"I'm Otomo Yuki" she said with an embarrassed bow. One day the child would need to be comfortable talking to important dignitaries ... but today was not that day.

She had stumbled slightly on the word "Otomo", an indication that she was not quite used to the name, but it was also something that most would not notice. And if one listened very carefully, one could hear a slight Phoenix accent.

"Thank you, Yuki," Akio beamed.  Under other circumstances, he might have prodded her for more, perhaps a tidbit - favorite game, or favorite topiary.  There were, however, more to introduce.

"If you would join me, Doji-sama, I can introduce the rest of the Otomo."

Shosuro Yumiko grimaced. This was not a topic she particularly wished to discuss. Not because of the nature of the Crystal Fortress, but because of it’s membership. In particular, the person assigned to discuss said information with Otomo Chiyowaharu--Yogo Akihiro. Officially, Akihiro was Yumiko’s betrothed--an arrangement between her father and his friend that she had little say in. Unofficially, between Suzu and her position with the twins--not to mention Akihiro’s dead wives--well, it suited Yumiko to postpone the consummation of the arrangement...indefinitely. Akihiro’s membership in the Crystal Fortress was...unfortunate (for Yumiko) in that it provided him a convenient excuse to press his suit on a regular basis while keeping tabs on the twins.

”Yogo Akihiro-san was scheduled to visit last week to discuss possible venue locations,” Yumiko replied, hoping her discomfort was mistaken for disappointment over the missed appointment rather than dislike of her betrothed, ”but he was unforeseeably detained by circumstances.beyond his control. It’s possible he’ll attend court today, but he may have more pressing concerns.”

Kyuden Otomo was a dichotomy.  Lush gardens, inside a fortress city.  Tranquility, yet inevitably bustling with courtiers and their many plots.  It was at once vexing and relaxing.  Perhaps today would be fortunate.  Thus far, Kitsune Sorano had managed to find more time examining the gardens' many rare flowers than cataloging gossip.  She found this agreeable.

The sound of laughter from some hidden path drew her attention as she rounded a corner; perhaps the balance would soon shift.  The scene that confronted her was thus a pleasant surprise: a Lion that was unmistakably Kitsu Akio in his largeness, and the not-quite-adolescent twin Otomo.  This too was agreeable.

Then her eyes turned to the others present.  A Crane.  Two Scorpion.  Vexing.

Sighing inwardly, she strode forward, stopping outside Akio's conversation at the prescribed polite distance and began waiting to be acknowledged.  Or ignored.  Either would do.  She counted leaves in the distance to pass the time.

"I am Doji Ai. It is such an honor to meet you, Otomo-chan. Perhaps soon we could get better acquainted," Ai returns the greeting, gliding effortlessly over the child's lack of manners. "I have a daughter almost as old as you. Perhaps you would like to meet her?" She bows, briefly, before returning her attention to the Lion.

"That would be excellent. Introductions go so much easier when they are made rather than initiated."

Though when a new arrival steps toward them, Ai hardly seems to need much prompting before she introduces herself. "Greetings, Kitsune-san. I am Doji Ai, and you must be familiar with my companion for the afternoon. I am beginning to believe he may- in secret- be the most popular man in all of Otosan Uchi."

The arrival of the Kitsune paused Akio's progress toward the Otomo twins.  It was just as good, as they seemed engaged in their game.



Humility, not Akio's strongest virtue, failed as he allowed himself a pleased reaction.  "I get around.  It is a Kitsu's job to serve, and the Otomo seemingly have more than their share of unfinished business.  Speaking of which..."

Allowing himself another introduction, "Doji Ai, allow me to introduce the multi-talented Kitsune Sorano."  The introduction leaving room for Sorano to comment on as much, or as little, of their past working relationship as she desired.

"Four!"  It is a fun game.  Kamewharu knocked the shuttlecock high.  She had time to glance toward Yuki.  She seemed to be making acquaintances, but there was a distinct wind blowing toward the twins.

