It was an extremely varied group that gathered at the Red Tailed Nest at the invitation of  Doji Naomi. The Red Tailed Nest was one of the many places of business the Crane had commandeered in the city of Mura Sabishii Toshi for their own use--not that others were unwelcome, just that the Crane occupied most of the seats.

Other than Doji Naomi herself, her betrothed Kitsune Shoji, and his brother Kitsune Daichi, also present were the Ronin Kedo and Yuudai, the Crane Asahina Byako, and the Dragon Agasha Masuyo. It was a gathering that drew looks--but not stares, never stares from the oh, so polite Crane--and not a few quiet and not so quiet murmurings. Some of that may have been for Yuudai and Kitsune Daichi, who had distinguished themselves in the Test of the Badger, or for Agasha Masuyo, who's reputation among the Phoenix preceded her, but most likely it was for Asahina Byako and the Ronin Kedo, both of whom had played a part in the Siege of Toshi Ranbo--and not a small part either.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:57, Tue 20 Mar 2018.

The Dragon Shugenja needs to do nothing flamboyant, as her outrageously colorful clothing and impressively colorful tattoos do a fantastic job of that for her.  She looks around as she travels with her companions, nodding her head and smiling to the Crane as they pass them.

"What a lovely place this is."  She may be a bit socially dense, but she is fairly sharp of eye.

She leans towards Asahina Byako and the Ronin Kedo, pausing in her stride to do so, possibly nearly causing a pile up of moving bodies.

"Seems you two are quite the celebrities!"

"It seems so. I hope it doesn't cause Shoji-san any trouble. Anzu and Daichi-san would be completely upset if it did, I'm sure."

Byako tries to get the procession moving again by gently prodding Masuyo back into motion.

"I'm starved Masuyo-san. The sooner we get to our seats, the sooner we'll get to eat!" she says with a wink and smile.

A soft chuckle, and the wink and smile are returned, with a quick bow at the end.

"My apologies, Byako-san.  I will cause your constitution no further harm."

She moves then with almost astounding agility, threading her way to the table, then moving slightly to one side.  She moves in some ways like a warrior, a monk.. or a madwoman?

She grins.  "No troubles, yes?"

"None yet, I think!" Byako takes her place as well.

Masuyo drops into a cushion on the other side of Byako of her ronin friend, almost like a child would sit.

"Excellent!"

She looks around the table, then seems to smile at something over Byako's shoulder a moment... though there is apparently nothing there.

 For his part, Kedo isn't really dressed for the Red-Tailed Nest - oh, he's presentable enough for a camp and he's not wearing armour (indeed, he's almost never seen wearing the pearl-grey suit that he's carried on his back from one side of the Empire to the other - mindful that a war harness should only be worn for war) but his garments are those of a simple wave-man, painstakingly repaired and starkly plain.

 The swords at his hip are fairly nice mind you, but that's only to be expected.

 The eyes do not go entirely unrecognised however, and when Masuyo remarks upon them he offers a small, apologetic smile and answers "I fear that rumour has run ahead of fact... My efforts to enter a bath-house earlier were greeted with similar... Commentary." in what can only be described as a thoroughly abashed fashion.

 That... well, that didn't go entirely smoothly.

Masuyo grins feral at Kedo for a moment in reply, then speaks loud enough for anyone to overhear that wishes.

"Oh... I could use a bath, and it is a great opportunity to show off all my ink.  Care to join me after dinner at the same one, Kedo-san?"

She pulls up her left sleeve a bit more.. the woman's skin appears to be mostly covered...

 "I should welcome the opportunity... Although I fear that there will be some small difficulty locating a suitable house... For some reason there was no space to be found in the local ones when I asked." Kedo answers, which can probably be put down to his most famous visit to a Crane bath house having resulted in his jumping naked into the women's section and a dozen dead bodies.

 It's complicated...

Another grin from the shugenja.

"I am certain we can find something suitable..."

