D3EE, Discussion of Yu (Open)

[Fukurokujin]

Commentaries about the Yu displays, and surrounding general conversation, go here.

[Bayushi Choudai]

Choudai chewed on his piece of fugu, and watched to see who would join him in sampling it.

[Bayushi Ameiko]

Choudai chewed on his piece of fugu, and watched to see who would join him in sampling it.

There was no question another scorpion would give it a go.

"Good evening, senpai", she said with a bow, then sampled possible death.

[Bayushi Choudai]

There was no question another scorpion would give it a go.

"Good evening, senpai", she said with a bow, then sampled possible death.

"Ameiko-san, how good to see you... I trust the day continues to find you well?"

[Mirumoto Jakuchou]

Jakuchou, after having followed Choudai's presentation, did indeed decide to give it a taste. Mostly out of respect for the artist than out of any pressing need to try what was one of the rarest types of sushi she'd ever seen. In fact, she warred a bit internally at the idea of eating something that represents excess the way fugu does, but it also represents perfection of an artists craft so she leaned that way and took a moment to appreciate it.

She bowed in appreciation of the preparation, but did not otherwise interrupt. Though she does get a small bit of writing material from a servant so that she can send a thank you note from across the room, complimenting his work without bogging down his conversation.

Otherwise, she simply enjoys the presentations and awaits anyone that might approach her with any questions. Hers was pretty straightforward, evidence of a simpler warrior's mind, but she was open to discussion if anyone wished to ask about or give their impressions or opinions.

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"Ameiko-san, how good to see you... I trust the day continues to find you well?"

"Trusting a day to treat you well is like expecting an unknowable enemy to retreat simply because you are a bit tired", she said with a chuckle. "Though I am prepared as always to deal with any problem." She took a bite of fugu. "Ah, not quite how I remember it, did you try something different?"

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Trusting a day to treat you well is like expecting an unknowable enemy to retreat simply because you are a bit tired", she said with a chuckle. "Though I am prepared as always to deal with any problem." She took a bite of fugu. "Ah, not quite how I remember it, did you try something different?"

"Perhaps the fact that the fish wasn't quite dead when I began cutting? I'll admit, I'm glad not to be keeping it imprisoned in that jar any longer, but a certain... freshness was called for. After all, properly treated over time, fugu can almost be safe."

He paused. Took a nibble.

"Which would defeat the purpose of the piece entirely."

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"Perhaps the fact that the fish wasn't quite dead when I began cutting? I'll admit, I'm glad not to be keeping it imprisoned in that jar any longer, but a certain... freshness was called for. After all, properly treated over time, fugu can almost be safe."

He paused. Took a nibble.

"Which would defeat the purpose of the piece entirely."

"Oh, so perhaps I ate safe fugu, then?", she seemed slightly confused b the idea. "My father, Bayushi Rokatsu, would try to tease my mother about making it, as she was the Aotora daimyo's daughter but...", she looked away slightly. "Well she always refused, so he brought a chef once to make it when she was away, but we were children so it was mostly fried. Though I recalled the taste despite that, it seems much more refreshing as sashimi."

[Bayushi Choudai]

Just mentioned cooking.

"Ah! Yes, well, quite aside from any freshness or pre-cleaning, frying it results in a very different experience than with sashimi. Method of preparation is crucial, and while frying doesn't ruin fish, it absolutely results in a different flavor profile- not least is whatever medium the fish is fried in, the character of the cooking surface used... in sashimi, the only outside elements are potentially from the knives used and perhaps the serving surface..."

He seemed prepared to go on, but stopped himself. Barely.

[Doji Yoshino]

Yoshino entered and found a spot to sit. She'd had a look at every display she could. However, she was feeling tired and out of sorts.

[Akodo Yaukwari]

Yakuwari has long since set up to observe and record.

