Don't Judge a Book by its Cover (D4, MA, Open)

[Doji Nadeshiko]

(Expecting, but it's the streets :3)

Today's a perfect day to browse all the wares being sold during the competition, or at least, that's a certain Crane's logic -- Nadeshiko has been slowly walking the streets, chatting up merchants as she finds them. So far she's bought a few trinkets and some lovely paper, the former being carried in a little parcel and the latter held to her chest as she walks. The more shaded streets are her favorite. Those places she pauses to open her eyes fully, taking in the flowers and architecture, and, of course, the people. She could get used to a place like this.

Rounding the corner she catches a stand in her vision. It's only when she moves closer she realizes what's being sold, and her pace picks up, the woman almost stumbling to get to the book seller. The tired-looking man behind the tiered stand gets a smile and a bow. "Good afternoon! Lovely weather for a walk, isn't it?" There's a little more pleasantries exchanged before her gaze falls to the books. So many pillowbooks... she recognizes a few, but most are new to her. Picking up her hair so it doesn't touch the ground, Nadeshiko crouches, thumbing through pages, seeking something interesting.

[Moshi Tatsuya]

Looking even less willing to put up with any non sense than is usual for him, Moshi Tatsuya strides with purpose through the streets. He's on a very specific mission, finding his way to any seller of books he can find, he's soon standing close to the browsing Crane and sternly asking the book merchant, "Cry of Spring by Doji Nadeshiko. Do you have it?"

[Doji Nadeshiko]

"Cry of Spring by Doji Nadeshiko. Do you have it?"

That gets a bit of a squeak, and the woman points to a little pale pink book. "That one?" Nadeshiko scoots away (personal space!) before standing, a little curious even as she wonders whether she should... say something more. Her eyes turn to the man, giving him a once-over before returning to a squint. There's a little pain beginning to bore at the back of her skull.

[Moshi Tatsuya]

That gets a bit of a squeak, and the woman points to a little pale pink book. "That one?"

The Mantis, who had barely noticed the small Crane samurai-ko, grunted in curiosity, "Eh?" Glancing to the hand and then the indicated book, he somewhat cautiously reaches for it, glancing at the Crane again questioningly. He seems almost to expect her to lash out at his hand.

Lifting the small book and reviewing it briefly to ensure it is what he's seeking, he turns back to Nadeshiko. "Ah, yes, daughter of Doji. It is this one. Ah, thank you," Tatsuya says as he bows a little deeper than custom would require. As he straightens he seems still a little unsettled, as though he's not sure what to do after receiving the other samurai's assistance. "Er, Moshi Tatsuya. This one is Moshi Tatsuya, of the Mantis delegation," he says, remembering himself and then managing a passable - but certainly not Yasuki-level - smile.

[Doji Nadeshiko]

Lifting the small book and reviewing it briefly to ensure it is what he's seeking, he turns back to Nadeshiko. "Ah, yes, daughter of Doji. It is this one. Ah, thank you," Tatsuya says as he bows a little deeper than custom would require. As he straightens he seems still a little unsettled, as though he's not sure what to do after receiving the other samurai's assistance. "Er, Moshi Tatsuya. This one is Moshi Tatsuya, of the Mantis delegation," he says, remembering himself and then managing a passable - but certainly not Yasuki-level - smile.

There's a tiny laugh she quickly hides behind her sleeve before returning the bow. "Doji Nadeshiko. May I inquire as to your interest in the work?" Her eyes again open, just enough to show one sky blue, the other clouded. She's curious and wants to see his answer despite her better judgement. It's the first time she's heard a stranger ask for her book, after all.

[Moshi Tatsuya]

Tatsuya pauses, seeming to believe he's misheard.

"Doji Nadeshiko? As in..." he questions, starting to point to the book with his free hand. "The Doji Nadeshiko?"

[Doji Nadeshiko]

"Doji Nadeshiko? As in..." he questions, starting to point to the book with his free hand. "The Doji Nadeshiko?"

She gives him a bit of an awkward smile while nodding. "One and the same." Ah; Nadeshiko wonders if she should ask her question again. He doesn't seem the type to read poetry, but one should never judge a book by its cover. "I hope my work brings you joy." And she bows again.

[Moshi Tatsuya]

"I hope my work brings you joy." And she bows again.

"Er," the Mantis pauses, his spinning mind almost visible behind his eyes. "I am, ah, not so honored as to have read it..." Tatsuya looks rather like a man trying to tread safely across a frozen lake, conscious that his steps could easily go wrong but that he has little knowledge of where it is safe to step.

[Doji Nadeshiko]

"I am, ah, not so honored as to have read it..."

