Sapphire Ambassadors

The servant smoved the artworks from the previous days into the gallery, and shelved the records. Slowly the space filled with the tenents of bushido, quite the collection for aspiring honorable samurai to study.

(expecting, but public space)

Sriyani came to examine the displays of Courage that she'd been to preoccupied to truly see that evening, though she can't resist adjusting the angle her fan from yesterday's presentation rests upon its stand.

Horiuchi Sriyani wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 19, 2022 2:29 pm

(expecting, but public space)

Sriyani came to examine the displays of Courage that she'd been to preoccupied to truly see that evening, though she can't resist adjusting the angle her fan from yesterday's presentation rests upon its stand.

The lord of the manor was a busy one with a tournament to oversee. While servants could (and did) bring him reports from across the town, there were a few things he liked to check in on from time to time. Moving the artworks into the gallery of dusk was one of those things he liked to check up on. The servants were careful, but the occasional visit from Utemaro ensured they never became too complacent. After all, were some of the artwork to become damaged in transit (short as the etrip was) it would shame the Crane.

Noticing one of the artists who had been picked the previous day fiddling with her installation, he took the time to great her.

"Ah, good morning, Horiuchi-san. I hope there is nothing wrong with your display?" he asked, his voice friendly despite the early hour.

The artist freezes a moment at the unexpected voice, instincts avoiding a startled movement that might drop or damage a piece of the display. "Just adjusting the angle a touch...not entirely necessary, but it would bother me like a loose thread on a sleeve," she answers before stepping back and turning to see who's speaking. Her eyes widen a bit before vanishing as she dips into a deep bow to their host. "Doji-sama, good morning. I hope the Fortunes have been kind to you through this competition."

Horiuchi Sriyani wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 19, 2022 2:54 pm

The artist freezes a moment at the unexpected voice, instincts avoiding a startled movement that might drop or damage a piece of the display. "Just adjusting the angle a touch...not entirely necessary, but it would bother me like a loose thread on a sleeve," she answers before stepping back and turning to see who's speaking. Her eyes widen a bit before vanishing as she dips into a deep bow to their host. "Doji-sama, good morning. I hope the Fortunes have been kind to you through this competition."

"I believe they have been, Horiuchi-san, just as I hope my clan's hospitality has been up to your satisfaction." he returned with. "Congratulations on being picked by the judges yesterday. From what I understand, you've consistently been high in their regard, yesterday's display was simply the first to outshine every other offering from a deep pool of talent."

"The hospitality has been more than courteous, Doji-sama. I appreciate the judges' regard as well. It's difficult to entirely stand out from a talented crowd, which was expected." Looking around at the stored presentations, she asks, "I'm curious how the theme was decided upon? It's definitely been more challenging than I initially thought it would be."

Horiuchi Sriyani wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 20, 2022 3:22 am

"The hospitality has been more than courteous, Doji-sama. I appreciate the judges' regard as well. It's difficult to entirely stand out from a talented crowd, which was expected." Looking around at the stored presentations, she asks, "I'm curious how the theme was decided upon? It's definitely been more challenging than I initially thought it would be."

Utemaro nods.

"It's certainly proven challenging for those artists whose chosen format strays far from the traditional forms. Representing the tents of bushido in food form is....well, certainly more challenging than a poem." he agreed. "There were several requirements for the theme. We wanted something different, yet interconnected with enough entries to prove that the artists would be consistently talented. We also wanted it to be a theme that would resonate with the participants across the Empire, even if it was not the same for each individual person. Many ideas were discussed such as the four seasons or the thousand fortunes, but in the end, it was the tenents of bushido that seemed to best fit the criteria."

He looked out over the gallery, at the various artworks.

"It's certain seemed to provide the artists a wide variety of inspiration."

If her smile is a bit wry, it would be hard to hold that against her. "hmm, indeed. Bayushi-san's choice to involve the servants in his first day's offering was quite unusual, and could have served him in good stead farther on as well." Yesterday, for example

"I'd hope for an equally strong theme next year. Seems like it'd help the competition settle into an ongoing one. So far I've only heard the Phoenix's plans to invoke the Fortunes in the theme somehow, but that sounded better than I'd expect of their rivals in this."

