(D1, ME) Everyone wants to be a Sailor (Play)

[Kitsu Moshumaru]

Seeing the lonely Lion Oubaihime approached the man. "Good Evening Sama... may I accompany you?"

Slightly surprised by the appearance and approach of the Phoenix, the Lion bows almost on reflex.

"Ah, of course - it would be my honour to join you this evening."

Looking over the Kaito for a moment, he found he remembered the visage from the gift giving this morning, although they hadn't been formally introduced.

"Thought I don't believe we've formally exchanged names - this one is Kitsu Moshumaru. To whom do I owe the pleasure?"

[Kuni Yasu]

Ishioka nods to Yasu's questions, fully preferring later and a different location. To the lighter questions, he begins to respond slowly.

"I am mostly well and... Trying to look forward to what comes after this. I have no particular expectations. I am... trying to organize my thoughts about what seems desirable in a match. I spoke to a samurai-ko yesterday who suggested sharing that with the nakodo could help ensure the most successful match." Ishioka shrugs like he doesn't know if he believes that, but his tone of voice is genuine that he is organizing his thoughts.

Yasu nods. "That seems right. It's always better to have more information than less, neh? If your family just wanted to lock up a treaty with you, they'd have done that. Sending you to the Shika? Well they're famous for harmonious matches, not just good on paper matches, you know?"

"Who'd you talk to with that sensible sort of advice then?"

[Matsu Ishioka]

Yasu nods. "That seems right. It's always better to have more information than less, neh? If your family just wanted to lock up a treaty with you, they'd have done that. Sending you to the Shika? Well they're famous for harmonious matches, not just good on paper matches, you know?"

"Who'd you talk to with that sensible sort of advice then?"

Ishioka nods along with Yasu.

"The Otter... Usogawa Narumi? She fancies herself a future nakodo," he says, clearly still skeptical, although his guardedness had eased with Yasu's endorsement. "She seemed eager to be of help. Perhaps too eager," he says, identifying the source of his unease. A breath later, Ishioka slowly shook his head. "Or she wants to spend time with me and I'm too..." He just trails off, not sure what to call it.

[Saibankan]

With the audience gathered and the players assembled, the lanterns are lowered, and the presentation of the play begins!

Everyone Wants to be a Sailor:

The play opens with Doji Yohachi, a noted calligrapher, in a sake bar, crying over a letter from his first romantic partner, Kitsu Rei. He reflects upon their courtship in winter court a few years ago, and how nothing came of it. She married into the Lion clan and her letter is to inform him of the birth of their first child. He considers burning the letter, but is unable to let go of this reminder of their romance.

Winter court comes, and Doji Yohachi finds himself deeply involved in the Game of Letters to dull the pain of his loss. What starts as simply an exchange to show their cleverness blooms into an indirect anonymous courtship between Doji Yohachi and Ide Joruri. However, due to several misunderstandings in the game, both are left with the distinct impression that the person they are courting with is a member of the Mantis clan.

Meanwhile in another Winter Court, Kitsu Rei's husband becomes involved in a shii duel, and tragically loses his life. This causes Kitsu Rei to return to her family to mourn him in Doji Yohachi's city. However, despite her no longer being married, Yohachi comes to the realization that he no longer wishes to marry Kitsu Rei. A mixture of fondness for the courtship and the fact that he could not have her caused him to overly romanticize the idea. Who he wishes to marry now is Ide Joruri.....who is on her way to a miai in the Mantis lands!

Yohachi managed to get an invite to the miai, and after several misunderstandings revolving around the fact that both Yohachi and Joruri think they're looking for a Mantis, the two find each other and wed.

[Shiba Raizo]

Thank fuck I never dabbled in the Game of Letters, if that's where it gets you.

[Kuni Yasu]

Yasu nods. "That seems right. It's always better to have more information than less, neh? If your family just wanted to lock up a treaty with you, they'd have done that. Sending you to the Shika? Well they're famous for harmonious matches, not just good on paper matches, you know?"

"Who'd you talk to with that sensible sort of advice then?"

Ishioka nods along with Yasu.

"The Otter... Usogawa Narumi? She fancies herself a future nakodo," he says, clearly still skeptical, although his guardedness had eased with Yasu's endorsement. "She seemed eager to be of help. Perhaps too eager," he says, identifying the source of his unease. A breath later, Ishioka slowly shook his head. "Or she wants to spend time with me and I'm too..." He just trails off, not sure what to call it.

Yasu helpfully fills in, "dense? oblivious? blind to romantic hints?" It's really like a soot-blackened pot telling an iron-dark tetsubin that it need to lighten up, but that hasn't stopped her before. Which reminds her. "Did you see Aiko around before you left?"

"Anyway, Usogawa-san is a very friendly woman, and personable. She'll probably be fine as a nakodo, and the Otter could use her, new and small as they are."

