Hosts: Togashi Satsuki, Doji Hikaru

The Time Of Your Life

Day: 8
Timeslot: Late Evening
Participants: Open to everyone
Magic: It's an impromptu event, and not competitive, so use your own judgement!
Special Note: Simple instruments of various sorts are available, and Satsuki will let those who wish to play the guqin have a go at that with hers.

Music suddenly fills the dining hall, as Togashi Satsuki is putting on an impromptu performance with Doji Hikaru. Others gather around, and soon enough it becomes clear that people should take turn to lighten the dark evening with music and celebration.

Join in the moment and show what you got!

Feel the beat from the tambourine
You may choose any one Perform-skill (using its accompanying trait as noted in the Core Rulebook) and roll against a TN of 15 for an entertaining performance. A successful roll earns 2 Performance Points, and an additional Performance Point for each called raise on a successful roll.
Alternatively, you may choose to roll against TN 10 for a more basic performance, where a successful roll earns 1 Performance Point, and an additional Performance Point for each two called raises on a successful roll.

You can dance, you can jive
If you made a successful roll in the previous step, you might get to do an encore! This step is optional.
First, to do an encore, you must pass a TN 10 Stamina roll. Failure means you exhausted yourself in the previous performance and have a +5 TN penalty to your next performance. You may still choose to bow out if you fail this roll. There is no shame in yielding the stage!
Then, you may choose any one Perform-skill as before and roll against a TN of 20. A successful roll earns 1 Performance Point, and an additional Performance Point for each called raise on a successful roll. You only get one encore act, and you may choose the same Perform-skill for your encore as in the first step.


Rewards
The character with the most Performance Points will be gifted Togashi Satsuki's personal instrument, a beautiful guqin.

The music began with the performance from a guqin, as the Dragon princess played a simple yet heartfelt melody that seemed at least calm and peaceful for the evening.

Later, she'd take a go at dancing, using the fan she'd recieved as a gift from her uncle Bayushi. The fan was the important prop of the dance number, however she dropped it at a crucial point in the routine which made the performance less than stellar, but she picked it up and continued on - clearly unbothered herself about it.


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OOC: Beginning the performances, and giving example. Satsuki isn't scoring in the concert.

D8 LE Time Of Your Life. Entertaining Performance. Perform: Guqin/Agility. +2k0 Crane Tattoo. 2 raises. TN 25: 7d10o10k4 26 +4 Performance Points.
D8 LE Time Of Your Life. Encore! Stamina TN10: 2d10o10 10
D8 LE Time Of Your Life. Encore! Perform: Dance/Agility. +2k0 Crane Tattoo. 1 raise. TN 25: 7d10o10k4 23 +0 points

For his part, Hikaru matched her, playing a more energetic tune to fit with her calm one. It was still peaceful, but its quick tempo seemed to suggest that the fun was just beginning.

And then, when she danced, he provided the musical accompaniment to it. He paused for a smile as she dropped the fan, but kept playing as she resumed dancing.

D8, LE, MATCH SATSUKI, 2CR, TN25: 6d10o10k3 29 - 4 points
D8, LE, Encore! TN10: 3d10o10k3 24 Hurray!
D8, LE, Encore! TN10: 3d10o10k3 24 - 1 point
5 points - ho ho ho! (also not counted for placing)

Kyosei seems a bit distracted as he sets himself up. He doesn't note the tambourine, and tries setting his own beat. Which clashes with the one that was set. His attempt is, sadly, not very good.

__________

Feel the Beat, Perform: Drums/Agil, 2 CR, TN 25: 20

Despite her efforts to stay in the background. The music finally overwhelmed the Lioness and Ayano adds her voice to the ongoing performance. Not sure of what precisely to sing her mind turns to a childhood she had wanted, one only glimpsed at by the moments with her grandfather. And to the surprise, of at least herself...the Lioness's voice does not fail her. Even as her own body screams in outrage at the exertions of the performance. Her voice does not return for a second attempt and she surrenders the stage after only a short attempt at an encore.

---------------
Perform:Song/AWA. VP for for Skill. TN15. Go ahead Orokos Crush the Poor Girl's Dreams Again.: 4d10o10k3 23 - 2 Performance points!

