Hadananzi didn't miss the way Kakita phrased his statement, and so remained outside while the guards entered to do their search. "My beloved wife is missing a fan that she received as a gift from her sister some time ago. It has been missing for a few days now and she is scarcely ever without it. It...

Hadananzi, hot on the trails of the rumors that had been flying about, marched his way to Kakita's rooms flanked by a pair of palace guards. When he reached the door, his face was stern and unamused. "Kakita of the Bat, this is Hadananzi of the Crane. I come here to put an end to the rumors that hav...

"While it pains me to part with such beauty it will fade quickly knowing it is in the hands of one who will appreciate it. I must insist that you keep it." Hadananzi's smile seemed just as genuine in return.

"Dojihime was...Dojihime. no more or less than I would expect of her. But she did make a fine point about my priorities, and those should include you as often as they include the clan as a whole, if not more." Another sip of tea. "I see you were working on your poetry before I interrupted."

"Perhaps so, and thus far only you have gotten a close enough look at the picture to see these details. Makime Ayano-san saw me paint it, but did not look closely at it." He sighed and sipped some tea. "I've spent far too much time away from you these past few days my dear. For that I am sorry."

Hadananzi shook his head. "I have not. I've only heard whispers that she is afflicted. I do not know why I would paint something like this with my limited knowledge, or even at all. It seems disrespectful to her to do so."

Hadananzi considered that a moment, then smiled. "I think it should go with you, Makime-san, so that it can better serve as inspiration for you and your artistic talents."

"I started off simply wishing to paint the Lady Doji standing in her rooms, but I got into my hyper focused state, and when I was finished..." He produced the picture from his things. "This was the result." At first nothing seems off about the portrait, simply depicting Doji looking at the viewer fr...

"Extrapolation based on what I've seen of you so far. It really isn't so difficult." With a wry smile, Hadananzi gestured towards Ayano. "Perhaps you don't feel quite so confident as I painted, but I'd like to think this depiction could inspire such within you."

"I am most satisfied indeed. Please, take a look for yourself." Some of Ayano's relief was captured in the painting itself, but mostly Hadananzi had painted her looking calm and confident, her shoulders squared, back straight, and her green eyes looking forward without fear. Perhaps he'd taken some ...

"If it unnerves you so, I will stop. Though I do still wish to paint your portrait all the same." Hadananzi gathered his brushes and a fresh canvas, then settled into position to work. "Do not worry about staying still, I shall be able to compensate." Once again he began to paint, and once again he ...

He nodded softly, accepting the tea in silence. He seemed contemplative as he took his first sip. "It's a terrible thing what's happening to her, I do hope she recovers soon." He frowned a bit. "I painted her today and the result was... disturbing."

"If you would allow me to paint you as a subject I'd be more than happy to. You have a youthful beauty matched by very few that I have met in my time." He glanced to her painting again, smiling. "But I am certain you have other hidden talents as well. You just need the freedom to explore them."

"That sounds lovely." He stepped inside with a smile of his own, and quickly seated himself across from his wife. "How has your day been so far?"

Hadananzi, almost fresh from his artistic endeavors this morning, made his way to his shared room with his new wife, hoping to find her there. Luck was with him, as he observed her busy at work over some poetry, and he took a moment to pause in the doorway to observe her for a few moments, not wanti...

"I find myself almost perpetually inspired. There's so much beauty in the world it's almost impossible not to want to create." Hadananzi had that cryptic smile on his lips again, and his eyes were focused more in Ayano's direction than anywhere else.

"Not as such, no. I merely enjoy the act of creation, what results is of lesser importance to me. Though I do strive for quality, it is not what drives me to create." Hadananzi rose then, and began pacing about the garden. "What drives me is like a hunger that won't be satisfied until I've worked up...

Hadananzi gave a light squeeze before slowly moving his hand away. "In that case, I think you should deliver it to her yourself, to show that you are proud of the work you created." He glanced at his own work for a moment. "The truth is not always so simple. Some artists feel they peaked with one wo...

"The Lady Doji values all art, not just that which the masters produce. You have created value today, do not seek to diminish it so." As she looked down, Hadananzi placed a hand on Ayano's shoulder comfirtingly. "We most certainly can arrange to have this work reach its subject. I'm sure she will be...

"They serve you well, I can see the technicality of each brush stroke, almost feel the intent behind each motion. This would make s fine gift." Hadananzi didn't seem to call attention to Ayano's blush, though he clearly noticed it judging by his smile. "Lady Doji herself would be proud to see such a...