neighpon The Karaoke Kabinet [FIN]

[Zeig]

(( Original photo belongs to unknown owner ))

 

 

Against the darkened night sky spanning across Neighpon, the streets of the Watertrough District of Polohama seemed almost blinding as they pulsed, glittered, and shone with nearly every form of advertisement imaginable, and their effect was almost tangible. Ponies on every corner and along every sidewalk - from the most severe looking, suit-clad business ponies, right down to the crazily dressed, "fashionable" urban street getters - laughed and cheered and bellowed their spirits into the night sky, and for good reason. No pony came to the Watertrough District for anything other than a good time, and barring misfortune in the form of an unprecedented Kaiju attack, that was exactly what they got.

 

The Pony Pulse was no different in that regard. Celebrated in magazines and hailed as a one of the ritziest and chic joints in the entire District, the karaoke bar fairly screamed wealth and prestige, a parlor meant only for ponies with the financial means to indulge...or for ponies with appearances to keep up. Every single night, ponies would pass by the place, staring longingly up at its sleek and modernized visage, and turn admiring gazes on the scant ponies that would confidently walk through the double doors. They could only imagine what sort of indulgent evenings of entertainment went on inside, while those that entered could fully partake of the Pony Pulse.

 

The sleek and classy front desk immediately gives way to a vast entrance area, water features and delicate plants decorating the walkways. Couches are available for members waiting for a full party, along with a lounge and bar - though those are only a small preview of the delights of the Pony Pulse. Requesting a room wille a server gracefully lead a party to one, varying in size and equipment. Even the smallest and barest rooms are filled with lush carpeting, furniture, and wide screen televisions, but the bigger the rooms get, the more lavish they become. Two VIP rooms, available only through reservation and a plenty large down payment, are the largest of all, easily spanning the size of a generous house. Menus for food, drink, and alcoholic beverages are placed on every table, along with a magic crystal that, when activated and spoken into, conveys orders to the servers for whatever one desires. All in all, the overly lavish and opulent design of the Pony Pulse truly make up its price, and make the karaoke bar a place one visits in order to impress, astonish, and otherwise brag.

 

Or...

 

Simply because one can.

 

 

The Watertrough District was not one that he visited very often...for obvious reasons. Paparazzi, for one thing - no matter what he might actually be doing, the potential for an interesting story went through the roof in an area like the Watertrough District. It was different from, say, the Polohama Dome - anyone's presence there was easily explained away by the gargantuan titans fighting each other in a Battle Royale to the finish. But the Watertrough District was different, a pony could be doing a million and one things...and it was designed specifically for pleasure and entertainment. It didn't take the most genius of journalists to twist a story into something much more interesting to read.

 

Although...

 

So long as a journalist had no actual, relevant material to work with, made-up scandals ever rarely got any steam. Still, that didn't stop Ryuichi - nor his guards, for that matter - from insisting on entering from the back, along a much less widely utilized back street. The Pony Pulse, accommodating as they always were whenever he went out on these rare excursions, acted just as professionally and discreetly as he remembered - hardly a glance or a fuss was raised as he entered behind his guards, the servers acting as if he were simply a high profile customer, and in nearly no time at all, he and his retinue had been deposited in one of the VIP rooms. A host of his guards, dressed in savvy black suits rather than the armor of the Imperial Vanguard, were already off, scoping out the entire building, while a few remained in the room itself, checking it for...whatever it is they checked for. They would soon leave to stand guard outside the door - SANDA would be more than adequate protection inside the room itself - and Ryuichi gracefully sat himself down on one of the couches, eyeing the guards as they bowed, backed out of the room, and locked it behind themselves...

 

And promptly flopped halfway over on the couch.

 

["Ancestors, I thought we'd never get here,"] the Shogun groaned, adjusting the scarf that hung loosely around his neck, an elegant yet decidedly more casual outfit a far cry from the usual Armament of the Shogun he most often wore. ["Getting out of the Palace Castle alone took near an hour!"] It wasn't often Ryuichi complained like a little foal, but the day had been a bitter one - a seemingly endless onslaught of meetings, unfavorable news originating yet again from the colonies, and one too many concessions that had made him rather irritable all the way until this moment. ["Someone get the sake in here before I have to go searching for it myself,"] Ryuichi demanded, but his tone was already lighter and freer than it had been all morning, as the glistening surroundings of his favored karaoke place promised a relaxing - and long overdue - time to sit back, let loose a bit, and enjoy the privileges of being the Shogun of Neighpon.

 

 

[PyroBlaze]

Sandā was dressed like the other guards, though her suit was a gray that matched her mane. The pegasus stood at attention until they were alone in the room, taking a seat next to her friend with a slight smile. 

 

"<I know, Ryu, but that comes with being in charge. Makes me glad I'm only in charge of the guards.>" She chuckled, patting his shoulder. She was actually looking forward to this whole thing somewhat, it was good to be able to relax with him from time to time. 

 

----

 

Ichi smiled over at the mare he walked down the street with. Honestly, he hadn't been too sure of Hoshi when he first heard of her and her relationship with his brother, but their little interview earlier had definitely warmed her up to him. 

 

"<Well, here we are. Just through here.>" He said, leading her inside and eventually making his way to the room. He gave a wave as he walked in, chuckling at seeing Ryuichi slumped over like that. 

 

"<Tired, Ichi? Well, perk up, I brought a surprise!>" He said, pulling out a bottle of sake. "<Oh, and Hoshi is here too.>" He added, chuckling as he put the bottle on the table and took his own seat on a different couch. He was wearing a simple t-shirt now, with a design of a dragon on it. 

[Blueblood]

Shiroi Boshi was, like most who the shogun employed, not of the class which would normally frequent such establishments as the Pony Pulse.  Even when they, like her, had reached the top of their respective departments and professions, they could rarely go there on their own dime.  Or, at any rate, would have to live lives otherwise marked by austerity to enjoy such luxuries.

 

Given all that, it was no surprise that this was the mare's first time here, though it might have been slightly surprising that she had come at all.  Shiroi was temperamentally serious, seeming to eschew all frivolity when at work, which was about the only time any of her colleagues ever saw her.  Perhaps that was why she had agreed to the suggestion; to balance the viewpoints of those she worked with.

 

It was a mark of their respective classes that while Ryuchi had dressed down, Shiroi had dressed up for the occasion, donning a white suit cut for a mare's figure, along with a wide-brimmed hat like that depicted on her cutie mark.  With the dyed spikes of her mane now pushed down, semi-obscuring her magitek hacker's specs, she felt as if she looked like a high-class anti-hero from one of her father's manga.  Testing security, cracking spell-systems, but all for the good of the Empire...

 

*I'm living the dream.*  She reflected, smiling as she strode along with the Shogun as they entered into the back entrance of the club.  And as her preliminary probing of the ordering system's defenses only brought back the message 'Nice try, monkey girl,' she felt she could let herself relax at last.  Work was done, time to have some fun for the first time this week!

 

"You said it, Sanda.  You can leave the guards behind, but my sphere is everywhere in this city."  She tapped her glasses with a smirk that combined both exasperation and an inward pride.  "That said, the owner of this place has been especially prompt about following through with my security suggestions.  I can actually breathe easy, for once."  She laughed slightly, but the remark was only half in jest.  Undoubtedly, the Shogun was the one in their company who would most desire his sake, but Shiroi was a close second.  "And a bottle for me; Vintage of the Water-lords.  Nothing but the best for us."

