Nakahama

The deck of the Azure Dragon was resplendent differently this time. Tables and lots of open space...for any upcoming drone battles!

"Thank you all for coming, I hope you all have a good time, and also...TIME TO DUEL!" The commencement speech was quick and straightforward, as Yakura grabbed her controller.

"Onward Velvet Thunder!"

Kazushi is there on the deck, taking Ethereal Sunset up for its first test flight and getting used to its controls. Kurumi and Katsumi are, as always, nearby - both seated at the bar with drinks in hand.

Taraka had arrived to help with the set up. A couple of rental spotlights had been obtained, and pointed heavenwards. The lights would focus on whomever's carps were flying, helping alleviate the darkness a bit, and hopefully draw in more of a crowd.

With preparations complete, she grabbed a drink at the bar.

Having heard about the display, Sumiko found her way to the fancy yacht. Wearing a jacket this time rather than her usual kimonos as the cool air blows in, Sumiko found herself close to the side so she could see the display. She had her bag with her, with her drone happily sleeping in there. For now she sipped a drink and watched.

A lone figure arrived at docks on a fairly nice sports bike. They question of who this person might be was answered fairly quickly as a full helmet with face shield is pulled off. Shinjo Suh-Hyun studied the place for a moment and then removed her protective jacket and leg padding. She then re-slung a large backpack onto her back and made her way up to the crowd.

With this being an unofficial event, she had opted to wear something comfortable. The Unicorn was surprisingly unremarkable without her characteristic uniform. Apart from the six foot height of course.

"Welcome everyone!" Taraka offered as more guests arrived. "On behalf of Flying Battle Carps and Azure Dragon, we welcome you to this evening of fighting over the ocean waves."

"It looks like Yoritomo-san and Bayushi-san will be our first match up for the evening. Remember you are cleared to fight over the beach or over the water, just be careful! If your banner falls into the ocean, you're going to have a cold swim to get it back."

She moved over to the arriving Unicorn.

"Hey Shinjo-san, I got your text. If you've got some time at the party tonight, maybe we can talk? We might want to wait to see if Utaku-san puts in an appearance." she offered after bowing.

Yasuki Taraka wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 3:38 pm "Welcome everyone!" Taraka offered as more guests arrived. "On behalf of Flying Battle Carps and Azure Dragon, we welcome you to this evening of fighting beneath the night skies."

"It looks like Yoritomo-san and Bayushi-san will be our first match up for the evening. Remember you are cleared to fight over the beach or over the water, just be careful! If your banner falls into the ocean, you're going to have a cold swim to get it back."

She moved over to the arriving Unicorn.

"Hey Shinjo-san, I got your text. If you've got some time at the party tonight, maybe we can talk? We might want to wait to see if Utaku-san puts in an appearance." she offered after bowing.

Suh-Hyun had removed the backpack as the Yasuki approached, letting her bow properly instead of like she had a big foam and drone filled bag on her back.

"Yasuki-sama," she nodded, "oh? Well obviously we can make do with smaller balloons then historically l, but probably need some that can weather a stray blade. Not sure how hard that would be to source. I figure you color code them. Starting position, land or lanes, obstacles, and finish line. Though if we're flying maned aircraft then we need to take extra care."

She blinked, "Oh, Utaku-san was on your leaderboard list wasn't she?" The Shinjo smiles though there's a weariness to it, "I'm happy she has a community hobby. She looks like she needs the distraction."

Taraka nodded.

"She used to come by quite often, but she's been understandably absent lately. But when I mentioned your suggestion about a race with balloons, she got really excited. She really wants to race, and is hoping that if a flying battle carp race goes through well, it'll be the momentum needed for an actual air race." she offers.

She looked over at the drones that were already out.

"It's gonna take some effort to get all the clearances, and find a roster of pilots and suitable crafts to race, not to mention a lot of other hurdles. But....I'd like her to get her chance, if others will rally around it."

Speaking of community hobbies, the Utaku did indeed make an appearance. Unusually for someone who've always ready to take the wheel and brace the wind, she was wearing a dress today, with an abstract pattern in pink and lilac adorned by some mint green details. A backpack strapped to her back suggested she might not be here just as a spectator, although Taraka might wonder whether she'd actually compete or had just brought her holodrone to get some takes of the action.

Seeing Taraka talking to Suh-Hyun, she waves from the back of the boat, but gives the crowd between them it might take a while to actually join them.

(Folks, I'll kindly ask to quote if you talk to her, I'm awful with large threads at the best of times, and rn I'm checking the board just once or twice a day... sorry!)

Bayushi Kazushi wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 1:36 pm Kazushi is there on the deck, taking Ethereal Sunset up for its first test flight and getting used to its controls. Kurumi and Katsumi are, as always, nearby - both seated at the bar with drinks in hand.

"Ready Bayusji-sama? To meet....velvet thunder!" Asked the hostess eagerly.

Yoritomo Yakura wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 6:36 pm "Ready Bayusji-sama? To meet....velvet thunder!" Asked the hostess eagerly.

"No time like the present," Kazushi replies as he maneuvers Ethereal Sunset into position.

Having heard about this gathering for Flying Battle Carps, Kanna was there to participate! She hadn't been able to try these Battle Carps yet, but this seemed like a perfect chance to take a look.

Of course, she was dressed nicely, with lots of lace and soft contrasts of yellow and purple.

