The Banquet

[modsoflight]

Word of the defeat of the Archons and the salvation of Muenier and Tranmere spread quickly across the two nations. The black rumors and fear gave way to jubilation - the mysterious enemies could be beaten! And it was upon this backdrop that the citizenry flocked to the Rose Garden to celebrate the heroes who had saved the towns. For the moment, both nations were unified, and there was truly a cause to celebrate.

Although there was much jubilation, that was not the only purpose of this. Lord Commander Sinbad worked hard to bring the two rulers together so they could discuss and determine their next moves. But for the others, revelry was to be had. And, ideally, not of the violent international warfare variety.

Comments

International Card Tournament

[modsoflight]

Although both nations play different card games, the burning spirit is shared between them. Triple Triad and Tetra Master halls are open for play and ready-made decks are prepared for international competition. In some ways, the battles here are more ferocious than they are in other areas.

[dwellsinthedetails]

Yusuke's never had the knack for card games, but that doesn't make them any less entertaining to watch. If it happens to be good drawing fodder, well, that's secondary. (At least, he thinks it's secondary. There's something... right-feeling about all these people-watching opportunities, and he can't quite put his finger on it.)

In any case, at least the cards are a socially acceptable means for people to vent their tensions; he's keeping an eye out for anything boiling over into actual fisticuffs, of course, but so far, so good.

Re: International Card Tournament

[zetahatsudo]

Cameron never cared for big gatherings like this. His time with House Greenhilt had required he appear before the lords on occasion to show off whatever piece of equipment had caught their eye, but it usually ended with some lord or another getting into pitched arguments and debates with another lord over the necessity and/or practicality of such things. Needless to say, it made for a rather tiresome headache that he was always glad to be rid of.

So when he heard that people were playing Triple Triad AND Tetra Master far away from the dithering of nobles and senators, he hauled his tailed ass to the tables, offering to take all comers, regardless of their game of choice.

[dwellsinthedetails]

There is one spectator who seems to want nothing to do with the card games themselves. He's watching with interest, yes, but seems more focused on the people playing than the precise flow of the games.

Whether that's simply the habit of a Crimson Rose member, given their aim to break up trouble, or for some other reason is unclear, as Yusuke doesn't have his sketchbook out at the moment. Still, his interest in the proceedings could perhaps be mistaken as desire to participate.

[zetahatsudo]

"You know, if you have something you wished to ask, you're welcome to ask it," the miqo'te told the voyeur-like Hume without looking up from his current game of Tetra Master. "This game should be over soon enough, I'd be more than willing to accommodate you."

[dwellsinthedetails]

'Voyeur' is putting it a bit strongly, isn't it?

"My apologies. I've never had the knack for card games myself, but they are quite fascinating to watch."

[zetahatsudo]

You're clearly undressing me with your eyes!

"The rules aren't that hard to learn," Cameron commented, "But keeping your head in the game, following the flow of things, it gets tricky." He looked up at his current opponent, who was in a similar state of focusing on the game.

Cameron placed his last card on the field, an unseeming Goblin card, causing the other man to start, his careful strategy undone in an instant. "Still, end of the day, it's a game like any other, you know?" he told the Hume as the two gathered their cards up.

[dwellsinthedetails]

"It is, but I tend to find myself far more interested in my fellow players than the game itself, which doesn't lend itself to good strategy." He's one of nature's people-watchers. It helps in battles, sometimes, but cards... not so much.

[zetahatsudo]

"Something more suited to Blitzball, I would think. There isn't much going on in a game like this on the player's end unless you decide to goof around." Lady Mercia was very good at that.

"Tell me something, though," he begins to ask as the spot across from him cleared. "What was so interesting about us? Was it how we played that drew your eye?"

[dwellsinthedetails]

"All one can see in watching blitzball, in my experience, is a large sphere of water." There's not nearly enough detail available from that to satisfy him.

"You played with very calculated strategy. That in itself is fascinating."

[zetahatsudo]

"You know they say it's not that bad when you're in the water yourself, but I'm not too interested in verifying that," Cameron shuddered. Thank god for sports channels, he'd never go to a live game ever.

"A lot of the game is in the preparation. Knowing your cards ahead of time, knowing what works and what doesn't lends itself to that." He set aside the Triple Triad cards, taking out a set from Tetra Master. "That carries over in either game."

[dwellsinthedetails]

"Nor am I. I'm not nearly that good of a swimmer." He's also not terribly fond of how long you need to hold your breath just to manage a little sport.

"I have no doubt about that."

[zetahatsudo]

"If you saw the Guardians play last season, you'd see that swimming is really not that much of a requirement."

One game had them just stay in formation near the goal. No points were scored, and the game ended in a draw after 30 minutes of overtime.

[dwellsinthedetails]

Aren't there meant to be rules against that sort of thing?

"The Rose's work doesn't leave much time for spectatorship, unless we get called in as backup. In the case of blitzball, at least, I can't say that I mind."

[wasshi]

Mercia's first reason for coming to this event was the political networking. Her second reason was right here.

"You've left your southern border wide open. Garuda! Allow him no quarter with which to recover from this mistake! This battle has already been won!"

Her... emphatic play style drew a fair amount of attention, not all of it positive, but the fact was that she handily won her first four matches, showing advanced proficiency at both games. Between hands, she retired to the sidelies to arrange several rows of Triple Triad and Tetra Master cards on the table, pondering whether or not her current decks would be able to carry her through the rest of the tournament.