After being kicked out of the rounds, Akemi wandered the alleys of the tournament grounds.

Finals were ongoing, with only a few select people still sitting and playing formally while groups of more mediocre players, often with a very disputable body hygiene, massed together around them, trying to get a glimpse of what was on their screen, and whispering between them about what was happening.

Akemi shrugged at the sight of this primal ceremony and went to buy herself a can of iced tea.

Tetsu hangs around, waiting for his match to begin, trying to keep an eye on Shizuku. He waves to Akemi, who might be surprised by the fact that he's...fancy. Crab fancy. As fancy as Tetsu goes, short of military dress, in clean, well fitting clothes that while not fashionable, look well cared for and are somewhat flattering.

"How was your luck Akemi-san?"

"Oh hi Tetsu! Okay I guess. Won some, lost some. Yours?"

She looked at him sideways with a grin:

"Also, who are you trying to impress?"

"Hey, I just came from dinner. Just trying to look nice" Tetsu can't quite stop the corners of his mouth from twitching upwards.

"I did ok so far...I got seeded against a Spider for the quarterfinals. I'm probably going to get squished sooner or later my someone who knows better, I just calculated some odds on holding management.

"Hey, it's just a silly card game. Winning or losing is not really important as long as you have fun. Though the most Spider you manage to crush the happier I'll be."

She smiled:

"You did not tell me who you had dinner with? Is that on purpose?"

The Moshi decided to watch the matches and perhaps meet new people or just be another face in the crowd.

"Well..." Tetsu scratches his head. "Look, I had an idea of what Clans I would look to pair with. This wasn't one of them." Tetsu tries to hold on but can't wait it out. "Daidoji Shizuku, the one who Nishida edged out for first place at the rally. We've been working together...she's to computers what I am to mechanics."

This place stunk, and for the life of him Hayato wasn't sure why he was lingering. He had been too late to join the prelims it seemed which really just left watching the play.

Which wasn't really all that fun. Nothing for it now though. Popping a stick of nicotine gum in his mouth he started chewing. Maybe the weird minty flavor would help mask the smell.

Akemi shrugged:

"Crane is not Spider. They're playing stupid political games right now, but I'm convinced they'll eventually come back to reason. Marrying one might be just playing the long game, especially if you make a good Crab out of her. Do you think she has the right soul for it?"

Tetsu pauses and thinks about it. "It's not obvious, but she has grit. She might look waifish, but she was telling me how she's a marine for their boarding party and how she takes the hits for their duelists. Toss in some skill with machines, and yeah, she'd be right at home on one of our ships. If she ever stops blushing"

Akemi laughed, heartily:

"Blushing is not an issue. I'll take a blushing one with the courage to face their fears ten times over a stoic one that just avoids problems.

If such an alliance was to happen, who would have to switch for a different shade of blue? You or her?"

Tetsu mulls on it. "It's not clear. It's supposed to be of whoever is of higher standing, and we're both at equal station. I think. I'd imagine that it might come down to negotiations with our elders. As I'm thinking about it...it wouldn't be the worst thing, no matter who goes where. My diamyo is married to a Daidoji, but the alliance has been, well, they haven't got an heir yet, which hasn't warmed the sides as much as possible. It wouldn't hurt to try to buttress that match."

Before Akemi could answer, the head judge announced the next pairings.

"Well, from what I hear, a tragic fight between two loves is about to happen.

Give all you've got in that one Tetsu. Trust me, as a fellow frontline warrior, nothing annoys us more than people taking it easy on us out of sentimentality."

Tetsu snorts. "I don't think she needs my help to kick my ass." He offers a thumbs up to Akemi. "No matter what I'm going to leave it all out on the floor"

Someone lingered at the back of the crowds. Supposedly, there were samurai who played this game but all he saw was children. At least, he had his share of children around him. Eventually, he let out a yawn as he found it hard to hold one back.

Meh.

He turned around and wandered off.

/exit

Tetsu returns, a small smile and a slight skip in his step. "We're going on a walk after." He seems happier about that than winning.

Akemi gave him a thumb up in response, smiling.