For gallery purposes

The following NPCs are approachable in court today
Doji Noriko, The Courtier, 1st Cousin of the Empress
Otomo Keihime, The Advisor, 4th Cousin of the Empress
Tatsuya, the Ronin, Son of Hantei Muhaki and Sadahako
Ryunosuke, his son.
Otomo Tooru, Otomo Family Daimyo
Miya Hachi, Miya Family Daimyo, Imperial Herald.
Otomo Mariko, the Imperial Matchmaker.
Crab Clan: Kaiu Masahiko, Daimyo of the Kaiu Family
Crane Clan: Doji Minehime, Champion of the Crane
Dragon Clan: Togashi Mizohachi, Champion of the Dragon
Lion Clan: Akodo Sanae, Champion of the Lion,
Matsu Tsuruyo, Daimyo of the Matsu
Scorpion Clan: Bayushi Kaguya, Champion of the Scorpion
Phoenix Clan: Shiba Higashime, Champion of the Phoenix
Badger Clan: Ichiro Himari, Ambassador of the Badger
Boar Clan: Heichi Batsuda, Daimyo of the Boar
Centipede Clan: Moshi Akane, Daimyo of the Centipede
Fox Clan: Kitsune Aiko, Regent of the Fox
Mantis Clan: Gusai Rioshida, Daimyo of the Mantis
Sparrow Clan: Suzume Ryobu, Ambassador of the Sparrow
Tortoise Clan: Kasuga Izumi, Ambassador of the Tortoise
Chou-sin, Abbot of the Four Temples
Do, Abbot of the Plains of Thunder Monastery of the Order of Osano-wo

Honoka made sure to remain close to Tatsuya and Ryunsouke, to offer them advice and ensure they were prepared for what was happening. She still had her trademark warm smile though.

Ikoma Honoka wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 17, 2025 6:23 pm

Honoka made sure to remain close to Tatsuya and Ryunsouke, to offer them advice and ensure they were prepared for what was happening. She still had her trademark warm smile though.

A familiar face approached them after they stepped down from Tatsuya and Ryunosuke's introduction to the Court.

"I'm glad to see you this morning, Ikoma-san... Tatsuya-san, and Ryunosuke-san," said Ryoichi. The Yasuki was no longer wearing the armor he wore in Ryoko Owari, and was now back in a blue court kimono with colorful embroidered fish swimming around the hem.

"How is Kyuden Ikoma treating you so far?" he asked with a friendly smile. "No ninja attacks in the night, I hope? Or perhaps there were, and Ikoma-san saw them off."

Ryusei tried not to float into the air when Yuna presented the treaty.

At the same time, he was pretty sure Shiba-ue would atomize him with a glare if he got up there and spoke too fulsomely...

Court was back and so were the courtiers, as was right.

Eiji's attention had certainly been focused on the divine fifth Wind arrivng at court. He scrutinzed the pair, he considered the pair.

That's it?

Other than being perhaps a little on the burly side for a ronin, Eiji didn't see any really difference between him and other other waveman.

Ah, but was he not the son of the Fortune of Artists? Surely his words would make a Crane weep.

That's it?

They weren't bad words. They were humble and sincere....as you might expect of any ronin finding themselves before a gathering of the most important samurai of the Empire.

It wasn't that the there was inherent fault in the pair. They were what they were. But it seemed far far more likely that those who would see him sit the Throne were doing so because they felt they could rule from behind it.

At a point when Yuna is not presenting to the court, or gazing happily at Shiba-san, she finds time to approach the representative of the Fox Clan.

She bowed deeply. "Kitsune-sama, I am Agasha Yuna. I have been helping the Dragon to pursue mutually satisfying arrangements with the clans here. Could I interest you in conversation? Perhaps at a time of your convenience later today?"

Agasha Yuna wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 17, 2025 7:52 pm

At a point when Yuna is not presenting to the court, or gazing happily at Shiba-san, she finds time to approach the representative of the Fox Clan.

She bowed deeply. "Kitsune-sama, I am Agasha Yuna. I have been helping the Dragon to pursue mutually satisfying arrangements with the clans here. Could I interest you in conversation? Perhaps at a time of your convenience later today?"

"Seen you workin' it on th' floor, yeah," Aiko replies after a shallowed bow. "Might could talk a bit now, if'n y' need t' palaver."

She smiled.

"In truth, I am looking for a trading partner who still has dyes to trade. And, if so, to better understand their needs, so I might see if there is a way the Dragon could be useful to them."

Ryu was there, his dark and thoughtful expression even more dark and thoughtful than usual.

He did focus when someone was speaking to the court, but otherwise he seemed to fade into his thoughts.

Daidoji Ryu wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 17, 2025 8:10 pm

Ryu was there, his dark and thoughtful expression even more dark and thoughtful than usual.

He did focus when someone was speaking to the court, but otherwise he seemed to fade into his thoughts.

A Dragon dressed in what could only be called a forest of silks approached the Crane with a bow and a hideous smile. The corners of his lips drew much further than any human had a right to go.

