[D9, LE, open] Second Chance Mixer

[Asahina Soyokaze]

"Asahina-san, I understand. You're right that to woo a new love starting tonight seems difficult. But remember, please, two things. First," he says, gently setting a hand on the Crane's shoulder, "that love can take no time at all to blossom. Second, that unfortunately, in the end many of us will not be matched with those we love." Ishioka turns up all the charm he's capable of. "But, we will also not be matched with those we hate. And if we can begin some of those bonds now, to lessen the hurt of lost love and increase the chance of a blessed marriage, then we should. Not just selfishly. Do this for the dutiful spouse you will have who may not be your first love, but who wants to at least grow to be a love."

There was too much wisdom in his words for the Crane to ignore them. He slammed back a second shot of sake. "So what happens now?"

[Matsu Ishioka]

There was too much wisdom in his words for the Crane to ignore them. He slammed back a second shot of sake. "So what happens now?"

The Matsu smiles. "What happens now is--"

Narumi is, alas, running late, but she eventually makes it to the sake bar and as she steps inside, she takes a moment to look around, pleased with the turn out. She notes familiar faces, and ones of candidates she doesn't know so well.
Her makeup is painted on with careful perfection: lips the brightest shade of red, face pale and reminiscent of the geisha from which her young clan found their beginning. Her kimono is well-made, the lightest shade of blue, her obi tied tightly with flourish on her back, so pale a brown it reminds one of sandy beaches. Pinning her hair back from her face is a well-crafted pin adorned with a pearl and a ribbon the dark but vibrant blue of river water seen from a distance.

She mingles politely en route to the collection of sake.

A gently raised hand beckons her toward the Lion and Crane. "Right now, Asahina-san, we check one more thing."

As the Otter approaches, Ishioka beams. "Asahina-san, have you met my--er, Usogawa Narumi-san?" The Lion, less elegantly than he'd hoped, ensures the two know each other and then inquires, "Usogawa-san, I have hoped to make sure that Asahina-san meets some new faces tonight. Excellent judge of character that you are, would you say this looks like a man ready to broaden his horizons?" Ishioka smiles proudly, hoping for positive reinforcement from the beautiful Otter.

[Asahina Soyokaze]

The Matsu smiles. "What happens now is--"

Snip

A gently raised hand beckons her toward the Lion and Crane. "Right now, Asahina-san, we check one more thing."

As the Otter approaches, Ishioka beams. "Asahina-san, have you met my--er, Usogawa Narumi-san?" The Lion, less elegantly than he'd hoped, ensures the two know each other and then inquires, "Usogawa-san, I have hoped to make sure that Asahina-san meets some new faces tonight. Excellent judge of character that you are, would you say this looks like a man ready to broaden his horizons?" Ishioka smiles proudly, hoping for positive reinforcement from the beautiful Otter.

Soyokaze bowed to the approaching Otter. "Hai we have meet briefly though I do not expect she would remember this one. I hope the evening finds you well and filled with Inari-no-kami's blessing Usogawa Narumi-sama." His words and movements were filled to brim with Crane etiquette, a mask to hide behind.

[Usogawa Narumi]

"Oh!" She very happily ambushed by Ishioka and a vaguely familiar samurai, and she smirks at the Stone Matsu before bowing to his friend. Vaguely familiar...
"Ah! At the Blushing Maiden!" She figures out where she knows his face.
"Asahina?.... Soyokaze-san?" She recalls him being compared to a blade as opposed to a mountain, and her smile widens. "My pleasure to see you again, and hai, I do believe you do! It's been impressed to me you're sharp as a blade, but also provide support and a listening ear to those in need. I imagine there are several samurai here who'd be taken by you," she says, hoping to soothe the Crane's clearly frayed nerves.

[Asahina Soyokaze]

"Oh!" She very happily ambushed by Ishioka and a vaguely familiar samurai, and she smirks at the Stone Matsu before bowing to his friend. Vaguely familiar...
"Ah! At the Blushing Maiden!" She figures out where she knows his face.
"Asahina?.... Soyokaze-san?" She recalls him being compared to a blade as opposed to a mountain, and her smile widens. "My pleasure to see you again, and hai, I do believe you do! It's been impressed to me you're sharp as a blade, but also provide support and a listening ear to those in need. I imagine there are several samurai here who'd be taken by you," she says, hoping to soothe the Crane's clearly frayed nerves.

"You are too kind Usogawa-sama, I have been heard far more than I have listened since coming here. Ishioka-sama among others have offered this one much advice and support. If I can return that kindness to any here I am happy to, we all need someone to hear us."

[Bayushi Luixian]

"I've been betrothed before, but we never married." he answered. "She drowned."

"You one of those guys that kill your spouse or whatever in order to never have to marry or the kind that just has everyone die around them?"

[Kitsuki Edogawa]

"No." He shook his head. "She was caught in a flash flood and swept away. It was a terrible incident and I've mourned her loss, as I have the others."

[Bayushi Luixian]

"The others? Sounds as if that puts you firmly in the people die around you category then."

[Kitsuki Edogawa]

He nodded. "My mother. My father and sister. A mentor. My betrothed. Other friends. Some see my as a death bringer."

[Kitsu Tsugumasa]

“Ah, Tsugumasa-sama! I’m so glad you came! I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure. I am Agasha Inoshishi. You look truly handsome this evening. Ishi-k..Ishioka-san suggested we might go on a double date with you and the esteemed Moshi Shizuka. I will happily make any introductions required. Have you been to the castle of the Centipede? It is a glorious work of architecture that truly makes one appreciate the glory of Amaterasu. I’ve only just come from there. The Centipede are truly a remarkable clan. Did you know they’re run exclusively by women? Rather like your Matsu, I suppose. Still, it’s a rather unique style of government. Of course, I suppose the Utaku are similar. So perhaps not that unique after all! Mushroom?

She bows gracefully, her courtier training on display even if she lacks the economy of words most have. After all, it’s not like there’s a fee for them. Although Ishioka would likely have preferred she not shake the bag of fresh and dried mushrooms in the Kitsu’s direction.

Tsugumasa took in the verbal flood as best he could, bowing when he was bowed to.

"Ah yes, I am Kitsu Tsugumasa." he replied. ".......No, yes, no thank you, I'm good."

This was who Matsu-san was interested in?

"Ah, so, I hope that Matsu-san has been pleasant company for you."