Neo-Shogun Council

By this time, most of the Navis attending were on their way out, heading for the Shogunate, or just flat out gone. But strangely, one wasn't doing any of those things. Instead, he remained sitting down, looking straight ahead as if paying absolute attention to the meeting.

"Zzz..." ...Or he was just sleeping with his eyes open. Yet no one seemed too anxious to wake up him, and with good reason. Who would want to risk angering a 7 foot tall human shaped cactus? Even several parts of him, such as his nose and fingers, appeared to be nothing more than enlarged spikes. Enlarged spikes that would sting like heck if he forcefully placed them in a Navi.

Fortunately for everyone, the Navi suddenly blinked several time as his snoring stopped, signifying that he was awake. A facial expression couldn't confirm this, though, as he lacked a mouth to go with his needlenose and eyes.

"YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!" The Navi suddenly leaped up to the ground, raising his arms to stretch. "That nap was better n' a root beer!" He looked to his right, noticing what looked like a camcorder next to him. He picked it up, causing it to exit the Net proper in a beam of light. "There, the meetin's been recorded. I reckon PhoenixMan'll wanna go over it before the gang meets up again."

But that wasn't the only reason he was there. With another stretch, he made his way towards the main attraction, which wasn't hard given the lack of Navis there. Interestingly, he appeared to have a specific target: the top ranking member, Yasu. Hopefully there wasn't about to be a fight...

"Yeehaw, howdy there, little lady!" ...Well, a fight just became seriously doubtful. "Wish I was just here chewin' the fat, but I'm here on offical business, 'm afraid. I'm a member of a group that's been lookin' into yer NeoShogunate Dynasty. And no, we ain't aligned with the NetPolice or NetMafia. We ain't big fans o' either, like you. But anyway, we've heard you personally tried forcin' a cute lil' Navi called Red into joining yer army. Now, we also hear ya failed, so we're gonna call no harm no foul on it. But we don't take too kindly to making Navis join the Shogunate, or any organization fer that matter. It just ain't right! And so, under the orders of our head honcho PhoenixMan, I'm gonna hafta ask you to avoid such actions in the future. And should you choose to ignore this friendly warnin', expect action to be taken against the Neo Shogunate for forcin' Navis against their will!...Phew!" The cactus Navi exhaled, having strained a bit to recall everything he needed to say. "...Oh, dang it! Fergot to introduce myself!" He performed a motion similar to removing a hat, even though all he had atop his head were spikes. "M' name's AridMan! And it's a pleasure to meet ya, second-in-command Yasu!"
The three navis accepted SINN's help up, although Sake fell right back down asleep once she was let up. She seemed more drunk than when they'd done the induction just moments earlier, but could that be possible? He hadn't even seen her drink... He also found that Escort was at least thirty or fourty pounds heavier than she looked, but was unable to explain why. Arch crossed her hands at her lap sheepishly and gave a smile, looking appreciative. "Thanks," the gold-armored girl commented with informality that was somewhat surprising after listening to Yasu go on. "Gosh, I don't know what they're thinking with these uniforms. I feel like I could die!" she muttered.

Just then, AridMan spoke up, drawing the attention of the six out of seven non-passed-out Neo-Shogun girls. Yasu listened with obvious anger, then crossed her arms over her breasts and walked around to the front of the desk. "I wish I could say the same, but I doubt I'll be deriving any pleasure from our acquaintance," the first general addressed him. "I don't know who you or your organization are, but if you're a budding organization like the Neo-Shogun Dynasty, you must realize that recruitment without unpleasantness is impossible. One's only options outside of asking nicely are brute force, bribery, or false promises. Look to the ancient empires of the past: a fair battle is the honorable path."

Arch spoke back up, tapping Yasu on the back. "Sorry for interrupting, Yasu, but what about that invasion you guys did? That didn't seem like a fair fight..." she whispered.

"Well, for starters, the GNA were free to respond to our challenge however they chose. They simply chose to send a few strong fighters. And add to that the fact that one of the fighters they sent was a... tremendous, metal monstrosity! If anything, they were the ones that breached honor there," she grumbled, obviously still sore about the defeat. "Regardless, recruiting the strong is our top priority, and it is impossible without violence. We choose to do it in a fair, honorable fight rather than swarming over an enemy and overpowering him with numbers. Any evil you may perceive is necessary: we have to use our might to overcome our current lack of other incentives."

