[D1, LA, EVENT] The Giving of Gifts

[Hiruma Daichi]

Daichi was a soldier, born a soldier, raised a soldier, he liked being a soldier. He was good at it, it had its complexities, but they were all things he understood, things he could prepare for things he could adapt to and overcome. This on the other hand was not a battlefield he was used to, and he was quickly finding himself woefully unprepared. Still, he wouldn't back down from this confrontation and there was confidence in his stride as he stepped forward.

Arriving he knelt in a fluid motion. "Lord Ikoma." He started his voice even and calm, evidence of the time he had been spent commanding his clans' warriors. "I am Hiruma Daichi, and it is my great honor to be given the chance to greet you and the daughter of heaven on this most auspicious occasion, and I would like to present to you this small token in gratitude for the chance given to me to be here today.

With that he presents a well-crafted box, inside which on a small pillow of silk lies a an intricately carved hair pin made of cypress a small silver chain attached with silver stones on the end, one bright blue the others deep brownish red. "The Hiruma are a fairly practical people most of us being soldiers of one type or another, the artisans among us are few and far between. This belonged to my great, great aunt, a scout and archer of no small skill. It was crafted for her by her husband on the anniversary of their wedding, and she wore it as a memento throughout many a battle. A good hairpin after all can keep the hair out of the way as you fire a bow or so she would say. And in remembrance of her it has been kept in my family until this day."

Then closing the box, he bowed his head deeper and pushed it forward. He wasn't sure if he had done well, or picked an appropriate gift, but he had done the best he could, and sometimes that mattered.

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Day 1 LA the giving of gifts. tn 25 Courtier/awareness. + 4 from status. Void for skill. | 4k3+4 ⇒ 50 (TN: 25)

+.7 Glory

[Daidoji Ryu]

When it was Ryu's turn to give a gift, he stepped forward, bowing gracefully. Like his cousin, he offered a ornate box, although it was smaller and wider. Straightening, he spoke to the Ikoma, his voice soft and low.

"Within this box is a letter written from the Kami Lord Hantei to his sister, Lady Doji. Rather than being dictated, it was written by his own hand, and carries his seal. A certificate within also guarantees its authenticity, as confirmed by members of the Ikoma Library."

He bowed again. "This scroll has been in the care of House Miyahara for centuries now. Today, we officially return it to the Imperial family as a gift." And, perhaps, a reminder of what their relationship had once been.

Gift given, Ryu lingered only long enough for one last bow before returning to the crowd.

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8k5+3 gift giving, vp spent, 1CR to namedrop house | 8k5+3 ⇒ 43 (TN: 30)
+0.7 glory
+2 influence House Miyahara

[Doji Arai]

Doji Arai dressed in a kimono in the colors of her clan approaches and bows in front of the Empress's representative. Once she is given permission to offer her gift, she presents a scroll tied with a baby blue ribbon.

"I would like to offer you this poem. I struggled for days to find the right kanji that would best fit the intention behind each word. This poem belonged to my most honorable mother, the previous Lady of House Ishimoto, and it is the poem with which she was named Poet of the court, 17 winters ago. May her verses be a beacon for her descendants and lead us to servitude as successful as hers."

After the customary refusals, she offers the gift, bows again and walks back.

/Awareness/courtier, BB, vp, gift giving ceremony, 1 raise to mention house | 8k6+5 ⇒ 55 (TN: 30)

0.7 glory for Arai, +2 influence for the Ishimoto

[Akodo Kenji]

As the moment of truth arrived Kenji decided that discretion was the better part of valour. Better to do an adequate job than embarrass himself or, by extension, his house. Calling on his courtly training and inner reserves the young Lion scribe appeared before the Ikoma daimyo with a wonderful gift.

