Yasukii Masaki's Story

[Soshi Eiji]

In the weeks approaching Winter Court, a letter is delvered. At the top of the letter the kanji for Fish has been written large and four times.

In a land not so far from here, there was a troublesome noble with an incredibly refined pallette. Everyday she would receive meals, take perhaps one or two bites, and send the rest back untouched. 'Too salty, too bland, too tough, too soft' no matter what the equally troubled chef would prepare, nothng was to her likng.

One day the troubled cook overheard that one of the merchants would be bringng in ayu of such fine quality, that even a novice chef could make a dish fit for an Emperor. And so, in the hopes of finally pleasing his troublesome patron, he sent his swiftess, most clever servant to the market to purchase said ayu.

It was a busy marketday, and there were four fish merchants, each busy in the process of turning fish into rice. There was a sour, hatchet faced old woman, a younger woman with a gentle smle, an ancent merchant with a long flowing beard, and a younger man with an open, hard-working demeanor. Each merchant had a long line, so long that to stand in line for one, was to risk the others all running out of their finest fish, let alone the ayu that only one of them possessed. The swift and clever servant considered her options.....

In line,

Soshi-ke no kaishin Miura Eiji

[Yasuki Masaki]

The story of a troublesome noble with an incredibly refined pallette.

A letter addressed to Soshi Eiji arrives not long after that, probably penned and mailed quickly. It is folded simply, and accompanies a small ornament in the shape of a crayfish, made from plaited straws, mostly yellowish with some tints of red. The creature's eyes strangely resemble a rarely-used ideogram for 'swim' (泅).

Most esteemed Soshi-ke no kaishin Miura Eiji,

Thank you kindly for your letter - I read the story enclosed with great interest. I find it particularly interesting that it finished with the servant considering her options - it is a natural tendency to do so when faced with quandaries such as the one presented, is it not?

Speaking of interest, I was rather curious as to what had drawn yours to this humble servant of the Yasuki line - until I saw Soshi-san's name among the list of delegates for this year's Winter Court. This fortuity of course drew this one's interest in turn - in learning more about the author of this fine tale, of course, but also about the tale itself. It feels as if part of a set? Or maybe part of a story released in a number of small volumes? Or... maybe more like a koan - but one of a practical sort?

If I may be so bold as to risk a reading - if there is a lesson in this story, I feel it lies not in the choice at hand, but in the one behind the hand. Is it the perfect fish the troublesome lady wished for? The perfect dish? Was she even after perfection at all? How can something be found if the search itself is unknown?

One way or another, if Soshi-san's wish was to draw this one's interest to your writings, I guess you can count this goal as a success. A first, preemptive one in the season, you might say. I can imagine there might even be wider interest in your book, when it is ready. Perhaps there is an opportunity there to talk about in Kyuden Ikoma?

Until then, may the Fortunes stand by you and guide your brush,

Sincerely,

Yasuki-ke no kashin Kawagoi Masaki
<chop>

[Soshi Eiji]

*snip*

With Wiinter Court fast approaching, a reply finds it's way to Yasuki-san while such is still possible.

To the insightful Yasuki-ke no kashin Kawagoi Masaki,

Despite the lateness of the year, I thought it fittng to inform you that, having traversed rough roads and roughter wheather, your emmisary of straw was received with gratitude. It took but one look into his eyes, and much was said.

Your words of congratulations of victory were heartening. Catching Yasuki-san's interest before having the chance to meet in person was ndeed part of my motivation for sending an incomplete story to her. Winter court is as full of words as a blizzard is full of snow, each unique in their own way, but so easy to miss when brought together as a whole. I feel, however, Yasuki-san has very sharp eyes, and she knows the true value of a single snowflake.

There is always much to discuss at court, but whether it's stories, choices, motivations, victory or anythng else, I would be honored to spend some time discussing with you. I can't promise ayu, but amago is good too.

On the road to court,

Soshi-ke no kaishin Miura Eiji