[D8 ME] Feast of Champions

[Tassu]

As promised, Bayushi Mineichi waited at the Benikage, seated well before his guests would arrive. Scorpion rarely played fair and Mineichi was no exception, wearing light night vision goggles that allowed him to observe the locations of both the cutlery and glasses with relative ease. His guests would not be granted this comfort however as the servants would escort them to their tables in utter darkness.

[Hotaru Sakura]

Sakura was guided in the darkness by the servants, and managed to step on toes only a few times. When she was presented to the Lord Magistrate, she was half-convnced no one was there, but erred on the safe side.

She bowed deeply. "Good evening Bayushi-sama." She stayed bowed until given leave to take a seat.

[Yoritomo Seika]

Seika has taken the embassy staff's advice to wear thin soles instead of her usual lifted boots to this engagement, and she soon understands just why they were so insistent. For one thing, it's dark as a razorfin's gullet in here, so nobody is going to be noticing her height. For another, she can't see her feet or the floor, and without those visual cues, being able to feel the surface underfoot is really helpful.

She shuffles along next to the waiter until her next step squishes onto a seat cushion instead of tatami. Probing forward with her toes, she finds the edges of the cushion and feels the edge of the table brush her shin, which gives her enough orienting information to bow more or less in the direction of the table and its other occupants. "We meet again, Bayushi-sama. Thank you for inviting Hotaru-san and me."

Of necessity, she lowers herself onto the cushion much more decorously than is typical for her, one hand landing lightly on the edge of the table to make sure she doesn't bump into it as she arranges her legs.

[Bayushi Mineichi]

She bowed deeply. "Good evening Bayushi-sama." She stayed bowed until given leave to take a seat.

The servants would help Sakura to find her cushion, not shy to touch her to guide her in the dark. Moments later a deep and mellow sound welcomed her from the utter darkness, Sakura able to figure out that Lord Magistrate was sitting somewhere in front of her. "Good evening, Hotaru-san. I hope the Fortunes have been kind to you today."

She shuffles along next to the waiter until her next step squishes onto a seat cushion instead of tatami. Probing forward with her toes, she finds the edges of the cushion and feels the edge of the table brush her shin, which gives her enough orienting information to bow more or less in the direction of the table and its other occupants. "We meet again, Bayushi-sama. Thank you for inviting Hotaru-san and me."

"Good evening, Yoritomo-sama." Mineichi replies, never bothering to bob his head - it was not as if the two could see anything. "I am clad you could join me - and that you are willing to celebrate your victory with me as well." Little birds - drones really - had secured a fair amount of footage of the party held on the roof of Mantis embassy. "I hope your day has been acceptable so far?" he asked, sounding as genuine as a Scorpion might. There was nothing wrong with his words, yet one would be left wondering what he truly meant. "And that you both have enjoyed your stay in the city so far?"

[Hotaru Sakura]

The servants would help Sakura to find her cushion, not shy to touch her to guide her in the dark. Moments later a deep and mellow sound welcomed her from the utter darkness, Sakura able to figure out that Lord Magistrate was sitting somewhere in front of her. "Good evening, Hotaru-san. I hope the Fortunes have been kind to you today."

There was nothing wrong with his words, yet one would be left wondering what he truly meant. "And that you both have enjoyed your stay in the city so far?"

"Quite kind Bayushi-sama. I am, after all, quite blessed to be granted an audience with such an auspicious personage." She tried to ignore the thoughts of the weirdly dead wife popping up. Focus Sakura!

For the question on her stay, she was stumped for a bit. "It is certainly a different view of the city and court than what I am used to." She tried to reply diplomatically. Her past wasn't exactly a secret, so...was he playing games, maybe?

[Yoritomo Seika]

"Good evening, Yoritomo-sama." Mineichi replies, never bothering to bob his head - it was not as if the two could see anything. "I am clad you could join me - and that you are willing to celebrate your victory with me as well." Little birds - drones really - had secured a fair amount of footage of the party held on the roof of Mantis embassy. "I hope your day has been acceptable so far?" he asked, sounding as genuine as a Scorpion might. There was nothing wrong with his words, yet one would be left wondering what he truly meant. "And that you both have enjoyed your stay in the city so far?"

