[D7 EE] Spring Chicken

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"Well, if Otomo-sama doesn't mind, then by all means, let's wed philosophy and practicality." Shinnosuke smiles politely. "I suppose we have uncovered a fundamental difference between our ideas of human nature, but I remain an interested student. At one time you mentioned that if the Throne asked you to match Crane and members of the other Great Clans, you would be so kind as to let me see a little of your process for evaluating and approving such a match. Since the late Empress, may she be blessed in Yomi, did so approve...?"

Meanwhile, cups are refilled on time. More of the bottle is likely going to Mariko than to Shinnosuke, although he's not bad at downplaying this.

[Otomo Mariko]

"I did say that, didn't I?" Mariko replies.

She hiccups slightly, stifles a giggle.

"Then I must do it, mustn't I?

"Whose nuptials from his people did Doji-san have in mind to observe arranged?"

Again, somehow, her cup is empty. He didn't even see her touch the thing.

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"Well... let's see..." Shin makes a show of recalling that is only partly a show. He has been drinking some. But also, he has years of training in accurately reciting lines from a script after one or two readings. "Just as I mentioned, the Dragon suggested Agasha-ke no kashin Hasegawa Kinzo take to wife Kakita-ke no kashin Iida Choko, to join the Agasha. Both are dedicated magistrates, similar in age. We thought this could be suitable, but of course... we must consult the master of the art!" He smiles rakishly.

[Otomo Mariko]

"It could be," Mariko notes, nodding.

Then she sees her cup, and, behold! it once again thirsts for drink!

"And on the surface, it would be eminently so. However," she holds up one finger, "their star charts might be reviewed and found to be in conflict."

A second finger rises. "Their casework might also be reviewed, and their methods found to be at odds rather than aligned or complimentary."

The remaining three fingers rise, then two fold back down. "And there would be the question to consider of who would manage their holdings, given the likely need for both to attend to magisteriastracy."

She shakes her head slightly.

"I expect, of course, that the Dragon have consulted charts; they are good about such things, and the clear mountain air is put to good use. And I would expect that the Crane have reviewed service records. But is the last addressed?"

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"A wise question, ma'am. Hmm." Shin looks up at the inn's nicely paneled ceiling as if reading off a page pasted there (or his mental picture of one. "Hasegawa Kinzo has a brother, Gazan, who is a craftsman and researcher. I should think he's the one likely to have the care of House Hasegawa's estate while his brother is out keeping order for the Empire. But Iida-san's honest and hardworking nature would also fit her well to assist should House Hasegawa require more support in that area. As a yoriki in the Hub villages of the capital, she'll already have experience adapting to the ways of different Clans and other households."

And then by the time he looks down, her cup is empty again. After he told himself that this time he was going to watch and see what her trick was! Curses! By this time there is probably another bottle or several going on his--or House Tanaka's--tab...

[Otomo Mariko]

Mariko smiles, and there is no tightness about it.

"You begin to understand," she says. "Maybe, if the stage ceases to suit you, you might find service in such a setting."

She giggles at her alliteration.

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"Oh, well, I can't imagine the stage will ever not suit me," he says, with the casual confidence of a young person who also happens to have picked a performance form in which characters' age and gender is shown through masks, not bared faces. "But it is never a bad thing to have more than one skill. You would be surprised by how many people want to tell actors about their romances and relationships, too," he adds, chuckling. "I'm not sure why. Perhaps because we are trained to be empathetic."

Or because a sob story about a cold spouse or a broken heart is a tried and true pick-up line, perhaps...

[Otomo Mariko]

"You see, this -hic- this is why actors get the reputation they do," Mariko says, swaying slightly.

Another little giggle.

"I'm a little thirsty," she says. "Pour a young woman another drink?"

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"Oh, certainly!" Shinnosuke does so. He's definitely going to keep a subtle eye on the ball this time, he resolves. There's some rather impressive sleight of hand trick at work here. Or a tube up her sleeve.... probably not that.

"Well, it isn't our fault for being charismatic. I'm sure you understand." He considers his own cup for a moment and then remembers the next thing. "Ah, the Lion marriage. We hadn't promised anyone specific for that betrothal yet. To tell the truth..." he lowers his voice, "I wonder if one of our delegates might not have an interest in one of their delegates. But I've hesitated to say anything to them, in case putting the flower on display prematurely might make it too shy to bloom. Still, diplomacy can't wait forever. I'm uncertain what ought to be done."

