[Day 9 - Late Evening] RP Thread: Arcade Action Affair!

[Moto Shiwahime]

"That doesn't sound too bad at all, actually," Sumie said, plotting in her head. "Would be actually kind of badass if you could actually reflect curses on people. Maybe even consider taking some yourself. I think I've seen some movies like but they like, uh, die in the end. Clearly, they weren't responsible or powerful enough. Skill issue. I have a way better chance of playing it smart after seeing those movies. Not that I could go out and get cursed, but kind of more an incidental thing..."

She cleared her throat and looked around to give herself an alibi defence. "Again, totally not cheating, it just happened that way...I swear..."

"Yeah, what kind of cult?" She asked with her brows raised.

If she knew what Hinata was doing right about now, he might have to consider joining something underground himself or be put underground forcibly.

''It's near Tenjin town. They don't seem evil but certainly are straight top counterculture. I can't tell you more since they have not told me all that much themselves''

She shrugs

''I'm afraid that I might not be too mainstream for them...or too much of a jock. I also worship the Lords of Death so they might not be super into that too...even if they have something similar''

[Bayushi Hinata]

If she knew what Hinata was doing right about now, he might have to consider joining something underground himself or be put underground forcibly.

"Atchoo!"

[Susumu Sumiko]

He was looking rougher around the edges than she'd... well ever seen him. He was clearly tired, if still awake and mostly functional. He sets the prizes on his lap with some difficulty as he accepts the can.

He opens it without a hitch and takes a big swig. His tie and shirt have been loosened and unbuttoned slightly to let him breathe and cool down easier.

"I may have been stretched a bit too thin today." He gives her a sheepish smile. Greedily taking in more of the energy drink. "Man I feel so lame, I was trying to be all cool handing you the prizes! Sorry to make you fuss about me Sumiko-san."

"Tsk, if you work yourself to collapse you'll not be able to provide good work this or the next day" Sumiko placed a second can down next to the man and picked up the plushies awkwardly as they were huge compared to her "here, I'll carry these for you. Just rest for the moment. Perhaps get some extra sleep tomorrow morning. Do you need me to contact someone to assist getting you back to where you're staying?"

[Bayushi Hinata]

"Tsk, if you work yourself to collapse you'll not be able to provide good work this or the next day" Sumiko placed a second can down next to the man and picked up the plushies awkwardly as they were huge compared to her "here, I'll carry these for you. Just rest for the moment. Perhaps get some extra sleep tomorrow morning. Do you need me to contact someone to assist getting you back to where you're staying?"

"I know I... I guess in hindsight I should've skipped my morning workout today..." He said with an apologetic expression, scratching the back of his neck. He takes another swig of the can, offering no resistance as she takes the massive plushies.

"They're not too heavy. I just got doozy after standing up too quickly." He moves from sitting to squatting before her, taking the other can and fitting it into a pocket before rising slowly to his full height. He looks better at least, his clothes looked wet though...

"I don't think anyone's available for that." He said sheepishly. "Everyone else is staying at the embassy or the spa. I'm at the Restful Inn. I can make it on my own you don't need to worry about me!"

His posture was certainly different, slumped over himself, less poised. "Again I didn't mean to worry you. I just, had a busy day and thought I'd give you a gift to feel a little better about myself."

"I can walk umm... Ok how about... You help me carry those back to where I'm staying... And I'll get you a cab to yours after?" He seems guilty to ask more of her. The charming, unflappable pretty boy, reduced to a shy, vulnerable boy.

[Kuni Sumie]

''It's near Tenjin town. They don't seem evil but certainly are straight top counterculture. I can't tell you more since they have not told me all that much themselves''

She shrugs

''I'm afraid that I might not be too mainstream for them...or too much of a jock. I also worship the Lords of Death so they might not be super into that too...even if they have something similar''

Sumie looked unsure about this, then a bit disgusted. "...Ugh, is it one of those pseudo-to-heretical religious groups around the Green Carp? Are we talking about those who hold hands in a circle and play guitar in the middle, preaching about happiness and that shit? The Claimers? Or that one where it's an underground business sex cult, with a monthly seminar fee? Ascend XIX or something?"

She waved her hand in rejection. "No, noooo, thanks! I'd rather just start my own sex cult, thank you very much. A cooler one, with Fantasy Fight, and NOT!Edge of Darkness role-playing!"

