(D6, EE) Gabbing about Gi (Discussion)

[Bayushi Choudai]

The Mantis smiles pleasantly and jokes, "Ah, Bayushi-san, I am blessed by the Fortunes everyday," as he pats his kimono. It's an obvious attempt to be self-effacing as the Moshi looks both as slim and strong as a yari.

"I have been meaning to inquire of Bayushi-san, as a most reputable chef, how he finds the various tea houses of this town? There is some splendid variety, ne?" Tatsuya folds his hands into his sleeves as he earnestly awaits the Scorpion's thoughts.

"Ah, Moshi-san, if you ask a chef, then there is only one answer- the Sunset Leaves. Their menu is both varied enough to have broad appeal, but not so broad that the excellence of a given dish suffers. I have found it both warm and welcoming..."

He smiled.

"... although I admit, it may be that they simply reach me where I am most vulnerable."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

Mikan hesitated a moment, uncertain of whether the Fox would actually help her out.

"I suppose I can ask...or simply not present today. I'll be right back, Doji-san." she promised, taking off to see if she could get paper from the Kitsune.

The Fox had no quarrel with the girl. She has seen her work and it fascinated the tanuki. Besides a minor clan should help the members of the great clans. If a paper was needed a paper was given.

[Moshi Tatsuya]

He smiled.

"... although I admit, it may be that they simply reach me where I am most vulnerable."

"Where you are most vulnerable, Bayushi-san?" The Mantis inquires pleasantly. "Ah, through your delicate and cultured palette!" Tatsuya says in a moment of understanding. He nods his head thoughtfully.

"I shall have to explore menu of your preferred house. And to be honest," he says, stepping a pace closer, but still keeping his volume where his voice might carry to others, "I am relieved to hear your choice is not the Opening Blossom. Such a shame how its management and quality are declining - even worse by the day, I understand!" The Mantis shakes his head sadly. "Fortuitous, then, that the community has superior options anyway."


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Roll:
D_, EE: Tea Wars denigrating Opening Blossom, TN 15, 2CR for TN 25. Commerce 3, Intelligence 4, VP for 1k1, 1 FR from Yasuki tech 1 | 8k5 ⇒ 43 (TN: 25)

-4 Tea Points for Opening Blossom

[Bayushi Choudai]

"I shall have to explore menu of your preferred house. And to be honest," he says, stepping a pace closer, but still keeping his volume where his voice might carry to others, "I am relieved to hear your choice is not the Opening Blossom. Such a shame how its management and quality are declining - even worse by the day, I understand!" The Mantis shakes his head sadly. "Fortuitous, then, that the community has superior options anyway."

Choudai tapped on his chin with his fan, which he had yet to open once since arriving in town.

"Opening Blossom, Opening Blossom... Ah! Yes, well. Youth has its benefits, but experience does tell, in the end. I can only hope that the management there can learn from the example set by the others."

He paused.

"If you wish to sample the cuisine at the Sunset Leaves, do let me know... my interest in it has led me to a modest show of material support, and I would be happy to have you visit it as my guest."

[Moshi Tatsuya]

"If you wish to sample the cuisine at the Sunset Leaves, do let me know... my interest in it has led me to a modest show of material support, and I would be happy to have you visit it as my guest."

The Mantis beams, beyond comfortable with this discussion topic.

"Ah, very good Bayushi-san. A man after my own heart!" Tatsuya practically glows as he nods happily. "Yes, we must do so... And, likewise of course, you will be my honored guest at the Waving Grass Tea Room. I am highly impressed by its potential," the young Moshi says with pride and confidence.

[Bayushi Choudai]

The Mantis beams, beyond comfortable with this discussion topic.

"Ah, very good Bayushi-san. A man after my own heart!" Tatsuya practically glows as he nods happily. "Yes, we must do so... And, likewise of course, you will be my honored guest at the Waving Grass Tea Room. I am highly impressed by its potential," the young Moshi says with pride and confidence.

"Ah, the place with the koi pond? I would be delighted."

And I can see why a Yasuki-trained courtier would go for a fishpond.

"I'm always interested in new opportunities, after all..."

