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Post by Juni on Jul 6, 2020 8:25:42 GMT -8
For a royal family, whose wealth stems from owning casinos at the heart of Oolong City, it was no surprise to elect their youngest member of the Tea clan to be the face of the World Martial Arts Tournament endorsement. An entire photoshoot studio was set up within the palace for Juniper to be filmed for the advertisement and photographed in a bikini wielding a series of swords to be placed as the artwork for the back of poker cards. It had taken hours for the make-up artists to prepare her appearance, adorning her head dress with deep magenta colored dumplings to represent the casino buffet, a set of goggles for the indoor heated swimming pool at the casino resort, and black flowers to represent the Tea clan itself. Small lanterns were nested in loose long strands of her hair which were typical light sources in the streets, the strands were from the crown of her head which she kept in a bun, and two bundles of hair were neatly resting on her shoulders. Once her hair was done, she took her flip phone out to text Koma, she had the desire as his fiance to use his sword as part of the photoshoot, and once they were done they could spend some time together on a date. Koma was in possession of the Grand Ducal ceremonial sword, the sheath had all the mons that belonged to the Pig Demon Duchies, and when she mentioned it to the film crew they all agreed that it was well suited for the project. As soon as he arrived with the sword they would begin with the photographs followed by the commercial advertisement. In the corner of the make-shift studio, Hachi was being dressed as well, in robes, and a tiny pair of goggles for his bulging eyes. The marketing team had plans for miniature umbrellas in the shape of Hachi to be served with the cocktails at all the casino bars. A head dress was attached to the goggles like a long flowing cape, with a gold octopus pattern, and his front black tentacles were painted with the red top view tea pot mon of the Tea clan. It made the octopus feel proud to be part of Juniper’s life and be included in the commercial. [384/2,000]
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Post by Koma on Jul 6, 2020 14:07:47 GMT -8
It was not a surprise or hard to find piece of information that in the past three hundred years after the founding of Oolong City, there had been no less than thirty attempts at wooing the International Martial Arts Association to relocate the World Martial Arts Tournament from its location on Papaya Island to Oolong City, or for it to do so in alternating years. Every time had failed, because of the World Martial Arts Tournaments' cultural power and the fact that it could profit on everything within the tournament itself. So instead, companies moved on to get former World Martial Arts Tournament participants to endorse things, or tried to attach references to the World Martial Arts Tournament to sell their product or increase it's sense of 'ability'. While the Tea Clan made much of their money from the tourism and gambling sectors, the White Cat Clan made much of its money from taxes on the rural sections of the country or from actual protection contracts – it would be a boon for Koma's soon-to-be-in-laws if they could have scored a World Martial Arts Tournament endorsement or agreement for things such as the preliminary matches to be held in Oolong City. Which wasn't to say the city or the Tea Clan suffered from money losses – as many people watched the world martial arts tournament on hologram projections in the city's arena and in television screens in bars, gambling dens, and the Casino itself. When it was the WMAT season, gambling actually grew in bets every day as the matches went on and people found competitors that they felt would win. And because of that gambling, people would want souvenirs. Given the nature of the current set up, and the fact that both Juniper and Koma had been asked to this photoshoot, and Juniper had asked to use the White Cat Clan's symbol of office, the heraldic sword of the Pig Demon Duchies – it was clear that his Clan and her Clan both intended to send them to the World Martial Arts Tournament, and that they intended to sell copies of these cards as a way of making Pig Demon Duchies subjects have a bit of nationalism and happy souvenirs. If they got far, at least. It was for that reason that along side taking the katana to his fiance so that she could use it for the promotional playing cards and any other images that she felt like making in the photo-shoot – he was also dressed carefully. Dressed in his finest black Hakama and newly forged samurai armor, not things he would wear to actual fights or would wear to the World Martial Arts Tournament, but which would look better than things he did fight in. It would make a great portrait or set of portraits, and those could be used for things which his future father-in-law had already asked for permission and endorsement to put out with the Casino, 'True Samurai' brand Sake, with his photo on it's cases, and playing cards to match the playing cards which Juniper would make. Some in the Tea Clan had even suggested to Koma that he and Juniper take a portrait together for a commemorative playing card set featuring the couple which in the future would likely be the rulers of the Pig Demon Duchies together. Soon, he was within the building they had set aside for this Photo shoot, and called out when he got there. “Juniper! I'm here. I've got the swords. Did you happen to talk to your father about his suggested couples photo playing card set?” [601] [985]
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Post by Juni on Jul 6, 2020 19:01:46 GMT -8
