[D3 EA] Consort's Court Part One

[Doji Hikaru]

"For a spirit to remain after death? No, not common." she shook her head. "But, as you say, many people die, countless people over countless years. That leaves more spirits than one might expect."

Hikaru's eyebrows went up the slightest bit, and he smiled gently. "In fact, I have no idea what to expect. For all I know, we are surrounded by harmless spirits right now." His forehead creased, and he surreptitiously glanced around, as though suspecting a spirit of sneaking up on him.

Clearing his throat, he turned back to Rei. "If a spirit was... troubling someone..." He frowned deeply, uncertain of what exactly to say. "... how would you know? I mean, what would be the outward signs that someone like me might recognize?"

[Ryoshun Rei]

"We're safe. I checked. Well, I checked the garden, as there is something I'm considering doing. I'm sure the rest of the castle is safe." she shrugged. "You might hear inexplicable noises, like a whispering when no one else is around. You could feel a sudden chill. You might see bits of light floating in the air. Objects might move on their own. Perhaps you feel unexpectedly tired. There are many potential signs."

[Doji Hikaru]

"We're safe. I checked. Well, I checked the garden, as there is something I'm considering doing. I'm sure the rest of the castle is safe." she shrugged. "You might hear inexplicable noises, like a whispering when no one else is around. You could feel a sudden chill. You might see bits of light floating in the air. Objects might move on their own. Perhaps you feel unexpectedly tired. There are many potential signs."

Hikaru smiled, just a little. "Thank you, Ryoshun-sama." He said, bowing to her.

He pursed his lips, considering. "Do they ever make a person act strangely?"

[Ryoshun Rei]

Hikaru smiled, just a little. "Thank you, Ryoshun-sama." He said, bowing to her.

He pursed his lips, considering. "Do they ever make a person act strangely?"

"Hai." she nodded. "They can. Have you experienced anything unusual, Doji-san?"

[Doji Hikaru]

"Hai." she nodded. "They can. Have you experienced anything unusual, Doji-san?"

"Not me. Another." Hikaru's lips pressed tightly together a moment, and then he smiled. "Perhaps we might speak on the subject, Ryoshun-sama? I don't wish to discuss another's ailment in a public place."

He inclined his head. "Instead, as a Crane, I feel I would be remiss if I did not ask if you had other interests. The arts, or music, perhaps?"

[Ryoshun Rei]

She nodded. "Whenever you wish, we can speak of it further. As for interests, I like to build. I sculpt as well, but there is something about larger structures and the intricacies that hold them together that appeals to me."

[Doji Hikaru]

She nodded. "Whenever you wish, we can speak of it further. As for interests, I like to build. I sculpt as well, but there is something about larger structures and the intricacies that hold them together that appeals to me."

"Perhaps tomorrow, if you're available? And my old friend as well." Hikaru gave a brief bow.

Straightening, he offered her a brief smile. "Build? As in architecture? I've studied a bit of that. If only Doji Kakuro had been able to attend. Architecture is his specialty. Have you had the honor of meeting him, perchance?"

[Ryoshun Rei]

She shook her head. "I do not believe so. I haven't traveled far beyond Bat lands, other than to visit the Dragon and the Ki-Rin. Hopefully I can meet him in the future."

[Otomo Gusai]

"Yes and no... I am researching the realms of the spirits part of what had lead me here." She nodded. "I learned about animals and spirits from my parents..." She looked towards the carvings. "That is quite interesting Mother told me about a carving man I think he was from the Hikaru tribe."

"May I ask, then," Gusai says, "who your esteemed mother is? I do not know the O-iemoto myself, but some of his students are friends, and they might be interested in learning of such a person."

His eye glances about, taking in the scene--and he does note the exchange and a strange hand-sign at the dais.

Wonder what that's all about, he thinks.

[Bayushi Sasori]

"May I ask, then," Gusai says, "who your esteemed mother is? I do not know the O-iemoto myself, but some of his students are friends, and they might be interested in learning of such a person."

His eye glances about, taking in the scene--and he does note the exchange and a strange hand-sign at the dais.

Wonder what that's all about, he thinks.

Sasori shook her head. "My apologies Otomo sama it was a Carver from the Seppun tribes. My mother's former name was Ikara from the Chinsei tribe. She became Bayushi no Kami's cat." She shook her head again "She isn't a glorious woman but well she is still around."

[Otomo Gusai]

Sasori shook her head. "My apologies Otomo sama it was a Carver from the Seppun tribes. My mother's former name was Ikara from the Chinsei tribe. She became Bayushi no Kami's cat." She shook her head again "She isn't a glorious woman but well she is still around."

"Beg pardon," Gusai apologizes in turn. "His cat? Is that some...title, or more literal?"

The eyebrow over his eyepatch rises quizzically.