"Quite kind Bayushi-sama. I am, after all, quite blessed to be granted an audience with such an auspicious personage." She tried to ignore the thoughts of the weirdly dead wife popping up. Focus Sakura!

For the question on her stay, she was stumped for a bit. "It is certainly a different view of the city and court than what I am used to." She tried to reply diplomatically. Her past wasn't exactly a secret, so...was he playing games, maybe?

"Acceptable? That's a pretty low bar, but... sure." In the dark, Seika wouldn't expect anyone to be able to see her bold-painted lips quirking. "I've felt welcome here so far, thank you. I heard before coming that some Mantis merchants were having a rough go of it on the planet, but everybody's been the soul of courtesy to me. Present company included."

She slides her hand across the top of the table by inches until it bumps into the water glass she'd been expecting to find somewhere there. She doesn't try drinking out of it yet, but at least she knows where it is--and lets her fingertips rest close enough to find it again without having to repeat her search.

[Bayushi Mineichi]

"Quite kind Bayushi-sama. I am, after all, quite blessed to be granted an audience with such an auspicious personage." She tried to ignore the thoughts of the weirdly dead wife popping up. Focus Sakura!

For the question on her stay, she was stumped for a bit. "It is certainly a different view of the city and court than what I am used to." She tried to reply diplomatically. Her past wasn't exactly a secret, so...was he playing games, maybe?

"Hotaru-san is far too kind." a warm voice mused. "One is merely servant of the throne, just as Hotaru-san is. We all do serve, yes." he brushed off her compliments as was polite. Mineichi might have had some ideas on how important he was, but he was not going to speak out in public. Scorpion wore masks and the lord magistrate was no different, hiding his true self beneath a pleasant veil. "Mhmmh. You are not supposed to see anything here - if only so that you can taste all the more better. Things taste very different when you do now know what you are putting in your mouth." He had said something similar to a certain Spider diva some days ago.

"Acceptable? That's a pretty low bar, but... sure." In the dark, Seika wouldn't expect anyone to be able to see her bold-painted lips quirking. "I've felt welcome here so far, thank you. I heard before coming that some Mantis merchants were having a rough go of it on the planet, but everybody's been the soul of courtesy to me. Present company included."

She slides her hand across the top of the table by inches until it bumps into the water glass she'd been expecting to find somewhere there. She doesn't try drinking out of it yet, but at least she knows where it is--and lets her fingertips rest close enough to find it again without having to repeat her search.

"The City can be rather overwhelming for newcomers, yes. I do remember that myself, at least." Having born on an agricultural world, it had taken a while for Mineichi to get used to the World of Dreams. "Yoritomo-san is as kind as she is talented." Pleasantries flowed from his lips as blood flowed from fresh wounds. "Mhmhm. City can be merciless at times, alas. We try to make trade as easy as possible - but it is a big world. There is always someone who thinks he or she can get away with murder, literal or otherwise." warm, mellow voice added, Mineichi's words feeling a little out of place. "We do our best to dissuade them, of course."

Sometime later, the servants would bring plates, laying them down on the table while filling glasses in silence. Both Sakura and Seika were shown both how to check where their glasses were and how to check with finger how full they might be. They wear also guided to their plates, the servants more or less placing chop-sticks in their hands, noting how they could be used to 'feel' the plate. Mineichi watched all this bemused, his goggles allowing him to observe every expression on his guest's faces.

[Hotaru Sakura]

"Hotaru-san is far too kind." a warm voice mused. "One is merely servant of the throne, just as Hotaru-san is. We all do serve, yes." he brushed off her compliments as was polite. Mineichi might have had some ideas on how important he was, but he was not going to speak out in public. Scorpion wore masks and the lord magistrate was no different, hiding his true self beneath a pleasant veil. "Mhmmh. You are not supposed to see anything here - if only so that you can taste all the more better. Things taste very different when you do now know what you are putting in your mouth." He had said something similar to a certain Spider diva some days ago.