 

She knew the highest rated sake by research rather than experience, but that was all the more reason to enjoy it when it came.  She leaned back, tilting her hat to shade one eye as the other looked towards the entrance.  Oh, the Shogun's brother was coming.  With a guest, too... Hoshi, her name was?  A celebrity at the arena.  Shiroi kept up with the circuit, both for personal and professional reasons.  Hoshi had impressed her as being one to prefer technique to raw power, at least, though more through mobility and guile than technical trickery.  Ryuchi had been talking to her, though whether as a fan or something more, she wasn't sure as of yet.  Well, now would be as good a time as any to find out.

[Pretzelparty]

 

 

 

 

 This had been a very strange day for Hoshi. It started in a game store in Palohama where she was having a ball dancing on the machine in the arcade. Then she wound up being questioned by someone she was worried might be an obnoxious fan. Then this person turned to be a non-obnoxious fan who actually had a good reason to seek her out: He was the sibling of the shogun! 

 

Hoshi had been careful to keep her acceptance of the shogunate's offer quiet. The very idea that she'd accepted this offer or been approached was something she'd been worrying about since she'd agreed. Rival teams smearing her reputation over it, accusations of using Neighpon's resources to fuel her own dreams, both of those things and more were possible if she made the idea public too quickly or too late. It was somewhat comforting though to see she wasn't the only one with butterflies in her stomach about the ramifications of this meeting if it went well. Ishi was actually worried about some of the very things she'd worried she'd be accused of: attempting to gold dig her way to the top of both society and the arena through Ryuichi. Once the long talk concluded they both seemed to come out of it with clear minds... and Masayoshi had made her a curious offer, said he was late for something and that she could come along and bring Kuzu.

 

The walk to the club through the crowded streets was not too special if a bit hurried. Hoshi had been sporting a simple hoodie for the time being, her iconic hat resting in her saddlebag at her side. Kuzu, lesser seen older sister and the fox golem who inspired Kuzunoha of the dome, was riding on her partner's back the way there. A flat look coming from Hoshi as she glanced back and rolled her eyes: Eyes that soon went wide as a familiar sign came into view. 

 

The Pony Pulse.

 

What kind of big wig was Masayoshi meeting here? This wasn't going to be some sort of shady backroom deal was it? In all honesty: probably not. It was still strange to set hoof in here again. She'd only managed to reserve a medium sized room for her and her team after they'd won their first big tournament with a remarkable amount of prize money. Coincidently that was also the night she'd learned how careful money needed to be managed, especially on their budget. 

 

Kuzu poked her head up just as they came up to the guards, They scanned her momentarily... and besides maybe an unusual increase of activity in the core processor gem the golem was free to walk among the royals. Kuzu just folded her paws over her chest, glaring at the guards as Her ride just chuckled. Then the door opened. While Ishi simply entered and greeted the rest of the room, Hoshi stood there for about two seconds while she processed the situation.

...

 

...

 

"Um... It's an honor to meet you, Rakuen-Heika." She calmly bowed her head, "And you as well other members of the cabinet." this had all caught her rather off guard. For a moment her eyes glanced to Masayoshi with his sake, her eyes seeming to say 'You couldn't have told me?' before she looked back to the pair sitting down at the moment. Before she finished raising her head back upright, the smooth looking reddish golem rested it's head on top of hers. "The little one on my head is Kuzu... the original Kuzunoha from a certain point of view. She is the first golem I've ever fought with."

 

 

 

[Bellosh]

 

Lured to an alien place: 'twas Lími's constant lot in life.

 

Throughout the annals of Viking Caribou history, there were those few bulls and cows renown for great feats normally impossible by the likes of mortals. While neither a great leader or a skilled warrior, Lími had likely already earned his place among that pantheon of greats... as the first caribou in recent memory to ever be befriended by a Neighponese shogun. Clearly, it hadn't been enough to simply become best buds with an eccentric necromancer from the Southern Wilds. Now, the young bull was consorting with the figurehead of a nation that had historically known nothing else but frosty relations (at best) with Whitescar. Those who held to the old Viking ways would have much to say about Lími's choices in associates...

 

On the plus side, Lími could at last feel free to enjoy himself in Neighpon with the knowledge that he was in the good graces of the amicable Shogun Ryuichi. Yet friendship did not come without providing detours to one's plans; a fact Lími was reminded of when the Shogun invited the caribou bull to a night out in the city of Polohama. A short train ride away from Kyoma, Polohama was the ideal destination for residents of the Capital who desired... a change of scenery.

 

And what a change of scenery the bustling metropolis was for Lími, garbed in his usual cloak. Never did he imagine a city of spires could be so colorful; Manehattan didn't hold a candle at all! Nearly every corner of Polohama abounded with magic-conjured lights and illusions. Why, the young bull almost felt a poem brewing in his heart! Regrettably for the our crafter of words, this evening was not an occasion for idle appreciation. The poetry would have to wait another day, for Shogun Ryuichi had other plans.

 

Instead of wandering the city as he pleased, Lími found himself ushered off to what could only be some sort of luxurious hideaway nestled deep in Polohama: the Pony Pulse as Ryuichi called it. There were others in attendance; the highest-ranking members of the Shogun's court. Except they looked nothing like what Lími expected of a royal court; all present appeared to be of youthful age, not much older than the very Shogun they served. With age typically came experience, so wouldn't the royal ryuma employ elders in his service as wise councilors?

 

Perhaps that was just one of many things done differently in Neighpon.

 

Lími knew that as a representative of Clan Askr — and of the entire Viking Caribou culture by default — he really ought to socialize with everyone else in Ryuichi's party. Socializing never came easy for the introverted bull though; typically he willed himself into action if there was a clear-cut diplomatic objective on the line, but no such mandate existed here. Let it not be forgotten that until walking into the Palace Castle in Kyoma, Lími only wished to be a mere tourist seeking out sakura blooms. Ergo, the Son of Sigrun fell into his usual habit of staying at the periphery of the crowd.

In lieu of chattering, Lími focused his attention on one of the magical screens in the room. What did the Neighponese call their invention again... magivision, aethervision? No such marvelous device existed in Equestria, the young bull knew that much for certain. From what he gathered, an aethervision screen was essentially a scrying orb that had been flattened, then stretched out, then mounted on a wall. A rather remarkable thing, Lími admitted to himself. Indeed, he could just stand there for hours looking at every moving image the display projected.

 

It definitely beat the awkwardness of talking with utter strangers.....

[Zeig]

 

Well.

 

Some ponies had clearly come prepared for this night, and for the life of him, Ryuichi could find no fault in it.

 

Ryuichi merely groaned again at Sandā's attempts to emphasize with him, though the smile remained on his face as he clasped one of the Pegasus' hooves in his own briefly. There were moments where he did wonder what would have happened if he had never met and befriended Sandā, if she had never been born the daughter of the Grand Admiral. He would probably have a stiff and unmoving guard next to him right now, someone assigned to him, who didn't so much as sneeze without his say so. Perhaps a burly Earth Pony who would have simply stood rigid at attention rather than dropping down onto the couch alongside him, unresponsive and completely and utterly boring.

 

It was a depressing thought.

 

Luckily only a thought, and Ryuichi couldn't help the burst of laughter as Shiroi spoke, expressing her appreciation for an easy-going night. ["You, breathe easy?"] the Shogun remarked, shifting his position on the couch to a slightly more elegant sprawl, ["ancestors save us. What's next - Door-breached fire? The end of all Neighpon as it is known!"] He was only partly joking, as well - Shiroi worked harder and longer than near anyone Ryuichi knew, and he had, in all honesty, been rather surprised he'd managed to tear her away from her work station to join them on this venture. 

