Nakahama

The penthouse booms with noise both from the many samurai and servants moving back and forth but also from the two DJs on each of the floors blasting a collection of local and Mantis hits.

A long bar is serving a fine selection of Crab spirits but also more exotic drinks from across the empire as a number of overworked bartenders scramble to take orders.

There's also a close off Karaoke booth with a short queue, a chocolate fountain big enough to wade in (with some tired looking heimin attendants with towels and cleaning supplies nearby) and a large outdoor balcony for a nighttime view of the city. One section is cordoned off as it looks like a fireworks display is in the middle of being setup.

Ochiba can usually be found near the front door, loudly and enthusiastically greeting newcomers (the more prestigious the better) after they have made their entrance.

"Rawr!" Kanna declared to Ochiba as she arrived at the party. Not that anglerfish roared, but Kanna didn't care. She was a fearsome anglerfish with a glowy-dangly-thing!

"Good evening, Yoritomo-san. Thank you for the invitation!"

Misfortune befell the party. Well, Yasuki Taraka in a Spirt of Misfortune costume. She walked unsteadily in and bowed to the hostess.

"You haven't been getting TOO lucky, have you, Yoritomo-san? she asked in a creepy voice.

She pointed with her bandaged hand.

"There must be balance in all things, for every rising star there must be a falling one."

Tamori Kanna wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 7:45 pm "Rawr!" Kanna declared to Ochiba as she arrived at the party. Not that anglerfish roared, but Kanna didn't care. She was a fearsome anglerfish with a glowy-dangly-thing!

"Good evening, Yoritomo-san. Thank you for the invitation!"

"Yo! Tamori-san!" Ochiba spins her way over, plucking a drink off a passing waiter, realising that was probably a little spicy for Kanna and then deftly swapping it for something a little less 'wake up in another timezone'.

"Love the outfit! Not sure if it's ironic or not, but those are the best kind."
Offering the glass.
"Have you been having fun?" lowering her voice, now hard to hear over the thumping music. "Are the kami happy? All the right spiritual energy for a great party?"

Yasuki Taraka wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 7:46 pm
Misfortune befell the party. Well, Yasuki Taraka in a Spirt of Misfortune costume. She walked unsteadily in and bowed to the hostess.

"You haven't been getting TOO lucky, have you, Yoritomo-san? she asked in a creepy voice.

She pointed with her bandaged hand.

"There must be balance in all things, for every rising star there must be a falling one."

"Oh, waaaay too lucky Yasuki-san, But I try to knock those other stars down myself, makes it feel a little more earned."
She bows politely in greeting, head swaying to the music as she tries to work out Taraka's costume.
"You're...wait, no don't tell me...sexy...hospital victim...ghost?"

From her temporary perch, the mighty Horse, General of the Vermilion Bird's Army, 7th of the 12 Great Warriors of the 4 Heavenly Beasts spirit army, would begin her monologue. Was she gesticulating wildly and being overdramatic? Psh why would you even ask.

"Greetings MORTALs, rejoice for tonight your souls have the honor of being claimed by the greatest of all those who serve her eminence the Great Vermilion Bird whose fires burn away all those displeasing to her sight. Your meddlesome Crusaders can not save you. Submit yourselves to the inevitable and I promise the end will be painless."

Satisfied with her entrance, Suh-Hyun hops down off the railing and joins the party.

(Please quote or PM if approached, and your soul will be claimed in the order it was received)

Yoritomo Ochiba wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 8:23 pm

"Oh, waaaay too lucky Yasuki-san, But I try to knock those other stars down myself, makes it feel a little more earned."
She bows politely in greeting, head swaying to the music as she tries to work out Taraka's costume.
"You're...wait, no don't tell me...sexy...hospital victim...ghost?"

That got a laugh from Taraka.

"You do seem like the sort of person to thumb your nose at the Spirit of Misfortune," she offered simultaneously explaining the costume. "Honestly, from what I've heard I'm not sure if you're too lucky or just so bold misfortune doesn't even get her one shoe on."

She looked over at the chocolate fountain.

"I'm going to go take some chocolate in my own one hand. Nice party, though, Yoritomo-san. Thanks for hosting."

While she wouldn't mind a longer talk with the host, there were doubtless others who'd be competing for her attention

Hitomi arrives at the party and joins the queue to greet their host. "OK, that is not the costume I expected, Yoritomo-sama, but it suits you, I'd say." She looks around an notices the flash of familiar colors, and a few familiar faces.

Yasuki Taraka wrote: Tue Nov 11, 2025 12:28 am
"I'm going to go take some chocolate in my own one hand. Nice party, though, Yoritomo-san. Thanks for hosting."

