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16:32 - Joined: Mirumoto_Noboru ([email protected])
Mirumoto_Noboru is also in #L5Rooc, #l5rthursdaysooc and #ShadowFridays
<Natural1> After a long journey from their homes, delegates of every Clan finally arrived at the estate of Kakita Tsuneko: Kanashi Uta no Shiro. A beautiful castle of white stone and pale wood built overlooking the ocean, surrounded by a calm and prosperous village. The home of the newborn girl that so many have come to pay their respects to.
16:33 <Natural1> The final guests arrived last night from the furthest corners of Rokugan, carrying gifts from their families to offer to the mother and her child. After a pleasant rest in the relative luxury of the castle's chambers, Amaterasu has finally risen above the horizon and brought dawn with her. Throughout the structure samurai awaken and prepare themselves for the rigours of the day ahead.
16:34 * Yogo_Saki wakes with the sun to wash up and complete her morning divination ritual.
16:37 * Isawa_Iwao rises earlier than most, giving himself enough time to go through his morning rituals. He goes through this business quite slowly and deliberately; to a casual observer it as though he is a moving statue.
16:38 * Doji_Tamayori frantically searches her chamber for her Daisho. After scattering her belongings here and there and moving the furniture about, she finally finds her swords nestled innocently under a fold of her futon and sinks to the floor in relief.
* Toritaka_Junpei is up with the dawn, despite the deep bags under his eyes and the white-knuckled grip his fists are in. His morning ritual is simple--weapons checked, sharpened if necessary. Armor checked, blacksmith's hammer out to ensure no dings remain. Whistle for Jin, feed the falcon a scrap of meat. From there, wash up and dress, prepare for breakfast.
16:39 * Yogo_Saki frowns at the divination. Omens are bleak. Still, she dresses in her fine kimono and pallid mask before leaving her room.
16:40 * Mirumoto_Noboru begins the morning by washing himself thoroughly, then dressing himself in his comparatively simple garments. He then proceeds to a brief session of meditation before reaching for his nearby daisho, fastening it to his waist and making his way out to where he is to be.
16:41 <Natural1> Iwao is disturbed by the sound of a familiar voice, the woman who had been accompanying him throughout their journey from the Phoenix. The yojimbo sent to accompany him. "Isawa-san? I hope that you are ready - it would be disgraceful if we are late."
16:43 <Natural1> Meanwhile, Noboru encounters the opposite problem. As he leaves his chamber to join the others, he encounters his companion during the journey and his mentor, Mirumoto Fumetsu. The elderly swordsman has been up for quite some time, busy pruning and focusing on his bonsai tree rather than the events ahead.
16:44 * Isawa_Iwao doesn't respond immediately, instead staring a few moments more into the mirror to ensure that his clothing is neat and presentable. Finally, he nods, acknowleging the Shiba. "I am... ready, now... Shiba-san. Let us begin... the day." Iwao's speech is as slow and deliberate as his movements, as like the kami of Earth he has communed with during his life.
16:45 <Natural1> And as for Yogo Saki, she encounters the handsome Bayushi Shogusha outside, although most of his face is concealed by a mask resembling some sort of frowning spirit. "Ready for the day ahead, Yogo-san? I hope this isn't your first time within a court." There's a playful tone to his voice.
* Doji_Tamayori stills her racing heart then meticulously arranges her chamber to its previous state as best as she can. Her task done, she sheds her sleeping kimono in favor of her best day kimono, thrusts her Daisho and Kakita Blade into her obi, and ventures out.
16:46 * Yogo_Saki smiles, able to suppress her worry for now about the omens. "I am always ready, Bayushi-san. I would be more concerned for yourself." She's playful right back.
16:48 <Mirumoto_Noboru> "Fumetsu-sama?" Noboru approaches, bowing his head as soon as he's acknowledged, "I, ah, apologize to interrupt, but we are expected." He does his best to hide his frown, watching his sensei tend to his plants. It seemed like one of the few things he cared about sometimes.