"If it please my Lord Ikoma, I would be honoured to present this gift in thanks for my participation in this most esteemed court." He carefully unwrapped a number of small scroll cases to show the daimyo his gift. "I crafted these scrolls myself. The paper contains flowers collected, dried, and pressed from the grasslands of my home. They are a complete collection of the works of the war poet Akodo Shimekiri, who lived in the third century and was well regarded for his verse. I hope that they will provide inspiration."

An appropriately deep bow was offered and the ritual went very smoothly. He need not have worried about embarrassment, perhaps he could even have been bolder, but nonetheless it was a fine start to his Winter Court.

---
Roll
[D1, LA, EVENT] The Giving of Gifts. Courtier/Awareness+Influence rank against a TN of 25. Void. | 7k4+3 ⇒ 33 (TN: 25)
Success! Gain 7 glory points.

[Asahina Minase]

With a deep bow, Minase of the Tani Asahina presents a delicate ornate umbrella painted with a picturesque scene of Kyuden Ikoma in deepest winter. Lion pennants appear to be blown by a stiff wind alongside Imperial banners signifying the Imperial Court is present in the scene.

"Ikoma-sama, please accept this humble depiction of this very city in a time long gone, or perhaps still to happen. Let the beholder make their own decision upon viewing."

The ritual of gifting completed, she returns quietly to the throng with barely a sound.

--

D1 LA Event: Gift Giving. Courtier/Awareness + Influence, Void for +1k1 | 8k5+3 ⇒ 46 (TN: 25) Success. +0.7 Glory

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

Yasuki Ryoichi was next in line, bearing a bolt of fine silk, dyed a midnight blue and printed with a subtle pattern of stars over a castle.

Remember to mention your House, he reminded himself. This ceremony is VERY important to the House!

“Lord Ikoma,” he said, bowing deeply to the Lion lord. “I am called Yasuki Ryoichi, of House Shiozaki, and I offer the grateful appreciation of House Shiozaki for this opportunity to attend court. Please permit me to present this small token of House Shiozaki’s thanks.”

“Thank you, Yasuki-san,” the Ikoma lord said, accepting the silk rather perfunctorily.

“This cloth was especially selected by the lady of House Shiozaki, from the finest silk woven by the crafters of House Shiozaki,” Ryoichi continued on. “The pattern depicts the autumn stars as seen from the seat of House Shiozaki on the festival night of….”

“Thank you, Yasuki-san,” the Ikoma said again, in a more acerbic tone.

Taking the hint, Ryoichi fell silent and bowed deeply, before withdrawing.

That could’ve gone better, he reflected. Well, at least I remembered to mention my House name.

—
1LA Giving of Gifts, Courtier/Awareness +Influence +Benten’s, 1 called raise to namedrop house, TN30, void point for skill because Ryoichi is the best courtier | 5k5+4 ⇒ 22 (TN: 30) fails: +2 Glory, -2 House Influence

[Agasha Sanjuro]

Sanjuro smiles at all the gifts presented before his, and the thoughtfulness that has gone into them. As he approaches the front of the line, he focuses and brings himself to a sense of peace.

Moving forward, he bows to the floor while holding out the soft bag that holds his gift. He speaks softly, but enough to be heard. "Ikoma-sama, thank you for your graciousness as host of this court. This one is Agasha Sanjuro of House Onodera and is humbled by the honor to be chosen for this court.

"Today, I present this sacred mirror to you before the Daughter of Heaven. Whenever our ancestors have used it, they are able to reflect in it and find wisdom." Sanjuro opens the soft bag and presents the mirror, constructed of silver with gold embellishment. The mirror always seemed to capture a bit of the soul with the image. He hoped she would treasure it.

After the customary refusals, Lord Ikoma accepts the treasure. Sanjuro bows deeply once more, and the person behind him steps up to make their offering.