The lights dim for the start of the play though, and Yasu whispers, just before it begins. "Remind me to tell you about the *other* Otter I've met later though..."

There's a lot of tremendously amusing misunderstandings throughout, and Yasu's hearty laugh is easy to hear, urging the actors onward to their happy ending, which is greeted with enthusiastic applause by the Crab, at least.

[Matsu Ishioka]

Yasu helpfully fills in, "dense? oblivious? blind to romantic hints?" It's really like a soot-blackened pot telling an iron-dark tetsubin that it need to lighten up, but that hasn't stopped her before. Which reminds her. "Did you see Aiko around before you left?"

"Anyway, Usogawa-san is a very friendly woman, and personable. She'll probably be fine as a nakodo, and the Otter could use her, new and small as they are."

The lights dim for the start of the play though, and Yasu whispers, just before it begins. "Remind me to tell you about the *other* Otter I've met later though..."

There's a lot of tremendously amusing misunderstandings throughout, and Yasu's hearty laugh is easy to hear, urging the actors onward to their happy ending, which is greeted with enthusiastic applause by the Crab, at least.

Yasu's comments give Ishioka a fair amount to think about, but all of that is sidelined as he watches the play. While the death of the minor character in a duel doesn't sit especially well, Ishioka overall enjoys the play and likewise applauds vigorously at the end.

When Yasu turns to him, she'll see his face looking deeply pensive, as though he's grappling with a serious question and making little progress.

[Kuni Yasu]

Yasu's comments give Ishioka a fair amount to think about, but all of that is sidelined as he watches the play. While the death of the minor character in a duel doesn't sit especially well, Ishioka overall enjoys the play and likewise applauds vigorously at the end.

When Yasu turns to him, she'll see his face looking deeply pensive, as though he's grappling with a serious question and making little progress.

"Zeni for your thoughts, Matsu-san? Have to say, there weren't a *lot* of sailors in there."

[Usogawa Emiko]

"Oh, Kakita-sama" Emiko bowed to the woman, and gave her a smile "I hope you are well. Are you looking forward to the performance?"

“Indeed I am, Usogawa-sama- and would enjoy it even more with company, if you might be willing?”

A forwards gesture, perhaps, but one that could be easily interpreted as friendship as well.

Sakura can't see, but her servant surely will, the lift of darkly painted eyebrows at the announcement that Sakura was a duelist. "Huh, I guess it is. I think a blind duelist would be the perfect candidate for a fortune of discarded expectations. I'm pleased to meet her." The bemused smile might be heard, somewhat, in her words.

“And I you, Kuni-san. If you wish to watch me spar, I am certain there will be the opportunity during this Miai.”

There's a challenge there, in response to the bemusement. See how Sakura can defy expectations.

Emiko looked slightly confused but bowed as others she hadn't noticed retreated from the Kakita womans side.

"Was it something I said?" She asked quietly, before nodding "and hai, I'd be happy to sit with you. Can I help you to the seating area?"

Once they had found their way forward to the seating areas (Sakura likely being further forward than usual due to Emiko going towards where she would normally go) they found their seats and the play started!

With the audience gathered and the players assembled, the lanterns are lowered, and the presentation of the play begins!

Everyone Wants to be a Sailor:

The play opens with Doji Yohachi, a noted calligrapher, in a sake bar, crying over a letter from his first romantic partner, Kitsu Rei. He reflects upon their courtship in winter court a few years ago, and how nothing came of it. She married into the Lion clan and her letter is to inform him of the birth of their first child. He considers burning the letter, but is unable to let go of this reminder of their romance.

Winter court comes, and Doji Yohachi finds himself deeply involved in the Game of Letters to dull the pain of his loss. What starts as simply an exchange to show their cleverness blooms into an indirect anonymous courtship between Doji Yohachi and Ide Joruri. However, due to several misunderstandings in the game, both are left with the distinct impression that the person they are courting with is a member of the Mantis clan.

Meanwhile in another Winter Court, Kitsu Rei's husband becomes involved in a shii duel, and tragically loses his life. This causes Kitsu Rei to return to her family to mourn him in Doji Yohachi's city. However, despite her no longer being married, Yohachi comes to the realization that he no longer wishes to marry Kitsu Rei. A mixture of fondness for the courtship and the fact that he could not have her caused him to overly romanticize the idea. Who he wishes to marry now is Ide Joruri.....who is on her way to a miai in the Mantis lands!

Yohachi managed to get an invite to the miai, and after several misunderstandings revolving around the fact that both Yohachi and Joruri think they're looking for a Mantis, the two find each other and wed.

Emiko had her fan up, and she tried to quietly explain what the people were doing on stage so Sakura could follow along with the words.

[Kakita Sakura]

Sakura is very appreciative- and giggles several times during the performance at the sheer ridiculousness.

“Usogawa-sama, I can't partake in the Game of Letters for… obvious reasons. Is this sort of thing common? These misunderstandings?”