[D1 EA] A first look (Open)

[Doji Yuma]

Having crossed the hinterland and the farmland, Yuma finally arrived at the village proper. He said his goodbyes to his traveling companions and went on to walk through the streets following his whims, trying to get a first impression of the place before dropping his meager luggage by the inn.

If he could find something to eat while doing so, that would be perfect.

[Kitsuki Tanaka]

Tanaka had decided to take a more in depth look at the town. To give her a sense of the town. It was after all quite different from her home back in the mountains. Perhaps even get a feel on the general opinions of the population.

Spying a non-Crab among the people she made her way over slowly. Pausing just outside of commitment range for politeness sake.

[Doji Yuma]

Yuma was a bit surprised at meeting yet another Dragon, especially as he heard even more were attending the event, but not enough that his face actually showed it.

He bowed:

"Kitsuki-sama. This one is Doji Yuma, priest of the Crane. Here for the wedding too?"

[Kitsuki Tanaka]

"Kitsuki Tanaka, courtier of Dragon," The Kitsuki bowed, "And yes I am actually. I suppose that leaves me not needing to ask the question in turn, Doji-sama. Though...given the bride one would have assumed you were here for the wedding regardless. But if might ask, are you perhaps a relation of the bride?"

[Doji Yuma]

"Not at all. I have merely been sent there to offer my support to the performers of the Crane delegation.

It was kind of a late minute arrangement actually. I was supposed to remain within Dragon territory for several more months, learning of tattooing with the Togashi Order. However, the delicate nature of their internal politics made it so it was deemed better to recall me earlier."

[Kitsuki Tanaka]

Tanaka's face slipped into her on at mention of her homeland, "I see." Her face softened quickly, "Tattooing is not usual for the artisans of the Crane is it? Might I ask what inspired Doji-sama to pursue such an art form?"

[Doji Yuma]

"I'm not sure anything in particular did inspire me. The teachers just had us try out a wide variety of art forms and that the one I clicked with, after more lukewarm results with more common Crane arts.

Maybe it had something to do with the absolute permanence of tattoos. I was especially bad at at ephemeral art forms like sand painting or ikebana. Meanwhile tattoos remain with you for a literal lifetime."

[Kitsuki Tanaka]

"Oh? I thought the part of the beauty of sand paintings and ikebana was their ephemeral quality. But do you not worry about the distortions a tattoo can face if the canvas changes. Such as with age or over indulgence? Or for that matter it becomes more taut with training or damaged with injury." Tanaka rusted her chin on a hand, "Would that not give it it's own ephemeral quality?"

[Kakita Konohamaru]

Ah, interesting - Yuma-san, and a Dragon. Perhaps this would be a good way to get an idea of the Dragon's placement in this puzzle.

Making his way over to the two, sliding through the crowd as he did, he began to overhear but a snippet of the conversation.

"Oh? I thought t... But ... distortions a tattoo can ... changes. ... age or over indulgence? Or for ... matter ... becomes more taut ... training or damaged with injury." Tanaka rusted her chin on a hand, "Would that not give it it's own ephemeral quality?"

"If I may," interjected the magistrate with a bow, "tattoos can be not just a permanent image, but a permanent reminder on an event. While you are right in that physical changes can ephemerate the art, if the tattoo still brings back the same emotions and memories therein could be found a permanence... or so I was told."

Not the politest entrance, but one that neither should likely argue out of. The important thing would be locking into the conversation so the extraction could begin.

"Kakita Konohamaru, Magistrate. I believe you are here for the wedding?"

[Kitsuki Tanaka]

Tanaka shifted to look at the newly arrived Crane, she bowed as appropriate for his station, "Kitsuki Tanaka, courtier of the Dragon. You are correct Kakita-sama, I am here for the wedding."