Sometime later, the servants would bring plates, laying them down on the table while filling glasses in silence. Both Sakura and Seika were shown both how to check where their glasses were and how to check with finger how full they might be. They wear also guided to their plates, the servants more or less placing chop-sticks in their hands, noting how they could be used to 'feel' the plate. Mineichi watched all this bemused, his goggles allowing him to observe every expression on his guest's faces.

"Sounds quite the challenge, for many. I confess, I rely far too much on my sight, I feel. Perhaps dinner here is just what I need to balance myself." As the food was served, she inhaled deeply, trying to get a sense via scent of what she'll be eating. "Does Bayushi-sama often eat here?"

She very slowly waved the chopsticks around, trying not to put an eye out. Aha! She seemingly found something, and tried to clamp on it. It was mildly successful.

[Bayushi Mineichi]

"Sounds quite the challenge, for many. I confess, I rely far too much on my sight, I feel. Perhaps dinner here is just what I need to balance myself." As the food was served, she inhaled deeply, trying to get a sense via scent of what she'll be eating. "Does Bayushi-sama often eat here?"

She very slowly waved the chopsticks around, trying not to put an eye out. Aha! She seemingly found something, and tried to clamp on it. It was mildly successful.

"It's easier than it seems." Mineichi chuckled. "You get hang of it pretty quickly." It was easy for him to say, seeing how he was able to see his dish, deftly picking up the sliced and fried vegetables, dipping them into sauce drizzled on the plate. "No, I would not. Usually I would eat my meal at my office or with my officers at the castle." he replied.

[Hotaru Sakura]

"It's easier than it seems." Mineichi chuckled. "You get hang of it pretty quickly." It was easy for him to say, seeing how he was able to see his dish, deftly picking up the sliced and fried vegetables, dipping them into sauce drizzled on the plate. "No, I would not. Usually I would eat my meal at my office or with my officers at the castle." he replied.

Sakura nodded, then realizing that it was fucking dark, decided to verbalize her gesture. "I am sure you are correct Bayushi-sama." She very slowly reached around the table. There was sauce. Wonderful.

"A man of Duty then. Working lunches are a concept I am familiar with. The work is of course is of a much lesser impact, but I guess the concept is the same. A samurai's Duty is constant." She very carefully put a small bit of food in her mouth, with only minimal make up smudging.

[Yoritomo Seika]

After the first experimental nibble or two bump into her nose by accident, necessitating a fumbling search for her napkin, Seika arrives at the tactic of choking up on her chopsticks like a small child only just learning to use them. Holding the chopsticks inelegantly close to their tips doesn't create much leverage if she needs to pick up anything heavy or awkward, but does make it much easier for her to judge where the business end is when she's chasing a vegetable piece around her plate or raising it to her lips.

"It's definitely an interesting idea for a restaurant." Having triumphantly swallowed another bite without mishap, Seika decides to set her chopsticks down and go for her drink... but misjudges the edge of the table and nearly drops the chopsticks in her lap, saving them only by blind (hah) reflex. She giggles.

"You're making your life sound pretty gray, Bayushi-sama, but it can't be that bad. Seems like you get invited to all the parties, too, right? And that's, um, a lot of parties."

For obvious reasons, Seika--unlike Sakura--isn't particularly intimidated by the Lord Magistrate's rank. Healthily respectful, sure, but not overawed.

[Bayushi Mineichi]

Sakura nodded, then realizing that it was fucking dark, decided to verbalize her gesture. "I am sure you are correct Bayushi-sama." She very slowly reached around the table. There was sauce. Wonderful.

"A man of Duty then. Working lunches are a concept I am familiar with. The work is of course is of a much lesser impact, but I guess the concept is the same. A samurai's Duty is constant." She very carefully put a small bit of food in her mouth, with only minimal make up smudging.

"One could say that, yes." Mineichi replied, gracefully laying down his chopsticks on the hashioki carved to resemble a Scorpion. His guests were provided with hashioki in shape of a frog - though the two could not appreciate the irony, unable to see their utensils. "Duty gives one a meaning, don't you think so, Hotaru-san? What would we be without responsibilities?" he asked Sakura, smiling ever so slightly.

