[D2 EE] Casino Royal

[Yoritomo Yakura]

Yakura's people let Umiko's people lnow that the Karo was free to visit the casino at any given hour, and the peolle's people came back with the current window.

The Mantis' communicator beeped indicating the meeting was taking place soon, so she leaned onto the bar, awaiting her guest.

[Yasuki Umiko]

It had been a busy day at the market, and even at its conclusion in the afternoon, Umiko remained behind to mediate and ensure everything was in order for all of the children and their respective guardians. It proved to be a success, as it seemed that with the interest in the event and the number of visitors on the island, most children's stock was sold.

Umiko would change out of her 'merchant' outfit and appear in a blue dress with some ruffle trims. She would pull into the nearby parking lot in her boxy compact car, the sort that was more utilitarian in the limited space of the island than one that was driven for style.

Once she arrived, she was presumably directed to where Yakura was, and she bowed politely to greet her. "Haah, good evening, Yoritomo-san! Thank you very much for the invitation once again! I hope you've been having a pleasant day thus far."

[Yoritomo Yakura]

Umika may have noticed a monstrosity of a car parking across 2 spaces coming in. What a weirdo and totally not Yakura's.

Yakura beamed at her guest. "Yasuiia-sama! So glad you could nake it! Hai, it is good so far, even better with such august company." She gestures for Umiko to sit. "I am so glad to be able to take part in Forst Market. It is such a fascinating and fun tradition! I am surebyou sould oit your stock on your market day, neh?"

The Mantis woman raised two fingers towards the bar, flagging a waiter. "Care for a drink?"

[Yasuki Umiko]

Umiko found herself laughing softly at the enthusiasm and dipped her head down in thanks for the compliment. "I'm glad that you were able to pitch in. As much as it's traditionally supervised by parents, I think some guardians and even the children understand the opportunity from samurai such as yourself. Maybe in the future, it would spur a Yasuki to dock their business on Daikoku's Dice in exchange."

The karo would make her way over to where Yakura was and take a seat, smoothing down her dress and laying her bag properly on the countertop. "Sure...what do you suggest? Do you have any iced teas? Or maybe a mocktail that's exclusive here? Let's go with a house specialty. I think the house always wins in taste, no?" She offered a soft smirk on that question.

[Yoritomo Yakura]

Umiko found herself laughing softly at the enthusiasm and dipped her head down in thanks for the compliment. "I'm glad that you were able to pitch in. As much as it's traditionally supervised by parents, I think some guardians and even the children understand the opportunity from samurai such as yourself. Maybe in the future, it would spur a Yasuki to dock their business on Daikoku's Dice in exchange."

The karo would make her way over to where Yakura was and take a seat, smoothing down her dress and laying her bag properly on the countertop. "Sure...what do you suggest? Do you have any iced teas? Or maybe a mocktail that's exclusive here? Let's go with a house specialty. I think the house always wins in taste, no?" She offered a soft smirk on that question.

"Hopefully yes. I feel our families have so much in common. I guess that is why I like ylir island so much."

She smiled at the Karo. "The weather is nice, the people are nicer. The profits' pretty good too."

"Hm....mocktail? Not something stronger?" She asked curiously, while a server arrived unobstrusively, holding a glass with a pink drink and a tiny green umbrella. "This one is an old favorite of mine from home. The ingredients are fairly common, but the way it's mixed is not the norm usually."

[Yasuki Umiko]

Umiko smiled and nodded in easy acceptance at the statement. "They say in Rokugan of old, the Yasuki Family did find their home along the Crab Clan coasts. Both our Families would naturally have a knack for taking to the seas with the Mantis on the islands. We do take things less for granted and trade to ensure we make sense meet for our lords. So that connection is quite natural and meant to be, in many ways."

Of course, the Mantis had better boats. The Crab boats were just kind of floating castles.

She smiled apologetically at the mention of something stronger. "Ahhh, I don't typically drink much, I'm afraid. It's often not great for the balance of the aspects if done too much. But, if there's something that's really exclusive and comes really recommended by Yoritomo-san, I'm more than willing to take a few sips. Uhm, is this the non-alcoholic version then?"

[Yoritomo Yakura]

Yakura let out a small laugh. "I didn't even think about it, but I am a boat based money maker, like the Mantis of old."

She smiled fondly.

"Hai, it is non-alcoholic. I woukdn't wish to surprise you. It is called Fortune's Gamble, and the ratio of ingrediants was decided by the roll of the dice. There is an alcoholic variant, but this is the mocktail." She took a sip of her own. "I'm j8st taking some cherry wine, grown locally."