<Natural1> As for Junpei and Tamayori, there are no companions to pester and assist. Instead, their journey to the hall of the castle is uninterrupted. It is filled with servants ready to serve breakfast to those who desire it and representatives for many separate Clans, the variety of colours filling the hall - although the pale blue of the Crane dominates everything.
16:50 <Natural1> Looking up, Fumetsu blinked towards Noboru and offered a kindly smile to the samurai that he had once taught. "Ah! Of course, sometimes I forget the passage of time. I shall see you shortly, Noboru-san. Please, don't feel the need to wait for me - I shall have the servants bring our gift once it is ready."
16:51 <Natural1> And to Yogo Saki, the Scorpion Bushi simply smiled beneath his mask and led the way towards the hall without another word, to join the others.
16:52 * Yogo_Saki smiles back, following closely.
16:53 <Natural1> Finally, Shiba Asano gave the shugenja a despairing look before she finally turned away. "Very well then, Isawa-san. Let us join the other delegations. We shouldn't waste any more time." With that, she'd lead the way towards the hall, expecting her Shugenja charge to follow.
* Mirumoto_Noboru nods with some hesitation, "Very well, then. I had best be off. I hope to see you soon, Fumetsu-sama." He gives another quick bow of his head, then departs, in no immediate hurry and seeming to be making his effort to clear his mind of any anxities about the day to come.
16:55 * Toritaka_Junpei settles Jin on his shoulder, slipping the falcon's leather hood on. "I know you don't need it, Jin-san, but I do not wish to be rude to our hosts," the large minor clan samurai rumbles to his companion as he enters the hall, looking to obtain breakfast, but most importantly tea.
* Isawa_Iwao follows the Shiba yojimbo. Though he gives the impression that he is walking as fast as a mountain, he actually walks at roughly the same pace as the yojimbo.
16:56 * Yogo_Saki follows the Bayushi to a seat in the main hall, and gets some breakfast and tea.
16:58 <Isawa_Iwao> Once at the main hall, Iwao takes a seat and helps himself to some breakfast, his thoughts mainly on the project his assigned assistant, the heimin scupltor Eiko, and himself, are working on...
17:00 <Natural1> As the varied samurai gather in the court hall, it seems like the events are finally ready to begin. Men and women from every Great Clan are present, along with representatives from the Mantis, Centipede, Sparrow and Falcon are there and even a proud woman from the Otomo Family, representing the Imperial presence in the hall. At the head of the hall sit Kakita Tsuneko, the proud and
<Natural1> ever-smiling mother and her handsome - and much younger - husband, Kakita Haru.
* Mirumoto_Noboru makes his way to join the others for breakfast, remaining rather wordless for the time being, as though still trying to focus himself.
* Doji_Tamayori stands in the entrance to the great hall and fights the urge to bolt when she sees the teeming mass of Samurai and servants. She shakes her head sharply then forces herself to walk forward. After several steps, she feels more at ease and, seating herself at a table, hesitantly flags down a servant.
17:02 <Natural1> With a gesture of a hand, polite conversation between the men and women slowly comes to an end - although a servant quickly arrives to assist Doji Tamayori.
17:03 * Doji_Tamayori whispers to the servant, "Breakfast and hot tea, please." She nods politely.
17:04 <Natural1> With a nod, the heimin quickly scurries off to retreive Tamayori's request.
17:06 * Doji_Tamayori turns her attention to the head of the hall where the beaming mother and the proud father sit.
17:07 * Toritaka_Junpei falls silent, though he reaches up to feed a piece of fish to Jin.
* Isawa_Iwao slowly turns his attention to Tsuneko and Haru a moment after the gesture is made
* Yogo_Saki ceases her sip of tea, folding her hands demurely in her lap. and watching.