After the first experimental nibble or two bump into her nose by accident, necessitating a fumbling search for her napkin, Seika arrives at the tactic of choking up on her chopsticks like a small child only just learning to use them. Holding the chopsticks inelegantly close to their tips doesn't create much leverage if she needs to pick up anything heavy or awkward, but does make it much easier for her to judge where the business end is when she's chasing a vegetable piece around her plate or raising it to her lips.

"It's definitely an interesting idea for a restaurant." Having triumphantly swallowed another bite without mishap, Seika decides to set her chopsticks down and go for her drink... but misjudges the edge of the table and nearly drops the chopsticks in her lap, saving them only by blind (hah) reflex. She giggles.

"You're making your life sound pretty gray, Bayushi-sama, but it can't be that bad. Seems like you get invited to all the parties, too, right? And that's, um, a lot of parties."

For obvious reasons, Seika--unlike Sakura--isn't particularly intimidated by the Lord Magistrate's rank. Healthily respectful, sure, but not overawed.

Mineichi was quite enjoying himself as he watched Seika and Sakura fumble, making sure that his chopsticks would never clink against the plate and that he would always lay his cup down as carefully as he could, perhaps giving an impression that he was not dining at all. "Many of the heimin working here are blind. This allows them to serve in a meaningful way." Mineichi explained, though in reality only some of the heimin were legally blind. Others wore night vision devices much like the one lord magistrate did - the blind heimin were the cover for those willing to spy on the customers. "Well, one is privileged enough." he admitted. "I do enjoy some perks that come with my position. But, one would not want to flaunt such things." At least, if there was nothing to be gained from flaunting his wealth. Much like World of Dreams, Mineichi wrapped his true self into veil of lies and make-balief. "One does receive many invitations. One can be present in only so many parties." he quipped. "And you can only party so hard."

"Many of the parties also serve other purposes, as I am sure Yoritomo-san is well aware, no?"

[Hotaru Sakura]

"Duty is our most major facet, hai, I agree." Sakura's fingers tapped around the table, looking for water. She hit something that felt like a cup and very slowly moved towards it, her fingers dipping into it by accident.

Nope, not water.

She pondered. "And Duty itself has many, many facets. Serving our Emperor, our Lord, our Clan." She managed to find the napkin, and wipe her fingers. "Ensuring one's lineage continues." She smiled, though (foolishly) thought it couldn't be seen. "Though I am getting ahead of myself, I am just a junior member of my lcan, who hasn't proven herself much. I'm a wicked Oshidama player at least." Se turned towards Seika (hopefully?!). "Or just Yoritomo-sama brought out the best in me."

[Yoritomo Seika]

"Nope, that was a total team effort, Hotaru-san." In the dark, Seika grins, her teeth showing as a pale flash for any observer(s) wearing light enhancing goggles. "Don't sell your talents short."

She actually has found her drink successfully, although she's probably leaving more lipstick on the rim of her glass than she usually manages to do. In the pitch dark, she has also allowed herself to sit in a more relaxed posture than she otherwise might for a formal dinner with an important official--already not an especially high baseline, because this is Seika, but still. Her legs are crossed instead of tucked beneath her, and she rests a forearm casually on the table (which also makes it easier to keep track of exactly where the table is).

"Yeah, obviously a party isn't just a party," she says amicably. "But it can't be just pure work and no fun, either, right? Otherwise everybody would rather just meet in a conference room in daylight, get it done with no fuss, and save a lot of money on hors d'oeuvres and garment cleaning. I mean, wouldn't they?" She glances in what she knows to be roughly Sakura's direction for support (pure reflex, since neither of them can see the other). Her mouth quirks again behind the rim of her glass... which then bumps into her lower lip.

She repositions her hand slightly so she can drink without spilling.

[Bayushi Mineichi]

"Duty is our most major facet, hai, I agree." Sakura's fingers tapped around the table, looking for water. She hit something that felt like a cup and very slowly moved towards it, her fingers dipping into it by accident.

Nope, not water.

