(D8, MA, Tori Tea) The Great Hunt? No!

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka glanced around the Jimen Tori theme tea spot and she worked her communicator. The Great Hunt WAS an old island tradition, but Jimen Tori, in recent years were fairly endangered. With Umiko forcing Silver Fin to reformat a show to be less cruel to heimin, Taraka had thought there would be bans on hunting Jimen Tori, not a point value.

There'd been no forewarning about this, and by the time people saw the point values and talked about it, others had already headed out. Who knew how many tourists were out there blasting away at Jimen Tori.

So the plan was simple. If they couldn't stop the slaughter this year, they could at least put pressure on the karo to forbid it in the future. She'd sent out an invitation to the two people who'd shown the most interest in island conservation. The plan was to get some tea and make the case to the karo about how conserving them was both good and profitable.

However, it probably would have been wise to arrange the meeting with the karo FIRST, then the supporters.

<I'm sorry, Yasuki-san. Yasuki Umiko-sama is standing watch at the morgue for Yasuki Kaito, may Emma-O give him peace. But if it's an emergency, I can patch you through.>

Kuso.

<Ah, no, it definitely does not rise up to the level of emergency. You needn't trouble her.>

Damn it, everything was in the timing. The more days that passed, the more people would be distracted by whatever next shiny thing was on the schedule, and nothing would change. And Yasuki Kaito had to mess that up by dying of all things. Even in death, the man was an inconvenience to others.

With nothing for it, Taraka ordered tea for herself and the others. They'd just have to talk about what could be done to prevent needless deaths in the future. Of the Jimen Tori, not arrogant TV producers.

[Kuni Junpei]

There was a rustling of a plastic bag heard as Taraka waited for her order. It would be difficult to catch the source of the rustling, the head magistrate walked in with a Golden Shell bag full of reheatable food, the clanking of cans, and the clinking of energy tonic bottles. As with his previous public appearance, he wore a suit that looked a bit lived in.

At first, it seemed like he just wandered into the tea house, looking a bit lost. He would find what, or rather who, he was looking for eventually.

"At, Yasuki Taraka-san, good afternoon," he said as he walked over with a small bow. "Kuni Ayaka-san told me about your message to Yasuki Umiko-sama. I was in the area and figured I would stop by, at least. I cannot guarantee change, especially with my standing with the governor at the moment, but I will listen."

[Kitsune Kiyoshi]

Kitsune Kiyoshi and the Detective arrived a moment later, bowing to both Crab. "Good afternoon."

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi arrived, glad for the invitation. She smiled brightly at Yasuki Taraka and Kitsune Kiyoshi, and introduced herself to Kuni Junpei.

"Hello! I'm Kakita Haruhi. I'm here working on nature-related engineering and art projects for my patron here, Yasuki Reina-sama. I make avi-drones in the realistic shape of local birds."

"It is sad to see the jimen tori included in the hunt! It is a shame to see the golden pheasant included also, but they are at least an off-world bird bred to the purpose, rather than local creatures suddenly disturbed. The jimen tori are beloved by the local population, and we are hard at work to protect them, and make them a creature of interest to tourists - to view remotely in a remote place where they can thrive undisturbed."

[Kuni Junpei]

Junpei was glad that his new run of 'business' cards came in a few days ago. Even a week into the proceedings, he would still be meeting new people. He would present his guests formally to the Kitsune and Kakita, all while keeping his bag looped around his wrist. "Kuni Junpei, head Clan magistrate of Shiawase Island. pleased to formally meet you both. Far better than reading your visa paperwork, actually."

"Yes, I agree it is unfortunate but it can't be helped at the moment. From my understanding, the governor intended to showcase many parts of the island. This included potential hunting opportunities. The governing office might have ambitiously foreseen several guests wanting to hunt such birds. Some local outrage is to be expected, yes. I don't think they foresaw some visitor disappointment, however. "

[Yasuki Taraka]

And in walked Kuni Junpei! Well at least they hadn't announced they were under arrest for bothering the government, that was a plus. The bag on his wrist definitely communicated loud and clear this was not something he intended to spend a lot of time on. This was a 'I'm here to say we can't help before moving on.'

The question was...did Taraka actually want him to stay? Was there value in trying to win over someone who was publicly at loggerheads with the governor? Well, perhaps.