[Moshi Tatsuya]

"Ah, the place with the koi pond? I would be delighted."

And I can see why a Yasuki-trained courtier would go for a fishpond.

"I'm always interested in new opportunities, after all..."

Tatsuya continued to beam happily.

"Very good, very good. Yes, wise is the man whose eyes are always open to opportunity!" If it was possible, the tall Mantis looked like he'd grown taller over the course of the conversation.

"Bayushi-san, if you'd care to discuss economic development opportunities further, I should very much like to do so, but I appreciate that some samurai prefer not to, ah, speak in too much detail in certain settings," he says, being conscious of certain samurai behaviors.

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Bayushi-san, if you'd care to discuss economic development opportunities further, I should very much like to do so, but I appreciate that some samurai prefer not to, ah, speak in too much detail in certain settings," he says, being conscious of certain samurai behaviors.

"Naturally, Moshi-san, naturally."

He leaned closer and lowered his voice.

"Fortunes know, I've put my foot in in more than enough already."

He cleared his throat.

"But I think a discussion of tea can hardly be taken amiss, hm?"

[Moshi Tatsuya]

"But I think a discussion of tea can hardly be taken amiss, hm?"

Tatsuya begins to chuckle and smile comfortably.

"Quite so, Bayushi-san. Quite so. Tea is, in fact, a most revered part of samurai life. One might even call it our duty to ensure good tea is consistently available, Hm?"

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Quite so, Bayushi-san. Quite so. Tea is, in fact, a most revered part of samurai life. One might even call it our duty to ensure good tea is consistently available, Hm?"

"Good tea in sufficient supply, in pleasant surroundings, is about as civilized as it gets."

Choudai nodded.

"Oh! On the artistic front, I've been working on something of Scorpion origins, but which might benefit from a certain Mantis flair... might I assume you have contacts in the islands of the Yoritomo?"

[Moshi Tatsuya]

"Good tea in sufficient supply, in pleasant surroundings, is about as civilized as it gets."

Choudai nodded.

"Oh! On the artistic front, I've been working on something of Scorpion origins, but which might benefit from a certain Mantis flair... might I assume you have contacts in the islands of the Yoritomo?"

As the Scorpion nods, Tatsuya agrees: "Well said, dear Bayushi-san."

After Choudai's inquiry, the Mantis smiles and nods.

"Most assuredly. I am honored to be here as a lieutenant of Yoritomo Tomodachi-sama, but I have my own network of contacts as well. I have been honored to travel significantly in the Empire and gain many useful acquaintances," the Moshi said, smiling proudly.

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Most assuredly. I am honored to be here as a lieutenant of Yoritomo Tomodachi-sama, but I have my own network of contacts as well. I have been honored to travel significantly in the Empire and gain many useful acquaintances," the Moshi said, smiling proudly.

"Oh I am glad to hear that... there are spices in some of my work that need... a little something extra. I once got to use some dried peppers a Kasuga associate picked up in Gisei Toshi, and... well. I could stand to secure a more ready supply- something to be a bit novel, even for Scorpion palates accustomed to our usual spices..."

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

Inori nodded. "They have. It was not my choice, really, but by now I think the judgement of my superiors was...sound. I no longer feel like a fish out of water, thanks in part to people like you, Shosuro-san, welcoming me or being examples to me"

Bit of flattery, perhaps, but it was heartfelt.

"I am glad you feel a little more at home, Matsu-san," she replied with a nod. "It's interesting how often artists come with that sense of being out of place... Even those from schools dedicated to art."

[Matsu Inori]

"I am glad you feel a little more at home, Matsu-san," she replied with a nod. "It's interesting how often artists come with that sense of being out of place... Even those from schools dedicated to art."

"Hmmm. Is that so? This is the only the second time I've even encountered artists, much less so many of them at once. GIves me a bit of comfort, really. But also"

Oh yeah, one of those questions I really want to ask but there is not really a polite way of doing it

"Does Shosuro-san feel more or less out of place in the Scorpion Clan now?"

[Kakita Mikan]

Mikan hesitated a moment, uncertain of whether the Fox would actually help her out.

