[Day 6, Late Afternoon, Closed] Star Crab the Crab Star

[Miya Kisha]

Kisha will bow, if more shallowly this time.

"Madame Karo," she'll say, old training returning to the fore. Even if this is informal, it's still the governor's second, and so better to err on the side of politeness.

"Thank you, of course, for your time and attentions."

[Yasuki Kaito]

"I would be happy to oblige, Yasuki Kaito-san," she says. "Please enjoy the space Umiko-chan, Bayushi-san and Miya-san. The crabs in the aquarium are particularly captivating today I think. You might enjoy watching the Opal Darter over in that main one."

Presenting herself to Kaito, "Shall we then, Yasuki Kaito-san?"

"Please, Yasuki Honoka-san," he gestured for her to start leading the way before giving a few nods to people to indicate that they'll be right back. "Is there another place where we can get another aquarium in the background shot? Or maybe we can even have the interview done in the kitchen?"

He waved to have some of the crew follow them. "Oh, for the segment, we brought a guest interviewer for the show. From Rumble Slam Arena's commentator team, Tango Province's own and Shiawase Island native, Yasuki Sakae!" He would gesture to Sakae, who was among the small crew and there the entire time, of course. She approached, wearing an orange-red blazer with sequins that resembled scales, giving a small bow at her introduction.


Yasuki Sakae
Art Source

"Hello, glad to be a part of this! Just happened to be here on layover...But actually, I'm from Kai Island, not Shiawase Island..." she would say apologetically.

"Right, right!" Kaito snapped his fingers and looked a little pained at the mistake. "My bad, completely. We'll be careful not to mention that!"

[Yasuki Umiko]

Kisha will bow, if more shallowly this time.

"Madame Karo," she'll say, old training returning to the fore. Even if this is informal, it's still the governor's second, and so better to err on the side of politeness.

"Thank you, of course, for your time and attentions."

Umiko would allow them to leave and turn her attention to the two samurai by the aquarium. There was a momentary pause when she was referred to so formally by the Imperial, stunned enough for her to process before she smiled back warmly.

She gave a wave of her hand to indicate that no thanks are needed. "Ahhh, no need to thank me at all. My cousin needed a favour and it just so happened to be at a good friend's restaurant. However, I still considered it my duty to familiarize myself with both locals and guests of the island. Despite the fact that I'm often out for my duties, opportunities to actually socialize are far and few in between for me. I hope the hospitality has been to your liking and that you've been enjoying your time here."

[Bayushi Kazushi]

Kazushi sits back and watches as the program begins to take shape - ready to jump in if needed, but also ready to stay right where he is until he's asked.

While Kurumi - as always - watches for any signs of trouble, Katsumi busies herself with her laptop. Probably checking her employer's incoming communications and making sure any necessary reports are getting filed on time. Probably.

[Yasuki Honoka]

"Please, Yasuki Honoka-san," he gestured for her to start leading the way before giving a few nods to people to indicate that they'll be right back. "Is there another place where we can get another aquarium in the background shot? Or maybe we can even have the interview done in the kitchen?"

He waved to have some of the crew follow them. "Oh, for the segment, we brought a guest interviewer for the show. From Rumble Slam Arena's commentator team, Tango Province's own and Shiawase Island native, Yasuki Sakae!" He would gesture to Sakae, who was among the small crew and there the entire time, of course. She approached, wearing an orange-red blazer with sequins that resembled scales, giving a small bow at her introduction.


Yasuki Sakae
Art Source

"Hello, glad to be a part of this! Just happened to be here on layover...But actually, I'm from Kai Island, not Shiawase Island..." she would say apologetically.

"Right, right!" Kaito snapped his fingers and looked a little pained at the mistake. "My bad, completely. We'll be careful not to mention that!"

"I was on Kai island once as a child, and I remember the trip fondly. It's a pleasure to be working with you Yasuki Sakae-san," she smiles and bows accordingly. Taking the moment in the exchange to give Sakae an appraising look, and marking that attractive quality of a woman wearing flashy fashion. Something she always marked in herself perhaps as a bit of admiring what someone else was far more comfortable doing than she.

