[Closed] Mount-Up! (Day 3, MA)

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Ayame giggled and leaned close to give her another playful check of her elbow. "I'm sure you won't be so bad yourself there, but if you feel like you need an escort still, I wouldn't mind protecting you, Ochiba-san. You can count on me to get you to the LZ in one piece," she gave her a wink before handing her the bowl and dusting herself off.

"Yeah?" She looked rather amused by Ochiba's choice of words. "Do you have the whole guardians watching you over to complete this experience at your place, too? Because, if you do, I could always try to sneak in your place instead."

"If you decide to sneak in over the windowsill at night...at least knock first, that way I can put on some pants. Sadly, I doubt my security could keep out a truly determined and skilled operator...oh dear, perhaps I shall be staying awake all night with worry, woe is me."

Ochiba chucks a cheeky elbow right back before finalizing the preparations and starting on the final stretch where the path was a smidge steeper and the two had to occasionally climb between larger rocks.
"Well, after you've seen my LZ at the top here, you won't want to go anywhere else, promise you that!"

[Yasuki Ayame]

"If you decide to sneak in over the windowsill at night...at least knock first, that way I can put on some pants. Sadly, I doubt my security could keep out a truly determined and skilled operator...oh dear, perhaps I shall be staying awake all night with worry, woe is me."

Ochiba chucks a cheeky elbow right back before finalizing the preparations and starting on the final stretch where the path was a smidge steeper and the two had to occasionally climb between larger rocks.
"Well, after you've seen my LZ at the top here, you won't want to go anywhere else, promise you that!"

"Okay, maybe I should do a little more than knock," she held out a hand and chuckled out loud. "It's probably all fun and games until someone with a live weapon discharges it at the first sign of trouble. Not the sort of discharge I want to be responsible for. You know, as much as it would be fun to surprise you out of nowhere. It does feel a little more exciting that way, I have to admit..."

"Big words of promise, Ochiba-san!" She said as her eyes lit up before smirking mischievously. "But I already know you can promise something without the need to resort to kidnapping a governor or any of their kin. It tends to be a thought that crosses the minds of many, apparently."

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"Okay, maybe I should do a little more than knock," she held out a hand and chuckled out loud. "It's probably all fun and games until someone with a live weapon discharges it at the first sign of trouble. Not the sort of discharge I want to be responsible for. You know, as much as it would be fun to surprise you out of nowhere. It does feel a little more exciting that way, I have to admit..."

"Big words of promise, Ochiba-san!" She said as her eyes lit up before smirking mischievously. "But I already know you can promise something without the need to resort to kidnapping a governor or any of their kin. It tends to be a thought that crosses the minds of many, apparently."

"Always awkward when you shoot first and ask questions later, although sometimes it can really short circuit the questions."
Ochiba scrambles over a rock and then turns and boldly offers Ayame a hand up as well.

"Kidnapping has never really been my style, it's just sort of unpleasant for everyone. And a Governor, on her home turf? That's liable to prevent me sharing any booze or desserts with her for quite some time."
Eyebrow raise.
"But, folks have been plotting tthat sort of stuff?"

[Yasuki Ayame]

"Always awkward when you shoot first and ask questions later, although sometimes it can really short circuit the questions."
Ochiba scrambles over a rock and then turns and boldly offers Ayame a hand up as well.

"Kidnapping has never really been my style, it's just sort of unpleasant for everyone. And a Governor, on her home turf? That's liable to prevent me sharing any booze or desserts with her for quite some time."
Eyebrow raise.
"But, folks have been plotting tthat sort of stuff?"

Ayame has already shown herself not to be bashful when it comes to touching another person. She wasn't too stubborn to accept help either, and she took the offered hand as they made their way further up on the mountain. Her shoes would dig a little into the mud in some parts of the climb. Thankfully, she already threw out the idea that she would look pristine after the climb.

She chortled at the idea. "Okay, maybe I was kidding there. I can't quite picture that's something any sane person would think. Just must be one of those serial plots I might have heard about in a passing commercial. I'm still pretty young in my career to have any enemies. Any that I know of. Most of my enemies live on another planet with no way off, and I've managed to put them down with a few piercing shots."

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Ayame has already shown herself not to be bashful when it comes to touching another person. She wasn't too stubborn to accept help either, and she took the offered hand as they made their way further up on the mountain. Her shoes would dig a little into the mud in some parts of the climb. Thankfully, she already threw out the idea that she would look pristine after the climb.