[Moto Shiwahime]

Sumie looked unsure about this, then a bit disgusted. "...Ugh, is it one of those pseudo-to-heretical religious groups around the Green Carp? Are we talking about those who hold hands in a circle and play guitar in the middle, preaching about happiness and that shit? The Claimers? Or that one where it's an underground business sex cult, with a monthly seminar fee? Ascend XIX or something?"

She waved her hand in rejection. "No, noooo, thanks! I'd rather just start my own sex cult, thank you very much. A cooler one, with Fantasy Fight, and NOT!Edge of Darkness role-playing!"

Shiwahime smirked at that

''Don't think sex is involved....it's called Lavoie or something. Know anything about those? How many pseudo-cults are there anyway?''

[Kuni Sumie]

Shiwahime smirked at that

''Don't think sex is involved....it's called Lavoie or something. Know anything about those? How many pseudo-cults are there anyway?''

"I don't know." She shrugged that, not having the lore for that, and only going by word of mouth. "Do I look like some cult expert to you? Too many! They kind of lie in wait, praying on either lameo Crabs who have nothing else going for them or just a mark. Most can be scams. Others are like really heretical. Not cool-heretical, lame-heretical! They'll call you up and invite you to a meeting, then you find yourself in a room with 20 other people who just want to talk about stuff. Almost happened to me once. They called me back and told me I missed "Duty Evaluation" or some nonsense. Psh, like I'm going to fall for that again."

[Moto Shiwahime]

"I don't know." She shrugged that, not having the lore for that, and only going by word of mouth. "Do I look like some cult expert to you? Too many! They kind of lie in wait, praying on either lameo Crabs who have nothing else going for them or just a mark. Most can be scams. Others are like really heretical. Not cool-heretical, lame-heretical! They'll call you up and invite you to a meeting, then you find yourself in a room with 20 other people who just want to talk about stuff. Almost happened to me once. They called me back and told me I missed "Duty Evaluation" or some nonsense. Psh, like I'm going to fall for that again."

Hum...

''Ah...''

Shiwahime was ill equipped to say what kind of things Sumie was affected by but she'd wager she needed friends. Man, all that edge must be exhausting to keep sharp.

''...well good for you...and thanks for warning me about that cult.''

For a brief moment, he mind's eye stared at the abyss

''I'll probably take the all-inclusive booth with service at the Pink Lotus for a prize for a girl's night. It's probably not your thing and you might think we are too lame but I'd like to extend the invitation to you. If the fancy strikes you when we'll make it happen.''

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Taraka laughed.

"Well I'm glad Same-san won't be lonely. As for the wine.....I don't have any immediate plans for it. But it''ll make a fine gift for someone, and it will keep for quite some time." she admitted. "Same reasoning for the things I picked up at Fan Con. Future gifts for future needs that will only become more rare the longer I hold on to them."

She whistled at the description of New Hope Castle.

"That sounds really impressive, Shinjo-san. I'll admit, I'd like to see that with my own eyes. I wonder if I can find some archived video on it's construction. Working on such a scale is awe-inspiring." she said, impressed.

"I'm sure there is, probably a whole museum to it on station." Suh-Hyun nodded, "New Hope Castle is the pride of the Shinjo after all. Maybe you could visit if you intend to scout the place out for a Battle Carp Franchise. I would also recommend the garden domes. In some of the bigger ones you might catch young glider pilots practicing flying."

"Oh? So Yasuki-san is a collector. Invest in gifts now and then give them when they are even more impressive." Her head bobs in thought, "A solid plan."

[Kuni Sumie]

Hum...

''Ah...''

Shiwahime was ill equipped to say what kind of things Sumie was affected by but she'd wager she needed friends. Man, all that edge must be exhausting to keep sharp.

''...well good for you...and thanks for warning me about that cult.''

For a brief moment, he mind's eye stared at the abyss

''I'll probably take the all-inclusive booth with service at the Pink Lotus for a prize for a girl's night. It's probably not your thing and you might think we are too lame but I'd like to extend the invitation to you. If the fancy strikes you when we'll make it happen.''

"Eh, I'll think about," she said noncommitally. "Really depends who's there and how I'm feeling and if I can take the service door in because I'm not going through the front of that club. I'm not wearing anything that has a miniskirt involved, or low cut, or shiny. I'm not dancing, I'm not drinking their expensive watered-down alcohol...So yeah, they might keep me out based on that alone. That place is super lame but I'd be willing to spit in their face somehow. Let me know if you can keep a door open."

