[D2 EA sidebar] The Nakodo and the Nice Young Man

[Doji Shinnosuke]

After presenting his own official business, Shinnosuke, slightly flushed with success, retires to the gallery accompanied by a rustling of layered silks. Akodo Sanae, whom he'd spoken to last night, catches his eye first, standing in the shadow of a massive gentleman who he vaguely recalls may be the Badger daimyo. And who is that stylish little older lady? Oh... Our nemesis, eh? She looks so delightful, though...

Half-opening his fan, he approaches the cluster and bows, greeting the two Champions properly. "And this must be Lady Otomo Mariko. Madame Imperial Matchmaker, I have been so eager to make your acquaintance." Shin puts on his most charming manner, which is quite charming indeed.

Mariko's attention shifts away from the floor, and she replies "I'm sure you have, Doji-san."

There is only a hint of a bow.

"And I'm sure what I'm about to hear will be quite the performance."

(Thread on; flag to GM Fukurokujin, please!)

"Oh, I hope it will, madame." Shin smiles cheerily. "Though an unrehearsed one. I had no expectation that I might be able to speak with you so early in the season." This is actually true--like quite a lot of the best acting.

"I know there is a certain amount of awkward business between our families, most of it from before my gempukku." He shrugs, accenting the gesture with his half-opened fan. "Perhaps some other time this winter, that subject will be unavoidable between us. In truth, though, I wanted to make myself known to you because of a task that's fallen to me, and something my dancing sensei impressed upon us at the Academy."

[Otomo Mariko]

"Do go on, young man," Mariko says, her own fan closing and hanging between her index and middle fingers, relaxed. "I would not stop a good student from following his sensei's lessons."

Her expression is remarkably flat.

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"Noh drama has a very particular set of dance conventions, of course. It's not quite like other styles. Nevertheless, my sensei was quite firm on the point that until one becomes a very great master indeed, one must take every opportunity to observe other dance masters, even if they are temple performers or festival acrobats or lion-dancers or some other approach quite different from one's own." Shinnosuke's conversation ripples as gently and insistently as a bright snowmelt stream. "And, as she said, this is the Way of most of the other arts as well. If one wants to improve, one must see experts at every chance."

He inclines his head with a deprecating smile, echoing his earlier bow of greeting to her. "And, well... I've been charged with looking for a spouse for someone accomplished whom I care for very much. And I am a most unmasterly matchmaker at this point."

[Otomo Mariko]

"And you seek a new sensei, then?" Mariko asks. "Or you hope that I might act for you in this?"

Her expression remains flat.

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"I'm sure you must be much too busy for that," Shinnosuke demurs, shaking his head. "Besides, I am aware that it's a long time since you've worked your arts for any member of the Crane Clan. I wouldn't dare impose so far as to ask you to break that habit. I only wondered whether you might be willing to share a little bit of your experience and wisdom, informally?"

---
I suppose I could roll Sincerity or Courtier here for "I am really a very nice sincere young man with the most easy and flattering little request"

[Otomo Mariko]

Mariko is about to reply when the Child of Heaven thunders forth.

At this, her expression is not flat.

At this, her eyes close, and she shudders.

It takes her a moment to regain her composure.

[OOC: Roll away! Either will work; how well...will depend on her roll in reply.]

[Doji Shinnosuke]

Mariko's obvious reaction is... a privilege of rank and seniority, one not available to Shinnosuke in the same way. His brows might draw together a smidgen, but they quickly smooth again, and he politely ignores her loss of composure.

--

D2 EA--persuading Mariko of intentions. Let's go full Doji with Sincerity (Honesty). Prodigy, BB. Unknown TN. | 6k5 ⇒ 33

[Otomo Mariko]

Mariko's attention returns to Shinnosuke, and there is a tight smile of her wrinkled lips before her expression resumes its customary flatness.

"You're a well trained actor, young man," she says. "I am sure that you excel on the stage. But a woman of my age could hardly take on even the least formal of apprentices."

[Sincerity is resisted by Investigation at 35, https://sakkaku.org/r/15875]

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"Why, thank you for the compliment," Shinnosuke smiles rakishly behind his half-open fan, unflapped. "But... I'm not sure what you mean by that, ma'am. 'A woman of your age?' No age is too young to teach when one is master of a craft."

[Otomo Mariko]

There is another tight, wrinkly smile.

"Well trained, indeed," Mariko says. "I will say this, then, Doji-san. Should the Throne or the Lady Adviser, or the Lord Otomo, bid that I see to arranging a marriage for your kin, I shall invite you to attend. I'm sure your sensei's training will allow you to learn what you need from such a thing."

Her fan, still hanging between her fingers to this point, rises and unfolds smoothly. She begins to fan herself lightly.

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"My lady is most generous." Shin bows, still smiling. "That is exactly as my heart desires."

Rising from his bow, he cocks his head inquisitively. "Shall we make further small talk, Otomo-sama? Or perhaps it must be that your youthful energy overwhelms me and I must retire from your presence. I defer to you."

[Otomo Mariko]

"Oh, that will be all, dear boy," she says.

(Thank you!)

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"Until next time, then, madame."

Shin bows slightly again and takes his leave.

--
(thank you!)