 

Though he wasn't complaining. It was Shiroi's genius that kept Neighpon safe and secure - from both outside threats that were slowly coming into their own in the magitech industry, and inside Neighpon itself, where fire was fought with fire. There was, after all, a reason why Neighpon's might was yet unmatched throughout the rest of the world, and dedication to their work akin the likes that Shiroi showcased was a part of that reason.

 

One of the two bodyguards that were lingering inside the room had finally stepped forward, picking up one of the magic crystals to place an order for Shiroi's requested bottle of sake to be brought to the room, leaving Ryuichi to turn his attention towards his brother as he entered. One eyebrow cocked upwards as the Kirin produced a bottle seemingly form thin air, making the Ryuma chuckle as eyed the offering as it was set upon the table. What was that thought he'd had, about ponies being prepared? 

 

...Ah, yes. Some more than others.

 

For as long as he could remember, Ryuichi had been an avid follower of the Polohama Dome - because what little colt did not enjoy the sight of gargantuan giants battling to and fro across an arena? That affinity had never lessened as he'd grown older, though his time to enjoy them most certainly had. Still, there were a few golem trainers and teams whose name's Ryuichi took note of whenever he had time to pursue news of recent battles and tournaments, and Hoshi “Nagareboshi” Shirogane was exactly one of those. A veritable prodigy that had risen into the Polohama Dome practically overnight, Shirogane's tactics appreciated technique and skill over brute strength...and it wasn't all that easy, controlling lumbering, towering constructs to move in distinct and controlled patterns. 

 

Had she not so clearly been present as Ishi's guest, he might have been more surprised. No, the most surprising fact was that she was present as Ishi's guest. When had his brother met and befriended the golem trainer, casually and closely enough to have invited her to this outing without informing him about it? Forget this outing - Ishi had met and befriended the golem trainer, and had failed to tell him about it.

 

Ryuichi almost felt indignant.

 

["I can see the resemblance,"] the Shogun finally said, recovering from the surprise to smoothly stand up in the company of an unfamiliar mare. ["A pleasure to meet you, Shirogane,"] he said warmly, reaching out to shake hooves with the golem trainer. ["I managed to catch your win of the Hokoto League last summer - Kuzunoha was a fearsome sight to behold."] One last firm hoofshake, and Ryuichi released her hoof, heated eyes already turning onto his brother - though, a knock at the door forestalled his immediate question. The Shogun waved off the bodyguard who had begun walking towards it, instead moving to accept the delivered bottle of sake himself.

 

The night was young - he'd have plenty of time to interrogate his little brother, to ask him exactly how long he'd been hiding this friendship. Long enough to use given names, at that.

 

Speaking of young...

 

Ryuichi was almost - almost, not quite - startled as he turned back around with the bottles cradled in one foreleg, catching sight of a brown and green figure standing quietly in the corner of the room. With the appearance of Shirogane, the Ryuma had, quiet cleanly, forgotten about the presence of a certain Caribou he had invited to join him tonight...who, in turn, looked as if he might be content to spend the entire night taking particular interest in the aethervision screens. Ryuichi felt a brief moment of guilt for having left Lími to his own devices. Whether he was naturally shy or simply awkward around strangers - the latter, most likely - Ryuichi could not afford to forget that his companion was...well, a Caribou. He was probably as comfortable surrounded by the Primary Shogunate as he himself would be in the midst of a meeting between Clan Chieftains. Hostilities or not, a foreign environment could do more than enough damage on its own.

 

And that was, just, no good. Not at all.

 

"Lími, my friend," the Shogun called out, rather loudly, as he approached the Caribou, and wasted no time in wrapping his free foreleg around the young bull to begin tugging him towards the couches, "ancestors, why are you in the dark? Come come - take a seat." The instruction wasn't a request, and Ryuichi waited until the Caribou was seated to sit down again himself, depositing the bottles on the table. "Lími, have you met Sandā Kumo yet? She and I have known each other since foalhood," he continued, gesturing to the yellow Pegasus on his other side, before moving on towards the pink Unicorn. "And here is Shiroi Boshi, a magitech engineer the likes of which you will never meet again." A nod towards the dark navy Kirin - "my brother, Ishi Masayoshi" - before finally coming around to Shirogane. "And Hoshi Shirogane, a golem trainer at the Polohama Dome. Everyone - this is Lími, visiting all the way from Whitescar." Ryuichi had purposefully not included the actual titles of several of those present in the introductions, and could only hope no one did. He didn't want Lími to feel completely overwhelmed, to be surrounded with the most powerful individuals in Neighpon.

 

...Unless he recognized the names, then that was a moot point, he supposed.

 

Introductions given - and a Caribou feeling slightly less out of place, he hoped - Ryuichi wasted no time and opened one of the bottles, pouring out the drink himself into several sake cups. "And now, my dear friends and companions," the Shogun said, raising his own cup upwards in a parody of a toast, "we must ask ourselves one single, important question." His expression was serious and austere...save for the twinkle in his eyes as Ryuichi glanced at all those present.

 

And at the aethervision screens mounted at the front of the room. The large crystal between the two screens projected its scrolling list of songs in a holographic display, ready and waiting for a brave - or drunk - enough pony to take the plunge. 

 

"Who's going first?" 

 

[Dio]

On the one hoof, Hibana wasn’t fond of buying a round without the intent to stay, but scheduling waited for no mare. She could catch up with the other barflies next week when she returned to Polohama for the next golem fight. They were clearly disappointed in her departure, but said their goodbyes nonetheless as Hibana took wing and flew deeper into Watertrough. After all, it wouldn’t do to keep the Shogun waiting. It wasn’t often that the crew from work could all synchronize their days off, and even less often that Ryuichi himself could grab some vacation time. Thus, a night out with “Team Ryuichi” took priority over a post-game drink with the old boys.

 

The note from Ryuichi had said “casual,” but even Hibana still did a bit of self-grooming before heading out. Her hair was done into a short mohawk, forming a ridge that ran down her neck and melded into her spine. Studs and piercings glinted in the glow of neon lights. She sported a pressed button-up shirt with the top button unbuttoned and the sleeves rolled up to show off her tattoos, though for now they were covered up by her signature canvas flight jacket to keep out the mild night chill. With studs and rings in place, Hibana was dapper and slick enough to look the part of an associate of the Shogun, but with just enough edge to buck the bureaucrats and salarymares; just the way she liked it.

 

“Riko, give me that address again,” she said, seemingly to empty air.

 

What appeared to be an ornate necklace draped around her neck chirped and began glowing, projecting a small set of glyphs in front of her that resolved itself into an address readable in Neighponese. Riko, in addition to being her personal assistant golem, could now also serve as a piece of functional jewelry and wearable magitech. Hibana smugly smiled at her little invention’s success. The building was just around the corner.

 

She whistled in awe at the sheer spectacle that unraveled before her. “Ryuichi really pulled out all the stops, didn’t he?”

 

The golem chirped in agreement. Hibana was waved through by the guards, who quickly recognized her, and directed to one of the lavish private rooms in the rear of the establishment. She enthusiastically hoofed open the door and sauntered in.

 

“Oi! Raku-san!” She greeted Ryuichi exuberantly with a silly nickname. “Sorry I’m late! Hard to get the Dome boys to shut up once they  get going!”

 

A quick glance around the room revealed the latest arrivals. Shiroi reclining. Sanda guarding. Ishi bearing alcohol. Hoshi… Hoshi?