<Natural1> Standing from her seat, Kakita Tsuneko speaks with a clear and pristine voice that cuts through the air, that peaceful smile never leaving her lips. "I would like to thank each of you for coming to attend this celebration of my daughter's birth. I cannot express how grateful to each and every one of you for your presence in my court and I shall do my best to provide the hospitality that
<Natural1> each of you deserve."
17:10 <Natural1> "What is a better way to celebrate such an occasion than to test each others abilities to create art? Whether it is with a brush, with a voice or with a sword. Throughout the next week this competition shall be take place and I invite each of you to participate, if you so desire."
17:15 <Natural1> Her speech finally came to a halt, to be replaced with that of a smiling diplomat instead, to speak in her place. "Those of you who have brought gifts to honour the birth of Kakita Taiko, please step forward."
17:16 * Yogo_Saki pulls the rolled up ward's case from her obi, opening and removing it for one last inspection.
* Mirumoto_Noboru suddenly tenses up as he looks around for the servants Fumetsu said would be bringing the gift...or someone who may know about that, at least.
<Natural1> Bayushi Shogusha offers Yogo Saki a brief nod, Fumetsu smiles towards his student as servants stand to the side with their gift and Shiba Asano offers Iwao an expectant stare.
* Yogo_Saki smiles at its condition, standing up and stepping forward with the ward in hand.
17:19 * Toritaka_Junpei pulls the wooden statuette out of his pack, carefully making sure it is undamaged and unharmed, and with Jin on shoulder stands to go present it, once it is time for him to do so.
17:20 * Isawa_Iwao nods. Tucked away in his obi is a small object - a small polished stone statuette of Hujokuko, the Fortune of Fertility. Iwao inspects it briefly, making sure it hasn't sustained any damage. It looks intact, and he holds it carefully, waiting for his chance to present it.
<Natural1> From the rest of the Clans, a representative steps forward. The diplomat's eyes first fall on Mirumoto Noboru however, her smile reflecting that of Kakita Tsuneko's. "Mirumto Noboru, of the Dragon Clan." With a polite bow, she stood to the side to allow the Taoist to present his gift - a pair of servants emerging from the hall bearing the beautiful sword mounting.
17:24 * Doji_Tamayori murmurs to herself, "A Mirumoto of the enigmatic Dragon..."
17:25 * Mirumoto_Noboru smiled, his tenseness quickly fading as he laid his eyes upon Tsuneko. Despite training himself to care not for the idea of romance, he felt quite flustered in her presence. He quickly bows courteously, making effort to hide a light blush. "That is correct. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance and..." he pauses, doubly relieved that
17:28 <Mirumoto_Noboru> the gift was on its way. He makes way for the servants, adding, "present to your daughter this gift, to let her better contemplate the symbol of her station that may rest upon it."
17:31 <Natural1> Kakita Tsuneko gazes down at the dragon with that serene smile never fading. She bore the glow of motherhood well although it certainly didn't diminish that regal authority she carried about her, the intimidating presence of a daimyo. "But Mirumoto-san, I am not worthy of something of such wonderful craftsmanship and design. Surely there is a better use for such a magnificent gift?"
17:35 * Mirumoto_Noboru tries to force his smile as well, trying to clear his mind and focus on the task at hand, which was the custom of gift-giving, "Our wisest sages have spent much time considering the gesture, and they could deem no better purpose for it than to grace the presence of your lovely daughter. It would honor us all for you to accept it."
17:38 <Natural1> That smile didn't move an inch. All eyes were on Mirumoto Noboru, including Tsuneko's. Her hand ran through a mane of white hair as her expression briefly became thoughtful. "Is there no one that you believe would be more deserving of this gift, Mirumoto-san? It would be rude for me to accept something so beautifully made - clearly it is intended for a lovelier woman." Those eyes bore
<Natural1> into him, cool and calculating despite the ever-present smile.
