drop of sweat running down her spine.

She gestures for Ayame to lead and follows her. She walks slowly mostly because this silence offers her solace. Solace from the conversation that she's been wishing for since this morning. A soft chuckle escapes her as she realizes the hilarity of the whole situation. It is the very first time in her life that she's absolutely, utterly and devastatingly speechless.

"You broke me. Or the situation did." She says in the end and laughs. "Kami, someone broke me! I was driving a Bayushi Lightning, at least 200hp, and now I'm at a Shiba Ecomotor that barely reaches 50 km/h. And to make matters worse, I like it. I get to see the view out of the window for the first time." She looks at her. "Feel free to dismiss me, Ayame sama. I know that I blew my chances and if this ever was meant to be my last one in one million shots, I would blow it again because I don't even know what to say to you."

The silence was indeed awkward for Ayame, especially when she didn't know what to expect from this walk. She could have just let Senshuken go as casually as she went, but to just let the past relationship end with a potential heat death just didn't seem fitting. Better to act now and see how it pans out later, at least that made sense in her mind.

"I had a feeling I might have done something to you...but a part of me just couldn't sort out whether it was a role or it was truth. Or merely just an advantage, as painful as I have to admit. I know when it comes to certain stories that we've done, that sort of element is part of the contract. Maybe when it comes to real feelings, more than just attraction, such things should be more clear than dramatic." She gave a shake of her head. "This part wasn't a fault of yours, I just needed to sort it out in my head, and it was really difficult, I admit."

"Then you did that thing, or at least admitted to it. I don't know if it was ever part of the 'plan' but that went much further than I could ever imagine." She let out a strained sigh. "But this is obvious, you already talked about it. I guess part of my surprise was that I felt there was some lightning in a bottle at first. The flash was astounding at first, blinded me, even. After my sight returned, I found myself wondering if it was only my imagination."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

The silence was indeed awkward for Ayame, especially when she didn't know what to expect from this walk. She could have just let Senshuken go as casually as she went, but to just let the past relationship end with a potential heat death just didn't seem fitting. Better to act now and see how it pans out later, at least that made sense in her mind.

"I had a feeling I might have done something to you...but a part of me just couldn't sort out whether it was a role or it was truth. Or merely just an advantage, as painful as I have to admit. I know when it comes to certain stories that we've done, that sort of element is part of the contract. Maybe when it comes to real feelings, more than just attraction, such things should be more clear than dramatic." She gave a shake of her head. "This part wasn't a fault of yours, I just needed to sort it out in my head, and it was really difficult, I admit."

"Then you did that thing, or at least admitted to it. I don't know if it was ever part of the 'plan' but that went much further than I could ever imagine." She let out a strained sigh. "But this is obvious, you already talked about it. I guess part of my surprise was that I felt there was some lightning in a bottle at first. The flash was astounding at first, blinded me, even. After my sight returned, I found myself wondering if it was only my imagination."

"Metaphors are like the bane of my existence right now for I have no idea whether you like me or not. Liked me or not. Will like me or not." She chuckles bitterly. "Okay I practiced in the mirror. I got this."

She takes a deep breath. "I, Senshuken, did not wrong you, Ayame sama. The Bayushi delegate perhaps wronged the governor, but even this is debatable. When the Yasuki trade in koku, we trade in secrets and the truth is that the governor should be wondering why a single, foreign dignitary discovered a conspiracy that all her courtiers and all her security experts had not. That dignitary didn't want to sit at the same table and talk business with someone who has a far stretched sense of loyalty so she took actions. All in all, the result is not a bad one politically speaking. A wake up call to the governor, hopefully the removal of the disloyal vassal and an exhibition of how useful the Scorpion can be as allies and business partners."

"Did it take its toll on you and I? On the personal level? Of course it did, but I would do it again. The moment I decided to set the plan in motion, I knew that we were pretty much done. It is easier to load part of all the anger and the disappointment on someone you know for just two weeks. It makes it easier to handle those same feelings towards someone you know and love for your whole life. It is always easier to blame the Scorpion than the actual villain. So on the personal level, perhaps, years from now you will find yourself thanking me. Once again it was a job well done. Isn't that what they sell in the movies? Feelings make you want to sacrifice yourself for the well being of the other person?" Another bitter chuckle and she stops walking.

