[D4, EA] Imperial Court, Part 2 (Open, Event)

[Doji Tsubaki]

"You flatter me, this time," Gusai replies. "I've made no study of such arts, though I don't scorn them. But it is known that the Crane excel in them; I defer to expertise."

His smile quirks, and he adds "I imagine you are quite studied, yourself."

"I will admit poetry is not my forte though I can manage it passably when I must. I've always been drawn more to performance than to the more internal arts."

[Otomo Gusai]

"I will admit poetry is not my forte though I can manage it passably when I must. I've always been drawn more to performance than to the more internal arts."

"There are many types of performance," Gusai notes. "Would there be a chance to see one from you while we are here? I cannot but think it would be a glorious thing."

His eye seems to gleam a bit at that.

[Doji Tsubaki]

"There are many types of performance," Gusai notes. "Would there be a chance to see one from you while we are here? I cannot but think it would be a glorious thing."

His eye seems to gleam a bit at that.

Another laugh from behind the fan, "I would say I am more a dabbler, I do not wish to raise false expectations, but I suppose something of the sort might be arranged."

[Otomo Gusai]

Another laugh from behind the fan, "I would say I am more a dabbler, I do not wish to raise false expectations, but I suppose something of the sort might be arranged."

"There is much to be said for a breadth of experience," Gusai volleys back. "Sailing several courses gives the opportunity to see more of the beauty of the world, after all."

[Doji Tsubaki]

"There is much to be said for a breadth of experience," Gusai volleys back. "Sailing several courses gives the opportunity to see more of the beauty of the world, after all."

The fan reveals a coy smile, "Well I certainly would never disagree with an experienced sailor like yourself."

[Otomo Gusai]

The fan reveals a coy smile, "Well I certainly would never disagree with an experienced sailor like yourself."

Gusai's single eye blinks rapidly--no, that one was a wink.

"Certainly there are some beauties that merit close, repeated attention," he says. "And each is to be appreciated as itself, whatever may or may not have happened before.

"Although it does not hurt to know how to approach such." His hands turn, palms up, and spread away from his torso.

[Shiba]

*snip*

"Interesting..." The Emperor rubbed his chin. "A point of debate I may wish to see the conclusion of. Thank you, Bayushi-san."

As there didn't seem to be any one else approaching the Emperor now, Satsuki approached the dais of her two uncles and most honored vulpine-guardian, stopping to bow and await acknowledgement.

Even she knew that much on how to behave in court.

Shiba nodded with a warm smile to Satsuki. "Welcome, Togashi-san. I hope your father is doing well? What brings you before me?"

[Togashi Satsuki]

Shiba nodded with a warm smile to Satsuki. "Welcome, Togashi-san. I hope your father is doing well? What brings you before me?"

Satsuki bowed once more as she was acknowledged to approach. "Honored Emperor, and honored Imperial Consort, and most esteemed vulpine protector; Hsieh-Hsieh. My father and mother were both in good health when I left home and asked me to offer their well-wishes for you both and all of the family."

"I wish to offer to you both and Hsieh-Hsieh-sama a personal invitation to a gathering I will be hosting with my kin in two days time; a forum for sharing and speaking about matters of the elements and theories surrounding the elemental magic practiced in your Empire, esteemed uncle. Still there is much wisdom and knowledge to be shared between the clans, with many traditions of the old tribes meeting eachother under the new banner of the clans - hopefully such an open debate will also allow us to remember the ways of the past that have shaped the many people in the Empire to who they are today."

Another bow. "It would be an honor to have your august presence with us, but we will understand if duty calls you elsewhere." There, polite opt-out provided as well. You didn't make demands of uncle Shiba, and not of uncle Yuzuru either!


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OOC: * = Day 6, Late Morning.

[Hadananzi]

“Now, with the serious matter dealt with do catch me up on who is of interest to speak with and who I should avoid… and I value Honesty. I don’t wish to waste my time with dullards,” she said with a smirk from behind her fan.

"In all truth, I've not spoken to many since the courts began. Makime-san is the one who has received most of my available time, though there was a brief discussion on philosophy with a monk by the name of Kuu. I do not think you'd enjoy discourse with him, honestly."

[Doji Dojihime]

"In all truth, I've not spoken to many since the courts began. Makime-san is the one who has received most of my available time, though there was a brief discussion on philosophy with a monk by the name of Kuu. I do not think you'd enjoy discourse with him, honestly."

Monks sounded dreadfully boring so she just nodded in agreement. She then added, "Well I suppose I had not missed as much as I thought. I did enjoy speaking with Jiyo Sora, he isn't what I expected but still about as father described. What did the monk have to say on philosophy?"

