[D1 MA] Daughters of Thunder and Plunder Unite!

[Yoritomo Yakura]

Yakura was wearing her business clothes...more garish but drab, still, with gold jewelry as appropriate. She was waiting for her compatriot to join, to discuss strategy.

Meanwhile, she was eyeing the lingering guests. The Dragon just opened, so there weren't many yet. Eyeing her partner in crime, Yuki-san, milling about as welll, she was content there would be no shenanigans today.

No unapproved shenanigans.

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Snip

There's a squeal of tires and then a worrying sound of a vehicle driving over wood from pier accompanied by a few honks of a horn. Then a few moments later the cause of the disturbance enters the Azure Dragon itself.

She's at least relatively polite, none of the the guards are elbowed past and an elderly guest is even given right of way, although it visibly irks Ochiba to wait. But finally she reaches Yakura and bows politely.

"Yo Yoritomo Yakura-san, well met and all that."
She looks around.
"Gotta say, this is a nice place. I'd heard good things but, yeah...real nice."

[Yoritomo Yakura]

Yakura looked out at the screeching tires. She saw her clanmate parking sideways over two....no, make that three spots.

A girl after my own parking sense. Yakura glanced at her awkwardly parked Moto Trailblazer sitting weirdly in 2 spots. What? The parking scryer does not help that much!

"Just call me Yakura, I think we'll get tired of going Yoritomo-san, Yoritomo-sama all day long. Glad you heard good things." She gestured around. "Games or drinks first?"

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Yakura looked out at the screeching tires. She saw her clanmate parking sideways over two....no, make that three spots.

A girl after my own parking sense. Yakura glanced at her awkwardly parked Moto Trailblazer sitting weirdly in 2 spots. What? The parking scryer does not help that much!

"Just call me Yakura, I think we'll get tired of going Yoritomo-san, Yoritomo-sama all day long. Glad you heard good things." She gestured around. "Games or drinks first?"

"Then Ochiba works for me as well. Thank the fortunes, hate when things get so stuffy."
Thinking for a moment.
"Drinks first, if you don't mind. Good way to lubricate everything else. And I've been pacing myself anyway."

[Yoritomo Yakura]

"Great O-chan!" Yakura greeted the agreement happily, then waved a server around. "Something local, or something homey? Well, homey from New Kalani, and I have something special from the Dice in the back." Her eyes took on a mischievous glint. "Though I keep that for special occasions."

She waved at the respected bushi (ha) to take a seat at the bar. "Quick overview of my humble personage. Merchant patron, originally from the Dice, my father is from Green Carp, my grandfather was a local merchant patron, now retired. Upon his retirement, he gifted me this little boat, though it was a bit more rundown. I renovated it, put in the gambling hall, and now I make money off of other people." She took a sip of her own drink. "Now, tell me about yourself."

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Snip

"O-chan? Does that make you Y-chan, hmmmm? Then we're both Mantis with the M....OH MY."
She throws a casual salute over at Yakura.
"Let's start local, we don't want to spoil ourselves early, right? Work our way up."

Ochiba hops up at the bar, spinning the stool slightly so she has a good view of the entrances, some habits die hard. She nods once or twice as Yakura gives her the rundown.
"You got ambition making this place your own, respect that. And it looks like the other locals don't bother you, nicely done. I'd heard about this place...it's real impressive. Have not been gambling for a while...but it sounds like this house always wins."

In response to Yakura's quiestion her fellow Mantis props her elbows back against the bar with a very 'not much to tell' stance.
"Me? Polite duty is salvaging, less polite is privateering, even less polite is another p-word but we don't like that. Joined my current crew 3 years back after leaving the regular navy. Had some differences of opinion with some folks. Made my way up to XO, now looking to hit captain next."
Flashing a smile.
"Business is good though, real good. We hit a Spider hauler that was carrying a big chunk of dough. Some scary shit on that ship, but it was worth it."

[Yoritomo Yakura]

Yakura smiled. "Here, take this it's from the local brewery." She handed O-chan some local draft beer fron the Kinsenki breweries. IT was too bitter for her.

"Ah thanks. Yeah, feel free to join in." She threw a credit chip towards the other Mantis. "Here, this is a 10 koku credit chip, feel free to play it away. Just don't cheat on my ship, it would be rude. Cheat somewhere else." She threw her hair back. "Arigatou, yeah the locals are just happy I'm paying my taxes. Things have taken a downturn over the last few years, hence the whole shindig."

Her eyes lit up at the mention of Ochiba's occuption. "Oho, so you are a woman of talents. Will keep that in mind." At the mention of the Spider assault, she immediately leaned in. "Oh, do tell me O-chan, now my curiosity is piqued!"

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"Kinsenki, been seeing this everywhere. Seems like the big local drink."
Her hand snatches out to grab the flying credit chip.
"Wouldn't come all this way to cheat family, don't raid where you eat, basic rule we all should follow."