Encore! Why Not! 1 VP for +1k1. Stamina 1 because of Weakness. TN 10: 2d10o10 13 - Passed for ENCORE!

Perform: Song/AWA Again! TN15. VP for skill.: 4d10o10k3 16v- If only they had been reversed.

2 Performance Points

Zhe moved through the crowd holding a small drum under under his arm. While he found the whole affair a bit awkward he realized the atmosphere needed some levity.

And Shu wanted attention again

The dragon bowed to the audience and prepared himself while the star of the show climbed on the table ready to 'dance' to the drum beat of his human. The dance was little more then jumping around or from leg to leg but it was adorable nonetheless.

Sadly the little panda was fatigued by the act and would not do an encore...might as well keep such things in demand

Feel the beat from the tambourine, panda dance, unskilled, TN 15: 3d10k3 17
You can dance, you can jive, TN 10: 1d10k1 6

2 performance points (presence in support to Satsuki)

Of course Matsu would be in attendance to support Satsuki's jam. Tentatively holding her flute, she began to play and dance, giving it her all. Her first Performance, coupled with the agile way she danced, called for cries of more.

Flushing red at being called upon for another, she continued on a new song. It... wasn't great, more so interrupted by laughter as she found herself genuinely having fun. Dancing and playing, her long hair whipped back as she did so, her bright eyes seeing the Dragon Princess enjoying herself, time seeming to slow in that moment.

LE8 - The Time Of Your Life - Step 1 Feel the Beat of the Tambourine (Agility 3, Perform: Flute 1, TN15): 4d10o10k3 23 2 Performance Points

LE8 - The Time Of Your Life - Step 2 You Can Dance, You Can Jive (Stamina 3, TN10): 3d10o10 26 Not Tired!

LE8 - The Time Of Your Life - Step 2 You Can Dance, You Can Jive Encore (Agility 3, Perform: Flute 1, TN20): 4d10o10k3 19

Total: 2 Performance Points

[Sora is attending for influence purposes, but will not be trying his hand at music.

His dicepool-free kids, on the other hand, can be assumed to make their best efforts.

Soryu is an off-key but intensely enthusiastic singer.
Shirayuki does a dance. Since she's headed monkward, it's probably at least credible.
Phi tries her hand at the guqin, and does passably well.]

So... more inventions time? Maybe she should. ...she definitely should.

So it was that Doji Misaki overcame the ennui that came from all the bad news of the day to show off a slide whistle concerto. Her invention worked great! Even if playing it seriously was a bit difficult.

And they wanted an encore!

The strength of conviction from people wanting more gave her the strength to pull out the spoons for a follow up.

============

D8, LE, Time of Your Life, Perform:Slide Whistle/Agility, 2CR, TN25, VP 1k1: 6d10o10k5 38 +4 Performance Points.

D8, LE, Time of Your Life, Encore? Stamina TN10: 2d10o10 12 = lucky Stamina roll

D8, LE, Time of Your Life, Encore!, Perform: Spoons/Agility, TN20: 5d10o10k4 24 +1 Performance Point encore.

Yoshitsune Chizu took the stage and began to sing a ballad that loosely … very loosely … recounted the events of the draw lot play.

Silly Song! wrote:The scholar read about a sacred stone
So the noble Princess Shu planned a trip
Monk and merchant came so she wasn’t alone
A farmer and fisherman brought a ship

The magistrate warned of dangers ahead
In the dismal swamp, bandits filled the map
Worse still, our heroes were being misled
The fisherman led them into a trap!

This went on for several more verses that involved soup recipes, magic cats, and other hijinks. The big Crab had a good singing voice and a gift for pantomiming the actions and mannerisms of the actors from the play. The crowd demanded an encore, and Chizu was only too happy to oblige by singing a few more verses about Our Heroes' battle against the Swamp Witch.


