Sapphire Ambassadors

Yoshino stopped by the manor shrine to pay her respects. She was also on the prowl for the Asahina shrine keeper. She'd brought a little thank you gift that was currently tucked away in her furoshiki.

She gives a long prayer of thanks before seeking him out.

Jorujo can be found reviewing what appear to be new scrolls in a rather flamboyant hand.

Seeing Yoshino, he rises and bows. "I trust you've eaten rice today," he says.

She quickly bows back. Apart from the unusual ink scribbles over her face and hands she looked and sounded well. "Yes, I have. Good morning. It's good to see you. I hope I'm not interrupting your work...?" She nods toward the scrolls.

"Your presence is not unwelcome, Doji-san," Jorujo replies. "Please, join me.

"And I'll wonder if your...decoration will be part of your display in the contest today."

"Yes, thank you Asahina-sama." She walked over and took a seat somewhere free. "Please excuse me."

His words actually provoke a soft chuckle from the Doji. A quick shake of the head followed. "I'd wash it off if I could. It's likely not impressing Doji Utemaro-sama or the judges."

"Then I must inquire as to why you wear it," Jorujo replies.

"It doesn't wash off." Yoshino states more clearly. "Isawa Kojiro-sama said it would fade in about a week. At least until then they'll provide some further protection... even if I look somewhat unhinged, ne?" She smiles stiffly.

"Isawa Koji--oh, yes, the specialist Doji-dono brought in," Jorujo nods. "Well, if it worked..."

He trails off.

"Perhaps you might see if that one Shosuro--Hatsuki, I think it was--might help make it more...dynamic?"

He shrugs.

"It worked."

Yoshino extended her hands so she could look at them. They looked odd. Like she'd been scribbling letters all day and using her hands to practice some of the kanji. No doubt her face was worse.

"She can do makeup very well, but... it'd be imposing. Besides, nobody gives me much notice anyway." She look back to Jorujo. "Actually, I came today to thank you for helping me."

"If I helped, it was a small thing," Jorujo says. "And no more than should be expected, truly.

"Though you seem to have occasioned some comment recently for your artwork, so you do seem to have been noted."

Jorujo skilfully deflects so Yoshino misses one opportunity to offer a gift. She switched to responding to the kind compliment while looking for another chance.

"I have been, which is more than I could have hoped for. It's a strange feeling. It's... nice to be acknowledged." She says, pinching the right sleeve of her kimono and bringing it to her lips. She thought about it more. "I feel I have a lot to learn still. I didn't see myself as an artist before this, just someone who liked to create things when time allowed." Yoshino lowered her sleeve. "Sorry, I'm being introspective when with company. You're very easy to talk to Asahina-sama."

"It's a good thing for a priest," Jorujo says, and he laughs a little.

"But isn't what an artist is is someone who creates as allowed?"

"I suppose. I saw my function as a scribe, and the art as an outlet for expression. Not quite the same as a dedicated artisan. Perhaps I've been narrow minded?"

She placed her furoshiki on her lap.

"If your time in Teitaku Town has broadened your horizons, then it has been spent well," Jorujo says.

"Admittedly, many report such things. Art has the effect, after all."

"Indeed, it does." She tapped the furoshiki. Jorujo was lovely, but perhaps a little unobservant. Or he was teasing her. "Actually, I brought a small gift for you and the shrine."

She reached inside to take out a thin package on the longer side. She handled it delicately as she moved to offer it to Jorujo. It smelled pleasant...

"No gift is needed, of course," Jorujo says. "Among family, it is but pleasure to be of aid."

"That's true, yet family do acknowledge their support of one another. You have been most supportive Asahina-sama. I might not be here without you." She offered the gift a second time.

"Then again, you might well," Jorujo says. "But as you are, what other gift would be needed than to see that you are well?"

The second refusal having been made, Jorujo awaits the completion of the ritual.

Go figure, a priest appreciating rituals.

It was proper and rightful. Yoshino was a sucker for tradition and custom. She felt at home.

"You flatter me Asahina-sama, but here I am seeking to flatter you. Your knowledge and freely given counsel helped centre me and allowed me to focus on the competition. I would have dropped out otherwise." This was highly likely.

"Please accept these so that you might continue to have the peaceful environment you've created for me."

"I am glad you stayed," Jorujo says, accepting the gift.

"What is it?" he asks.