She finished her drink, and put the empty glass on the tray of a server who suddenly appeared. "Say, is there a Yasuki dojo on the island? I think only the Hiruma one, no?"

[Yasuki Umiko]

Umiko took a cautious sip from her drink and tried to get a read on its flavour. "Mmm, well, perhaps it's okay if I try the alcoholic version to get a true sense of the drink. I don't know if I know of many drinks that are so chaotic, and you must have a really high tolerance for variety if you're an avid drinker. Hm, perhaps it's much like gachapon?"

She shook her head at the question. "No, the Yasuki dojo is on the neighbouring island of Gakko Island. About a few hours by ship or just one hour away by air shuttle. It's been as such since the province's founding, and I'm a bit fuzzy on the history of why, but perhaps this island proved to be a bit turbulent and provided a large number of landscapes for Hiruma-based training. Gakko Island is a bit more stable by comparison. Why do you ask, Yoritomo-san?" Umiko cast a curious look at her as she brushed some hair behind her ear after another sip of the mocktail.

[Yoritomo Yakura]

Umiko took a cautious sip from her drink and tried to get a read on its flavour. "Mmm, well, perhaps it's okay if I try the alcoholic version to get a true sense of the drink. I don't know if I know of many drinks that are so chaotic, and you must have a really high tolerance for variety if you're an avid drinker. Hm, perhaps it's much like gachapon?"

She shook her head at the question. "No, the Yasuki dojo is on the neighbouring island of Gakko Island. About a few hours by ship or just one hour away by air shuttle. It's been as such since the province's founding, and I'm a bit fuzzy on the history of why, but perhaps this island proved to be a bit turbulent and provided a large number of landscapes for Hiruma-based training. Gakko Island is a bit more stable by comparison. Why do you ask, Yoritomo-san?" Umiko cast a curious look at her as she brushed some hair behind her ear after another sip of the mocktail.

"Oho?" She flashed a sly smile. "Let me see about it..." she waved towards a waiting staff, holding up two fingers. "It's been a while since I drank one of those, let's commiserate than."

She shrugged at her question. "Just with the first market, I Was curious. So many children going to another island. I have a younger brother coming up soon for schooling, an idle thought ran by to maybe see if he would like to study like our father did. Did you study there too?"

[Yasuki Umiko]

"Yes," she nodded at the question. "So, in many ways, the First Market could be the last bit of activity they do on this island before going off to their schooling. This makes the time that parents and volunteers spend with them especially valuable. Even if you met your charge for only a few hours, I'm very sure that these are memories that they will take with them for the rest of their lives."

"Some could be bound for the Stingray's Sting Dojo on this island, which trains Hiruma bushi. My sister was a student of that dojo. That said, the Radiant Scale Dojo on Gakko Island isn't that far away. It's about a few hours by boat and faster by air. So, I don't think our children are going to be so far from their parents if they are to be trained as courtiers. So, if you consider schooling there for your brother, he wouldn't be so far away. He might even see you on holiday easily," she offered hopefully with an encouraging smile.

"...I...did not study there," she said apologetically, showing a slight bit of discomfort on the matter. "My mother petitioned me to study at the prestigious Daikoku's Hand Dojo. I had the honour of studying there instead of the Radiant Scales Dojo. I can't quite speak on my experience there, but I do have a cousin here who is a student there, Yasuki Kaito-san, who also works for the Silver Fin Productions."

[Yoritomo Yakura]

"Yes," she nodded at the question. "So, in many ways, the First Market could be the last bit of activity they do on this island before going off to their schooling. This makes the time that parents and volunteers spend with them especially valuable. Even if you met your charge for only a few hours, I'm very sure that these are memories that they will take with them for the rest of their lives."

"Some could be bound for the Stingray's Sting Dojo on this island, which trains Hiruma bushi. My sister was a student of that dojo. That said, the Radiant Scale Dojo on Gakko Island isn't that far away. It's about a few hours by boat and faster by air. So, I don't think our children are going to be so far from their parents if they are to be trained as courtiers. So, if you consider schooling there for your brother, he wouldn't be so far away. He might even see you on holiday easily," she offered hopefully with an encouraging smile.

"...I...did not study there," she said apologetically, showing a slight bit of discomfort on the matter. "My mother petitioned me to study at the prestigious Daikoku's Hand Dojo. I had the honour of studying there instead of the Radiant Scales Dojo. I can't quite speak on my experience there, but I do have a cousin here who is a student there, Yasuki Kaito-san, who also works for the Silver Fin Productions."