"Be careful... we don't truly know if he's alone," Escort reminded the first general, keeping her fists at her sides and glaring intensely at the man from behind her silver mask.

"Speak up! What do you plan to do if we continue our methods, I wonder?" Yasu asked, smiling confidently.
Whatever weight problems the three had it wasn't much of a problem. SINN had some strength in him. But SINN was concerned over Sake's welfare. He tried to lift her up gently and place her on a seat behind the desk.

Quote (Arch)

"Gosh, I don't know what they're thinking with these uniforms. I feel like I could die!"


"Perhaps a more modest attire would be allowed to you should you ask."

He concluded, before turning with the others at the announcements of a navi calling iteself 'AridMan' and the reprisal by Yasu.
AridMan failed to respond for a moment, though it was hardly out of shock at the response; the fact he was thick skinned enough to not fly off the handle over such a reply was part of the reason he was chosen to deliver the message in the first place. Instead, he merely thought about how best to phrase his own remarks. "Well, ma'am, if force is how ya talk, we'd have no choice. We'd assist that Navi to let 'em make their own decision on the matter! Ya see, we kinda disagree on that point. If an organization is truly worth joinin', there ain't a need for roughhousin' Navis into joinin'! At least, that's how it's been for mine...everyone in it's joined of their own free will! 'Course, at the moment we only have 5 members...but we do what we can!" ...Perhaps telling them the exact size of the group wasn't the smartest decision, but if they really believed in honor, it shouldn't hurt.

The cactus Navi glanced at Escort, highly aware of her remark. "Don't worry none 'bout the others. I'm the only one here attendin' yer little meetin'." With that, he looked up, trying to think of what else it was he was supposed to say. "Oh, I do wanna make something else clearer than a desert sky. About yer tryin' to create an empire or whatnot...that's somethin' we ain't really interested in. Right now, we care more 'bout how ya make yer allies. And if you keep tryin' to coerce, we'll coerce ya right back! We ain't all talk, I'll tell ya that!" Walking around Yasu, he took a good look at the long desk used in the meeting...before grabbing it, and throwing it high into the air. As it fell back down, he jumped at it, and with a single swing of his thorny arm, impressively fissured the furniture into two. This was impressive mainly due to the fact he managed to split it apart the long way AND still avoided bonking anyone on the head with either part, or showering anyone with splinters, though some still ended up on the ground. "So, do we have a mutual understandin'?

Strangely, as soon as he performed his act of strength, AridMan began fidgeting a bit, as if he was holding something within. "......YEEHAW! Dadgum, I'm not one to toot m' own horn, but that was one mighty fine split job, if I do say so m'self! Yep, you could probably still take those desk halves, smooth over where they're all jagged, and put 'em up against a wall and reuse 'em! Cyberdesks don't grow on trees, after all! Haw haw haw!" With a loud guffaw, he eagerly awaited a response.
SINNBAD shook his head. While the display of precision was impressive, the disrespect was not. There were other ways of showing off one's skills for intimidation without damaging another's property.

Though the continued dialog, on and off the meeting, there had been mentionings about the questionable actions of the Neo-Shogunate. The last one finally gave SINN pause. It seemed everyone was aware of these events but him. Perhaps his Lord was holding it back from him so that he would go into the meeting without bias. Or more disturbingly, his Lord didn't know himself.

Or, his Lord knew about the Shogunate's more rash history and had sent SINN to help them become more honorable through his association. There were still some tasks to complete. But when they were done, his Lord would be in a position to assist the Shogunate bring about his ideals. For his Lord's main concern was the chaos that gripped the NET. Establishing a beacon of light and serenity was one of his primary goals.
"Woooah! He just broke our whole desk!... Er, desks... Half desk?" Lee cried as she watched the rain of wood come down. Sake was fortunate not to be hit by any of it as she slept hidden in the cushions behind where the desk had been before. "My halberd is still stronger though..." she muttered to herself.

"What balls! Doing that right in front of Yasu, ho ho ho!" Dee laughed with mirth, tapping Yasu on the shoulder with her fan almost as if goading the general into a fight.