 

“Hoshi-chan!” Half-flying, half-galloping, Hibana slammed into Hoshi and squeezed her in a big bear hug! “They didn’t tell me you’d be coming, too!”

One last thing caught her eye, a flash of brown and green among the bright, saturated colors of the rest of her friends and colleagues. Slowly releasing Hoshi, Hibana glanced at the caribou and cocked her head quizzically, before turning with a smirk to Ryuichi. “You hired someone new and didn’t tell me? Just because I don’t write laws doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be in the loop, Ryuichi!”

[PyroBlaze]

Ishi could only chuckle in response to the looks he was receiving from both Hoshi and his brother, giving Hoshi a look that said it was more fun this way. Well, looked like he had some explaining to do, but that would have to wait until later it seemed. The qilin moved the bottle of sake he had brought over to the ones brought in by Ryuichi, smiling at the others already at the party while he did so.

 

"Nice to meet you, Limi. Are you enjoying your visit to Neighpon so far? No need to be so antisocial, we're all friends here." He said, smiling at the caribou and holding out a hoof to shake. Once that was done, he sat himself down on his brother's other side, taking one of the sake cups and taking a drink from it. He hummed a bit, beginning to look through the sings available to see if there were any duets for the brothers. Or perhaps Ichi and Sanda or Hoshi. Really, any three of those scenarios sounded like a good time to him.

 

"I've got three suggestions. Me and you, you and Hoshi, or you and Sandy." He said, smiling over at his brother. This was going to be a fun night, he could tell already.

 

-----

 

Sanda smiled back at Ryu as they clasped hooves, once again glad she had been able to get this position as Ryu's guard. It gave her a charge that she could actually relax around instead of having to be at attention every second she was on duty. As the moment passed and Shiroi spoke, she chuckled, giving the other mare a grin. As Ishi entered the scene, the pegasus looked over, blinking a bit as she saw who the qilin had brought with him. Well, that was an interesting guest, especially as they both brought golems with them.

 

"I was there when you met him, remember? Though I suppose he never heard my name." Sanda said as Ryu began introducing Limi to those present. Well, in any case, she gave him a nod, having gotten over his race and affiliation over the course of Ryu befriending him. When Ishi spoke of his suggestions for who should go first, she froze up, blinking a bit at the thought of her doing a song with Ryu. A small blush formed from embarrassment as she sat there, staring straight ahead in indecision.

[Blueblood]

It was rare that one could see a smile on Shiroi's face, at least while that mare was on-duty.  Which she pretty much always was, with tonight being a rare and beautiful exception.  Hoshi was granted the privilege of seeing it at its warmest as she was introduced to the ginjutsu-sha.  "A pleasure to meet you, and you as well, Kuzu."  She could appreciate the technical artistry and skill that went into golem design and operation, though she was but an amateur herself.  Her last attempt had been a covert operation that, well... let's just say she was glad that the Shogun knew nothing of it.  "I haven't had a chance to make my way to the dome lately, but I have seen recordings of your fights.  Most impressive!  I don't suppose you would mind if I asked you for a copy of your design specs?"  Ah, well, it was probably too much to ask for her to fully abandon all work considerations...

 

Speaking of which, she had just noticed the entrance of Limi, and her smile did not so much fade as drain at the sight.  A caribou?  She hadn't been told that a caribou would be invited here!  Not having been present at the young bull's awkward and endearing introduction to the Shogun, all she had to go on was his name.  Still, he didn't look like too much of a threat.  From the way he gaped at the display screens, she was willing to bet he didn't know a projection crystal from a communication core, so unless he started smashing things up with a blunt object, he wasn't her concern.  And Ryuchi was willing to vouch for him, so... "Honorable Limi, welcome."  She nodded, the formality of the greeting somewhat intentional, as he was by no means an intimate of hers yet.

 

And then, late as usual, the shogun's golem-trainer.  She couldn't say she was surprised to see that Hibana and Hoshi were prior acquaintances, similar line of work and all that.  Smiling at the scene, she turned back to Ishi.  "Not pushing me forward, I see?  Well, fair enough, let me fuel up first."  She smirked, pouring out her first glass of sake for the night.

[Pretzelparty]

 

 

 

 

So far so good. The Shogun seemed to be very agreeable and even extended a hardy hoofshake: one which Hoshi accepted. He followed her matches too? That was an interesting fact. Ishi hadn't mentioned that his brother was a big follower of the Golem fights. Last week... last week.. Who was her opponent that time? It took about two seconds before she realized, "Oh yes... The boxing brawler kangaroo. His use of the Damsire roll was unexpected... but he really overestimated it's use. It may look devastating to be on the other end of but the rhythm it uses is really easy to follow. Once I'd gotten an idea of the pattern and direction, one counter-punch to the head and the guy got all the momentum he'd been using to pummel us with, plus our own hitting power thrown right back into his golem's face... Honestly I feel sorry for that one, her trainer overspecialized on that one special move." Hoshi blinked, realizing she'd gone off on something of a spiel. "Apologies, Ryuichi-Heika." She momentarily lowered her head, "I can ramble on about what I do for hours. I'll hold my tongue."

 

When Ryuichi came back from a shadowy corner of the room, Hoshi's brow arched. That face... Those horns... that cloak, she knew this bull! She remembered when she'd first met him under the cherry blossoms. Apparently that had been intended to be a relaxed romantic getaway but then the spirit of chaos came around and Limi wound up falling into Polohama's rising star quite unceremoniously. 

 

"It's nice to see you aga- BWAH!" A sudden impact slammed into Hoshi's side, "Ah... Umm... K-konbanwa, Hibana-san." Was all she'd managed to stammer out, what with the wind being at first knocked out of her and then squeezed out of her. For now she simply struggled weekly in Hibana's grasp, in the dome there was a saying that the trainer of a golem tended to get some characteristics of them... apparently Hibana had inherited Tetsukuma's horrifically potent bear-hug. After a bit of squirming she managed to position herself so there wasn't an incredible pressure on her lungs she let out a deep gasp. "...And to be fair." she said as she finally caught her breath, "I didn't even know I -was- coming."

 

The mare with the hat seemed pretty warm and interested in Kuzu in fact. The golem actually climbing on the couch she sat upon and extending a paw in greeting. Hoshi had to shake her head at the question she was posed, "Sorry to say I can't give you them without talking to both my sponsors and my crew. Specs and design elements are kept pretty well secured so that opposition can't use that information against us. I can definitely give you a small scale demonstration with Kuzu though." Behind Shiroi's head the golem in question did a pose upon hearing her name spoken.

As the screen lit up with the song selection, Hoshi gave a shrug. "I'd be willing to give a try." A glass found its way into her hoof and the sake was swiftly downed, "I'll probably sound like talons on a chalkboard but I could give a try." She looked over to the caribou and smiled, "By the way It's nice to see again... Limi, was it? I didn't think I'd see you again after you fell on me during the festival."

[Bellosh]

 

Giving the aethervision a forlong glance, Lími resigned himself to being parted from it as Shogun Ryuichi took the caribou by (gentle) force over to the table with the other guests. The young bull recognized Sandā; she was the Shogun's stern-faced personal guard. The next two were unfamiliar, but the last pony felt like someone Lími encountered before... recently. The caribou provided a nod to each of them, then addressed the group when he himself was introduced; "I... I am glad to be in the company... o-of such admirable gentlefolk," Lími placed a hoof over his heart as he bent his beck to perform a formal bow; "W-well met to you all!"

