Sports Fans (7ME, expecting/open)

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

Talk of the sumai tournament was on everyone's lips that night in the Old Man's Stump, with everyone commenting on which wrestlers had grown bigger than last year, which ones had been sick recently, and which one had offended a certain geisha who would no longer accept his appointments.

Ryoichi suspected half of it was nonsense or wild speculation, so he turned to his companion and said, "I've heard you used to wrestle, back in the day. What do you think?"

[Otomo Gorobei]

Gorobei frowned as he looked down the bar at the bulk of Raiden. "I heart the Northern division has been very strong this year. That Asako is supposed to be some kind of monster. Doesn't look like much when you see him, though."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"A monster?" Ryoichi repeated. "How do you mean? I know he's high-ranked, of course, but if someone as skillful as you calls him a 'monster' he must be quite formidable indeed."

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7MM Sumai tournament - Persuade Gorobei to reveal more about Tanikaze Courtier/Awareness +Benten's TN20 | 5k5 ⇒ 43 (TN: 20) succeeds

[Otomo Gorobei]

"Oh, hai. Although I am somewhat out of practice. But it's strange. He comes off as soft in the head as well as in his fundamentals, always going on about the Shosuro family, but he always seems to come out on top. A strange thing."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Soft in the head, really?" Ryoichi said, attentive to Gorobei's every word. "And weak fundamentals? If he has such weaknesses, I'm surprised that you think he might do better than Miyagino. Everyone at Kyuden Hida says that you wrestled at Sunda Mizu Dojo; did you ever run into him?"

The Yasuki flagged the attendant for another round of sake. Sports talk was thirsty work.

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Should I roll for each wrestler we talk about, or just 1/thread? Totally fine either way.

[Otomo Gorobei]

[Just 1/thread, to keep things fair.]

"Never actually ran into Miyagino." Gorobei shakes his head, sadly. "Of course, the sumai fellas train a little differently, almost like thoroughbred horses. I understand Sunda Mizu to be about bushi getting ready for war."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Yes, you're right, Sunda Mizu is more about that," Ryoichi said, nodding. "It's a ... simpler place than here, to be sure. Do you ever miss it, Otomo-sama? They still speak well of you in the Crab lands, you know."

[Otomo Gorobei]

He smiles. "It wasn't all smiles and fond memories at the time, but I appreciate that they remember me well."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Ha! How could they forget," Ryoichi chuckled. "From the sound of things you had quite an adventure through that area. You should come back for a visit sometime, perhaps after winter is over - if your duties permit it, of course. I suppose spring must be a busy time of year for the gardens."

[Otomo Gorobei]

"Hai, it is." He frowned. "Cherryblossom season is not to be missed. And perhaps, when I am Emperor, a tour would not be out of the question." He fixed his eye on Ryoichi. "But the throne is in Otosan Uchi, however much Keihime thinks it's already in her hands, it ought to belong to me. I can't leave it to her."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

Ryoichi nodded. "The Imperial Advisor seems to have some powerful adherents," the Yasuki commented. "But she is not well-loved by the people. I heard you had some supporters help clear the way for you to return to Court, is that right? So you must have some partisans of your own?"

[Otomo Gorobei]

"A few, younger folks, mostly, who are tired of the current program. Hey, talking of which, who was that guy you were talking to at court? Was he new?"

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

The Yasuki nodded. "Yes, the Empress and Lady Seppun had ordered us to bring him back from Ryoko Owari, and we returned just last night," Ryoichi said. "His name is Tatsuya, and it seems he is a long-lost son of Hantei Muhaki who has been living as a ronin. I'm ... not quite sure how distant a relation that makes him to you."

"The Imperial Herald announced him in Court, but he has few friends there, I think," Ryoichi said. "The man is putting a good face on it, but we've dropped him into deep water. I feel a little responsible, so I was trying to explain to him who the important people were. I mentioned your name - he might seek you out sometime."

[Otomo Gorobei]

I bet he will "I bet he will. Looked like some kind of bushi. Guess I should expect that bushi'll come looking to test themselves against me. Well, he looked like a solid enough guy, but there's a little vim in these legs yet."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

Ryoichi grinned. "I know you can handle yourself, Otomo-sama, but I'm sure all the guards standing around the palace will keep Tatsuya from trying to cause any trouble like that," he said. "But he is a bushi, and if you'll pardon my saying so, I think you might have some things in common. You can be sure that ... certain parties ... will try to keep both of you quiet. You might consider joining forces."

[Otomo Gorobei]

Gorobei's brow furrowed. You're not sure, but he might not entirely have grasped the full potential of that idea.

"Yeah, joining forces. Sure, yeah." He shook his head, trying to shake the intrusive thoughts like some sort of bull or house cat.

"Um...right. So, things are going good for the Crab, then?"

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"I think so, yes," Ryoichi said, looking thoughtful. Were they going well?

"It's my first Winter Court, so I'm not sure what the standard is, really," the Yasuki admitted. "But we've made some deals, and I even got to present one of them in Court a few days ago - an alliance with the Boar Clan. Otomo Keihime had some questions about it, and the Fox spoke against it, but we were able to get past that and have it approved. That sorted out a lot of our need for jade, which made it a good day for sure."

"How about you, Otomo-sama?" he asked politely. "I know you couldn't attend Court at first, but I saw that you spoke on the floor today. I'm glad you favor more trade between clans; my family is a big believer in that."

[Otomo Gorobei]

"Yeah, well, it needed to be said. The West has been in the hands of the Empire for 450 years and is still underdeveloped. We could be much more prosperous than we are. And all Keihime can do is poke her finger in peoples' business."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Ahhh, wise words, Otomo-sama. If only all the Imperials were as far-sighted," the Yasuki lamented. "Increased trade is critical for the development of the Empire. Hmm, that reminds me, let me order another round of drinks to help 'develop' this sake house a little more." He signaled the attendant.

[Otomo Gorobei]

"An excellent idea."