"Oooooh, fancy?" She smiled at the Karo. "I'll ask my father about it. How come Daikoku's Hand, if I may ask?"

Suddenly, she lunged towards her bag, rummaging in it. "Speaking of First Market....I saw something there and thought you might like it..." She pulled out a Yasuki Aoi doll (WITH AUTHENTIC SINGING ACTION) from her bag. "I recall your time spent there. Hopefully it was a pleasant one, and this doesn't bring back bad memories. I'm told she was the founder of the group?" She offered the doll (still in original wrapping) towards the Karo.

[Yasuki Umiko]

"Oooooh, fancy?" She smiled at the Karo. "I'll ask my father about it. How come Daikoku's Hand, if I may ask?"

Suddenly, she lunged towards her bag, rummaging in it. "Speaking of First Market....I saw something there and thought you might like it..." She pulled out a Yasuki Aoi doll (WITH AUTHENTIC SINGING ACTION) from her bag. "I recall your time spent there. Hopefully it was a pleasant one, and this doesn't bring back bad memories. I'm told she was the founder of the group?" She offered the doll (still in original wrapping) towards the Karo.

"That's something that has been a conversation between my parents and potentially even before my time," she said sheepishly on the matter. "I would imagine that my mother wanted the schooling for me to be done outside of the Crab. If I were to hazard to guess, it might have been somewhere with the Doji. While Daikoku's Hand is far from a Doji Courtier school, there was enough of a renown that would offer some compromise, and the school was flexible enough with their extracurricular offerings."

"Bad memories?" She chuckled at the question at first and shook her head. "No, not at all! She was one of the first, I believe. Coincidental that she would have the same name as the group, really. But eh?! Oh my, what's this doing here?"

Her head tilted as she gave the box a look over, wondering what sort of child would have kept this doll sealed and not play with it. Maybe it was something they had taken from their parents' stock, or maybe offered by one of the volunteers? "That's an extremely rare item, Yoritomo-san! I don't know if I could accept such a thing, I'm sure it could even be taken by the Aoi48 museum or maybe by a fan club! There's no way I could take this."

[Yoritomo Yakura]

Yakura listened with interest. "Oh? Sounds intriguing. Would you recommend Daikoku's Hand? Based on your own resume, it is a fairly successful school. You mentioned your sister studied in the Hiruma school here? How so? I must confess some curiosity."

She let out a tittering laugh at Umiko's refusal. "I am sure any museum already has it, but I sponsored a children's future from this island. And I would like you to have it." She offered the doll again. "Besides, if I give to you, I am kind of giving it to the government here, neh?"

[Yasuki Umiko]

Yakura listened with interest. "Oh? Sounds intriguing. Would you recommend Daikoku's Hand? Based on your own resume, it is a fairly successful school. You mentioned your sister studied in the Hiruma school here? How so? I must confess some curiosity."

She let out a tittering laugh at Umiko's refusal. "I am sure any museum already has it, but I sponsored a children's future from this island. And I would like you to have it." She offered the doll again. "Besides, if I give to you, I am kind of giving it to the government here, neh?"

"I would, personally, especially when there might be opportunities to be found in Aoihama after his studies are complete. Admittedly, I was rather active in both my school's idol and performance club, which earned some acclaim from both my peers and teachers. The rest just naturally fell in place for me to be discovered by Aoi48," she nodded on that note. "It's just that it might be quite far from Nakahama. I get the feeling that you wouldn't be able to dock your ship on the city's coast so easily. The by-laws are far more restrictive."

"How?" She asked at first, not quite getting the intention of the curiosity. "That might be a question best for her. The Yasuki don't have a bushi school of their own but the Hiruma school has some connection to the elements of the island and the Yasuki Family. Shiro Ei and the Stringray's Sting Dojo are both named after Lady Stingray, who is a famed Yasuki bushi from Rokugan's past who trained with the Hiruma. Their outdoor expertise lends itself well to the wilderness and adapts with some element of the sea."

Not as well as the Mantis, but they have made it work over the millennia.

"I suppose you're right about that," she chuckled at the government bit. "But perhaps you should submit it directly to the Public Works office, Yoritomo-san, for good reason. If I were to take it right now, during my personal hours with you, I would be obligated to keep it, and it would never end up in a museum. That would make an irresponsible person, and I don't want that to rub off on a friend."