 

Ryuichi's brother, who sat next to Lími, inquired into the caribou's travels so far. "Neighpon is a beautiful land," the Son of Sigrun returned Ishi's hoofshake; "...And the Sakura Spring Festival..... I shall never forget it for as long as I live." A dumb smile crept up on Lími's muzzle as he lost himself to recollection; if he ever got to know Ishi better one day, then perhaps Lími would give the qilin the complete story of his journeys in Neighpon.

 

Just as Lími took a small sip of sake, the golem trainer sitting to his other side reminded the caribou of how exactly they first encountered one another. "Oh, you were t-that one then..." Time for the fluffy caribou to awkwardly stare down his cup in embarrassment; "My uhhh, my regrets for... the clumsiness I paid you....."

.....Odýrr.

[Zeig]

 

Well, there was no mistaking her passion, that was most certain.

 

"Nonsense," Ryuichi replied, waving a hoof to dismiss Shirogane's attempt to silence herself once he'd settled himself back onto the couch, "if I had wished you to hold your tongue we would not be speaking in the first place." The dark colored Ryuma smiled widely, eyes flicking upwards towards the fox pin on her hat. "Passion for one's work is never something to be shamed of. I, too, can converse for hours on end...though I fear such ramblings would be decidedly more boring than yours," Ryuichi said dryly, grinning slightly, before turning his attention back onto Ishi.

 

Oh...he could see where this was going.

 

"So this is how it's going to be," the Shogun said knowingly, lips twitching as he scowled at his brother. "All suggestions to make me the first to make a fool of myself, Yoshi?" Ryuichi threw up one hoof in mock-consternation, the other draped across the back of the coach behind LIMI's head. "Though I'm afraid you have miscalculated, brother mine," the Ryuma continued, "for you see, I am - " Ryuichi reached for a filled sake cup " - not nearly - " another raise of his cup upwards, towards his mischievous littler brother " - drunk enough for that." Down the hatch, and the Shogun of Neighpon had to take a moment to pause after swallowing, the rich taste of the wine warming his throat all the way down to his belly. 

 

Yes...it was most definitely good to enjoy the perks of being the most powerful pony in Neighpon, from time to time. 

 

Among other things.

 

"I hardly expected anything else from you," Ryuichi called out as the veritable whirling otherwise known as Hibana came flying through the doors, her golem present on her shoulders. He was only partially kidding, too - as much as Shiroi could get lost in her work, Hibana was just as clearly a force of nature when it came to her passions, and Ryuichi briefly suffered a pang of envy at the thought of the Ryuma simply...hanging out with crew members, under the lights of the Polohama Dome. If he hadn't been destined to become the Shogun of Neighpon, Ryuichi knew exactly what sort of career he would have pursued. 

 

Such had never been his role in this life, however, and that fact was not something he'd ever change...even if he was allowed to regret it a little.

 

But tonight was not for introspection or visions of a different life, and Ryuichi mentally shook his head, returning his attention onto his Ishi. "Since you're se eager with the suggestions, perhaps you and Sandā need to take the first turn," the Ryuma quipped laughingly, glancing out of the corner of his eyes towards the yellow Pegasus in question - and almost did a double take at seeing his friend's slightly flushed features. Sandā was staring into the ether as intently as Lími had been staring at the screens earlier, and it was enough to cause Ryuichi's gaze to turn contemplate as he subtly studied the mare...before his eyes widened slightly, turning back onto his brother. 

 

It couldn't be...could it?

 

Sandā was a mare of incredibly strong will, and she was no stranger to these karaoke outings, as infrequent as they might have been. Ryuichi had trouble believing that his normally steadfast and immovable friend was feeling flustered at the mere thought of singing...which meant the hesitation was stemming from the thought of singing with Ishi...or something else entirely that he had missed. 

 

Or maybe it was just the sake.

 

But if it wasn't, then... then this bore some...contemplation. Sandā and Ishi, his closet friend and his blood brother... 

 

Ryuichi didn't have time to think on it anymore, however, as he was brought out of his musings by none other than Shiroi, advocating to act as the vanguard for the evening - which was surprising enough that Ryuichi let his pondering drop, letting out a modest cheer in the Unicorn's favor. The sake cups were emptying fast in favor of the fueling up everyone was doing, but the Ryuma continued serving, because what sort of leader could expect to be served if he did not serve in kind? Though, he had to pause and looks upwards as Shirogane spoke up, both indicating her willingness to go forth along with Shiroi...and also her acquaintanceship with Lími.

 

This sounded like an interesting story. Given what he knew about the awkward Caribou - and his past intentions on visiting Kyoma in the first place - Ryuichi could only imagine how their meeting came about.

 

Unlike Shirogane, however, the Shogun wasn't so callous as to bring up past transgressions or embarrassments in the midst of strangers, and as dearly as he'd love to hear the exploits of the adorable Caribou he'd befriended, Ryuichi wouldn't dream of forcing the young bull to speak said embarrassments further in present company. "Regrets tend to work best alongside sobriety," the Ryuma stated, with an unreadable glance at the golem trainer, "which will come in the morning. For now, I believe song and drink call for an assuredly altered state of mind. Is it not to your liking?" Ryuichi questioned, leaning into Lími slightly as he frowned down at the yet untouched sake cup the Caribou was holding, "the drink?" His face remained genial, but genuine concern leaked into his voice, as if Lími's dislike of the finest sake available might have an actual bearing on the course of the evening.

 

It very well could.

 

 

[PyroBlaze]

"Oh come now, just remember I offered to go up with you. Besides, I'll get one of those pairings before the night is through." Ishi replied, grinning at his brother before taking another drink himself. After that, his attention returned to Limi as the bull spoke. 

 

"Wonderful! Always nice to know my home leaves such a positive impact on visitors." The kirin smiled warmly at the caribou, giving a nod as Shiroi turned to speak to him. 

 

"What? Can you really blame me? I think Ichi would be fun to watch up there. If you want some help, I'm more than willing, as is Hoshi it seems." Ishi replied, chuckling in response. 

 

------

 

Sandā was still frozen in place with her blush for another good few seconds before she forcibly shook her head to remove the fantasies running through her mind. To help the process, she downed another cup, a little too fast though, as she then began hacking and coughing. 

 

"Sorry." She said, interuppted by more coughing. "Wrong pipe."

 

It took her a bit of work and time, but she recovered enough to stop coughing, leaving her to gaze at her hooves in embarrassment for a bit. 

[Dio]

“A kidnapping?” Hibana snorted, raising an eyebrow. She mock scowled at the brothers. “All right, which one of you jokers is responsible for this?”

 

Barely waiting for a response, Hibana tapped a hoof on the ordering crystal. “Fifth of Apple Bourbon. You know what kind!”

 

Sweet Apple Acres Zap Apple Bourbon was an import to be sure, but Hibana could afford to live high for tonight. Her discovery of it was entirely on accident one night after the usual post-match pub crawl through Watertrough. It had quickly become a favorite of the Dome crew after a round at one of the hole in the wall places near the arena. The service was prompt, with an attendant appearing at the door seemingly moments after her order had been placed.

 

“You boys can keep your rice water! I’m here for the real stuff!” Hibana grinned as she accepted the bottle and its accompanying shot glasses. “Riko, hold this.”

 

The snake-like golem unfurled itself from its necklace form, the spaces between its segments glowing faint violet. It curled itself around the neck of the bottle and idly floated by Hibana’s head as she set down the other glasses upon the table for those who potentially wished to partake in Zap Apple Bourbon. As songs were previewed and debates ignited over who would be the first to venture upon the altar of the karaoke stage, Hibana took a moment to study the young caribou.