OOC:
7k4+2 Status, Calling 1 Raise
The Giving of Gifts | 8k5+2 ⇒ 37 (TN: 30)
+0.9 Glory

[Doji Aito]

Doji Aito enters the room making a low bow. " Greetings, I am Doji Aito of the house Ishimoto. The gift i am offering is my first fulte that was handcrafted by my father and with which i learnt to play music."

courtier/awareness, void point for 1K1, +4 influence, 1 raise to mention house, gift giving ceremony | 7k4+4 ⇒ 24 (TN: 30)
Lucky reroll
courtier/awareness, void point for 1K1, +4 influence, 1 raise to mention house, gift giving ceremony, lucky reroll | 7k4+4 ⇒ 44 (TN: 30)
+0.7 glory for Aito, +2 influence for house Ishimoto

[Kuni Shiori]

It was perhaps a self-fulfilling prophecy that Shiori apologize for her rough first appearance in court as a mere politeness when in actuality, it happened earlier. Presenting gifts is something she had been brought up on, although the formality is not something that was traditionally well regarded in her family. Still, her prior attendance with the courts at home did allow her to practice the custom enough times. However, when it came to doing so abroad, that was something she found that perhaps she still needed to calibrate herself for.

She took on the sidelines at first, watching the proceedings to see what certain flourishes and ticks might have worked for some. While the information was useful, that was only mere data and not actual practice. When it came to her turn, she would quietly make her way to the Ikoma and bow deeply before introducing herself. She would produce something that looked like just a mere rock at first but it was a stylized ink stone.

"Good afternoon, Ikoma-ue. I'm Kuni Shiro of House Kuroyama. I present to you this treasured ink stone from my ancestral lands. While we don't find ourselves there any longer for a generation, we have attempted to bring some of the earth with us in great pain. In a sense, this is considered a treasured keepsake for us now, reminding us of the naturally black rock of the mountainous Kuroyama lands situated in the middle of the untamed Kuni wilderness. Please allow me the pleasure of presenting this gift to you."

That might have been enough there. However, it seemed Shiori attempted to compensate with an unneeded contingency to her gift. "If it's not to your liking, I'm sure you could consider keeping it and gifting it to another in the future. It's not so descriptive enough that would be obviously from our House. It is yours to do as you will, of course."

Day 1 - Late Afternoon, Gift Giving with Courtier/Awareness: +1k1 from Void and +2 from Status | 5k4+2 ⇒ 16 (TN: 25)
Failure! +2 Glory but -2 Influence to House Kuroyama

[Yasuki Masaki]

Masaki's garments for court were formal, appropriate, stylish even. But that was not what this was about.

Gifting when first visiting court is something she'd handled quite a few times by now, and observed many times more. Still, when the time came to present something to lord Ikoma - and, indirectly, to the Empress, sitting just behind - that experience soon disappeared her mind, and she felt shifty and unsure as if this was her first time at court.

A voice in her mind echoed, over and over. And remember to remind the Empire of our relevance![. But... how?

"Ikoma-dono. As I parts of the show of gratitude for receiving all of us here, from myself and my family at house Kawagoi, I would like to present this bottle of one of the most special sake brewed in our lands, an Amazake sweet as the memories of childhood, with notes of the grasses and other elements found in our lands. Please accept this gift to our most honoured heavenly Empress - I hope its balance will remind us of that which is most..."

"Thank you, Yasuki-san", the Ikoma said - his tone not unlike that he'd used with the other Yasuki some time before.

Masaki bowed, her face somehow losing some of its colour, and she stepped back.

Memories of childhood... maybe not the best for him? Or for Tenno-heika? Elements in our lands... they would surely remember the pretty fish...
...fish? In sake? Oh, no...

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D1 LA Gift Giving. Courtier/Awa + Influence vs base TN25. 1 Raise for house Kawagoi | 7k4+2 ⇒ 24 (TN: 30)

+2 Glory
-2 Influence to House Kawagoi

[Hantei Retsuhime]

Shinnosuke's court robes are of splendid fabric, but the colors and brocade patterning is subtle and understated, the better to set off both his handsome, lively face and the beautiful gold- and mother-of-pearl-lacquered gift box he carries.

