When one's boat is tossed by the stormy sea of fate, then one must fish from shore. Having had a disastrous afternoon at the hands of her enemies, Doji Noriko can be found where she is most comfortable, down by the riverside, a line of poles resting in front of her as she waits by a bottle-filled sideboard for a bite.

Event Mechanics wrote: This is a roleplay event. Characters may join this thread hoping to get to know Doji Noriko in a less formal setting. Characters in this thread may, if they ask nicely, fish along with Doji Noriko. Because Noriko is using lines, this is a game of both Investigation (Notice)/ Perception rolls at TN 15 (noticing when the lines are triggered) and Athletics/Stamina rolls at TN 15 (to actually reel in the fish) If you choose to indulge in Doji-sama’s offer of shochu, you may imbibe a number of shots equal to your Stamina without impairment. After that, for each additional shot, your TNs for the purpose of this mini-game are increased by 5.

Results: There aren't any firm mechanical results, here. Reeling in fish while getting drunk is not especially glorious, but it can be a good time. Please enjoy yourself!

Ryusei hadn't really had much of an opinion on the succession before the disgraceful display earlier that afternoon.

He sure did now.

And thus, the Phoenix went looking for a bird of different plumage.

Doji Noriko was in the midst of laying her last line as Ryusei came down to the strand. She rested it in its holder (an 8-rod contraption), and took a swig of shochu from the sideboard. She noticed him mid-swig.

"Ah, Shiba-san! How nice to see you! A lovely day for strong drink, neh? And I am told the fishing upstream, here, is quite nice."

Ryusei, thanks to his father, wasn't that big on strong drink.

But Fortunes knew, Noriko had earned it.

"I would say, Doji-sama, that it is a fine day for fresh air, relaxation, and elevated company."

He offered a half-bow.

"Alas, Doji-sama will have to settle for two out of three unless someone else happens along...."

"It can be challenging to enjoy fishing by line without it, but I am sure that we can find a way to accommodate your choice, Shiba-san. Please, come join me."

Ryusei was not alone in his resolve being solidified today. True, he had already spoken well of Noriko in court, but he had still held her at arms length. But now it was time to see her up close and see if there were actually flaws in the idea of a Crane empress.


The good natured Ryusei seemed to already be in conversation with Noriko, but Eiji eyed the lines, and wondered if perhaps he might be able to join the pair.

"You are too gracious, Doji-sama."

And he sort of meant it. Keihime's bullying might well have served Noriko's ends, and her display of humility in the face of it had been impressive, but...

But ordering Noriko to clean the floor like a servant was something a prospective Empress shouldn't tolerate.

He eyed the lines somewhat... cautiously, having done most of his fishing via seining.

"I confess, my reluctance to partake is down to... let us say some recent family history."

Shiori decided that she should be playing catch up when it comes to socializing and potentially schmoozing with one of the Winds. That said, she didn't expect that she would find herself by the River of Gold and so close to water. Water wasn't an element she was unfamiliar with but the Kuni did prefer the earth in many ways. This was bound to be an experience where they'll discover how well she'll do with fishing and drink at the same time at least.

"Good afternoon, Doji-sama and minasama," she bowed politely upon her arrival.

There is something awfully nostalgic about river fishing. Not so much catching the fish, which are slimy and flappy and occasionally thwomp you in the eye with a tail fin (especially when you are a small boy having a Formative Experience), and if somebody else wants to clean and cook the catch then so much the better--but sitting on a river bank watching a line will always remind Shinnosuke of childhood summers. He can readily understand how Noriko-sama might feel similarly about it.

"Good afternoon, Doji-sama. Oh, hello, Kuni-san, Shiba-san, Soshi-san." It did give one a feeling of some sophistication, realizing one had met every other person at this Winter Court gathering (however casual). "The Crane House servants sent down some snacks, ma'am." He holds up a handled and covered basket. "I hope it's all right if I join you all."

A small white dog pads a short distance behind him on a silken leash.

"So long as Haru-kun keeps away from the catch!" Doji Noriko throws her hands wide as though to embrace them all. "Please, join me, there are snacks and lines enough for all of us. And for those of you who remember to moderate their use, we do have shochu, though no one should feel pressured to partake."

Ryusei eyed the line nearest him.

Speaking of fish...

The line was twitching... and Ryusei hauled the fish in with aplomb.