Teeth flashed in a smile directed towards Doji Naomi as guests arrived, "Thank you, Naomi-san.   I couldn't have put this together without you."

Kitsune Shoji gleamed as he met eyes with the arriving guests and found them already in good spirits and conversation.  There was a lot riding on the evening for the Fox - the tournament was an opportunity for the minor clans to make friends.  Certainly Shoji was happy that Daichi had won the first event and the gifts of the Badger, but he couldn't help but think that the evening's festivities (the chance for the Fox to host some of the other competitors) was the real prize.

Shoji himself had seen to much of the food preparation... for the Fox this meant mostly gathering as opposed to preparation the surrounding hills lending their bountiful sansai to the keen eyes of the Kitsune.  Impossibly crisp vegetables found themselves mixed with a dozen varieties of mushrooms and sweet berries.  These were only appetizers, of course.  Courses of fresh fish and other surprises remained in reserve waiting for the fashionably late to arrive.

The decor found the best of both worlds - Crane elegance and Fox produce.

Barely through the entrance the guests find themselves approached by servants offering refreshments - a variety of fresh fruit juices mixed with awamori; non-alcoholic beverages available upon request.

Shoji stood aside Naomi watching the guests enter.

"Asahina-sama."  A bow.
"Agasha-sama."   Another bow, deeper due to Shoji's lack of familiarity with the eye-catching Agasha.
"Kedo-sama."  A third bow, deeper than one would expect for a ronin but still respectful of the hero of Toshi Ranbo.  "Will Ikoma-sama be joining us this evening?" Shoji asked hopefully.  The Lion was never without a story.

A dozen feet away, the largest Kitsune labored, staring intently at what appeared to be something of a centerpiece for the occasion.  At first it appears to be something of a sculpture of an oversized bonsai in the middle of the room.  Closer inspection revealing that it was complex and organic - an assembly of weathered woods that had been harvested from the forest and shaped into a wooden installation.  The art-form unique to the Kitsune, a localized take on ikebana.  That Daichi moves blocks of wood the size of boulders with little effort reveals his strength, the arrangement his artistry.

Upon hearing voices voices of the guests Daichi paused, turning to acknowledge them offering bows to each of the guests.  A thoughtful glance toward the Asahina who had helped him earlier, a lingering glance at the eye-catching Agasha, and a welcoming but wary glance toward the ronin.

It seems for a moment the.. "eye catching Agasha" was about to look for the 'sama'.  That uncertainty evaporates with a glance to an area near her shoulder and she engages Shoji with a friendly gleam in her eyes.

She bows as deeply as he does, matching him.

"Thank you for providing sustenance to this servant of the kami, Kitsune-sama."  She intones respectfully, setting aside her firey nature for a moment.

Sumiko wanders into the Red Tailed Nest, the dust of the road barely washed off at the bath she stopped at on her way into town.  While she is mildly put out about missing the first competition she realizes that Juijutsu is not her strongest point and mollifies her irritation by assuring herself that she will do much better in the following challenges.

Seeing the group of samurai she approaches slowly, smoothing her kimono and making sure that her mons are all prominently displayed, "Good evening fellows, have I been fortuitous enough to come upon some fellow samurai participating in the trials?" she asks innocuously, "If so might I be able to sit with you and hear the story of the first trial, which I unfortunately missed because of traveling, issues." the pause, while barely perceptible seems to imply that the samurai-ko may perhaps have her own story to tell.


OOC:  Sumiko is wearing the mon of both the Bayushi Bushi School and the Asako Courtier School.

10:12, Today: Agasha Masuyo rolled 30 using 6d10, dropping the 2 lowest rolls, rerolling max, unique dice with rolls of 1,9,6,3,8,7.  Lore - Herladry for a Scorpion courtier who is also bushi.

The colorful Agasha's gaze track to the new arrival, her brows perk slightly.

"Lovely Daisho you have there, Shosuro-san.  Reminds me of my failings at Iujutsu."

