(D10, MM, Koi) Third Floor: Festivals, Fireworks, and Funerals...wait, fireworks?

[Yasuki Taraka]

Shop Every Day at Koi....Koi has what you need.....Come on down to Koi.....

With it promising to be a particularly hot day, Taraka decided that it might be wise to pick up a few last minute things to prepare for bon festival. And it was certainly a lot more pleasant walking about in Koi than it was outside, store music notwithstanding. She was wandering around the crafting goods part of the store, looking to see if there was anything particularly useful (and on sale).

[Kaiu Nagisa]

Coincidentally, a certain Kaiu had come into the store earlier, picking up some of the goods to make the fireworks for the bon festival. It’s a nice reprieve from the oppressive heat outside. Said heat makes Nagisa glad she’s not working until the festival is over.

The Kaiu kneels down before some tubes that look like they might be good for the fireworks. Maybe too big? She takes out some measuring tape to help her make some quick calculations. Yup, a bit too big for her purposes.

A certain Yasuki catches her eye as she places the tube back into its receptacle. “Yasuki-sama. You getting some supplies or just getting out of the heat?”

[Yasuki Taraka]

Coincidentally, a certain Kaiu had come into the store earlier, picking up some of the goods to make the fireworks for the bon festival. It’s a nice reprieve from the oppressive heat outside. Said heat makes Nagisa glad she’s not working until the festival is over.

The Kaiu kneels down before some tubes that look like they might be good for the fireworks. Maybe too big? She takes out some measuring tape to help her make some quick calculations. Yup, a bit too big for her purposes.

A certain Yasuki catches her eye as she places the tube back into its receptacle. “Yasuki-sama. You getting some supplies or just getting out of the heat?”

Taraka offered the Kaiu a bow and a grin.

"I am a model of Crab efficiency, Kaiu-san. I am getting supplies while getting out of the heat." she offered.

She looked over at the tubes the Crab was looking at.

"Planning your own contributions to the festival? I know Tamori-san was running about encouraging everyone to contribute in their own way." she asked.

[Kaiu Nagisa]

Taraka offered the Kaiu a bow and a grin.

"I am a model of Crab efficiency, Kaiu-san. I am getting supplies while getting out of the heat." she offered.

She looked over at the tubes the Crab was looking at.

"Planning your own contributions to the festival? I know Tamori-san was running about encouraging everyone to contribute in their own way." she asked.

“Oh, yeah. Tamori-sama asked and also said that the monks needed some fireworks. So I have put it upon myself to try my hand at making them.” She rises to move towards the next row of tubes. Taking one in hand, she measures. “Been reading about how to make them in preparation.”

Frowning, she places the tube back and moves to measure a different size. “It’s nice she’s been helping out. She’s expressed deep love for the island, might marry into the Crab even to stay here.”

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka nodded.

"I'd heard that about her. I've run into her just the one time. Seemed nice enough. Has a cute dog." she mused.

Taraka was not making fireworks, so instead she pulled out a bolt of fabric, wondering if it might make for a good banner.

She chuckled.

"You know, there's a lot of stories about Dragon keeping themselves isolated from the Empire, only rushing in to save every one when they are truly needed. Given that Tamori-san is from a world that is closed to visitors, I wonder if she's embodying that trope. Been hearing less about 'Scorpion Inevitably' and more about the Dragon being our truest allies lately."

[Kaiu Nagisa]

The Kaiu nods along as she continues to measure the tubes. It’s the third tube that proves to be the size she wants.

“Hmmm… Probably because it’s true. Both Tamori-sama and Kitsuki-san I consider to be very staunch allies. Both expressed love for our home and wish to become our neighbors.”

A pause as she grabs several of the tubes. “The Dragon are authentic in a way that with my limited interactions with the Scorpion… The Scorpion are not. I find they turn every conversation into a transaction.”

Nagisa eyes the bolt of fabric in the Yasuki’s hand, a smile forming. “Are you making banners? Planning on putting up a stall?”

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka nodded.

