Sapphire Ambassadors

After the previous day's competition, the servants spent the evening carefully relocating the more permanent works to the Gallery of Dusk and storing records of the one's that could not be such as cooking and dance. Then the gallery was thoroughly cleaned and blessed. The next day it slowly fills throughout the day as various artists maneuver into their spaces. Some artists arrive early, overseeing peasants maneuvering heavy statuary while certain poets arrived barely ahead of the judges. The artists' spaces have been meticulously arranged according to their art of choice. The most fragrant arts have been spaced as wide apart as possible, so the scent of, say a certain Scorpion's Garlic Gyoza does not intermingle with the scent of the ikebana displays. Those who arts contain a sound component have been staggered, so the judges might clear one catchy song from their minds before listening to an impassioned flute solo. Neutral gray screen are available for the artists whose works should be viewed shielded from the rest, while others bask in the suns rays, visible to all with eyes.

Makoto was a hard one to do with food.

When you say you're going to do something, it's as good as done?

Try telling that to a soup that's boiled over- not that Choudai ever let his soup boil over, but that wasn't the point.

At any rate, he had hit upon a rather novel concept.

Choudai entered the presentation space with nothing but his grandmother's cookware, and he set it up. Kindled a fire. No ingredients- apart from one pot of rice (because presumably it would be called for) and one pot of broth for noodles. He also had four heimin servants trailing him.

With nothing else on hand, he simply placed a placard in front of him.

Tell Me What to Make

It seemed to be an open invitation. And whatever was requested, Choudai spoke the ingredients aloud- apparently having something of an encyclopedic knowledge of the recipes in question- and one of the servants went running off to get what was required.

And once the ingredients arrived, Bayushi Choudai made the dish. Yakitori. Gyoza. Miso soup.

Everything came out to perfection. Perhaps not immediately, but as the displays went on, he delivered on every request made of him.

[D8/EE Event, Craft: Cooking/Intelligence, Void spent for +1k1, Inheritance grants +1k1, 3 called raises to reflect degree of difficulty, TN 30 | 9k5 ⇒ 79 (TN: 30) SEVENTY-GODDAMN-NINE?! 4 Sapphire Points, 4 Amigo points to Otoko]

The last day, the last presentation. With what Yoshino had said the other day and her poor showing in general, Asano had thought a lot about what she wanted to do for Makoto. All this time she'd wanted to show her talent, her way of looking at things... but maybe there was more to it than that. Maybe she needed to just think about what this all meant to her, rather than instinctually doing what she always did.

So instead of something representative, she went with calligraphy today. She rolled up her sleeves, took out a calligraphy brush, and did her work.



She did something unconventional, combining a bit of painting with her calligraphy. Making the characters for support and growth, she put plants on them to symbolize her honest feelings; Even if she was not cut out to be the Sapphire Champion ever, the experience had been one that had helped her grow, and offered her support for her future endeavors. So no matter how things turned out, they had not been a waste.

Day 8, EE, Making Makoto, Calligraphy/Int, TN15, 1 called raise for TN, TN20, VP 2/3 for Day 8 for +1k1 | 5k4 ⇒ 38 (TN: 20)
+2 Sapphire point

Sriyani takes her time setting up. She wears her full, formal kimono and heavily embroidered haori, becoming a riot of color moving carefully around the presentation space. Her wrists sparkle and jingle with bracelets, and her hair is held back with a circlet hung all around with flat, metal charms the size of small coins that flash in the various lights of the space. Her scroll satchel is slung cross-body to rest securely at her hip. The moonstone rings are worn, but not highlighted.

But she is not the presentation. Not quite. Though one might be correct in reading a sincerity to the many things one can say without words, a match of style to substance throughout.

A mirror, surface twice the width of her palm, is displayed on a stand that allows a clear view of the entire piece. From the front, the frame appears to be perfectly round and made of some richly-grained wood fitted around a lake-like, irregular glass. A thin, twisting bit of the wood crosses in front of the glass, bisecting it.

Sincerity holds a sort of honesty within it, but can very often be manipulated to show what one expects to see, deflecting from what is actually there. That is a courtier's trick, and also, frequently, the trick of art. How many battles are painted on screens that are not remotely accurate depictions of any single moment of the battle, while still being entirely true?

The back of the mirror bears a scene created with inlaid wire and carefully cut bits of wood, stone, and glass depicting the return of Shinjo to the Unicorn. Her clothing and hair reflect ancient styles, while those greeting her seem quite modern, a reflection of the time spent apart. Shinjo's return, and ascension, being relatively recent events. More importantly to a Unicorn, it was the fulfillment of her promise to always return.

Will the reference to Shinjo’s sincerity resonate with non-Unicorn? Will anyone here recall that the promise was born out of breaking her initial vow to never leave her people? Sincerity is often that thing you have to take on faith, because it requires a trust that what you see is what you get…now and into the future. Sometimes it requires a bit of grace, when circumstances shift beyond all expectation. Sometimes, it’s easy to miss, or misunderstand.

