Sapphire Ambassadors

(ooc - expecting, but it is an open area)

Having done her tour of the city, Yua had returned back to the inn where she was staying. It was quaint enough, and the innkeeper had rushed around to ensure Yuas actual living quarters were up to a standard that was fitting for an Imperial and she appreciated it.

After returning to her room for a short while she moved to the common rooms. Arranging for some tea she had taken a book with her and was silently reading while the tea was being prepared.

A fair Doji maiden, with a fan in one hand and a brush in the other, is also sitting in seiza in front of another table in the common area. The young woman inclines her head politely when the Imperial enters as a recognition to the fellow samurai. Well, not so fellow if we have to be exact. Kuge and buke are not of the same kind. Still she is a Crane, one of the million daughters of Lady Doji that have traveled every corner of the Empire through the centuries in order to promote the path that has lead to the Empire's 1000 years of Peace through arts and civility. Minori chuckles. 1000 years of peace. What a fairy tale. A story that is great to hope for, but very dangerous to actually believe in.

She takes a quick look to the scroll in front of her. Her poem for tomorrow's contest has been ready for days now. She can wrap the matter up and go meet new and interesting people, have a polite conversation, flirt and make a name for herself. Why not begin with the Otomo?

Doji Minori stands up from her seiza and armed with a polite and gorgeous smile heads towards Yua. She offers a gracious and low bow and once she rises again, her trademark smile is once again there to accompany her words. "Blessings of a thousand fortunes, Otomo sama. This one is Doji Minori, graduate of the Kakita Dueling Academy and poet of the Crane clan. I was sitting nearby," she nods towards her previous position, "having tea on my own and I recalled one of the greatest truths of this realm, as my dear grandmother used to call it. 'It is always better to have company along with your tea, Minori chan.'" She chuckles. "She was quite old by that time. I will not eat or consume you in any possible way. That is a promise. But may I join you, perhaps?" She either speaks way too much as a principle or the Doji has been really bored.

Yua looked up from her poetry book as she was addressed, giving the very talkative Crane a respectful seated bow and a polite smile.

"Tea is certainly more enjoyable with company Doji-san you are correct. Please, feel free to join me" she put a small tab on the page of the book she was at and closed it, placing it to the side of her.

"On the condition that you shall indeed not eat or consume me of course" she added, bringing a hand up to cover a small laugh "I am Otomo Yua. It is a pleasure to meet you Doji-san, I had only arranged for tea for one, however I will request a second cup. I hope you are well? This village is very...quaint, isn't it?"

"Quaint?!" The Doji chuckles lightly while sitting in seiza across the Imperial. "It is the exact word I have been searching for since morning. Lady Sun shed her light upon this village and allowed my eyes to see, but you seem to be the one who just revealed its greatest mystery." She says politely. "I am more than well. I think." She adds seemingly as an afterthought. "How about you, Otomo sama? Are you well? Have you been in this quaint village for long?" There are way more questions to be asked. About the tea, the book, the competition even, but they can wait for now.

The tea arrived at this point, and Yua signalled for a second cup to be brought over as she answered.

"I arrived this morning, and spent most of my day getting used to my surroundings. It's been less than a year since my gempukku, and most of my visits before now were court functions with very little to visit. Especially in the Naishou province, winter does not allow for much exploration as I'm sure you're aware."

The second cup arrived, and Yua took a moment to check the tea before pouring a cup for Minori.

"I hope Shiba's Sunset is acceptable? I thought it would be a suitable evening tea, and they are limiting teas here. I imagine to avoid competition with the many tea establishments set up for the competition here."

Minori reaches for her tea with both her hands and brings her cup closer in order to take the scent in before sampling it. "It is a nice choice, indeed." She notes. "As soothing as it should be for the last cup of the day. An excellent choice." She offers a small smile and lowers the cup on her lap still holding it with both her hands.

"I have not traveled much either. It has been two years since my gempuku." She seems a tiny bit troubled but it's only for a moment. A fleeing thought probably. "Are you an artist, Otomo sama?"

Yua smiled softly in approval.

"Good, I'm glad we are in agreement on this. I would feel awful if I picked the wrong tea."

She picked up her own cup, enjoying the scent from the tea before speaking.