She smiles.

"I am Agasha Masuyo, servant of the kami, and our host... "  She indicates the Kitsune with a move of her head.

 "Regrettably not, Kitsune-san. Hitori-san managed to secure a quantity of writing supplies from a Yasuki gentleman and I do not believe she has surface since." comes the answer with the bow that Kedo offers in return, automatically offering slightly greater precedence to the Minor Clan Samurai than he would ever claim for himself and it's a bow duplicated towards the large man artfully arranging the centrepiece to the room, although one drawn out a little as the wave-man in his simple clothing spends a long, happy moment contemplating the arrangement, studying the way that the shape and grain of the woods chosen complement their arrangement in a fashion both organic and artful, nature and arrangement flowing one into the other in a fashion easily dismissed by a traditionalist but patently no less capable of achieved perfection.

 This rapt attention keeps him from intruding upon the arrival of the Shosuro woman but Kedo being Kedo he would almost certainly have done nothing of the sort - it not being his place - and so he only comes in at the end to offer a respectful bow while his betters undertake discourse.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:32, Tue 17 Apr 2018.

Byako watches the interactions between everyone with interest. It is interesting how everyone self-sorts into tiers, sometimes being bubbled up even against their own will. She wasn't kidding about being hungry, though, so she follows the minimum polite protocol before availing herself of some of the appetizers. Unfortunately the earlier conversation got her in the mood for some actual meat, so the more typical fare is less satisfying than she'd hope. Still, better than nothing.

Once she's sated enough to be polite, she speaks up to the newcomer; "I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Shoruso-san. I am Asahina Byako. If I may so bold, may I inquire as to the issues you came upon on the road?"

Sumiko bows politely to the others, "Thank you Agashasan, not every skill is something that everyone can master.  I am sure you have many abilities that make up for your lack of iaijutsu skill." she says gaily, "Perhaps at sometime I could show you some of the points I have learned, although I am far from a master either."

At Byako's request she nods, "Hardly worthy of such esteemed company but if everyone feels a desire to know then I have no qualms about sharing."

Once the Kitsune had completed his arrangement and stood back, one could see the final effect.  It gave the room inside of the Red Tailed Nest a forest feel, as if the arrangement was supporting the ceiling of the room itself.  Within the context of the artist (Kitsune, eh) one could guess Daichi's intent: to bring a piece of Kitsune Mori to the Golden Sun Plains.  Rather than the dark and dense feeling that the forest's names conjures in the minds of most of Rokugon, the artistry reflects Daichi's memories of growing up within.  A sense of whimsy prevails.

When finished, Daichi turned his attention back to the guests.  A sense of pleasure welled when he saw the ronin Kedo studying his work.

The man, with arms and legs reminiscent of the tree trunks and branches used in the decor, turned to head for the kitchen... the guests were hungry and should not have to wait long for the meal.

A smile crosses Masuyo's face fleetingly, and she shows some sign of regret.

"Unfortunately Shosuro-san, even should I become proficient in Iajutsu, my lord will not allow me to use it, and I will likely remain forbidden to carry a long blade."

A slight shrug and her eyes track to the sculpture, she takes it in as she absently eats a snack.  Her head cants to one side as she admires it... then she suddenly looks to one side focusing on.. nothing.  She shakes her head, and laughs softly.

"My companion thinks Kitsune-san's sculpture looks.. delicious."  A thought.

"What are done with them, once their purpose is served?"

"It's our honor to host, Masuyo-sama," a gesture back to his betrothed.  "Tonight you receive the full hospitality of the both the Doji and the Kitsune."

Shoji rocked forward onto the balls of his feet, a bit of relief expressed as the guests moved into conversation. The shugenja wasn't a pargaon host, so that the guests were enjoying each other's company (at least initially) was a weight from his shoulders.  "And Shorsuo-sama... I am Kitsune Shoji and this is Doji Naomi.  I think you've met the rest, except for my brother-" Shoji's head swiveled behind to search for his brother, but finding him missing Shoji decided to wait on Daichi's introduction, "-I'll introduce him when he returns.  He's impossible to miss."