There is a flaw in the piece—at least, it would be a flaw if this were truly meant to be a mirror—that has the metal beneath the glass bound too tightly, in wood not yet dried and still shrinking, slowly warping over the course of the next few days…possibly enough to crack the glass at some point. Sriyani is not an engineer, able to finesse it fine enough to predict such things. This creates changing and subtly distorted reflections throughout the time it’s displayed.

Of all the tenets, Sincerity becomes the most easily twisted, doesn’t it? Using the integrity of ones words to twist speech, giving the impression of one meaning while actually saying something quite different is a fine art taught in the courts and among merchants alike—and notably disdained by Crab. The tensions of Bushido are tightest here, humming through so much of courtly life, from negotiations to the sincere barbs of Sadane.

When placed among the rest in the Gallery of Dusk, it will reflect the art of those other tenets, along with those viewing the pieces. Ever shifting, but also some variety of true.

*************************
Day 8 Presentation: Makoto. VP for +1k1, 3 Raises. TN 30 | 8k5 ⇒ 47 (TN: 30)

4 SP

The piece is dedicated to Shiba Aibou

Shizenko, today presented something quite different. From afar one must think that it was an Ikebana display but when you got closer the display shapes could fool the eyes. In the center there was a yellow chrysanthemum, to the left an Aster, to the right an anemone, and around 8 blue bells that seem to be bowing to the chrysanthemum. The base resembled a kintsugi plate where the folds were masked by golden paint. It was a display that showed sincerity yet deceit the not so judgeful eye.


//D8 EE Event Origami Awa 1VP +1K1 2CR TN25 | 8k4 ⇒ 37 (TN: 25)

As people walk along the pathways, they perhaps don't notice the small signs that have been placed. Subtle partitions lead people along the queues to the different exhibits. It's the sort of thing that doesn't really stand out, something that likely would be taken for granted, if not for the arrival at Hamada's exhibit. There is a diagram of the Gallery of Dawn, the inked in areas where her small additions have been made.

Below it reads a text:

"To the Tsi, Sincerity is making and presenting something honest and useful. I hope that you have found them as such."

_______

Event of Makoto - Engineering/Intelligence- 2 raise - VP spent - TN 25-Points to the Shiba to host | 6k5 ⇒ 28 (TN: 25)

Once more unto the breach the Lion thought, once more armed with easel and paintbrush rather than all manner of deadly weapons.

Head and creative muscles didn't hurt like her body did, but by now she felt pretty drained and tapped. One more, one more. Makoto. Honesty. Truthfulness.

She closed her eyes. This one was hard and she'd spent half the day trying to come up with an idea. This was it.

Another image took shape under her brushstrokes:

A Samurai woman, as seen from the back, waist-up. She was shedding a wide Kimono. It was exaggerated, with long, wide sleeves and many layers. The layers had a carefully laid out ladder of color, and teardrop-shaped pendants of silver hung on chains attached to the sleeves. There were even heavy gold taels sewn into the garment at various points. It was beatiful, ornate, sheathing the wearer in opulence and splendour - but also incredibly heavy and cumbersome, which Inori tried to illustrate with a posture showing relief from the heavy weight.

The woman herself had scars and bruises on her arm and back, but still strode forward over the Tatami in a wide, dimly-lit room - the angle made it look like she was not only walking away from the viewer, but upwards. Her destination was a dais on which there was a stand with a Daisho and a simple, functional suit of armour and a plain scribe's Kimono, in warm lantern light.

It would have to do.

Mental exhaustion or not, the piece turned out Better than she had anticipated

3 Sapphire points, 3 points towards Shiba Aibou.

Nadeshiko presents her work carrying a paper lantern, the flame within casting its glow on both the poet and her audience. When she speaks there is a trembling hesitance to her voice.

"A whispered promise
To follow forward the path
Swallowed by darkness.
A precious flame protected
By many hands from the storm.

With burned hands I write
On the nature of fire;
I won't turn back now.
From lightning’s devastation
A field of wildflowers bloom.

But that is not enough.
Words and hands, act together
Beyond poetry --
Be of some use to this world.
Even the smallest light shines."

Day 8 Tournament Event: Artisan: Poetry / Awareness, Avant-garde emphasis. Prodigy for +1k0. Void point spent to gain +1k1. 2 called raises for Sapphire points. TN 30. | 10k4 ⇒ 44 (TN: 30)
+ 3 Sapphire points

Dedicated to Shosuro Otoko. +3 Amigo points

For Yoshino's piece on Makoto the Doji courtier elects to sing a popular Crane ballad. For those familiar it's a slow song about unspoken words and feelings between the singer and an unnamed stranger. It touches upon the mutual support between them. Yoshino sings the words convincingly with a steady, resonating voice. An enduring emphasis is placed on the emotions of trust and the small, easily missed actions of care between them. The song's words keep it immensely discreet and open to interpretation. It could be a bond shared between lovers as equally as one shared by family, friends or sensei and student. It fit well within allowed courtly romance, which is why it had once been very popular. Nowadays it was an older vocal piece.

Yoshino breathed fresh life into it.

