Rocking yams (D1 MM)
Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 3:14 am
Senseki felt quite a bit out of his element in the Great Hall with the variety of beautiful - and apparently valuable - pieces of artwork displayed in different parts of it. Looking at the other guests, the Sparrow can practically feel how his kimono seems simple and uninteresting in comparison to those worn by the others in the room. He keeps stone-silent, looking at the others, the tapestries and the ikebana arrangements. The combination isn't lost on him, the lessons on the deeper meanings of art he learnt as his mother and his mother's mother talked about her mother's accomplishments coming back to his mind. Whether due to that realisation, or simply out of habit, a pleasant smile adorned his face even while it kept observing all around.
When the time came for him to present his gift, he produced a miniature sand garden, with deep-white sand, a variety of rocks found in the Sparrow hills, arranged in a careful and beautiful order that, when carefully looked at, seemed to suggest the locations of Kyuden Shika, Kyuden Suzume, Kyuden Kitsune, Kyuden Usagi and Kyuden Ashinagabashi in lighter, almost white stones, and a general outline of mountains and hills close to the Rokugani coast in a variety of darker stones. In a square socket to the side, a single miniature tree - almost a sapling. The leaves were still young and light green, but it looked healthy and well-cared for. A promise of something that might flower in the future.
One knowledgeable in plants would notice it was not a plant known for its flowers, though, but for its roots. It was, in fact, a yam - a crop the Sparrow were known for... and often made fun of due to its simplicity and blandness.
"Shika-ue", the Sparrow said as he approached and dropped to a full seiza. "I would like to offer this humble gift as a token of my people's thanks for your generous offer to receive me here in Kyuden Shika. It is my hope and that of my people that you may find some beauty and interest in it, despite its simplicity."
When the time came for him to present his gift, he produced a miniature sand garden, with deep-white sand, a variety of rocks found in the Sparrow hills, arranged in a careful and beautiful order that, when carefully looked at, seemed to suggest the locations of Kyuden Shika, Kyuden Suzume, Kyuden Kitsune, Kyuden Usagi and Kyuden Ashinagabashi in lighter, almost white stones, and a general outline of mountains and hills close to the Rokugani coast in a variety of darker stones. In a square socket to the side, a single miniature tree - almost a sapling. The leaves were still young and light green, but it looked healthy and well-cared for. A promise of something that might flower in the future.
One knowledgeable in plants would notice it was not a plant known for its flowers, though, but for its roots. It was, in fact, a yam - a crop the Sparrow were known for... and often made fun of due to its simplicity and blandness.
"Shika-ue", the Sparrow said as he approached and dropped to a full seiza. "I would like to offer this humble gift as a token of my people's thanks for your generous offer to receive me here in Kyuden Shika. It is my hope and that of my people that you may find some beauty and interest in it, despite its simplicity."