Ochiba bats away the curiosity with a hand wave.
"Oh it's not as dramatic as all that, we stalked them for a couple weeks until they were out of range of reinforcements, then came in burning hot. Engines first, then comms then we boarded. It was pretty nasty but they only had some 3rd string guards and we were hungry."

Her expression darkens slightly.
"Some of them used these fucked up axes though, game over if they hit you. But, we won the day and made off with everything our ship could carry. Didn't look back until we were between familiar stars. It's not for the faint of heart but...you want to get ahead, it's one way to do it."

[Yoritomo Yakura]

"Oh, took any of the axes?" She filed the information away. How interesting!

"Glad to hear. You seem to have come out in one piece?" She took a sip. "Kinsenki is kind of the big game here. It's fine. Have better stuff at home, but you can get drunk on this too."

She leaned back. "If you need a base of operations for any shenanigans you want here, let me know. I can led some room here, though let me know if you're doing anything too sensitive. I have a business to keep licenced after all."

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Snip

"Oh no way, that's bad stuff, spiritually. Easy way to end up damned you do that."
Ochiba seems dead serious.

"It's a kind offer, might take you up on it. But I hear yah, nothing too major. I don't know whether this will make you happy or disappoint yah but I don't have anything major lined up. At least not major like that. Just here to enjoy myself, wave the mon a little and spend my money. Don't expect to cause any serious trouble. Now, unserious trouble? Gonna be lots of that. First step."

She sips her bottle.
"Big party in a day or two, get some music, some catering, all the great and good, show off a little. Thinking costumes, got a place lined up, got a musician lined up. Might lean on you for recommendations though, who does good food around here anyway?"

[Yoritomo Yakura]

Yakura pouted. "Okay fine, no shootouts. Ah well, you're still a dangerous woman I can throw around like a party trick." She winked at her clanmate.

"Oh, costumes?" She immediately went into planning mode. "I guess dressing as a dragon would be too on the nose. Let me look into catering." She gestured around. "We can provide you if all else fails, but to be honest, we are fairly standard here. If you want fancyish, try the Hanei Tower. Their food isn't bad, and it's considered fancy. If you want something more robust, there are a few restaurants...or if you want weird, Crabkaku offers great Crab. Just Crab though, nothing else."

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Yakura pouted. "Okay fine, no shootouts. Ah well, you're still a dangerous woman I can throw around like a party trick." She winked at her clanmate.

"Oh, costumes?" She immediately went into planning mode. "I guess dressing as a dragon would be too on the nose. Let me look into catering." She gestured around. "We can provide you if all else fails, but to be honest, we are fairly standard here. If you want fancyish, try the Hanei Tower. Their food isn't bad, and it's considered fancy. If you want something more robust, there are a few restaurants...or if you want weird, Crabkaku offers great Crab. Just Crab though, nothing else."

"Oh hey, I didn't say no shootouts, I said no major trouble." To demonstrate, she vigorously finger guns. "Shootout barely counts unless it's with someone important. I just won't be starting any...or many...or any stupid ones. But some folks need shooting."

She nods her thanks to Yaruko's advice.
"Hanei Tower and...a restaurant that just does Crab? Well, Crab's classy, I can get some from them and then splash out for the Hanei Tower stuff. Can't stand parties that cheap out on the food, I won't be one. And hey, you can come as a Dragon if you like."
Wolfishly.
"I'm gonna be pretty on the nose myself. I'm sure someone will turn up with some kind of allusion to history that if you read a great poet is actually a clever dig at blah blah. But I reckon most folks will just be there to have fun. Oh yeah, can you bribe the magistrates round here?"

[Yoritomo Yakura]

"Oh hey, I didn't say no shootouts, I said no major trouble." To demonstrate, she vigorously finger guns. "Shootout barely counts unless it's with someone important. I just won't be starting any...or many...or any stupid ones. But some folks need shooting."

She nods her thanks to Yaruko's advice.
"Hanei Tower and...a restaurant that just does Crab? Well, Crab's classy, I can get some from them and then splash out for the Hanei Tower stuff. Can't stand parties that cheap out on the food, I won't be one. And hey, you can come as a Dragon if you like."
Wolfishly.
"I'm gonna be pretty on the nose myself. I'm sure someone will turn up with some kind of allusion to history that if you read a great poet is actually a clever dig at blah blah. But I reckon most folks will just be there to have fun. Oh yeah, can you bribe the magistrates round here?"

"Ah, perfect. Wait no." She wagged her finger. "No shootouts on the ship. It's where I keep my stuff! Well, most of my stuff....some of my stuff. The other stuff is technically company stuff."