—
8LE Feel the beat with 3 called raises, AWA/Perform: Song +Void Point TN30: 6d10o10k5 36 passed for 5 Performance Points
8LE Stamina test for encore raw STA TN10: 3d10o10k3 21 passed
8LE Encore with 1 called raise AWA/Perform: Song TN25: 5d10o10k4 26 passed for 2 Performance Points

Total: 7 Performance Points

Following toward the end of the night, when most of the other players had gone. Ko sneaks her way up toward the stage. Finding herself a flute to hand, something that felt right to her when she weighed the other options against it. Collecting it she finds her way to the performance stage. Inhaling deeply as she tries to ignore the fact eyes might be on her. Hood draped over her face to conceal as much of their gazes as it might as she raises the flute. At first she starts calm, uninventive and though the sound was pleasant it was trepid and could have been so much more than it was. Everyone with a keen ear for music could hear how she slowly was figuring out how to deal with the pressure of the performance as she went.

How the time on stage lingered with her still there and managing despite the rigors she continues. Encouraged on almost surely by Satsuki, Ko continued to develop her sense of the performance. Not only was the continuing harder, the encore performance less likely to impress, the woman formerly from the forest had that magical quality to the way her spirit rose with the confidence she found in the moment.

By the time she would cede the stage there was a smile worn, and the night was near.

[::]

D8LE: Bamboo Flute, Void, vs TN 15: 4d10 29

D8LE: Stamina Roll vs TN 10: 3d10o10 25

D8LE: Final Performance Roll, Void for Skill, vs TN 25, (1 Raise): 4d10o10k3 27


Performance Points: 1 + 2 for a Total: 3

When Kotsume had heard this would be happening, she bugged her sister over and over throughout the day to come with her to it. They were no performers, that much was true, but Kotsu remembered nights when they were kids when the adults would gather around a bonfire, some beating rhythms on hollow tree branches or tree rattles while other played reed flutes, or simply used leaves to play and others still danced or just had a good time around. She remembered well as she and Tsugiko and Taro would run around, look for animals or for "twig spears", the sisters sometimes taking the chance to gang up on their brother along other of the younger kinds.

The performance organised by Satsuki and Hikaru was quite different, of course, but the playful atmosphere was there, and she had a wide smile on her face throughout the whole thing - even, or perhaps even more, when someone got up to stage and ended up playing off-tune. The idea was to have fun, after all, wasn't it? And how could one learn if not by trying??

With that exact thought in mind, she looked at the instruments around... and she more or less knew she couldn't do a great job with any of them. So she took her hand to her obi... and produced a broad leaf. One of a few she had taken while walking around the garden earlier, for no particular reason. Remembering her tribe's parties, she knew that would do just fine!

When many performances had already been done, she decides to step to the stage holding that leaf, and start a slow, odd, but nice melody. It might remind one exactly of that - a night in wild areas, between river, forests and grassland.

Then it happened. She got carried away, and suddenly it wasn't actual music she was playing anymore. It sounded like birds chirping, at first. Then like... was that otters gurgling? Fish jumping out of the water? Something... wailing?

After a while, she noticed she had left behind melody, rhythm, and common sense. Any sense, really.

She stopped, scratched her head, bowed to Satsuki and Hikaru, then to the others. "Ah... Togashi-sama, Doji-sama, I apologise! This is... not quite how that went, I think? I'll really have to practice more!"

She nods looks at them both with a wide smile again. "But this is really fun!" Then, nodding at Satsuki's Guqin - "Maybe you can teach me that at some point, Togashi-sama??"

OOC:
D8 LE - Feel the beat - Playing the leaf! - VP for Skill, 2 CR, TN 25.: 4d10o10k3 18

D8 LE - Feel the beat - Playing the leaf! - VP for Skill, 2 CR, TN 25. Luck reroll!: 4d10o10k3 17 - NOPE!

No points...

Kogi is usually a bit shy about her own merely-average talent on the koto. After two demons and a declaration of war, though, she's reasonably sure that even if she plays much, much worse than she's ever played in her entire life, she still won't be in the top ten of today's most shocking gossip items. Halfway through the evening she picks her way out into the stream of music and plays in the center of the current for a while, the notes of the koto sounding rounded and peaceful. At the close of one tune, she starts to pick at a second, but it's one she doesn't know as well, so after a few bars she cedes the sound-spotlight to someone who has a better idea of what they're doing.

