(D3, ME) Ex-Hida by Yasuki Seiryo

[Kaikoga Fujiko]

Fujiko entered the theater and shook off the drops on her umbrella. Walking further in, she looked around but didn't see her fellow play enthusiast from the previous day.

He's probably just late, she thought as she grabbed a seat and reserved one next to her for him.

"Oh, I can't wait to see what the story will be today!" she enthusiastically said to herself.

In the meantime, her eyes wandered around until they found some beautiful lady with a colorful bird.

Oh, my, she thought. What is it with these beautiful ladies and their birds? Should I get one for Koi-nee-sama?

[Shika Nesshin]

She giggles prettily, not bothering to hide her smile. “I’m so glad! Having a companion to watch a show with is always a blessing.”

She gives the Shika an appraising look for a brief second.

“Shika-san, I have a question for you, but it may not be appropriate. I confess, out of all the samurai here, you’re the only one I’d need to ask this of! May I? Mushroom? That’s not the question.”

She holds out a small bag of mushrooms, popping one in her mouth.

It's a pretty giggle, Nesshin notes, and his smile matches hers. "I could stand a mushroom," he says, and "Ask away--though I may not answer.

"After all, we are here to learn about each other, aren't we?"

[Agasha Inoshishi]

As Inoshishi gives the Deer a mushroom, she listens and her mouth quirks into another of her easy grins.

“Ah, then I think I know the answer to my question before I ask! But since you’ve so kindly given permission, I’ll ask anyway! Are you a host or also seeking a partner in this miai? I imagine you’re seeking, given your answer! Do you have any words of advice, being as you grew up here? I know you only pledged to answer one, but I thought id ask anyway!”

The tone of her voice shows that it’s mostly asked in the spirit of general conversation, but she’ll also clearly take any advice you have.

[Saibankan]

Yet again the lanterns are dimmed, and as the crowd falls quiet the play begins:

D3: Ex-Hida by Yasuki Seiryo

After a brutal verbal tirade unleashed by Hida Yoshio at Otomo Shinichi, Shinichi's heart nearly fails and he is left under a doctor's care as Yoshio stomps back to Kyuden Hida.

Shinichi's daughter, Harukichi, has always been spoiled, and never set a dainty foot outside of the capital. However, after her father's collapse, she makes a vow to set things to right. Not by seeking revenge, but by travelling to Kyuden Hida and teaching Yoshio proper etiquette, "for that is NOT the way the Otomo are spoken to."

During their time together while Yoshio does learn to reign in his temper around "proper company" a bit, Harukichi learns a great deal about the devotion the Crab truly have to the Empire. Slowly, but surely the two fall for one another.

[Shiba Raizo]

Huh. I think I actually like this one.

[Matsu Ishioka]

Emiko, much like previous nights, arrived with a smile on her face. The plays couldn't get worse each night right?

(ooc - quote me or pm to approach)

Shortly before the play begins, a slightly dampened - being a bit broad of shoulder for standard umbrellas - Lion approaches the Otter.

"Usogawa-sama? I hoped to introduce myself before the play. This one is Matsu Ishioka, nikutai in the Lion embassy guard at Kyuden Hida. I am honored to meet you," he says, deep bass voice delivered in a polite but warm tone. He bows with great respect to the minor clanner, which perhaps already sets him apart from a typical Lion bushi, though the rock solid stoicism of his face is a very noticeable quality.

[Kuni Yasu]

Yasu had been prepared to be annoyed as the Otomo child went off with the intention of giving the crab a talking to, instead finding herself rather pleased with the development of the plot, and message therein.

[Asahina Soyokaze]

As the play ended Soyokaze looked at the crowds reactions, this was more what he thought people meant when they said "love".

[Kasumi]

He bows once more, "Seppun Yuzu, Governor of Chisei. Please, treat me kindly."

Caramel eyes lock on the exotic bird and he asks, "That's a very different bird. Does it have a name?"

"Not one that can be repeated in polite company, alas." Se smiled, as se took a seat. The bird cawed and cackled.

"Well met Seppun-sama. I hope you are enjoying the miai so far?"

[Shiba Raizo]

As the play ended Soyokaze looked at the crowds reactions, this was more what he thought people meant when they said "love".

Raizo glanced at the smith.

"I'm not great expert on art, but this one worked for me. Maybe because they both had to do some growing."