"We will, though it's not really the kind of festival that traditionally helps our store terribly much. Well, you do get the odd purchase of an offering for pilots who have flown ahead to Emma-O's court, but the business isn't quite old enough for that to be a major source of income." she admits. "Still, we're all here to support the island and it's people however we can."

She put the bolt back, deciding to look for one of a different shade.

"Hmm, well it certainly helps if you're sending someone to negotiate, that they make that sort of impression. Kakita Haruhi and Asako Hikari are both going to be with us for awhile it seems and have expressed a lot of love for the island....but without more resources to back them up, they're destined to be only minor players here." she mused.

"The Scorpion have been hard-nosed when it comes to business...which honestly as a Yasuki I appreciate. We need strong business partners. But I've also gotten to race alongside Senshuken-san in the rally, have clothing consultations with Kazushi-san, have an aeriel duel with Kotori-san, and hear rumors of Hinata-san's existence. Those experiences didn't feel transactional to me." she offers.

[Kaiu Nagisa]

“Mmmm. I see. That’s nice to hear that maybe they have shown a more personable side to you.” The Kaiu seems thoughtful as she spots some patterned paper to wrap her tubes in. “Are you aware of what happened at the saw mill?”

She didn’t expect people to know the details at all. Not even her dear friend was aware.

[Yasuki Taraka]

“Mmmm. I see. That’s nice to hear that maybe they have shown a more personable side to you.” The Kaiu seems thoughtful as she spots some patterned paper to wrap her tubes in. “Are you aware of what happened at the saw mill?”

She didn’t expect people to know the details at all. Not even her dear friend was aware.

Taraka looked puzzled briefly.

"Saw mill?" she repeated back. Saw mills were not a regular part of her day. Was there trouble at the mill?

"I can't say that I've heard anything about a saw mill specifically, Kaiu-san. What happened at the saw mill?"

[Kaiu Nagisa]

“I see… Let’s just say there was an incident involving the actions of my kin. Harming the Dragon, Hiruma Akiro-sama, and myself.” Thinking about Takeo makes Nagisa’s stomach churn.

“I’m disgusted someone with the Kaiu name could do something like that.” Moving towards the paper, she inspects the quality as if to distract thinking about it too much.

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka's eyes widened.

"Oh, is THAT where Hiruma-san was injured? I ran in to him by chance at the hospital and I got...a couple of details. As I'm not an investigative reporter nor his family, it didn't seem prudent to try prying more details out of him." she admitted.

This cloth seemed like a better color, but was it the right weight?

"The news kept the whole incident pretty quiet, I think to not disturb the visitors. I had assumed it was some crazed heimin, not a Kaiu."

Taraka had a couple of pieces of what had happened, but certainly not first hand knowledge.

[Kaiu Nagisa]

“He… Killed Yasuki Kaito…” Nagisa admits, lowering her voice. Her demeanor has shifted, her shoulders slouching. “I’m only alive because of them and one of the Mantis. I mean, I guess Tamori-sama and Hiruma-sama would also say the same about me, but…”

She shakes her head, selecting a nice bright red paper with a flower print.

“There’s a lot going on in Nakahama. I want it to be safe again. I thought it was safe. Bah. I’ll just focus on the festival for now. Take what comes as it may.”

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka unfurled the cloth bolt, holding it up to the light for inspection. By coincidence, the cloth briefly obscured the Kaiu from the sight of other shoppers. Purely coincidence.

"The Crab may no longer eat breakfast 100 li from Hell, but Emma-O's spear still stands ready to strike without warning. Thousands of years being taught that Honor is the way, and yet we still need every magistrate, every witch hunter, every guard member to stand ready to protect us from those who do not care. It is....unfortunate that the darkness found your group before the defenders found them. From what I know of those you've named, none of you deserved such a fate. But you show an admirable strength in recovering from the unfairness that life has shown you, Kaiu-san. Nakahama is all the stronger for it. As you say, we simply must keep moving forward, whether it's for festivals, or just following our duties." she counseled .

[Kaiu Nagisa]

“I think… I will increase my own efforts to give back to the community. No matter what changes come, I do want to help keep our community ours.”

