D1EE, Welcome Feast (Very Open)

[Doji Utemaro]

The main hall of Doji Utemaro's estate has been opened to hold a grand feast for those involved with the sapphire tournament. The estate is about what one would expect for a reasonably successful courtier of the Crane. The hall is tastefully appointed, and large enough to comfortably hold those in attendance. It is not overly large though, so most of the seats will be filled by those in attendance, making the space feel somewhat cozy. A few have apparently chosen not to attend the feast, either because they are late to the tournament, or have other reasons not to attend, leaving a few vacant seats.

The tables are laden with many different sushi and sashimi dishes representing the best of the Crane's waters and the skill of the manor's chefs. The dishes are accompanied with a generous serving of plain rice for those who do not partake in fish for one reason or the other. There is also high grade sake, high quality tea for those who prefer that, or the one drink acceptable to all samurai, water.

Doji Utemaro addresses the assembled guests at the start of the feast.

"Greetings samurai of Rokugan," he offers with the typical grace of a Crane courtier. "Welcome both to my family's estate and to the first Sapphire tournament. You are here because you represent some of the finest artistic talent of the Empire, gathered to help with the spread of culture and art across the Empire. I am quite certain Lady Doji will smile upon your works, and they will be a guiding light to samurai across the Empire."

He gestures towards the tables.

"But for now, please enjoy a small taste of my clans hospitality and take the time to get to know your fellow artists. Please enjoy yourselves." he concludes, not wishing to overly monopolize the floor.

These threads tend to grow quickly. As a courtesy, please quote whoever it is you're talking to and snip the quote; it helps folks know when the conversation moves forward.
If you need an NPC, please let the appropriate GM know. Keep in mind that there are only two of us, though, and both of us work; we'll get in as we can, but it might not be quick.

[Otomo Gaitsu]

Otomo Gaitsu seats himself at Utemaro's words, nodding his thanks from his position at the head table.

His eyes wander over the array of food and the people gathered.

[Bayushi Choudai]

Hm, less variety than the teahouse had on offer, but respectable...

Choudai appreciated the spread, because it let him think about something besides how he really wanted to be sitting next to Hatsuki.

He'd dressed with a bit of pizzazz, his outermost kimono a tastefully rich affair with elaborate embroidery of snowdrops and dahlias around the hem, while the mask (designed by the object of his affection) had been spruced up a bit with fresh feathers.

Keep it together Choudai. Let's not have a repeat of the spectacle you made of yourself in the Painted City. She doesn't need the hassle.

[Akodo Yaukwari]

Yakuwari sits close to the bottom of the tables, positioned to be part of events but not to draw much, if any, attention to himself.

He eats absently, composing in his head:

The formal beginning of the Sapphire Tournament came with a dinner hosted by Doji Utemaro, who had successfully petitioned for Imperial permission for the event. A brief speech commending the participants to the contest was offered before the dinner began, and the offerings available at the meal were varied and appropriate.

And he looks around to see if he sees a certain someone...

[Otomo Yua]

Yua had arrived early, wearing an expensive looking outfit in tribute to the hosts with a mix of blues as well as Imperial greens visible. She had found a place for someone of her importance and after being served 'high quality' tea she listened respectfully with a polite smile on her face, only partaking in a small amount of food after the host had finished speaking.

[Bayushi Ameiko]

Otomo Gaitsu seats himself at Utemaro's words, nodding his thanks from his position at the head table.

His eyes wander over the array of food and the people gathered.

Ameiko took her seat near Gaitsu, as her position demanded. She appears to have come to socialize like everyone else from her pleasant smile and relaxed demeanor, but she is still positioned to deal with any threat to her charge. She wore a blue obi with a cloud pattern to honor her host, yet a particularly ghastly mempo hung from that obi, snarling at the diners. Her blades were laid to her side, showing no aggression, but were still present as is expected of a yojimbo.

[Doji Nadeshiko]

Doji Nadeshiko arrives clothed in the finery of a Crane with her hair worn down. It's long, so long the bottom half is carried over one forearm so as not to drag on the floor. It's also been colored strangely -- the top half left its natural black, then suddenly dyed a shocking blue before leading to the bleached white the Crane so often favor for the bottom half. (One must allow a Crane their eccentricities...) Her attire is (for a Crane) understated and formal: a royal blue kimono with subtle floral patterns embroidered in matching silk thread that shines delicately in the light, held tight by an azure crane-and-waves patterned obi, both contrasted by a loose pink cherry-blossom patterned kimono worn as a haori for a shock of more personal color.

All this to highlight its accessories -- the flower in her hair, her makeup, the silver jewelry.

Nadeshiko settles in comfortably with Minori at one of the middle tables that still has room for further friends to join them. She starts with some tea and rice and keeps her voice soft as she talks with her bestie. <3

((...fortune-forsaken Cranes and their fortune-forsaken fashion senses. Will add more details as PMs are answered but posting so it's DONE.))

