[D4, EN] Sisterly Meeting (closed)

[Nanzi Ananzihime]

Anazihime waited for her sister to arrive. She wanted to speak with her about something, so she waited with tea at the ready. Hadananzi was... elsewhere, as was often the case. Busy politicking or doing something for the Clan, no doubt.

[Doji Dojihime]

Mother said that one must be prepared to do what must be done at all times, life does not rest just because one is tired. Duty superseded such transitory notions. Of course that also meant that one must be presentable at all times, something that even Dojihime struggled with at the best of times.

This was one of those times, a long day of being seen, politicking, and trying to advance the fortunes of the clan while also protecting those she held dear.

She had returned to her chambers to change her outfit from the Stag party to something more formal and yet informal at the same time, she wore layers of silk, but also allowed her hair to be more relaxed… well relaxed for her, but still of course presentable. It was a subtle thing that took years of watching her mother to achieve, and even still she felt it did not come naturally.

The servants announced her presence to her sister as she arrived promptly, not fashionably late as was her usual.

[Nanzi Ananzihime]

"Please, come in," Anazihime greeted, the servants opening the door. Seat was hot and waiting on the table as she rose and bowed to her sister. "Good evening, sister. Please, sit. It must have been a long day for you."

[Doji Dojihime]

“It was productive more than long,” she responded as she entered the room.

Dojihime dismissed her servants and then said, “I should be asking you that, too many people have been asking me to give good tidings to my wayward sister, on top of having to deal with covering for dear mother… there is no time to rest.”

She didn’t sit immediately as she said, “I think it would be helpful if you take a seat so I can tend to your hair, not that you look unsightly but it would be nice to have some normalcy and to be honest I do miss those quiet moments of our childhood. I promise it won’t end in disaster like… well never mind that.”

“Now, sit, I won’t take no for an answer,” she said with a warm smile.

[Nanzi Ananzihime]

She chuckled at the memory as she sat at her sister's insistence, glancing over her shoulder. "Oh, I remember. We tried so hard to get my hair back in order before Mother found us." Looking toward the table she added, "Speaking of normalcy, at least let me pour you some tea. I brought some of your favorite from home."

[Doji Dojihime]

She chuckled at the memory as she sat at her sister's insistence, glancing over her shoulder. "Oh, I remember. We tried so hard to get my hair back in order before Mother found us." Looking toward the table she added, "Speaking of normalcy, at least let me pour you some tea. I brought some of your favorite from home."

"Oh, that would be lovely," she said at the thought of the tea as she tried to keep from laughing at the thought of their childhood mishaps.

"It's good to see you, I feel so alone sometimes, which seems a silly thing to say surrounded by so many cousins and friends."

[Nanzi Ananzihime]

Ananzihime paoured it gracefully and handed the cup over to her sister. "I know that feeling... My room is always open to you."

[Doji Dojihime]

Ananzihime paoured it gracefully and handed the cup over to her sister. "I know that feeling... My room is always open to you."

“Thank you, but I should not burden you with my company overly much, especially being newlywed and all. I spoke with your dear husband and he has promised me to be more attentive to you and spend more time with you or I will know the reason why, I hope that will help your mood?” she offered.

She drank and savored the flavor before adding, “I just want you both to be happy, leave me to do the work and you two enjoy this time. I’ll handle the troublesome folks, like that Bat, and keep them away from you both, nothing but trouble and ill tidings from that one. He had the nerve to viciously imply that Mother was literally dying, sure her… condition is less than good but to so viciously announce such in Court, scandalous.”

“Of course I handled it with grace, and sent a rather pointed letter to our cousin and his superior to handle the matter discreetly, I do not like that one…” she finished before taking another sip of tea.

“I love this blend, soothing. Speaking of Mother she… she sends her best,” she added though she was unsure if she should go any further than that as her condition had only gotten worse as far as she could tell. Hopefully father would find a solution, this must hurt him deeply to watch his dear wife become such… she put the thought aside.

“Oh… our talks with the Lion proceed well, I am hoping we can bring them into the Bakufu soon, I should not count my chickens before they have hatched but I sense we are finding common ground and the play is coming together well too,” she said finally finished.

[Nanzi Ananzihime]

"Thank you, though I apologize that you were burned by my troubles."

Ananzihime raised her eyebrows at the description. "I see. You paint an... evocative picture of the proceedings. It could've been approached more discreetly, but I wonder if he may just be concerned and coming about it poorly. Not everyone received their education in etiquette from the mistress of the art herself."

"Planning five steps ahead in the political realm, as always, hmm?"

