D3EE, Discussion of Yu (Open)
Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2022 11:07 am
Commentaries about the Yu displays, and surrounding general conversation, go here.
http://sapphireambassadors.fallenash.com/
http://sapphireambassadors.fallenash.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=219
There was no question another scorpion would give it a go.Bayushi Choudai wrote: ↑Tue Sep 13, 2022 11:36 amChoudai chewed on his piece of fugu, and watched to see who would join him in sampling it.
"Ameiko-san, how good to see you... I trust the day continues to find you well?"Bayushi Ameiko wrote: ↑Tue Sep 13, 2022 5:04 pmThere was no question another scorpion would give it a go.
"Good evening, senpai", she said with a bow, then sampled possible death.
"Trusting a day to treat you well is like expecting an unknowable enemy to retreat simply because you are a bit tired", she said with a chuckle. "Though I am prepared as always to deal with any problem." She took a bite of fugu. "Ah, not quite how I remember it, did you try something different?"Bayushi Choudai wrote: ↑Tue Sep 13, 2022 6:59 pm"Ameiko-san, how good to see you... I trust the day continues to find you well?"
"Perhaps the fact that the fish wasn't quite dead when I began cutting? I'll admit, I'm glad not to be keeping it imprisoned in that jar any longer, but a certain... freshness was called for. After all, properly treated over time, fugu can almost be safe."Bayushi Ameiko wrote: ↑Tue Sep 13, 2022 8:08 pm"Trusting a day to treat you well is like expecting an unknowable enemy to retreat simply because you are a bit tired", she said with a chuckle. "Though I am prepared as always to deal with any problem." She took a bite of fugu. "Ah, not quite how I remember it, did you try something different?"
"Oh, so perhaps I ate safe fugu, then?", she seemed slightly confused b the idea. "My father, Bayushi Rokatsu, would try to tease my mother about making it, as she was the Aotora daimyo's daughter but...", she looked away slightly. "Well she always refused, so he brought a chef once to make it when she was away, but we were children so it was mostly fried. Though I recalled the taste despite that, it seems much more refreshing as sashimi."Bayushi Choudai wrote: ↑Tue Sep 13, 2022 8:13 pm"Perhaps the fact that the fish wasn't quite dead when I began cutting? I'll admit, I'm glad not to be keeping it imprisoned in that jar any longer, but a certain... freshness was called for. After all, properly treated over time, fugu can almost be safe."
He paused. Took a nibble.
"Which would defeat the purpose of the piece entirely."
"Ah! Yes, well, quite aside from any freshness or pre-cleaning, frying it results in a very different experience than with sashimi. Method of preparation is crucial, and while frying doesn't ruin fish, it absolutely results in a different flavor profile- not least is whatever medium the fish is fried in, the character of the cooking surface used... in sashimi, the only outside elements are potentially from the knives used and perhaps the serving surface..."
I'll have to pull those citations, he thinks.The second day of presentations focused on the virtue of courage. Leadership speaks to facing bravely what presents itself; the line between bravery and folly is one of the primary concerns of discussion. While Akodo-no-kami and Hantei-no-kami found no challenge in distinguishing the two, we who have followed after lack their divine insights, as has been amply attested.
He takes a breath, and his eyes scan the room.Perhaps that balance was tested by the first competitor of the day, Bayushi Choudai, who expertly prepared fugu before those assembled. And the demonstration did appear to draw in the audience, with several participants partaking.
The elder Mirumoto Jakuchou followed, offering an interesting dance. It seemed the Dragon forced, through the fire and flames, a message about carrying on.
Her fellow Dragon, Togashi Yoshiaki, again worked in tattoos, marking a poor girl's shoulder with a mantis engaged against a hornet. The theme was clear in the work.
Doji Yoshino's four-panel presentation on seppuku was...striking. The composition and the ordering--she went fourth--bespeak the ultimate test of courage, and the calligraphy was done well.
Kakita Mikan again demonstrated her adherence to the school of Otomo Taro, and Asahina Asano composed a painting of a frog before the audience. How that frog represents courage is not immediately clear; perhaps frogs in the Crane lands say "yu" as they croak in the evening.
The ronin, Tsi Hamada, completed work on a wakizashi. The weapon appears to be of high quality; only its use will attest as much.
"I see, I see", Ameiko said, not being a cook she didn't truly see, but she gave Choudai his due in following along, allowing him to stop in knowing his conversation partner accepted his words. She smiled slightly. "I need to begin playing soon, the idea of courage is an interesting one, don't you think?"Bayushi Choudai wrote: ↑Tue Sep 13, 2022 8:35 pmHe seemed prepared to go on, but stopped himself. Barely.
Seeing Takei, the young Scorpion bowed in acknowledgement. If he wanted to join them he was welcome.Doji Takei wrote: ↑Wed Sep 14, 2022 11:23 amDoji Takei, chewing on a bit of fugu appreciatively, is watching.
Takei returns the nod but does not approach, rather surveying the room.Bayushi Ameiko wrote: ↑Wed Sep 14, 2022 4:33 pmSeeing Takei, the young Scorpion bowed in acknowledgement. If he wanted to join them he was welcome.
"It's an integral part of being a human being. After all, Fear is one of the Three Sins-" All three of which I wallow in more or less as the fancy takes me- "and courage is one of the few virtues that by itself serves as a counterbalance."Bayushi Ameiko wrote: ↑Wed Sep 14, 2022 4:33 pm"I see, I see", Ameiko said, not being a cook she didn't truly see, but she gave Choudai his due in following along, allowing him to stop in knowing his conversation partner accepted his words. She smiled slightly. "I need to begin playing soon, the idea of courage is an interesting one, don't you think?"
"Even my small experience has proven a guide for the idea of courage...though perhaps more of conundrum."
"Oh? A conundrum, Ameiko-san?"Bayushi Ameiko wrote: ↑Wed Sep 14, 2022 8:14 pm"Even my small experience has proven a guide for the idea of courage...though perhaps more of conundrum."
"Well, there are many forms of courage, are there not? And what is more courageous, standing before an implacable enemy when you have no choice, or deciding to give ground to them to save lives, despite your lord's displeasure?"
"Astutely put. And there is less courage in doing something that you have trained and prepared for endlessly than for doing your best when in over your head."Bayushi Ameiko wrote: ↑Wed Sep 14, 2022 8:19 pm"Well, there are many forms of courage, are there not? And what is more courageous, standing before an implacable enemy when you have no choice, or deciding to give ground to them to save lives, despite your lord's displeasure?"
"Training does break fear, this is true. It keeps focus and eases the need of the mind during a difficult times", Ameko agreed. "Though I do not know the correct choice. It need not always be something related to life or death, either. It could be as simple as fearing an answer to a question you've yet to ask."Bayushi Choudai wrote: ↑Wed Sep 14, 2022 8:21 pm"Astutely put. And there is less courage in doing something that you have trained and prepared for endlessly than for doing your best when in over your head."