[D1, LE] The Wedding Reception (Open, Event)

[Bayushi Kogi]

"Silk is for formal occasions, isn't it? And red is my lord's house color, along with black." The thin fabric over her nose puffs out in what might be an almost silent laugh or sigh. "Black is grim for a wedding, though."

Genji nodded in understanding. "Certainly, your reasoning is flawless, as is your presentation Bayushi-san." He focused hard, finally finding her eyes, and trying to focus there. "I am just, I must admit, confused. You seem to have draped yourself in silk, and is this a new fashion trend I am unaware of? Where no patch of bare skin is visible, not even our faces?"

This time there definitely is a soft laugh behind the veil. "My lord Bayushi wore just this kind of cloth mask at the great tournament twenty years ago. If some of us choose to imitate him, he indulges us."

[Hantei Genji]

"Silk is for formal occasions, isn't it? And red is my lord's house color, along with black." The thin fabric over her nose puffs out in what might be an almost silent laugh or sigh. "Black is grim for a wedding, though."

Genji nodded in understanding. "Certainly, your reasoning is flawless, as is your presentation Bayushi-san." He focused hard, finally finding her eyes, and trying to focus there. "I am just, I must admit, confused. You seem to have draped yourself in silk, and is this a new fashion trend I am unaware of? Where no patch of bare skin is visible, not even our faces?"

This time there definitely is a soft laugh behind the veil. "My lord Bayushi wore just this kind of cloth mask at the great tournament twenty years ago. If some of us choose to imitate him, he indulges us."

"My uncle is certainly a dramatic man, so I am not surprised someone with such excessive tastes chose to follow him."
He smiled, briefly glanced at his mother. "Do you always wear some kind of covering of a similar nature?"

[Bayushi Kogi]

"My uncle is certainly a dramatic man, so I am not surprised someone with such excessive tastes chose to follow him."
He smiled, briefly glanced at his mother. "Do you always wear some kind of covering of a similar nature?"

"Far be it from me to contradict my lord's blood relative, but... I think Bayushi-kami is a very practical man. I've always found him so." She glances down at her hands for a moment, slips something out of her sash--a bamboo folding fan, as it emerges--then looks back up at Genji, thin fingers toying with the closed fan. "Yes, I am more comfortable this way. Sometimes I wonder why everyone doesn't prefer it." Another quiet laugh floats from behind the silk.

[Ryoshun Rei]

"Answers? And are the answers the Void gives of much use, or do they usually only raise more questions?"

"Questions can be useful." she chuckled. "The Void can be a bit more cryptic than the elemental kami. That is true. But, it can also be helpful when communicating with restless spirits."

[Isawa Kyosei]

"Interesting. It has taken me years to get to the point where I might understand most of the kami. And even now, I have trouble with the Air spirits. And the Void is even more confusing? Never have I been more grateful not to have that gift!" He shakes his head ruefully. "Do you have any affinity for regular elemental spirits, or only the Void, and non-elemental spirits?"

[Ryoshun Rei]

"I can interact with the elements at the basic level, but nothing beyond that." she explained. "I've seen what my sister Agasha can do and have been envious at times."

[Isawa Kyosei]

"Yes, but do you think your sister also feels a bit of envy seeing what you can do? None are the same, not even the Kami. So, feel no troubling with the envy, so long as you do not allow it to control your actions."

[Ryoshun Rei]

""It's a mutual admiration, really." she smiled. "You're right, though. We're all different. My brother is a skilled smith and our younger sister will no doubt find her own unique path."

[Isawa Kyosei]

"hmm. Yes. My own children are like that. My oldest boy, Ounan, doesn't ever want to travel, being happy enough overseeing the mine, while my daughter seems happy enough as a mother. The youngest, Anteruen, is still studying, and hasn't figured out exactly what his plans are going to be."

His brow wrinkles for a moment. "With the elemental spirits, we have to give a gift, mostly of lifeblood. Is that also true for the Void, or calling on non-elemental spirits?"

[Ryoshun Rei]

She nodded. "The sacrifice is the same for the Void. The other spirits don't require it, and it isn't wise to offer lifeblood to some, but it can be helpful to offer something they can connect with."

[Hisomu Fumi]

"Perhaps." Hikaru said politely. After a moment, he smiled, just the tiniest bit. "Although the Spider do not lack for warriors to teach you. Hisomu Matsu has earned great fame, and I caught sight of her presenting a gift. She is a paragon of both Bushido and the blade."

"I didn't realize she was so tall." He added, more indifferently.

"It is true, Matsu-sama is a great warrior...and quite tall." The smallest giggle escaped her. "However, I would not mind spending more time in your company, if only you would allow it. As I mentioned, this is my first time outside of Spider lands and it feels a waste to not engage with other Clans."

[Isawa Kyosei]

She nodded. "The sacrifice is the same for the Void. The other spirits don't require it, and it isn't wise to offer lifeblood to some, but it can be helpful to offer something they can connect with."

"Interesting. It brings up questions some of us have been asking for years now. Are there any things that we can offer the elemental spirits other than lifeblood, that they might accept, or even prefer? I don't suppose you know of any that have researched that?"

[Ryoshun Rei]

"Interesting. It brings up questions some of us have been asking for years now. Are there any things that we can offer the elemental spirits other than lifeblood, that they might accept, or even prefer? I don't suppose you know of any that have researched that?"

"I know Agasha was working on something with someone from the Shinjo." she said. "I never met him, but she mentioned that he and some others were developing something like that."

[Isawa Kyosei]

"Yes, I am one of those so working. I was hoping she had sent news here, but from your words, it sounds like there has been little progress as of yet."

[Doji Hikaru]

"It is true, Matsu-sama is a great warrior...and quite tall." The smallest giggle escaped her. "However, I would not mind spending more time in your company, if only you would allow it. As I mentioned, this is my first time outside of Spider lands and it feels a waste to not engage with other Clans."

"Very tall." Hikaru nodded, almost smiling.

He hesitated a moment, and then inclined his head. "If time permits. With the wedding done, most guests are expected to depart shortly, and I am no exception." He frowned. "Weather permitting, of course. It seems to be taking a turn for the worse."

[Hisomu Fumi]

"Very tall." Hikaru nodded, almost smiling.

He hesitated a moment, and then inclined his head. "If time permits. With the wedding done, most guests are expected to depart shortly, and I am no exception." He frowned. "Weather permitting, of course. It seems to be taking a turn for the worse."

"I assume the delegations will at least stay tomorrow, if the snow keeps up all night. Perhaps, we can find somewhere warm to talk or practice before we leave?" Fumi frowned, "hopefully the storm won't be too bad." She shivered inwardly, looking a little nervous.

[Ryoshun Rei]

"Yes, I am one of those so working. I was hoping she had sent news here, but from your words, it sounds like there has been little progress as of yet."

"I don't see as much of her as I would like. We've both been busy adjusting to our roles in the clan. I do find the idea very interesting and look forward to seeing what develops."

[Isawa Kyosei]

"Is there enough similarity between elemental spirit-speaking, and calling on the Void, that you can also benefit, should we succeed further?"

[Ryoshun Rei]

"I believe so." she nodded. "While it is a different experience, there are enough similarities and parallels to make them fundamentally the same."

[Isawa Kyosei]

"Have you let your sister know that? It sounds like it might be an important fact, and if she doesn't know, it could be affecting the workings."