17:43 <Mirumoto_Noboru> "There are none," he answers earnestly, "who are more suited to this piece and the devotion the sweat invested in it portrays than your blessed kin. It is both my honor and pleasure to be offering this to you on behalf of my clan"
17:48 <Natural1> "I cannot argue with you Mirumoto-san, although you are too kind to me. I accept your gift." Did he blink or does her smile seem just a little more genuine? With a gesture of her hand and a respectful bow of her head towards the Dragon, the same servants that brought the stand forward take it to the side. Noboru has a brief moment to return to his place before the diplomat steps forward
<Natural1> to call the next name.
<Natural1> "Toritaka Junpei, of the Falcon Clan."
17:49 * Mirumoto_Noboru smiles and relaxes as he bows one more and returns to his seat, reflecting on that encounter. The rpesentation went well, but he almost slipped. The grace of the Crane was the stake of their family's honor, so he couldn't feel angry at himself for long.
17:51 * Doji_Tamayori blinks. "A Falcon, here?"
* Yogo_Saki smiles bemusedly. "A falcon riding atop a Falcon. How quaint."
* Toritaka_Junpei takes a deep breath, and approaches, bowing deeply. "Hai. My family and my clan bring a gift," he says, holding out the statuette of a faceless woman with a sword, standing before a gateway. "Carved from a livewood tree from the Shinomen Mori, a depiction of a Tennyo, natives of Tengoku. As honorable and just as any creature of the Heavens, and often guardians."
17:52 <Toritaka_Junpei> *The Falcon on his shoulder bows along with Junpei.*
* Isawa_Iwao gazes slowly at the Falcon Clan samurai who is attending this court. The falcon on his shoulder is a remarkable specimen of the species, Iwao thinks.
17:53 <Natural1> The usually distracted Mirumoto Fumetsu turns towards Noboru, offering him a smile full of pride as he returns. Words don't need to be spoken.
* Mirumoto_Noboru soon brings his attention to the Falcon and his...falcon. He'd heard stories of such comraderie between samurai and animal, but even then for one to bring a beast into court was peculiar. Though curious, he was not judgemental.
* Mirumoto_Noboru catches his master's smile, smiling back with a nod before bringing his attention back to the presentation.
17:57 <Natural1> A small chuckle comes from Bayushi Shogusha at the words of Saki, and others murmur quietly amongst themselves at the spectacle - where some sneer, others are intrigued. Kakita Tsuneko and her quiet husband both fall into the latter category, admiring the Tennyo sculpture as much as they admired the Falcon and his falcon, and the grace with which they held themselves. After denying the
<Natural1> gift twice, she speaks clearly.
17:59 <Natural1> "Thank you, Toritaka-san. This is truly a beautiful gift and I find myself incapable of refusing it." Once all is said and done, a servant bows deeply before Junpei and takes the sculpture off to the side, beside the sword stand offered by the Dragon.
<Natural1> "Isawa Iwao, of the Phoenix Clan."
18:00 * Toritaka_Junpei bows again, and steps off and out, returning to his former seat.
18:03 * Doji_Tamayori smiles. "Ah, a Phoenix."
18:09 * Isawa_Iwao inhales, rises slowly and gracefully, and strides over to the mother and father, bowing low when he arrives. "The Isawa, and the Phoenix, present this gift to you..." As Iwao speaks, he presents the statuette of the Fortune. "Carved from the pure stone harvested from the Great Wall of the North Mountains, the likeness of the Fortune of Fertility, Hujokuko. For it is a reminder of her blessing, the gift of a healthy child."
18:16 <Natural1> Kakita Tsuneko and Haru both inspect the statuette with interest but as always, the husband does not utter a word, sitting back with a cool expression while the smiling daimyo speaks for them. Twice she declines the gift and when the third offer comes, she accepts it with a warm and sincere smile. "The sentiment behind this gift humbles me, Isawa-san. Truly, Hujokuko has blessed me and
<Natural1> I hope she shall provide another blessing in the future."
<Natural1> With a bow of her head, the governess allows Isawa Iwao the opportunity to depart before her servant speaks again with clearness and clarity:
<Natural1> "Yasuki Enko of the Crab Clan."