She chortled at the idea. "Okay, maybe I was kidding there. I can't quite picture that's something any sane person would think. Just must be one of those serial plots I might have heard about in a passing commercial. I'm still pretty young in my career to have any enemies. Any that I know of. Most of my enemies live on another planet with no way off, and I've managed to put them down with a few piercing shots."

“Lucky! I got a couple enemies and they have ships. Guess I’ll have to work on my piercing shots then. Still, keeps me active.”

The two scramble their way up to the viewing platform near the summit where a couple of collapsible deck chairs have been laid out under a canopy. There the third and perhaps mightiest cooler of all awaits.

“Now, dear Yasuki-sama, island princess, LZ conqueror. Please, make yourself comfortable and ready your palette for the finest of all spirits, a refreshing drink which I am hoping will prove once and for all the sheer strength of Mantis liquor.”

She bows in an exaggerated fashion.

[Yasuki Ayame]

“Lucky! I got a couple enemies and they have ships. Guess I’ll have to work on my piercing shots then. Still, keeps me active.”

The two scramble their way up to the viewing platform near the summit where a couple of collapsible deck chairs have been laid out under a canopy. There the third and perhaps mightiest cooler of all awaits.

“Now, dear Yasuki-sama, island princess, LZ conqueror. Please, make yourself comfortable and ready your palette for the finest of all spirits, a refreshing drink which I am hoping will prove once and for all the sheer strength of Mantis liquor.”

She bows in an exaggerated fashion.

"Ara, ara..." Ayame would say with her best dulcet voice impression, putting a hand on her chest to exaggerate the awe of the presentation. Well, seeing as she had a character in Edge of Darkness as the ruling Queen of Nakahama City, that impression seemed more practiced than something she attempted on a pure lark. "You've prepared a throne fit for a queen, with a view of my grand domain. You're just a wonderful servant, perhaps worthy of my favour..."

"Oooh, I'm looking forward to this," Ayame would say with a big grin as she broke character and made her way to one of the lawn chairs, flopping down to take a seat. "Totally worth almost instigating a footsies fight with you. Something we admittedly kept as polite as possible in public, but I would have totally beat you in, obviously."

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Snip

Little did Ochiba know that Ayame's future queen outfit would become the Mantis' communicator background for the rest of her time on the island.

"Truly, I live to serve...although this humble servant was mere moments away from a total footsies victory, being something of a master of that art of combat, and indeed all others."

She winks before extracting two expensive looking crystal glasses, chilled and a small unassuming glass bearing the Yoritomo mon.

"But, to commiserate over any future defeats, may I present the Mantis Junmai. Typically nice at room temperature but, a chilled glass should suffice on such a hot samu- uh, day. No additives, merely pure polished rice with the slightest notes of peach and pear. Never to be drunk quickly, and certainly not alongside food."

Almost reverently Ochiba pours two 1/3 glasses and makes a big show of offering the first to Ayame.

"Rather expensive too, and not something even the famed Yasuki can get their hands on easily. But, to impress a samurai of taste I can think of few better offerings."

Raising her own glass.
"I had the last toast, so I'll offer this to you. What are we drinking to?"

[Yasuki Ayame]

-

Ayame lifted her brows and inched herself to a proper seating position, only because it would make her look taller, posturing herself as she felt a challenge creeping up. "Don't tempt me with a good time, Ochiba-san...You might get more than you bargained for. But, that's a challenge that might have to be resolved later. I wouldn't want to wreck your entire setup here just to prove my point."

"Oooooh," Ayame said when she presented with her glass, holding it carefully as if she was handling a spotless bar of gold to be turned into koku of old. There was a momentary smirk on her lips as she gave a glance at her surroundings, prized and pure sake on a hike? Well, she supposed samurai of old enjoyed such a treat in places like waystations and campsites.

"To prosperity and wealth, namely mine and the Tango Provinces," Ayame gave a chuckle there. "I think I'm allowed to have my own interests in there. But also to the journey and the destination. To the friends who were with us when we started this hike, and the ones who we picked up along the way. To the ones who couldn't make it and the ways we honour them living in their stead. Not just existing but living. We will forever miss them, but they will never leave us."

She would turn her gaze to the mountain top Lake Ibuki in the distance and let out a low chuckle in an attempt to laugh it off. "Sorry, I guess I got a little sentimental there..."

