[D0, LE, Open] Walking the Floor

[Isawa Soichiro]

With shadows lengthening and the castle settling down to rest up for the formalities the morning would bring, the doors to the great gallery opened to admit a small, slender man in Phoenix colors. His gait spoke of reserve, but as he crossed the floor, the timidity began to shed until he was flowing across the last few paces to the center of the room. There, he took in a deep breath and closed his eyes, transported to a different time and place.

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"Hmm..tatami everywhere...", Ameiko observed as she reentered the Gallery from an adjoining room. She needed a lengthy, well polished wooden surface for her goal to be achieved. Surely the manor had something suitable aside the dojo itself?

And upon reemerging into the gallery, she spied someone had snuck in while she was preoccupied.

"Oh, hello, samurai-sama", said the young girl in the face paint and crimson kimono. "I did not mean to disturb, no one was here a short moment ago."

[Isawa Soichiro]

He exhaled and turned, an indulgent smile settling into place.

"It is no bother," he squinted, "Scorpion-san. In fact, one might say that I have intruded on you, yes? And not the other way about." He bowed with a fluidity that comes from nature perfected by long years of practice. "This one is Isawa Soichiro, of Toshi Ranbo."

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"Truly there is no bother on myself, either", the girl replied brightly. "I am called Bayushi Ameiko, graduate of the One Hundred Stances dojo and yojimbo to Otomo Gaitsu." She bowed. "I admit however, though many members of my family have traveled to the capital for many generations, this one has not had the experience." her use of the neutral term instead of naming the city suggests she perhaps spoke of both cities, or merely whichever city the Throne resides in. "Are you a herald of some sort, here to bring news from Toshi Ranbo?"

[Isawa Soichiro]

Soichiro's smile reached his eyes. "Oh my, no. I am to compete, I am afraid. My husband's idea." He nodded twice. "Otomo Gaitsu, you say? I believe I have attended one of his father's parties about three seasons back. Kae-sama has always been such an excellent hostess. I had no idea their son was so invested in art that he should take a direct interest in Doji-sama's project."

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"Lord Gaitsu expresses his wish to see this event upon hearing of it along the road, in truth", Ameiko admitted. "Yet I would say as a samurai he greatly approves of art. As such I have also been allowed to take part.". The girl smiled then offered a bow. "May we find ourselves in worthy competition."

[Isawa Soichiro]

Soichiro's smile widened slightly. "Hai, let it be so. And how fortuitous for you to be passing at such a moment. It will certainly be an asset for Otomo-sama to have a Sapphire Ambassador in his coterie. Few yojimbo are given an opportunity of that magnitude."

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"I believe Lord Gaitsu allows this indulgence as much for himself as he does for me, yes", the Scorpion agreed, perhaps too cheerily. "He was seeking a young and promising youth, I was selected among the best of the 100 stances dojo, not only for my skill with a blade but for my other talents as well.". She flipped her fan out and cooled herself. "It was happy coincidence I had everything that was needed."

Was she being cheeky, arrogant, or having the Phoenix on? Only the Scorpion truly know. She slapped her fan shut.

"Isawa-sama, what manner of craft are you known for, if I may ask?"

[Isawa Soichiro]

What the Phoenix may have thought of Ameiko's preening remained hidden behind the veil of magnanimity he maintained.

"I could hardly tell you, Bayushi-san. I was trained in ikebana, sculpture, and calligraphy at Honored Treaty City many years ago, but it has been a lifetime since I had a formal exhibit. When one's work is destined to dwell with others in commemoration of happy days spent together or successful ventures begun or completed, one seldom has the opportunity to hear any sort of meaningful criticism about them. The work takes on too much weight standing for words and deeds not intrinsic to its construction. That makes it quite challenging to look at objectively."

He paused, considering. "Perhaps Doji Utemaro-sama could tell you which he believes is my strong suit. He has seen enough of it." A beat. "And what of you? An actress, perhaps? I have always been partial to Scorpion techniques. Or has your swordplay led you to calligraphy as it has so many others?"

[Bayushi Ameiko]

She nodded along with his exposition, taking care not to butt in as children do, and especially not with so your well known for being old? as...well...making it to a certain age as a samurai was actually an accomplishment.

Still she didn't need to insult the Isawa over it. When he checked the question back to her she smiled again.

"My calligraphy belongs on display, but only as a warning to others", she laughed, to hide the realization that it was painfully true. She dipped her head slightly then. "I play the flute."

[Isawa Soichiro]

He showed an interest. "How lovely. And what led you to that instrument?"

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"My aunt on my mother's side, from the Aotora, liked to play. She taught me as a little girl", the Scorpion answered. "I have had the fortune of improving as of late, so perhaps I will be able to honor her efforts "

A tilt of her slightly bobly head, symptom of not being quite grown.

"Did you feel a calling for creation as a Phoenix?"

[Isawa Soichiro]

Soichiro considered that a moment. "As a Phoenix? No, not at all. I mean, I was one at the time." He smiled disarmingly. "But my father thought it best that I have the skills a person should have to support their spouse in their work. My husband-to-be showed a knack for diplomacy as well as with the spirits of the air, so an artisan I was made." He executed an artful shrug. One-shouldered, slow. Very classy. "And I believe the strategy has born out some success. My husband has yet to complain; he always has a gift ready to hand. And I am told that I am an effective accessory."

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"I see", she said. Ameiko was inexperienced, but she was sharp. She knew her mother spoke well of her father because he was not around so much to speak poorly of, and that everything Soichiro said sounded very much like her.

If it is proper, complaint would be improper.

"Has anything about art ever called to you personally?" The Scorpion asked lightly. Her smile cracked wide open then. "I admit I simply enjoy praise"

[Isawa Soichiro]

"I have appreciated having the ability to say things that could not otherwise be said," Soichiro said after allowing himself a small think. "Of course praise is lovely, and I do enjoy it when it is sincere. Who has been praising you of late, Bayushi-san?"

[Bayushi Ameiko]

She waved her fan again, blowing off seriousness a moment. "Oh, everyone praises me eventually", she said with a smirk. "Though, I am interested in what you mean as to saying things that could not be otherwise. Has Isawa-san expressed much this way?"

[Isawa Soichiro]

Soichiro smiled a little coyly. "Hasn't everyone?"

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"Art being so personal, I respect if you don't wish to talk about it", she offered a bow. "Though I must admit as one so much younger I was seeking some wisdom on the matter. There are songs one can play that have meaning to others, but again...as it is so personal, one might deliver a message that is poorly understood." She fidgeted slightly now with her fan but met he older samurai's eyes. "Perhaps Isawa-san could offer the advice of his experience?"

[Isawa Soichiro]

He nodded slowly, absorbing the flattery. "Hai, I suppose it would do no harm. When I first made my debut, I remember the pressure many young people were under to keep decorum. Emperor Toturi was a wise and benevolent sovereign, but that only made it the more imperative to not bring shame upon oneself because of untoward emotions. So, naturally, people turned to art to say what words could not. I shall never forget the painting of the Ki-rin shrine that Shiba Ningen presented to the court. It was..." He sighed a little wistfully. "And because winter's snows melt with the spring and nothing was said, no one lost face. An elegant solution, if one knows how to keep one's eyes open and mouth shut."

[Bayushi Ameiko]

She thought about what the Isawa had said, but perhaps was missing a bit of context. Still, Ameiko would never admit such. It had also suddenly pressed upon her that she was dealing with someone who had met Emperor Toturii, who was largely responsible for saving the empire. Soichiro was even older than her uncle! She nodded.

"Master Ningen was very young then, wasn't he?" she asked.