[D13, MA] Open RP thread - Festival for Musubi-no-Kami

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"Ahh, I hoped to convince them to acknowledge our mutual friend, Tatsuya-san, before the tournament," Ryoichi confided. "Due to his, ahh, unconventional origin, I thought the recognition might help his cause. Alas, many other courtiers had the same notion for their own purposes, so in the end, only loyal Miyagino stayed the course. Though, in fairness, the regard of a Yokozuna is no small thing." The Yasuki gave a small shrug.

"But on another note, I quite like the painting of the Weaver Girl that you've contributed to the festival," Ryoichi commented. "It's so well done! I almost expect her to step off of the paper."

She smiled kindly. "You truly are rooting for him, aren't you?" There was no disapproval in her tone, even if it was by now common knowledge she supported another candidate. "He is a man of good character."

Speaking of her painting, Sayomi glanced back at it. "... Ahh, thank you," her voice was now slightly more shy. "It's the first time I've ever presented a painting to such an august audience. I'm glad everyone seems to appreciate it, even if it is a slightly different take on the aspects of Musubi-no-kami's nature."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

She smiled kindly. "You truly are rooting for him, aren't you?" There was no disapproval in her tone, even if it was by now common knowledge she supported another candidate. "He is a man of good character."

"I do, Kitsu-san," Ryoichi said earnestly. "I'm convinced the Empress sent us to retrieve Tatsuya for a reason. The adventure downriver and back, bringing him back to the Imperial Court ... there's a sense of Fate about it. Don't you feel it?"

Speaking of her painting, Sayomi glanced back at it. "... Ahh, thank you," her voice was now slightly more shy. "It's the first time I've ever presented a painting to such an august audience. I'm glad everyone seems to appreciate it, even if it is a slightly different take on the aspects of Musubi-no-kami's nature."

"I'm a poor judge of the symbolism of such things," Ryoichi admitted. "But the tale of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl is certainly an old favorite. It's very .. well, romantic. I'm sure Benten would not mind the tale being shared at a festival to Musubi."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"I do, Kitsu-san," Ryoichi said earnestly. "I'm convinced the Empress sent us to retrieve Tatsuya for a reason. The adventure downriver and back, bringing him back to the Imperial Court ... there's a sense of Fate about it. Don't you feel it?"

"I'm a poor judge of the symbolism of such things," Ryoichi admitted. "But the tale of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl is certainly an old favorite. It's very .. well, romantic. I'm sure Benten would not mind the tale being shared at a festival to Musubi."

"Romantic, but a reminder of honor and duty. And not all love means happily ever after together," Sayomi remarked, sharing her opinion of the story. Most likely that was how the story was shared in Lion lands.

"As for a touch of destiny... maybe I've just never been spiritually inclined to feel such things. I am certain there was a reason, but that reason was not shared with us, and... I am hesitant to try to assume what was in the late Empress' thoughts." She looked away from her painting and back to Ryoichi. "I do believe that Tatsuya-sama's destiny is still to be written though, and I think he can be a loyal and capable servant of the Empire, even if he does not sit the throne."

[Shiba Ryusei]

Ryusei, overhearing the conversation, frowned a bit.

It was true the Empress wanted him found, and he has some ideas that aren't inherently unsound- an no Clan fealty to tangle matters. Tatsuya was his own third choice, had the choice actually been his.

But the Empress, in sending out her mission, hadn't named him her heir.

It may be that she wanted to assess him, although why wait for so long to do it...

Or did she have another office in mind?

...

Or perhaps she simply wanted all of the heirs in one place to see which would... prune the others...

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"As for a touch of destiny... maybe I've just never been spiritually inclined to feel such things. I am certain there was a reason, but that reason was not shared with us, and... I am hesitant to try to assume what was in the late Empress' thoughts." She looked away from her painting and back to Ryoichi. "I do believe that Tatsuya-sama's destiny is still to be written though, and I think he can be a loyal and capable servant of the Empire, even if he does not sit the throne."

"It's a fair point, Kitsu-san," Ryoichi conceded. "In truth, we should all aspire to be 'loyal and capable servants of the Empire,' whether we are potential heirs or not."

"With any luck, the Court will soon sort out who will rise to the throne," he added. "I hope so, at any rate."

[Seppun Tomaru]

Tomaru sees the arrival of and presentation by Gorobei.

"Not bad work."

Tag

[Shiba Ryusei]

Ryusei regarded Gorobei's contribution with appreciation- and made a mental note.