While she wouldn't mind a longer talk with the host, there were doubtless others who'd be competing for her attention

"If you see a skinny dragon lurking around the chocolate, give her a splash from me."
Ochiba winks and wishes Taraka well.

Suzume Hitomi wrote: Tue Nov 11, 2025 1:04 am Hitomi arrives at the party and joins the queue to greet their host. "OK, that is not the costume I expected, Yoritomo-sama, but it suits you, I'd say." She looks around an notices the flash of familiar colors, and a few familiar faces.

"I can only imagine what Suzume-san had envisioned, but probably involved gold jewellery."
Ochiba sniggers before waving over a waiter, dressed as an air kami to offer the Sparrow a tray of appetizers.
"I'm calling mine 'Orochi chic' these boots are great, when I trod on someone's toes I barely even notice, they're perfect."

Yoritomo Ochiba wrote: Tue Nov 11, 2025 1:08 am "I can only imagine what Suzume-san had envisioned, but probably involved gold jewellery."
Ochiba sniggers before waving over a waiter, dressed as an air kami to offer the Sparrow a tray of appetizers.
"I'm calling mine 'Orochi chic' these boots are great, when I trod on someone's toes I barely even notice, they're perfect."

A half shrug and smile as her head dips are likely answer enough, but as she takes one of the appetizers--something that looks like a shrimp with a flared seaweed skirt--she admits, "I did expect more gold. The Imperial dramas are really very consistent with that stereotype." As were the historical records of Mantis decor through the ages on Rokugan. Perhaps the rather heavy metal was less popular with the weight requirements of pushing ships through space?

The umbrella of a hat hides her grimace as she looks down at the boots, reminding herself not to dance with their wearer. "They're solid, for sure, Yoritomo-sama." Looking around a bit her eyes widen. "That's a lot of chocolate...or is it chocolate liquor?"

Ayame had a rather mixed reception with her entrance to the party, as the dreaded and seductive Sniper Ronin! She would suffer an unintentional fumble when it came to her outfit of choice and owning the role. It was a little bit of a buzzkill, especially when she thought it was a good match, but not enough to stop her from enjoying the rest of a good party! It seemed that after an absence yesterday, she was at least present at this public event.

"One Kinsenka Gold lager...No, make that a cocktail mix with an energy drink!" She could call out to one of the bartenders.

Outside of her costume entrance, Ayame didn't seek to make a big deal that the governor was in attendance at the party. The costume was a suitable disguise from attention and formality, right?

Right?

Yasuki Ayame wrote: Tue Nov 11, 2025 3:26 am Ayame had a rather mixed reception with her entrance to the party, as the dreaded and seductive Sniper Ronin! She would suffer an unintentional fumble when it came to her outfit of choice and owning the role. It was a little bit of a buzzkill, especially when she thought it was a good match, but not enough to stop her from enjoying the rest of a good party! It seemed that after an absence yesterday, she was at least present at this public event.

"One Kinsenka Gold lager...No, make that a cocktail mix with an energy drink!" She could call out to one of the bartenders.

Outside of her costume entrance, Ayame didn't seek to make a big deal that the governor was in attendance at the party. The costume was a suitable disguise from attention and formality, right?

Right?

"Hmmm. Seductive sniper ronin." She hears a voice. "Versus the seductive cat driver. Will we fight for the win or unite for the ultimate heist?"

Suzume Hitomi wrote: Tue Nov 11, 2025 1:33 am A half shrug and smile as her head dips are likely answer enough, but as she takes one of the appetizers--something that looks like a shrimp with a flared seaweed skirt--she admits, "I did expect more gold. The Imperial dramas are really very consistent with that stereotype." As were the historical records of Mantis decor through the ages on Rokugan. Perhaps the rather heavy metal was less popular with the weight requirements of pushing ships through space?

The umbrella of a hat hides her grimace as she looks down at the boots, reminding herself not to dance with their wearer. "They're solid, for sure, Yoritomo-sama." Looking around a bit her eyes widen. "That's a lot of chocolate...or is it chocolate liquor?"

"Oh the gold is upstairs in the master bathroom, must have cost a fortune getting it setup like that. Beats life on the ship any day."

Following Hitomi's gaze Ochiba chuckles. "It's chocolate that's been treated to be a little more liquidy without, you know, cooking the guests. If Suzume-san wishes to partake she is more than welcome. I mean, where else are you going to find a walk in chocolate fountain?"

Yoritomo Ochiba wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 3:09 pm
Ochiba can usually be found near the front door, loudly and enthusiastically greeting newcomers (the more prestigious the better) after they have made their entrance.

Haruhi arrived and made her entrance, feeling very daring and cheeky with her bare shoulders. A good entrance!

