(D1, LE, Closed) Setting the scene

[Shosuro Otoko]

Otoko nodded.

"That is excellent to hear. I am very hopeful that your individual artistic efforts will buoy my own diplomatic efforts in securing hosting rights for the tournament next year. I'd much prefer to see it hosted in our own lands rather than the Phoenix or the Mantis. Seeing the tournament passed from Crane to Phoenix would somewhat...inhibit the growth of the tournament." she offered.

[Doji Nadeshiko]

It is unfortunate that a Crane would join them, but she's here all the same, and like Hatsuki she's not changed between the feast and now. Nadeshiko hovers at the door a moment before making her way to the group. She bows then waits. Unlike before, her expression is quite serious.

[Bayushi Ameiko]

Otoko nodded.

"That is excellent to hear. I am very hopeful that your individual artistic efforts will buoy my own diplomatic efforts in securing hosting rights for the tournament next year. I'd much prefer to see it hosted in our own lands rather than the Phoenix or the Mantis. Seeing the tournament passed from Crane to Phoenix would somewhat...inhibit the growth of the tournament." she offered.

"I agree it is possible, I think the Phoenix would do well as hosts in the end, but i much more strongly feel that a clan west of the Seikitsu would offer a better variety of new things to such a new event, and the Scorpion are certainly the most qualified clan to do so."

It is unfortunate that a Crane would join them, but she's here all the same, and like Hatsuki she's not changed between the feast and now. Nadeshiko hovers at the door a moment before making her way to the group. She bows then waits. Unlike before, her expression is quite serious.

Ameiko shoo'd the puppy over to the Crane, giving her a smile and slight bow of welcome until she introduced herself properly.

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

"Of course, Shosuro-sama," she agreed. "Naturally, it's important to do our best to see this contest flourish into its true potential."

She looked toward the entrance. "Ah! Excuse me, Shosuro-sama. This is a distant cousin of mine, Doji Nadeshiko-san. Doji-san, this is Bayushi Ameiko-san, Bayushi Choudai-san, and Shosuro Otoko-sama. I am unsure of who all you have met thus far."

[Doji Nadeshiko]

"I have met Bayushi Choudai-san," She answers, "And am happy to make the acquaintance of Bayushi Ameiko-san and Shosuro Otoko-san. I hope I have not interrupted your conversation."

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Hello again, Doji-san. Pleasant company is no interruption, rest assured."

[Shosuro Otoko]

"I have met Bayushi Choudai-san," She answers, "And am happy to make the acquaintance of Bayushi Ameiko-san and Shosuro Otoko-san. I hope I have not interrupted your conversation."

Otoko offered her own polite bow to the Crane.

"Of course not, Doji-san. We are honored to have a member of the hosting clan join us for tea and talk. Please, join us and be welcome." she offered.

Otoko poured a cup of the fragrant herbal tea for the Doji.

It went right next to the other four cups of untouched tea cooling in the night air.

[Doji Nadeshiko]

Please, join us and be welcome." she offered.

"Thank you." With a smile she does, her head slightly bowed as she takes a moment to breath in the tea's scent. She'll stay quiet unless her opinion is asked for or she has something genuinely helpful to add.

[Shosuro Otoko]

"Thank you." With a smile she does, her head slightly bowed as she takes a moment to breath in the tea's scent. She'll stay quiet unless her opinion is asked for or she has something genuinely helpful to add.

And asked for it was. While Nadeshiko might be used to the company of Scorpions in general, her blue kimono made a poor choice for blending into a group of them.

"So, Doji-san, it is quite an accomplishment your clan has secured in hosting the first Sapphire Tournament. The first of many one might hope. Are you well familiar with Doji Utemaro?" she inquired casually, though her attention was clearly upon the Doji....not unkindly, but she had the Scorpion's attention.