The second day of presentations focused on the virtue of courage. Leadership speaks to facing bravely what presents itself; the line between bravery and folly is one of the primary concerns of discussion. While Akodo-no-kami and Hantei-no-kami found no challenge in distinguishing the two, we who have followed after lack their divine insights, as has been amply attested.

I'll have to pull those citations, he thinks.

Perhaps that balance was tested by the first competitor of the day, Bayushi Choudai, who expertly prepared fugu before those assembled. And the demonstration did appear to draw in the audience, with several participants partaking.

The elder Mirumoto Jakuchou followed, offering an interesting dance. It seemed the Dragon forced, through the fire and flames, a message about carrying on.

Her fellow Dragon, Togashi Yoshiaki, again worked in tattoos, marking a poor girl's shoulder with a mantis engaged against a hornet. The theme was clear in the work.

Doji Yoshino's four-panel presentation on seppuku was...striking. The composition and the ordering--she went fourth--bespeak the ultimate test of courage, and the calligraphy was done well.

Kakita Mikan again demonstrated her adherence to the school of Otomo Taro, and Asahina Asano composed a painting of a frog before the audience. How that frog represents courage is not immediately clear; perhaps frogs in the Crane lands say "yu" as they croak in the evening.

The ronin, Tsi Hamada, completed work on a wakizashi. The weapon appears to be of high quality; only its use will attest as much.

He takes a breath, and his eyes scan the room.

[Doji Takei]

Doji Takei, chewing on a bit of fugu appreciatively, is watching.

[Bayushi Ameiko]

He seemed prepared to go on, but stopped himself. Barely.

"I see, I see", Ameiko said, not being a cook she didn't truly see, but she gave Choudai his due in following along, allowing him to stop in knowing his conversation partner accepted his words. She smiled slightly. "I need to begin playing soon, the idea of courage is an interesting one, don't you think?"

Doji Takei, chewing on a bit of fugu appreciatively, is watching.

Seeing Takei, the young Scorpion bowed in acknowledgement. If he wanted to join them he was welcome.

[Doji Takei]

Seeing Takei, the young Scorpion bowed in acknowledgement. If he wanted to join them he was welcome.

Takei returns the nod but does not approach, rather surveying the room.

Evidently, it is his turn to watch.

[Bayushi Choudai]

"I see, I see", Ameiko said, not being a cook she didn't truly see, but she gave Choudai his due in following along, allowing him to stop in knowing his conversation partner accepted his words. She smiled slightly. "I need to begin playing soon, the idea of courage is an interesting one, don't you think?"

"It's an integral part of being a human being. After all, Fear is one of the Three Sins-" All three of which I wallow in more or less as the fancy takes me- "and courage is one of the few virtues that by itself serves as a counterbalance."

He paused. Gave the young viper a quick wink.

"If you go in for that sort of thing."

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"If you go in for that sort of thing."

"Even my small experience has proven a guide for the idea of courage...though perhaps more of conundrum."

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Even my small experience has proven a guide for the idea of courage...though perhaps more of conundrum."

"Oh? A conundrum, Ameiko-san?"

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"Oh? A conundrum, Ameiko-san?"

"Well, there are many forms of courage, are there not? And what is more courageous, standing before an implacable enemy when you have no choice, or deciding to give ground to them to save lives, despite your lord's displeasure?"

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Well, there are many forms of courage, are there not? And what is more courageous, standing before an implacable enemy when you have no choice, or deciding to give ground to them to save lives, despite your lord's displeasure?"

"Astutely put. And there is less courage in doing something that you have trained and prepared for endlessly than for doing your best when in over your head."

Or at least that's what I tell myself when I'm trying to feel better about what I did during the war.

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"Astutely put. And there is less courage in doing something that you have trained and prepared for endlessly than for doing your best when in over your head."

"Training does break fear, this is true. It keeps focus and eases the need of the mind during a difficult times", Ameko agreed. "Though I do not know the correct choice. It need not always be something related to life or death, either. It could be as simple as fearing an answer to a question you've yet to ask."