[Kitsune Shizenko]

Shizenko entered the manor in what seemed like a simple brown kimono with a red obi to the untrained eye. To the trained eye they would notice some silver strands embedded in the silk. Her hair was up in a simple ponytail with a haircomb decorated with a fox. She found a seat somewhere in the room. Not paying much attention to who was around.

[Matsu Inori]

Well, this was the time when the fact that Inori had no wardrobe showed, and quite clearly. She was still clad in one of her ordinary Kimono, clean, yes, but noticeably less refined and expensive than those of most of the other attendees. That and her age made her look, and feel, really out of her depth.

More like one of the many understudies, aides and sandal carriers than one of the honoured guests

She felt queasy. Delicious food, yes, but she was not sure she would be able to eat any of it from the stress and worry. For now she kept to the sides, but unfortunately her parent's station meant that eventually she'd have to take official seating halfway up the table at least so as not to cause a stir.

Still, let me keep out of everybody's way and try to figure this out while I still can.

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

<snip>

<snip>

Hatsuki entered the dining hall, dressed in her most elegant outfit for the event - a kurotomesode decorated in late spring, early summer blossoms to allude to the coming of the season, alongside a very understated floral obi, all five mons relating to her family, Clan, and schooling on display. Her makeup was carefully done, as always, bringing the small amounts of red in her kimono to her lips and a touch around her eyes. Her eyes paused briefly on Choudai. Part of her wanted to join him - after all, it made perfect sense to sit with her clanmate. Still...

Don't make a spectacle of yourself... Better not to potentially put him at risk with such a public choice.

She pivoted slightly, deliberately not looking his way, heading over to her cousin and bowing. "Nadeshiko-san, do you mind if I join you?"

[Bayushi Choudai]

Her eyes paused briefly on Choudai.

It'll sustain me for a while.

Still and all, he should probably find someone else to glom onto, to protect them both...

[Otomo Yua]

What a mixed group...

Yua was content to observe the proceedings before spotting something that drew her interest....

Well, this was the time when the fact that Inori had no wardrobe showed, and quite clearly. She was still clad in one of her ordinary Kimono, clean, yes, but noticeably less refined and expensive than those of most of the other attendees. That and her age made her look, and feel, really out of her depth.

More like one of the many understudies, aides and sandal carriers than one of the honoured guests

She felt queasy. Delicious food, yes, but she was not sure she would be able to eat any of it from the stress and worry. For now she kept to the sides, but unfortunately her parent's station meant that eventually she'd have to take official seating halfway up the table at least so as not to cause a stir.

Still, let me keep out of everybody's way and try to figure this out while I still can.

Well now...

There was a small motion with her fan to get the Lions attention, and a smile and a nod to the seat beside her once she had it.

[Bayushi Ameiko]

Still and all, he should probably find someone else to glom onto, to protect them both...

Ameiko gave Choudai a smile, as he did look for someone to glom to, it seemed as though she had been looking for a moment. It was not an enigmatic gaze or a little girl's starry eyes. She was being observant, but perhaps something about Choudai did cause the smile to grace her face.

She leaned forward toward Gaitsu.

"My lord, have you met that Scorpion man, Bayushi Choudai? His grandmother is a famous cook in our province and I hear he has taken after her talent. Would you like to test his skills?"

[Otomo Gaitsu]

snip

"I have not met him, that I recall," Gaitsu replies smoothly. "What can you tell me of him?"

[Akodo Yaukwari]

Yakuwari continues to observe, fixing his documentation in head.

It was notable that several of those with whom I had achieved gempukku at the Dojo of One Hundred Stances attended the initial dinner. Bayushi Amieko, flanking her charge Otomo Gaitsu, was one such; Matsu Inori was another.

His eyes find one, and he stops, a morsel of fish halfway between plate and mouth.

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"I have not met him, that I recall," Gaitsu replies smoothly. "What can you tell me of him?"

"He lacks refinement in a way, but uses good humor to proper effect. if his cooking is anything like his grandmother's it is no wonder he was invited here", she said.

[Bayushi Choudai]

Oh dear, that Lion is going to draw flies if he leaves his mouth hanging open like that.

[Otomo Gaitsu]

snip

"Scorpion humor is sometimes an interesting--wait. Who is his grandmother?"

Gaitsu's eyes cut over to his yojimbo.

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"Scorpion humor is sometimes an interesting--wait. Who is his grandmother?"

Gaitsu's eyes cut over to his yojimbo.

"Oh...Bayushi...Oba...?" she shamelessly smiles. "Bacchan is what she's known by, but...a Scorpion woman that long lived perhaps go by anything she likes."

[Otomo Gaitsu]

snip

Gaitsu's eyes widen for just a moment, then they narrow abruptly for no longer than that.

He blinks.

"You wouldn't happen to know if his uncle is here, would you?"

There is a peculiar urgency in his voice. It is quiet, but it is there.