--
Investigation (Notice)/ Perception roll at TN 15 to see if a line is twtching | 4k3 ⇒ 18 (TN: 15)

Athletics/Stamina rolls at TN 15 to reel in a fish | 4k3 ⇒ 33 (TN: 15)

"Oh, my, no, Haku's much too elegant to bother with a fish that hasn't been cooked for him." Shinnosuke grins as he sets the basket down next to the drinks and removes the lid.

"Doji-sama is most generous to share her rods when they've already been baited. That's not exactly my favorite part," he adds a little wryly, helping himself to the shochu. "Oh, good one, Shiba-san!"

Shiori bowed politely to the actor when he arrived to join the group. Her gaze did look at Haku with a bit of bemusement and concern. Should such a pet be around an active body of water with fish around? There could be potential fish larger than the little cute dog! However, she supposed that the pet's care shouldn't be her concern.

Hm. The mention of lines did remind her half of the trip's purpose and she supposed she should take a stab at fishing. What better icebreaker than catching a fish "this" big? She wasn't experienced in fishing herself but when the lines were already out, likely done to make it easier for everyone, that was already most of the work done. All she had to do was ply a bit of patience, luck, and some moxie!

Was that the current dragging the line...no! "There!" She called out before quickly stepping toward the line in question. That was where Shiori started to tug and yank the line back, probably exerting herself more than she needed to. Unfortunately, the fish managed to escape before it could even touch the surface.

"...it's harder than it looks."

Rolls
Day 8 - Late Evening: Investigation (Notice)/ Perception rolls at TN 15 | 6k3 ⇒ 37 (TN: 15)
Day 8 - Late Evening: Athletics/Stamina roll at TN 15, Unskilled | 3k3 ⇒ 10 (TN: 15)
...Those should be Late Afternoon!

"Take heart, Kuni-sama... there are plenty of fish in the river yet."

"Thank you, Shiba-san. And I'm sure of it. Fish have to come from somewhere after all. I suppose if my sensei made me catch the fish I would be cutting open, I might have had a better leg up on my attempt. I've always thought preserved fish were rather inferior, anyway," Shiori gave a dismissive shake of her head on the matter.

"A little patience is all that is required," Doji Noriko said from her spot scritching behind Haru's ears. "Well, patience and a steady arm, but that is true of so many things in this life, neh?"

Eiji bowed at the others joined the impromptu Crane fishing picnic. Noriko was certainly every inch the host, and the guests, while not every excellent samurai he had met at this court, were certainly all people he'd found pleasant.

He'd kept quiet thus far, but when he spotted one of the lines twitching, he tried to pull it in.

Per/Investigation TN 21 vs15[, pass!/url]

A bite! He pulled valiantly on line, trying this best to wear the fish out, but in the end he'd never know if it was a Scorpion Carp or a Super Cucumber, because it just slipped the hook.

[url=https://sakkaku.org/r/16299]Sta/Atheltics 13 vs 15 Fail

"Blast" he swore softly. It was good cultured company, so he tried to not roar at losing the fish.

To console himself, he took a shot of the proferrered shochu.

"Hoo!" he exclaimed, caught off caught by the potency of the brew. "That is a local label isn't it?"

Hikaru hadn't exactly been the most subtle about his choices. He had thrown in his vote to Doji Noriko early with what head of steam he had managed to accumulate in Court. But for all of that, for all he knew of her reputation, he didn't really know her

So the idea that she'd be fishing of all things?

"I will accept the Fortunes if they offer such a fine day Doji Noriko-sama" Hikaru is starting formal as he looks to get a rod.

It was a bit surprising to see more people from other Clans join in. And, uh, Noriko putting the sochu away, but this wasn't an opportunity he was going to pass up.

Doji Shinnosuke wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 21, 2025 4:26 am

"Oh, my, no, Haku's much too elegant to bother with a fish that hasn't been cooked for him." Shinnosuke grins as he sets the basket down next to the drinks and removes the lid.

"Doji-sama is most generous to share her rods when they've already been baited. That's not exactly my favorite part," he adds a little wryly, helping himself to the shochu. "Oh, good one, Shiba-san!"

"I will bait the hooks for you if you wish to participate, Doji-san. Just bring the spent lines over to me."

"It's not a problem for me Doji-sama" Hikaru takes a moment to cast a line. He waits for a moment as he begins to see it bob

D8 LA - Down my the River - Investigation/Perception | 3k2 ⇒ 16 (TN: 15)