D4, LA: Towards the horizon

[Moto Shiwahime]

''Not too bad so far. Just...training and meeting people I guess. I look forward to tonight's LARP thing though...I never tried one before and I am curious. Got all the books at Fancon.''

[Agasha Sorato]

"I haven't done anything like it before, either," Sorato admits, adjusting his hat a bit to block more of the glare off the dancing surface of the sea before reaching for a drink. "When in Beiden, do as the locals do, though, right? Do any of you know anything more about it?"

He glances at Itsuka. "You've lived in Crab space for some time, right, Shinjo-san? Have you ever played this kind of game?"

[Asako Hikari]

"The LARP event seems...well, it all seems a bit silly, but perhaps some silliness is what we need, eh?" Hikari gives a light, noncommittal shrug before looking out over the water before turning to see the answer of the Utaku.

[Utaku Itsuka]

The Utaku seems slightly fazed by the questions about the LARP event, only for a moment, but noticeably if anyone was paying close attention.

"Oh... is the scene in Phoenix space smaller? It's larger here than it was back in the Castle of Winds, I guess."

Which isn't an actual, direct answer, as they'll no doubt notice. But it definitely sounds like it's not something she's new to.

"Agasha-san and Asako-san are here due to Yasuki-dono's invitations, I assume? What do you think of the island so far?"

An innocent-sounding question, but - aside from changing the topic - there might be an undertone there asking what the two Phoenix might be hoping to achieve at the island.

[Agasha Sorato]

"If there is a 'scene' in Phoenix space, I've missed it," Sorato admits. "Maybe it's because I don't spend enough time in population centers. The island, though? It's really a special place," he says readily, unwittingly rewarding Itsuka's diversionary tactic. "Beautiful landscape, fascinating ecosystem. The governor is interested in tourism, it seems. I think this could be a powerhouse in other ways too, though."

[Utaku Itsuka]

She nods in agreement at the Agasha's words as they navigate closer to the land, a view of patches of jungle in the distance seeming to illustrate some of what he was just mentioning. In the distance, the bend that will lead them to the northern coast is now almost visible in the distance.

The course settles, the rocky wall to their right is now much lower, allowing a better view of some of the trees. Her answer finally comes in the form of a short question, her eyes focused on their path.

"Other ways?"

[Asako Hikari]

"I cannot say I am terribly familiar with it either, but most of my time is consumed by meetings. Perhaps I will look into it and my opinion on the matter can shift."

He looks out over the terrain as it goes on by, making small mental notes about things as they go.

"Lots of opportunities for high-yield but low footprint farming...fisheries...an abundance of natural resources that if harvested with care and respect could last generations while enriching the Crab."

[Utaku Itsuka]

She seems to tilt her head one side, then the other. Maybe a small nod.

"Shiawase has a wild side to it. I... tend to think it's one people here like. Part of the identity, as it were."

Which was neither in agreement nor in disagreement with what the Agasha said, as he might note. Maybe it could be an agreement depending on what farming meant?

[Agasha Sorato]

Sorato nods, leaning in a bit. "How does Tango Province grow without losing its natural treasures? Have more visitors, more residents, but without crowding out the jungle or Namigashira bay or that amazing lake on Mount Jinsei? It's got to be intentional, efficient, harmonious with the elements." Phoenix are experts at that,, is the unstated conclusion to this thought Sorato isn't an Isawa, but he's still a Phoenix, after all. The best know they're the best.

His eyes follow the coastline admiringly as the boat continues on its way round the island "They've got an active volcano here they could tap practically for free with the right procedures, but they're still running Spirit Furnaces for most of their power, as best I can tell. Or think of the crystal shrimp farms. Demand is growing and the fisherfolk are responding. The more they export, though, the more sea they'll need for their farms. With more efficient methods, they could do more with less impact."

[Utaku Itsuka]

It takes some time before an answer comes. She initially just nods, looks at Mt Nakahama, now behind them, then to the first features of the northern coast. An islet lies to their left, and the rocks ahead at the right recede a bit to show what should finally be Namigashira Bay.

"Tapping the volcano..." she finally says. "That... might work. If Mt Nakahama is still Mt. Nakahama. And Mt Jinsei. Lake Ibuki. The jungle." She shakes her head slightly. "I imagine some development will be inevitable... but Tango isn't in the World of Dreams. It's... its... its soul."

Which was mostly in agreement with Sorato, so far. She just didn't seem to get herself to simply agree with that, for some reason.

The boat made a tighter turn to get closer to the western opening of the bay, gradually started slowing down. Only then she takes up the matter again, and the reason maybe becomes slightly clearer.

"Take crystal shrimp... farming is good and interesting. Efficiency may help. But how much can exports grow? How much demand can be met? How far can development go, without..."

The boat slows down even more, then all but stops other than the shifting caused by the waves, although the engine is still running for now. She walks outside, sends out an anchor, ties it well, comes inside again, checks some equipment, and the engine is finally turned off.

"I... can't speak for everyone, of course. But it's Tango province's soul that brought us here."

[Moto Shiwahime]

Shiwahime listened to her cousin, nodding in understanding. Their clan did have the habit to leave their worlds has wild as possible, after all.

[Agasha Sorato]

"Mmm." Sorato listens solemnly, trailing a long arm over the boat's side to let the splashing spray cast up along the hull tickle his hand. "That's important. I haven't been to the World of Dreams. From the docs, it doesn't sound like a place I would care for very much."

He straightens up, after a moment remembering to dry his hand on his shirt. "Change isn't death, though. Sometimes it's even life. The spirit of a thousand-year ancient tree isn't the same as when it was a sapling. The spirit of Mount Nakahama now is a lot more peaceful than when the islands formed--it would have to be, or nothing could live here." He shrugs, adding gently, "Change can come almost any way. Fortune favors mortal man because we get to choose how. More than mountains or animals do, at least."