[Doji Nadeshiko]

"Only with his reputation and what he has now accomplished for the Crane. Otherwise, I cannot say I know him personally or well." She straightens to attention with Otoko's eyes on her. "I apologize; I have little to offer in connections. It is my hope that by my nature I may still be of some use."

[Shosuro Otoko]

"Only with his reputation and what he has now accomplished for the Crane. Otherwise, I cannot say I know him personally or well." She straightens to attention with Otoko's eyes on her. "I apologize; I have little to offer in connections. It is my hope that by my nature I may still be of some use."

Otoko nods simply at the response.

"You honor your sensei's teachings well to so ably demonstrate Courtesy, Doji-san. But it is a poor guest that simply takes from their host and offers nothing in return. Have you given much thought about the future of the tournament?" she inquired.

[Bayushi Choudai]

Rather than interrupt Otoko's conversation with the only non-Scorpion who had seemed inclined to accept her invitation, Choudai took a moment to work out the offer he'd be making the proprietor.

It would be far less his establishment than the Crazy Hare had been before his cover had been blown, but it was also much less work to turn it around.

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

Hatsuki was tuned in to her "companion" enough to notice his attention going more internal and on the environment. She glanced around a little bit. Hmmm...

[Bayushi Ameiko]

Saddened by the lack of petting from the nice crane lady, Ameiko was again visited by a furry companion.

She complied with their demands, of course.

[Doji Nadeshiko]

"Have you given much thought about the future of the tournament?" she inquired.

"Enough," The Doji replies softly. "Being that this is the first tournament of its kind, its expectations and traditions are a blank page upon which to write history. The choices made by both its competitors and its judges will have great weight. Similarly, the selection of next year's host is also meaningful. Were it up to me, I know which Clan I would want attain that honor." And so, having answered fully, Nadeshiko again bows her head.

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"Enough," The Doji replies softly. "Being that this is the first tournament of its kind, its expectations and traditions are a blank page upon which to write history. The choices made by both its competitors and its judges will have great weight. Similarly, the selection of next year's host is also meaningful. Were it up to me, I know which Clan I would want attain that honor." And so, having answered fully, Nadeshiko again bows her head.

Petting the pupper, Ameiko asked a question of the Crane. "Doji-san, is there anything you would like to see in this tournament, as a Crane?"

[Doji Nadeshiko]

"Doji-san, is there anything you would like to see in this tournament, as a Crane?"

"A wider recognition of the many forms which art can take. Admirably, I believe this has already begun. It would also please me if it could incorporate the celebration of artists of... lesser station. Not everyone is invited to tournaments such as these, but they create art nonetheless." Her cup is set down.

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"A wider recognition of the many forms which art can take. Admirably, I believe this has already begun. It would also please me if it could incorporate the celebration of artists of... lesser station. Not everyone is invited to tournaments such as these, but they create art nonetheless." Her cup is set down.

Her and the puppy both looked at Nadeshiko when she said 'lesser station', heads tilting in tandem.

"There are ronin and those of the minor clans that have come here on invitation, Doji-san", she explained, perhaps Nadeshiko hadn't seen them at the banquet.

[Shosuro Otoko]

Rather than interrupt Otoko's conversation with the only non-Scorpion who had seemed inclined to accept her invitation, Choudai took a moment to work out the offer he'd be making the proprietor.

It would be far less his establishment than the Crazy Hare had been before his cover had been blown, but it was also much less work to turn it around.

It was a refreshing honest answer from the Crane....and one that Otoko thought could be quite useful. There was a slight appreciative nod towards Aemiko. She was proving herself quite adept at knowing when to be quiet and when to speak up.

Otoko also had a good sense of when the audience's attention was wandering.

"And what do you make of Doji-san's thoughts, Bayushi Choudai-san?" she asked without preamble, as had likely many of Choudai's teachers had.

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

Hatsuki sips her tea and simply observes the back and forth. She smiled at Nadeshiko. "Well put." But she quieted and waited for Choudai's answer.