[Yoritomo Yakura]

"I would, personally, especially when there might be opportunities to be found in Aoihama after his studies are complete. Admittedly, I was rather active in both my school's idol and performance club, which earned some acclaim from both my peers and teachers. The rest just naturally fell in place for me to be discovered by Aoi48," she nodded on that note. "It's just that it might be quite far from Nakahama. I get the feeling that you wouldn't be able to dock your ship on the city's coast so easily. The by-laws are far more restrictive."

"How?" She asked at first, not quite getting the intention of the curiosity. "That might be a question best for her. The Yasuki don't have a bushi school of their own but the Hiruma school has some connection to the elements of the island and the Yasuki Family. Shiro Ei and the Stringray's Sting Dojo are both named after Lady Stingray, who is a famed Yasuki bushi from Rokugan's past who trained with the Hiruma. Their outdoor expertise lends itself well to the wilderness and adapts with some element of the sea."

Not as well as the Mantis, but they have made it work over the millennia.

"I suppose you're right about that," she chuckled at the government bit. "But perhaps you should submit it directly to the Public Works office, Yoritomo-san, for good reason. If I were to take it right now, during my personal hours with you, I would be obligated to keep it, and it would never end up in a museum. That would make an irresponsible person, and I don't want that to rub off on a friend."

"Huh, I never heard of this Lady Stingray. She sounds fascinating." That was neat actually. "Kind of interesting...you know, my family does have schools for everything. My younger sister is a bushi, in the navy currently. My family are more courtiers, administrators, merchant patrons. It was kind of a given that I will follow that line, though I like to think I do have some aptitude there."

She heaved a dramatic sigh. "I am heartened by your responsible ethos Yasuki-sama, but I have a deep, dark secret to confess." She leaned in conspiratolly. "I am in general an irresponsible person. No need to hold back on my account. In fact, as an expert on the matter, I declare that you are in need of some serious irresposibility coaching. You are such a diligent karo, serving your island so well. You deserve to have some nice things." Her smile widened. "And nice people."

[Yasuki Umiko]

"Huh, I never heard of this Lady Stingray. She sounds fascinating." That was neat actually. "Kind of interesting...you know, my family does have schools for everything. My younger sister is a bushi, in the navy currently. My family are more courtiers, administrators, merchant patrons. It was kind of a given that I will follow that line, though I like to think I do have some aptitude there."

She heaved a dramatic sigh. "I am heartened by your responsible ethos Yasuki-sama, but I have a deep, dark secret to confess." She leaned in conspiratolly. "I am in general an irresponsible person. No need to hold back on my account. In fact, as an expert on the matter, I declare that you are in need of some serious irresposibility coaching. You are such a diligent karo, serving your island so well. You deserve to have some nice things." Her smile widened. "And nice people."

"She's a legend of old, supposedly a charming Yasuki captain with a sharp eye for archery. I'm sure at the time, she put Yasuki in the limelight, outside of being mere courtiers, merchants, and the occasional quarter master or taskmaster. Not a huge part of our history, but a tale that gets circulated from time to time in our Family. However, I'm sure there were some Yasuki bushi at some point in our history," she mentioned in a footnote. They were likely far less effective or were relegated to some vague NPC class.

She giggled on a please note at Yakura's third push to present her with the gift and Umiko conceded with a deep bow of her head. "In that case, I should reward myself with nice things from time to time, taking your gesture and lesson to heart. Perhaps I'll start my lesson with this one? In that case, I accept. Thank you very much for the gift, Yoritomo-san."

With that, she accepted the doll (and the sealed box that kept it) with delicate care.

[Yoritomo Yakura]

"She's a legend of old, supposedly a charming Yasuki captain with a sharp eye for archery. I'm sure at the time, she put Yasuki in the limelight, outside of being mere courtiers, merchants, and the occasional quarter master or taskmaster. Not a huge part of our history, but a tale that gets circulated from time to time in our Family. However, I'm sure there were some Yasuki bushi at some point in our history," she mentioned in a footnote. They were likely far less effective or were relegated to some vague NPC class.

She giggled on a please note at Yakura's third push to present her with the gift and Umiko conceded with a deep bow of her head. "In that case, I should reward myself with nice things from time to time, taking your gesture and lesson to heart. Perhaps I'll start my lesson with this one? In that case, I accept. Thank you very much for the gift, Yoritomo-san."

With that, she accepted the doll (and the sealed box that kept it) with delicate care.

