(D1, LE, Closed) Setting the scene

[Bayushi Choudai]

"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.

"I find myself in agreement on the broader point, the need to honor a diversity of art forms."

Having flipped a restaurant before, speculating about it hadn't taken all that much of his attention. It was a bit like chopping vegetables while keeping the simmer of the rice pot in mind.

"My own chosen art is hardly ikebana, and Shosuro Hatsuki-san's struck me as delightfully unique the first I heard of it. An appreciation for variety is all to the good. Every art should be given a chance to prove itself as art. Its success or failure would set a precedent going forward. As far as lower station, I would be curious to hear what Doji-san meant by that... as Bayushi-san has noted, there are Minor Clan and Ronin samurai present already. Or are we speaking of heimin?"

[Shosuro Otoko]

Otoko nods at Choudai's point.

"Indeed. While the Sparrow might argue on behalf of heimen artists, I would suspect that there are few in the great clans that would be willing to put Noh and Puppetry on the same stage, as it were, let alone very much support from the kakita Academy." she said, turning the discussion of such over to the group as a whole.

She wasn't condemning the Crane's possible point, she seemed merely curious about the broader points held by those in attendance.

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

"Perhaps what the Kakita Academy does and does not support should have a more... mitigated effect on the wider cultural stage," Hatsuki noted.

[Akijin]

Tag

Responding to some unseen signal, Akijin approaches quietly, politely, bows.

"Is everything satisfactory, Scorpion-sama?"

[Bayushi Choudai]

How quaint!

Choudai nodded.

"Far more than merely satisfactory. I sampled your menu the night before, and was quite favorably impressed. Today I see that the quality is consistent."

He paused.

"I have an... interest in such consistency. Do you take my meaning?"

[Akijin]

is looking like he needs a fedora and pinstripes

"That a patron is pleased is a blessing, indeed," Akijin replies, blushing slightly. "And interest is welcome."

[Bayushi Choudai]

"That a patron is pleased is a blessing, indeed," Akijin replies, blushing slightly. "And interest is welcome."

"An interesting word, 'patron.' I imagine sourcing some of your more exotic ingredients is no simple matter. I would be pleased to help simplify the process."

[OOC: This is the part where I roll Commerce to amp up his buy-in, but rolling dice on this phone is... dicey. Placeholder, but he will be doing a buy-in of at four koku]

[Akijin]

"An interesting word, 'patron.' I imagine sourcing some of your more exotic ingredients is no simple matter. I would be pleased to help simplify the process."

[OOC: This is the part where I roll Commerce to amp up his buy-in, but rolling dice on this phone is... dicey. Placeholder, but he will be doing a buy-in of at least three koku]

"Of course, Bayushi-sama," Akijin replies easily. "And it will be remembered fondly, and for long."

(I'll look forward to the roll.)

[Doji Nadeshiko]

Nadeshiko listens intently. She gives a subtle nod to both Choudai's mention of heimin and Hatsuki's mention of the Kakita Academy, and looks almost ready to speak on both -- but then Akijin appears, and she waits. It's rather meditative. As Choudai talks business with the woman some of the tension in Nadeshiko's body leaves her, and her expression loses its seriousness, however briefly that may last.

[Bayushi Choudai]

(I'll look forward to the roll.)

[It actually failed! Good thing the only consequence is a failure to add more points...]

[Fukurokujin]

[It actually failed! Good thing the only consequence is a failure to add more points...]

(Make your note in your PF, please, if you've not already.)

[Togashi Yoshiaki]

"From what I know of the Kakita they certainly have a very specific and often rigid view of what a thing can be." Came a voice that would be familiar to most at the table.

Yoshiaki bowed to the group "I apologize for being late my meditations ran longer than I had hoped." He looked toward the organizer of their little meeting "after our conversation this morning I was curious about the invitation you put out."

"May I join you?"

[Shosuro Otoko]

"From what I know of the Kakita they certainly have a very specific and often rigid view of what a thing can be." Came a voice that would be familiar to most at the table.

Yoshiaki bowed to the group "I apologize for being late my meditations ran longer than I had hoped." He looked toward the organizer of their little meeting "after our conversation this morning I was curious about the invitation you put out."

"May I join you?"

Otoko bowed to the late coming Dragon.

"Of course, Togashi-san, it is a pleasure to see you again so soon, please, join our conversation." she offered, pouring another cup of herbal tea for the Dragon, and placing it to the other untouched cups.

[Bayushi Choudai]

Oh Fortunes. Monks. Everywhere I turn in this Kami-forsaken town, monks.

And most of them are weird.

[Togashi Yoshiaki]

Yoshiaki bowed once again and joined them. He nodded his thanks and took a sip of the tea regardless of taste the hot drink warmed his insides pleasantly.

[Saibankan]

Yoshiaki bowed once again and joined them. He nodded hos thanks and took a sip of the tea regardless of taste the hot drink warmed his insides pleasantly.

It was a very tasty tea, the herbal notes blended perfectly. It brought to the Dragon's mind a sunny Autumn day, before the first snows had fallen upon the mountains.

Overall, quite pleasant, though no one else seemed to be drinking.

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"Hello Togashi-san", Ameiko greeted. "I see you have met Shosuro-san, but do you know everyone else? This gentleman in the fancy mask is Bayushi Choudai, the lively lady in expert make up is Shosuro Hatsuki and her companion here is Doji Nadeshiko." She bowed slightly. "I am Bayushi Ameiko, it's a pleasure to meet you."

[Togashi Yoshiaki]

"Hello Togashi-san", Ameiko greeted. "I see you have met Shosuro-san, but do you know everyone else? This gentleman in the fancy mask is Bayushi Choudai, the lively lady in expert make up is Shosuro Hatsuki and her companion here is Doji Nadeshiko." She bowed slightly. "I am Bayushi Ameiko, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Yoshaiki let out a small contented sigh as he set his cup down and he nodded to Ameiko

"Yes I have, fate saw fit to place my steps on the path of everyone here except for you, until now that is Bayushi-san. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

"So you all are angling to have next year's gathering in Scorpion lands yes?" That was his understanding of the invitation

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

<snip>

Hatsuki smiled behind her fan at the compliment to Choudai's mask.

<snip>

"Yes, Togashi-san."

[Doji Nadeshiko]

"So you all are angling to have next year's gathering in Scorpion lands yes?" That was his understanding of the invitation

Nadeshiko nods with Hatsuki's words.

"Considering the events of last year," She adds very quietly, "It would be a sign of goodwill between the Crane and the Scorpion if they were to host. There are other valuable considerations to the matter, as well."

There's a twinge in her heart, and the woman bows her head, picking up her cup to ground herself with the tea's scent.