[Otomo Mariko]

"Oh?"

Mariko leans in closer, not entirely steadily.

"Do tell, Doji-san!"

This time, he manages to catch a glimpse of the cup moving, but only just, and not in full.

[Doji Shinnosuke]

Shin leans a little as well, mostly to refill Mariko's cup. Even though Kakita Artisan education does not include bar-tending safety, he's starting to become a little tiny bit concerned... but also, this is going well, right?

"I'm speaking of Doji-ke no kashin Ikehara Hikaru and Ikoma-ke no kashin Kamoshita Honoka. They're both too young to be wed this year, of course, but close in age and eligible in the future. Ikehara-san seems rather smitten with Kamoshita-san, I should say." He leans back again, grinning. "They played the Fisherman and Heavenly Maiden in our Hagoromo this afternoon. At Ikehara-san's barely veiled request."

[Otomo Mariko]

"The Smiling -hic- Smiling Blade?" Mariko says. "I can't imagine that Lord Ikoma will be pleased to lose her; will the Lady Doji surrender her man?"

Again, there is the strange flicker of Mariko's cup moving. At that speed, the contents should hit the people behind her, yet she somehow seems not to have lost a drop.

[Doji Shinnosuke]

Should he cut her off? But what if she then cut him off? An ethical dilemma to be sure.

"Is that her sobriquet?" Shin chuckles. "I hadn't heard it. Well, Ikehara-san is a second son. The Doji value him, and I'm sure his House does too. But I believe going to another clan is not out of the question, for a good match." He sighs. "But suppose young love is only a soap bubble, a flower that blooms a single day, et-cetera... well, perhaps it's not more of a gamble than betrothing him to someone suitable-seeming whom he's never met."

[Otomo Mariko]

"It likely is more, actually," Mariko says. "Because matters can be fleeting, as you say. And when fleeting matters flee, some will feel things were feigned, which is a foul thing to face."

More giggling at the alliteration.

"Think back on what I said, though, Doji-san. Are their star-charts harmonious? Are their duties and training? Will he accept being of lesser renown? Will she? Will they draw their swords together, or will they draw their swords together?"

-hic-

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"The two of them are trained to similar duties."

Shin, deciding discretion is the better part of valor for now, refills Mariko's cup but also indicates with a graceful gesture that he would like the waiter to refresh the tea-pot as well, just in case.

"Similar tastes in the arts, I think, from what I've seen," he continues. "Ikehara-san has a certain drive to prove himself, but perhaps it would be the right sort of motivation, keeping up with this 'Smiling Blade.' And making a place for himself in a new family, if things fall out that way." He turns his half-full sake cup between his fingers, thinking (...on a slight but not too severe delay). "The eight characters of their births haven't been compared yet. If those are compatible--and the two young people agree--do you think this one could work, Otomo-sama?"

[Otomo Mariko]

"If they are compatible and their lords agree, it does not matter if the principals do," Mariko says. "Although it is often helpful, admittedly.

"What kind of wedding gifts would go along with Doji-san? Or from the Ikoma? Or has any of that been -hic- discussed?"

Her cup, having been filled, empties again. Surely, she is a daughter of the Hida at some remove. How else to have such prowess as she is showing?

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"We have already agreed in principle to some gifts of metals, rice, and fine tea changing hands," Shin lightly shrugs off these material trivialities. "And a Crane artist to commemorate the occasion [Crane art service]. But of course the most important thing of all is that the marriage will be a seal of peaceful intent between our two Clans."

((If this wasn't a past-day thread, I'd feel like I should be rolling Lore: Spirit Realms (Chikushu-do) at this point...))

[Otomo Mariko]

"That is a -hic- good thing," Mariko says. "For a marriage to be, I mean. Much better than hostage exchanges."

((There will be other days.))

[Doji Shinnosuke]

“Oh, goodness, yes!” Shinnosuke agrees fervently. “What a very sad position that puts everyone in. Marriage is a much nicer solution. Another reason to be grateful for your help, ma’am,” he concludes, with an abbreviated, seated (and perhaps a little tipsy) bow, and refills her glass one more time. “If the Court in its wisdom sees fit for the Crane to arrange any other marriages this winter, minor or great, I hope you will likewise consider casting your learned eye over them.”

[Otomo Mariko]

"Perhaps there is one in store for you, -hic- Doji-san," Mariko replies.

How her cup got empty again is anyone's guess.

"It has been a lovely evening with you," she adds. "Reminds me of early days with Husband-san."