Yasu looked like she could blow at any second. Sensing the urgency, Escort moved past her to address AridMan herself. "If at all possible, we would like to avoid confrontation with your group," she suggested. "If our goals conflict and we perceive you as a threat, however, we'll use our force to repel you. We'd certainly prefer your cooperation, however."

"Ha! Cooperation?!" Yasu spat struggling to move forward as Vee and Lee held her back. "As if I would cooperate with such an ill-behaved, absent-minded man! As the first general, I'll accept your group's challenge whenever and wherever you want it! We'll lay waste to your five before you can blink an eye!" she roared.

"C'mon, Yasu! We get a lot of negative attention when you act that way. That's probably why that guy doesn't like you," she suggested. It seemed to have some sort of affect on the general, although she looked more upset than ever. "They got guys without force, right? Why don't we try it and see if it'll work?"

Grunting, Yasu broke free of the others and crossed her arms at her chest. "Can you imagine what sort of fools this organization must employ?! If they sent this meat-headed fool to threaten us, I shudder to imagine the rest of their ranks. But no matter. If it will appease your organization, we will attempt to persuade recruits without force... for a time," she suggested. "But if this is as ineffective a methodology as I trust it will be, you and your organization shall pay dearly for wasting our time."

"We're really going to try and make friends?" Lee asked, looking optimistic but unbelieving.

"I'll discuss the idea with the Shogun, at least," Yasu conceded. "But he will have the final say in the matter... And if he decides to go along with it, I'm going to have to stay off of the front lines for a while," she grunted, rubbing her temples with her fingers. "Is this arrangement acceptable to ensure that you will not meddle in our affairs?"
Once again, AridMan simply heard the other side out before speaking, though he actually seemed slightly indignant at the insulting of his teammates. "I assure ya, it ain't a bad system! Though I'd think I'm more plant-headed than meat-headed...haw haw haw!" Fortunately, he seemed to take it all in stride, quickly returning to his more jovial self. "I guess if ya discuss it with yer leader, that's about all I can ask. Though I'm sure PhoenixMan would prefer a flat-out yes, I'll take what yer sayin'."

With a nod, he looked over at the shattered remains of the desk. Now that a few moments had passed since the display of bravado, it really wasn't a bright move. Those tended to be reserved for the Navis that could generate their own light. "Uh, my apologies for wreckin' yer desk. Wasn't really called fer, I know...but again, I wouldn't underestimate us if I were you! 'Course, we'd rather not fight if we don't hafta." However, as if to contradict himself, he raised his right arm, and pointed it at one of the desk halfs. One of the needles that served as his fingers rocketed forward, causing the entire piece to shatter into mere splinters. He quickly repeated the process for the other side. "There! As a sign there's no hard feelin's on my end over our discussions, now cleanin' that up should be easier 'n findin' a tumbleweed in a ghost town!"

He continued to stand there for a moment, as if waiting for something else. "I reckon that's all m' business here. But I never turn my back on a lady without her permission! It's the law o' the west!"
As the table shattered, SINNBAD reached for his waist as a scabbard appeared. Grasping the hilt of his sword, he unsheathed the weapon and pointed the tip at AridMan. A breeze picked up, an angry wind that ruffled his hair and cloak. He was puffed up like the fur of an snarling wolf. His eyes were all daggers. His voice a growl.

"Your continued dishonor of these hosts is inexcusable. I challenge you to single combat. Put up your sword Sir."

He spat the words venomously.

SINNBAD
HP: 150
[FloatShoes/ShadowShoes active.]
Sword [Battlechip]: [80 [color=gray]Null[/color] Damage + Slashing; Until Overridden/Broken. Breaks after 6 swings.]
Lee looked at the desk in surprise, then stuck her chuckled. "It's like a net-desk anyways, right? We don't really have to clean it up so much as just bleep it off the net or whatever," she muttered, basically missing the point.

"I'm not sure what your laws tell you, but you are a fool to think that we'd take advantage of an opponent's unaware state. I am bound by honor and would never use such a cowardly tactic," Yasu answered the newcomer, frowning distastefully. Before any of the girls could react further, however, SINN stood up to fight for the honor of the Neo-Shogun Dynasty, even revealing his blade. Yasu's one exposed eye widened, and she grabbed hold of his arm angrily. "What the hell do you think you're doing, you pig-headed man?!" she growled, trying to force the sword out of his hand while keeping his arm locked. "If you're looking to help us, don't fight battles unless I tell you to!"