"I dabble in a few arts. I'm quite fond of painting, and I enjoy telling stories as well as singing. It wouldn't do to attend an event regarding the arts and not partake in them, ne?" there was a small chuckle "although I'm sure my dabbling in the arts would not compare to an artist like yourself Doji-san. A poet you said? Do you dedicate yourself to one art?"

"Two actually." She replies with a beam. "I have dedicated myself to the art of poetry and the mastery of the blade equally. I have thought of taking up painting, but I have not really done it till now. Time does not seem to be on my side. The days just... flow away."

She takes another sip from her tea and another broad smile follows. "How about you, Otomo sama. Do you favor one if your endeavors above the others?"

"Of course, please accept my apology" Yua lowered her head respectfully "the mastery of the blade is one that the Crane perfect with with such poise, I did not mean to not include it. As for myself? Hm..." she looked thoughtful into the cup for a moment before a smile.

"I would have to say the song. While I enjoy painting, I find singing to be the art I favour most. While I enjoy committing art to paper for those of present and future to enjoy there is something special about a performance that can only be viewed once."

"Oh, you should not worry. No need for apologies, Otomo sama." She replies readily and then focuses on her explanation regarding the Imperial's view on performances.

"I had never thought it that way before." She replies with a nod. "And you are quite right. It is very different. Preparing for days, or months even, for those few minutes that are available for you. It must be uniquely exciting! Especially when everything works out the way they should. Feeling the connection with the audience stregthen with every word." Minori smiles one of her most broad smiles. "I cannot wait for the chance to listen to your songs, Otomo sama. Especially under this new light."

Yua smiled and nodded in approval.

"Exactly so Doji-san. When you have that moment, those few minutes, you connect with your audience in a way that may never be repeated. You might sing that very same song and never reach that moment again. It's one that should always be held dear. Not that I imagine I need to say that, as Doji-san performs two arts that both may only have the same reaction once, although I pray your blade will not need to be called upon for anything except demonstrations. I'm sure none would come to disrupt this special event though, and I trust in the Crane as the chosen hosts of the first ever Sapphire Championship. A moment that will be remembered through the ages."

She sipped her tea.

"A lot of pressure, ne?"

Oh, my! Was that an Imperial warning against dueling? Could it be official or just a personal opinion. Either way Minori is not one of those duelists that get insulted easily and issue one challenge after the other. If her clan calls upon her skills to prove the just cause of her clanmates' words and deeds she will of course stand proud in front of duty, but other than that she can handle life without constant fighting.

"I don't feel that exactly." She smirks. "Of course, I want to succeed and recite poems that everyone will remember and turn to in order to sooth their soul, but I am not in a hurry. I work hard and with some luck and the fortunes' assistance, success will come. If not today, then perhaps tomorrow or the day after that."

"On your previous thought about the art of the blade. I am worried that not every samurai sees it as the perfect art that it is. I was thinking of petitioning Lord Doji for an iaijutsu tournament that will demonstrate exactly that, but perhaps coming from the lips of a Crane and also hosted by the Left Hand is not the most appropriate option. What do you think, Otomo sama? Should I pursue this noble quest myself or find a more suitable patron of the arts to make arrangements for such a truly marvelous event?"

"I do admire your patience Doji-san. One should not rush excellence, and I look forward to seeing your poetry hopefully before I return to the capital. As for your idea..."

Yua placed her cup down, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"Hmm, a demonstration of the art of the blade in a gathering about the arts sounds like something very fitting and something truly...Crane" she nodded "I would approve of such a display and would happily attend as an audience. Unless Doji-san was hoping for something more of course?"

The Doji inclines her head politely upin hearing the almost compliment.

She listens to the Imperial's words carefully and nods. "Well, your presence if such an event took place, would be very appreciated. As for my hopes," she smirks, "one has to set high hopes and dreams, nah? I was hoping for a suggestion as to whom would be more suitable than a Crane duelist to make such a petition to Doji sama. Otomo sama certainly knows the intricacies of court better than a bushi such as myself."

There was a small tilt of the head.

"I see. While I would be happy to support a demonstration such as this, I'm not certain that it would be suitable for a member of the Imperial families promotes it at an event organized by the Crane. It may give off the wrong image, and I would not want to take credit for such an idea away from the person who had it. My apology Doji-san, I am happy to support you but I cannot lead you to this."