18:17 * Isawa_Iwao bows slowly again and returns to his seat, satisfied that his work has pleased his host.
18:18 <Doji_Tamayori> "A Yasuki..."
18:20 <Natural1> Standing from her mat carefully, the elderly Crab merchant matron gestured to her side towards her companion, a large and very much stereotypical Hida warrior with a few clear scars from his service on the Kaiu Wall. Carefully lifting a set of beautiful and immaculate armour, he stepped forward with Yasuki Enko beside him. It was masterfully crafted and bore the Kaiu mon, craftsmen second
<Natural1> only to the famous Tsi family.
18:22 <Natural1> The crone speaks out, her voice trembling slightly with age. "Kakita-sama, the Crab Clan offers your daughter an example of the finest armour the Kaiu smiths have to offer. It shall protect her from the day she is able to wear it until the day Emma-O welcomes her."
18:23 <Natural1> In return, Kakita Tsuneko quietly eyes the armour for a few seconds before she finally speaks in return, bowing her head politely. Only three words are uttered. "Thank you, Yasuki-san."
18:28 * Yogo_Saki covers her face with her fan, eyes narrowing on a certain samurai...
<Natural1> A burst of laughter comes from the samurai, although it is difficult to identify exactly who in the middle of the crowd. Both of the Crab stiffen but bow - the Hida shoves the armour into the waiting hands of a servant and both of them return to the other delegations.
18:29 <Natural1> The speaker steps forward again, to call forth the next gift giver.
* Isawa_Iwao appears not to notice the unwelcome distraction in the great hall, instead focusing on the precedings
<Natural1> "Yogo Saki, of the Scorpion Clan."
18:30 <Isawa_Iwao> "Ah... the Yogo, of the Scorpion...", Iwao intones in a low, almost muttering, voice.
* Yogo_Saki closes her fan and sets it on her seat as she stands. Drawing the ward open to display, she says. "From the Scorpion Clan, a ward crafted by the Yogo family. May it keep disease and ill fortune distant from your daughter."
18:31 <Doji_Tamayori> "Now, a Yogo of the Scorpion."
* Toritaka_Junpei murmurs something as he reaches up to scratch Jin's wing. "Not every gift is created equal, Jin. You remember as well as I do."
18:35 <Natural1> Unlike the armour, the ward is rejected twice before it's finally accepted, Tsuneko with a mane of snow white and Haru with a head of oily black hair both smiling gratefully towards her. "I do not appreciate the art of calligraphy as much as I should, Yogo-san. However, even my inexperienced eyes can appreciate the beauty and the application of such a ward. I can only imagine the power
<Natural1> behind it. I can do little but thank you."
18:36 <Natural1> With that, she bows her head and allows for Yogo Saki to return to her place, before the speaker draws in the next delegate.
18:38 * Yogo_Saki bows, and returns to her seat.
18:39 * Mirumoto_Noboru continues to watch with interest, patient and curious to see what would come next.
18:41 <Natural1> The next to come and go is Matsu Reiha, of the Lion Clan. A short yet clearly powerful woman, muscles rippling beneath her skin with every gesture and movement. Although young, the brown-haired girl carries great confidence and pride about herself and offers to Kakita Tsuneko an intricately crafted war fan, carefully decorated with orange flames and blue waves and possessing both the Lion
<Natural1> and the Crane mon. For once, Tsuneko's smile wavers.
18:42 <Natural1> However, she offers Reiha the same courtesy that she has given all but the Crab Clan, rejecting the gift twice before finally accepting it. The Matsu woman returns to the others, her expression somewhere between a smile and a smirk.
18:50 * Isawa_Iwao folds up a fan in front of his face to hide his expression, which has changed to subtle disappointment at the Matsu's gift and it's meaning. Whether aggressive or mere barbing, he could not be certain.
<Doji_Tamayori> "How audacious."