"Or the Shogun," Lee interrupted, again off-base.

Dee smiled, turning her eyes towards SINN with a mischievous bat of her eyelashes. "Don't chastise him too hard, Yasu. He's just a guy who knows what he's looking for and doesn't think about his methods, ho ho..." she chuckled. She seemed to think that she had SINN all figured out.

"I know you want to defend our honor, SINNBAD, but please consider the feelings of my superior. She wants to fight more than anyone but is tempering her emotions to avoid an unprofitable conflict. Furthermore, trying to defend Yasu is probably... an insult to her honor. I'm not entirely sure about her code yet," the mysterious woman in black told SINN, whispering the last part uncertainly.

"Consider that challenge void, AridMan! This insignificant ape does not represent our organization!" the first general barked, using very harsh words. SINN had to wonder whether Escort's view of Yasu as a woman upholding an honorable and organization-minded decision was appropriate.
SINN's sword arm stood strong despite Yasu's effort to stop him. His eyes continued to look at AridMan as he addressed the others.

"It is true that I do not represent you. But Honor must be served regardless to one's allegiance."

Despite his words, he immediately stood straight and sheathed his sword.

"The challenge still stands. However, the will of the host takes precedence. I am at least not without honor."

He stated, his voice loosing a bit of its venom.
AridMan reached back and rubbed the back of his head, which was thankfully spikeless. Seemed he was really rubbing the Shogunate the wrong way for some reason. One of them was even challenging him to a fight. Due to that, SINN became to focus of his attention for a moment. "Hombre, I like showdowns at high noon as much as any Navi...but I'm here on official business, and that business doesn't involve fightin'!" And even if he accepted for friendlier reasons, PhoenixMan would give him an earful and a half.

With the challenge given a spikes down, the cactus Navi turned to Yasu once more. "Well, with yer permission, I think it's time fer me to mosey along." But first, he had one other thing to do. But that thing didn't require him to take one step, as he simply raised his right arm, triggering a small sphere to appear in front of it. "But before I go, I figure a little exchange o' banners can't hurt!" He extended the sphere towards the fellow green Navi, as a second one appeared by the other arm. "Here ya go! The official banner of my organization, the Sol Battalion!" And he had the Neo Shogunate's banner...okay, looked like everything was taken care of. "Well, it was a pleasure meetin' y'all! Take care, and remember our lil talk!" Turning into a fairly large beam of light, AridMan exited the area. There was no jack out signal, however...perhaps he went to a different part of the Net?
SINNBAD turned to Yasu. He backed away a foot and bowed.

"Apologies for my earlier outburst. I hope this does not tarnish future relationships between ourselves."

He stated solemnly, head bowed, waiting for her leave.
Yasu watched the man leave with a sly smile, turning the banner over in her hand. "Sol Battalion, huh? I wonder if they'll be worth remembering..." she laughed to herself. She turned to SINN with an irritated frown, then crossed her arms. "No, you have not done anything to upset your relations with the Dynasty. But remember that if you wish to aid us, you will need to play by our rules. The Shogunate will eventually come to embrace all ideology, but for now, cohesion is absolutely necessary to our goals. That means no making decisions that don't align with the Shogun's orders or his acting representative, that being me," she explained.

"Ho ho ho! I find it rather charming that he's become so taken to us that he is willing to raise his sword in our protection," Dee interjected, inciting another growl from Yasu. "Yasu may find it annoying, but the average woman finds a guy like that quite attractive."

The first general didn't respond, but gave the woman in blue a stern look. Most of the visitors had already left, it seemed; that was good as far as she was concerned, since that little fiasco with the Sol Battalion's rep wouldn't have done a lot positive for their public relations. "We're done here; let's head out. If you truly do wish to help us, SINN, then we'll remember your name and find you again in the future."

With that (and with Escort grabbing up Sake's sleeping body from the cushions), the Neo-Shogun representatives left the net.

((SINN gains 1 Arch FXP, 1 Dee FXP))
Now alone, SINNBAD walked over to the banner for the Neo-Shogunate and placed his hand on it, copying the data. Then disappeared in a beam of silvery light.

[SINNBAD LOGGED OUT!]