"I suppose I can ask...or simply not present today. I'll be right back, Doji-san." she promised, taking off to see if she could get paper from the Kitsune.

The Fox had no quarrel with the girl. She has seen her work and it fascinated the tanuki. Besides a minor clan should help the members of the great clans. If a paper was needed a paper was given.

It might've taken a bit to get the Fox's attention, (Especially with Choudai being in the way), but once the Mantis engaged with the Scorpion, the way was clear, and Mikan borrowed a single piece of folding paper.

She offered a deep, if hurried bow as she ran back to Nadeshiko, folding the paper while she ran.

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

"Hmmm. Is that so? This is the only the second time I've even encountered artists, much less so many of them at once. GIves me a bit of comfort, really. But also"

Oh yeah, one of those questions I really want to ask but there is not really a polite way of doing it

"Does Shosuro-san feel more or less out of place in the Scorpion Clan now?"

"I'm glad to hear that."

She didn't seem to find it particularly rude, or at least gave no visible sign to that effect. "Hmm... Both, I think. In different ways than with the Clan of my birth. I find myself much more at home in certain ways, but there will be some things always out of reach because of the change. For instance, if I had stayed, I might have been able to become a sensei at my school and pass on my knowledge directly to a new generation. It might be best in the end if future artists in the medium are relatively free of my perspective on it, though."

[Bayushi Choudai]

Seeing Mikan's presentation, Choudai... frowned.

He despised the woman, completely and utterly, had already begun making plans for her death, but...

But it's not right that her art is cut off. Ridiculous as it is, objectionable as some find it... to force her to make simple origami instead is... wrong.

[Matsu Inori]

"I'm glad to hear that."

She didn't seem to find it particularly rude, or at least gave no visible sign to that effect. "Hmm... Both, I think. In different ways than with the Clan of my birth. I find myself much more at home in certain ways, but there will be some things always out of reach because of the change. For instance, if I had stayed, I might have been able to become a sensei at my school and pass on my knowledge directly to a new generation. It might be best in the end if future artists in the medium are relatively free of my perspective on it, though."

"That's a...somewhat dim view of your own contributions, is it not?" Inori frowned

"And yet, if you feel like they have little value for your old Clan there is no harm in teaching them to your current liege - if there is value there. I imagine it's always a bit of a complicated relationship"

Recent conversations with Choudai definitely have left her thinking about Marriage and what it might entail, and the various complications. Unsettling thoughts. Thoughts that were interrupted by Kakita Mikan's last minute presentation.

"A...Lion? Huh?"

Inori said, not even masking her confusion.

[Bayushi Choudai]

...

They recognized my art.

They RECOGNIZED MY ART.

I WAS SLAGGING UTEMARO WITH EVERY DOUBLE-EDGED BREATH AND THEY RECOGNIZED MY ART.

Choudai's emotions, never the most stable of concoctions, were roiling, although his disquiet at the treatment of Mikan's art remained.

He did his best to maintain his composure, and took a moment to bow to Inori.

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

"That's a...somewhat dim view of your own contributions, is it not?" Inori frowned

"And yet, if you feel like they have little value for your old Clan there is no harm in teaching them to your current liege - if there is value there. I imagine it's always a bit of a complicated relationship"

Recent conversations with Choudai definitely have left her thinking about Marriage and what it might entail, and the various complications. Unsettling thoughts. Thoughts that were interrupted by Kakita Mikan's last minute presentation.

"A...Lion? Huh?"

Inori said, not even masking her confusion.

"Not at all. I want the people who come after me to be able to take the techniques I figured out and apply their own styles to it, rather than feel bound to the ideas of their predecessors of what their art can be," she explained with a smile. "Seeing others adopt makeup as an art and put their own spin and ideas into it is something I am greatly looking forward to down the line. If I can inspire that, I think it's a great compliment to my art."

"Hai, I plan to do that, as well."

Then the announcement came. "Ah, Matsu-san! Congratulations!"

She turned toward Choudai at the announcement with a warm smile. They'd finally acknowledged him.

"Congratulations, Bayushi-san."