 

A bite-sized caribou! Kawaii! She mused to herself. Just about every other caribou she’d seen in photographs and passing in the streets had come off as hulking giants compared to the average pony or long sun, exuding near excessive amounts of confidence in their own strength. This… Limi was it? Seemed skittish as a foal on the first day of school.

 

“Riko, pour.” The golem chirped in acknowledgement and poured the literally sparkling liquid into the glass she held in her hoof. The liquor seemed to shift from one color to the next, cycling through all the colors of the rainbow before repeating. She allowed the flavor to waft into her nostrils before quickly downing the shot. She was pouring another in short order, grinning and sauntering over to where Ryuichi had seemingly corner Limi.

“Don’t caribou usually fancy drink and song?”

[Blueblood]

Shiroi smirked as she shook the mechanical paw Kuzu offered.  For an instant, she was tempted to start on a little side-hacking project in order to get the golem design specs; just as a means of testing the famed Hoshi's magitek security, of course!  The thought was summarily dismissed, however.  Some kinds of paranoid she didn't have to be, not when it was only incidental to the future of Neighpon, if it was even that relevant.  If she continued to hang around the Shogun, however... "Well, I'll certainly enjoy the show, if the little guy's anything like the big guy."  She nodded at little Kuzu, eyes drifting back towards the young Caribou in their midst.

 

Hearing his frantic and rather clumsy Neighponese, she shook her head slightly, taking a large gulp of the sake.  The good stuff could always be told by the fact that it could be drunk well at any temperature; smooth, with light tropical banana notes, along with the normal burn of the rice malt.  Very nice.  Not that all present seemed to be equally patriotic in their choice of drinks.  Honestly, if Limi had asked for mead, she would have respected that more than Hibana's request for apple bourbon.  Shaking her head with rather more emphasis, She turned back to Ishi.  "You want to come up with me?  I'll cue up a band number that'll stand up to an assault from the both of us!"

 

Laughing, she downed the last of her drink and strutted purposefully over to the stage.  She couldn't help but show off a little, magically bypassing the normal means to cue up a song, directly linking into the database as she levitated the microphone over.  "You might appreciate this!"  She called out to Limi.  "If I'm burdened down by what all I've got to do, and believe me, it never ends..."  She trailed off the somber note, which was soon drowned by the rising tide of piano notes, soon surging in a opening blast of horns followed by a rapid-fire shooting of upbeat lyrics.

 

Limi might not have actually been able to appreciate the lyrics, but the others there would, and perhaps be a little surprised at the choice from Shiroi.  Her chosen number was a happy song about a near-hopeless fight, the lead singer cheerfully taking up his standard again after 99 defeats, refusing to give up his courage in the face of his despair.  As a contrast to the somewhat dour nature of her work-day attitude, it served her as a pick me up, as well as a good way to kick off a night!

 

[Pretzelparty]

 

 

 

 

 

"No need for regrets, Limi. You made my day at the festival more interesting." Hoshi's tone trying to calm the easily embarrassed caribou, "It really is good to meet you." The golem trainer took a look at her glass. Her eyes just calmly staring into the empty cup rather than filling it again. She'd never cared too much for the taste of alcohol in any form: That first swig really just being for show.The bitter taste didn't sit well with her, not matter how much rice could offset it. While Ryuichi questioned his western companion she subtly nudged the glass partly out of his line of sight. The continued actions of the shogun and concern in the barest portions of his expression though made her arch a brow. 

 

She remembered one time when Kuzunoha's mechanic slipped a comic inside of one of the bedtime stories that Hoshi would read the gigantic vulpine bruiser back at the dome. That was a very awkward night... almost as awkward as the feeling in the air as Hoshi tried not to smile at the reminder of that book. It was hardly bedtime story material but the storyline and artwork was 'impressive' as she had told her mechanic that day. Strangely enough that book featured a similar pairing, a deer and a kirin: Similar, not identical.

 

"Hm... " Hoshi's eyes drifted to Riko and Hibana, "Oh... I don't think you've introduced me to this one. Her name's Riko?" As the serpent floated about the room it would be greeted by a few sharp glares by Kuzu once Shiroi accepted that paw. The little fox rose up his paw, pointed to his face and back at the serpent overhead. That action earned a sharp glare fro her partner. Getting the message, Kuzu just relaxed in her spot on the couch...

 

 

[Bellosh]

 

Lími wasn't allowed to dwell on past follies for long thanks to the interference of Shogun Ryuichi. It hadn't gone unnoticed by the caribou that while His Excellency lounged in his seat, the ryuma saw fit to drape one foreleg on the couch behind the bull next to him. Somewhere in Lími's imaginative mind, he felt as if Ryuichi was staking a claim on the Son of Sigrun; that he belonged to the Shogun, and no other.

 

Ryuichi's actions did little to dispel Lími's flights of fancy; the Shogun leaning in a little too close for comfort as he asked about the caribou's drink. Lími put on a brave face, moved he was by Ryuichi's concern for how the sake was pleasing his guest. With a caring face like Ryu's, how could the young bull bring himself to fill his host with shame over a failure to make Lími happy?

 

 

Very awkward, indeed.

 

Grinning as wide as possible, Lími took a short, slow sip of his drink as he pondered what words to speak. In that time, he was blessed by an interjection from somepony new; who hadn't been around when the Shogun was performing introductions. Nevertheless, her youthful age matched the rest of Ryuichi's court; nobody with wrinkles or facial hair in sight. Her question proved opportune, giving Lími the chance to answer Ryu's inquiry without hurting his feelings... hopefully.

 

".....Aye," the caribou bull weakly nodded his head at the newcomer before gazing back at Ryuichi's yellow orbs; "'Tis true. W-We Viking Caribou are renowned," insert nervous gulp here; "...For our love of drink and song. Ummm, it all depends on the drink and song, of course! Honey mead... has always been a traditional favorite of my kin; endless mugs of it. Once enough drink has flowed... the songs begin. Ballads upon ballads about our honored heroes, the ancient deeds and follies of the Gods... the greatest triumphs of ages past....."

 

And of all the spoils of plunder taken by pillaging and burning. Lími cast his eyes downward; he didn't have the heart to mention that little detail.

Recoiling back against the couch, the young bull kept on refusing to provide eye contact; "But I never did join in the songs. I just... felt no want in my heart... to have my voice ring loud and clear. And I never drank more than my meager fill, either. But then again, heh heh, I was always... different from the rest of my brethren....."

[Zeig]

 

How was it that Hibana, wild and unpredictable Hibana, of all ponies, was quicker to realize the crux of the problem than he?

 

Mayhaps he was already succumbing to the sake.

 

"Honey mead?" Ryuichi inquired, rolling the strange combination of words around his mouth. Honey, he knew, mead...he recognized as a drink, though what exactly it entailed was beyond him. "You should have made mention, my friend." It was possible some of the port cities might have access to Viking drinks - as the relations between Whitescar and Neighpon had slowly improved, so had the influx of trading, the boldest of Caribou merchants being accepted by the equally boldest merchants of Neighpon, eager to corner the market on new and exciting goods. But Polohama? The chances of any Caribou inspired products being anywhere inside the city were slim to none. 