She pondered. "And Duty itself has many, many facets. Serving our Emperor, our Lord, our Clan." She managed to find the napkin, and wipe her fingers. "Ensuring one's lineage continues." She smiled, though (foolishly) thought it couldn't be seen. "Though I am getting ahead of myself, I am just a junior member of my lcan, who hasn't proven herself much. I'm a wicked Oshidama player at least." Se turned towards Seika (hopefully?!). "Or just Yoritomo-sama brought out the best in me."

Mineichi watched Sakura stumble with a thin smile on his lips. "Some duties are more pleasant than others." he replied rather dryly. "But yes, you two did play some wicked ball. It was a pleasure to watch. So, let me congratulate you again. A victory well earned."

"Nope, that was a total team effort, Hotaru-san." In the dark, Seika grins, her teeth showing as a pale flash for any observer(s) wearing light enhancing goggles. "Don't sell your talents short."

She actually has found her drink successfully, although she's probably leaving more lipstick on the rim of her glass than she usually manages to do. In the pitch dark, she has also allowed herself to sit in a more relaxed posture than she otherwise might for a formal dinner with an important official--already not an especially high baseline, because this is Seika, but still. Her legs are crossed instead of tucked beneath her, and she rests a forearm casually on the table (which also makes it easier to keep track of exactly where the table is).

"Yeah, obviously a party isn't just a party," she says amicably. "But it can't be just pure work and no fun, either, right? Otherwise everybody would rather just meet in a conference room in daylight, get it done with no fuss, and save a lot of money on hors d'oeuvres and garment cleaning. I mean, wouldn't they?" She glances in what she knows to be roughly Sakura's direction for support (pure reflex, since neither of them can see the other). Her mouth quirks again behind the rim of her glass... which then bumps into her lower lip.

She repositions her hand slightly so she can drink without spilling.

"Team work makes dream work, eh." Mineichi quipped age old adage, his tone cordial enough to assure both Sakura and Seika that he was not being facetious on the matter, focusing his eyes on the Wanatabe heiress for a moment. Not that Saika would be none the wiser of the scrutiny she was exposed to. "Well, one does have to keep up some appearances, yes." Mineichi replied, though relenting his position soon after. "But yes, it is not all work. There is pleasure to be found in good food and equally good company." A soft sight followed. "Duties weigh enough as is, why not enjoy life a little when you can? I assume Yoritomo-san is no stranger to finer things in life?" Having dug our their files before, Mineichi was quite well aware just how well connected Seika was. He was equally aware just how nobody Sakura was, wondering how a woman like her had ended here.

[Hotaru Sakura]

What the fuck is a nobody like me doing here?!

"Thank you, Bayushi-sama. It was certainly a victory, unlike any other." She smiled at Seika, who didn't see a thing either. "Especially considering we first met at the tournament. Perhaps the Fortunes thought our pairing auspicious."

Slowly, vey slowly, she raised the next bit to her lips....a rousing success!

I'll starve before I finish here.

"Well, I certainly hope we are able to provide adequate company, and not leave you wanting, Bayushi-sama." Any entendre was missed by Sakura. She placed her chopsticks very carefully down, then reached for her glass, her fingers very slowly tracking across the table, like a small, fleshy spider connected to a human. "Perhaps Bayushi-sama will have some more time for oshidama after winter court?"

[Yoritomo Seika]

Mineichi watched Sakura stumble with a thin smile on his lips. "Some duties are more pleasant than others." he replied rather dryly. "But yes, you two did play some wicked ball. It was a pleasure to watch. So, let me congratulate you again. A victory well earned."

[...]

"Team work makes dream work, eh." Mineichi quipped age old adage, his tone cordial enough to assure both Sakura and Seika that he was not being facetious on the matter, focusing his eyes on the Wanatabe heiress for a moment. Not that Saika would be none the wiser of the scrutiny she was exposed to. "Well, one does have to keep up some appearances, yes." Mineichi replied, though relenting his position soon after. "But yes, it is not all work. There is pleasure to be found in good food and equally good company." A soft sight followed. "Duties weigh enough as is, why not enjoy life a little when you can? I assume Yoritomo-san is no stranger to finer things in life?" Having dug our their files before, Mineichi was quite well aware just how well connected Seika was. He was equally aware just how nobody Sakura was, wondering how a woman like her had ended here.

