[D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

[Agasha Yuna]

At the appointed time, Yuna was ready for her guests.

The seated area had the pillows fluffed around the low table. There were fresh flowers arranged according to the principles of ikebana. The bright green of a bonsai.

The walls were decorated with calligraphy. Statements from the Tao, rendered in an elegant script. And a wall-hanging that expressed the kanji for dragon and for mountain in a way that suggested the shape of each.

She conferred with the attendants, reviewing the menu and when to bring each course.

A chance to practice playing hostess in front of her future husband, and the woman who would judge if she was a worthy candidate to be his wife.

Her hands were shaking. Breathe. Breathe.

“The center is everything. Find the center. All else proceeds naturally from there.”

[Shiba Ryusei]

Don't screw this up, don't screw this up don't screw this up.

Ryusei looked exactly as calm as he wasn't.

He had always assumed, as heir to House Shigi, that he'd be assigned a wife at some point, probably chosen by his mother and a nakodo, and he'd do his best to make it work.

He had not counted on falling in love, in being deeply invested in a match before it was secured.

So, after a brief pause to dress some bruises and make himself presentable again after the minor spiritual... beating he had endured earlier in the day, Ryusei made his way toward the Dragon House, with a couple of scrolls in hand.

And then he waited- it wouldn't do to precede the matchmaker. She was of higher status, and he wasn't about to show her disrespect.