"Also, the ronin Yuudai," a nod in the direction of the other ronin in attendance.

And finally to answer Sumiko, "Yes. I'd like to hear about your issues.  I hope they were nothing more than a delay?  Then we can catch you up on the news of the morning's trials."  Knowledge was a small gift, but an important one to exchange.

Edit:


"That I do not know.  Daichi-san will be back in a moment.  You should negotiate with him."  A smile -something confused- as Shoji contemplates the shugenja and her question.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:53, Tue 27 Mar 2018.

Another bow.. to Shoji-san.

"I look forward to the adventure in cuisine, Shouji-sama."

She nods to the reference to Daichi.  "I will ponder it, thank you."

Sumiko stares at Masuyo barely managing to keep a stunned look off of her face, to think that any lord would deny their vassals the use of the katana is simply too foreign for her to accept.  She nods to the young woman and smiles pleasantly then turns to address the group as a whole, "Oh, it was most certainly not a huge trial. A village was being harassed by bandits and their headman had been wounded by one.  I dressed the mans wounds and made sure he would survive while others of my traveling group pursued the bandits and brought them to justice." she explains, "Unfortunately, it took too long for us to get here in time for the first challenge." she shrugs, "Hopefully I will be able to make up for missing it."

A perk of her brows and a bit of a cat that ate the canary look given to Sumiko.

She leans towards her and says softly.  "My lord does not forbid me to use what the kami give me, Shosuro-san.  And the fire kami are.. attracted to me. When I am in need I have a Katana, it just isn't very useful for Iajitsu."

She holds her hand as if it is grasping a hilt a moment, and flexes it, makes a few movements that seem like might be skill... might?

"I am glad to hear you put duty and honor above contest, Shosuro-sama.  I commend you."

 While those who are better than a mere Ronin (although by this point anyone who actually labours under the misapprehension that he was born to the Grey or shall not one day doff it to return to garments of deep Jade-green likely hasn't been paying attention - propriety nonetheless demands that standards be upheld) enter into polite discourse, Kedo settles himself upon a mat where he can let the effect of the transplanted forest do its work - letting himself play with the point of view that lets it shift back and forth from artful rendition of the wilderness to mere lengths and curves of wood, trying to feel for the points of artistry that makes it so...

 ...merely because it is a talent he does not share, does not mean that it isn't one he might want to one day weald*.

 ---

 * Sorry, I just had to stick** it to you.

 ** I'd not be the person I am if I wood*** resist a chance like that.

 *** Okay, okay I'll stop. Please don't call the copse.

"It is good, then, that you have the skills of a healer, Shoshuro-san. It is only a shame that the bandits have fallen on such hard times that they stooped to violence as a means of meeting their needs."

Sumiko nods at the praise, "The people needed help, as samurai it was our duty to help them but please, enough about that.  Tell me what happened in the tournament thus far." she asks, eyes lighting up at the prospect of the story.

OOC: Hah!  How long have you been saving that one up, Kedo? ^_^

Also, the right thread this time!  Hooray!

Shoji listens askance as Sumiko and Masuyo compare their respective philopsophies on dueling and wearing their daisho.  Though not unfamiliar with kenjutsu himself, Shoji rarely wore his katana.  Wearing it would obviate the need for a yojimbo, and the Kitsune needed to keep his brother close given his brother's lack of social ability.

"It sounds like you did your duty, Shosuro-sama.  Its unfortunate that it cost your attendance in the first competition."  A response to the story of her delay.

"As far as the opening round... well, I think you're aware that the Badger host the jiujutsu tournament, yes?"  Rhetorical, Shoji proceeeded.

