D1LE: Stone-solid Regard (Closed)

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

This thread is open to those who wish to support Yoritomo Tomodachi in the Three Amigos Side Game and/or those who are Allies with or Blackmailed by him.

Yoritomo Tomodachi sips at a lemon-honey tea, gazing at the koi and the stonework that surrounds them.

"Some things could be improved," he mutters...

[Tsi Hamada]

"Perhaps carving something?" Hamada speaks up. "I have heard that Yoritomo-san is quite a deft hand at them, and it's a medium I quite appreciate."

The woman bows. "Tsi Hamda, at your service."

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

Tomodachi stands to return the bow.

"A pleasure," he says. "Yoritomo Tomodachi. What tea would you have, Tsi-san?"

[Tsi Hamada]

"I would allow the gentleman to choose. After all, the Mantis are known for appreciating a good value." Hamada looks around. "I would have suspected more of us."

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

Smiling slightly, Tomodachi signals for another cup and has the attendant pour from his pot into it.

All the while, he says "I imagine that many who have been quite pampered are heading towards rest, and I imagine a few others are clustering around that woman...but that is not your challenge, of course.

"No, yours is to do well at this tournament, while mine is to secure the next--at which I will hope to see you, of course, in Mantis lands."

[Tsi Hamada]

"Well, I am sure that something can be arranged about my visit." Hamada replies, placing a hand gently to her lips. "But Yoritomo-san is correct in the goal. I am not oblivious to some of the looks I have received from other competitors and our hosts, as clever as they might feel they are being. I believe that for such a new position, it would be fitting if it is hosted by those who know what is like to exceed humble origins. I find that most compelling, and makes for better art."

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

"How humble are the Tsi, honored by Emperors?" Tomodachi says. "But your meaning is taken, certainly.

"The question becomes how to effect the changes we would see. We are not our own best twenty men, after all."

And if no more appear, it will be a hard thing, indeed. But Aibou will be better to have it than that woman, if it comes to it.

[Otomo Yua]

The next arrival might be a very surprising one. Walking through to the teahouse, still dressed in her fineries, the Imperial princess cast her gaze across those gathered before her eyes settled on the minor clanners gathered. There was a soft smile, and the little Otomo moved in that direction, giving them a polite bow as she approached.

"Good evening mina-san."

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

Tomodachi stands and bows.

"Otomo-sama honors us with her presence," he says. "How may we help?"

[Tsi Hamada]

"How humble are the Tsi, honored by Emperors?" Tomodachi says. "But your meaning is taken, certainly."

"Humble enough to remember the times when we are not so honored, if only to appreciate it all the more."

Hamada is set to continue before they are joined by, of all things, an Imperial.

-snip-

"Greetings Otomo-dono." Hamda joins the Mantis in bowing. "I similarly place myself for service"

[Otomo Yua]

"Please mina-san, at ease. I thought I would enjoy a nice evening with some tea and company, and I hear this is a good place to enjoy that. Would I be wrong?" Yua smiled at the two minor clanners "I am Otomo Yua. May I join you?"

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

"Of course, Otomo-sama," Tomodachi says, gesturing to a seat with a large, callused hand.

"You will take tea, of course?"

[Otomo Yua]

"That would be lovely thank you. What tea are you drinking?"

Yua moved closer to the two minor clanners, sitting down at the table.

"My apology, I didn't catch any names."

[Moshi Tatsuya]

"Honored Otomo-sama," came a carefully controlled voice from over Tomodachi's shoulder, where apparently had been lurking one of his agents. The tall, lean man stepped toward, bowed very deeply in his shimmering kimono, and provided:

"This humble cartographer is Moshi Tatsuya, most pleased and humbled to introduce my lord, Yoritomo Tomodachi-sama, as well as our exciting new acquaintance, Tsi Hamada-san." A clearly manufactured smile was on the young Moshi's face when he straightened, but he was clearly at least moderately trained in navigating samurai relationships.

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

Tomodachi gestures, and more lemon-honey tea is served.

[Otomo Yua]

"Ah, thank you Moshi-san" Yua gave the Mantis shugenja a smile "good to meet you all. It's lovely to see that all clans both great and small, new and old, have graced this first ever Sapphire championships. I hope you are excited to see what is to come?"

[Moshi Tatsuya]

"Quite so, Otomo-sama," Tatsuya agreed, his smile easing just a little toward seeming genuine. He moved to sit Where he could easily observe both the imperial and his clanmate, ready at any point to yield to Tomodachi if he wished to speak. In the meantime, he drank sparingly but with some relish of the tea before them, and conversed amicably.

"Does Otomo-sama have any special insights about what is to come," the young Mantis asked, managing to seem both innocent and conspiratorial at the same time. "Or is there anything your esteemed self hopes to see?"

[Otomo Yua]

"Insights into the first Sapphire championships?" Yua looked to the Moshi man with an amused expression "unfortunately I can only say what I would expect, which is a very traditional setting presenting many different unique arts. I'd thought it may only be the usual, but from my time so far speaking with others who are here to attend the event shows that we may experience some very unique arts on display. It will be challenging to stand out and the judges will be very strict."

[Yoritomo Tomodachi]

Tomodachi takes up his cup.

"I have heard that," he says. "Although I have also heard that the judges lend great credence to one another's opinions. This is not always so among artists--or among spouses, unfortunately."

[Otomo Yua]

"I take it that mina-san are all here to compete?" Yua asked, looking at each person gathered.