Sapphire Ambassadors

Choudai wasn't much of a bushi. Facts were facts- oh, he could handle himself in a fight better than, say, someone fresh out of gempukku, but...

But I'm pretty sure Ameiko cut could me apart without breaking a sweat.

So he hit the dojo to work on his swordplay, and also to remind a few people in town that he wasn't in the gaki-summoning busines,s but in the "chopping people up" business.

At least in theory.

He selected a bokken and got to it.

Yoshiaki had been at the dojo everyday, at this time with one spiritual related exception. So it should come as no surprise he would be there on this day.

He entered observing all the proper respects and bowed to Choudai "Good morning Bayushi-san and congratulations on your performance yesterday." He said with a smile as he moved to a space in the dojo and began to stretch.

"My thanks Togashi-san. I can only hope that your work will come in for similar recognition- it's really been quite captivating."

He finished his own warm-up and got to work on a basic kata.

"I'm not sure any of us here have really spent enough time telling one another how impressive it all is. Might not be the most... proper for a samurai, but I also think art should open some exceptions."

He bows a thanks "I am glad it has not fallen on blind eyes. I'd be lying if I didn't hope for at least one entry to be recognized but at the end of the day just being here among this field of talent, getting my work seen in this way, it counts for something."

He chuckled a little "though if I stopped to tell each artist how good their work is I scarcely would have time to do much else."

"I find a simple nod of approval can work wonders. Although, of course, one's close friends seldom need much direct praise..."

Hatsuki's work is the best because it's Hatsuki's work. That's just how things are.

"... but it does no harm to find a moment to talk to a newer acquaintance about what one appreciates."

"You are right of course Bayushi-san. I suppose being surrounded by incredible artists has made me take seeing incredible art for granted. Almost any of these pieces seen outside of the tournament would have been the spark of full blown conversation."

"Which can only mean our hosts have succeeded in at least one of their aims."

The Scorpion chuckled as he got to work on his feints.

"No one can say the event has been dull or formulaic."

Yoshiaki's eyes held a bit of mirth and amuesment as well and some of that bled into his voice "Yes it has been many things but I would not say dull is one of them. They curated a fantastic list of people for the event. Wide ranging in clan and craft. It really was a good idea to start doing."

"Do you think you will come next year? Especially given it will likely be in Scorpion lands from what I've been hearing."

"If invited, I would love to attend."

He paused. Seemed amused.

"You know, maybe I could be a judge, rather than a competitor, if it's in Scorpion lands."

He actually started to giggle.

"Can you imagine how many feathers that would ruffle? I'm horribly unqualified to evaluate a lot of art forms, of course, but... it's an amusing thought."

"You gain an amount of enjoyment from rustling feathers don't you?" Yoshiaki noted at the glee the Scorpion expressed. There was no judgement to the words more just a simple observation.

"Besides who is truly qualified to judge such a wide variety of art? Even our current ones seem to sometime struggle to fully understand some pieces."

"Let us say that I find contented complacency a state worth disturbing, perhaps."

He sighed.

"As my own life has taught me that it's not a state that can long endure if you're paying any attention."