D8 EE--Concert, song #1, Perform:Koto/Agility, 2cr (TN25), VP: 5d10o10k4 32 +3 points
D8 EE--Concert, stamina TN10: 2d10o10 13 Pass
D8 EE--Concert, song #2, Perform:Koto/Agility TN20: 4d10o10k3 14 Flop!

3 Performance Points.

When given a turn to perform, Kawauso tried to keep it simple. She wasn't a great singer, and she knew every song sounds better with a flute or two to give depth, like the wind skimming over the river, as the song rolls out. But, especially in light of the good company tonight -- and throughout these snowbound days -- she recalls a pleasant song that one of her tribe's elders used to sing regularly, which seemed appropriate:

Thank you for being a friend...
Through travels downriver and back again...
Your heart is true...
You're a part of my heart so dear,
Thank you for being a friend...

The song landed better than expected and, given a chance to do another, the Lion couldn't resist. This was the kind of encouraging environment she could have used days before. In this moment, after giving it some thought -- and maybe a few dramatic deep breaths that she would have preferred that others not see -- she sang out in a solemn, almost mournful voice, hoping that the final effect would be one of hope and optimism.

You know your life is like a river
Ever changing as it flows
There are limits to your vessel
That must follow where it goes
Trying to learn from what's behind you
And never knowing what's in store
Makes each day a constant battle
Just to stay between the shores

And I will sail my vessel
Until the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So, I will sail my vessel
Until the river runs dry

Too many times we stand aside
And let the waters slip away
Till what we put off till tomorrow
Has now become today
So don't you sit upon the shoreline
And say you're satisfied
Choose to chance the rapids
And dare to dance the tide

And I will sail my vessel
Until the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So, I will sail my vessel
Until the river runs dry

When she's done, there's a sad smile, a sniffle she can't quite hold back, and then a pretty rapid walk off to one side of the hall, where everyone's eyes won't be on her.

---------------
Rolls:
Perform Sing: success w/2 raises. 4 PP
Stamina roll: 17.
Encore Sing: success w/2 raises. 3 PP
Total 7 performance points

Nozomi, tired from the long progress of everything that had occurred in the course of the events this winter, still nervous because of what she had heard occurring within the court itself, needed something to help her relax. When the sounds of music could be heard, she slid into the room and bowed to others before settling into a spot and smiling quietly, enjoying the performances. Eventually, there seemed to be a chance and her daughter gave her a firm look before smile smiled down at her, ruffling her hair and nodding.

"Yes... Yes...," she said softly, pulling out a little clay flute. "I have not forgotten, my daughter." As she said it, she held up the Xun flute, showing it to those who were present. "Other instruments have become more popular. The Bamboo flute is beautiful, but this old fire-baked thing has been with me since the days my mother no longer held me in my arms. It is a reminder of things now long forgotten. I think I'll play one of the songs she used to play."

And, so, she began to play on the little clay flute a sad sounding tune of old, forgotten and wistful times. When it was done, though, she seemed too tired to continue, even if someone asked, and shook her head, smiling. "No... one for tonight. That is all."

===============
Performance, 1 CR - TN 20 = 20, On the Nose. -1 VP, 3 Performance points.
Stamina - 7, nope!

Total: 3 Performance Points

Through the evening, Satsuki kept thinking back to the performances of Yoshitsune Chizu and Akodo Kawauso. They were both really good. By far her favorites... but she couldn't choose!

Speaking briefly with her fellow host, Hikaru, the two agreed there would only be one way to settle this. MUSIC DUEL!

Akodo Kawauso wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 30, 2021 10:14 pm

tag

Yoshitsune Chizu wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 30, 2021 6:37 pm

tag

"Akodo-san, Yoshitsune-san, you two really are the best performances of the evening. I think we're all incredibly pleased with how you've both made this evening more enjoyable with your talents. But, my co-host and I are unable to decide which one we like best, really, you were both so incredible."

Satsuki bowed. "If you wish to compete for the little prize I had set aside for the one who had done the most to brighten this dark day, I think it would be most fair to see if you would both agree to settle the matter with another performance, however you choose. There's certainly no shame in stepping out of that, as this is all in fun."