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D5 EM, lobbying Utemaro on behalf of Shiba Aibou. Etiquette/Awareness, Void for +1k1, 1 raise for TN 25 (Social dice may only explode once) | 6k5 ⇒ 19 (TN: 25)

oof. -1 for Shiba Aibou there.

Horiuchi Sriyani wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 20, 2022 4:31 am

If her smile is a bit wry, it would be hard to hold that against her. "hmm, indeed. Bayushi-san's choice to involve the servants in his first day's offering was quite unusual, and could have served him in good stead farther on as well." Yesterday, for example

"I'd hope for an equally strong theme next year. Seems like it'd help the competition settle into an ongoing one. So far I've only heard the Phoenix's plans to invoke the Fortunes in the theme somehow, but that sounded better than I'd expect of their rivals in this."

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D5 EM, lobbying Utemaro on behalf of Shiba Aibou. Etiquette/Awareness, Void for +1k1, 1 raise for TN 25 (Social dice may only explode once) | 6k5 ⇒ 19 (TN: 25)

oof. -1 for Shiba Aibou there.

Utemaro nods.

"Indeed, it would be quite nice to pass the competition along to our allies the Phoenix. But there have been strong arguments that such might....influence people to view this as a less than impartial competition. There are still many factors to consider yet though. The first competition is important for establishing the tradition, but the second is what makes it a tradition." he replies.

"Of course," she says trying not to grimace at the idea that choosing the Phoenix over the faraway islands or dangers of Scorpion courts was truly favoritism. After a moment, she says, honestly but quietly. "I am not sure that the inclusion of Kakita Mikan-san, mocking other contestants with little regard to theme, does much to counter worries of favoritism, with her favorite victim being of one of the contenders for next year's honors." And the other being entirely undeserving of such mockery.

Horiuchi Sriyani wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 20, 2022 6:07 am

"Of course," she says trying not to grimace at the idea that choosing the Phoenix over the faraway islands or dangers of Scorpion courts was truly favoritism. After a moment, she says, honestly but quietly. "I am not sure that the inclusion of Kakita Mikan-san, mocking other contestants with little regard to theme, does much to counter worries of favoritism, with her favorite victim being of one of the contenders for next year's honors." And the other being entirely undeserving of such mockery.

Utemaro nods.

"It is a very valid concern, Horiuchi-san, one I've had a great deal of time to consider. However, in my long years of service to the Crane, I've come to realize that there will always be those who accuse the Crane of playing favorites, no matter how fair and impartial we may try to be. And they are not entirely wrong, we are not impartial fortunes executing the will of the Heavens, we are mortal, with our own needs, agenda, flaws, and everything else that pushes us this way or that." he offered.

He looked over to the Unicorn with a slightly sad smile.

"But we cannot succeed if our only goal is to try to avoid accusations of favoritism. There are those who would conquer Kyuden Doji itself and claim we were discourteous for not turning it over sooner."

He took out a fan to tap in his hand.

"What I can say is this. The judges have not moved to strike her from the competition, though they look at her with perhaps the least amount of favor. Neither of the subjects of her artwork have protested officially, nor challenged her to a duel or otherwise caused disharmony. Kakita-san herself has asked for no aid or critique. She has committed no illegal or blasphemous acts. Should things continue as they currently are, my assumption will be that she will fail to be named an ambassador, and she will suffer whatever consequences her lord deems fit for such failure. She will fail without being saved by the Crane...and yet there will be those that argue that that is not enough." he explained.

He shook his head.

'"Ah, my apologies, Horiuchi-san, that was rather long-winded of me. I do value your input, but in my best assessment at this time that there is insufficient reason to strike her from the competition." he concluded.

It does bother her that she can't point out how such taunting might affect Nadeshiko's focus without making is sound as if her friend couldn't manage her own emotions before making presentations. She takes a moment to settle her own outrage and nod in understanding, if not approval.

"She is not the only one using art to provoke. I suppose it would seem a bit amiss to censure her and not others" Even if they ought to be censured. She frowns a bit "Overall, I've been surprised at how few political jabs've been presented. Even for a competition meant to fill supposedly apolitical positions. But those that do..."