At the very least, she was willing to give her number...for the burner communicator she stole from a dead Crab. Like she would give anyone her real contact!

"Anyway, I'm seeing a bit too many kids here to hang out comfortably. Kids are the worst! Whatever, I'm out," she said and then pushed her way through the crowds.

/exit

[Yasuki Taraka]

"I'm sure there is, probably a whole museum to it on station." Suh-Hyun nodded, "New Hope Castle is the pride of the Shinjo after all. Maybe you could visit if you intend to scout the place out for a Battle Carp Franchise. I would also recommend the garden domes. In some of the bigger ones you might catch young glider pilots practicing flying."

"Oh? So Yasuki-san is a collector. Invest in gifts now and then give them when they are even more impressive." Her head bobs in thought, "A solid plan."

Taraka chuckles.

"Well we didn't all spend our youths writing jounals for the express purpose of one day making meaningful gifts to governors on far away planets." she said, giving Asako Hikari a callback.

Still the words gave her pause.

"Just how big IS New Hope Castle, Shinjo-san?" she asked, genuinely curious.

[Susumu Sumiko]

"I know I... I guess in hindsight I should've skipped my morning workout today..." He said with an apologetic expression, scratching the back of his neck. He takes another swig of the can, offering no resistance as she takes the massive plushies.

"They're not too heavy. I just got doozy after standing up too quickly." He moves from sitting to squatting before her, taking the other can and fitting it into a pocket before rising slowly to his full height. He looks better at least, his clothes looked wet though...

"I don't think anyone's available for that." He said sheepishly. "Everyone else is staying at the embassy or the spa. I'm at the Restful Inn. I can make it on my own you don't need to worry about me!"

His posture was certainly different, slumped over himself, less poised. "Again I didn't mean to worry you. I just, had a busy day and thought I'd give you a gift to feel a little better about myself."

"I can walk umm... Ok how about... You help me carry those back to where I'm staying... And I'll get you a cab to yours after?" He seems guilty to ask more of her. The charming, unflappable pretty boy, reduced to a shy, vulnerable boy.

"You're staying at the inn on your own?"

There was a concerned expression the girls face.

"I was going to go and spend my tokens first, however I'm concerned about you getting back and being on your own. There are spare rooms in the Spider embassy if you want somewhere to rest safely with someone to keep an eye out on you."

[Bayushi Hinata]

"You're staying at the inn on your own?"

There was a concerned expression the girls face.

"I was going to go and spend my tokens first, however I'm concerned about you getting back and being on your own. There are spare rooms in the Spider embassy if you want somewhere to rest safely with someone to keep an eye out on you."

The man pursed his lips as he made the conscious effort to remain balanced. He arched his back, a soft groan escaping his lips as the icy blue eyes meet hers, and seem to almost melt.

"I might just need that. Thank you, Sumiko-chan."

He took a deep breath and downed the remainder of the energy drink. With a huff and a few taps on his cheeks. Taking one of the plushies under his arm, a much easier prospect for him, even if he looked like a wet puppy.

"I'd rather not abuse your generosity anymore than I have. Your clan won't have a problem with me... You know, being alone in a room and whatnot?" There was a slight flush on his cheeks, as if he hadn't stolen a kiss from he run public two days prior.

"I don't want you to get in trouble."

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Taraka chuckles.

"Well we didn't all spend our youths writing jounals for the express purpose of one day making meaningful gifts to governors on far away planets." she said, giving Asako Hikari a callback.

Still the words gave her pause.

"Just how big IS New Hope Castle, Shinjo-san?" she asked, genuinely curious.

"Well there are three big stations in my home system." Suh-Hyun rubbed her chin, "And New Hope is the biggest. It's hard to really describe the sheer size of the station."

"You see we, I mean the Unicorn, prefer to leave the planets below as pristine as possible. Or at least as pastoral as possible. Many of our people choose to leave life in the old ways and those folks reside on the surface, leading the nomadic lifestyle of our ancestors back on Rokugan." She nods, "Those who don't prefer to well, I suppose also live the nomadic lifestyle just in space. Because of that the bulk of our families have to be housed on these stations and others. I mean I could tell you of the vast magtrain network that snakes throughout the station. The large highways filled with vehicles. The towering spires. But to put it in terms of hard measurements?"

She shrugs, "No idea! Big."