Turning her attention then to Kaito, "There are a few other aquariums. None as grand as the central one but I wanted guests to be as close to the animal they are learning of and experiencing as possible. We could use any of those, or the kitchen, as you would prefer?" she says, offering the decision to the experts in show biz.

[Yasuki Kaito]

Yasuki Sakae

"Much smaller than both Shiawase Island and Gakko Island to be sure, but it remains a quaint spot to return to here and there to see my parents. Thank you, Yasuki Honoka-sama."

Kaito rubbed his chin in consideration on his options before giving his answer. "Hey, if it's fine with you, let's take this to the kitchens. I'm sure you have it in presentable form, and we have a peek at the dishes before they are wheeled out for our guests of honour. People are going to appreciate a little visual food...tantalizers before the episode of Jade Chef. Let's make it happen! Please, Yasuki-sama."

(We can keep the thread here or move to a slightly adjacent one in the same Time/Hour)

[Miya Kisha]

introductions

Kisha smiles.

"It's been an excellent time so far," the Miya replies. "I appreciate having been able to be included in local events. The First Market was particularly endearing. I expect the youth I worked with will do well in life. I hope he will, anyway. And it was pleasant to be able to take a ride out in some of the surrounding countryside. You do have a nice setup here, and I think people will delight in knowing what all is on offer here.

"But I can understand that you are quite busy with so much going on and so many visitors. You're making it look easy, though. How do you manage it?"

[Yasuki Umiko]

Kisha smiles.

"It's been an excellent time so far," the Miya replies. "I appreciate having been able to be included in local events. The First Market was particularly endearing. I expect the youth I worked with will do well in life. I hope he will, anyway. And it was pleasant to be able to take a ride out in some of the surrounding countryside. You do have a nice setup here, and I think people will delight in knowing what all is on offer here.

"But I can understand that you are quite busy with so much going on and so many visitors. You're making it look easy, though. How do you manage it?"

Umiko smiled brightly at Kisha. "Is that so? I'm glad that you've been enjoying your time here. And thank you for taking part in the First Market. With everything happening here, I was afraid that the First Market would be overlooked. The local and visiting volunteers really pulled through at the last moment and ensured the children had a good time. It was a really good way to fast-track people into the community."

"Well, I'm not the sole person behind the happenings of the island," she gave a good-natured chuckle. "I have the staff at the Public Works office to thank for all of the footwork in putting the events together, as well as my associate planners and coordinators. I attend my share of meetings to sort out ideas and any issues that might arise. Then, when that's all said and done, I forward them to the governor for final say. It was daunting going from acting to this, but after a few months of tackling a few cultural events and day-to-day government work, I just got the hang of it."

[Miya Kisha]

printable responses

"Who could refuse to help the children?" Kisha says. "In time, we will have to entrust the Empire to them, after all; we should all work to ensure their hands can hold what we give them.

"But of all the work you do for the governor, what part gives you the greatest joy? Of course, all of it needs doing, and service is its own dignity and reward, but there will be some parts that are readier to your hands than others, won't there be?"

Umiko will doubtlessly recognize the interviewer's cadence; it's not as if Kisha is concealing what she's doing. But it is also what she understands she has been asked to do, and she is happy to help, being very much a Miya.

[Yasuki Honoka]

Yasuki Sakae

"Much smaller than both Shiawase Island and Gakko Island to be sure, but it remains a quaint spot to return to here and there to see my parents. Thank you, Yasuki Honoka-sama."

Kaito rubbed his chin in consideration on his options before giving his answer. "Hey, if it's fine with you, let's take this to the kitchens. I'm sure you have it in presentable form, and we have a peek at the dishes before they are wheeled out for our guests of honour. People are going to appreciate a little visual food...tantalizers before the episode of Jade Chef. Let's make it happen! Please, Yasuki-sama."

(We can keep the thread here or move to a slightly adjacent one in the same Time/Hour)

"Of course then, please follow me!" she says, finding the energy of a woman getting things done. With a look to Kaito and then Sakae she ensures they are ready to follow and then starts making her way toward the kitchen.

[Yasuki Umiko]

"Who could refuse to help the children?" Kisha says. "In time, we will have to entrust the Empire to them, after all; we should all work to ensure their hands can hold what we give them.