"If I may, Kakita-sama, such permanence can be found even in ikebana. The individual flowers will be cultivated and the sight or smell of those in a particularly siring composition could easily call to mind the emotions one felt upon viewing the arrangement." Tanaka smiled slightly, "And it would be much the same with other arts whose physical forms last a short time. So I suppose things will turn to definitions of art and the philosophy behind it, of course two Crane and a Dragon are precisely the sort one thinks of when questions of 'art' and 'philosophy' arise." Her tone was one of amusement.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

Tanaka shifted to look at the newly arrived Crane, she bowed as appropriate for his station, "Kitsuki Tanaka, courtier of the Dragon. You are correct Kakita-sama, I am here for the wedding."

"If I may, Kakita-sama, such permanence can be found even in ikebana. The individual flowers will be cultivated and the sight or smell of those in a particularly siring composition could easily call to mind the emotions one felt upon viewing the arrangement." Tanaka smiled slightly, "And it would be much the same with other arts whose physical forms last a short time. So I suppose things will turn to definitions of art and the philosophy behind it, of course two Crane and a Dragon are precisely the sort one thinks of when questions of 'art' and 'philosophy' arise." Her tone was one of amusement.

Konohamaru nodded. This wasn't his area of expertise - if there was a level effort, he'd be argued into submission no sweat. But thankfully there was no need, as the subject was more amusing to the dragon than a serious challenge.

"Indeed Kitsuki-san," he looked to his sword, "our clans have always been valued sparring partners in those fields. Speaking of fields, I'm surprised there is Dragon interest this far south. Is there anything we can do to assist you during your time here?"

The actual question underneath was more along the lines of 'what are the dragon doing here', but the offer was not a false one.

[Doji Yuma]

Yuma bowed at the unexpected magistrate's arrival then tried to answer the Kitsuki's original question:

"In my case it's just a case of to each their own. That a tattoo naturally evolves with its bearer seems natural to me while making something that gives the illusion of perfection but only lasts for an instant feels pretty artificial to my heart. But it's but a personal taste not a well-honed philosophy of life.

It's also a rationalization after the fact of a choice the spirits made for me, supporting one art and neglecting the others. And explaining the divine with human reasoning is often flawed at best.

This debate appears to interest you very much Kitsuki-sama. Could it be that you're an artist yourself?"

[Kitsuki Tanaka]

"Is it really such a surprise Kakita-sama? We wander or we sequester, or so the rumors about us often say." She chuckles, "I can but say I have come here to show some representation of the Dragon for this wedding, and perhaps to provide a presence in courts this far south. As for the others, that is something only they can answer. One's path is one's own." She dipped her head in a small bow, "Regardless your offer is generous, Kakita-sama. If you wish I will convey it to my fellows."

Her eyes then moved to the other Crane, "I see, I see. So then the choice was not wholly one of your own?"

"I practice some calligraphy myself, but am not drawn to any other art form or even particularly great at the one I know. But one recognizes its influence upon a person, which is something I have given some thought to."

[Kakita Konohamaru]

Interesting. If he understood the situation, then, each Dragon either has their own objective or there are multiple agents looking for allies down south?

She dipped her head in a small bow, "Regardless your offer is generous, Kakita-sama. If you wish I will convey it to my fellows."

A nod from the Magistrate.

"Please do - with as many paths being walked individually, the Crane delegation here will make an effort to help any Dragon who need a spot of tea and a place to rest, so to speak. Our clan histories should let us be amiable fellows, especially during a moment of celebration such as this."

[Kitsuki Tanaka]

"I believe most of us occupy the inn," Tanaka nodded, "Kakita-sama and your clan mates reside at a building the Crab have prepared for this occasion no?"

"I hope it would not be too rash of me to ask what the Crane has prepared for the celebrations? One assumes a display of artistic skill."

[Doji Yuma]

"That's indeed highly probable... But in truth I just arrived in town and hadn't had the opportunity yet to connect with those of the Crane already on site. So at the moment your guess is exactly as good as mine.

