[D1, EN, Open] The Right Hand's Reception: Roleplay

[Agasha Yuna]

(PM GM Fukurokujin to talk to the guy.)

The Karo announced: "Agasha-ke no kashin Ageki Yuna, Librarian and Karo to Daimyo Izaku."

Yuna was dressed in her court finery - the green and gold embroidered dress and the gold headpiece.

She bowed deeply to Akodo-ue hosting, and to her karo, and then moved into the room, and paused, listening to the music for a moment, and quietly taking in the scene.

She smiled to see Shiba-san again, but noted he was in conversation.

She moved to greet another familiar face with a bow. "Mirumoto Kichinitonda, it is good to see you again. I so enjoyed seeing your calligraphy earlier. I'd love to hear more about your experiences as a calligrapher and scribe."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"Perfectly. It has been some time sincevI enjoyed the taste of home." He eyed the spread some more. "How are you finding Winter Court so far Hirjma-sama?'

"Is it something pressing that has kept you from home for so long then?" Daichi asked, it seemed unusual for a diplomat to be away for a long period of time, but he wasn't an expert there, and he saw no reason not to ask.

"As for winter court. Well." He trailed off for a moment. "Thus far I find it busy, though I'm still forming an opinion as it were. There do seem to be people always working on something though." He looked around before making a small gesture to indicate the room. "Like this for example, I'm usually in bed by this hour."

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

Snip.

"Ah..." Jinkan said nodding his head with understanding. Even if he didn't understand.

"You are well trained then because I have neither come to offense or misunderstood. Is bardic training your own choice or a family duty? Either way, it looks great on you." The Dragon put one of his hands over his own shoulder and patted his back.

[Doji Shinnosuke]

“If you begin by thinking of your story as neither heroic nor tragic, then no, maybe not,” Shinnosuke agrees genially. “Oh well.”

“What sort of stories do you like best in the theater, then, Shiba-san?”

"Oh, I'm a rank sentimentalist, Doji-san. I like stories where loyalty is rewarded, lost kin reconcile, that sort of thing."

He closed his fan and tapped his chin.

"I don't need a happy ending, but I like a satisfying one."

"Most people agree on what a makes a happy ending, but 'satisfying'? That could start feuds. Probably has." Shinnosuke smiles rakishly. "Take that play about your distant cousin and his wife. The lovers are reunited in her dream, but only for a night. And then, in their reunion, it emerges that their love was one of the illusory attachments of this suffering world. The broken promise can never be redeemed. The wife, one supposes, will grow old, sad and alone. And yet," with a gentle flourish of his closed fan, "the hero attains transcendence in the afterlife. To me, that's satisfying, if only because it's beautiful to play."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

"I am not the best source of information on local tea houses," Masumi confirmed. "I am certain that the Ikoma would liken the opportunity to visit them as quite a large one actually." She shrugged faintly. Pushing the Ikoma Family's agenda was not so important to her for the time being.

The fan catches her eye. She'd never appreciated something like that up close before. It might have enraptured her if not for the further questioning. "I am now under the service of one of your fellow Crane actually. Daidoji Sae, Emerald Magistrate." Masumi narrowed her eyes, curious of how familiar the name was to this Asahina.

"Oh?" Hoshiko brightens at the name. "Hai! Daidoji-sama is betrothed to my cousin. We have exchanged letters and she seems a delightful woman, very proper." At least for the moment, earlier humiliation is forgotten as she prods this first-hand source of information. "Only recently come to her service? What did you think of her?" She pauses with a small huff of amusement..."Ah, and I'm asked by my cousin to report if she is very pretty?"

[Mirumoto Kichinitonda]

She smiled to see Shiba-san again, but noted he was in conversation.

She moved to greet another familiar face with a bow. "Mirumoto Kichinitonda, it is good to see you again. I so enjoyed seeing your calligraphy earlier. I'd love to hear more about your experiences as a calligrapher and scribe."

"Oh, er, yes, well, thank you!"

Kichinitonda manages to stammer out a response, bobbing a bow and managing not to spill his sake as he does so.

"Um, well, er, um, the scribing is, um, well, my sensei saw that I've got a, a fair hand and put me to copying scrolls for him. And, well, er, he had a lot of scrolls, so, um, I got a lot of practice. And then I figured out that I really, er, really like writing, just putting a word into the world, making it permanent. And so I spent my discretionary time writing and writing and writing, and it occurred to me that the Founder's lessons apply to the work of the brush no less than the work of the sword. 'You must practice this diligently,' of course, and 'the way you stand with a cup of tea in your hand is the way you stand with a sword in your hand,' so why not also the brush? Once moved, neither can be unmoved; once the stroke is made, it cannot be called back. And a single stroke can change the world."