"Several of the finalists are in attendence.  Kedo-san..." a gesture toward the bushi in grey "Yuudai-san..." and to another " faced off in one of the semi-finals.  Bayushi Kenshin is not present, but he was the other semi-finalist along with my brother.  Fortunately for us, Daichi recieved quite a bit of sumae training in his time with the Crab.  He was able to defeat Yuudai in the finals."

Shoji tried not to grimace, realizing that his 'story' was pretty much just a list of facts. He turned and offered a glance to Naomi -the briefest of apologies to the Doji.  It was something Shoji would need to work on.  A skilled host would tell a more entertaining story.

"I think tomorrow's event should be interesting... I have to admit I'm a bit nervous.  Divination is a task I rarely practice."

Shoji glanced toward the door, wondering if his invitation to the Tonbo had been recieved.

OOC: there are some PMs here, but mostly I'm still trying to catch up. Sorry!

Masuyo's eyes trace down to Shoji's feet and her eyes take on a smile that takes to the corners of her mouth soon afterwards.

"The kami celebrate your presence, Kitsune Shoji-san."

She shakes her head.  "I hope I can catch up as well, I have put forward intentions to compete in a few things, but I am afraid I will not be worthy competition for much, but hope that in a few contests my participation will be tolerated, if only for amusement."

"So long as you make your best effort, I'm sure your fellow competitors will be honored by your opposition."

"Certainly, Asahina-sama."
She grins, just a moment, impishly, at the Asahina.

"The kami celebrate your presence, Kitsune Shoji-san."

"And yet some continue to insist that the earth kami lack whimsy, Masuyo-san."

A glance back toward where his brother disappeared to, "If you would do me the honor of gathering the guests, Agasha-san, then I will go see to the preparation of the main meal.  I wouldn't want to starve my guests."  The last comment directed with a side-glance toward Byako - Shoji cognisant of the guest's desire for some protein.

Another look to Shoji's feet elicits an actual giggle from the red haired samurai, her hand coming up to cover her mouth as she does.

"I am fairly certain any who have the sight will be disabused of such a notion in your presence Shoji-sama."  A wink and a some more undisguised mirth.



She bows to him, still giggling, and starts pulling up and tyeing her sleeves showing up fairly muscular arms for a woman, and predictably nearly covered in very bright tattoos.

"I shall endeavor not to disappoint my gracious host."

Somewhere in there, she manages seriousness.

Daichi returns with what is quite possibly a sampling of every dish on offering at the Red Tailed Nest...and then some more. So far from the ocean, there is, of course, no offering of shellfish, but a wide variety of salted fish graces the table along with several varieties of noodles, pickled vegetables, and a selection of braised rabbit and other small game animals.

"Please, do not stand on ceremony," Doji Naomi smiles, inviting everyone to partake.

Yuudai looks at the food in fascination, even as his stomach rumbles. Though his build suggests that he has rarely gone hungry, the sight of so much plenty is definitely surprising to him.

 Kedo being a lowly wave-man - or at least it's considered polite to rate him so - he's very much taken to the approach of 'speak when spoken to' and tends therefore to blend into the background rather well for someone with even a fraction of his reputation... But the offering of food that doesn't come in small bowls of rice with perhaps the odd scrap of fish or poultry is something that even his well-honed stoicism cannot resist and if he's quiet, his stomach isn't - generating a soft laugh from the wry ronin - who moves naturally to a position where others may sate themselves first but where he may fill a platter happily, remarking as he does so "An exceedingly fine repast, Doji-san..." and slyly - but by no means seriously adding - "Were I a suspicious soul, I should think you sought to render us all incapable of movement on the morrow."

Filling her own bowl generously, the red samurai grins at Kedo a moment like a mischievous child.

"I am afraid if it is the plan, I have fallen for it."

She then moves to consumption.  She doesn't seem to be one who takes a lot of time to think things over, though her keen intelligence does seem to pair with the rashness.