Yakura nodded. "Yes! Good food and good drinks and good dancing, and maybe an argumetn or a brawl. Some light vandalism I guess. You know, a proper party." She breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the other Mantis was on the right track. "Sure you can. Let me send over the standard bribery table." Her communicator pinged as she texted the going rates. "Some of them have to pay taxes on this, and it's just the polite thing to do, you know."

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Snip

"At least the Yasuki get that right. I swear some of the more uptight clans they get angry if you bribe and angry if you don't bribe. So you spend half an hour trying to get through customs until you find out they wanted it as a 'gift' of 'tea'."
Rolling her eyes.

"Ugggh. Kami these prices are high. Maybe I should advise a reduced bribery rate to spur some innovation?"
Eh, something for later.
"There's almost certainly going to be a brawl with all those different clans together, hmmm. I'll have to hire some security who won't mess it up. Parties are a lot simpler when everyone knows everyone but, what can yah do? Other than not getting into firefights on your ship, I guess."

Shrug.
"Right, this is all coming together though. Appreciate the assist. Now" Visibly more animated. "You mentioned some games? Hmmmm?"

[Yoritomo Yakura]

"At least the Yasuki get that right. I swear some of the more uptight clans they get angry if you bribe and angry if you don't bribe. So you spend half an hour trying to get through customs until you find out they wanted it as a 'gift' of 'tea'."
Rolling her eyes.

"Ugggh. Kami these prices are high. Maybe I should advise a reduced bribery rate to spur some innovation?"
Eh, something for later.
"There's almost certainly going to be a brawl with all those different clans together, hmmm. I'll have to hire some security who won't mess it up. Parties are a lot simpler when everyone knows everyone but, what can yah do? Other than not getting into firefights on your ship, I guess."

Shrug.
"Right, this is all coming together though. Appreciate the assist. Now" Visibly more animated. "You mentioned some games? Hmmmm?"

"When it comes to commercial bureocracy, the Yasuki are up there, alongside the Yoritomo, of course." She smiled proudly. ""Yeah, transparency is key when it comes to bribery. Why don't people get that?! Ugh, so annoying."

"Of course, of course...I1ll send the consultancy bill later." She winked at the bushi. "Of course, of course. What do you prefer? Cards? Slots? There's some crabfighting in the back, but that doesn't start until later. Also, don't advertise it too much. Technically it's not legal."

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"When it comes to commercial bureocracy, the Yasuki are up there, alongside the Yoritomo, of course." She smiled proudly. ""Yeah, transparency is key when it comes to bribery. Why don't people get that?! Ugh, so annoying."

"Of course, of course...I1ll send the consultancy bill later." She winked at the bushi. "Of course, of course. What do you prefer? Cards? Slots? There's some crabfighting in the back, but that doesn't start until later. Also, don't advertise it too much. Technically it's not legal."

"Cards, definitely. One of the best ways to pass the time. I think I won and lost my pay half a dozen times last voyage."
She makes a 'lead on' gesture, cocking her head.

"Crab fighting? Like....actual Crabs? How...wait, why is it illegal? You can eat'em but you can't make 'em fight? Seems a bit harsh."

[Yoritomo Yakura]

Yakura shrugged. "Some weird local law, not sure. Some of the locals seemed pretty amped about it, so I made some arrangements. It's not a big money maker, but weirdly draws in some pretty fine people. The temptation of the illicit, as you know."

She gestured towarsd a nearby table, where a heimin dealer was waiting and ready. A sharp eyed Mantis privateer might notice how the heimin looked like someone from more Mantis stock than local stock.

"What's your poison, Yoritomo-sama?"

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Yakura shrugged. "Some weird local law, not sure. Some of the locals seemed pretty amped about it, so I made some arrangements. It's not a big money maker, but weirdly draws in some pretty fine people. The temptation of the illicit, as you know."

She gestured towarsd a nearby table, where a heimin dealer was waiting and ready. A sharp eyed Mantis privateer might notice how the heimin looked like someone from more Mantis stock than local stock.

"What's your poison, Yoritomo-sama?"

looking over with a raised eyebrow and a smirk at the 'Yoritomo-sama'
"Oicho-kabu when I'm in a casino. Way more fun to play with professionals, and high risk high reward."
Scanning the floor for the various games on offer.
"Huh, your people...they're off-worlders? That would not have been cheap. Worth the expense?"

[Yoritomo Yakura]

"It was an investment, but I'd like the Dragon to be the best of both worlds."

Yakura eyed her staff critically, though she was seemingly satisfied.

"What do you guys play when not on shift?"

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"It was an investment, but I'd like the Dragon to be the best of both worlds."

Yakura eyed her staff critically, though she was seemingly satisfied.

"What do you guys play when not on shift?"

"Zheng Shangyou is pretty fun, nobody really keeps score so it's lower stakes. You can wag your chins and have a drink and the cards are just there to keep you distracted."
Flashing a smile.
"Not so good for a casino I imagine? What do you gets have on offer?"