He shakes his head, realizing he's...gone on.

"But you, er, know all about that, that kind of thing, I'm sure," he adds, "working in the, the library, after all."

[Agasha Yuna]

...

"But you, er, know all about that, that kind of thing, I'm sure," he adds, "working in the, the library, after all."
[/quote]

She smiled, listening attentively.

"I am glad it is something you enjoy so much. May duty and passion always align so perfectly! And your thinking about the meaning of it, the beauty of the practice, is fascinating."

"Yes, copying manuscripts is something done at the library, primarily so that copies of rare works can be provided as gifts. I've helped with that effort. It is such a pleasure because it is an opportunity to study the text - the content of the scroll or book worth copying - as well as the art of copying, the beauty of the kanji. I tend to remember what I read. I am enriched by the chance to tarry with a topic in such depth, breathing in line after line of wise words. I particularly enjoy reading about history and theology, but also the pleasure of the unexpected. A book of mining technique. A book on musical notation. There seems to be no topic that is not fascinating if you dig into it."

"I am eager to see the Ikoma library! A rich harvest of words, indeed. But I believe we must arrange that permission."

[Mirumoto Kichinitonda]

I particularly enjoy reading about history and theology, but also the pleasure of the unexpected. A book of mining technique. A book on musical notation. There seems to be no topic that is not fascinating if you dig into it."

"I am eager to see the Ikoma library! A rich harvest of words, indeed. But I believe we must arrange that permission."

"Theology?" Kichinitonda nods. "I, er, read that, too. Kind of have to, given, um, the work. I, um, wonder if in your, er, researches you've found much about, um, the Fortune Gorobei."

He slams the rest of his sake.

"Would you like a drink?"

[Asako Kenichi]

"Is it something pressing that has kept you from home for so long then?" Daichi asked, it seemed unusual for a diplomat to be away for a long period of time, but he wasn't an expert there, and he saw no reason not to ask.

"As for winter court. Well." He trailed off for a moment. "Thus far I find it busy, though I'm still forming an opinion as it were. There do seem to be people always working on something though." He looked around before making a small gesture to indicate the room. "Like this for example, I'm usually in bed by this hour."

"Ah just some business dating back to my grandparents. After their indiscretions, my house was tasked with sending a representative to the Ikoma. I was chosen from my siblings." He shrugges, though there was an edge to his voice as he spoke.

"I can see that. Early morning duties, I take it? Always something to do, somewhere to be. Well, I hope you will enjoy this change of pace. And the scenery. Have you been to the dojo yet?"

[Jihen]

After spending time with the Seppun Daimyo, Jihen made his way around to observe and make himself available to any person of a higher station to engage with him if they so dared.

It appeared that most of the attendants were far from retirement… and so unlikely to have much interest in the threat of religious discourse, but Jihen made himself look as un-intimidating as possible.

[Matsu Masumi]

"Oh?" Hoshiko brightens at the name. "Hai! Daidoji-sama is betrothed to my cousin. We have exchanged letters and she seems a delightful woman, very proper." At least for the moment, earlier humiliation is forgotten as she prods this first-hand source of information. "Only recently come to her service? What did you think of her?" She pauses with a small huff of amusement..."Ah, and I'm asked by my cousin to report if she is very pretty?"

"What a small world we live in," Masumi mused, her curiosity peaked. There wasn't much reason for her to find anything to exploit in her superior. To have something and not need it was much better than the alternative however. "How did this betrothal come to pass?" She didn't want to speak on Sae's age, not yet at least.

The thought of prettiness rattled Masumi, coming through in her voice. "I don't tend to assess my superiors in such a way. One might say so?" Romance was the last thing on the Yoriki's mind and for good reason. "Daidoji-sama is an exemplar of her position," she continued, full of respect. "No one can claim she earned it through political maneuvering."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

"Oh?" Hoshiko brightens at the name. "Hai! Daidoji-sama is betrothed to my cousin. We have exchanged letters and she seems a delightful woman, very proper." At least for the moment, earlier humiliation is forgotten as she prods this first-hand source of information. "Only recently come to her service? What did you think of her?" She pauses with a small huff of amusement..."Ah, and I'm asked by my cousin to report if she is very pretty?"

"What a small world we live in," Masumi mused, her curiosity peaked. There wasn't much reason for her to find anything to exploit in her superior. To have something and not need it was much better than the alternative however. "How did this betrothal come to pass?" She didn't want to speak on Sae's age, not yet at least.