[Hadananzi]

Monks sounded dreadfully boring so she just nodded in agreement. She then added, "Well I suppose I had not missed as much as I thought. I did enjoy speaking with Jiyo Sora, he isn't what I expected but still about as father described. What did the monk have to say on philosophy?"

"He was from the Order of Heroes and spoke of inspiring heroism in others. It seems he believes that a hero can be anyone, and that the capacity for such can be inspired in others through witnessing heroic behavior. His definition of heroism was a bit strange, though, citing simple acts as being potentially heroic." Hadananzi shook his head slowly. "My head spins just thinking about the conversation."

[Doji Dojihime]

"He was from the Order of Heroes and spoke of inspiring heroism in others. It seems he believes that a hero can be anyone, and that the capacity for such can be inspired in others through witnessing heroic behavior. His definition of heroism was a bit strange, though, citing simple acts as being potentially heroic." Hadananzi shook his head slowly. "My head spins just thinking about the conversation."

"I don't get it, even from that brief explanation," she said honestly.

"Perhaps they misconstrue being charitable and working towards good order as great acts of heroism when it is simply doing what makes for an ordered society. Who can say?"

[Hadananzi]

"I don't get it, even from that brief explanation," she said honestly.

"Perhaps they misconstrue being charitable and working towards good order as great acts of heroism when it is simply doing what makes for an ordered society. Who can say?"

"Indeed. What's more, this Kuu can evidently heat his body up to the point that he could melt snow around himself, but such techniques are restricted to those the order chooses to teach them to. There are any number of strange powers they might have at their disposal."

[Doji Dojihime]

"Indeed. What's more, this Kuu can evidently heat his body up to the point that he could melt snow around himself, but such techniques are restricted to those the order chooses to teach them to. There are any number of strange powers they might have at their disposal."

"How... esoteric," she mused.

She teased, "If I didn't know better, brother, I would think you are jealous. The great Lord Hadananzi humbled by a a monk in the snow."

[Hadananzi]

"How... esoteric," she mused.

She teased, "If I didn't know better, brother, I would think you are jealous. The great Lord Hadananzi humbled by a a monk in the snow."

Hadananzi's smile grew wry at the little jab. "You wound me, dear sister, suggesting that my humility needed such a blow. I merely find it strange that the order professes anyone may be a hero but still restricts their greater knowledge from the masses. A necessary hypocrisy maybe?" He waved a hand idly. "But enough of that topic, yes? We could spend all winter trying and failing to understand the monks."

[Doji Dojihime]

Hadananzi's smile grew wry at the little jab. "You wound me, dear sister, suggesting that my humility needed such a blow. I merely find it strange that the order professes anyone may be a hero but still restricts their greater knowledge from the masses. A necessary hypocrisy maybe?" He waved a hand idly. "But enough of that topic, yes? We could spend all winter trying and failing to understand the monks."

"Maybe you could, I think I would find better way to use my time, by doing anything else... even reading granary reports. Hypocrisy is rife through much of the Empire, why should monks be the exception?" she said from behind her fan.

"Knowledge is power and any with power seek to maintain it through any means, even when they profess otherwise. I do agree we have worked enough on that topic, have you a better suggestion dear brother or shall we wander until inspiration strikes us?"

[Hadananzi]

"Maybe you could, I think I would find better way to use my time, by doing anything else... even reading granary reports. Hypocrisy is rife through much of the Empire, why should monks be the exception?" she said from behind her fan.

"Knowledge is power and any with power seek to maintain it through any means, even when they profess otherwise. I do agree we have worked enough on that topic, have you a better suggestion dear brother or shall we wander until inspiration strikes us?"

Hadananzi mused on that for a moment before answering. "I should like to wander a bit and consider the many forms of art to which we can expose young Makime-san. Perhaps each of our delegation could demonstrate a different form for her, if they feel so inclined. I am just so excited by the opportunity, dear sister, it threatens to consume my thoughts."

[Wh'rr'kk]

The nezumi has again found himself a nice corner to chew on sticks as he listens to the court proceedings.

[Bayushi Sasori]

She nodded. "It sounds like something that should be looked into."

"Should we be thinking about this bear being a shikigami?" Sasori pondered. "White being the color of death."

[Ryoshun Rei]

She nodded. "It sounds like something that should be looked into."

"Should we be thinking about this bear being a shikigami?" Sasori pondered. "White being the color of death."

"It is a possibility, but it would be impossible to know without investigating further." she gave a slight shrug. "I can speak to Hantei-sama about it."