[Doji Dojihime]

She considered that response; someone had to look to the future, father was absorbed with his work on protecting the clan and the alliance and mother… well mother was drawing scribbles and poetry that made no sense and that seemed to be the only thing she cared about so it fell to her to keep the Clan moving forward. She finally said, “I am trying, at best I might be two or three steps ahead in my mind, and in reality, I feel one step behind at the best of times.”

“You are right, not everyone did… I forget that and have been quick to judge lately but it can be difficult with all the responsibilities we have to the Clan and our families. I… we must be perfect in public, it is expected, demanded of me… us, at all times. Weakness, even perceived weakness, as father likes to rant about cannot be tolerated. I wish I could be tired, but not even that is an option,” she said with a wistful sigh.

She produced her brush and said, “Here let me tend to you, and we can pretend for a little while such concerns are ten thousand miles away. You can tell me what’s on your mind and not have to listen to me whine about things that won’t change.”

[Nanzi Ananzihime]

She smiled and turned where she sat to give her sister access to her hair. "You can be as tired as you feel the need around only me. I'm always happy to lend an ear, you know that. You bear the greatest burden of us, though I'll shoulder what of it I can."

"As for what is on my mind... Planning for the future of my family... on the small and large scale. Dealing with Hadananzi." She sighed and added. "Trying to find the fan you gave me. I don't remember it being anywhere but on my person and in its place since we arrived, but it was gone yesterday,"

[Doji Dojihime]

"Dealing with brother sounds... ominous, what do you mean? Is he being a cad again?" she said with a commiserating sigh. When she mentioned the fan she grew a bit more concerned as she knew well that her sister would not be parted from it willingly. She expressed concern and said, "Gone... I can help you look for it dear sister."

She started brushing her hair lightly as she considered where the fan could have gone or worse, was taken to.

[Nanzi Ananzihime]

"I wonder if he missed the letter that he got married sometimes. I trust Father's arrangement, I think we just might need time to... settle into this change."

"I've turned the room upside-down looking for it. I can't imagine where else to look," she replied softly. "I apologize."

[Doji Dojihime]

“You don’t have to apologize, maybe it will still turn up yet and more importantly I have a reason to give you another fan,” she said trying to find a silver lining to the cloud.

When it came to her husband she sighed and said, “I have given him my… opinion on his conduct and my expectations of fulfilling his Duty to you and the Clan. I hope it helps to improve his focus. If not well, as some of the older courtiers have noted one can find… companionship in dear, dear friends.”

“But I will give prayers to grandmother that your marriage is one that fosters Love and respect,” she said honestly.

[Nanzi Ananzihime]

"I should paint one for you, as well."

She concealed a chuckle behind her hand at the suggestion. "I appreciate you coming to my aid. I still have hope it won't come to that."

"Have you been considering your own marriage yet?"

[Doji Dojihime]

“And overshadow yours, I think you have bought me a few more years of leisure on this matter,” she said with a light laugh. She sighed as she brushed and said, “I am helping Auntie Kinsen with Genji-kun in finding him a suitable spouse and it’s given me leave to consider that I think I want to take my time on the matter or as much as our honored parents will allow before they are moved by the sheer scandal of my situation.”

“It would be… ideal, to have something approaching what our parents enjoyed. What I hope you have in your store for you once dear brother gets the sternly worded letter from me,” she teased.

“I do want to be a mother one day, I just need to find a worthy father that meets my exacting demands.”

[Nanzi Ananzihime]

"Meeting your exacting standards, hmm? So you're saying you might never get married," she teased gently.

"A loving marriage would be nice. Cousin Genji... How is that going? Have you found anyone that might fit?"

[Doji Dojihime]

"Never getting married could be quite the fashion statement."

"As for our mighty Stag, I found a Crab that I like, Yoshitsune Chizu. A warrior but with sense of mind to speak well and carry herself with proper dignity. There is a Lion as well but she has a rougher reputation and manner that I find... concerning. Naturally she seems to be the one he likes, but then again who knows what goes on in his head. I just want someone that would fit well with him and that Kinsen-obasan would find a suitable daughter," she finished.

[Nanzi Ananzihime]

Nanzihime considered what she was saying, expression thoughtful. "I suppose, with both yourself and Genji-san, you are contributing to establishing precedent. The Kami married according to how they felt, but they are the Kami - the same standards don't apply for everyone. Other samurai and future generations will be looking to our marriages or lack thereof to set standards for how to approach marriage."

[Doji Dojihime]

"It's more than that though, marriage is a union of peoples. If we can unite disparate groups without bloodshed, then it is our Duty to do so," she responded.

"If we were not responsible for so much then we could do as we want but, that is not the case. In some cases it might be possible but in many others, the demands of our families and clans will have to be considered. Love comes second to Duty, perhaps not the most romantic gesture but it is the correct one."