Sapphire Ambassadors

Hatsuki moved through the flower garden, taking a deep breath of the fragrant breeze and letting out a pleased sigh. It smelled beautiful.

Her eyes turned to the flovers themselves. All sort of beautiful, varying shades of every color in the rainbow. She's heard they were available for ikebana during the competition. She wondered if they would be available for her use as well. She could spot some already that were useful as cosmetic ingredients. Of course, she knew better than to do anything to a garden without asking after last time...

She smiled and crouched down at one in particular. A flower that was a vivid, deep red, almost heading into violet, but not quite. The right preparation and it would make an incredible eyeshadow...

The rustle of courtly attire would, of course, prevent any sort of embarrassing surprise, so Soichiro's generous smile was the natural end to Hatsuki's rising from the flower. He bowed gracefully, then rose, angling his head upwards to restore the comfortable illusion of eye contact.

"Good afternoon, Samurai-sama. This one is Isawa Soichiro of Toshi Ranbo wo Shien Shiite Reigisaho." He nodded at the garden. "Lovely, is it not?"

Thank goodness for kimono, and for the expert courtier's skill in ensuring it rustles enough to be heard when they're approaching someone. That thought passed through Hatsuki's head as she rose and returned a graceful bow to the man in front of her.

"A pleasure to meet a new person on such a fine day, Isawa-san," she greeted in return. "I am Shosuro Hatsuki. An honor to meet you."

She looked up toward the hill of flowers, nodding. "Indeed. Our hosts have truly outdone themselves with the beauty of the gardens here. I've heard that some of the flowers here are intended for use in the competition."

"It is indeed an honor to me as well, Shosuro-san," he acknowledged her greeting honestly. "I have heard the same about the flowers, and find it a singular display of courtesy. Transporting flowers cross-country can be such a challenge, even in the best of weather." He chuckled easily, almost naturally, though not vulgarly so, as opposed to the mere punctuation bandied about by less experienced samurai.

"I take it you are competing, then?"

She dipped her head once at the question. "It truly is. I will be, yes... I am hoping to bring a little more attention to makeup as an art form."

She turned fully toward him. "Will you be competing as well, Isawa-san?"

His eyes widened slightly at the mention of makeup. "An art form and a godsend, Shosuro-san. You have my entire sympathy for that endeavor." And no surprise, given that the man had managed to unwork a great deal of time's spell through its use.

"And yes, unlikely a prospect though I may seem, I have been...enjoined to take up my vase and do battle."

She raised a fan, but the smile was visible in her Crane-blue eyes at the acknowledgement. "I'm glad to hear whenever appreciate its true strength as an art. If you even feel so inclined, or happen to feel like indulge a fellow artist, I am always looking for new people who would be willing to try my designs," she offered.

"Vase, hmm? Do you pursue ikebana primarily, by chance?"

"I haven't entirely decided, I am afraid. My training embraced calligraphy and sculpture as well, but my arrangements have, I think, been the most popular among my husband's associates." He smiled. "Perhaps there will be an opportunity to display range as well as expertise, but such is not usually the Way of the Crane. As for becoming your canvas...I would be delighted."

"I'm so glad! Thank you. I will await your convenience as to when we can do that."

"Fascinating. Did you train with the Shiba Artisans by chance, Isawa-san?" She asked, curious. This competition really wouldn't be so bad. There was nothing quite like being surrounded by other artists. "I can only hope there will be an opportunity to display range. People usually see those trained with the Crane as... well, one trick ponies, a bit, but we can be versatile. I'd love to see your work in whatever medium you end up choosing for a piece."

"Shosuro-san is most kind. And yes, I was trained among the Shiba, though my work has been given over far more to gifting and courtly horse-trading than to formal exhibitions. I hope it measures up."

She chuckled. "Isn't that most of us? I was trained among the Kakita, myself. It's usually interesting to meet the people my talents have been traded to, at least. either way, it's nice to have the opportunity to see things elevated on this sort of institutional level."

"And if our arts were to earn a little respect along the way, it would not go amiss with me," Soichiro observed. "But I expect you have had little to fear of condescension among the Crane and Scorpion?"

"Precisely," she agreed.

At the comment about condescension, she looked a little bit amused, raising her fan to cover her quirked lips. "I suspect, Isawa-san, that there are some Crane and Scorpion whose spirits were formed wholly out of concentrated condescension. Usually, they end up as art critics."

Soichiro inclined his head. "Of course, how short-sighted of me. I suppose we all have someone looking down on us, don't we?"

"I hope I didn't come across dismissive. I know how the two Clans I've been part of can be, and have no doubt of the unpleasantness that can come with being on the other side of some members' attitudes. It's probably on a whole new level," she replied, fluttering the fan. "We do indeed, though."