Breathing in, she exhaled slowly. The ethereal aura of heavenly light that was often around the Dragon princess seemed a little clearer now than before, but it was only for a brief moment, and Chizu and Kawauoso could both feel... lighter. Like they had just gotten a little pep talk to make them both more energised for another performance.


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D8 LE Time Of Your Life. To The Last Breath Kiho activated to restore 1VP to each. Meditation/Void TN15: 2#6d10o10k3 19 20
Both Kawauso and Chizu regain 1 Void Point each, ensuring a fair and equal performance from both.

To settle a tie, unless either Chizu or Kawauso acknowledges the other one to be the better performer, will be done with a musical duel. This is simple and is only a single roll from each participant: both may choose any Performance-skill of their choice and simply roll opposed checks against one another. There is no TN, just to see who gets the highest (you may call Raises if you like to really show off, where each raise is a -5 to the total of the roll, but the main goal is to score the highest).

Togashi Satsuki wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 01, 2021 6:45 pm

"Akodo-san, Yoshitsune-san, you two really are the best performances of the evening. I think we're all incredibly pleased with how you've both made this evening more enjoyable with your talents. But, my co-host and I are unable to decide which one we like best, really, you were both so incredible."

Satsuki bowed. "If you wish to compete for the little prize I had set aside for the one who had done the most to brighten this dark day, I think it would be most fair to see if you would both agree to settle the matter with another performance, however you choose. There's certainly no shame in stepping out of that, as this is all in fun."

The tall Crab bowed.

"Certainly, I am honored that my little performance might be be considered in the same breath as Akodo-san's heartfelt ballad," Chizu said courteously. "But I would be pleased to yield to her, if Akodo-san will permit it."

OOC: Just to post the rewards for everyone. Thank you so much for showing up to this very last-minute planned event, which ended up working really well for rounding off Day 8's drama!

----------------------


Yoshitsune Chizu concedes to Akodo Kawauso, settling the tie!
Akodo Kawauso is gifted Togashi Satsuki's personal guqin, a gift from her aunt Shinjo, along with a pressed and dried lotus flower.
Yoshitsune Chizu is gifted Doji Hikaru's flute, as he's personally impressed with her examplary behaviour.
Everyone else is gifted with their choice of pressed and dried flowers (cherry blossom, peach blossom, plum blossom, lotus flower, or spider lilies).


Akodo Kawauso - 7
Yoshitsune Chizu - 7
Doji Misaki - 5
Bayushi Kogi - 3
Nozomi - 3
Wu Ko - 3
Hisomu Matsu - 2
Makime Ayano - 2
Wu Zhe/Shu - 2
Chai Kotsume - 0
Isawa Kyosei - 0
Jiyo Sora and kids - 0

Togashi Satsuki wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 01, 2021 6:45 pm

"Akodo-san, Yoshitsune-san, you two really are the best performances of the evening. I think we're all incredibly pleased with how you've both made this evening more enjoyable with your talents..."

Kawauso, called back from her self-exile to the dark side of the hall, is dumb struck at the announcement. She misses most of Satsuki's words as she processes her shock. Then the Crab beside her was talking...

Yoshitsune Chizu wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 01, 2021 7:10 pm

The tall Crab bowed.

"Certainly, I am honored that my little performance might be be considered in the same breath as Akodo-san's heartfelt ballad," Chizu said courteously. "But I would be pleased to yield to her, if Akodo-san will permit it."

Kawauso is silent for several moments as everyone looks at her. "I... I... Of course, Yoshitsune-san, if that is your wish," the Lion says, not realizing she's shaking her head in disbelief the whole time. "I, uh, most humbly accept that, um... most generous recognition from... Oh, you are so good at this stuff," she finally blurts, looking at the taller woman with an impressed smile.

After a moment, Kawauso realizes she has to turn back to Satsuki. She does so slowly, still not fully believing that all of this is happening. "Um, Togashi-sama, thank you for all those kind words, but I can't... i mean, I... I can't even play it," is the first objection she manages to articulate as she looks obviously intimidated by the Dragon princess.

"Then you will have the opportunity to learn, yes? And perhaps next time when I have the opportunity to visit the lands of the Lion, you can show me what you've learned?" Satsuki offered with a smile to Kawauso.