 

"Nuzaki, ask the staff if they've anything similar to this, honey mead," the Shogun requested of one of the guards standing in the shadowy corners of the room, who promptly nodded and moved to pick up one of the ordering crystals. "And request two of their Deluxe Sushi platters." Said platters were predominantly plant-sushi based, but also consisted of a modest fish spread, a happy medium for the ponies and dragon-kin in the room. Hopefully something similar to LIMI's honey mead could be procured, and Ryuichi grinned up at Hibana as the other Ryuma sauntered closer, pleased at her insight. 

 

Which is when a sudden coughing fit arrested his attention, causing Ryuichi to stiffen slightly in concern as he leaned away from Lími in favor of the pony sitting to his right. "Sandā?" Ryuichi said, golden eyes trailing over the yellow Pegasus' features...though her explanation moment's later cleared his expression, concerned glance melting away into a sly smirk. "We've the entire night to relax, you know," he teased, instantly reverting back into the colt who used to mercilessly badger Sandā into playing Shogun and Kaiju with him. "The sake will flow freely, I assure you - no need to down it all at once." 

 

Shiroi was certainly taking that little fact to heart, content to take her first turn at karaoke. Ryuichi supposed he shouldn't have been surprised at her song choice, given everything else she had already surprised him with this evening...but knowing didn't change the fact that he still was. The Shogun couldn't help but wonder if Shiroi At Work and Shiroi Off Work were simply two entirely separate beings, or if he had somehow just managed to miss this side of her. Maybe it was one that she only showed to her Office, one that he was never able to see because all he saw was the Technomancer. Not Shiroi.

 

...His mother had sometimes taken the time to converse one on one with her Shogunate council in completely casual settings. His grandfather had thought it ridiculous, true...but then again, he used to also think mercy and sensitivity were weaknesses, as well. 

 

...Something to be considered for another time. For now, Ryuichi brought himself back into the moment, where Shiroi was singing her heart out, Ishi was invited to join her - "Go on then, Ishi!" - young Caribou bulls were hopefully feeling a bit more relaxed, and everyone was, all in all, having a great time. 

 

Which allowed him to turn his attention onto other matters...and other someones.

 

"This one?" Ryuichi asked, eyeing the cup that Hibana's golem had filled up. The liquid inside was certainly intriguing looking...and very...rainbowy. Without a word, the Ryuma plucked the bottle of Apple Bourbon from the golem's grasp and poured himself a drink of his own, momentarily frowning down at the sparkling and rippling colors. Equestria and its fascination with rainbows... "Exactly how many golems do you have running around, Hibana?" The sight of the antics between Ryuma's snake and Shirogane's fox were amusing enough, and Ryuichi briefly wondered if Ishi had thought to bring his dog-like golem with him. It felt as if almost every friend of his owned a small, pet-like construct, and Ryuichi silently mused if he could order Hibana to design and make one for himself. 

 

Or rather, politely ask, and perhaps politely bribe. If he ordered Hibana to do anything, the Ryuma would probably just laugh in his face. 

 

The thought of owning a pet-like golem had Ryuichi's eyes following the fox construct for a while, before they inevitably fell back on Shirogane. It still felt a little surreal to see the golem trainer up close and in person - a golem trainer who was, apparently, on good terms with not one, but two ponies that he himself was close to. Traitors. "I'm afraid I haven't been able to visit the Dome much since last summer," Ryuichi commented in a serene tone, despite the fact that such a misfortune grated on his nerves a little. He was the Shogun of Neighpon, he should be able to watch gargantuan titans battling each other in a brightly lit arena around from time to time. "Or keep up with the circuit. You're in the middle of another league at the moment, are you not?"

 

 

[PyroBlaze]

Sandā blushed again as Ryu spoke to her, a bit embarrassed by her actions. Why did this have to happen? Now she was going to be teased by the other guards on top of Ryu's teasing. Sometimes she hated these gatherings... she mostly liked them though. For now, she simply stared down at the empty cup, her hoof moving to pour herself another drink, though she wasn't really paying attention and ended up with some sort of rainbowy liquid. 

 

"<What is this?>" She asked in Neighponese, blinking at the cup before looking over at Ryu. 

 

--------

 

Ishi chuckled at Shiroi's response, pausing at Sandā's coughing fit. Once that was over though, he stood, waving off his brother and trotting up to the stage to begin singing with the mare. 

 

While he was doing that, Shibō emerged from behind the couch Ishi had been sitting on, tilting his head at the singing before his attention was drawn by the two smaller golems and he wandered his way over to them, sniffing at Kuzu curiously. 

[Dio]

Hibana clopped her hooves in applause as Shiroi wrapped up her number. “Now that’s a Shiroi I never see! Maybe your office isn’t as much a dank dungeon as I thought!” She laughed.

 

Riko beeped in protest as she was first hissed at, then had the bottle snatched out from under her. With head drooping, Riko warbled sadly and floated back to her owner and curled up between Hibana’s wings. Hibana chuckled, reaching a wingtip to stroke Riko’s head. “It’s okay, hon. They’re just excited and thirsty!”

 

“See, Limi, Oyabun Ryuichi will take good care of you!” she teased, switching effortlessly back into Common Equestrian, “Relax! This is a party, not some secret mission!”

 

“Unless, of course,” she said in a suddenly terse whisper, leaning in close with dead serious face in clear violation of Limi’s personal space until they were nearly muzzle to muzzle, “you’re a caribou secret agent.”

 

She locked eyes with Limi for a moment before her pupils briefly darted to Ryuichi. A smile tugged on her lips and soon it became apparent she was barely holding herself together. Hibana burst out laughing, nearly falling upon her haunches and spilling her drink. Through some miraculous combination of dragon breath blown out in snorting laugh and a quick dive by Riko, her shot glass was saved from the floor. The dragon flames were enough to ignite the fumes around the rim of the shot glass, setting it ablaze. Hibana took the glass from Riko, raising an eyebrow at the flames before shrugging and downing the shot anyway.

 

"Exactly how many golems do you have running around, Hibana?"

 

“Just Riko for now,” she replied lightly booping Riko’s “snout” with her nose. “I’ve been mostly working on modular systems for both Riko and Raiju. No sense in replacing hardware if upgrades will make her do just as well!”

“So who’s next to sing? If no one else is heading in, I’ve had my two-drink minimum entry fee already, so I can go!”

[Blueblood]

For the past three or four minutes, Shiroi had been completely caught up in the music, acknowledging the outside world only when Ishi joined her to make it a duet.  They clashed hooves high in the air as they held that last note, spirits raised in the glass of camaraderie and song.  "Yeah!  If I was in the Arena, that would be my fight music!"  She laughed, coming down off the rush of adrenaline.  "Thanks for joining me, Ishi; we don't see enough of each other.  Shame, as you're well worth seeing!"  Flirting.  Would wonders never cease?

 

Well, some of it probably came from the sake.  Shiroi was not a heavy drinker, so did not require much of it to have a visible effect on her personality.  Which accounted also for her preference for quality over quantity.  Not that she didn't pour a second cup of sake immediately after sitting back down.  "Eh, don't think I'm throwing parties down there.  When I work, I work.  When I'm not... well, that's rare and precious."  She'd never admit it out loud, but Shiroi harbored a secret envy for Hibana.  Her work seemed so much more like leisure than her own, not to mention far less essential, and therefore far less stressful.

 

With a sigh, she leaned back, savoring her next sip as she looked over towards the caribou.  The Shogun seemed particularly interested in seeing him hosted well, for whatever reason.  Well, that was international politics, and Ryuchi was welcome to it.  Shiroi's own attempts at meddling had ended in an embarrassing failure, with golem technology in the hooves of the caribou envoy.  Thankfully, Sanda had so far kept to her vows of secrecy...

