Player Event: The Time Of Your Life (D8, LE) RP-Thread

[Chai Kotsume]

Kotsume had been having a great time seeing all the others' performances - even the ones that went slightly (or not so slightly) off-tune or off-tempo. She had good laughs with Chizu's song... but what made her particularly moved was Ko's flute. In part, it was probably because it reminded her of her home village - even though the other instruments around and the whole environment were so different. But... the girl herself seemed to remind her of home. Of nature.

She had felt that before, and she felt it again now.

That was possibly part of what made her get a broad leaf inside a pouch on her obi and try a performance herself.

A... singular performance, one could say.

[Jiyo Sora]

Soryu was thoroughly enraptured by the efforts of his intended.

And he reminded himself he needed to do another drawing of otters.

[Bayushi Kogi]

Kogi resists being the center of attention, but she is there, noodling around on a well-polished koto.

((Placeholder, poke if you'd like to chat!))

[Jiyo Sora]

Ooooo, Scorpy!

Sora, having yet to ctually have a chat with any of the Scorpion present at Court, approached Kogi and awaited acknowledgment.

[Doji Misaki]

Kogi resists being the center of attention, but she is there, noodling around on a well-polished koto.

((Placeholder, poke if you'd like to chat!))

Misaki walks up to the Scorpion and resists poking her before clearing her throat so the woman might hear here over the koto, "Good evening, Scoprion-san. You seemed a bit tired, but your performance was wonderful never-the-less."

[Yuzuru]

The Imperial Consort is a late arrival and it soon becomes apparent why with a short conversation in the corridor.

"It's just a small gathering for music. I know these people."

"I'm sorry Yuzuru-sama, but the Emperor was quite adamant. We must escort you."

Growl

"Oh not you as well . . . oh just don't get in my way too much."

Yuzuru is then guided in by Hsieh-Hsieh and flanked by four of the Consort Guard. Usually for ceremonial purpose, the Guard is actually acting as one tonight as the warriors, from the Stag, Dragon, Lion and Spider Clans, are fully armed and armoured.

[Jiyo Sora]

Fox Walks

Phi narrowed her eyes at Hsieh-Hsieh, pointed to her pupils, then forked her fingers at the fox

Next time

[Togashi Satsuki]

Yuzuru is then guided in by Hsieh-Hsieh and flanked by four of the Consort Guard. Usually for ceremonial purpose, the Guard is actually acting as one tonight as the warriors, from the Stag, Dragon, Lion and Spider Clans, are fully armed and armoured.

Pausing in her conversation with the others gathered, Satsuki takes time to bow to the consort and his escort.

"Honored uncle, the most esteemed Hsieh-Hsieh, I'm so happy you could make it, considering how troubled today has been. Please enjoy yourselves with the refreshments we have here, and take a moment to unwind with the performances. Everyone is really giving it their all to brighten this otherwise dark day."

[Makime Ayano]

"Oh, I like singing too. And the perk of being a good singer is that you always have your instrument with you, eh?" She smirked. And seeing Phi looking at the instruments for one to choose, she slid her own guqin over to the girl with a knowing smile.

"For me... I like instruments more than singing because it's kind of like a challenge, hm? It requires quick thinking and memorizing the movements, and your hands - especially the fingers - need to keep up with that memory. As for why I prefer the guqin over the flute, I just like the complexity of the sounds you can get, as the strings provide a great range of melodies and layers the more skilled a performer is."

Ayano looked at the instrument, currently being played by Phi, "How long did it take you to get skilled with it...the notes are a combination of plucking and pressing the strings taut?"

She noticed the holes, "...oh there is an echo chamber in the instrument?"

[Yuzuru]

Yuzuru smiled at the Dragon princess as she greeted him.

"Satsuki, thank you for this. Something sorely needed after today."

He let the fox lead him to an out of the way corner that the guards approved of, something Yuzuru noted.

"I see you've thrown in with the guarding requirement then, Old Friend?"

There was a very curt growl in response, but the fox did thump his tail at Phi.

[Wu Ko]

Hikaru turned, his eyebrows going up. "Good evening, Wu-san." He said, giving her a slight bow; no disrespect intended, but she was standing close, and he didn't want to headbutt her. His lips shifted at yet another example of Dragon disregard for personal space.

Again, he glanced quickly around. "I am not surprised to see you perform." He said to her once he'd refocused. "So many of your Clan does. Your charge seems to be enjoying herself very much, for instance." He cast a quick look Satsuki's way, lips curling up into a slight smile.

A brief smile, though strained in its way. Looking to him, registering the bow, and mimicking the gesture. A glance elsewhere she finds Satsuki around. Looking forward she straightens. Closing her eyes she inhales deeply and exhales slowly. Eyes opening she focuses on Hikaru anew, a brief smile again.

"She does," she says, a smile but one that faded as the curiosity furrowed her brow and she focuses on him briefly. Passing the thought she settles. "I am. I have not performed, that that. In front of people," she says, her voice softer and more meek in the presence of so many. "Satsuki said it would be fun. It is."

[Togashi Satsuki]

Yuzuru smiled at the Dragon princess as she greeted him.

"Satsuki, thank you for this. Something sorely needed after today."

He let the fox lead him to an out of the way corner that the guards approved of, something Yuzuru noted.

"I see you've thrown in with the guarding requirement then, Old Friend?"

There was a very curt growl in response, but the fox did thump his tail at Phi.

"Yes, I think so too... the mood in here is much lighter, all things considered." Something she at least believed could be felt, since it seemed like people were more than interested in something light-hearted to get their bearings after today. "Please, enjoy yourselves."

Taking responsibility in personally providing refreshments for the consort and the glorious Hsieh-Hsieh, Satsuki trusted the old fox to approve of it before anything was given to Yuzuru.