"I don't use big words when it comes to that. Feelings. I have already told you that I like you. A LOT. Was my marriage proposal made too quickly? Perhaps, but I wanted to know where you stand before that whole thing exploded in my hands. We didn't seem to stand on the same level and you certainly do not seem to stand where I do after everything that has happened. And... I cannot suddely become the type that chases you and begs for her feelings to be reciprocated. Not now, not ever. Not for you, not for anyone else."

She takes a breath. "So I will be leaving in two days. Two weeks vacation, said my mother, will help me deal with the loss. You have my contact info. Text me or not. Come find me or not. Tell me to stay here with you or not. But know that once I step away from this conversation, I cannot guarantee what my response will be. I don't do things slowly and I understand that it's not everyone's cup of tea having to deal with it. Especially when there's the prospect of a whole lifetime having to do so."

She straightens her posture, almost as if standing in military attention. "I have made my case twice now and I'd rather walk away with flair and be awesome till you cannot see me anymore. Till no one can see me. Only then I will lick my wounds. You can give me a serious answer this time or once again be too tired, too bored to think and talk. I don't mind either. I like you just the way you are, I don't wish to change you."

[Yasuki Ayame]

Ayame chuckled ruefully, "Sorry there, I thought metaphors would be a closer representation of what I was feeling, even if it's not exactly that. Maybe the games have gotten the better of me here. I just wanted to say that I feel we could have had something, but now I'm entirely sure..."

"I'm not upset at what you found and everything around your nature, only if there was something different that could have been done instead. Maybe the most direct path, especially with what was on the line? Or perhaps lend a hand for aid, rather than angling for a certain advantage?" She frowned, standing in place and looking back at her when the walk stopped. "Of course, I don't expect anything to be free. But the price can be haggled, meaning there were other ways. But I get the feeling that everything fell in place either way, even if it took the long path to get there, maybe with some people in danger before then, and me finding out long after the fact. And, well, some people are taking the blame. A fair price but still a heavier one."

After talking about it, Ayame perhaps narrowed it down to what she was most surprised about. "I'm willing to forgive, just not immediately. I thought I made that clear in my response. I'm just surprised that despite that, your follow-up response was to cut and leave. Is it because I need time to forgive, and that's asking too much from a racer? Or there's just more dramatic flair of stepping away stage right and leaving me to just linger on that aura for the rest of my life?"

[Bayushi Senshuken]

Ayame chuckled ruefully, "Sorry there, I thought metaphors would be a closer representation of what I was feeling, even if it's not exactly that. Maybe the games have gotten the better of me here. I just wanted to say that I feel we could have had something, but now I'm entirely sure..."

"I'm not upset at what you found and everything around your nature, only if there was something different that could have been done instead. Maybe the most direct path, especially with what was on the line? Or perhaps lend a hand for aid, rather than angling for a certain advantage?" She frowned, standing in place and looking back at her when the walk stopped. "Of course, I don't expect anything to be free. But the price can be haggled, meaning there were other ways. But I get the feeling that everything fell in place either way, even if it took the long path to get there, maybe with some people in danger before then, and me finding out long after the fact. And, well, some people are taking the blame. A fair price but still a heavier one."

After talking about it, Ayame perhaps narrowed it down to what she was most surprised about. "I'm willing to forgive, just not immediately. I thought I made that clear in my response. I'm just surprised that despite that, your follow-up response was to cut and leave. Is it because I need time to forgive, and that's asking too much from a racer? Or there's just more dramatic flair of stepping away stage right and leaving me to just linger on that aura for the rest of my life?"

Senshu’s inner world erupts into a full stage performance. Curtains rise. Spotlights flare. A narrator presents the play in tragic tones as Ayame talks.

This is a legendary duel of Poor Communication Style Champions. Crab Rhetoric vs Racer Panic Technique!

