(D9, EE) Naming Names Ceremony and discussion)

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"He does... I am well and blessed."The Kitsune blushed lightly. "Thank you...You seemed rested."

[Doji Yoshino]

"Remarkably well rested. I like it here." Shizenko was cute when she blushed. Yoshino felt a slight urge to see more of it. "Your Clan will be very happy with your performance, ne? I hope your efforts here are recognised."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"I hope so..." She nodded. "Being an ambassador for arts can be a bit odd for a minor clan that is not known for being of the artistic type."

[Doji Yoshino]

"Then perhaps you ought to be." Yoshino asserts with a sudden impetus that surprises even herself. She looked away. "My apologies."

[Doji Utemaro]

With the competitors assembled, Utemaro addresses them for the last time.

(GM Note: If I do not name someone an ambassador that should have had the points, PM me. It's a GM typo, not an intentional slight by the Crane. Stop it Choudai)


"Before we get to the business at hand, I would like to extend my thanks once more. To the artists of the competition, you have inspired everyone here and will go on to inspire so many more than you can ever imagine.

Also, my thanks to the judges. They were tasked with the enormous responsibility of judging all art, both old and new. May their decisions guide all the judges to come." he offered with a bow to first the artists then the judges.

"Secondly, it is with a heavy heart that I must announce the first posthumous awarding of a sapphire ambassadorship. Mirumoto Jakachou, after a long and storied career, has accepted the inevitable invitation to the court of Emma-O. Her dancing was an inspiration to many, and we hope that Emma-O judges her kindly. I would call for a moment of silence to honor her passing." he said.

A hush fell across the crowd as people considered the passing of the old Dragon. After the time had passed, Utemaro spoke again.

"Next we would like to name the new sapphire ambassadors. When your name is called, please come up and receive your scroll and a sapphire token from the judges:

Kaiu Kunio
Togashi Yoshiaki
Horiuchi Sriyani
Bayushi Choudai
Doji Yoshino
Matsu Inori
Tsi Hamada
Shosuro Hatsuki
Doji Nadeshiko
Asahina Asano
Kitsune Shizenko
Moshi Tatsuya.


It took a few minutes to hand out the appointments. Once all the named parties were thus awarded and resettled, Utemaro came to the final matter of the day.

"And now we name both the Best in Show piece. Additionally, this artist has also been chosen to serve as the Sapphire Champion for the following year. It was a long discussion by the judges but in the end they had their decision.

Please step forward:

Horiuchi Sriyani."

[Akodo Yaukwari]

Yakuwari scribbles furiously.

[Bayushi Choudai]

Hearing of the death of the old Dragon he'd spoken to once, Choudai closed his eyes.

As her displays had shown, she'd been no more wedded to convention than he was.

Hearing his name called, Choudai... blinked.

He honestly hadn't expected anything of the sort,* and he took his scroll and token with a somewhat dazed expression.

And then...

Well, well, well. Horiuchi-san, top of the heap. I imagine that makes Nadeshiko happy.






*Because while his player might be able to read game rules, he enjoyed no such privilege

[Horiuchi Sriyani]

Sriyani's hand flies up to stifle her gasp at news of the old Dragon's passing. She'd really hoped for at least one more conversation, one more look through the eyes of someone who'd stood in the midst of historical events that were quickly passing out of memory and into scrolls of history. Composing herself, hands clasped before her, she rubs at the face of one of her moonstone rings, quietly asking that Emma-O judge Jakouchou kindly, and add this posthumous honor to her tally of accomplishments in this lifetime.

The announcement of ambassadors contained few surprises, though confirmation of what was suspected was a relief. Status enough to, perhaps renegotiate some terms; a reason to travel; an appointment that meant her art, while still always second to her service to the kami, would be more than a hobby. The slightly worrisome prospect of forever after navigating court politics. All this washed through her, along with genuine joy at many of the other appointments...and curiosity at what the more unusual arts would do with artists given this kind of visibility.

She was, honestly, already stepping closer to congratulate Nadeshiko before she'd finished processing the announcement of the champion. There was a frozen moment of shock before her trajectory altered with nothing like a dancer's grace. But it does alter, and she finds herself stepping forward a second time, token and scroll still in her hands. She bows deeply to Utemaro.

"I'm beyond honored, Doji-sama. Thank you to the judges for...this...And my apologies that words are not my chosen art. Though I guess I'd best get better with them soon."

[Kakita Akuba]

Akuba inclines her head to Sriyani.

"The Lady Sapphire is most welcome," she says.

[Doji Nadeshiko]

Nadeshiko, happy, takes her place with the others, doing her best not to cry. She got what she wanted.

[Kaiu Kunio]

A shame death had to occur during such an important event, but such is life. He shows proper reverence for the wise woman, but returns to business as usual as he approaches and receives his token of office. He attaches it just below the mon of the Emerald Champion on his right arm, indicating his recognition of the importance of the office while showing he still shows deference to the Champion that he still serves directly. After hearing who was chosen for Sapphire Champion, he waits for a proper moment and bows to her to show the respect her new office deserves.