She bowed respectfully at his approach. She'd bow to the other guests, of course, but the one to the head magistrate was much deeper.

"Kuni-sama, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with us. It speaks to your dedication to the island beyond what your Duty strictly states is required of you." she flattered.

"I completely understand the reasoning, but that is the problem with trying to please everyone, there will always be those who are discontent. I'm sure Silver Fin has had more than a few angry letters about the change of format in Tsuneo's Shiro, but it was made with the intention of pleasing our guests from off-world."

The tea arrived, but only with three jimen tori cups.

"But if pleasing hunters from off-world is the intention, it feels.....unsustainable. If open season were declared to not just the locals but off-worlders as well, they'd soon only be found on these cups. And as Kakita-san points out, there are ways to both profit and keep this symbol of the island alive."

[Kitsune Kiyoshi]

"To be honest, the choice might not have received the reaction it did, if we had not undertaken the effort to restore the jimen tori nesting grounds within Mount Nakahama." Kiyoshi admitted. "We actually managed to dig out the chamber just before the hunt began."

"Hunting, in itself, isn't necessarily an issue. I've heard that the great shark population is larger than usual. The recent incident involving a volcano lizard, suggests that there may ne a similar issue there. Even the pheasants could become a problem, if they survive and breed to become an invasive species. These are all good reasons to hunt, to keep the local ecology balanced." He paused for a moment. "The jimen tori's place in that balance was disrupted by construction on the mountain. They lost access to a safe nesting area with an abundant food source. That left them searching for other ways in and other places that could replace what they lost. Hopefully, we've helped correct that issue and their behavior will stabilize. But, it will likely take some time for them to recover."

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi smiled at the magistrate.

"I can show you all the related paperwork if you’d like. There is an area too be designated as a nature reserve for the jimen tori to thrive. We are arranging 'trail cams' and there is the possibility of a nature documentary. Tourists will enjoy watching the jimen tori remotely and purchase jimen tori merchandise - avi-drones, plushies, other art and games. As an animal is mascotized like that, the appetite to see it hunted will diminish even more."

[Kuni Junpei]

"I agree, Yasuki-san. It was rather impressive that Yasuki Umiko-sama was able to change the format of Tsuneo's Shiro," he would agree with commentary of his own. "It does make me wonder if it will make the next episode the lowest rated of all time...or potentially spawn a whole different spin-off where this will be a daily occurrence, time will tell, but that's neither here nor there."

"I was told that this will be a one-time occurrence. The governor and her staff have made sure to have the scouts patrol the island and weighed in that today's hunt will bring the population of the birds to 'acceptable losses' in Crab Clan military terms. However, judging from the showing today, this might be one of many future one-time occurrences. That will ultimately depend on how the visitors and everyone participating feel about the jimen tori as game. I would encourage you to speak to all the hunters as much as the government, Yasuki-san."

Junpei nodded to both Haruhi and Kiyoshi. "It is admirable that both of you are involved in the local wildlife and invested much of yourselves in their continued well-being, especially as temporary guests. Prior to my previous departure from the island, the governor floated the idea of jimen tori burgers as a regional offering, needless to say, that wasn't received very well. Ultimately, I have no say in the wildlife here, that is in the hands of the governor. I am only the enforcer, and only on good days, apparently. If you wish to ensure their continued existence and their future, it may be prudent to also speak to any likely business partners of the government."

"I believe it might be the Scorpion Clan?" He would ask Taraka a rhetorical question.

"If the winners of this bid have taken a great liking to jimen tori hunting and they propose their new stream of commerce around that, we might actually jimen tori burgers down the line. For a limited time, of course."

[Yasuki Taraka]

Say what you would about Junpei, the man could wield words and status like a tonfa. At this point in the game of negotiations the Crane or the MCA becoming the preferred trading partner was about as likely as Junpei marrying Ayame. Which was to say slightly higher than Ayame marrying Senshuken, but not by much.

She considered her response while pouring the tea into the three cups. There was slim enough chance of the other two swaying the man. But could she?

"Hmmm, well grassroots movements are what has sustained the Jimen Tori thus far, there's certainly no harm in petitioning the other clans for their support." she allowed. "Although, I would think that in our quest to rebuild the island's economy we haven't signed away our autonomy to an outside clan. Next you'll suggest that we all need new red and black wardrobes just because we're getting more Scorpion trade."