"Daidoji-san, if this humble servant might have a moment of your time?" Jinkan gestured to a nearby spot with fewer people in it.

Jihen was also present... quietly assessing the world around him.

Things plodded along so swiftly... Humans were always so concerned about the next thing. And two days of court recess seemed to be too long for some to be putting off that next thing...

Masaki showed up to court today with garments in some ways different from those she had worn so far. The background had a gradient from a lighter shade of gray at the top to a dark slate gray, almost back at the bottom; the front had some carps in the usual koi pattern, a few in dark blue, others black and white. At the back, instead of the more usual koi pattern, only two, large carps, one black, one white, one swimming around the other as in a yin-yang pattern, in front of a red circle reminiscent of the setting sun reflected on the water.

Walked slowly, she positioned herself close to others in the crab delegation.

------
Inspiration from:

With the reinstated court well underway, Eiji took a moment to review the gallery. There had been notes awaiting him this morning suggesting, not ordering, that it might be wise to seek out a certain member of the MCA.

And so he ventured over in that direction, stopping to bow respectfully to the chosen representative.

"Heichi-sama. This one is Soshi-ke no kashin Miura Eiji. This seems like a particularly lucky day to make your acquaintence. Might we converse a bit?"

Over here perhaps?

Yasuki Ryoichi wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 17, 2025 6:45 pm

A familiar face approached them after they stepped down from Tatsuya and Ryunosuke's introduction to the Court.

"I'm glad to see you this morning, Ikoma-san... Tatsuya-san, and Ryunosuke-san," said Ryoichi. The Yasuki was no longer wearing the armor he wore in Ryoko Owari, and was now back in a blue court kimono with colorful embroidered fish swimming around the hem.

"How is Kyuden Ikoma treating you so far?" he asked with a friendly smile. "No ninja attacks in the night, I hope? Or perhaps there were, and Ikoma-san saw them off."

"No one has been aggressive yet, which is better than I expected. But not too many friendly faces, either"

[Please make a separate thread to continue this conversation. Thank you!]

Mirumoto Jinkan wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 17, 2025 8:26 pm

A Dragon dressed in what could only be called a forest of silks approached the Crane with a bow and a hideous smile. The corners of his lips drew much further than any human had a right to go.

"Daidoji-san, if this humble servant might have a moment of your time?" Jinkan gestured to a nearby spot with fewer people in it.

Ryu gave a tiny shake of his head, not in negation, but to bring his thoughts back to the here and now. He refocused on the Dragon, his grey eyes narrowing.

"Of course." He said politely, letting the Dragon lead the way.

He had wanted to speak on it, truly.

But all was well that ended well.


I am engaged to Agasha Yuna. Formally. It's going to happen.

...

Is this was total happiness feels like? I feel like I could burst into song right here in Court in front of everyone, even though doing so would be about the dumbest thing I could do at this point.

And I'm no great singer.

But I WANT to.

Control yourself, Ryusei. You and she both have work to do this season, and your behavior must be fitting. Youa re sitll representing your Clans.

But at the same time, now that they were engaged, some activities became more acceptable. They could spend time together without whispers about ill intent, or inappropriate designs. He could send the letters home he wanted to send, and burn the ones he'd written against failure.

Ryusei raised his fan to his his expression as best he could. His eyes were still alive with the energy, of course, but that would be understandable.

Open displays of emotion were frowned upon, and he was absolutely having an emotion.

Hoshiko is no longer in the full white of mourning, as she isn't remotely close to being part of the family. There are smaller touches like the white cord binding the charcoal grey obi embroidered in silvery-white plumes of clouds across shadowy mountains. Her kimono remains in somber shades of deep blue.

She looks curiously at the new Wind in the crowd, not really surprised that the son of a Hantei and a Fortune looks entirely mortal. Everyone looks more regal in 12 layers of kimono.

(ooc ping to interact. Actually around for the weekend!)

Asahina Hoshiko wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 18, 2025 5:16 am

(ooc ping to interact. Actually around for the weekend!)

Speaking of Ryusei's duties to his Clan...

He approached the Asahina and bowed. They had presumably met at some point during rehearsals for the play, so everyone was spared another post of two characters saying their names and not knowing the other.

"Asahina-san, how does the day find you?"

Shiba Ryusei wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 18, 2025 5:22 am

snip

Hoshiko turns to see who's speaking and returns the bow. "Well enough, though it feels strange carrying on the normal trappings of court as if there isn't an enormous hole in the world."

"But, it is ever thus, for those left in this realm. We still must wake, and eat, and see that duties are not left untended." So far, it never gets easier navigating around this sort of sinkhole when it appears. "I hope the Fortunes find you well."

Shiba Ryusei wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 18, 2025 3:22 am

I am engaged to Agasha Yuna. Formally. It's going to happen.

...

Is this was total happiness feels like? I feel like I could burst into song right here in Court in front of everyone, even though doing so would be about the dumbest thing I could do at this point.

Ryusei could see the joy on her face at the announcement. And her eyes very much sought his. Sharing this moment.

And then she returned to the business of court and presented the agreement between the Dragon and the Sparrow.