With the stately, perhaps somewhat exaggerated dignity of an ancient warrior hero in a play, he advances and lowers himself before the screened throne and the Ikoma daimyo's place, touching his forehead to the floor matting. "Ikoma-sama, Tanaka Shinnosuke brings greetings and well-wishes from House Tanaka, fortunate vassals of Doji. This fan"--with both hands, he slides the lacquer box forward, deftly dislodging the lid to show just a hint of its contents--"is an antique by the monk Honsen, held by our family since the age of Hantei Bosai. The old master's painting of sacred cypresses was meant as a blessing of peace and longevity. We offer it in that spirit."
--
D1 LA Gift Giving--Courtier/Awareness + Influence 2 + Prodigy + Benten + Void. Base TN 25, 1 CR for House namecheck, 2 CR for personal fancyness = new TN 40 | 9k6+2 ⇒ 60 (TN: 40)

House Tanaka gains 2 Influence
Shin gains 11 Glory (7+2+2)

It is perhaps well that Shinnosuke's forehead already touched the ground, because as he introduces the concepts of peace and longevity, with their accompanying gestures and affect, the silhouette behind the screens around the throne shifts. It rises. It...emerges, revealing the Empress herself to all.

"Nice," she says, a little flatly, but it's still an acknowledgment from the Empress herself. "I'll have that now." And she puts out her hand to receive it, favoring the entire chamber with the sight of an attendant of high birth stooping to retrieve the Tanaka-Honsen fan and place it directly into the hands of the Imperial Person.

She unfolded it, examining its imago for a moment, before closing it with a clack. "Still effective. Good." And with that, not even bothering to look further at the man to whom she had given the gift of her momentary attention, she withdrew behind the screens.

Results
Doji Shinnosuke successfully passed his roll with 3 raises. The Empress has personally received his gift. Therefore, he does not receive the 11 Glory he would have gotten for blowing Ikoma Ryota's socks off, but rather 15 for getting the Empress' casual attention. House Tanaka still receives 2 Influence for being associated with this moment.

[Ikoma Ryota]

The Giving of Gifts

Crab
Hiruma Daichi: Though celebrating war was not high on Ikoma Ryota's list of things to do this court, he knew the Empress would appreciate the story of a woman who understood that some things needed defending. He accepted with grace. +7 Glory

Kuni Shiori: Lord Ikoma looked down at the black stone, and felt a little twinge of something...concern, maybe? Just how untamed was this wilderness? And how many unclean feet had trod on it? Well, we'll let the Seppun sort that out. +2 Glory, -2 Influence for House Kuroyama

Yasuki Masaki: Come on, come on, let's get this going... Lord Ikoma was running out of patience, and accepted Masaki's gift just a tad brusquely as a result. +2 Glory, -2 Influence for House

Yasuki Ryoichi: The cloth was added to the pile by a servant. Lord Ikoma moved on. +2 Glory, -2 Influence for House Shiozaki


Crane
Asahina Hoshiko: Lord Ikoma is pleased that the Empress should receive something so markedly calming. Fortunes knew she needed it. +7 Glory, +2 Influence for House Yamada

Asahina Minase: That Minase had held out the possibility of the survival of his house in the favor of the Imperial Line was deeply appreciated. +7 Glory

Daidoji Ryu: Ryota accepted this most sacred of gifts on behalf of the Empress, his head bowed in reverence. +7 Glory, +2 Influence for House Miyahara

Doji Aito: It seems a bit like House Ishimoto has some issues with their parents, but...who doesn't? This is a perfectly acceptable flute. Lord Ikoma accepts with a nod. +7 Glory, +2 Influence for House Ishimoto

Doji Arai: Right, well, a good poem will written is a perfectly serviceable gift. Lord Ikoma accepted with pleasure. +7 Glory, +2 Influence for House Ishimoto