That makes her laugh -- it's not cruel, more amused than anything. As it dims the Crane gives him a gentle, assuring smile. "Well, you are only just buying it now, Moshi-san. I was simply hoping once you did read it, you'd enjoy it. If you read it." She leaves his interest open-ended: perhaps it is a gift, perhaps it's something else. Nadeshiko's simply honored to happen upon someone asking for it. "I could sign it with my chop... once you buy it." She nods to the merchant.

[Moshi Tatsuya]

"I could sign it with my chop... once you buy it." She nods to the shopkeeper.

Mention of money immediately brings the Mantis to full awareness and he grins.

"Indeed. How fortuitous."

The tall Mantis turns to the book seller and converses quietly but quickly, with the Crane samurai-ko overhearing bits of the conversation like "more copies," "wholesale or bulk rate" and "premium pricing." It all seems rather confused until she sees Tatsuya take one koku out of his sleeve and hold it where the other man can see it, his eyes widening and then his head nodding vigorously.

"Excellent!" The Moshi pronounces loud and clear. He tosses the heavy coin to the other man and turns back to Nadeshiko with a wide smile.

"This copy is a... gift... But perhaps you could sign it anyway? And... Maybe a few more? For, um, other friends?" Tatsuya's smile seems strangely genuine as well as unsettling.

[Doji Nadeshiko]

"This copy is a... gift... But perhaps you could sign it anyway? And... Maybe a few more? For, um, other friends?"

Nadeshiko listens, slowly growing more and more concerned. When he looks back to her she's doing her best to retain her composure. "Ah..." Her cheeks flush; she's unsure how to decline without offense, and also feels a little bad at the thought of doing so... but he seems to be trying to take advantage of her... regardless, she's nervous now, a chill crawling up her spine to whisper in her ear.

Calm yourself.

The inner tiger in her heart chases away her nerves. Nadeshiko straightens, gaining a more proper Doji posture, her voice taking an even keel as she falls into formality. "Of course. I would love to hear your friend's thoughts on the work while I sign the rest -- I've only heard the opinions of friends so far. Perhaps we could take tea together?" And she smiles again.

[Moshi Tatsuya]

"Of course. I would love to hear your friend's thoughts on the work while I sign the rest -- I've only heard the opinions of friends so far. Perhaps we could take tea together?" And she smiles again.

Tatsuya beams. "Excellent. I should be happy to share what I've heard. And, ah... I would be remiss to not, uh, read some myself. To better understand the mar-the, uh, motivation that drives my friends' interest." The Mantis seems so sincerely interested.

"Might I invite you to tea at the Waving Grass Tea Room? I am becoming quite partial to it," he says warmly.

[Doji Nadeshiko]

"Excellent. I should be happy to share what I've heard. And, ah... I would be remiss to not, uh, read some myself. To better understand the mar-the, uh, motivation that drives my friends' interest. Might I invite you to tea at the Waving Grass Tea Room? I am becoming quite partial to it," he says warmly.

"I would be quite happy to. Will your friend be joining us?"

[Moshi Tatsuya]

"Excellent. I should be happy to share what I've heard. And, ah... I would be remiss to not, uh, read some myself. To better understand the mar-the, uh, motivation that drives my friends' interest. Might I invite you to tea at the Waving Grass Tea Room? I am becoming quite partial to it," he says warmly.

"I would be quite happy to. Will your friend be joining us?"

"Blee--uh, we-well, the friend who's waiting for this copy is a magistrate in Samui Kaze Toshi, so no, but I can share why she had been seeking a copy," Tatsuya managed to say, fortunate that he was being honest about that piece at least. "And I will, uh, read thoughtfully," the Mantis said, lifting the book beside his head and touching it gently with his opposite hand. "You clearly seek honest feedback," he added solemnly, humbled but not cowed by the Crane maiden.

[Doji Nadeshiko]

"Blee--uh, we-well, the friend who's waiting for this copy is a magistrate in Samui Kaze Toshi, so no, but I can share why she had been seeking a copy," Tatsuya managed to say, fortunate that he was being honest about that piece at least. "And I will, uh, read thoughtfully," the Mantis said, lifting the book beside his head and touching it gently with his opposite hand. "You clearly seek honest feedback," he added solemnly, humbled but not cowed by the Crane maiden.

There's a wall there between them now, her unusually warm heart closed off to Tatsuya -- he's really stepped in it. Nadeshiko nods. "Thank you, Moshi-san. I hope to hear about her interest and your own thoughts on the work when we next meet." Her chop is pulled from her obi, unwrapped, and the woman holds out her hand expectantly for the little book so she might sign it. With that done it's returned to the Mantis. "Good day to you." The Doji bows one last time before making her way Somewhere Else.

/exit, possibly scene unless dog-bear has anything extra to post c: