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[D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 2:51 am
by Agasha Yuna
At the appointed time, Yuna was ready for her guests.

The seated area had the pillows fluffed around the low table. There were fresh flowers arranged according to the principles of ikebana. The bright green of a bonsai.

The walls were decorated with calligraphy. Statements from the Tao, rendered in an elegant script. And a wall-hanging that expressed the kanji for dragon and for mountain in a way that suggested the shape of each.

She conferred with the attendants, reviewing the menu and when to bring each course.

A chance to practice playing hostess in front of her future husband, and the woman who would judge if she was a worthy candidate to be his wife.

Her hands were shaking. Breathe. Breathe.

“The center is everything. Find the center. All else proceeds naturally from there.”

Re: [D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 3:05 am
by Shiba Ryusei
Don't screw this up, don't screw this up don't screw this up.

Ryusei looked exactly as calm as he wasn't.

He had always assumed, as heir to House Shigi, that he'd be assigned a wife at some point, probably chosen by his mother and a nakodo, and he'd do his best to make it work.

He had not counted on falling in love, in being deeply invested in a match before it was secured.

So, after a brief pause to dress some bruises and make himself presentable again after the minor spiritual... beating he had endured earlier in the day, Ryusei made his way toward the Dragon House, with a couple of scrolls in hand.

And then he waited- it wouldn't do to precede the matchmaker. She was of higher status, and he wasn't about to show her disrespect.

Re: [D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 12:16 pm
by Otomo Mariko
It is a slightly longer wait than might have been expected for a woman of twenty-seven. Perhaps she is making some point...but Otomo Mariko arrives as invited, a small bundle in the hands of a servant tagging along with her.

An eyebrow lifts as she sees Ryusei standing there.

Re: [D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 12:21 pm
by Shiba Ryusei
He bowed low.

"Otomo-sama, I hope you will do me the honor of allowing me to escort you in."

Re: [D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 2:22 pm
by Otomo Mariko
Mariko smiles slightly and returns the bow shallowly.

"My, my, Shiba-san," she says. "What will people think with you going about with another young lady at this Court?"

Were this not Rokugan, she would offer her hand to his elbow at this point. But as it is, she gives Ryusei another nod and walks in, expecting him to fall in as befits.

He is a mannerly young man, after all. Isn't he?

Re: [D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 2:48 pm
by Agasha Yuna
Yuna greeted them both, bowing first and deeply to Otomo-sama. And then, eyes shining, she bowed to Shiba-san.

He looked so handsome.

"Please, come in and make yourselves comfortable. I'll pour the tea while the attendants prepare the first course."

The tea was already brewing on a sunken hearth. The tea set was elegantly made - moriage pottery with gilt covering many of the surfaces including the image of a dragon. Dragonware. (See: https://ibb.co/M2Y1YfJ). The tea itself would prove to be tencha - a particular green tea made exclusively of shade-grown tea leaves, and only the leaves - no stems, veins, or stalks - giving it a particularly bright green color and sweetness. The tea was valued in Dragon lands for its purity.

She waited for them to get settled and comfortable, and then poured them each a cup, pouring first for Otomo-sama.

"Is it helpful for us to introduce ourselves to you in greater detail next?" Otomo-sama likely had her own dossiers on the marriage candidates at this court, but perhaps she still liked to hear how a candidate described themselves. "Or is there a particular question of greatest interest to you?"

Re: [D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 4:15 pm
by Otomo Mariko
"First, of course," Mariko says, "is this gesture of appreciation toward a kind hostess."

She gestures to her servant, who places the bundle on the table in front of Yuna.

Re: [D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 4:16 pm
by Shiba Ryusei
Ryusei kept his peace- Yuna was the hostess, and Mariko was the more important guest.

So he was free to... well. not stare.

But he definitely appreciated what he saw.

And naturally, he had his own gift ready for once the game had been completed.

Re: [D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 4:20 pm
by Agasha Yuna
Yuna smiled at the kind gesture.

"Oh, Otomo-sama, your presence is gift enough! Your wisdom about harmonious marriage is priceless to me. I could not ask anything more."

Re: [D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 4:27 pm
by Fukurokujin
"But you did not ask," Mariko says, "and such manners deserve acknowledgment."

She nods at the bundle to indicate the second offer.

Re: [D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 4:38 pm
by Agasha Yuna
Yuna smiled. Ever so curious about the gift.

"Truly, you have gifted me also of your time by arriving here, and might do so further before the visit is over. There is the chance to assess the two of us, yes, but it is also important to the Dragon that we discuss all the marriages currently planned with you. It will take time to review the slate, if it is something you would welcome doing, now or at another time."

She thought that was something Otomo-sama wanted to do, wanted to be sought for, but it was still important to acknowledge that the Imperial Matchmaker's time and attention was a gift. Her time valuable. Priceless.

Her blessing even more so, but that was not something Yuna could presume. She could only hope. And pray.

Re: [D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 4:40 pm
by Otomo Mariko
"Duty is a privilege to fulfill, but not a gift in its execution," Mariko says. "While entertaining is, indeed, both. In token of gratitude for which," she once again nods her offer of the bundle on the table.

Re: [D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 4:58 pm
by Agasha Yuna
"Duty is a privilege to fulfill, but not a gift in its execution."

"Oh, that is beautifully said." Her praise was sincere. A woman who studied the Tao and memorized its verses on her heart. A woman who turned again and again to the wise words she been taught. And now, she could return to this line, too.

"Thank you. I shall gladly accept your gift, and will treasure it, as I treasure your words."

She turned her focus to accepting and opening the bundle.

Re: [D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 5:18 pm
by Shiba Ryusei
Ryusei waited- he wasn't about to step on Mariko's presentation with his own.

He might have been internally screaming, of course.

Re: [D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 5:48 pm
by Fukurokujin
The bundle opens to reveal a bottle of exceptionally expensive shochu, hailing from the Tortoise holdings.

Re: [D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 6:03 pm
by Agasha Yuna
"Oh, how splendid! This is a very fine shōchū, indeed. Thank you. Thank you so much, Otomo-sama. Your taste is exquisite."

"I'll have the attendants serve it with the meal so we can share it together."

Re: [D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 6:11 pm
by Shiba Ryusei
Living dangerously!

When the time was right, Ryusei offered his own gift- a simple scroll.

"Agasha-sama, this one has found great delight in many of the quotations fromt he Tao of Shinsei we have shared since court began. It is a poor thing, but please accept this- it is a copy of a few favorite quotations I have practiced my calligraphy upon over the last three days. I would be honored if you would accept it. The last, in particular, was of great help and comfort to me earlier today."

A bit personal, but, again... they were dining with the nakodo.

And he wanted to give it to her.

Re: [D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 6:19 pm
by Agasha Yuna
Her eyes widened and her breath caught at the sweetness and sincerity of it. The promise of a life in which they would learn together, study together, pray together...

"Oh... Shiba-san, this is ... so beautiful." She wanted it, of course. So much.

But courtesy...

"But as you say it is an inspiration to you. How could I deprive you of the words that have given you help and comfort? Perhaps you should keep the scroll, and I can hold this moment as treasure enough for a lifetime."

Re: [D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 6:27 pm
by Shiba Ryusei
"You can hardly deprive me of words you have helped me discover a renewed appreciation for, Agasha-sama. And who better to receive them? Please, accept this humble token."

Re: [D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 6:42 pm
by Otomo Mariko
Mariko smiles tightly once again.