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

Hatsuki listened, bowing her head at the news of Jakuchou's passing. Once Sriyani was announced as the Sapphire Champion, she bowed deeply to her. There was a little annoyance toward the judges, but doubtless everyone had earned their honors.

She reads through the scroll, considering. What would this mean for her? Kumaji? Her children? Choudai? Nadeshiko?

She glanced to those two present, thoughtful.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"Then perhaps you ought to be." Yoshino asserts with a sudden impetus that surprises even herself. She looked away. "My apologies."

"It is okay..." She nodded.

As the host mentions the passing, the woman bowed her head and whispered a prayer. Raakun showed respect.

At the mention of the ambassadors, Shizenko looked at the Doji and smiled. When her named was mentioned she blushed lightly. Raakun stomped his leg because he wasn't mention. Shizenko chuckled. The woman went up to get her scroll and token bowing to the judges and the host.

"Raakun you level up from companion to assistant."

He shook his head.

My talent will be appreciated some day.

[Doji Yoshino]

Snip

Yoshino also acknowledged and held the silence for the departed Mirumoto. She had seemed a kind woman. The lecturing Yoshino had gotten from her was par the course for those at such a venerable age. It was a wonder she hadn't retired as was the norm.

She lowered her head a moment before rising to come and collect her scroll and sapphire token. What it meant for her future exactly she was entirely unsure, but it was an honour and she would treat it as such.

The Best in Show choice going to the Unicorn made perfect sense to her politically. The artistic piece in question had been one showing courtesy and gratitude to the Crane. The Crane and the Unicorn were on friendly terms. Two Doji each had the most individual recognition, but a Crane actually being chosen by the Crane as the Champion would have been far too obvious favouritism. It going to a, by her own words, in-experienced in the courts samurai-ko was ideal. No doubt some Crane lords were already pondering how to leverage Horiuchi's newly elevated standing to their advantage.

She mentally pushed the shrewd analysis to one side. What had Jorujo said? It was above her pay grade.

Instead she smiled at Shizenko. "Perhaps we'll see each other again in future for work."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"I hope so... perhaps we can work something out." She nodded. "Tomorrow, I shall be packing to Daidoji lands. If you are heading south we can travel together."

[Horiuchi Sriyani]

snip

She offers another bow to Akuba and her husband, one more to Utemaro, and finally back toward everyone else, feeling a bit like one of those bamboo deer-frightening fountain features, only with more jingle and clatter. Should she say anything? She doesn't remember hearing about the Topaz Champion giving speeches--other than possibly announcing their new name.

"It's been an honor just finding myself here with so many talented artists. I've learned so much in such a short time, and that's...I hope this new group of artists makes that kind of sharing and learning more common through the Empire." Questions run through her head at all that comes with the new office...like, is there an actual office she'll be expected to do something with for the year? Immediate duties?

There's really nothing more to say with the bare bits of information she currently holds. So, clutching her scroll and tokens of office, she steps back into the assembly, beelining for Nadeshiko, eyes wide. "I was sure it would be *you,*" she whispers, knowing there's at least one more announcement to come.

[Bayushi Choudai]

Yes, Horicuhi-san, I'm sure you look forward to perpetuating our contact.

Choudai strolled over to stand closer to Hatsuki, albeit at a socially acceptable distance.

TWINS!

[Matsu Inori]

Inori bowed her head respectfully when she heard the news of the Mirumoto contestant's passing. She had never spoken to the dancing grandmother, as she dubber her in head, but she had seemed like a friendly individual and brought something good to the contest. Always sad when knowledge like that passes out of the world - may she watch over her ancestors from Yomi
Not really a strong, personal reaction, but it did make her somber for a moment. The next announcement though...

Ambassador, huh?

She was happy and excited, but also still a little surprised. In her own mind she had doubted her prospects very much - this was, this was - acknowledgement, and a lifeline. She was SOMEONE again. She had a place again. She felt like dancing, shouting, jubilating, but even her rudimentary knowledge of courtly etiquette was enough to quell the impulse - for now.

Yes!

As for the overall winner - she felt it was a fair choice. There were, in her personal opinion, three candidates who seemed mostly likely for overall victory, and the Unicorn Shugenja was one of them - not because of the strength of the individual entries, but because of the consistency and overall theme. Inori felt the jeweler was rewarded for having displayed a matched set as opposed to seven individual pieces.

The political dimensions very much eluded her.

But in her mind a good, valid choice. She nodded, but saw the Horiuchi already in conversation with another. She would congratulate her, in due time. For now...for now Matsu Inori was content to bask in the glow of her own elevation.

[Doji Yoshino]

Snip

"I don't know where I'll be heading, but I hope we can meet to say goodbye. I can write... if you like?" She was very used to writing letters.

[Doji Nadeshiko]

There's really nothing more to say with the bare bits of information she currently holds. So, clutching her scroll and tokens of office, she steps back into the assembly, beelining for Nadeshiko, eyes wide. "I was sure it would be *you,*" she whispers, knowing there's at least one more announcement to come.

First, the Sapphire Champion receives a deep, long bow; when she rises, Nadeshiko's smiling, looking absolutely content. Whispered back: "One should not discount their own virtues, Sriyani-san. You earned your title."