What the fuck is a nobody like me doing here?!

"Thank you, Bayushi-sama. It was certainly a victory, unlike any other." She smiled at Seika, who didn't see a thing either. "Especially considering we first met at the tournament. Perhaps the Fortunes thought our pairing auspicious."

Slowly, vey slowly, she raised the next bit to her lips....a rousing success!

I'll starve before I finish here.

"Well, I certainly hope we are able to provide adequate company, and not leave you wanting, Bayushi-sama." Any entendre was missed by Sakura. She placed her chopsticks very carefully down, then reached for her glass, her fingers very slowly tracking across the table, like a small, fleshy spider connected to a human. "Perhaps Bayushi-sama will have some more time for oshidama after winter court?"

Seika would be more surprised to learn that the Lord Magistrate of a province hadn't read her file before dining with her, so she assumes he knows perfectly well what finer things she has within her reach. That feature of high birth used to bother her more, and she'd rather enjoyed the fact that Hoshi almost never socialized with strangers who had already done the reading on her. It is what it is, anyway.

"I try to have a life outside bare duty, yeah," she replies to the magistrate, opting for understatement.

"I mean, that's how human intelligence works, right? You gotta use your mind all kinds of different ways if you don't want it to go dull. Whether that's oshidama or art or whatever, ne, Hotaru-san? And you never know what kind of place you might meet somebody worth knowing."

She's starting to get the hang of finding everything in the dark. To her surprise, it's actually easier if she keeps her eyes closed, because then she's better able to trust her physical memory and sense of touch without instinctively straining to look for tiny hints of light and shadow. As long as nothing on the table moves around too drastically without warning, she's probably safe from hilarious mishaps... for now.

Trusting the dark, she's still a bit more unguarded in her body language and facial expressions (and table manners) than usual--although, since Seika suffers from chronic straightforwardness at the best of times, it's not an enormous change.

---
((FYI, every time I start writing a new response for this scene I inevitably have to pause at some point and try to pick something up or take a drink with my eyes closed ))

[Bayushi Mineichi]

What the fuck is a nobody like me doing here?!

"Thank you, Bayushi-sama. It was certainly a victory, unlike any other." She smiled at Seika, who didn't see a thing either. "Especially considering we first met at the tournament. Perhaps the Fortunes thought our pairing auspicious."

Slowly, vey slowly, she raised the next bit to her lips....a rousing success!

I'll starve before I finish here.

"Well, I certainly hope we are able to provide adequate company, and not leave you wanting, Bayushi-sama." Any entendre was missed by Sakura. She placed her chopsticks very carefully down, then reached for her glass, her fingers very slowly tracking across the table, like a small, fleshy spider connected to a human. "Perhaps Bayushi-sama will have some more time for oshidama after winter court?"

Sakura had won a major tournament, sponsored by Lord Magistrate and while no fucking was expected, the tournament was why she was present at the moment. "Really now? You two played really well together." Mineichi sounded a little surprised. "Yet Fortunes tend to favor those who are bold and dare - so I do not think that makes your victory any less meaningful." he added, deftly picking up another piece of fried daikon, dipping it in a thick, spicy sauce before taking a bite. "Hotaru-san should not worry about that. She is my guest after all." he chided her gently. "As for games, we shall see. In summer time, the beaches get sometimes insufferably hot so there is a two month break in games, but yes. One hopes to find some time when things quiet down a bit. Well, things only quiet down here that much." the lord magistrate mused. "I am sure you have both seen just how lively the place can be."

Seika would be more surprised to learn that the Lord Magistrate of a province hadn't read her file before dining with her, so she assumes he knows perfectly well what finer things she has within her reach. That feature of high birth used to bother her more, and she'd rather enjoyed the fact that Hoshi almost never socialized with strangers who had already done the reading on her. It is what it is, anyway.

"I try to have a life outside bare duty, yeah," she replies to the magistrate, opting for understatement.

