[D2, EA, closed] A dragon and a sparrow

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna bows deeply to Suzume Ryobu.

"Suzume-sama, may I have a moment of your time? I am Agasha-ke no kashin Ageki Yuna, a Librarian and Karo. I am part of the Dragon delegation here."

[Suzume Ryobu]

Ryobu turns to face the Dragon and bows.

"It is a pleasure to make Agasha-san's acquaintance," she says, fluttering out a fan to interpose between herself and the court floor. Best to avoid attention, or appear to be attempting it, at least.

"How may the Sparrow aid the mighty Dragon?"

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna's own fan - the lovely gold and green one with the mountains and stars that so perfectly matched her kimono - moved into place.

"Suzume-sama, I thought we might explore mutual interests. An opportunity perhaps to assist each other? I have great respect for the storytelling craft of the Sparrow as a Librarian. A living library of storytellers. Perhaps there is a story to tell in which our peoples both prosper?"

"I do not presume that you need anything - there is great respect for simplicity and detachment from desire I think among us both. But perhaps there is the chance? Or something more intangible?"

"It happens that the Dragon seek vegetables and I hear your harvest is a fine one."

[Suzume Ryobu]

"Kuroshin and Kenro-ji-jin have smiled upon the Suzume Hills," Ryobu replies. "Yet even amid such smiles, in which there is great delight, a firm foundation must be sought. Surely the Dragon stand upon such a foundation, and where they have stepped twice before, surely a humble Sparrow might alight."

She casts an eye toward the court floor to be sure she is aware of its goings-on.

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna nodded.

"Our mountains are a firm foundation, as is our history, our ancestors, and the Tao." The mountains were also rich in resources, though that did not need to be said directly.

"I would gladly arrange invitation to our lands, should you wish, but there is an island of the Dragon here at Dragon House. Perhaps you would like to come for tea, and a place where we could continue our conversation?"

It did not seem courteous to take too much of her time during court, and it would surely be easier for her to speak freely at a more private location.

[Suzume Ryobu]

Ryobu's eyes close for the span of two heartbeats.

They open, and she inclines her head just a bit. "It would be lovely to take tea with Agasha-san. When would be a good time to call upon her?"

[Agasha Yuna]

"I would be honored for you to join me." She said that genuinely.

"Are you free during the kemari? I could host you immediately after court today or a little later this afternoon, if you are available. Or in the afternoon tomorrow, after court, if you prefer."

[Suzume Ryobu]

"After the kemari would be better," Ryobu says. "It would not do to miss an event the Court has endorsed, after all."

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna nodded. A bow of acknowledgement.

"That is good advice, and I thank you for it. I will plan to attend the kemari."

"And look forward to tea tomorrow? After court?"

[Suzume Ryobu]

"Fortunes willing," Ryobu replies with a shallow bow.

"Until then..." she says, beginning to close her fan and tilting her head towards the Court floor.

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna bowed deeply. And then closed her fan and returned her attention to court as well.


(Thanks! I look forward to the scene tomorrow. I'll pencil in for MA.)