She hit the highs flawlessly. The lack of accompanying music made every syllable much easier to scrutinise. There was nothing to hide behind and no rhythm to follow. It was much easier to miss a note or fall out of tempo for example. Yoshino didn't misstep. Any singer would demonstrate a deep understanding of the song and the challenge of singing solo with such a performance. That wasn't good enough.

Feeling acknowledged and more inspired than ever, Yoshino put her all into the final lyrics. The satisfying conclusion of the heartfelt song, without hurting the ears of the audience nearby, was projected confidently out beyond the Gallery of Dawn to be heard in the art spaces beyond. She held the final note for a long moment at the desired pitch before gently easing it down to silence.

As she bowed politely to the judges she took deep breaths. Her lungs were burning, but she felt strangely satisfied. Not bad for someone covered in ink.

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D8 EE Makoto event - perform: song/awareness. With 3 raises. Voice for +1k1. Void for +1k1. TN30: 43 = Pass
+4 Sapphire points

For Moshi Tatsuya's final display he channeled...

[Sorry, text after personal]

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D8, EE, daily art:
D_, EE, daily art, TN 15 +2 CR for TN 25. Craft:Cartography 3, Int 4, VP for 1k1, Tomodachi devotion for 4k0 | 10k6 ⇒ 45 (TN: 25)

3 Sapphire Points

3 points for "ally" Shiba Aibou

Hatsuki stepped up with a bare face aside from her thin, barely-there mask. She begins applying her makeup carefully, seeming to embrace her natural features...

Then she pauses, looks in the mirror, expressionless, and begins removing it with a cloth and some ointment.

She begins again, trying something different. This time, the appearance is more colorful, seeming to try and bring something out.

Then, once again, she pauses, checks her work, and removes it.

finally, she tries to go for something natural, barely there. Then something seems to go awry again, and she expression is harsh as she stares into the mirror.

Finally, she took out the sort of small knife one typically used for grooming, and with a resounding crack, drove it through a couple of layers of her makeup supply box. There wasn't too much spillage - all of her supplies were in their own containers, and only a couple of them broke - but it's enough to draw the eyes of the room to her as she steps away from her work with little explanation.

There's some sincerity for you.

----

D8 EE, Makoto, Tech, Void, Emphasis, Kakita bump, 6 raises. YOLO | 10k6 ⇒ 37 (TN: 50)

Sincerity, where action and meaning meet. It is often said that a samurai does not need tonreassure or promise because their word is their bond. Sincerity ultimately is honesty in action.

Part of this is showing what is inside and pulling it out. To be ones most authentic and sincere self one must know themself.

Today Yoshiaki stood alone in his display space. He wore a kimono but it was drawn back enough to reveal his thigh. Upon his thigh rested a silver moth in flight, wings spread and lit as it would be on a full moon night. The creature rendered beautifully in exacting detail. Someone close to him had likened him to a moth and it rang true with him as much now as it did then. A creature that is beautiful in its own way but often maligned and treated as a nuance, misunderstood.

Someone saw the beauty in him and that was now forever linked to this animal this mundane tattoo on a canvas for God's blood.

The difference from his other entries was that this one was fresh. It was not healed as all his others had been. He had made sure the bleeding stopped and was cleaned away so as not to alarm about impurity but the skin was still angry, red, and raw. Showing the vulnerability sometimes that can come with being sincere and genuine. It is not always easy to always do as we say we will, but at the end it is always right.

He spoke none and let the judges and others make their own conclusions about the piece but the look in his eyes said "here i am. This is me, bared before you."

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D8 contest sincerity artisan: Tattooing/ awa vp +1k1 Inheritance +1k1 3 raises tn 30 | 10k6 ⇒ 43 (TN: 30)

4 sapphire points, 4 points to Otoko

For the final presentation, a simple wakizashi that Kaiu Kunio made to give to one of his grandchildren when they pass their gempukku. With an accompanying tale told of a similar story from Shiba Aiobu's family that has already come to pass.

D8 EE Event, Craft: Weaponsmithing/Intelligence, 3 raises, Kaiu Void point | 8k6 ⇒ 40 (TN: 30)

(Pass with 3 raises, 4 sapphire points, 4 amigo points for Shiba Aiobu)

The judges conferred over the pieces displayed and came to their penultimate decision. Akuba looked satisfied and Hyoukasha looked relieved. They passed their decision to to Doji Utemaro. Utemaro nodded, and had the servants alert the attendees that it was time to announce the results of the final day of competition.

"It is fitting, in a way, for the final theme of the competition to be sincerity. You artists have come from across the Empire to share something very personal and true with us here. You all spoke through different mediums, and had different messages to pass to your audiences, yet you all still spoke from the heart and shared your talents with friend and stranger alike.

Despite you all showing yourselves to be very sincere artists, the judges have picked two artists whose work truly shone the brightest today. Those artists are:

Asahina Asano and Togashi Yoshiaki.

Thank you for all your wonderful displays are art. Tomorrow we will gather here for the announcement of those to be appointed as our first sapphire ambassadors and our first Sapphire Champion will be named. Please, rest well tonight, and retire knowing you have all performed your artistic duties for your clans admirably."