Brenda  at 12:07 AM
After the mission on the docks, Miyuki asks Shosuro-san to walk her back to the Crane dormitory.

She falls into step beside him.  She is feeling confident and happy that they got to spend some time together.

"There is news, Shosuro-san.  The imperial matchmaker, Otomo Kinsaki, arrived on the island.  Yesterday.  She intends to arrange matches here.  She wants to meet with the samurai here."

That much she has said to numerous friends here.  Nothing odd about discussing it with him.

Though he can see her glances at him, conveying this news, are very warm.  Very excited.  Eager to discuss it further.
Serj  at 9:51 PM
The man seemed thoughtful as he walked. The day was pleasant, with birds wheeling overhead. A gentle sea salted breeze blew about their long clothing. It was near perfect; and when he glanced towards the Doji it became so. "I have indeed heard rumors swirling about, but now you confirm them." The sand yielded underneath his geta before they turned from soft sand to sparse grassland. "I intended to meet with her, in hopes that I may carry out my duty. The future of the island lays in the families and children of those who inhabit it." Kids huh. He spoke with a tone as airy as the breeze about them, but then he glanced over to her, his On focused but a smile was bubbling to the surface, trying to break through. Shirou held however, but she had spent enough time around him to recognize when he was restraining a smile.

"And I had hoped, perhaps, that we could meet her together, Doji-sama."
Brenda  at 9:56 PM
She smiled very brightly at that.

"I would like that, Shirou-san.  It is possible she will want to meet with us separately also.  Before or after.  But I had in mind to speak of you.  To say how much I admired you."

"I hear she likes music.  Perhaps I could sing for her.  Or we could.  Together."

"I am not quite sure what helps.  What makes it more likely."

"I suspect I should speak to Daidoji-sama first.  Perhaps he will want to meet you."  She sounded very hopeful.
Serj  at 10:33 PM
"Then I shall prepare for her the kindest words I can imagine for her if you happen to come up." The nakodo had a divide and conquer strategy huh. He should not be so surprised, but then again he had not had much opportunity to face with aagainst nakodo before.

He stopped, twisting on his heel abruptly. She admired him? "But... Miyuki-san is a most talented painter of great renown. A songstress that could make the heavens themselves weep with her song. Her voice so hauntingly beautiful that it lingers on stronger than any spirit. She is the one worthy of admiration; I am only a soldier who has dabbled in the arts and is still an amateur focused on fans." He bowed his head deeply. "I admire you above any I have met in my humble existence." That was a lot of words to get off and put into the air between them. But he admired her from the bottom of his heart; and that she admired him stirred his soul so deeply.

"A duet." His on broke to reveal his delight. "Then we should arrange to practice. Perhaps compose a new song, together. It surely could not hurt, if she enjoys the arts."

At the mention of her senior, he realized he would have to meet with his own as well. "I shall hold no fear, and be glad to do so. Bayushi-sama would likely wish to meet with you as well." He wasn't sure which meeting would be scarier really.
Brenda  at 10:44 PM
"I truly don't know what to expect from the matchmaker.  Only that perhaps we should be prepared for her to wish to speak to us individually and together.  I know she was asking to meet with people individually."

"I do admire you very much, Shirou-san.  I had in mind to tell her that you are all that the Crane admire.  That you would make such a good Crane.  You are a duelist and artist.  You have such poetry in you.  You songs and paintings are wonderful.  You are kind and honorable, and so easy to talk to.  And sweet and protective."

"That is true.  If we are to perform for her, we must make the time to practice.   But that is something two friends can do, I think."

"My fear is that ... if I tell Daidoji-sama what is on my heart, that will be the moment he will tell me if he had some other duty in mind for me.  I do worry.  But, maybe he will listen.  Or not have anything more specific in mind than an admirable bushi from another Clan who could add to our strength here."
Serj  at 11:01 PM
"Expect the worst. Pray for the best. It has been my motto when facing the unknown. They have carried my spirit far. In regards to the matchmaker, it shall be the same." He turned and resumed his journey to the dormitories for they were not much farther. A good Crane. He had never imagined that. Was he then, a poor Scorpion? That idea stained his mind, and he was relieved for his visor to cover up his weakness. "Thank you, Miyuki-san." His voice was thick with gratefulness, like a cotton ball soaked in too much water. To be admired by her, as a person and an artist, touched him deeply.

"Would we practice in secret, or perhaps under guise as performance for the island?" It would be... difficult to hide such a thing. But he looked over to her. His face was serious. "We must always uphold our duty, Doji-sama; do not fear it." For now they were closer to where idle ears may hear. "But regardless of our duty, our lives, hearts and souls shall ever remain intertwined. Regardless of what lines get drawn." It would be amusing; from fighting to defend the Crane as a ronin, to fighting to defend the Crane as a Crane. But life worked in mysterious ways.

Oh one more thing. "Soshi Anzai-san requested your presence before you meet the nakodo. I would ask deeply that you oblige him, for it seemed to be of the utmost importance to him."
Brenda  at 11:11 PM
"I think it is better to practice openly.  Something any two friends might do.   It is good practice for me.  I should be glad for the chance to practice an aspect of singing.  Maybe just come to the Crane dormitory?  Or to a place I often sketch like the beach?  If anyone chooses to suspect I am fond of you, there is no real harm in that.  I'll be speaking of it openly soon."

What a thought!

"We do not want anyone to think I did anything untoward.  But if they think I admire you - there is not much harm in that.  I don't think."

"Yes, no matter what anyone does or says, or makes us do, for duty, we will know we are bound."  She smiles at that.

"Soshi-san?  Certainly, I would be glad to speak to him.  I can look for him."  Interesting.  She looked curious.
Serj  at 11:33 PM
No more games or hiding in the shadows. Just open affection between two partners selected by Imperial Decree. The thought didn't seem so outrageous now, not anymore. "I will find you where ever you are, and the world shall be our stage to perform. From the streets to the cliffs, the beaches to the Regret." So he would promise.

"Then I shall be the same; a hint of admiration, to not let on any further details that could cause... issue." As mutual artists in overlapping fields, it would be wrong for anything less after all.

Oh ho ho. He was bemused by her confirmation of their boundedness. It would bring scandal of the highest degree if they were caught together when they were supposed to be seperate. But he would risk himself, if she would risk herself. His heart yearned for hers too deeply to allow himself to keep it away.

"He will be expecting you. Unfortunately I do not know why." He turned on his heel, for they had arrived. "May the Fortunes guide you, Doji-sama." And he would slip away into another building as before, his masked visage on her until he was out of sight.
Brenda  at 11:39 PM
She smiles at his promise.

"Also ... maybe ... premise-wise ... we have established with the mission tonight that you occasionally stand like a yojimbo for me, when Kakita-san cannot be available.  So, anytime you find me alone, that is always a possibility also."  She smiles.  Plenty of excuses to find each other.  "It could almost be like he asked you to keep an eye on me when he was not around.  So anytime you find me alone, you feel a bit obligated to linger.  And suggesting we work on a duet is just a way to pass that time pleasantly."

She nods.  Curious about Soshi-san.

"Fortunes guide you, Shosuro-san."

She bows to him, and heads into the safety of her dormitory.