"But of all the work you do for the governor, what part gives you the greatest joy? Of course, all of it needs doing, and service is its own dignity and reward, but there will be some parts that are readier to your hands than others, won't there be?"

Umiko will doubtlessly recognize the interviewer's cadence; it's not as if Kisha is concealing what she's doing. But it is also what she understands she has been asked to do, and she is happy to help, being very much a Miya.

Umiko smiled softly at the question, certainly her own sort of training and experience kicking in for situations such as this one. "Well, the managing part of it all, really."

She chuckled softly. "Sorry, that might be too expected of an answer, Miya-san, but that is the truth of it! After being away for so long, there's just something about returning to the seat of governance in the Tango Province, being home, being back with everything we grew up and were raised with, being with our old friends, and now taking up the same reins that my parents had managed our whole lives. I consider it an honour to be given the chance to potentially change this province for the better, even if it's managing such small things like public transit or festival budgets or coming up with small ideas that might turn into bigger ones."

"That gives me the most joy," she nodded surely at that. "Even more so when the lives of our subjects are improved."

[Miya Kisha]

interview answers

Kisha nods. "Even if the answer was unexpected," she says, "it is a good one.

"Real quick, on public transit: I've been told there's going to be some changes for the upcoming festival. Something about collectible transit cards? If it's not prying too much into things, is there anything you can say about that initiative?"

[Yasuki Kaito]

"Of course then, please follow me!" she says, finding the energy of a woman getting things done. With a look to Kaito and then Sakae she ensures they are ready to follow and then starts making her way toward the kitchen.

Yasuki Kaito and Yasuki Sakae follow Honoka.

/exit to Kitchen

[Bayushi Kazushi]

"So I suppose we wait until the action returns out here?" Kazushi asks of Kisha and Umiko.

(Edit: I'd thought Umiko had left for the kitchen, too. Oops.)

[Yasuki Umiko]

"I suppose..." She said with an unsure tilt of her head and a curious peek toward the kitchens, as if she could see through the walls to see how Honoka and Kaito were doing. There was a part of her that knew if she was in the same room, she could grant some emotional support, but it seemed whatever they were preparing was under wraps and a secret!

"Well, I've done my share of these food tastings before when my duty was with the Silver Fin Production umbrella. There would be a variety show spotlighting the members of Aoi48, and we would sample things such as spicy food and Unicorn food. Endorsements have also been a thing, of course, which I did a few in my acting days. I suppose this could be considered one, or the beginnings of one," she chuckled.

"And I hope you've been doing well with your stay here, Bayushi-san?" She asked him after another glance at the direction they went off to.

[Bayushi Kazushi]

"I'm enjoying it, for the most part," Kazushi admits. "One of the locals - Yasuki Taraka-san - has been trying to talk me into establishing a vacation home here, and I'm seriously considering doing just that. Both my wife and I need somewhere where we can get away from the intensity of political and business life on Rokugan, and the environment here seems like it would be a good one for our little one to experience."

[Miya Kisha]

"Oh, that would be such a delight!" Kisha says. "Do let me know if you do it; I'll have to send a housewarming gift for you if you do!"

[Bayushi Kazushi]

"That I'll be sure...to...do," says Kazushi, trailing off as he hears raised voices coming from the kitchen. "I think something's gone wrong back there..."

[Yasuki Umiko]

"Oh?" Umiko brought up with curiosity. "Have you considered some properties or locations yet? Lower Nakahama City is very popular, especially being central to a lot of businesses, corporate offices, amusements and the waterfront. Upper Nakahama City is far more peaceful by comparison and still in the city. There are a few houses in the mountains if you're looking for something truly remote. It does get rather dark there..."

As Umiko spoke, it seemed some kitchen staff, production crew, and even Yasuki Sakae emerged from the door. They stood to the side, trying to look as patient and unbothered as possible.


Yasuki Sakae

[Bayushi Kazushi]

"The Lower City, I think," Kazushi says almost absently, his attention on the gathering outside the kitchen. "I don't think either of us would know what to do with ourselves without the noise and activity of urban life."