'We could have had something…'
The internal narrator gasps so loudly Senshu nearly hears it. Something what. A romance. A disaster. A really good bowl of noodles?

'...but now I’m entirely sure…'
Entirely sure of what! That Senshu is a fool? Or entirely sure that… they did have something. Or entirely sure that they didn’t. Or entirely sure that metaphors should be outlawed by Imperial decree!

The letter. That cursed, traitorous, beautifully folded paper of misunderstanding. Did Ayame really say 'I need time' to her, not the Scorpion? Did Senshu miss it? Was Ayame writing in code? Did Senshu translate it into 'goodbye forever' because her heart was already barely held together with ducktape?

Her imagination sprints.

Then Ayame speaks of lingering on an aura and Senshu’s brain conjures Ayame trapped inside a dramatic fog of Senshu-shaped regret, swirling like a theatrical special effect.

By the Fortunes, feelings are a maze with no map and Senshu is wandering inside it with a lantern made of paper and wishful thinking. The chaos continues until, without warning, the stage lights snap off.

Silence.

She breathes once. Twice. And when she speaks, her voice is steadier than her spinning thoughts deserve. “Say the words.” Senshu says quietly and her eyes meet Ayame’s without flinching. “And I will stay. Right now you only give me nothing but doubts and half shaped, halfway hopeful hints. I cannot stay begging for something unnamed. I cannot stay without knowing why I’m staying. Why you want me to stay. I can’t stand on uncertain ground anymore."

Her chin lifts with the smallest, most fragile kind of bravery, far from her usual self.

“I have feelings for you. Do you?"

[Yasuki Ayame]

"I do," she admitted simply when it came to feelings. There was a tone of firmness about her, if she was quite glad to be direct, cutting through the games and the dramatics. There was also a tinge of reluctance in her words, knowing full well be exposing her weakness to a Scorpion, which was supposedly quite dangerous. This, alongside their recent rift and the most recent revealed machinations of her sister...opening herself up like this wasn't advisable, but she did.

She frowned as some reality set in. "I'm not so sure what sort of future, if any, these feelings will entail, though. Or if they will solidify. Especially, there is a lot of business I have to sort through after these two weeks. But I do want to be certain of you, that's going to take time, both for these wounds to heal and eventually, to better learn from each other. I don't want you to up and just disappear."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"I do," she admitted simply when it came to feelings. There was a tone of firmness about her, if she was quite glad to be direct, cutting through the games and the dramatics. There was also a tinge of reluctance in her words, knowing full well be exposing her weakness to a Scorpion, which was supposedly quite dangerous. This, alongside their recent rift and the most recent revealed machinations of her sister...opening herself up like this wasn't advisable, but she did.

She frowned as some reality set in. "I'm not so sure what sort of future, if any, these feelings will entail, though. Or if they will solidify. Especially, there is a lot of business I have to sort through after these two weeks. But I do want to be certain of you, that's going to take time, both for these wounds to heal and eventually, to better learn from each other. I don't want you to up and just disappear."

Senshu’s smirk rises like a moon that knows every secret written in the night. It’s a sly, slow forming thing, bright with swagger and shadowed with danger. The kind of smirk that hints at bruised pride mending itself into something sharper.

“Good.” She says. “I’ll move into your garden house in two days. And I don’t mean the kennel! I’ll stay for two weeks. Then we discuss how mad you really are with me for being the most dutiful and loyal samurai you’ve ever met. And how you should have absolutely ditched me if I had put you above my clan.” Her tone is crisp, almost strict, like she’s outlining terms of a temporary truce between fighting armies rather than confessions of love. Yet every word coils with heat.

“I won’t kiss you now.” She adds, tilting her head with criminal elegance. “Because one, someone might be watching. And two, I’m not entirely certain about my breath, because those Hida you placed up there to torment us had me drink eight cups.”

She pauses and looks her up and down. It is an army officer's inspection and a tiger's hunger at the same time. Slowly. Thoroughly. Appreciatively. “You look hot in this.” She murmurs. “Samurai of the old days. Experienced nakodo meets and seduces younger client.” A beat. “In two nights. Your room. Yes?”