[Yasuki Taraka]

"Well there are three big stations in my home system." Suh-Hyun rubbed her chin, "And New Hope is the biggest. It's hard to really describe the sheer size of the station."

"You see we, I mean the Unicorn, prefer to leave the planets below as pristine as possible. Or at least as pastoral as possible. Many of our people choose to leave life in the old ways and those folks reside on the surface, leading the nomadic lifestyle of our ancestors back on Rokugan." She nods, "Those who don't prefer to well, I suppose also live the nomadic lifestyle just in space. Because of that the bulk of our families have to be housed on these stations and others. I mean I could tell you of the vast magtrain network that snakes throughout the station. The large highways filled with vehicles. The towering spires. But to put it in terms of hard measurements?"

She shrugs, "No idea! Big."

Taraka laughed.

"Ah no worries, Shinjo-san. I don't expect you to be a walking database about New Hope Castle, anymore than you should expect me to know everyone on the island. Still, no harm in asking." she said with a smile.

She checked her watch with a yawn.

"Yeesh, is that the time? I'm going to have to call it a night here, Shinjo-san. I've got work tomorrow." she said with a bow. "Still, enjoy the fruits of your victory. I"m sure I'll see you around."

After goodbyes were said, she'd make her....

/exit!

[Susumu Sumiko]

The man pursed his lips as he made the conscious effort to remain balanced. He arched his back, a soft groan escaping his lips as the icy blue eyes meet hers, and seem to almost melt.

"I might just need that. Thank you, Sumiko-chan."

He took a deep breath and downed the remainder of the energy drink. With a huff and a few taps on his cheeks. Taking one of the plushies under his arm, a much easier prospect for him, even if he looked like a wet puppy.

"I'd rather not abuse your generosity anymore than I have. Your clan won't have a problem with me... You know, being alone in a room and whatnot?" There was a slight flush on his cheeks, as if he hadn't stolen a kiss from he run public two days prior.

"I don't want you to get in trouble."

"It's generous to call it an embassy really Hinata-san" Sumiko said with a chuckle as she started slowly walking "the spare rooms are barren except for a bad, it's a converted convention centre. Unless you plan to sneak around in which case you'll just be caught on all the security cameras and need to fight your way out."

She gave him a look to say at least some of that wasn't serious.

"Either way I'm fine. I won't get in trouble for helping a fellow samurai and it would be worse to leave you to fend for yourself."

[Bayushi Hinata]

"It's generous to call it an embassy really Hinata-san" Sumiko said with a chuckle as she started slowly walking "the spare rooms are barren except for a bad, it's a converted convention centre. Unless you plan to sneak around in which case you'll just be caught on all the security cameras and need to fight your way out."

She gave him a look to say at least some of that wasn't serious.

"Either way I'm fine. I won't get in trouble for helping a fellow samurai and it would be worse to leave you to fend for yourself."

He doesn't answer. But a weak smile spreads on his face, it feels odd to be weak in front of another, much as he is no crab, he is still Bushi, supposed to be unflappable and immovable.

He walks beside her, allowing himself to be led and tended to by the friendly spider. Soon enough they are out of the arcades, on their way to the Spider's accomodations. It is only known by the two of them what it is that transpired within the halls of the converted convention center. But the man was out by morning, on his own. There was work to be done that following day after all.

[Susumu Sumiko]

He doesn't answer. But a weak smile spreads on his face, it feels odd to be weak in front of another, much as he is no crab, he is still Bushi, supposed to be unflappable and immovable.

He walks beside her, allowing himself to be led and tended to by the friendly spider. Soon enough they are out of the arcades, on their way to the Spider's accomodations. It is only known by the two of them what it is that transpired within the halls of the converted convention center. But the man was out by morning, on his own. There was work to be done that following day after all.

Sumiko had stopped to spend her small amount of tokens on the way out, getting a matching giant Jimen Tori plushie as well as a cute cat headband and a small tuna plushie to finish the rest off. Once that was spent she made a call to arrange a taxi so that Hinata wouldn't need to walk back. She'd make sure he was looked after and safe, and at least left in the morning with some form of breakfast.

[Ikoma Nonoko]

She nodded. "You can try... let's beat that high score." She smiled.

"No luck this time," he says as his fighter is downed. "I forgot how fast the pace on this game is."

"C'ON Bayushi-san you can get this...." She tried to encourage the man. "I understand if it is too hard for you... you can quit..." the Ikoma gave a devious smile.