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Sayomi was present as usual, ready for whatever the day had to bring!

Court. Ryusei.

Why change now?

The young Phoenix, his sandpiper fan in hand, was wearing his wave-embroidered kimono and a somewhat abstracted expression.

With Tooru presiding, he wasn't entirely sure how dignified matters would remain, but the Lion/Fox agreement that opened court was at least promising.

Yuna arrived at court in a beautiful green kimono that faded to black at the bottom, covered in floral embroidery.
https://ibb.co/5xrsKKLs

She had a look of concentration and focus.

Eiji arrived in court. The discussion with the Sayomi and Dachi had certainly been interesting, but would anything come from it?

An odd appearance came to the gallery on this day, Ryushi had arrived with his shamisen on his back. In an odd way he thinks no one will notice the man with the instrument. He hopes that he has the chance to grant the presidings some of his musical talent.


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Sayomi listened with interest at first to Sae's arguments...

... then wondered how inappropriate it would be to take a cat-nap in court. Very inappropriate, sadly. It was like going through the torture of listening to one of her teachers from years ago drone on and on about the importance of choosing a brush made of certain materials over others.

Sanjuro joins court on this day. His mind wanders during the lengthy presentation, and looking around, he sees the same issue for others, though some hide it well. Good grief! A position paper being recited. Why delay the court?

Yuna listened attentively to every word from Daidoji-san. Interesting. An extremely effective route to seeing the matter approved.

Had she missed a strategy for her own economic proposal that she planned to bring forward later that afternoon? Something to consider... But, first things first. There was a simple matter to bring up.

Sanjuro locates the Miya delegation and requests a young Miya to deliver the missive to Shiba Higashime by the end of court.

Ryusei watched Yuna's first presentation and opened his fan to hide his smile.

I know who the brains of our marriage will be, and it's not me!

Fortunes, give me wit enough to always know how amply you have blessed me.

People don't know what's coming. Why am I thinking that? Was that dream an omen of the hunger people will be facing? The Shiba shook his head. His hands moved to the shamisen and placed it in front of him. He will tuang a string just to get some of his edge out.

Yuna returned to her place in the gallery, expression serene.

She'd tried. She'd done her duty.

She'd spoken well. That was all she could have hoped. Her best effort for the Dragon, before her marriage out. And the topic was there. The invitation that the Dragon could pursue it again. It was the best start she could give to the idea.

She glanced over at Shiba-san with a sweet smile. He'd spoken for her. She appreciated that. Soon, they'd begin their life together, far from these high-pressure courts.

Ryusei caught Yuna's gaze and hid his half-smile behind his fan.

Presenting that had taken courage, presenting it as well as Yuna had done had taken skill, and her ample supply of both didn't surprise him at this stage.

Done for the day, Sayomi bowed and returned to the galleries to observe the remainder of court.

We did it... holy ancestors, I can't believe it! Now just one last hurdle to go, to finish the last deals.

Honoka was thankful to an Otomo for the first time in her life.

Yuna listened to Soshi-san's proposal.

One point stood out to her! A marriage for friends.

She glanced at Kitsu Sayomi and at Hiruma Daichi. Smiling. Happy for them.

For a brief moment, Sayomi reflected on the fact that this might be the last time they get to hear Eiji tell these stories before the court, depending on what would happen tomorrow.

She bowed her head to his introduction of the agreement between the three clans, and looked across the room to see if anyone would disagree with something that would increase security for a large part of the Empire. Catching Yuna's glance and smile, she assumed the Dragon was happy for this agreement and what it meant for trade and river-people.