The Phoenix, after all, still had a highly-placed marriage candidate.

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna continued to make her rounds greeting those who had contributed art or performances that she had not already spoken to, including:

"Friends, I have an old tale to offer, perhaps a bit dated, but it clearly shows respect to the understanding that Musubi offers to those who think to listen:"...

"Soshi-san, I quite enjoyed your story. You had me anxious if it would end happily, but I think it did. And with a lesson that married partners ought to be honest with each other, and humble and teachable, and kind."

The Fortunes did take pity on the pair, especially Benten-no-kami and Musubi-no-kami. So when Tanata was elevated to the Heavens to be the weaver of the Fortunes themselves, Benten-no-kami elevated Ujihata as well. But to ensure that the two lovers would not be given into temptation, Musubi-no-kami created a river of stars between them, allowing them only to meet on one day of the year.

"Kitsu-san, it was such a pleasure to have the chance to study your piece in more detail. The painting is gorgeous. And I particularly like how you highlighted Benten and Musubi's roles both. That Musubi-no-kami created the river of stars to connect them. And that river, Musubi's creation, is there in your painting. She is crossing towards her love. Connecting."

Ryusei's own offering was simple.

Calligraphy.

And theology.

She had a warm smile for Ryusei. "Mmm, I think a lot about Suitengu and Isora. About shore and wave. And it is surely Musubi-no-Kami who married them. How else could two Kami be married?"

But on the subject of theology, which she quite enjoyed discussing with him, she added: "Did you know that Musubi-no-Kami is older than the Kami who fell from the stars? She is one of three ancient forces worshipped prior to the fall of the kami, and accepted as Fortunes by Hantei Genji when he embraced the teachings of Shinsei. The other two are Kaze-no-Kami and Yama-no-Kami, wind and stone, both honored by orders of the Brotherhood. Kaze-no-Kami is the wind-at-sea in particular, the hurricane. And Yama-no-Kami is all stone, including sand. So, Suitengu and Isora in echo."

Sanjuro's offering was a metal wall hanging shaped in Musubi-no-kami's honor. He crafted from a strong metal that could stand the test of time the kanji for Happy Marriage, or Double Happiness.

"Agasha-san, your metalwork calligraphy is so beautifully done. As clear as ink on paper. And you could not have picked a more appropriate theme. Musubi-no-Kami is surely greatly pleased. Are you going to donate your art to her temple in the Otomo lands? I think that would please the Fortune very much."

Hoshiko does decide to work with knots...nothing too complex, since that isn't the point. Shining silk cords are arranged in a broad, flat knot. Dangling from the many cords are origami and wee bits of calligraphy...family, ancestors, duties, social good, children, blessings, and more are depicted among the symbols and kanji. All the threads that make up two lives bound together and in turn changing the arrangement of those threads to one another.

"Asahina-san, your knotwork is so lovely. Precisely the theme of marriage as all that is shining and inter-connected. Bound together. And extending the imagery to family, ancestors, children... That is such an important function of marriage, and not as well celebrated today. I am so glad you emphasized it."

Lord Gorobei, unmarried (not entirely his own fault) presented what might be thought a fairly traditional offering: an ikebana piece that suggested the intertwining of species...a hope for the future. It was quite pleasant, actually, a direct result of his years working with growing things in the gardens of the Imperial holdings.

A deep bow. "Lord Gorobei, we have not had the chance to meet. I am Agasha Yuna, courtier of the Dragon. Your ikebana is so beautiful. There is such hope in it. And, am I seeing it correctly that the plants are still living? A testament to growth that is still happening. I am honored that you contributed to the day. Are ikebana and gardening hobbies of yours?"

[Agasha Sanjuro]

"Agasha-san, I will gladly donate my art to her temple, with gratitude."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji bowed as the Dragon commented upon his story.

"I'm glad it is to your liking, Agasha-san. It's actually the second in a trilogy of stories about Okami and Riko. Honestly, the first one if my favorite, and the third my second, but this one still has good parts to it, and best honors Musubi I think." he offered.

[Agasha Yuna]

"Agasha-san, I will gladly donate my art to her temple, with gratitude."

"Excellent. I'm sure that will be most appreciated."

"I'm glad it is to your liking, Agasha-san. It's actually the second in a trilogy of stories about Okami and Riko. Honestly, the first one if my favorite, and the third my second, but this one still has good parts to it, and best honors Musubi I think." he offered.

"Oh! There's more! I do want to hear the first part and the third part. I hope they end happily."