Byako is a bit of a petite eater, but most of what she takes consists of proteins; a bit of some of the fish and most rabbit and other small game, with just a bit of vegetables and a small portion of rice.

She smiles at the joking between Masuyo and Kedo, but seems to be pretty deeply focused on eating. Only Anzu really catches her eye, and she feeds the fox a small taste of some of the rabbit. "It's good, Anzu, yes?" Then she resumes her meal.

Having eaten earlier and holding scorpion attributes in her mind, Sumiko makes a pretense of eating but actually ingests nothing. "So who is anticipated to win tomorrow's challenge?" she asks lightly.

"Please, do not stand on ceremony."

The Fox found it impossible not to beam.  The meal was proceeding well, the guests were happy and enjoying the bounty of the Fox and the Grace of the Crane.  Conversation was moving, and the guests were risking jokes.  Standing aside his Doji betrothed Shoji allowed himself to enjoy the moment.

"Were I a suspicious soul, I should think you sought to render us all incapable of movement on the morrow."
"I am afraid if it is the plan, I have fallen for it."
"So who is anticipated to win tomorrow's challenge?"

Shoji accepted the compliments with a grin, the evening meals more important for the Fox than the competitions themselves.

"Shosuro-san, perhaps that is tomorrow's challenge?  'Who will win?'  A fair enough question for a Divination challenge."  A self-pleased smile.  "If there were a night to indulge, I would think it would be tonight.  Tomorrow are the tests of the Centipede and Dragonfly, correct?  Theology and divination if I recall."  Shoji began to assemble his own plate - a bit of everything.  "Neither being tests of agility, Kedo-san," all but winking at the ronin.

Circling back to Sumiko's question, "I can't speak for how they'll run the tests tomorrow, but unlike with today's test of the Badger I'm not sure if there will be a single winner.  In past tournaments it is more of a test of skill.  Contestants who are able to complete the task, or display adequate knowledge will pass and score points.  It should be less of a confrontational day than today."

"Ahhh... the test of the Dragonfly.  I have been looking forward to that, myself.  I will be a participant, but I would not care to guess on any winner.  The test itself is well worth participation, regardless of winning, losing, or prizes."

She pops a morsel of meat in her mouth deftly with her chopsticks and chews, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"Knowledgeable discussions of Theology have found me without sleep on many a night in a Winter Court."

 "Patently, your tutors were more forgiving than mine, Kitsune-san. I found the agility to duck lethally accurate pieces of chalk a vital skill when theology was discussed." Kedo answers amiably, sparsely painting a picture of spartan rooms and a hard-faced lecturer with deadly aim which is, if not necessarily accurate, nevertheless evocative.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:27, Sun 27 May 2018.

"Then I am exceedingly poor planner, Kedo-san," Doji Naomi twinkled, "since neither of tomorrow's tests involve much in the way of exertion."

Sumiko smiles into her cup, pretending to drink, being Scorpion She knows that there are many poisons that would take hours to effect a person, and would make the competition much more difficult for the imbiber.  Although she believes in the honorable intentions of her current companions, she wonders what would be different if they were all from her clan.

She places her cup down, "It sounds as of your tutors trained you well Kedosan." she says.

 "In all fairness, I did find the lesson to be of some value in Toshi Ranbo." Kedo admits as Naomi makes the same essential joke as the Kitsune before them, although with fairly quintessential humility he doesn't go into further detail about his extended stints as a one-man arrow shield during his time in the city.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:27, Sun 27 May 2018.

"I regret not being there to see it, Kedo-san," Shoji replied, pleased enough to take the occasion to pop a healthy portion of noodles and pickled vegetables into his mouth.

If Shoji noticed Sumiko's caution, he ignored it.  Commenting would only put the guest more on guard and that was far from the point - he had learned a few things about etiquette from Doji Naomi.

"Will you all be competing in both events tomorrow?  I should hope so... it would be a great honor for the Tonbo and Moshi." The Kitsune's question not only directed to the guests, but his eye settled on his betrothed as well.

