[Day 9, Early Morning-Mikan's Room] The Forlorn Hope (Closed)

[Bayushi Choudai]

Mikan studied the Bayushi's face for a bit before speaking.

"Earlier you complimented my skill in painting you, Bayushi-san. I think you were being overgenerous. Really it was the description of the mask and the colors that I was drawing from. I know about the Scorpion traditions, but it IS a face of a possible friend someday, I think." she admitted honestly.

Choudai nodded, turning the mask around in his hands.

"All I ask is the chance. We got off to a truly horrible start, and you should never forget who and what I showed you I can be, but... we have no real quarrel."

He arched an eyebrow at her.

"You know, my comment about your skill at painting me sight unseen remains. While the content of your paintings may not have been to my... taste, I was displeased to see that you were... discouraged from presenting your genuine work. I'm beginning to see why they paired us. And I hope you'll continue to paint as a Scorpion."

[Kakita Mikan]

Choudai nodded, turning the mask around in his hands.

"All I ask is the chance. We got off to a truly horrible start, and you should never forget who and what I showed you I can be, but... we have no real quarrel."

He arched an eyebrow at her.

"You know, my comment about your skill at painting me sight unseen remains. While the content of your paintings may not have been to my... taste, I was displeased to see that you were... discouraged from presenting your genuine work. I'm beginning to see why they paired us. And I hope you'll continue to paint as a Scorpion."

Mikan nods.

"It's how I express myself. People find it easy to ignore and misunderstand my words, but not with my art. It is the same for you, is it not?"

She looks over at a painting case.

"Though your words did inspire me Bayushi-san. The work I was going to present for Honesty before Nadeshiko-san talked to me is over there if you would care to see it." she offered.

[Bayushi Choudai]

Mikan nods.

"It's how I express myself. People find it easy to ignore and misunderstand my words, but not with my art. It is the same for you, is it not?"

She looks over at a painting case.

"Though your words did inspire me Bayushi-san. The work I was going to present for Honesty before Nadeshiko-san talked to me is over there if you would care to see it." she offered.

"I could hardly refuse. Because as you say... it's a clear form of expression."

He got up to have a look (and braced himself, given he context in which the painting had been made).

[Kakita Mikan]

Mikan nods.

"It's how I express myself. People find it easy to ignore and misunderstand my words, but not with my art. It is the same for you, is it not?"

She looks over at a painting case.

"Though your words did inspire me Bayushi-san. The work I was going to present for Honesty before Nadeshiko-san talked to me is over there if you would care to see it." she offered.

"I could hardly refuse. Because as you say... it's a clear form of expression."

He got up to have a look (and braced himself, given he context in which the painting had been made).

The scroll inside the case wasn't really a painting per se. It simply bore a message in very large kanji.

I Love Doji Nadeshiko

Mikan shakes her head.

"You said that my paintings were practically saying that...but they were not reaching the heart that I was trying to reach. So I intended to make one last push. Fortunately, that proved unnecessary, and I was able to spare her a great deal of embarrassment." she admitted.

[Bayushi Choudai]

The scroll inside the case wasn't really a painting per se. It simply bore a message in very large kanji.

I Love Doji Nadeshiko

Mikan shakes her head.

"You said that my paintings were practically saying that...but they were not reaching the heart that I was trying to reach. So I intended to make one last push. Fortunately, that proved unnecessary, and I was able to spare her a great deal of embarrassment." she admitted.

He clucked his tongue, then smiled.

"Would also have been a good one for Yu, Kakita-san. We should find a place in our home for this- be a bit awkward for guests to see, but I like it. Unless you'd rather it went somewhere else, of course."

[Kakita Mikan]

He clucked his tongue, then smiled.

"Would also have been a good one for Yu, Kakita-san. We should find a place in our home for this- be a bit awkward for guests to see, but I like it. Unless you'd rather it went somewhere else, of course."

Mikan tilted her head in consideration.

"I had thought about giving it to Nadeshiko-san....but perhaps it would detract from the other pieces."

She paused a moment.

"Perhaps a room might be sent aside for such a piece....but I think it would be best if it had a companion piece from you Bayushi-san. A small hidden room where we can remind ourselves of the truth, even if no one else can see it," she suggests.

[Bayushi Choudai]

Mikan tilted her head in consideration.

"I had thought about giving it to Nadeshiko-san....but perhaps it would detract from the other pieces."

She paused a moment.

"Perhaps a room might be sent aside for such a piece....but I think it would be best if it had a companion piece from you Bayushi-san. A small hidden room where we can remind ourselves of the truth, even if no one else can see it," she suggests.

"I like that idea... but my chosen form of art is very... ephemeral."

He scratched his chin.

"It wouldn't do to put something commissioned next to your statement of heartfelt truth. I would need to consider it carefully..."

[Kakita Mikan]

"I like that idea... but my chosen form of art is very... ephemeral."

He scratched his chin.

"It wouldn't do to put something commissioned next to your statement of heartfelt truth. I would need to consider it carefully..."

Mikan inclines her head.

"I think it's worth considering." she agrees.

She takes a moment to stretch a bit, now fully alert.

"Is there more you wished to discuss, Bayushi-san? I would like to get back to painting....I don't have a lot of time left."

[Bayushi Choudai]

Mikan inclines her head.

"I think it's worth considering." she agrees.

She takes a moment to stretch a bit, now fully alert.

"Is there more you wished to discuss, Bayushi-san? I would like to get back to painting....I don't have a lot of time left."

"No, Kakita-san, don't let me keep you. As you say, time is short, and the artwork is important. We've come to an arrangement that gives me hope for the years ahead."

He bowed, then went to take his leave.

[Saibankan]

She returned the bow and returned to another canvas.

/scene