Nagisa’s demeanor shifts back to normal, shoulders broad and sturdy. She glances towards the Yasuki, curiosity evident. “What are your plans for the future?”

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka brought down the cloth, apparently having studied it all she needs to.

"Well, the future depends on how things shake out. The Scorpion promised me a great deal of investment and a new business partnership, but it was contingent on both them being named the premier trading partner for the island, and my unwavering support. And while my support has not wavered, their chances seem to be diminishing." she revealed.

She shrugged a bit.

"They've also been the clan most interested in Flying Battle Carps, there are no Dragons on the leaderboard. I knew when I made the deal that it could turn up empty, but with only a little bit of interest from the Mantis clan, I had to make a decision. If only the Dragon had reached out to me sooner...."

She shook her head.

"So bigger and better things if the Scorpion come out on top, if it's the Dragon....well probably some minor improvement with the economy as a whole improving, but other than that, life will probably be little changed for me."

[Kaiu Nagisa]

“Seems like a real bad deal if they don’t win but still get holdings.” The Kaiu slowly glances over the aisle, there had to be something for the warimono shells.

“Did they say what they have planned? If they win, of course. Or are they making deals vaguely and obfuscating what they really want out of he island?”

[Yasuki Taraka]

Taraka shrugged.

"Like selling fish to a gambler on credit is the phrase I believe I used, Kaiu-san." she offered. "On the one hand, maybe you'll reap a huge reward, maybe you won't...but the alternative is just sitting on a rotten fish."

She rolled up the fabric.

"While I can't say I've been appraised of the Scorpion grand design for Nakahama, some pieces have been made clear to me. Senshuken-san wants to open a branch of her motorcycle company here while taking me on as a partner, and Kazushi-san will be introducing his clothing lines here. He's not sure at the moment whether it's better to partner with Koi, or open their own store." she explained.

"He also has his eyes on some of the abandoned places on the island. He's not sure about the feasibility of rehabilitating Azuma Beach or Hotel Nakahama, but he holds to that old bias from the home world about not wasting space."

She moved over a bit to examine some inks.

"I know that Tamori-san wants to open a spa, and Kitsuki-san possibly open a private investigation office. Have they told you more about the Dragon's plans?" she asked.

[Kaiu Nagisa]

The idea of more Scorpion made vehicles over quality Kaiu vehicles isn’t much of a sell to Nagisa. “Mmm… Style over substance isn’t my thing.”

At the mention of the Dragon’s plans, Nagisa gave the most Kaiu answer possible. “They have provided a very detailed plan on improvements that can be made to improve the infrastructure, the flow of traffic through the city, and general improvements that can be made with their help. That’s what caught my eye. Less flashy, more substance.”

[Yasuki Taraka]

Honestly, Taraka wasn't even trying to sell the Scorpion to the Kaiu. After her walkout in solidarity with Honoka from the meeting, Taraka knew that trying to forcefully convince the Kaiu of anything was wasted effort. All she really wanted with the Kaiu was a friendly relationship.

"Hmm, you don't say?" she wonders.

She shook her head.

"You know, it is really interesting how....patchwork the clans efforts are. It'd be a lot easier to evaluate their strengths and weakness if their plans were presented in full to all who wish to know. Of course, then you'd have them fighting each other over who got to present last. If the Dragon went first, for example, I can see another clan frantically updating their proposal to include the most popular ideas." she mused.

She shrugged.

"Then again, at the end of the day, Dragon or Scorpion, they're looking out for their clan's best interests. It's business, after all, not charity."

[Kaiu Nagisa]

Finally finding the right kind of tissue filling for the warimono, Nagisa moved on to the wooden shells. “It’s all about whose interests align with those of the populace, I suppose.”

“Hmmmm… I’ve read that there’s different patterns for the warimono. Should I try multiple patterns or try and keep it simple since this is my first batch?” The Kaiu, seeking guidance, turns her attention to Taraka. “I really want them to actually… Work right. But if I’m able to get it right, having multiple patterns would be a much more dynamic show.”