  It would be foolish to suppose they could play without any interruptions, Kamewaharu reckoned.  They were young, but they still had positions and duties.  That was what the pending ceremony was all about, after all.

Akiko watched the game continue to play out, and noticed a certain Fox Shugenja examining the Foliage. The corner of one of Akiko's lips drew upward.

"Well, they have an appointment to speak with my Brother immediately after their Gempuuku ..." the tone was such that the appointment now existed -- even if it hadn't before. "... however, I suspect that Otomo-Sama would prefer to get as much information about us from Kitsune Sorano-San before then. Still, that will preclude them from dawdling with a random Yogo ..."

Akiko indicated the Fox Shugenja in the distance. Akiko then watched the twins for another moment.

"Well, I wanted to congratulate them on their upcoming promotions, but I have things to do."

"Ah, I almost forgot -- your charge will be the ranking bushi. It may be good to find out if she has any preferences as to composition for the Bushi that will be accompanying. I doubt Imperial Bushi will be available, but we will try to ... accommodate her preferences as feasibly as we can."

[OOC: Actually, if I see this correctly, Kamewaharu is the only Bushi PC.]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:53, Fri 27 Oct 2017.

"Five!"

Chi-Chan had, indeed, noticed the gathering. But so long as they did not approach, she was content to continue to enjoy the game.

The Fox's gaze snapped to Doji Ai; the courtier's acknowledgement was unexpectedly swift.  Curious.  She bowed low and respectful, making note of the gardeners' fine handiwork.

"Indeed, he does seem to have drawn a crowd of admirers. I trust court is treating all of you well?"

She offered a friendly half-smile, opening her hands in a gesture of humility.

"Please do not let my esteemed Lion friend mislead you; I am but a humble observer of nature."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:31, Sat 28 Oct 2017.

In reply to Soshi Akiko (msg # 26):

For a moment, Yumiko was speechless with relief, but quickly she remembered herself and bowed.

"Thank you, Soshi-dono," Yumiko replied, and the thanks were not only on behalf of the twins, "I shall be certain to tell them of your congratulations and their upcoming appointment."

"Six!" The shuttlecock bounced from Kamewaharu's battledore in a lofting arc once more.

There were parting bows amongst the conversers.  There would not be many more volleys.

"An observer of nature? Then perhaps you can be a fair judge. There is a collection of topiary at the other end of the garden which a friend of mine has grown quite fond of. I, though, simply fail to find their excellence. Perhaps after we have made our way through Kitsu-sama's loving followers you might take a moment with them and I to see if you can find why each have enchanted my friend so?" Ai's invitation came after a bow only slightly less deep than the one she gave Akio- there were stations and matters of ego to concern oneself with, now that there were three.

"Though first, there are so many more people to meet. I hate to ask you to swim in my wake, but I believe it may be of use soon. It is rare one regrets learning a name."

"Well, I must be going. A secretary's job is never done ..." A bow a smile. "Well, later then."

Akiko then walked silently away, making sure not to disturb the twins contemplation.

"Seven!"

Indeed the game would soon be coming to an end, but it was not over yet.

Chi-Chan's adopted daughter, meanwhile, did her best to figure out what role she was supposed to be playing -- quite a feat for any four-year old, but this one especially. Monks may be big on ceremony, but not these kinds of ceremonies.

The Fox folded her hands in a polite bow.

"I am honored that you require my assistance.  It would be most interesting to hear what this friend of yours values."

Sorano cast a glance over to where the twins were playing their game.  "By chance, have you met the Otomo twins?  I believe Kitsu-sama might be able to introduce you."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:53, Tue 31 Oct 2017.

In reply to Soshi Akiko (msg # 32):

Yumiko bowed in response, a wry grin on her own lips, and then she was turning awkwardly to hobnle back to the twins.

A secretary's job is never done, indeed.

The Kitsu shugenja's cheeks flushed slightly as he took the teasing, not being familiar with the role of being the popular one.  That he happened to know many of the present was something of an anomaly.  That he was on good terms with everyone present?  Even rarer.

