D1EE, Welcome Feast (Very Open)

[Kitsune Shizenko]

Snip

"That, I have heard... it is an honor to meet you Akodo sama." She gave another bow. "It will be an interesting competition and worth documenting." The Kitsune gave a light smile.

[Akodo Yaukwari]

Snip

Nice, but it isn't hers.

Yakuwari's eyes flick up the table briefly.

"In what art will Kitsune-san be competing?" he asks.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

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"This one will be competing using origami." she answered. "if my companion could participate he would be using paints." The girl smiled.

[Akodo Yaukwari]

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"Companion, Kitsune-san?"

Yakuwari drinks as he awaits a response.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

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"Yes, Raakun my tanuki friend." The Kitsune took a sip of the sake and nodded. "He is not from Chikushudo even if he thinks so."

[Akodo Yaukwari]

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Yakuwari pauses before he takes another swallow.

"He...thinks? How...?"

Yakuwari shakes his head.

"Kitsune-san is being humorous."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

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She was quite serious yet the Kitsune gave the man a smile. "I come from a unique ancestral line that allows this one to understand what animals say." The girl explained. "It is quite humorous indeed to think that creatures other than ningen have thoughts and feelings but then again many ningen have animals as companions."

[Akodo Yaukwari]

Snip

"I understand," Yakuwari replies. "The ancestors' gifts must be respected."

He eats of his meal.

And how do you respect those gifts? says something inside him.

[Asahina Asano]

Asano has only a small meal despite it being a feast; A cup of tea, a bowl of rice topped with nori and edamame, and some pickled plums for dessert. Sitting quietly she admires everyone else, being around so many people from different Clans at once for the first time ever.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

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The girl nodded. "Yes, and honor them we should." The Kitsune smile as she sipped more sake. "Are you looking toward to any performance, Akodo sama?"

[Akodo Yaukwari]

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"I am sent by my master, Ikoma Botan, to record events here," Yakuwari replies. "Ikoma-sama is of the opinion that this event will be momentous, and documentation is therefore appropriate."

Another sip at the sake.

"I am not skilled enough to do justice to this event as a competitor."

And I would win a different prize.

His eyes stray up the table again for a moment.

[Matsu Inori]

-snip-

Inori was mortified. An imperial? How did I not notice that?

She tried her best to keep a pleasant but neutral expression, but the more she thought and tried the more she failed. At least it felt that way.

And again, sooooo many words. I don't even know what to respond to first.

"Thank you Otomo-san, most gracious" she replied.

Help?

she thought. Very dignified. Clearly.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

Snip

The Kitsune studied the man. She was puzzled, a simple yes or no would have answered her question but then again... The Akodo's mind seemed elsewhere. "Duty is quite important Akodo sama and that is not what I asked nor if you were to compete." The shugenja sighed. "I am interrupting something aren't I?"

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"Thank you Otomo-san, most gracious" she replied

Ameiko, still watching the proceedings passively to keep her senses sharp and attuned to the needs of her charge, overheard the name Otomo given the san honorific, in Matsu Inori's voice.

She remained still, but was chuckling on the inside. Her ear got slightly larger, as to listen.

[Akodo Yaukwari]

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"My apologies, Kitsune-san," Yakuwari says, flushing slightly and bowing from his seat. "I did mishear you. The fault is mine."

He rises from the bow to sit straight. "There is a performance I do look for, yes, though I have not yet done enough research to put a name to the competitor. And I have to be judicious in my account, in any event.

"But I shall be sure to note yours, as well."

[Otomo Yua]

<snip>

The smile on the little Otomo's face grew slightly. She reached for the nearby pot of tea, pouring it into a cup before placing it in front of the Matsu woman.

"Is everything quite alright Matsu-san? Please, try the tea. It's quite a light flowery brew, as expected for the hosts. Forgive me, I didn't quite catch your name."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

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She nodded accepting his apology. "You don't need to follow this one's performance. I feel subpar to many here." She nodded once again. "I know my limits."

[Akodo Yaukwari]

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"Knowing such is good," Yakuwari affirms. "It allows a person to know what they must surpass next. There are ample examples of such in the historical records, certainly--and, as agreed, the gifts of the ancestors must be respected.

"And it may well be that all are pleasantly surprised at your work. Whatever else has been recorded in the histories, the Crane excel at encouraging artistry."

[Doji Yoshino]

Snip.

"We have become wallflowers." Yoshino points out in a impassive tone.

The Doji dipped a piece of sashimi in some soy sauce.

"The fish is good."

Leaning forward, lifting a small plate and keeping it just under the sashimi, Yoshino lifted it via her chopsticks to her lips where it was popped in unceremoniously.

Her own cup of tea sat untouched off by her side. She'd been steadily if unhurriedly eating since the meal began.

[Togashi Yoshiaki]

Yoshiaki was present in a simple kimono in his clans colors. He studies the field of competitors impassively as he eats his rice and steamed vegetables and sips tea.