18:51 <Natural1> The last of the Great Clans comes next, Ide Tsuriko of the Unicorn Clan. She fumbles over her words but she is clearly sincere, as she offers a pair of well bred gaijin horses. However, she cannot present them due the impropriety of bringing them into the hall - instead she simply explains the intention that the stallion and the mare shall breed to offer a wonderful steed for Kakita Taiko,
<Natural1> once she is old enough.
18:52 * Doji_Tamayori smiles delightedly, "A Unicorn!"
18:53 <Natural1> A little bit of laughter comes from a few individuals, but none of it is mocking. Instead, the young and charming Unicorn diplomat receives wide smiles from both Kakita Haru and his wife, neither of them able to contain their mirth as they deny the gift twice, as politely as they can before finally accepting them, calling to servants to stable the horses.
18:56 <Natural1> Otomo Nari of the Imperial families is called forth next, the only woman more regal than Tsuneko and with beauty that overshadows the governess by far. The two match each other smile for smile as she offers the daimyo a gift, a beautiful and delicate letter-opener that functions as a pendant, designed by a Tsi Smith - she even gestures towards the very man who made it, sitting amongst
<Natural1> the other samurai. The gift is rejected twice and then accepted.
18:59 <Natural1> At last, the other Minor Clans offer their gifts. Yoritomo Nizomi of the Mantis Clan, an ugly and flat-nosed man in ostentatious clothes with a golden tooth. He offers a wooden sculpture inlaid with pearls and rare sea shells, representing Suitengu, the Fortune of the Seas. Moshi Hakuseki of the Centipede Clan, a plain woman clearly carrying a child of her own and dressed as a Priestess
<Natural1> of Amaterasu, offering a beautiful mirror made of silver.
19:01 <Natural1> And finally, Suzume Jurian of the Sparrow Clan. An elderly but extremely pleasant man with a broad smile always on his lips, and always sincere. Words pour past his lips in a river, offering the daimyo and her husband and her daughter all of his praise and best wishes, offering them a book. It was written by his father and contains all of the wisdom that he learned throughout his life,
<Natural1> carrying lessons that might be used for young Taiko.
19:02 <Natural1> Each of these gifts is accepted in the traditional manner and the gift-giving ceremony comes to its close, after much ceremony and deliberation. Standing, Kakita Tsuneko speaks once more.
19:03 * Doji_Tamayori remembers to keep her mouth closed during the presentation of the last gifts although her amazement at the appearance of an august Imperial personage threatens to overwhelm her composure.
19:04 * Yogo_Saki watches the last of the gifts being given, noting the slight given to the Crab and nobody else.
19:05 * Isawa_Iwao simply watches with his usual stoicism
<Natural1> "I would like to thank you all for your wonderful gifts. I cannot possibly express my gratitude for each of them. Truly, my family is blessed to be presented with such generosity... Please, enjoy my hospitality and acquaint yourselves with my court. In an hour, the first of the contests shall begin but until then, I leave you to do as you desire."
19:06 <Natural1> With a respectful bow to all before her, she returned to her seat to speak with her husband Haru in a quiet tone. The demeanor of the hall relaxed and became much more comfortable, no longer so strict and bound by etiquette. For the time being, each of the samurai are free to do as they please.
19:07 * Yogo_Saki closes her fan. "So Bayushi-san, in your expert opinion what was the meaning of the slight?"
19:08 * Toritaka_Junpei glances around, grey eyes piercing, to see if anyone's heading his way.
19:09 <Natural1> Bayushi Shogusha offers Yogo Saki a sardonic glance. "My expert opinion? I am hardly trained in the manners of the court. I expect it's likely just old rivalries - the Yasuki used to be a Crane family, so I hear."
* Mirumoto_Noboru keeps his attention about as he thinks about where to go from here. Court affairs were rare for him.
19:10 * Yogo_Saki laughs. "Oh come now, don't be like that. In any case, it may be prudent to keep an eye on our Crab friends. The signs were unfavorable today, it could be related."