Doji Hikaru: The sad struggle of Doji Hikaru to convey his gift just stresses Lord Ikoma out. You hate to see it... Still, he doesn't refuse the gift, so that's something. +2 Glory, -2 Influence for House Ikehara

Doji Sae: Lord Ikoma accepts the historical scroll with grace. The scribes will be busy tonight! +7 Glory, +2 Influence for House Miyahara


Dragon
Agasha Yuna: The Empress was famously not a reader, but Ikoma Ryota was very pleased indeed by the priceless treasure extended by this shugenja from the mountains. The scribes will be busy tonight!+7 Glory

Kichinitonda: Though Ryota has never heard of this Ayamari before, he recognizes good calligraphy when he sees it. And he likes good calligraphy. +7 Glory

Jinkan: Oooh! Science! Ikoma Ryota was a little excited for this one. Too bad the Empress would almost certainly be taking it back to the Palace. +7 Glory, +2 influence for Ito

Sanjuro: A gift that promised wisdom for the Empress at the moment of her most important decision was a gift beyond price. Lord Ikoma was elated to receive it on her behalf. +9 Glory


Lion
Akodo Kenji: While Ryota did not feel that Shimekiri was a good choice for this moment, he knew the gift had merit, and anyway he did not want to piss off Tsuruyo right off the bat. He accepted the gift with...a degree of positive feelings. +7 Glory

Akodo Myorin: Though initially put off by the talk of war: Always with the war. Don't they get it? No one's coming back from this one!, Ryota is pleased as punch when the narrative takes a different turn. He receives the gift with sincere appreciation. +7 Glory, +2 Influence to Nariakira

Ikoma Honoka: Ikoma Ryota appreciates the aspiration of keeping the Family together, in spite of the immense tensions that he knows are already at work. He accepts the gift with sincere appreciation. +7 Glory, +2 Influence for Kamoshita

Ikoma Tanji: Ooh...lost knowledge regained! Righteous! Lord Ikoma is grateful for Tanji's gift. +9 Glory, +2 Influence for House

Kitsu Sayomi: Sacred water is serious mojo; sacred water in glass is a priceless treasure. Ikoma Ryota accepts it with the solemnity it demands. +7 Glory, +2 Influence for House Tatsukawa.

Matsu Masumi: Ikoma Ryota accepted the bonsai with gratitude, hoping his interpretation of the carefully-tended tree's standing in uncertain waters would be picked up by the Empress. +7 Glory, +2 Influence for House Morikawa.

Phoenix
Asako Emiko: Ikoma Ryota accepts Emiko's Michishita-made abstract expressionist sculpture with a smile and a nod. +9 glory, +2 influence for House Sasaki, +3 Glory for Michishita Erina.

Asako Kenichi: Ikoma Ryota accepts the map with a smile of genuine affection for the man that, should he require the inevitable copy his scribes would make of this map's use to march on the Phoenix, he would first be required to kill. Oh...there's an unpleasant set of ironies... Ikoma Ryota's smile falters. +9 Glory, +2 influence for House Ito

Isawa Ebiko: Lord Ikoma's servant picks up the netsuke after Ebiko's flight and adds it to the pile. Lord Ikoma thought it best not to add insult to injury by commenting on this situation, or indeed mentioning it ever again. +2 Glory, -2 Influence for House Yoshinobu

Isawa Shingo: +7 Glory, +2 Influence for House Yoshinobu

Shiba Ryusei: Impressive, thought Ikoma Ryota of the banner. He nodded in appreciation. +7 Glory, +2 Influence for House Shigi

Scorpion
Soshi Eiji: Ikoma Ryota waves at a servant to pick up the box and move this thing along. That's gift 5 done, only...a couple hundred more to go.
Dang it. +2 Glory

Yogo Kiuchi: This was, in fact, the third copy that Ikoma Ryota had handled, but he wagered that the Empress hadn't read it yet, so he accepted the gift with an encouraging nod. +7 Glory