Sapphire Ambassadors

A flower garden. Something so quintessentially Crane Yua would have been surprised if there wasn't one. She had spotted the garden the previous day and been struck by the colours. So today she located it again with a brush and some paper. Finding a spot behind the wall looking out into the flowers, she balanced her small pad of paper on her lap and began to draw the flowers with her brush. Enjoying the quiet and the peaceful moment in nature, a rare moment for the Imperial princess.

She would not be the only one to partake of the beauty of the flower garden. The Dragon moved among the rows of flowers his unusual eyes sweeping their silvery gaze across the blooms, drinking in the natural beauty and also the craftsmanship of the Crane who arranged the flowers.

If he caught the eye of the fellow artist she would recieve a polite bow in greeting but he had no intention of disturbing her peace.

There was a brief peek up as she heard slight rustling. She offered a small bow to the man, but her eyes soon returned to the drawing. Gentle strokes on the paper as the shapes of the flowers started to form.

"How thoughtful of the Crane to even find a rare mountain Edelweiss to put among the flowers" she commented with a small chuckle.

There wasn't an immediate response as Yoshiaki actually made his way over to the flower and squatted down to observe it closer "Yes indeed, we grow some at the High House of Light."

"I do wonder how long it will last outside of its natural habitat, they can be fickle things." He commented absent mindedly

He stood "Are you something of a flower expert Otomo-sama?"

That made Yua look up. She had been making a joke about the man, so an Edelweiss actually being in the garden was not the intention.

"Not an expert, more of an enthusiasm for flowers" Yua replied, having an easy coverup for her error as she turned back to the board "the display here is very clever though, incorporating flowers from all over the Empire. It's nice ne?"

It was a small flower easy to be missed unless they were a token of home to you.

"The Crane are renowned for their ability as hosts. I see from my first time in their lands this is true." He comments idly "it is likely they planned and planted many flowers from the various clan's territories."

"I enjoy flowers as an example of natural beauty but I couldn't tell you much about any of them."

"Flowers are often an important part of many arts ne? Not just Ikebana, but painting as well" Yua motioned to her paper "and even the performing arts. It doesn't surprise me to see the Crane have this at all. They have some beautiful gardens everywhere, you should visit the gardens in Kyuden Doji!"

Yua lowered her head to the man.

"I am Otomo Yua."

"Perhaps I will on my trip home, I am unlikely to return to Crane lands in the future."

He bowed back deeply "Well met Otomo-sama, this one is Togashi Yoshiaki."

"Does Otomo-sama spend much time in Crane lands? Or is the tournament to thank for your presence with us?"

"One never knows where the winds will take them Togashi-san" Yua commented with a small chuckle "however I have indeed spent a lot of time in the esteemed lands of the Crane. Not as much as I've spent at Kyuden Otomo or in the Capital, but more than any other clan. I didn't travel too often before my gempukku last year, and I've only had chances to visit the Crane and Phoenix lands so far. Hopefully by the end of the year I'll be able to increase that."

She looked back at the Togashi. Well, more to the flowers to get a good look at them.

"Are the Togashi not known as wanderers?"

"The Togashi are known for almost as many different things as there are Togashi." He replies with a small smile "some seek enlightenment through Worldly experience, some thought study, I myself have devoted most of my life to the practice of my art."

"But you are right of course Otomo-sama, I do not possess the gift of foresight so should keep a more open mind."

"Ah, hai that is true" Yua commented with a small smile "the unpredictability of the Togashi ne?"

She frowned slightly.

"Hmm...ah, my apology" she offered a bow in his direction "seems I can't think speak and paint at the same time today. Is Togashi-san here in search of enlightenment through art then?"

The man inclined his head "Nothing to apologize for Otomo-sama, you would not need to do one and another would likely be easier if I were not here."

He thought for a moment "I believe in my life I have sought to understand the world better through my art. I would not say it is why I am here. I am here to show the Empire our art, to show people things they may not have seen before."

"You are here because your clan wishes you to be here. Or following the world, I never wish to assume when it comes to the Dragon" Yua said with a small chuckle "however your reason for being here is a noble one, I approve. What art do you intend to display?"

She peeked at the man.

He bowed "I requested to be sent here, with my sensei's help the lord of the High House of Light agreed. Us monks are often given much leeway in what we believe our best course of action is."

"As for my craft I am a tattoo artist." He said with little fan fair

"Hmm, hai that is true. Although a title and an office would be more restricting ne? You may find your leeway more limited as you take on more duties, and I didn't think that monks would be interested in such things."

There was a small shrug.

"However I'm a long way from my retirement, so perhaps I'll learn more in the decades to come. Tattoos you say? How does Togashi-san intends to display his work? One would not assume he intends for the recipient of the tattoos to bare flesh, ne? Unless Togashi-san of course is his own display."