Sapphire Ambassadors

Shiba Aibou finds himself in the sand gardens, contemplating the play of sunrise light over the stones and grains. For a moment, he takes the still figure of Yoritomo Tomdachi as but an arrangement of them, and he grimaces slightly at the thought of him being made into art.

Then he moves, and Aibou schools his face to stillness, watching to see what the sot will do.

For his part, Tomodachi hears the crunching of Aibou's sandals on the graveled path, and when he turns--red-eyed, yes, but steady--he offers a bow of surprising depth.

"Shiba-san," he says. "I trust the Fortunes find you well. If time permits, I would speak with you."

Aibou manages to stifle a sigh as he returns the bow.

"I have nothing else requiring my attention," he says. "Say on, Yoritomo-san."

His face remains quite still.

Tomodachi gives a sharp nod, folds his arms.

"You know I've always admired your work, Shiba-san," he says. "Both your painting and your calligraphy. And I've always appreciated getting to spend time in your company. Having to work against you here has been..."

He shakes his head as if to clear it.

"Anyway, it's clear to me that the Mantis will not be hosting the next Sapphire Tournament. Our host has made his...distaste...for some things quite clear, and I imagine that the words of the judges haven't been kind to me, either. So it's time to cut losses, as I believe my lord would have me do; no sense throwing good money after bad."

He looks at Aibou, and there might be a bit of moisture in his eyes. Damned onion-cutting ninja.

"But I think we can agree that the Tournament ought not to go to the Scorpion."

Aibou clasps his hands at the small of his back.

"I think you're correct in that last, Yoritomo-san," he says, coolly. "Whatever personal feelings I have, I can agree with you on that point, at least."

Tomodachi nods again.

"So, I'll say this: what support I have garnered, I will put to you, Shiba-san, and the Phoenix."

He smiles a little.

"I can hope you will think better of me."

Aibou bows shallowly.

"It will be remembered, at least."

The Three Amigos side-game has a line as says

There is a special rule that may apply if conditions for it are triggered. Those conditions and that rule will be kept secret until they apply.

The rule is this:

Special Case / Panic Rule
If, by the end of Day 6, one of the Amigos is at less than half the score of the leading Amigo (rounded down), that Amigo will withdraw from consideration and dedicate all of his/her Amigo Points to their beloved / enamored. Allied PCs who have not yet spent their Devotion can still do so, but they are no longer assumed to support any Amigo unless specified.

The conditions for that rule having been met, and Tomodachi being at less than half the score of the leading Amigo, per the posted scoring and recording rules, he bows out, ceding his Amigo Points to Aibou.

Tomodachi remains in town for consultation and drinking.