Epilogue

[Doji Nadeshiko]

History remembers Nadeshiko as a poet, one whose popularity waxed and waned during her lifetime; as with many truly heartfelt artists, it was only after her death the Empire truly appreciated her work. In a hundred years' time, her meditations on life, love, loss, beauty and connection were still deeply beloved by those with tender hearts.

But that's not really what you want to know, is it? That's only one small part of her story: the end. You want to hear about the love she shared before that, don't you?

She spent a year traveling by the Sapphire Champion's side, and it was one of the happiest of her life. The pillow books the two authored were well received across the empire, which Nadeshiko attributed to Sriyani's creativity and keen editing skills tying everything together. They never stopped writing each other -- even when duty pried them apart -- and neither did she neglect to visit Sriyani every few Winter courts so they might again share in each other's joys and laughter. Future historians who wrote on both women sometimes debated the nature of her love for the Phoenix, but many could agree on one point: it was a transcendent one.

At their parting the Crane returned to her homeland and was soon after married to a fellow Kakita artisan. Ryouga, trained in ikebana and bonsai, was more than happy to spoil his new wife with a lush garden of her favorite flowers, which she'd often sit in when her heart needed to wander in search of the right words for a poem. Their home in Kyuden Kakita was both warm and filled with beauty -- the spoils of her trip with Sriyani giving Nadeshiko one of the most varied and brilliant art collections of the Crane, which she shared with her entire Clan eagerly and often. Most prominently displayed were the paintings of Bayushi Mikan. Until the end of her days, she always claimed Mikan's paintings as her favorite.

Over the next few years she gave birth to two sons in-between writing. Each pillow book was dedicated to beloved friends made at the Sapphire Championship. The happiness she found there followed her throughout her life and left her a prolific writer and patron of new artists, one who never stopped pestering her fellow Ambassadors as to how their lives were going and what beauty they'd seen.

When news of Hatsuki's death reached her Nadeshiko (...among others) called in quite a few favors to relocate her small family to the Painted City. The woman spent the rest of her short life close by her beloved cousin's children -- and, of course, her dear friends Choudai, Mikan, and Otoko. Her presence in Scorpion lands was well-received: considering her heritage and her infamous love of the Clan and its people, she never found much trouble, even when trouble tried to find her. Her father eventually retired to the Painted City as well and kept close watch over his daughter and her growing brood.

In time Nadeshiko had four more children of her own, all raised beside Chika and Tadashi. She made sure to regale Hatsuki's children and grandchildren with tales of the woman's youth and strong convictions, even going so far as to write a book of poems expressing her own memories of Hatsuki's philosophy on inner beauty. Like with her beloved Akihito Nadeshiko's heart could hardly handle the loss -- but with poetry she desperately tried to make immortal the life of one of the most beautiful people she'd ever known.

Choudai, for all his troubles, was kept company by Nadeshiko, and she always asked him to send his leftovers to her, that she might enjoy them. In return she cherished the man her cousin loved, and whenever she felt his house had darkened, she always visited, eagerly asking -- "how do you cook this, Choudai-san?" She never became a passable cook, but Nadeshiko was happy all the same to at least cut up the vegetables for his dishes while they talked. Love can be as simple as that.

Mikan's close presence at this later stage in their lives was much more welcome, and the two grew close enough Mikan became almost a second mother to Nadeshiko's own children. There were rumors, of course, but Ryouga never seemed bothered by the Bayushi's presence in their household, and neither was Choudai ever concerned: their wives were happy, and that was that. A painting of both families still adorns the household their great-granddaughter inherited. Another great-grandchild holds a rich painting of the poet in her youth kissing a sakura petal against a backdrop of blossoms, a treasured piece requested of her beloved Mikan by the woman herself. Some historians believe a few of her love poems from this time were meant for the Bayushi painter.

At the eventual loss of her eyesight Nadeshiko's life changed deeply -- in some ways for the better. While still an artist (dictating to assistants her poetry, pillow books, and eventually even plays) she shifted into more courtly duties while teaching younger students the fundamentals of art and iaijutsu philosophy. In her mid-thirties she even took up work as a nakodo. Those married under her supervision were often said to have some of the most blissful betrothals in the Empire, and she was most popular for matchmaking up until her death.

Sadly, the Crane woman was lost to a difficult childbirth at forty-two. Nadeshiko's diaries (all written to Hatsuki) were published posthumously, giving further insight into her philosophy on love and her memories of those she loved, lost, and wished to see again. Her death poem -- which she'd penned a decade prior in one diary -- spoke of finally joining those she'd lost too soon and the happiness of holding hands once again.

In a shocking surprise to some of her family, one of Hatsuki's grandsons inherited Nadeshiko's writing box for his own budding poetry. After all -- it's what she would have wanted, tradition be damned.