The room was ready for the visitors once more. This time only the Consort and the Fox occupied the dais.

Assuming he wasn't lodged in a bear's digestive tract, Sora arrived in his usual simple attire.

[In theory, he'll request permission to report on the morning's hunt, but until we know how that goes, he's in Schrodinger's Imperial mode]

The Emperor not being present didn't mean Hikaru wasn't going to be there. Nor was he going to be any less impeccably dressed than usual.

He did give Hsieh-Hsieh a curious look. Was the stick anywhere to be seen?

The Fox gave the Crane an imperious look, and then nudged the stick out from under his tail.

Nozomi, Mayumi at her side, bowed before the consort before slipping into a quiet spot out of the main body, waiting for the time that she would be called. Her robes were wrapped tightly to conceal any wounds from the fight in the morning, and she was maintaining a more stoic appearance than usual. Her daughter remained quiet at her side for once, curiously looking around at those in attendance.

(OOC: Nozomi is similarly a Schroedinger's Monk within the Court. In theory she is present in case the Consort wishes to ask of events and give an account, but until that information is finalized, she is present only if she survives/is in condition for court.)

(If you wish to approach, please quote me and Private Message. Just be aware that the Early Morning Event thread is being finalized.)

Hikaru gave a minute sigh, resigned. It was not the first defeat he'd suffered. It was the first defeat at the hands of a fox. Or, paws.

Perhaps next time would be different...

Kyosei entered the audience hall, and bowed to the Dais. He looked at the so far scarce numbers, then made his way to a wall.

Sasori as well joined the court proceedings. She looked at the fox on the Dais and smiled.

Satsuki was probably committing some social faux invented by the Crane by wearing the same outfit she had worn the day before, but honestly she thought that opinion could go jump into the frozen river. Her clothes were still clean and not smelly, thank you very much! They could be worn again - no need to pester the poor servants to clean something that had only been worn once.

She stopped to bow to Yuzuru and Hsieh-Hsieh, lingering for a moment in thought, before moving to the side so as to not stand in anyone's way.

A wave was given to the familiar faces of Sora and Hikaru at least.

Togashi Satsuki wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 14, 2021 12:50 am

A wave was given to the familiar faces of Sora and Hikaru at least.

Nozomi, noticing Shirayuki's child again, rose and approached, bowing. One thing they shared in common was a certain taste in keeping their clothes... consistent. She didn't see the point in having more in her possession than she absolutely needed. How familiar she truly was depended upon how one thought of it. Two of the woman's children were with the Saru all the time now, and she only saw them when she could visit, but for the last many years she and Mayumi had begun to wander in their work. Still, she knew of the girl and still thought fondly of her family.

"Togashi-sama," she said, bowing. "You seem unoccupied. May I join you, if I am not interrupting anything?" Mayumi managed a bow, but waved. the young girl was far closer to the other's age, even if she was still not quite an adult yet.

Nozomi wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 14, 2021 12:58 am

"Togashi-sama," she said, bowing. "You seem unoccupied. May I join you, if I am not interrupting anything?" Mayumi managed a bow, but waved. the young girl was far closer to the other's age, even if she was still not quite an adult yet.

"No interruption at all..." she paused for a moment, searching Nozomi's face. "... I am very certain I have seen you before in Great Falls, even if not introduced. I'm Togashi Satsuki. A pleasure to meet you both!"

"I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do here in court most of the time, so... I just sit and drink tea. Talk with whoever comes along. What about you guys?"

Togashi Satsuki wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 14, 2021 1:05 am

"No interruption at all..." she paused for a moment, searching Nozomi's face. "... I am very certain I have seen you before in Great Falls, even if not introduced. I'm Togashi Satsuki. A pleasure to meet you both!"

"I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do here in court most of the time, so... I just sit and drink tea. Talk with whoever comes along. What about you guys?"

She smiled as she settled down into a seat. "You are Shirayuki's child, are you not? Yes, I am certain we've seen each other, though I fear I was always busy in your family's lands whenever I was there." And Shirayuki had been careful about making sure that people weren't too close to Mayumi so as to increase questions. "I am Nozomi, of the Order of Heroes, and this is my daughter Mayumi. It's good to be formally introduced."

Mayumi chuckled a little and looked up at her mother. "We usually don't come to court, Togashi-sama. Only if we have something to report," or they were trapped here because of a snow embankment. Nozomi nodded in turn to her daughter.

"She is right. We are usually busy traveling or working from one of the few monasteries. When we are here... I suppose I talk with those who seek me out until I am called upon for some reason."

Sora smiled and waved back to Satsuki, before advancing to the front of the dais and awaiting acknowledgment.

From the fox.

Hikaru returned Satsuki's wave with a slow nod and the barest hint of a smile.

And then he returned to his silent watching.

Rei entered and bowed respectfully, before finding her place.

Ryoshun Rei wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 14, 2021 1:40 am

Rei entered and bowed respectfully, before finding her place.

Frowning thoughtfully, Hikaru made his way over to the young woman.

"Ryoshun Rei-sama, if I'm not mistaken?" Hikaru bowed. "My name is Doji Hikaru. Kakika-san is an old friend of mine." He said by way of introduction.

Tsubaki once more circulated and made her rounds after offering a proper greeting to the Consort.

(Interactions welcome, PM or quote if approaching)

Ayano was present for court in her silken attire. But for now seemed content to not approach anyone directly.

Doji Hikaru wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 14, 2021 2:30 am

Frowning thoughtfully, Hikaru made his way over to the young woman.

"Ryoshun Rei-sama, if I'm not mistaken?" Hikaru bowed. "My name is Doji Hikaru. Kakika-san is an old friend of mine." He said by way of introduction.

"Good morning, Doji-san." she returned the bow. "I hope your day has been pleasing so far. I am indeed Ryoshun Rei."

Akodo Moshi takes a position by the side of Ayano-sama, letting her take the leads in whatever negotiations are needed while she takes some time to observe what is going on.