(D5, ME) D5: My Lord's Daughter by Toshimichi

[Otomo Akimoro]

Minae sat, and took out a crimson fan with the Scorpion mon emblazoned boldly upon it, which she gestured about the theater with before bringing it back to make her words a bit more private.

"Oh you know Otomo-sama. The usual cast of characters with all their flaws and faults stumbling their way towards an uncertain future filled will romance and misunderstandings." she offered sardonically.

She grinned a bit.

"There's even been a few plays put on in between all that."

"Nothing out of the ordinary, then," says Akimoro with a nod. "Hopefully the plays will rise to meet the quality of drama offered by the events off-stage. As long as they offer a chance to relax, though, I suppose they'll be acceptable. There's far too much strife beyond this city's walls, and we could all do with a brief easing of the burden."

[Bayushi Minae]

"Nothing out of the ordinary, then," says Akimoro with a nod. "Hopefully the plays will rise to meet the quality of drama offered by the events off-stage. As long as they offer a chance to relax, though, I suppose they'll be acceptable. There's far too much strife beyond this city's walls, and we could all do with a brief easing of the burden."

A demure shrug from the Scorpion.

"That remains to be seen, of course. The plays thus far have varied a fair amount in their reception. I think perhaps Ide Hogai's piece benefitted greatly from being the first on offer, so the novelty of it made it more appealing to some of the....more rural members of the audience. Miya Nissho's piece, in contrast, received much harsher criticism than I'm sure it's author was expecting. Yasuki Seiryo's piece was generally well received, benefitting from a surprisingly positive sentiment for the Crab from the audience. Shiba Isao's piece divided the audience. They either thought it was deep or they thought it was dumb, the opinion perhaps saying more about the opinion holder than the play itself."

She tapped her fan.

"Which leads us to tonight's performance. I expect this one to be more scandalous than the previous offering by far." she suggested.

[Otomo Akimoro]

A demure shrug from the Scorpion.

"That remains to be seen, of course. The plays thus far have varied a fair amount in their reception. I think perhaps Ide Hogai's piece benefitted greatly from being the first on offer, so the novelty of it made it more appealing to some of the....more rural members of the audience. Miya Nissho's piece, in contrast, received much harsher criticism than I'm sure it's author was expecting. Yasuki Seiryo's piece was generally well received, benefitting from a surprisingly positive sentiment for the Crab from the audience. Shiba Isao's piece divided the audience. They either thought it was deep or they thought it was dumb, the opinion perhaps saying more about the opinion holder than the play itself."

She tapped her fan.

"Which leads us to tonight's performance. I expect this one to be more scandalous than the previous offering by far." she suggested.

"I can only guess that it will offer a unique perspective," says Akimoro. "The name of tonight's offering contrasts with its author's lack of a family's name, and presumably a lord as well, except for any who might be willing to pay his price. I'm certain you're quite right, though, as ronin writers, in my experience, are often far more willing to push the boundaries of decorum, if not of taste."

[Bayushi Minae]

"I can only guess that it will offer a unique perspective," says Akimoro. "The name of tonight's offering contrasts with its author's lack of a family's name, and presumably a lord as well, except for any who might be willing to pay his price. I'm certain you're quite right, though, as ronin writers, in my experience, are often far more willing to push the boundaries of decorum, if not of taste."

Minae nodded agreeably.

"My thinking exactly, Otomo-sama. While I suppose it's possible they pulled a struggling Mantis playwright off a ship somewhere, i find it far more likely that the author is presenting as ronin."

She smiled a bit.

"It might even be that this 'ronin' exists solely for the purposes of producing this work. I could easily see someone wanting to publish something that is politically risky rather than merely lavations. Or perhaps both. With a title like that either could easily be the case." she admitted.

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

Emiko arrived to watch the play, being less tired now compared to how she was earlier. She was curious how this one would play out, with a name that reminded her of how she'd been referred to in the past.

(ooc - quote to approach)

Hikimasu entered the theater, he was looking for someone. He wondered if they'd be around again. Should he not see the show without them? Well, maybe...

...oh, there's Emiko.

