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

[Matsu Ishioka]

Yasu shakes her head a bit. "That's all kind of bad luck, but then your marriage gets complicated by that and you're going to need kind of special attention...not the happy randomness we've got here." She pauses, considering the Otter heir. "Well, that's for the great clans, at least. I think miai are mostly for people not quite important enough for the clan to need them married a certain way, but important enough to invest in a good match that might build some ties." Her grin is a bit rueful. "Doesn't make sense throwing resources at getting their bad luck cases connected like that." It's a very Crab perspective. Some clans were wealthy enough for the resources to mean a lot less.

"Minor clans? It's a chance to snag some more important ties than they might be able to arrange at court. So I guess they might send someone again."

Ishioka nods agreeably, appreciative of the practical, Crab-style perspective. "Yes. Could happen, but is quite unlikely." He seems pleased, giving a final nod of approval to this understanding and showing a tiny relaxation in his shoulders. "Erm. You mentioned... discussing something else earlier. About an Otter?" He looks slightly pensive, trying to recall the topic.

[Usogawa Narumi]

"That we do! And gossip about what we've seen on said travels. Compare notes, as it were." she grinned.

[Suzume Senseki]

"Ah. Good evening. I am Shiba Tomoe." She bows her head in greeting, smiling in return to both. "I found the play quite enthralling. It held my attention to the end. The misunderstandings particularly were amusing, but I was glad to see a resolution with a clear head for the two finding each other. Made for a tale with a happy ending."

She nods. "How did Kitsu-san and Suzume-san find the play?"

He bowed his head to the Sparrow, offering a greeting. "I am Kitsu Murato."

Sharing his attention with both of them. "I thought it was perhaps meant to suggest to us that even if things seem complicated or difficult during our pursuits, that eventually we'll end up with who we are meant to. But I may be reading too much into it. Perhaps the Deer just like a romantic story, not unlike most. I had read this play before, and appreciated it but this is my first time seeing it put on. The acting was very good."

Then he said more quietly, "But the Ide was the best character. I liked that she was the only one that truly knew what she wanted and chased it without concern for the rest of the world. A very spirited woman."

Another bow, appropriately lower than then both, and another smile. "Pleased to meet you, Kitsu-sama, Shiba-sama", he says, and then proceeds to listen attentively to their comments on the play. He seems quiet and thoughtful, nodding as they speak, as if carefully committing their ideas to mind.

Some seconds after the Kitsu's words, he shares some thoughts as well. "I was glad to see a happy ending as well", he says with a smile to the Shiba. "Although I couldn't help but wonder - was it happy for the Kitsu as well? I wonder... if she loved her late husband, she may be happy with the memories of him... and maybe also memories of their courting. I suppose the whole things with memories adds an interesting angle to the story!", he says with a happy nod.

He then looks a bit curiously to the Kitsu. "Of course I say that from an outside perspective and a simple mind, ne? As a Kitsu yourself, what do you think, Kitsu-sama? And also... I see you greatly liked the Ide lady!"

He then looks at both of them, one after another, before asking. "Do you think... maybe her love of the Doji was more, or clearer, than his for her?"

[Asahina Soyokaze]

With the play concluded Soyokaze slips out of the theater, a mild look of disappointment on his face.

[Shiba Raizo]

"That we do! And gossip about what we've seen on said travels. Compare notes, as it were." she grinned.

"Never heard it called gossip.... but I suppose the word fits, for all of that."

He smiled.

[Seppun Yuzu]

Minae leans back with a nod.

"Indeed not. To insist on such brings shame to the entire dueling tradition But she could not comprehend the tragedy she was racing towards." Minae said, with a casual wave of her fan.

"For you see, the diplomat overseeing the Scorpion delegation at court had grown weary of the Scorpion's antics. And so rather than refuse to give permission for the duel, or pressure the Crane to withdraw their shameful challenge, he acceded to their demands in full. The courtier would face the duelist in a duel to the death with no champion."

"A Scorpion willing to remove a clan mate. How..." The boy looks at Minae to study the word better and avoid offense, "Odd."

[Bayushi Minae]

"A Scorpion willing to remove a clan mate. How..." The boy looks at Minae to study the word better and avoid offense, "Odd."

This earned a small shrug from Minae.

"Perhaps he was more concerned about his own interests, perhaps the courtier personally slighted him....or perhaps he knew what would happen." she replied.

"for when the day of the duel came, the Kakita came with her katana ready for a duel to a death. The courtier....came with an ink brush. 'This is the only weapon I have ever held in my hands' he said. 'But if this is truly the judgement of the Heavens rather than a legal excuse for murder, then I need no other weapon."

[Seppun Yuzu]

Perplexed, the boy raises the right side of his upper lip in an astonished expression. "Nani? A brush?"

It pains him to even picture the scene in his mind, "Please, tell me he's dead."

[Kakita Sakura]

“Hmmmm, I can't say I have.”

Sakura hums. “It’s not something we Kakita tend to focus on. Whether I ever might consider it…perhaps.”

"I think Kakita-san would be quite good at it. She has the natural beauty that would be welcome on the stage, and I believe you have the natural talent within you. Acting and dance often links well with those who have an affinity for martial arts."

Emiko paused, before continuing.

"I had been considering maybe putting on a performance once the miai is over, as a memory for everyone to carry on after we finish. I could teach you about acting, then Kakita-san could join me on this? I think it would be a really memorable way to finish this event and a great beginning for the new life following after marriage, ne?"

D1 ME - Pursuing the Agenda. Water/Performance TN2 | TN: 2 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 1

Sakura blushes softly, Emiko's charm definitely hitting the mark- hiding it behind a fan for a moment, she smiles. "I would be honoured to do so, Usogawa-sama."

[Kuni Yasu]

Ishioka nods agreeably, appreciative of the practical, Crab-style perspective. "Yes. Could happen, but is quite unlikely." He seems pleased, giving a final nod of approval to this understanding and showing a tiny relaxation in his shoulders. "Erm. You mentioned... discussing something else earlier. About an Otter?" He looks slightly pensive, trying to recall the topic.

Yasu pauses a moment to even remember what they were talking about before...before the play, actually...Otter...

"Was I?" she says a bit curiously, casting back. "hmm...something about you talking to the matchmaker and Usogawa-san...oh!" She fixes him with a knowing smile and upraised eybrow. "I mean, we were talking about you being dense in the face of a pretty Otter there for one."

"But yeah, then I was going to tell you about Susaki Tanabe. Taller'n me, tossed me around the dojo a bit today. I didn't think they came in that size on the rivers."