[Shiba Ryusei]

She had a warm smile for Ryusei. "Mmm, I think a lot about Suitengu and Isora. About shore and wave. And it is surely Musubi-no-Kami who married them. How else could two Kami be married?"

But on the subject of theology, which she quite enjoyed discussing with him, she added: "Did you know that Musubi-no-Kami is older than the Kami who fell from the stars? She is one of three ancient forces worshipped prior to the fall of the kami, and accepted as Fortunes by Hantei Genji when he embraced the teachings of Shinsei. The other two are Kaze-no-Kami and Yama-no-Kami, wind and stone, both honored by orders of the Brotherhood. Kaze-no-Kami is the wind-at-sea in particular, the hurricane. And Yama-no-Kami is all stone, including sand. So, Suitengu and Isora in echo."

Ryusei, of course, lit up at this.

Part of why their impending marriage made him so happy was that they could both appreciate the same obscure lore.

"And what does it say that Marriage has a Fortune as ancient as the stone or the sea wind? Almost as if the idea of wedded dualities is foundational to existence..."

[Agasha Yuna]

Ryusei, of course, lit up at this.

Part of why their impending marriage made him so happy was that they could both appreciate the same obscure lore.

"And what does it say that Marriage has a Fortune as ancient as the stone or the sea wind? Almost as if the idea of wedded dualities is foundational to existence..."

"Exactly! Forces in balance. And, forces associated with a balance point between the present and the future. Tomorrow's wind will blow tomorrow. Wisdom comes even to a stone after three years."

"But I think there is a deep lore of these two Fortunes - wind and stone - known only to the Brotherhood Orders that serve them. And that raises an interesting question. I don't think there is a Brotherhood that serves Musubi-no-Kami. Perhaps there should be. Or is, and I just don't know about it. A good question for the Abbot."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"

"Exactly! Forces in balance. And, forces associated with a balance point between the present and the future. Tomorrow's wind will blow tomorrow. Wisdom comes even to a stone after three years."

"But I think there is a deep lore of these two Fortunes - wind and stone - known only to the Brotherhood Orders that serve them. And that raises an interesting question. I don't think there is a Brotherhood that serves Musubi-no-Kami. Perhaps there should be. Or is, and I just don't know about it. A good question for the Abbot."

"It would have to be a very... distinct order. Many of the Brotherhood forsake marriage as part of their vows, but an order in honor of Musubi-no_kami seems like it would need at least a few exceptions... or a symbolic marriage of some kind... as you say, something for the Abbot..."

[Agasha Yuna]

"It would have to be a very... distinct order. Many of the Brotherhood forsake marriage as part of their vows, but an order in honor of Musubi-no_kami seems like it would need at least a few exceptions... or a symbolic marriage of some kind... as you say, something for the Abbot..."

"Maybe monks who trained to fight in pairs? Able to do more if they are within close step of each other?"

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"It's a fair point, Kitsu-san," Ryoichi conceded. "In truth, we should all aspire to be 'loyal and capable servants of the Empire,' whether we are potential heirs or not."

"With any luck, the Court will soon sort out who will rise to the throne," he added. "I hope so, at any rate."

"I hope so too. The winter might allow us this time of an empty throne, but come spring, someone needs to fill that seat." The winter didn't allow for much movement, and the Hantei was much more isolated than normal during that season.

She sighed slightly. "My biggest hope is that it will be without bloodshed. I worry for Tatsuya-sama if someone more ruthless rises to the top."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Maybe monks who trained to fight in pairs? Able to do more if they are within close step of each other?"

"Or simply work in pairs- teaching, studying, meditating..."

[Agasha Yuna]

"Maybe monks who trained to fight in pairs? Able to do more if they are within close step of each other?"

"Or simply work in pairs- teaching, studying, meditating..."

She nodded. "A very sensible possibility."

[Jihen]

Tomaru sees the arrival of and presentation by Gorobei.

"Not bad work."

“Indeed. An earnest and heartfelt effort.” He replied.

“Hopefully Otomo-sama will be blessed with a good partner to help him walk the path best for him.”

[Seppun Tomaru]

“Indeed. An earnest and heartfelt effort.” He replied.

“Hopefully Otomo-sama will be blessed with a good partner to help him walk the path best for him.”

A touch of Tomaru's crooked grin returns.

"Such things have been proposed for him before," he says. "Somehow, a certain young woman manages to arrange matters otherwise every time. In fact, for a while, it has been one of the better ways to a better marriage to offer to wed the Vice-Minister."