“Greetings, Koma-san.” Juniper gracefully bowed at his arrival, the production assistants aided Koma by removing the swords from his possession which were to be used for the tea princess photographs. “No, I have not seen my father, we can go look for him afterwards and just ‘wing’ it as they call it. I am certain we can accomplish something aesthetically pleasing.”Juniper was handed a round pink marble, it smelled sweet, and she placed it in her mouth to taste the bubble gum flavor. The photoshoot assistants strapped the swords in a special holster that attached to her waist and her upper thigh, fanning them out behind her, a series of obi belts sewn to a black ribbon was then tied at her waist, and a large industrial fan was turned on to cause the air in the room to flow. Hachi positioned himself above her head and she instinctively blew a bubble with the gum, the flash of the camera went off, and the first photo was taken. Taken by surprise it was beyond her expectations, she was not instructed to pose at first, and she was beginning to get used to being candid. However, the director instructed her to lean towards Hachi side by side, which she did, and her photo was taken again halfway through the motion. The final photograph was difficult to accomplish, she was required to leap up and pose before she landed on a soft mat, with Hachi following closely. After several attempts the Director decided on the final shot. With all the photographs done, Juniper was given a break before they began filming the advertisement, and she waited for the assistants to remove all the swords from her before she walked over to Koma who finished being photographed as well. “I was thinking we can pose together holding the ceremonial sword for the couple photographs with Hachi at the center. What do you think, Koma-san?” Juniper sat down next to him on a velvet sofa, cobalt eyes were admiring his attire, he looked regal being fully armored. [344] [1,329]
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Post by Koma on Jul 7, 2020 14:19:35 GMT -8
The Samurai's face remained neutral, not showing emotion or even a smile for his fiance. To an outsider it might seem alien, or rude to not show more emotion when looking at the woman who would in a short period of time be his wife – but it was a matter of honor, samurai codes, and the fact that she was currently busy with the photoshoot that made him keep the neutral expression. He did let himself enjoy her posing and taking the pictures – she was a natural at it, and could easily be a model if she did not already have a much more important position in the world.
“He simply wished to suggest that we do so as an option for people to buy as playing cards or commemorative scrolls or sake cases with our photo as a couple.” the half-saiyan samurai said to his three-fourths demon, one-fourth pig beast woman fiancee as she was preparing for her second pose.
For Koma, the poses they wanted were more traditional 'Samurai Cool' poses, and he actually had to slow down slightly in his iaijutsu draw to allow them to photograph him doing so with the sword which was his primary weapon. Outside of that, they tried to have him photographed smiling, playing poker, trying out the competitive batting cages which they used to allow folks to actually bet on batting averages on; and also overlooking the huge restaurant assortment which was available. In the end, the one they thought was most iconic and useful photograph they had taken of the numerous poses he made.
After that, Juniper would have been done, and Koma would walk over to his fiancee, taking her hand and leading her to a table where he had ordered a number of Oolong City Casino specialities. This could be a time for them to take photos of the couple as well, but it was largely because Koma was concerned that Juniper might be hungry after all the preparaton she had made.
“We can discuss the pose we want to make for the couple's memorabilia set as we eat and they take our photos.” he said – his emotions still dull as an overused and not-taken care of kitchen knife, at least on the surface. He moved to gentlemanly help her to her seat after that, but right before he sat her down, the half-Saiyan samurai dipped the princess slightly and kissed her firmly on the lips. It was initially a test, both to see how he would feel from it, and how she would react from it – but given that after pressing his lips to her's he did not want to pull away, he knew it was a successful test.
“Apologies for the forwardness, Juniper.”
[464] [1,729]
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Post by Juni on Jul 8, 2020 20:01:08 GMT -8
“I see, so they plan to use the photos for other projects and not just the collectible poker cards.” Juniper nodded, offering her hand for Koma to guide her to the velvet sofa, she hardly noticed the table full of food as she kept her cobalt blue eyes staring into his while he explained what her father Pine Tea had in mind. “I--” The tea princess was cut off from speaking, she watched Koma lean in to kiss her lips, and this was precisely the first time they kissed each other. Instinctively, she closed her eyes, as it felt that time had stopped at that exact moment.
“Oh.” She took a deep breath and smiled, “It is quite alright. I am not experienced, so I have no idea where to begin with showcasing my affections for you.”
Perhaps this test was meant for Koma to determine if he had feelings for her at all, for Juniper she felt it was appropriate as an engaged couple to experience each other’s company as much as possible before they married; it dissolved the mystery of the future and their duties as heirs to their clans to produce offspring to unite the royal families by blood.
“I hope you do not mind that I am still learning. I have every desire to be a good future wife to you, Koma-san.” She assured him. If at any point he changed his mind about their marriage, she would understand, and she had no opinion over the matter. The tea princess looked down at their hands clasped together which made her smile. While she grew up in a sheltered environment with her mother, the warm feeling of holding his hand was different from a familial love, and she felt that she could trust him with her life.
[300] [2,029/2,000]
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