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"To prosperity and wealth, namely mine and the Tango Provinces," Ayame gave a chuckle there. "I think I'm allowed to have my own interests in there. But also to the journey and the destination. To the friends who were with us when we started this hike, and the ones who we picked up along the way. To the ones who couldn't make it and the ways we honour them living in their stead. Not just existing but living. We will forever miss them, but they will never leave us."

She would turn her gaze to the mountain top Lake Ibuki in the distance and let out a low chuckle in an attempt to laugh it off. "Sorry, I guess I got a little sentimental there..."

Ochiba clinks her glass against Ayame's with a little 'tink' as the Crab starts dwell on the past.

"To Tango, the road and the destination. And all those friends. In the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them."

She takes a small sip of her own potent brew, the fiery liquid cutting through the dust of their journey.
"If you can't get sentimental with a good drink in hand, your land below you and thoughts of the past, when can you get sentimental? You've lost people, no reason you shouldn't pay some respects when the times are good."

[Yasuki Ayame]

Ochiba clinks her glass against Ayame's with a little 'tink' as the Crab starts dwell on the past.

"To Tango, the road and the destination. And all those friends. In the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them."

She takes a small sip of her own potent brew, the fiery liquid cutting through the dust of their journey.
"If you can't get sentimental with a good drink in hand, your land below you and thoughts of the past, when can you get sentimental? You've lost people, no reason you shouldn't pay some respects when the times are good."

Ayame chucked at the clink against her glass, wondering if she might have been near ramble territory with her toast. "Yes, indeed!"

It was time for drinking! She would likewise take a sip and make a face as she was surprised by the brew's bite. She blinked and gave a shake of her head to steady her senses once the aftertaste subsided. That was good to bring her back to the present, at least.

Her expression softened, and she showed an appreciative smile. "Good point, and here I was wondering if you were going to start bolting once I started getting a bit sentimental," she grinned and leaned in to give her a tap with her elbow. Of course, not enough to force to dare jostle the glasses they were holding.

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Ochiba clinks her glass against Ayame's with a little 'tink' as the Crab starts dwell on the past.

"To Tango, the road and the destination. And all those friends. In the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them."

She takes a small sip of her own potent brew, the fiery liquid cutting through the dust of their journey.
"If you can't get sentimental with a good drink in hand, your land below you and thoughts of the past, when can you get sentimental? You've lost people, no reason you shouldn't pay some respects when the times are good."

Ayame chucked at the clink against her glass, wondering if she might have been near ramble territory with her toast. "Yes, indeed!"

It was time for drinking! She would likewise take a sip and make a face as she was surprised by the brew's bite. She blinked and gave a shake of her head to steady her senses once the aftertaste subsided. That was good to bring her back to the present, at least.

Her expression softened, and she showed an appreciative smile. "Good point, and here I was wondering if you were going to start bolting once I started getting a bit sentimental," she grinned and leaned in to give her a tap with her elbow. Of course, not enough to force to dare jostle the glasses they were holding.

Ochiba looks innocent as she shoulder nudges Ayame back, visibly smug about how successful she felt this whole event had been.

“Oh no, never… it’s way too far down.”
She sticks out her tongue
“I’m not the sentimental sort, but sometimes you know, thoughts come in and causes trouble and then you need to think on them.”

Shrugging
“Anyone with an interesting life has some stuff in their past, good, bad, confusing, all the stuff… like the time they had to admit a Mantis brew was some of the best they’d had in their whole lives, even better with a smoking hot waitress.”

[Yasuki Ayame]

Ochiba looks innocent as she shoulder nudges Ayame back, visibly smug about how successful she felt this whole event had been.

“Oh no, never… it’s way too far down.”
She sticks out her tongue
“I’m not the sentimental sort, but sometimes you know, thoughts come in and causes trouble and then you need to think on them.”

Shrugging
“Anyone with an interesting life has some stuff in their past, good, bad, confusing, all the stuff… like the time they had to admit a Mantis brew was some of the best they’d had in their whole lives, even better with a smoking hot waitress.”

Ayame would take another careful sip from her glass, this time more to savour the flavour. "You are right about not wanting to leave the mountain, I'll give you that," she said with happy sigh before leaning rather closely toward Ochiba, in which she was obviously breaching deck air space that interceptors might have been called.