"By chance, have you met the Otomo twins?  I believe Kitsu-sama might be able to introduce you."

"Given the build-up, I fear that I would disappoint if I could not.  If you'll follow me?"  Invitation granted, Akio began to lead (assuming people follow) across the garden.

Keen eyes surveyed during the approach collecting as much information as possible.  Akio knew Chiyowaharu, and it was simple enough to deduce that the other player was the twin Kamewaharu.

Rather than disturb the game, Akio sidled up next to the Shosuro content to meet rather than introduce.  Eyes watching the game, he asked side-long, "Are the twins excited for the ceremony?"

”I think that would depend on which one you asked,” Shosuro Yumiko replied with a glance at the Kitsu and a slight nod of greeting, a small smile playing on her lips, ”excited, perhaps, for the spectacle, but I think honored would be a more honest description, certainly it would be...more politic.”

“Shosuro Yumiko, in service to Otomo Kamewahru,” she said informally, in the manner of the Kitsu’s own speech, ”and, if Yuki-chan is to be believed, you are Kitsu Akio, though I’m afraid I wasn’t listening when your companions introduced themselves. I wouldn’t mind an introduction, particularly to Doji-san,” Yumiko whispered, glancing shyly in her direction.

"Eight!"

Yuki did her best, half following and half leading, the now small party to her mother and aunt. Yuki knew better than to interrupt, so once they reached the game she stood by patiently, apparently absorbed by the game.

Kamewaharu siddles under the arcing return, but the shuttlecock takes a bad bounce off her battledore and spins to the ground.

"I dropped it."  Kamewaharu bends down to pick up the shuttlecock. She has to take the forfeit, as soon as the ink is mixed.

"...and, if Yuki-chan is to be believed, you are Kitsu Akio, though I’m afraid I wasn’t listening when your companions introduced themselves. I wouldn’t mind an introduction, particularly to Doji-san."

The Shosuro's introduction gave Akio more than one reason to smile.  "Yuki-chan can is correct.  And no worries Yumiko-san, if you had been listening then my purpose here would be lessened."

Turning to the others, he began the process of introductions.  "Shosuro Yumiko, allow me to introduce the accomplished courtier and scholar Doji Ai and my friend Kitsune Sorano."  The greater platitudes reserved for the Doji.

"I dropped it."

The words took the Kitsu's attention from the introductions and to the game.  His attention turned to the twins, lingering perhaps a moment longer on Kamewaharu.  He waited patiently for the Imperials to initiate the address.

Sorano apologized silently to Akio-san for her little cruelty, but could not help a slight smile as he took it in stride.  After all, was not the Lions' place as the center of attention?  Moving with the group provided more opportunity to observe its complexities; a puzzle she found familiar, if not relaxing.  Her eyes strayed over the curiousness that dogged the Otomo twins, focusing on that old riddle for a moment.  She shook her head; now was not the time.

Kamewaharu picks up the shuttlecock and looks toward the small group of samurai, then to her sister, then to the small girl--ostensibly her niece.

  "Yuki-chan, are these friends of yours who you brought to meet us?"

  It is a strange group.  Her secretary, who is odd enough.  A gargantuan, no doubt a Lion, but even large for one, and a mousy Kitsune.  As long as they do not take too long, there should be no worries.

Yuki performed her best bow.

"Obasama, this is Kitsu Akio-Sama. Okasama and I met him while we were training with Seppun Toma-Sama. Kitsu Akio-Sama, this is Otomo Kamewaharu-Sama, Lieutenant in the Imperial Legions."

She knew none of the others, but did her best.

"The others are ..." she said, doing her level best to remember names, "Kitsune Sorano-San and Doji Ai-Sama, friends of Akio-Sama."

Was on of Yuji's station supposed to say "San" or "Sama" for a minor clan Samurai of Sorano's station?


Chiyowaharu smiled and turned to the newcomers, offering an appropriate bow to each in their proper turn, but she said nothing. That was her big sister's place.