"I will competing in every competition I am capable of." replies Sumiko, "It is important for a Samurai to know at least something of as much as possible."

The red samurai nods slightly to Shoji, she had already mentioned her interest in the test of the Dragonfly or was it the Centipede.

Deciding it might have been directed to her somewhat, she answers.

"Divination is something I have not studied, but I look forward to discussions of Theology, which should be engaging regardless of outcome."

 "I should hope to do so. I have some modest knowledge of theological matters although I am far from a scholar." Kedo answers with his usual quiet failure to talk himself up as so many Bushi seem to enjoy doing, before moving on to undercut himself further with the gentle observation "As for divination, I have upon occasion managed to divine the possibility of a warm meal in the smoke of a cook-fire... Beyond that, I find myself discovering the future only through the time-hallowed process of arriving in it."

"I will compete in both, though mostly just to magnify the glory of my betters."

The red samurai pauses eating to watch Byako over her chopsticks, poised halfway to her mouth.  She narrows her eyes, then shrugs slightly.

"Personal Glory is a passing thing, even infamy is usually only measured in one's lifetime.  The glory of one's family is far more important.  In a century we will be dust and little will be cared of our accomplishments, unless they glorify clan and family."

She takes the bite she had.. finding only bare hashi, the food having fallen from them while she prattled about glory.

"At least, we can hope a good bit about us is forgotten..."  She fishes the morsel up again and takes the bite finally.  Chews.  "Though, in some ways, popular entertainment can keep one's name alive.. if that is considered good?"

Byako sets her chopsticks down to reply; "The families that produced my betters are likely also my betters. Though, I suppose, at least as I see it, they are probably not the betters of my father. I suppose that means if I do, by some remarkable happenstance, happen to win one of the contests, then I shall dedicate the win to my father who made me everything that I am and sacrificed everything to make sure I would be here today."

She then has the chopsticks back in her hand and a bite into her mouth in one fluid motion. She smiles at Masuyo and chews her bite.

"Though, in some ways, popular entertainment can keep one's name alive.. if that is considered good?"

"Is that something you have an interest in, Agasha-sama?  Entertainment?  The food and the accommodations are lovely, but I'd love volunteers to provide the entertainment."

An emotion comes across unguarded upon the face of the shugenja, sadness likely.  It turns after a few moments into a sort of whistful whimsy.

"If the Kami had not blessed me so, I wonder if I may have become an artisan instead?"

She shrugs slightly, then smiles.

"I can show everyone a side of Dual Arcane, if that pleases you, Kitsune-sama."

"It would, Agasha-sama."

With a quick look and motion to the attendants Shoji signalled for a space to be made for the Agasha to demonstrate her skills.

Watching the attendants struggle with moving his center piece (and also a little worried that they might mar it), Daichi pitched in by gripping the large log and associated foliage and moving it a short distance from the space being made.

Masuyo observes Daichi a moment moving the centerpiece before interceding a little.

"Just make some room, I will tip my hand a little to the art of the duel for Shugenja.
 No harm will come to your art, sama."

She pops a last morsel of meat into her mouth and chews, then rises and moves towards the clear area, pausing a moment to take a handful of dirt from one of the potted ornamental plants.

"As you all know, shugenja have favored or strong elements, and weak ones.  As an Agasha shugenja it is known well among all my opponents that my weak element is water, so they will try to best me with that, at least if they are being simple, especially if that is their strong element."

She kneels and carefully places the soil she has acquired on the floor, clear of a mat, dusting her hands gently.

"And knowing that, especially against an Isawa schooled shugenja who is master of all elements, or a shugenja whose strength is water, I would be seeming overconfident in using fire."

A smile, and she leans in to the soil and seems to speak to it, though to the untrained ear little is heard as she speaks the language of the kami.  Fairly rapidly, the soil takes form as a small rabbit, not perfect but well animated and quite recognizable as such.