The thought of prettiness rattled Masumi, coming through in her voice. "I don't tend to assess my superiors in such a way. One might say so?" Romance was the last thing on the Yoriki's mind and for good reason. "Daidoji-sama is an exemplar of her position," she continued, full of respect. "No one can claim she earned it through political maneuvering."

"The connections of fate bind all of us in some fashion. It is always fascinating when they show themselves like this." The Asahina agrees. "It's a bit of a long story, but I'll cut it as short as makes any sense. Another cousin of our House was wed to Daidoji-sama, but died not terribly long ago." She pauses, "I was a bit young when that was negotiated, so I have few details. But it was a good match. So...well, those are valuable ties to maintain, so negotiations have forged another match. My cousin is quite keen on it. I believe she may have a few pillowbook fantasies of how glamorous a magistrate's job is, but she'll settle to the reality quickly enough."

She listens through the recital of virtues with some obvious pleasure. "Wonderful to hear. The Crane have supplied solid magistrates for generations, so it's good to hear that the condition continues." And is seen to continue. They could use every good perception they could squeeze from such appointments.

"She did mention a yoriki who'd hopefully be able to take up some duties and allow her time to attend her own engagement ceremony. I imagine that's you then?" Unspoken is the question...do you think you're capable of holding her fort for time?

[Shiba Ryusei]

She smiled to see Shiba-san again, but noted he was in conversation.

Calm down, Ryusei, it's just a smile.

...

Okay fine, you can enjoy it and Think Thoughts, but keep your On.

"Most people agree on what a makes a happy ending, but 'satisfying'? That could start feuds. Probably has." Shinnosuke smiles rakishly. "Take that play about your distant cousin and his wife. The lovers are reunited in her dream, but only for a night. And then, in their reunion, it emerges that their love was one of the illusory attachments of this suffering world. The broken promise can never be redeemed. The wife, one supposes, will grow old, sad and alone. And yet," with a gentle flourish of his closed fan, "the hero attains transcendence in the afterlife. To me, that's satisfying, if only because it's beautiful to play."

"For me, satisfaction is contingent on the ending meaning something. On the story having a point. As you say, the story isn't a happy one, but nor is it... pointless. It's not sad for the sake of being sad, the tragic elements have something to convey."

[Yasuki Masaki]

Snip

The Yasuki bowed at the slightly older, masked man. "Your words are too kind, Soshi-san", she answered in a rather contained tone. Seeing the cup on one of his hands, she moves her eyes slightly towards the one on her left hand, as if pointing to it. "We're sharing both the cup and the word already, it would seem, ne?" A faint, sheepish smile. "Unless Soshi-san was thinking of more specific words?" The smile turns into a smirk, for the slightest moment. "Not 'fish', or 'book', by any chance?"

The announcement itself draws Arai's attention. A Yasuki shugenja who points out that she's most suitable for court environment. That's something.

The Doji watches the other woman's delicate and careful movements and with her interest even more peaked, she decides to approach her.

Arai walks closer and offers a bow along with a polite smile. "Blessings of a thousand fortunes." She greets her. "This one is Doji Arai of the House Ishimoto. Has Inari no kami blessed you today?

Masaki turns to make some space besides herself and Eiji as the Doji approaches. "May the wind and the fortunes bless our paths tonight, Doji-san", she answers as she bows as well. "Inari no kami has been most graceful today - as well as tonight, ne?" She gestures towards the party. "I hope he and Hotei-sama have been as kind on Doji-san in this first day at Kyuden Ikoma?"

[Agasha Yuna]

"Would you like a drink?"

"Thank you. I'd like a drink." She could see he was drinking sake.

"The Fortune Gorobei? I haven't heard of that Fortune. That is the name of an Otomo here at court. Otomo Gorobei-sama." One of the candidates.

"Oh! Do you mean Gobai? The Fortune of Balance? I ..." She fell short. A flash of recognition. She remembered everything she read.

"I have heard of a shrine that met its destruction." A glance at him. Now that she thought about it, wasn't that an Ozawa story?

"I am a Shinseist. My study of the Fortunes is largely ... academic."

[Mirumoto Kichinitonda]

"Thank you. I'd like a drink." She could see he was drinking sake.

"The Fortune Gorobei? I haven't heard of that Fortune. That is the name of an Otomo here at court. Otomo Gorobei-sama." One of the candidates.

"Oh! Do you mean Gobai? The Fortune of Balance? I ..." She fell short. A flash of recognition. She remembered everything she read.

"I have heard of a shrine that met its destruction." A glance at him. Now that she thought about it, wasn't that an Ozawa story?

"I am a Shinseist. My study of the Fortunes is largely ... academic."

"Did I, um, say the wrong one?" Kichinitonda stammers out. "I, er, talk less well than I write. Part, part of why I like to write."