Once the consort's and the royal fox's needs was seen to, Satsuki returned to Ayano's side.

Ayano looked at the instrument, currently being played by Phi, "How long did it take you to get skilled with it...the notes are a combination of plucking and pressing the strings taut?"

She noticed the holes, "...oh there is an echo chamber in the instrument?"

"My apologies for leaving your side, Makime-san," a bow. She expected Ayano to understand of course. "We were talking about the instrument, yes? As for me... it took me a couple of years to get the proper hang of it, playing something more than just the most basic melodies. My instrument was a gift from my aunt Lady Shinjo, for my gempukku. I think my mother let her know that it was an instrument I enjoyed."

Having said this, she pointed out some of the subtle carving on the instrument's side, which seemed to depict ki-rin in motion - maybe dancing. " And yes, there is a vibration chamber that enforces the sounds. The strings are actually made of twisted silk, perhaps even from the lands of your family?"

[Nozomi]

Nozomi was not long after Yuzuru in arriving among the others, settling down and bringing out her old clay flute that she'd carried since childhood. The old, cheap and well weathered thing had a sound that wasn't quite the same as the shakuhachi flutes, sonorous and hollow in a way. She looked almost sad as she played it, as she always did. It was a sound of long ago, one that hinted that there were things passing away, disappearing into the past, fading into memory.

She smiled at others, though, afterwards and relaxed, seemingly at ease in the evening's festivities. "This was a good idea," her daughter said, and she could only nod in agreement.

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PM or quote, free to approach!

[Doji Hikaru]

A brief smile, though strained in its way. Looking to him, registering the bow, and mimicking the gesture. A glance elsewhere she finds Satsuki around. Looking forward she straightens. Closing her eyes she inhales deeply and exhales slowly. Eyes opening she focuses on Hikaru anew, a brief smile again.

"She does," she says, a smile but one that faded as the curiosity furrowed her brow and she focuses on him briefly. Passing the thought she settles. "I am. I have not performed, that that. In front of people," she says, her voice softer and more meek in the presence of so many. "Satsuki said it would be fun. It is."

Just as with their previous conversation, Hikaru watched her curiously. "I am glad you enjoyed yourself." He said, giving her the slightest of smiles.

Frowning, Hikaru leaned a little closer. Then he paused, considering. "I am glad to see you here." He finally said, with a gentle nod. Right, Satsuki had said she was teaching Ko to be social. Perhaps encouragement would help.

[Bayushi Kogi]

Misaki walks up to the Scorpion and resists poking her before clearing her throat so the woman might hear here over the koto, "Good evening, Scoprion-san. You seemed a bit tired, but your performance was wonderful never-the-less."

Ooooo, Scorpy!

Sora, having yet to ctually have a chat with any of the Scorpion present at Court, approached Kogi and awaited acknowledgment.

Kogi bows to Misaki, the red silk veil brushing the strings of her koto for a moment. "Oh, thank you, Crane-san. It's kind of you to say so. I'm sure you can tell I'm quite an amateur."

She notices Sora and inclines a bow in his direction as well. "Good evening, Jiyo-sama."

[Hisomu Matsu]

"Hai, most pleasant," Kawauso says with a smile. "Giving it your whole energy would fit right in with my people. The, ah, more restrained versions of things like sumai that are practiced by some clans... They feel a bit foreign," she admits.

"In another time, I might have found a home with your people. I know many of the tribe my father hailed from followed Lord Akodo." She replied back, beaming to Kawauso. "We have one life to live, and we must do so fully. With ones whole heart."

[Akodo Kawauso]

"In another time, I might have found a home with your people. I know many of the tribe my father hailed from followed Lord Akodo." She replied back, beaming to Kawauso. "We have one life to live, and we must do so fully. With ones whole heart."

The Lion nods. "One's whole heart," she repeats. "Um. I think it will be my turn soon, but if I might ask, how do you do that? Unleashing your whole heart when there are so many rules about how, and when..." The look that Kawauso gives Matsu is like that of a younger sibling, looking up at their idolized older sibling.

[Hisomu Matsu]

The Lion nods. "One's whole heart," she repeats. "Um. I think it will be my turn soon, but if I might ask, how do you do that? Unleashing your whole heart when there are so many rules about how, and when..." The look that Kawauso gives Matsu is like that of a younger sibling, looking up at their idolized older sibling.

"In your art. How one plays. How poems are made." She nodded, then gave a wink to the smaller woman. "And say forget the rules when needed. Allow yourself to feel. I've... always struggled with keeping my passions in check, but, I never run or hide them. I allow myself to just exist in the moment, and do what I can to let it matter."

[Doji Misaki]

-snip-

-snip-

Misaki bows in return then gives one to Sora as well, "Hello to you as well, Jiyo-san."

She turns back to Kogi, "Jiyo-san and I have met, but I should introduce myself for your sake; Misaki of Lady Doji-sama's Crane. For what it's worth, I did not think your first performance was amatuerish at all, though you did not seem to have your heart in an encore."

Introducing herself as a Crane felt... different today, certainly. But she would never hide who she was, whatever may happen now or in the future

[Akodo Kawauso]

"In your art. How one plays. How poems are made." She nodded, then gave a wink to the smaller woman. "And say forget the rules when needed. Allow yourself to feel. I've... always struggled with keeping my passions in check, but, I never run or hide them. I allow myself to just exist in the moment, and do what I can to let it matter."

"That is helpful," Kawauso says. Then, in a quieter voice, she adds: "I didn't use to worry so much about it. But here... All the clans, all these rules... I wouldn't want to stay here, but if I go and there's no one to speak for my people back home..." Again she looks at the taller woman. "Maybe rules on top of rules forever."