She gave up a deep bow to the hostess.

"Yoritomo-sama, thank you so much for the invitation and encouragement. You look splendid! And this whole area. Wow! And karaoke! And the chocolate fountain! Oh this is so exciting!"

"Good showing, Haruhi-san." The Kitsuki spoke as she strolled into scene as well.

The Crane might remember the chat of wanting to be herself, or wanting to project with her choice, and certainly, the low-speaking kind investigator had decided to invest herself with the power of her clan's namesake. Green slitted eyes that never seemed to disappear under the shadows, a crown of feathers and horns akin to the dragons that roamed the stars, and an scandalous satin green dress with crossed shoulders that nearly bared one leg, held windows of pale fabric at her waist level to give the illusion of nothing holding on and sported a absolutely unconciousnable window into her middle.

"Ochiba-san." And she even decided to forgo to recognize the Mantis' higher status.

Kitsuki Ichitaiyo wrote: Tue Nov 11, 2025 10:36 am "Good showing, Haruhi-san." The Kitsuki spoke as she strolled into scene as well.

The Crane might remember the chat of wanting to be herself, or wanting to project with her choice, and certainly, the low-speaking kind investigator had decided to invest herself with the power of her clan's namesake. Green slitted eyes that never seemed to disappear under the shadows, a crown of feathers and horns akin to the dragons that roamed the stars, and an scandalous satin green dress with crossed shoulders that nearly bared one leg, held windows of pale fabric at her waist level to give the illusion of nothing holding on and sported a absolutely unconciousnable window into her middle.

Haruhi beamed at her friend.

"You are going to be the life of the party, Kitsuki-san! Wow! Such an inspiration."

A tuxedoed and masked fellow would be hanging out by the bar, a drink in hand, and always ready to take another.

From time to time, he'd look around, taking note of the other partygoers.

Yoritomo Ochiba wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 8:23 pm
"Yo! Tamori-san!" Ochiba spins her way over, plucking a drink off a passing waiter, realising that was probably a little spicy for Kanna and then deftly swapping it for something a little less 'wake up in another timezone'.

"Love the outfit! Not sure if it's ironic or not, but those are the best kind."
Offering the glass.
"Have you been having fun?" lowering her voice, now hard to hear over the thumping music. "Are the kami happy? All the right spiritual energy for a great party?"

"So much fun, and everything is good! Water kami are very excited after the rain," she said assuringly. At least she hadn't picked up any bad vibes... not that she had used divination for the party. Divination was serious business!

Kanna wasn't quite sure what was ironic about her costume. It had a glowing dangly-thing!

Having finish the conversation at the entrance with Ochiba, she joined the party with the other attendees, dancing along with the music!

Bayushi Senshuken wrote: Tue Nov 11, 2025 3:36 am "Hmmm. Seductive sniper ronin." She hears a voice. "Versus the seductive cat driver. Will we fight for the win or unite for the ultimate heist?"

While waiting for her drink, Ayame would perk up at the voice and turn her attention to the catty driver-motorist. She gave her outfit a quick look over with a smirk. It seemed like it could be a battle of the form-fitting jumpsuits unless... She let out a dramatic ojou laugh and gave her blonde hair a toss. "Why fight when we could love? Mm, Neko-chan? I think we could be capable of so much if we work together, my dear! With your driving skills and my...would-be marksmanship, we'll hit the target on time! They'll never know what hit 'em!"

Realizing she had made a minor faux pas, Suh-Hyun would pass close enough by the hostess to thank her and do the expected greetings but not interrupt the ongoing conversation.

Hiruma Akito wrote: Tue Nov 11, 2025 10:58 am A tuxedoed and masked fellow would be hanging out by the bar, a drink in hand, and always ready to take another.

From time to time, he'd look around, taking note of the other partygoers.

The other caped cartoon character, grinned and gave finger guns before at her sometimes foe. Then did a more character appropriate 'evil villainess taunting guy who doesn't do anything but keep a florist in business' pose.

Shinjo Suh-Hyun wrote: Tue Nov 11, 2025 11:53 am The other caped cartoon character, grinned and gave finger guns before at her sometimes foe. Then did a more character appropriate 'evil villainess taunting guy who doesn't do anything but keep a florist in business' pose.

Fancy Formalwear may have been mostly a figure who was mysterious and threw roses, but Akito... wasn't all that mysterious! He did have a few roses, though.

Still, smiling, he made his way over to his fellow SMC partygoer. "Right, I definitely recognize your character." He said. "It's... gosh, there were a lot of seasons..."

Then, smirking, he snapped. "Horse, right? That's one hell of a costume. Color me impressed."