He manages to get a couple of cups of sake, hands her one.

"But, uh, yeah, um, there was a shrine that, er, went badly. But I thought, uh, maybe you, you had seen something in the, the stacks about it."

The cup finds his lips again, and in a hurry.

[Doji Shinnosuke]

She smiled to see Shiba-san again, but noted he was in conversation.

Calm down, Ryusei, it's just a smile.

...

Okay fine, you can enjoy it and Think Thoughts, but keep your On.

"Most people agree on what a makes a happy ending, but 'satisfying'? That could start feuds. Probably has." Shinnosuke smiles rakishly. "Take that play about your distant cousin and his wife. The lovers are reunited in her dream, but only for a night. And then, in their reunion, it emerges that their love was one of the illusory attachments of this suffering world. The broken promise can never be redeemed. The wife, one supposes, will grow old, sad and alone. And yet," with a gentle flourish of his closed fan, "the hero attains transcendence in the afterlife. To me, that's satisfying, if only because it's beautiful to play."

"For me, satisfaction is contingent on the ending meaning something. On the story having a point. As you say, the story isn't a happy one, but nor is it... pointless. It's not sad for the sake of being sad, the tragic elements have something to convey."

Shinnosuke laughs, concealed behind his sleeve but in a way that seems casual and natural rather than affected (unless that's the ultimate affectation?). "All that tells me is that you like good plays, and dislike bad and silly ones! Which is discernment enough, I suppose."

The flicker of Ryusei's eyes over his shoulder at someone else doesn't escape his notice, though. "Am I detaining you, Shiba-san? This is a party, I ought not to stop you from mingling."

[Matsu Masumi]

"The connections of fate bind all of us in some fashion. It is always fascinating when they show themselves like this." The Asahina agrees. "It's a bit of a long story, but I'll cut it as short as makes any sense. Another cousin of our House was wed to Daidoji-sama, but died not terribly long ago." She pauses, "I was a bit young when that was negotiated, so I have few details. But it was a good match. So...well, those are valuable ties to maintain, so negotiations have forged another match. My cousin is quite keen on it. I believe she may have a few pillowbook fantasies of how glamorous a magistrate's job is, but she'll settle to the reality quickly enough."

She listens through the recital of virtues with some obvious pleasure. "Wonderful to hear. The Crane have supplied solid magistrates for generations, so it's good to hear that the condition continues." And is seen to continue. They could use every good perception they could squeeze from such appointments.

"She did mention a yoriki who'd hopefully be able to take up some duties and allow her time to attend her own engagement ceremony. I imagine that's you then?" Unspoken is the question...do you think you're capable of holding her fort for time?

Talk of fate never sat well with Masumi, especially when it involved matters of marriage and death. She nodded along, too polite to interrupt, but there was a grimness to her demeanor. "Such is the nature of treaties. They must be upheld." She dusted off her shoulder as if shooing away an ill omen.

"The Crane and the Lion are alike in this manner," Masumi said, of course unable to resist the opportunity to extol her Clan's own virtues. "She did not mention such a thing to me yet." Unless some time shenanigans occurred... but it didn't seem likely that Masumi had earned Sae's trust to that extent yet. "I will aid her in any manner she deems fit." Within reason was left unspoken but certainly Sae would not go too far.

[Agasha Yuna]

"Did I, um, say the wrong one?" Kichinitonda stammers out. "I, er, talk less well than I write. Part, part of why I like to write."

He manages to get a couple of cups of sake, hands her one.

"But, uh, yeah, um, there was a shrine that, er, went badly. But I thought, uh, maybe you, you had seen something in the, the stacks about it."

The cup finds his lips again, and in a hurry.

She paused to consider it, scanning her memory for anything she had seen. Gobai. Gobai...

https://sakkaku.org/r/15721

Lore Theology (Fortunes) 34

[Hiruma Daichi]

"Ah just some business dating back to my grandparents. After their indiscretions, my house was tasked with sending a representative to the Ikoma. I was chosen from my siblings." He shrugges, though there was an edge to his voice as he spoke.

"I can see that. Early morning duties, I take it? Always something to do, somewhere to be. Well, I hope you will enjoy this change of pace. And the scenery. Have you been to the dojo yet?"

That certainly had the sound of something he didn't need to pry into. So Daichi let the subject drop though he did make a mental note of it.

"Generally, unless your unit is pulling night duties a soldier tends to.rise early." It was part of proper discipline to keep people on a specific schedule. "The dojo? No." He'd need to at some point of course, but the day had been long already. "Peehaps on the morrow. Have you had the chance to spend much time there?"