"As to the carver, that's likely the O-iemoto, then," he adds.

[Nozomi]

Satsuki quietly paid attention to the exchange between Sora and Yuzuru. "A white bear... in the middle of winter. It almost sounds like a story my mother has told before. I remember the one about the white bear-king, but he could talk."

She pondered asking Ko when she felt better if they could go investigate closer.

"Why do you think a white bear might have appeared so close to where people live? Bears usually are shy creatures, rarely making their dens near where humans live."

"The unseasonable snow is the only explanation I have. While we expect winter snows, we didn't expect what we've seen," Nozomi said, frowning. "The beast was quite natural, if abnormally powerful and large in stature, not to mention white. I suspect it became displaced by the snow and sought out some form of shelter to winter in, though I am just as concerned about the snow itself. The Imperial Consort is right to be concerned in this. Something else is at work. I am sure of it. What, though, only the spirits know."

[Bayushi Kogi]

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

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A figure in red from nose to toes quietly appears at Tsubaki's elbow. "Doji-san... you are the one whose lovely tea we were drinking yesterday morning, aren't you?" The voice is neither high nor low, soft nor harsh, but the veiled woman's eyes glance over at Tsubaki amicably.

[Doji Tsubaki]

A figure in red from nose to toes quietly appears at Tsubaki's elbow. "Doji-san... you are the one whose lovely tea we were drinking yesterday morning, aren't you?" The voice is neither high nor low, soft nor harsh, but the veiled woman's eyes glance over at Tsubaki amicably.

The Crane's turn towards the Scorpion and polite bow merge into one smooth gesture, "Ah, yes, that would be correct. I am glad to hear you enjoyed it. This one is Doji Tsubaki."

[Bayushi Kogi]

A figure in red from nose to toes quietly appears at Tsubaki's elbow. "Doji-san... you are the one whose lovely tea we were drinking yesterday morning, aren't you?" The voice is neither high nor low, soft nor harsh, but the veiled woman's eyes glance over at Tsubaki amicably.

The Crane's turn towards the Scorpion and polite bow merge into one smooth gesture, "Ah, yes, that would be correct. I am glad to hear you enjoyed it. This one is Doji Tsubaki."

"Bayushi Kogi." The woman in red returns a bow of her own. "I did, yes. It was quite brave of you to carry on in spite of of the weather blowing us all away from your nest." The edge of the half-open folding fan in her hand describes a soft circle to punctuate this thought. "All the more reason for warming drinks, of course."

[Doji Tsubaki]

"Bayushi Kogi." The woman in red returns a bow of her own. "I did, yes. It was quite brave of you to carry on in spite of of the weather blowing us all away from your nest." The edge of the half-open folding fan in her hand describes a soft circle to punctuate this thought. "All the more reason for warming drinks, of course."

Tsubaki halfheartedly waves away the compliment, "Oh I wouldn't call it brave. If one says they will do something then they must do it - I could not let the weather, no matter how foul, stand in the way. Though I do hope many of the guests will take the time to visit and enjoy the Camellia House properly."

[Doji Dojihime]

Ayano like wise spotted the Crane. She smiled and would introduce herself after Genji made his own. Time being what it was the intro is going here:

"Ayano of the Makime," She studied the Crane who had the sort of beauty and strange ethereal quality that spoke of divine blood. "Senior Lion envoy, Daughter and Heir of the Lady Makime." She bowed as appropriate.

“It is a pleasure to be in the presence of the heir of the Makime, and always a delight to spend time with Genji-kun, every time I see him he sprouts taller and taller and becomes more and more of his honored father. This one is Doji Dojihime, daughter of Doji and Nanzi,” she said kindly.

“I pray that honored grandmother shines her blessings on you both.”

She added to Genji, “I would be elated to join my handsome cousin and beautiful Lion in pleasant conversation.”

[Bayushi Sasori]

"Beg pardon," Gusai apologizes in turn. "His cat? Is that some...title, or more literal?"

The eyebrow over his eyepatch rises quizzically.

"As to the carver, that's likely the O-iemoto, then," he adds.

Sasori smiled. "A title, Lord Bayushi no kami is a mysterious man. To him mother was as stealthy as a cat." Sasori shrugged.

[Hantei Genji]

"Neh, we're practically the same height Dojihime-chan." He smiled fondly at his cousin. "Makime-san were just discussing the turn of events here. It seems we are invited not only to the nuptials, at this rate. Congratulations to your family, by the way, cousin."

[Otomo Gusai]

Sasori smiled. "A title, Lord Bayushi no kami is a mysterious man. To him mother was as stealthy as a cat." Sasori shrugged.

Gusai smiles.

"I've not had the pleasure of meeting Bayushi-no-kami. But I wonder, does your mother's daughter share her talents? And what others does she possess, shared or not?"