High of 51/Low of 50 (11/10 Celsius), overcast, 3 mph (5kph) winds.
The moon is waxing gibbous
EM:
MM:
LM:
EA: Court. Presiding: Shiba Rumiko
MA:
LA: EVENT: Kemari, parts I and II
EE:
ME:
LE:
EN:
MN:
LN:
Rumors
Overheard in the hallway near the Lion Delegation rooms:
Kitsu Rokusaburo: Reiko-san, did you, perchance, have more trouble than usual speaking with your grandmother last night?
Kitsu Reiko: No, Rokusaburo-san, I was fortunate to take my lessons with her spirit with my accustomed ease. Why? Your contacts giving you grief?
Kitsu Rokusaburo: Not at first. In fact, General Masami was eager to converse, but when I got to the subject of the succession she started talking like a Togashi!
Kitsu Reiko: What!?
Rokusaburo: I told her the situation: 4 possible heirs to the Empress, their names and lineages. I asked her which of them would be the most righteous successor, and she said my understanding was completely flawed! “Like a thumbless swordsman, unable to get a grip,” she said. It was so unlike her!
Kitsu Reiko: You’d better not mention this to Kitsu-ue. I don’t think he’d smile on it.
"...so she tackled the magistrate!"
"Wasn't that the same one that was talking about killing the kids?"
"The very same!"
-I just received my book from the capital and I've enjoyed the poems in it quite a bit! Maybe I can find more from the author.
-Who wrote it?
-Says it's written by an Ikoma Tanji. (TN 30)
You'd think a hundred legs would run more gracefully where a lion's shadow might fall.
"Same Clan. Same Family. Same School, even. Same names has to be some kind of joke."
-Even the scorpion clan wants a rice ball from the Ikoma Kitchens.
-I've heard the one who makes them has been doing so for quite a while now. (TN 30)
--Mirumoto Ayano, Kyuden Ikoma’s Emerald Magistrate, has been called away to address an issue in Drunk Warbler village. Something about taxation, the Emerald Magistrate out there sent a messenger for support.
--But that’s three days’ journey.
--Yep, she’ll probably miss a good chunk of court
"Damned land grant doesn't make any sense. No reason for her to have done that that I can see. Some strange smudges on this thing, too. Sloppy work."
Letters"You know, that one Fox guy looked like he knew the place pretty well."
"Well, he's got kin from around here. Kept talking about a flowery castle, though, which was weird."
A poem scribed in a clear hand is written on golden hued paper and passed around.
Setting sun, dim light.
Blooms from across the Empire.
Gardener toiling.
Intent: Painting Gorobei as a good contender for the throne. (GoL roll 33)
Sent through the courtyard, intending to wish everyone a good day, passed around by a housekeeping servant, hidden message: The hosts have some casual players who are quite good at this courtly game.
Paper: Yellow, tissue in nature, simply folded once.
Brushwork: Delicate, almost as if they have to deal with the medium
At Ikoma Court
The breeze gusting ‘cross the shore
Marks the end of autumn, as
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Upon the Three Sides River
The Sun Does Rise (GoL roll 40, poetry roll 22)
Letter on pearly gray paper, directed to Kitsu Sayomi at the Lion house with a wintry sprig of long-needled pine for accent. The letter is not sealed, as the contents aren't sensitive.
As winter colors
Skies over these central plains
Where should I seek for
Those brilliant crystal blossoms
Bringing heaven's grace to earth?
Cleartext: Does it ever snow here? Seems awfully warm.
Subtext: You gave me to understand I'd find theater lovers and artists here. I'm eager to meet some! (GoL roll 29)
Note from GM Fuku: Please let me know if I missed any (via PM). I'll update to add.Letter on paper with a spray of pale ink drops flicked across it, directed to Asahina Minase at the Crane house. It is not sealed or secret (though at least notionally anonymous).
Against winter rain
Grace is the finest armor
Scattering droplets
As petals from shaken boughs
When a white bird folds its wings.
Hidden message: Isn't this exciting, classmate? You're going to rock this Winter Court! (GoL roll 32)