(D2, LA, Open) Courtside with color commentary

[Soshi Eiji]

It was, but Eiji quite liked the Dragon's energy.

"Storytelling, without a doubt. How better to commerate what has been and inspire what will be?" he said, puffed up a little bit, firm in his belief that storytelling was the ultimate art.

"Ah...the floating banquet.." he said, deflating back down. "I had....not been thinking of that. Fortunes, well he's not here so..."

He shook himself from the unwelcome thought that had slipped out.

"I should definitely hope to find some good people to sit next to for that. Sitting next to the wrong people will make that an ordeal that will seem to go on forever." he said, picturing just how badly that could go.

[Agasha Yuna]

"Storytelling is such a good answer. It warms my librarian's heart. Are you a storyteller, Soshi-san? I look forward to the chance to hear you tell a tale."

But then. The floating banquet. Oh dear. She had suggested something wrong.

"Ah, I ... I am sorry. I have perhaps revealed how few floating banquets I have had the chance to attend. Unaware of the pitfalls. Forgive me." She gave an apologetic bow. "This is my first winter court. There is no need to say more. Beyond I promise to be a good person to sit next to if there is such a need. I will find out how to atone for bringing you this unwelcome topic."

"Perhaps ... thinking instead about storytelling, you could name a story that is dear to your heart. Or the person's whose storytelling inspired you most to love the art." Something to make him smile. I can't tell if he is smiling because of the mask.

[Hiruma Daichi]

"I trust you haven't yet learned how to sleep with your eyes open then, Soshi-san." The Crab mused on the topic of the floating garden. He was almost certainly joking though, right?

Still, he wasn't going to linger on that topic too long. "Agasha-san is right though, it would be interesting to hear what so inspired your like of storytelling."

[Soshi Eiji]

A caring Dragon and a good natured Crab, the two were quite the pleasant company. It wasn't that hard to see Eiji smiling, if you looked at his eyes, such as when he spoke of storytelling.

"Ah well, it is easy to grow up loving stories when one is from a family of storytellers. My father can spin a tale of battle so stirring you'll feel ready to lay siege to a castle yourself, and the heroes of my mother's stories are so clever you'll gasp and wonder why you had never realized what now seems obvious. A story near and dear to my heart would probably be 'The Jiujutsu Champion of the Lion', I would love to tell it to you..." he said with enthusiasm.

But glancing over at the assembled players he said,

"But this is not my stage. It would be rude of me to draw too much attention from the champions assembled. The Lion and Crane seem to be working in harmony quite well." he offered.

[Agasha Yuna]

She listened closely, glad to see his enthusiasm.

"A family of storytellers in the Scorpion. How marvelous! I do want to hear the story you mentioned. Maybe we could meet up tomorrow? You could come to Dragon House if you'd like. There is very good tea. And honestly, it's a good chance to compare notes on any trade opportunities."

"You too, Hiruma-san. It's so nice to meet you. I'd be happy to host you."

"Together, or separately!"

She glanced back at the field. "It is nice to see folks working together so elegantly and harmoniously. A very good sign for all that the court hopes to achieve."

[Soshi Eiji]

She listened closely, glad to see his enthusiasm.

"A family of storytellers in the Scorpion. How marvelous! I do want to hear the story you mentioned. Maybe we could meet up tomorrow? You could come to Dragon House if you'd like. There is very good tea. And honestly, it's a good chance to compare notes on any trade opportunities."

"You too, Hiruma-san. It's so nice to meet you. I'd be happy to host you."

"Together, or separately!"

She glanced back at the field. "It is nice to see folks working together so elegantly and harmoniously. A very good sign for all that the court hopes to achieve."

Eiji considered the invitation. There was a decent chance that both clans had the same resources the Scorpion were looking for, if he met with them together, perhaps he could play one off the other for an even better deal for the Scorpion.

"I would be happy to accept such an invitation Agasha-san. Perhaps around [MM]? It would be a pleasant way to start the day sharing tea with one or both of you." he agreed.

[Agasha Yuna]

"My first open window is later in the afternoon. But that would be great if that works for you." [LA]

She turned to the Hiruma. Curious to see if he was interested.

[Soshi Eiji]

"My first open window is later in the afternoon. But that would be great if that works for you." [LA]

She turned to the Hiruma. Curious to see if he was interested.

Eiji shook his head.

"I don't think that would work for me. Perhaps we could start our evening with tea?" he countered.

[Agasha Yuna]

"Early evening would work perfectly. Perhaps we could make it a dinner meal? I am happy to host. Tea for sure. And a full meal if you'd like."

She smiled, and turned to Hiruma-san.

[Hiruma Daichi]

((All the things, while I am sleeping!))

Trade negotiations were not exactly Daichi's cup of tea most days, but it was a little hard to say no and not appear as simply rude. Plus, he did have an ace up his sleeve of sorts. After a few moments the Crab gave a simple nod. "I don't currently have any pressing matters at that hour. So, it would be my pleasure to attend Agasha-san."

[Agasha Yuna]

"I'm so glad. I look forward to the chance to visit with you both again."

[Soshi Eiji]

The Scorpion bowed at the Dragon's words.

"Indeed, I've not had a dinner hosted by a Dragon, so I am looking forward to the experience."

Meanwhile....Average Kemari!

The players had certainly performed....acceptibly, though the one who brought an end to the game certainly looked disappointed with themselves.

[Hiruma Daichi]

Daichi was far more used to dinner with a group of soldiers, and this was almost certainly going to be better than that. "As am I." He agreed following the Scorpion's lead and offering a bow in turn.

His eyes then turned towards Kemari. "They didn't do too bad at all, did they?"

[Agasha Yuna]

She looked at the field.

"I think they did wonderfully. Though I feel for the one who did not make their pass. I can only imagine the increasing pressure."

[Soshi Eiji]

She looked at the field.

"I think they did wonderfully. Though I feel for the one who did not make their pass. I can only imagine the increasing pressure."

Eiji nodded.

"Such is court in the abstract." he muses. "Everyone runnning around trying their very hardest as the pressure builds until..."

He looks over at the kemari group.

"Someone drops the ball."

[Suzume Ryobu]

The game concluded, Ryobu makes her /exit.