Should he though? Maybe, he didn't want to take all the woman's time, but no, he could admit to himself that's exactly what he wanted. Maybe he shouldn't be a bother, however. Then he realized he was doing it again, staring, so he shook it off and just walked over.

"Fancy meeting you here, Usogawa-san", said without the least bit of conspiracy in his voice. "Would you like to watch the play together, I'd be interested to hear your ideas on it."

Still, he looked around slightly. Was Kaikoga Fujiko really not coming this time? Maybe she was ill. He'd have to find out later.

[Otomo Akimoro]

Minae nodded agreeably.

"My thinking exactly, Otomo-sama. While I suppose it's possible they pulled a struggling Mantis playwright off a ship somewhere, i find it far more likely that the author is presenting as ronin."

She smiled a bit.

"It might even be that this 'ronin' exists solely for the purposes of producing this work. I could easily see someone wanting to publish something that is politically risky rather than merely lavations. Or perhaps both. With a title like that either could easily be the case." she admitted.

Akimoro is silent for a moment, a thoughtful expression crossing his face before fading away into his ever-present smirk.

"Quite possible, Bayushi-san, quite possible. It wouldn't be the first time a writer used a pen name, and if this offering is as scandalous as might be allowed given the name, I can certainly understand why this one would. It wouldn't do to draft a script that might be taken by some as a confession, after all. The real question, I suppose, is whether such an offering can be lifted into the category of proper art, or if it must remain among the more common fare, limited by an unknown writer and questionable topic."

[Matsu Ishioka]

Raizo, as had long since become habit, turned up for the fifth day or dramatic offerings.

So far they're 1 for 4. Let's see how tonight fares...

Shortly after the Phoenix took a seat, a Lion with a very bland expression sat down near him. Quick eyes would have caught the golden Matsu mons on the lapels of his copper-colored kimono before he sat and was turned to the stage.

After a moment, the broad-shouldered Lion bushi glanced at the seats around him. There was no change whatsoever to his neutral face, but he did give a small nod of greeting and a polite if dry, "Good evening, Phoenix-san."

[Shiba Raizo]

Shortly after the Phoenix took a seat, a Lion with a very bland expression sat down near him. Quick eyes would have caught the golden Matsu mons on the lapels of his copper-colored kimono before he sat and was turned to the stage.

After a moment, the broad-shouldered Lion bushi glanced at the seats around him. There was no change whatsoever to his neutral face, but he did give a small nod of greeting and a polite if dry, "Good evening, Phoenix-san."

Raizo had served with the type before, and returned the bow with a level expression of his own.

"Matsu-san. This one is Shiba Raizo, Nikutai in service to the armies of the Phoenix Clan. Have you had rice today?"

[Matsu Ishioka]

Shortly after the Phoenix took a seat, a Lion with a very bland expression sat down near him. Quick eyes would have caught the golden Matsu mons on the lapels of his copper-colored kimono before he sat and was turned to the stage.

After a moment, the broad-shouldered Lion bushi glanced at the seats around him. There was no change whatsoever to his neutral face, but he did give a small nod of greeting and a polite if dry, "Good evening, Phoenix-san."

Raizo had served with the type before, and returned the bow with a level expression of his own.

"Matsu-san. This one is Shiba Raizo, Nikutai in service to the armies of the Phoenix Clan. Have you had rice today?"

"I have, Shiba-san. Likewise, I hope. This one is Matsu Ishioka, nikutai in the Lion embassy guard at Kyuden Hida." He seems comfortable stopping there, but rethinks in order to be polite. "Uh, how has Shiba-san found the plays here?" The voice suggests a genuine curiosity, though there is no visual evidence to confirm it.

[Shiba Raizo]

"I have, Shiba-san. Likewise, I hope. This one is Matsu Ishioka, nikutai in the Lion embassy guard at Kyuden Hida." He seems comfortable stopping there, but rethinks in order to be polite. "Uh, how has Shiba-san found the plays here?" The voice suggests a genuine curiosity, though there is no visual evidence to confirm it.

Ah, small talk. How bad we all seem to be at it.

"A mixed bag, Matsu-san. I enjoyed the Crab's offering. The others I have found difficult to relate to."

A pause.

"Yesterday's particularly aggravated me."