She looked over to the magistrate.

"But I am curious, Kuni-sama, not as head magistrate, but as an islander, what's your stance on the Jimen Tori? Are you personally interested in this symbol of the island continuing to exist for future generations to be inspired by, or are you considering what toppings you'd like best on your Jimen Tori burger?" she asked.

[Kitsune Kiyoshi]

"I imagine any new ventures on Shiawase Island will have some oversite and restrictions regarding their development. And, the people of the island will certainly have some influence over what's worth their investment." Kiyoshi shrugged. "Regardless, we do understand the limits of our position, and the need for us to address our concerns through various approaches."

[Kuni Junpei]

"I must imagine that Yasuki Ayame-dono, or at the very least Yasuki Umiko-sama, would know that this proposal and its implementation also put their own standing in the Clan on the line. If it goes so far that the province starts to look like it entirely belongs to another banner, there is always someone above them who might exactly take a liking to that. Of course, I trust that Yasuki-dono's governing office of experts would shoot any partners from overstepping their boundaries, surely. They are gambling with not just the house but also their livelihoods." He said on the matter.

Junpei would raise a hand in objection for a moment. "I might have to stop you there, Yasuki-san. My previous residence on the island was about a year and thirteen days..." he said before taking a look at his Maisuna wristwatch.

"...maybe six hours and 10 minutes. My return here is considerably less than one-fifth of that. I don't know if I would consider myself an islander quite yet, but the local hospitality seems to agree with me. I do think the jimen tori are fine. The movement behind the bird is far more impressive than the bird itself, admittedly. If this were the mainland, a Jimen Tori burger might have been a flavour of the week, at best. I would prefer this moment far more than the cultists on the other side of the island."

"Perhaps you could negotiate a partnership with the Scorpion Clan, to secure their place here. Again, I have no say in the proceedings, but I am keeping an eye on them, especially when it comes to the revenue and the koku involved in the exchange. I think it's a bit late for that, unfortunately. They might gladly have you support a rival bidder if it means they can freely do what they want." He took a pause to look at the gathering here, as if looking for someone. "I don't suppose you have a Scorpion Clan representative here that didn't choose to show up."

[Kitsune Kiyoshi]

"Are you referring to the Temple of Light?" The Fox asked in reaction to the mention of cultists. "I would be curious to discuss that, at another time. As for the Scorpion, one of their representatives did assist us with the excavation this morning. They and the Fox do share some interests."

[Kuni Junpei]

"Yes," Junpei nodded in regard to what he was talking about when he mentioned cultists. "And well, if you have one Scorpion on your side, maybe it'll be helpful to use them as an in to spark a conversation with the rest of the delegation here. As I said before, whoever wins the bid would be likely some percentage of the equation in the island's future."

[Kitsune Kiyoshi]

He nodded. "That is good advice, Kuni-sama. Thank you."

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi listened closely.

"I have several friends in the Scorpion delegation. One came and helped us dig out the reserve for the jimen tori. I think they are already aware of the desire to preserve the jimen tori, and will be open to continuing to advocate for that."

"I'll definitely continue to chat with them about it."

[Kuni Junpei]

Junpei nodded to Kiyoshi and Haruhi, then finally to Taraka. He clapped his hands together to symbolize a closing of the matter. "Wonderful. I will consider my part in this business as a mediator completed. I won't allow your tea to get any colder and be on my way, be sure to try the mochi, unless there's another matter any of you wish to bring up?"

[Yasuki Taraka]

Well, well, well. If Junpei had been hoping to rile up the conversationalists, or sow seeds of discord between the clans or the clans and the governor, he'd come up empty. All he'd manage to do was put forth that he could not help and was not involved. A glorified messenger with a grocery bag.

She served the tea to the Kakita and the Kitsune.

"No, I think it sounds like we're all clear then on how things stands and know what needs to be done. Please extend our thanks to the governor and the karo for their attention to this matter during these tumultuous times, Kuni-sama." she said politely.

[Kuni Junpei]

"Very well, enjoy your tea. Now, please excuse me," with that, Junpei made his way back to the magistrate's office. He let out a small hum as he walked.

/exit

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi accepted the tea with a smile.

She gave a respectful bow to the Kuni as he departed.

"I think we've got some good ideas how to move forward for next year. And maybe the 'protect the jimen tori' campaign should start long before the next hunt."