[D8 LA] A Moment Of Thanks (open)

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

"That's a good way of thinking about it," she replied with a smile. She nodded in sympathy as Sriyani explained the situation with her betrothed. "It sounds rather unpleasant. What caused such strife, if I may ask?"

"Still... You've made a good showing here. If you are chosen as an ambassador, there may be room to maneuver. It sounds like you've been a pious and dutiful shugenja until now, so that's not a bad situation if you want to effect change."

[Horiuchi Sriyani]

"What caused it? Hmm...I think some is Isawa arrogance. I'm of a lesser family and a lesser school to his mind and he..I think he feels I'm a bit of an insult to him." She half-chuckles. "To be fair, most schools _are_ less prestigious than those training tensai. Still...his brother's one too and didn't seem to view everyone else as barely worth talking to. Which is why he's got some prospects in the courts, and Hachi's main political use is...as someone to marry the artist whose work the family wants access to."

She shrugs. It is what it is, after all. "But yes, I'm hoping this competition provides enough extra prestige to renegotiate a bit. As an ambassador...well, maybe at least they'd match me to the brother able to manage in courts. That would be nicer."

"But these positions are so new, I don't think we entirely know how much they'll change what we thought our lives would be like."