"Huh, sounds neat. I wonder if there are any adaptations of her nowadays." She giggled. "Perhaps somehing to consider if you ever return to show business?" She imagined Umiko with a bow and tight fitted bushi clothing and stuff. "What a grand gesture? Perhaps we could have another session where I offer more of my deep wisdom." She raised the glass to finish off her drink. "I might also ask some of your local knowledge though. Mainly about what areas you think are worth investing in? I know you're busy though, so we can talk sometime later."

[Yasuki Umiko]

"Huh, sounds neat. I wonder if there are any adaptations of her nowadays." She giggled. "Perhaps somehing to consider if you ever return to show business?" She imagined Umiko with a bow and tight fitted bushi clothing and stuff. "What a grand gesture? Perhaps we could have another session where I offer more of my deep wisdom." She raised the glass to finish off her drink. "I might also ask some of your local knowledge though. Mainly about what areas you think are worth investing in? I know you're busy though, so we can talk sometime later."

"Perhaps," she said noncommitally and offered her a sheepish smile after her answer. Umiko picked up her drink once more to take a few sips. "Supposedly, my sister would make for a better stand-in, from what I heard about the whispers. It's all a bit exaggerated there, somewhat cringe, considering I don't think she was ever a captain of her own ship. But maybe that's still something you could convince the Governor and the Silver Fin Productions to make happen. I don't know if it's enough for her to step down as governor and pursue an entertainment career, but she would be amused by the idea at the very least."

Umiko smiled at the topic of business. "Oh, I'm always willing to talk investment ideas, especially with the active bidding conference happening at the moment. Lower Nakahama City is obviously in demand, but I think that fighting for spots here would do little to grow the city. It would be nice to see some attempts to build in Azuma Beach once again. Friendship Street is the former foundation of our city, and I think plenty of ripe opportunities for the Clans to give it a facelift. It seems the Imperials have already done so there."

[Yoritomo Yakura]

"Perhaps," she said noncommitally and offered her a sheepish smile after her answer. Umiko picked up her drink once more to take a few sips. "Supposedly, my sister would make for a better stand-in, from what I heard about the whispers. It's all a bit exaggerated there, somewhat cringe, considering I don't think she was ever a captain of her own ship. But maybe that's still something you could convince the Governor and the Silver Fin Productions to make happen. I don't know if it's enough for her to step down as governor and pursue an entertainment career, but she would be amused by the idea at the very least."

Umiko smiled at the topic of business. "Oh, I'm always willing to talk investment ideas, especially with the active bidding conference happening at the moment. Lower Nakahama City is obviously in demand, but I think that fighting for spots here would do little to grow the city. It would be nice to see some attempts to build in Azuma Beach once again. Friendship Street is the former foundation of our city, and I think plenty of ripe opportunities for the Clans to give it a facelift. It seems the Imperials have already done so there."

"Oh, would you think your sister would step down for some reason? I cannot say I know her too well, but I'm hoping her goals will work out well. I would definitely would like to see more tourists around here. Not that the local populace isn't good company." She winked at Umiko "But business would be better."

Yakura pulled out her communicator, and started typing. "Azuma Beach seems interesting...can I badger you for a meet perhaps, a few days later, to properly assess? I would love your eye on the matter, if it's not a bother."

OOC: D4 or D5 meet up, what ever works best with Umiko?

[Yasuki Umiko]

"Oh, would you think your sister would step down for some reason? I cannot say I know her too well, but I'm hoping her goals will work out well. I would definitely would like to see more tourists around here. Not that the local populace isn't good company." She winked at Umiko "But business would be better."

Yakura pulled out her communicator, and started typing. "Azuma Beach seems interesting...can I badger you for a meet perhaps, a few days later, to properly assess? I would love your eye on the matter, if it's not a bother."

OOC: D4 or D5 meet up, what ever works best with Umiko?

Umiko could only offer a quiet shake of her head at the question regarding her system. That wasn't her place to say at the moment.

"Nakahama City alone has more room for residents and businesses. Much of the visitors here have already done some work stimulating our economy. I would imagine if we could somehow have Shiawase Island like this for most parts of the year, we may see a positive change sooner than later."

"Of course. I don't frequent the beach myself, but I would love it if there were more reasons to visit it. The area is quite close to the Harbourfront, but it's just a bit of shame that one of the most unique parts of the island isn't more popular with businesses." She would pull out her communicator and check her schedule for future dates. "The 22nd, there's a storm advisory, I see...that might make things tricky, especially by the water. So, the 21st (Day 4) might be best. I hope you're not going to be busy with the Fan Con activities in town?"