"I mean, that's how human intelligence works, right? You gotta use your mind all kinds of different ways if you don't want it to go dull. Whether that's oshidama or art or whatever, ne, Hotaru-san? And you never know what kind of place you might meet somebody worth knowing."

She's starting to get the hang of finding everything in the dark. To her surprise, it's actually easier if she keeps her eyes closed, because then she's better able to trust her physical memory and sense of touch without instinctively straining to look for tiny hints of light and shadow. As long as nothing on the table moves around too drastically without warning, she's probably safe from hilarious mishaps... for now.

Trusting the dark, she's still a bit more unguarded in her body language and facial expressions (and table manners) than usual--although, since Seika suffers from chronic straightforwardness at the best of times, it's not an enormous change.

---
((FYI, every time I start writing a new response for this scene I inevitably have to pause at some point and try to pick something up or take a drink with my eyes closed ))

"Mhmhm. Nothing wrong with that, when circumstances allow it." Mineichi nodded. "Our circumstances are very different after all." It was an underhand jab - poking at how a scion of an important family was far more free to choose her duties then he ever was, even if he technically outranked Seika in the eyes of society around them. Some privileges came with blood after all. "And yes, one should certainly try to broaden one's horizons where possible, I think we can all agree on that. There is a reason why bushi learn fine arts and courtiers practice blade - or try to. They say that by forging your spirit, you forge your body - and by forging your body, you will forge your spirit. Two must exist in harmony of sorts." Chances were that his words would make Seika aware of their first encounter.

_____
OOC: Sorry this fell of my radar for a day!

[Hotaru Sakura]

"Hai, certainly, the summer heat makes certain activities unbearable, or at least unpleasant." She very slowly plucked...something in her chopsticks, and placed it in her mouth.

Success!!

"Besides Oshidama, what other hobbies does Bayushi-sama prefer? I heard poetry is one such topic, or maybe I was misinformed?"

[Yoritomo Seika]

Sakura had won a major tournament, sponsored by Lord Magistrate and while no fucking was expected, the tournament was why she was present at the moment. "Really now? You two played really well together." Mineichi sounded a little surprised. "Yet Fortunes tend to favor those who are bold and dare - so I do not think that makes your victory any less meaningful." he added, deftly picking up another piece of fried daikon, dipping it in a thick, spicy sauce before taking a bite. "Hotaru-san should not worry about that. She is my guest after all." he chided her gently. "As for games, we shall see. In summer time, the beaches get sometimes insufferably hot so there is a two month break in games, but yes. One hopes to find some time when things quiet down a bit. Well, things only quiet down here that much." the lord magistrate mused. "I am sure you have both seen just how lively the place can be."

[...]

"Mhmhm. Nothing wrong with that, when circumstances allow it." Mineichi nodded. "Our circumstances are very different after all." It was an underhand jab - poking at how a scion of an important family was far more free to choose her duties then he ever was, even if he technically outranked Seika in the eyes of society around them. Some privileges came with blood after all. "And yes, one should certainly try to broaden one's horizons where possible, I think we can all agree on that. There is a reason why bushi learn fine arts and courtiers practice blade - or try to. They say that by forging your spirit, you forge your body - and by forging your body, you will forge your spirit. Two must exist in harmony of sorts." Chances were that his words would make Seika aware of their first encounter.

"Hai, certainly, the summer heat makes certain activities unbearable, or at least unpleasant." She very slowly plucked...something in her chopsticks, and placed it in her mouth.

Success!!

"Besides Oshidama, what other hobbies does Bayushi-sama prefer? I heard poetry is one such topic, or maybe I was misinformed?"

"Oh, yeah, balance of body and mind and all that." Normally Seika would punctuate a statement like this with a casual wave of her hand, but this time she catches herself and arrests the movement halfway--not because the gesture is too informal (hah) or would be wasted in the dark, but because she doesn't have a great sense of Sakura's position and exactly how far apart the two of them are, and accidentally stabbing one's oshidama partner with chopsticks would be a bad look.

"Poetry, really?" Sakura wouldn't see Seika's eyebrows arch at this revelation. "That's a gentlemanly hobby."