"At the least, I think Bayushi-san might be told not to foist his insulting ideas of serving unclean food to everyone as some sort of gift. I realize nobody expected to *need* a prohibition on food that is already taboo, but here we are."

Horiuchi Sriyani wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 21, 2022 4:50 am

It does bother her that she can't point out how such taunting might affect Nadeshiko's focus without making is sound as if her friend couldn't manage her own emotions before making presentations. She takes a moment to settle her own outrage and nod in understanding, if not approval.

"She is not the only one using art to provoke. I suppose it would seem a bit amiss to censure her and not others" Even if they ought to be censured. She frowns a bit "Overall, I've been surprised at how few political jabs've been presented. Even for a competition meant to fill supposedly apolitical positions. But those that do..."

"At the least, I think Bayushi-san might be told not to foist his insulting ideas of serving unclean food to everyone as some sort of gift. I realize nobody expected to *need* a prohibition on food that is already taboo, but here we are."

(Awa/Investigation please)

Utemaro's grip on his fan tightens a bit.

"Bayushi-san's choice that day was......most regrettable, it's true." Utemaro agrees after a pause. "Rest assured...it is a matter I intend to take up with his lord."

The Unicorn felt there was...quite a bit more hesitancy in Utemaro's reaction than merely Courtesy would dictate. Almost as if what Utemaro would really like to do would be to tie Choudai to a horse and give it a good hard slap....but someone was pressuring him not to do that.

"It *would* be rude if he was sent as some kind of mockery by his lord hoping to create embarrassment at this competition. But a bit hard to do much about it, I'd imagine." She shakes her head. "Still, that kitchen's only fit to prepare food for peasants without massive cleaning and purification. If that complicates his work, he rather made that meal for himself, no?"

Horiuchi Sriyani wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 21, 2022 6:01 am

"It *would* be rude if he was sent as some kind of mockery by his lord hoping to create embarrassment at this competition. But a bit hard to do much about it, I'd imagine." She shakes her head. "Still, that kitchen's only fit to prepare food for peasants without massive cleaning and purification. If that complicates his work, he rather made that meal for himself, no?"

Utemaro blinked a bit at that.

"That is....a remarkably good point, Horiuchi-san. Such sharp insight reminds me of my daughter. She often reminds me that while experience must be respected, youth also has it's advantages." he mused.

She offers a wry grin. "hmm, less youth than experience in this case I think. A priestess among those who still indulge in lamb kofta and the like becomes well-versed in the purification rituals." There's no solid indication that *she* partakes of such things, though obviously she did yesterday to some calculated degree. But she won't hide what's known and true either.

"I imagine the shugenja of the Lion are well-practiced in the rituals to purify those who have recently washed off the blood of battles in a similar way." All clans indulge in corrupting and impure acts of one kind or another. That is part of living.

Horiuchi Sriyani wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 21, 2022 2:44 pm

She offers a wry grin. "hmm, less youth than experience in this case I think. A priestess among those who still indulge in lamb kofta and the like becomes well-versed in the purification rituals." There's no solid indication that *she* partakes of such things, though obviously she did yesterday to some calculated degree. But she won't hide what's known and true either.

"I imagine the shugenja of the Lion are well-practiced in the rituals to purify those who have recently washed off the blood of battles in a similar way." All clans indulge in corrupting and impure acts of one kind or another. That is part of living.

Utemaro nods.

"I would suppose, but war comes every summer, so I would expect all clans to have studied that well. From what I understand there was quite a bit of purification needed last summer in Naishou province. War begets both tragedy and folly, and the spirits must be appeased before both can be forgotten and covered in glory." he replied.

He had only been in Naishou for the Winter, but the reports of the summer were quite grim indeed.

"Ahh, that does explain the, thus far somewhat successful, attempts of the Clan of Secrets to make carrion an artform. I'm not sure it recommends them as appropriate stewards of this event though." For the moment, she does not mention that a Clan known for pacifism and piety might offer a welcome respite from such things. She's already pushed that cause a bit harder than was wise today.

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D5 Mudslining in thread with Utemaro. Vs. Otoko. Games: Sadane/Awareness TN 20 | 5k4 ⇒ 48