Yasuki Taraka wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 5:33 pm Taraka nodded.

"She used to come by quite often, but she's been understandably absent lately. But when I mentioned your suggestion about a race with balloons, she got really excited. She really wants to race, and is hoping that if a flying battle carp race goes through well, it'll be the momentum needed for an actual air race." she offers.

She looked over at the drones that were already out.

"It's gonna take some effort to get all the clearances, and find a roster of pilots and suitable crafts to race, not to mention a lot of other hurdles. But....I'd like her to get her chance, if others will rally around it."

"I would gladly offer my own name for the race," Her eyes flick to the Utaku and she waves back, "But only if you find enough planes for Utaku-san to race. Do not sacrifice her spot for me."

Her eyes move toward the two combatants. "Hmm, perhaps we could use the drone race to test a smaller scale version of the full race. It would be easier to mess with the balloons at those scales. Of course your drones handle differently from a full plane, so we would have to account for the larger turn radius of the bigger craft." Suh-Hyun seems lost for thought.

Shinjo Suh-Hyun wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 8:24 pm

"I would gladly offer my own name for the race," Her eyes flick to the Utaku and she waves back, "But only if you find enough planes for Utaku-san to race. Do not sacrifice her spot for me."

Her eyes move toward the two combatants. "Hmm, perhaps we could use the drone race to test a smaller scale version of the full race. It would be easier to mess with the balloons at those scales. Of course your drones handle differently from a full plane, so we would have to account for the larger turn radius of the bigger craft." Suh-Hyun seems lost for thought.

Taraka considered the suggestion.

"Huh, you know that could be pretty interesting, Shinjo-san. We could do the big race in miniature for the carp race, with balloons representing the major features. We were looking at the mountains and the coast, trying to work out which would be better. Better in the sense of 'Exciting race' balanced with 'Can actually get approval for." she says honestly.

Bayushi Kazushi wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 7:25 pm

Yoritomo Yakura wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 6:36 pm "Ready Bayusji-sama? To meet....velvet thunder!" Asked the hostess eagerly.

"No time like the present," Kazushi replies as he maneuvers Ethereal Sunset into position.

Velvet Thunder rose in the air, and streaked towards the Scorpion invader!

"Time for the dawn to come!" She yelled, trying some kind of...quip? Really? That was the best she could come up with?

The duel begins!

The Ethereal Sunset swoops in with a daring and well-executed dive toward Velvet Thunder!

It seemed that the Sunrie was indeed eternal.

"Nooooooo!" Yelled the hostess.

OOC:
D3 LA Carp duel! Untrained piloting, +2 from done | 3k3+2 ⇒ 21

Susumu Sumiko wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 3:10 pm Having heard about the display, Sumiko found her way to the fancy yacht. Wearing a jacket this time rather than her usual kimonos as the cool air blows in, Sumiko found herself close to the side so she could see the display. She had her bag with her, with her drone happily sleeping in there. For now she sipped a drink and watched.

Haruhi had been glad to hear about the drone party on the yacht. What a great chance to meet the other folks participating. She looked around, taking note of familiar and unfamiliar faces.

She smiled to see Susumu-san again. She gave her a bow.

"Susumu-san, how have you been? Are you one of the drone racers? I'm a drone racer! Would you like to meet my drone?" She too had a bag just the right size to hold a drone and its banner.

"I have a project that I think may interest you. I remember you are a scholar of animal habitats and animal mannerisms and helped create a sanctuary in the Spider worlds."

Yasuki Taraka wrote: Tue Nov 11, 2025 12:34 am Taraka considered the suggestion.

"Huh, you know that could be pretty interesting, Shinjo-san. We could do the big race in miniature for the carp race, with balloons representing the major features. We were looking at the mountains and the coast, trying to work out which would be better. Better in the sense of 'Exciting race' balanced with 'Can actually get approval for." she says honestly.

"Approvals are a burden I fear mainly falls on you," She have a lopsided smile, "I'll check and vouch for the course if you need. Not sure if an outsider's assessment, even if it's by someone with flying expertise, is that valuable. Less than a local business in good standing for sure."

"Perhaps you, me, and Utaku-san need to take a reconnaissance flight of the planned course."

Kakita Haruhi wrote: Tue Nov 11, 2025 8:46 amHaruhi had been glad to hear about the drone party on the yacht. What a great chance to meet the other folks participating. She looked around, taking note of familiar and unfamiliar faces.

She smiled to see Susumu-san again. She gave her a bow.

"Susumu-san, how have you been? Are you one of the drone racers? I'm a drone racer! Would you like to meet my drone?" She too had a bag just the right size to hold a drone and its banner.

"I have a project that I think may interest you. I remember you are a scholar of animal habitats and animal mannerisms and helped create a sanctuary in the Spider worlds."

Sumiko turned at the voice, and smiled brightly before bowing.

"Kakita-sama! It's wonderful to see you again, I hope you're doing well? I'm quite well, enjoying the sights of the Crab and the interesting competitions they put on like these drone battles. Interesting right? I did indeed buy a drone also, although I can't say I'm very good at it" there was a small chuckle "I'd love to see your drone too Kakita-sama, I can imagine you've decorated it in wonderful ways already."

There was a pause as the project idea, a curious look appearing.

"I'm always interested in new projects, especially animal related. What has Kakita-sama got in mind?"