[Pretzelparty]

 

 

 

As the shogun's eyes fell upon, Hoshi she smiled to him. The action only slightly forced, yet  mostly genuine. If she had to assign it a ratio she'd say it was about seventy seven percent happy to have his attention for a moment, and thirteen percent awkwardness. When the drinks came along witht he Sushi, her eyes focused solely on the oddly resplendent beverage that was presented. If we was going to surpass the two drink minimum, well she may as well have something colorful to work up the courage to make a fool of herself "on stage". The Shogun's voice brought her out of her momentary ponderings, "Oh yes! My team and I have been having quite a time in the current one... Working our way up the ladder, one rung at a time. Kuzunoha is undergoing some minor repairs after the last match." 

 

The pegasus took another swig of her previous drink she had stowed at her side of the table, "Really though, I am a bit curious about you. I'm sorry to say I don't really much about you beyond the latest news of important decisions made by you and your..." She let her eyes travel over the room full of some of Neighpon's most influential figures, "...Your cabinet. " a small smile coming to her lips at the merryment showed by the equine in the room... and the one caribou. "What do you like to do in your down time, Rakuen-Heika." Hoshi felt a little bit worried after she had spoken. The worry that this could have been viewed as a bit too personal a question to ask the very ruler of this nation creeping over her mind: Another drink of liquid courage made it retreat though. This was a chance to meet the shogun and not have to worry about having to worry about decorum, it was too good to pass up!

 

 

 

 

Kuzu had just started relaxing on the couch when something behind her  made her jump up and look about in confusion. She turned around to see... a fairly large (in comparison to her at least) golem sniffing at her. He'd had olfactory sensors installed?! Kuzu had been hoping to get those for weeks, her old ones had worn out so replacing them was currently the second thing on the list of big 'to do's for her partner. For moment, Kuzu waved to the large newcomer and narrowed her ocular's at his snout. The golem reached out a paw and gently patted Shibo's muzzle and then nimbly hopped atop his head. Behind the couch one could be forgive in thinking the golems were forming their own little totem pole of magitech adorable.

 

 

 

[Bellosh]

 

Speaking of voices ringing loud and clear, right about now was the time when the karaoke began in earnest. In a certain light, that Neighponese activity indeed seemed reminiscent of caribou forms of merriment (once the vast differences between the drinks and songs of the two cultures were taken into account). One other thing the two cultures shared: Lími couldn't picture himself going up on that stage and singing his heart out either.

 

It didn't help when the songs were all in a language the young bull understood nothing about. Oh well, at least the mare was enjoying herself, just as it should be in a proper Viking Caribou banquet.

 

Plus there was always the remote chance that Lími would soon be sipping on honey mead. Assuming that Clan Breen's merchants did business in Polohama, that possibility was a realistic one. Boy, could the caribou bull use a little taste of home right now in this strange alien place with alien music.

 

Accusations of espionage did little to loosen up Lími. That fear instinct kicked in again as the gulping bull pulled back away from the Newcomer, but it was a futile gesture. "N-now now," Lími meekly assured; "We caribou are a honest and boisterous people. Hiding in the shadows... d-doesn't run in our blood, you see!" To a certain extent, Lími was right; Viking Caribou did not tell tales of greet deeds that weren't accomplished without than brute strength or skill in combat. But even in Whitescar, those who mastered the art of secrecy had their uncelebrated place.

Yet as it turned out, the Newcomer was only testing Lími, breaking out into laughter upon his unwarranted reactions. Breathing a sigh of relief, the Son of Sigrun contented himself with another tiny drink of sake, still hoping this establishment had the brew of honey he never realized he so desperately craved.....

[Zeig]

 

Occupied as he was by the title-winning Golem Trainer nearby, Ryuichi was only vaguely aware of Hibana torturing-slash-teasing the young Caribou. A cursory glance in her direction revealed her mirth - or maybe that was the gut-wrenching laughter that followed her romp along the flooring - however, and Ryuichi only rolled his eyes in a manner only those who knew him well would be able to discern as exasperated fondness, before retuning his attentions towards Shirogane.

 

Despite himself, Ryuichi couldn't help the sardonic grin that crossed his face at the Pegasus' words. It wasn't surprising to hear that a celebrity didn't bother paying attention to politics all that much, he supposed - though he was equally surprised, and rather pleased, that Shirogane didn't bother to deny it, or try feigning some knowledge. Far better to either admit upfront or avoid the subject, rather than pretending knowledge and inevitably playing the part of the fool. She was also holding herself up rather well, considering she was surrounded by the most powerful ponies in Neighpon, ponies that could drag her name and life through the mud if they so chose.

 

Could, not would, even if there was cause to. The Shogunate didn't have a spotless record, no governing body ever did...but he'd be cursed into The Door and back before willingly letting it happen under his rule.

 

Luckily, Ryuichi didn't have time to delve into those dark thoughts, as Shirogane's own inquiry arrested his surprise once again, even if the Ryuma's facial expression remained politely interested. Undoubtedly unintentional, but questions like that were dangerous, no matter the intent. Word spread and was twisted, and the slightest miscommunication could be contrived as something bigger and more sinister than intended. Besides...she already knew his affinity towards the Polohoma Dome, which was pretty much common knowledge everyone knew about the current Shogun of Neighpon anyways. 

 

"Down time," the Shogun answered instead, easily evading a more specific answer with a vague roundabout, "I hardly know the meaning. Isn't that right, Sandā?" the Ryuma asked rhetorically, turning his gaze away from Shirogane and onto the yellow Pegasus, raising a brow at her inquiry. <"Apple Bourbon, I believe it was called,"> he stated, lifting his own cup slightly in a parody of a salute, <"rainbows, sparkles...you know. Equestrian."> 

 

Which is when the crystal above the doorway lit up - an easy way to notify inhabitants when the music was loud and blaring - and Nuzaki promptly opened it to reveal a server carrying a stately bottled filled to the top with a warm, caramel-colored liquid. Nuzaki was just as quick to shuffle over and pop out the cork, and Ryuichi idly sampled a few pieces of sea cucumber sushi as he watched the pony pour out the drink for Lími. Said pony was quick to inform them that there had been no success hunting down a bottle of honey mean - no surprises there, really - but that this bottle of Honeysuckle Shine would apparently bear a similar taste. 

 

Similar enough to put the young bull at further ease, he sincerely hoped.

 

Only time - and plenty of cups - would tell, and Ryuichi contented himself with a sharp grin aimed at Hibana, who seemed suitably prepped to take her turn on the pseudo-stage. "Give it your best, Hibana," the Ryuma mock-cheered, just to be a bit of a rot, "no one's judging you. Much!" 

 

 

[PyroBlaze]

"Heh. Same, Shiroi. Maybe I should make a point of going to visit you?" Ishi replied, giving the mare a wink as they climbed off the stage together. "I would certainly enjoy it, I'm sure."

 

With that said, he took his spot back on the couch, drinking a bit more of the sake and picking out a couple snacks for himself. He cast his gaze over to Shibō, laughing at the sight of Kozu making himself right at home on the somewhat confused golem's head. To his credit, Shibō made no attempt to throw the smaller golem off, though that's not to say he didn't consider it. 

 

--------

 

"Down time? Never heard of it." Sandā replied, laughing slightly as she took a sip of the bourbon. It was certainly different, she'd give it that. Not sure if she liked it though. She knew it wasn't bad, which was good enough for her to keep going with the glass she had of it.