19:11 <Natural1> The first to approach Junpei is Suzume Jurian of the Sparrow, the warm smile still gracing the old man's lips. His skin is scarred and weathered and his hair is thin and worn but there's a certain inner strength to him. "Your companion is a beautiful creature, Toritaka-san - what is his name? Assuming he is male, of course."
19:12 * Isawa_Iwao asks a servant for some more tea and pulls out a small slip of paper with some drawings on it. "The servants have made sure to bring my project along?", he asks Asano, his voice having gone back to a slower and more deliberate tone than what he used when addressing the governess.
19:13 * Doji_Tamayori takes a deep, calming breath then gracefully stands and scans the crowd for a friendly face.
<Natural1> Bayushi Shogusha simply shook his head. "Perhaps you place too much faith in those signs of yours, Yogo-san. I doubt anything harmful shall happen here."
* Toritaka_Junpei bows to Jurian, Jin doing the same. "Suzume-san. His name is Jin." He whistles a bit, and the falcon hops from his shoulder to his hand, and he holds him out. "We have been companions for years. I trained him myself, when I was just a boy."
<Natural1> One of the first things Noboru happens to notice is the quick exit of Mirumoto Fumetsu. His mentor must be quite eager to return to his Bonsai.
19:14 * Yogo_Saki sighs. "Of course, Bayushi-san. I shall go mingle with the other guests for a time."
19:15 <Natural1> "Hai, Isawa-san." Asano bowed her head towards him and hesitated, before she continued. "A rare bit of praise for you, Isawa-san. You did well, offering your gift."
19:16 * Mirumoto_Noboru frowns a bit as he watches his mentor leave. He's been like that for awhile, so Noboru is not particularly surprised. He decides to get up and look around to socialize a bit, particularly with bushi who might be entering the tournament.
<Natural1> As for Doji Tamayori - she is actually approached by Kakita Tsuneko herself, who offers her a polite smile. "Doji Tamayori-san, may I speak with you for a moment?"
19:18 * Doji_Tamayori blinks, awestruck. She recovers swiftly, however, and bows deeply. "Of course, Kakita Tsuneko-sama."
19:19 <Natural1> Noboru can see many potential participants - the scowling Hida standing beside Yasuki Enko, who is currently speaking with the Yoritomo. Matsu Reiha certainly seems more than prepared to fight, although she's currently busy intimidating the poor Ide girl. Then there are the two Kakita, one of whom is speaking with Tsuneko and the other who is standing along, sneering in the direction of
<Natural1> the Crab delegation. The one who laughed.
19:21 * Isawa_Iwao regards the Shiba with a stoic look. "Thank you, Shiba-san. Though I feel... I could have said more. Words come... difficult to me, you understand." Iwao tucks the paper away. "I believe I shall speak with Eiko soon, and we will find the stone's shape in our work."
19:22 <Isawa_Iwao> "Though I am interested in this contest the governess has spoken of..."
19:23 <Natural1> Nodding briefly, Jurian repeated the word. "Jin. You've clearly trained him well, Toritaka-san. I have rarely seen a beast behave so well indoors, no matter how well trained. And I have seen many beasts." A jolly laugh escaped from him. "Although, aren't the Falcon Clan supposed to handle spiritual issues? I am curious about how a falcon would aid in such matters."
19:25 <Natural1> To Doji Tamayori, Tsuneko simply smiled in her infuriatingly serene manner. "I received the gift from your family and I would just like to say that I am most grateful. You are too kind to me, as is Kakita Sunao and his father." She gestured towards the ostentatious Kakita brat, who is still glowering towards the Crab delegation.
* Toritaka_Junpei smiles briefly. "The creatures of the spirit realms have weaknesses, Suzume-san," he says. "For some, it is a reliance on vision. Jin-san is more fearsome an opponent than some would believe." He pauses. "Besides, he is my companion. Whether or not his aid is needed, he would be with me still."