"But being Agasha trained, I can be just as facile with Earth and Air rings, allowing me more versatility.  Usually to a duel arcane I would bring figures pre made for aesthetic reasons, please forgive the crudity of this vessel for the kami."

The earth rabbit starts hopping about curiously, then ascends the offered hand of the red haired samurai.  She brings it back to the table for the guests to examine for themselves, holding it in the palm of her hand.  It in turn seems to examine each back with it's earth colored eyes.. there being not a lot of difference in color between fur and eyes and teeth.

"For a duel, a proper formalized duel, these little avatars are empowered to fight it out between us.  I once knew a very formidable Asahina duelist, as a matter of fact."  A wink to Byako.  The Asahina shugenja being renowned for passivity, that a duelist exists seems unusual.  "Of course, when dueling with avatars no real harm is done to the duelists."

She says softly, elaborating a little.

"Dueling is rarely a straightforward contest of power, since few lords will allow a shugenja to risk their well being in such a manner.  Avatar dueling is, however, taxing in it's own way and can leave a shugenja taxed for some time, win or lose.  Many find such duels in winter court to be grand entertainment."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:41, Thu 07 June 2018.

A pleased smile crossed Shoji's lips, the Agasha's demonstration proving as entertaining as promised.

"Quite beautiful," the Fox beamed.  "Perhaps, another time I might get the chance to test your skills."  It wasn't a boastful challenge, but certainly a mark that the young fox had a competitive streak to match his curiosity.  "But I think that would bore the rest of the guests."

With a glance toward the Doji attendants, Shoji gestured with his eyes - surely something that the perceptive Doji would notice - it was time to move on with the meal.  Something sweet.

Another furtive glance toward the entrance, as checking for a late arrival.

"You know something of the Dragonfly, don't you Kedo-san?  I extended an invitation to the Tonbo... but it seems they were unable to attend."

The flame haired woman's eyes dance with delight at Shoji's words.  She allows the earthen bunny to hop over towards the Kitsune, apparently sniffing towards him curiously, a small hop at a time.

"Ah, so you are one of those storied Kitsune..."  She looks at him slyly, eyes half lidding.  "We should have a private conversation, Kitsune-san."

Her eyes open fully again and she smiles, her eyes dancing with mirth, after a moment she nods and looks where Shoji did as well.

"I wonder what further surprises our host has for us?  The journey so far has been worthy of greater than myself."

 Having waited to pick over the food provided until after others had eaten their fill, Kedo has something of an eclectic selection of fish, fowl and greens upon his platter but he's working it over with every evidence of enjoyment, contrasting one flavour with another as he listens to his betters converse of affairs... Right up to the point where he is addressed directly, and must ruefully admit "I have had some small dealings with the Dragonfly, it is true - although as traveller rather than guest. They are an... enigmatic family, but so it is for all those who dwell between one world and another, never entirely living in either."

"Few write stories of the Kitsune, Masuyo-san.  Even fewer read them."  There was no longing or sadness embedded in the comment, Kitsune Shoji was content with his place.  The fortunes had relegated the Fox to their niche as guardians of Kitsune Mori and the spirits within and it was a role that Shoji relished.

The Fox acknowledged the Agasha's suggestion of a private meet with an invitation, "Perhaps you'd be willing to help me in the kitchen?  I believe there is a final course."

The invitation, though, would need to wait a moment as Shoji queried Kedo, "My apologies for overhearing earlier, but I believe you know Kitsuki Morimoto-san?  After tomorrow's test of the Dragonfly would you be willing to introduce me?"  His direct invitation to the Tonbo having failed, the Kitsune sought an introduction through channels.

The flame colored shugenja grins implishly at Shoji.  "Do not doubt that the archives of Kyuden Isawa have stories of the Kitsune, Shoji-san.  While I may not be privy to all that is collected, I have read enough to know there is more there."

She nods to the invitation.
"I would be honored to render you assistance, Kitsune-san in any way possible."