"But you know, those could be considered fighting words with a Crab," she would tell in a low tone that edged as a warning. In the feudal days of the Empire, there apparently were many reported historical incidents of brawls in sake houses along the Rokugan mainland. The Black Bay Sake incident would come to mind.

"...but I'll let you free passage this time," she would say with her next breath. Not wanting to break the space-time continuum with the passing days, Ayame would merely plant a quick kiss on Ochiba's cheek before sitting back casually.

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Snip

"Well you see that-" Ayame's kiss stops the Mantis' train of thought dead as her face crinkles into a big goofy smile. Ochiba looks over at Ayame, looks back at the view, the Governor and then the view again, one hand going up to her cheek where the Crab had planted their precision strike.

A little weakly. "Ayame-sama is generous." even with the flush from the hiking and alcohol Ochhiba was turning a brighter red.

"I uhhh,ummm." still smiling. "I get kissed a lot, I swear I'm usually cooler about it."

[Yasuki Ayame]

"Well you see that-" Ayame's kiss stops the Mantis' train of thought dead as her face crinkles into a big goofy smile. Ochiba looks over at Ayame, looks back at the view, the Governor and then the view again, one hand going up to her cheek where the Crab had planted their precision strike.

A little weakly. "Ayame-sama is generous." even with the flush from the hiking and alcohol Ochhiba was turning a brighter red.

"I uhhh,ummm." still smiling. "I get kissed a lot, I swear I'm usually cooler about it."

Ayame giggled as she took another sip of her glass, "Mm-hmm," she would murmur with the junmai still in her mouth.

"...I can be if someone treats me right. And I'm sure, you're used to being kissed," she said with a look that wasn't sure if that was indeed the case or Ochiba was just trying to play it off. "It's not all bad, being cool about it isn't much fun. Now being hot and bothered about it, that's probably much more interesting. It really brings out the traits out of someone to get a better idea of them. I guess just like when alcohol is served the right way, right?"

She gave her another wink before she took another careful sip.

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Ayame giggled as she took another sip of her glass, "Mm-hmm," she would murmur with the junmai still in her mouth.

"...I can be if someone treats me right. And I'm sure, you're used to being kissed," she said with a look that wasn't sure if that was indeed the case or Ochiba was just trying to play it off. "It's not all bad, being cool about it isn't much fun. Now being hot and bothered about it, that's probably much more interesting. It really brings out the traits out of someone to get a better idea of them. I guess just like when alcohol is served the right way, right?"

She gave her another wink before she took another careful sip.

"I see." Ochiba pauses, clearly mulling something over before sculling the remainder of her glass, leaning over and kissing Ayame back on her cheek.

"Now, I'm just gonna look out for those traits of yours." She winks.

[Yasuki Ayame]

"I see." Ochiba pauses, clearly mulling something over before sculling the remainder of her glass, leaning over and kissing Ayame back on her cheek.

"Now, I'm just gonna look out for those traits of yours." She winks.

Admittedly, Ayame was already blushing from the second sip of alcohol, as much as she wanted to play off the glow as potential sunburn. She was a bit careful not to accidentally sunburn her face to use that excuse, however. Reaching for her face, she would slide off the visor sunglasses that she wore and cast a listless look at Ochiba, trying to maintain a sort of poker face as best she could, despite the creeping redness on her cheek.

Oh, what the hey.

With that, Ayame escalated things and leaned in to give the Mantis a kiss, something that was easily more than a quick peck.

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Admittedly, Ayame was already blushing from the second sip of alcohol, as much as she wanted to play off the glow as potential sunburn. She was a bit careful not to accidentally sunburn her face to use that excuse, however. Reaching for her face, she would slide off the visor sunglasses that she wore and cast a listless look at Ochiba, trying to maintain a sort of poker face as best she could, despite the creeping redness on her cheek.

Oh, what the hey.

With that, Ayame escalated things and leaned in to give the Mantis a kiss, something that was easily more than a quick peck.

"...Okay I like those traits."
Ochiba, simply swings her body across the Governor's and reciprocates wholeheartedly...after all, they had a whole bottle to get through and plenty of time to do it.

((/Fade to Governor? Thank you for the scene Boogie, I know it was a long one on your end!))

[Yasuki Ayame]

Ayame made some effort to keep her glass of alcohol from spilling, as a proper Crab should in this situation...but with both her hands preoccupied, it was going to be impossible!

/Fade to Governor!