As for choices... There is probably a whole philosophy behind questions like What is a choice? or Does free will exist or are we just a puppet into the hands of fate? or even Is every decision we will make already set in stone as a consequence of our ancestry and upbringing?

All I know if that tattooing became my path. Was it as part of a subconscious attraction of mine for that art or because the fortunes need it to happen for a celestial scheme, that, I don't know.

I do enjoy it though. It requires a great deal of meticulousness and adaptability, as not two bodies are the same, and you have to get ingenuous to fix up mistakes instead of just trashing the canvas and starting all over again."

[Kitsuki Tanaka]

Tanaka chuckled, "I have known a painter who would say there are no mistakes...only happy accidents. He was a rather calming man to listen to as he painted, and a fairly skilled sensei."

"Ah pardon the diversion. As for why you began the path...I suppose the path itself has overtaken the initial steps. Then how has your route found you? Unless you have used your own body as a canvas I imagine an example of your work might not be available."

She blinked, "Ah...or you could have some draft sketches perhaps?"

[Doji Yuma]

"I didn't bring any old sketch sorry. Can make some if you're interested though.

I rarely start with a sketch though. As a shugenja, I have the advantage of being able to conjure an illusion to show my clients what they will look like with their requested tattoo. Far better to get the hang of the thing to come than a flat picture. Only when the illusion has been properly attuned to the client's wishes do I transcribe in on paper to keep a reference.

As for where I stand on this path, I would say I am a consumed professional by now but that the road is still long before achieving true mastery."

[Kitsuki Tanaka]

"An interesting application of the kami's gifts," Tanaka remarks, "Have you attempted any tattoos designed to draw their interest permanently? If such is possible." The Dragon of course knew her own clan's monks...but the nature of their tattoos were something of a secret.

"Of course Doji-san, but not every master was made in a day no? And I suspect most worthy of the title might still feel they can improve."

[Doji Yuma]

"Indeed. This is a long path, and one with no actual end.

Instilling a permanent blessing into an object is also something that requires a greater degree of mastery that the one at my disposal at the moment. I haven't found any story about tsangusuri – nemuranai awaken with the Asahina technique – tattoos, but it's unclear if that's because there are actually impossible to make or simply because no expert has ever truly tried to make one.

Ask me again in a few years, or even in a few decades, and I might have a more definite answer to that question."

He smiled softly:

"As for the not-asked question: Even if making such a tattoo turns out to be possible, I don't think they would be anything like the ones your clan is renowned for. Asahina only weave prayers in a physical form. Their craft is still a request to the elemental spirits, perceptible by any shugenja wishing to listen to it. Togashi do... something else. I have no idea what. It's as incomprehensible to my shugenja senses as it is to anyone else."

[Kitsuki Tanaka]

"I see." Tanaka nodded, "Perhaps then Doji-san will be the first and be remembered in the annuals of the Asahina. I will look forward to hearing such annuals in future decades."

"Other then your art what other duties have you acquired Doji-san?"

[Doji Yuma]

"I am still a priest first and foremost so the usual intercessions with the kami, blessings, weddings, burials etc.

In the context of this wedding though I will take a backseat to our Crab hosts and only act as a spiritual counselor for the rest of our delegation. I might be asked to help with more mundane tasks too but this has yet to be determined.

What of your own duties, both in general and in the context of the wedding?"

[Kitsuki Tanaka]

"It seems among the Dragon present I am the only one with courtly training...so that leaves me handling such things by default." Tanaka shrugs, "My duties back home were a bit more broad."

[Doji Yuma]

"The Dragon has sent a delegation of several persons to a Crab/Crane wedding on the other side of the Empire but only deemed good to include a single courtier?"

A pause.

"Delicate internal politics once again?"

[Kitsuki Tanaka]

"When have the Dragon ever done anything that makes sense?" Tanaka chuckled, "Is what most would tell you know? But as I told Kakita-sama, I can speak only for my motives and probably those of the monk I travelled with. As for the rest, everyone's path is their own. Ours have just meet in the lands of Crab."