(1EE) A Resplendence of Crane (Crane only)

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He told earlier to the servants to make all Crane aware of a meeting to be held short before sunset. Meanwhile, he was to arrange how things would go, ordering the heimin around — the table and seats were set and it seemed a good time to brew the tea, for the right hour was approaching. He ordered a random heimin to do such as well.

Trying to make the unsettling manor as comfortable and familiar as possible, he overlooks to make sure the distance to each table to the nearest wall was equal and other perfectionisms. When he thought everything was alright, he waited by in a seat where he could look directly at the door, playing a slow but soothing melody on his biwa — spring tune.

[Doji Kintaro]

Kintaro arrived and placed a bonsai on a table, every good Crane setting needed a good bonsai.

[Daidoji Yushoko]

Yushoko arrived in many layers, giving the appearance of a beautiful blue sky. At her side was Kio dressed in similar colors. The little girl had fashioned a mask like the Monster Magistrate, that rested on her hair for now.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He stopped the music, but not midway — he made sure to make it sound like it actually ended — before getting up and giving to both a deep bow. "Have you eaten your portion of rice today, mina-sama? I am truly the most honored that you arrived for such a humble invitation."

[Doji Kintaro]

Kintaro nodded and said, "if the meal was insufficient then your music nourished my soul, a sweet and beautiful flavor."

[Daidoji Kio]

Kio replied, "It was fine, but I have had better. But it's fine because the Night Samurai feeds on justice."

[Daidoji Yushoko]

Yushoko glanced at her niece and then said, "This one is well fed, thank you for your concern. She hopes your rice was filling."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku arrives shortly on the tail of Yushoko's words, bowing deeply.

"Minna-sama, it remains a pleasure."

As she straightens, the jewel on her forehead glinting again, she sees Sanaharu and smiles. "And it is an especial pleasure to see you again, Asahina-kohai! It has been entirely too long!"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"This one does not deserve such high compliment, Doji-sama." He listens about the night samurai and looks at the small Kio... It should be the kuge Masao talked about, now he noticed.
He smiles back at Yuuwaku's joy as she enters the room, giving her a deep bow as well. "Oh, if it is not Yuuwaku-senpai! It has been long indeed. Please take a seat alongside us. I have sent someone to brew tea just as of now, it should be arriving not too late."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku nods and finds her seat, tucking her legs under herself demurely as she does so. And, once seated, she nods to the others again, adding to Kio "Kakita-bugyo will be flattered, I think. And it will certainly be a distinctive style for a mempo, when the time comes for you."

[Doji Soon-ja]

An elderly Crane lady arrived soon after, moving slowly and carefully while leaning on a walking stick.

"Good evening, minna-san," she said in a high, reedy voice, and bowed. "This one is Doji Soon-ja. I hope you are all well?"

he waited by in a seat where he could look directly at the door, playing a slow but soothing melody on his biwa — spring tune.

"What a lovely tune," she commented, the wrinkles around her eyes crinkling as she smiled.

[Doji Yuma]

Yuma showed up as he was invited to do, wearing well-made but nothing special clothes, his long hair braided.

He was expectedly met with a sea of unknown faces. However one of them triggered in him an impression of déjà vu accompanied by the tingling he usually felt when casting his illusions. Maybe his subconscious was trying to tell him he had actually seen them as part of his scene-related duties? An actress, a dancer, a singer, a storyteller? He had served as theatrical crew for a lot but had interacted with little personally. So maybe he had indeed glimpsed them and his brain had registered the information for another day.

Or maybe it was just a passing resemblance and he was overthinking it due to his mind being sent to these memories by the last notes of music he had heard before entering. Regardless of that detail, he bowed and greeted them.

"Good evening all. Doji Yuma. Pleased to meet you. I hope the day finds you well."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku returns the bow with words of greeting. "Auntie, it is good to see you; here, let me get you a thicker cushion." And she rises like a flower opening, ready to do as much for a respected elder. "And Asahina-san has always had a fair hand on the biwa."

And when Yuma enters, in turn, he gets his own bow. "Kakita Yuuwaku, and always a better day among our kin, isn't it?"

[Daidoji Kaneko]

Kaneko was also present with the flock of long-legged avians.

[Kakita Masao]

Masao arrives in his nicer kimono, which is really only nice by the more utilitarian standards of the Daidoji, but he's trying. He's also taken care at a tidier top knot than usual, though his style of leaving some long hair loose below it may be controversial. He takes a couple of deep breaths to center himself before reaching the table, where he smiles and bows deeply to the flock.

"Kakita Masao, minna-sama, nikutai in the 12th Iron Warrior legion. Son of Kakita Haruka, honored governor of Samui Kaze Toshi, and very honored to be here in his name." The introduction is a blend of military efficiency and what's expected in this setting. Fully satisfying no one. It's fine.

As he takes a seat across from the elder Doji, he notes the scarcity of katana around the table and makes a mental note of what that may mean.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He had heard Kakita-bugyo, and for this would not assume that the flock was entirely reunited. Everyone arrived so fast, though, it was worthwile to wait for any new guests anyway. He cannot help but pay attention that Masao was dressing like he would everyday, if not barely improved. He really did stay outside the festive demeanures for quite a while.

Not that it surprised him more than seeing an one-armed Daidoji who stood mostly quiet. He looks at her and politely inquires. "Oh, that together with us is a quiet bird under the snow. What would be your name, if I may ask?"

[Daidoji Kaneko]

She nodded appreciatively and replied, "I am Daidoji Kaneko of the Hiramichi. I travelled with the bride-to-be and her party with the hopes of cementing further relations with our hosts in the days ahead."

[Kakita Masao]

Masao notices Sanaharu's appraising eye but shows no reaction. Because you know he and I are right.

Masao also notices the nearby Hiramichi, in the way that he prefers to notice the less artistic and more productive members of the clan. "Hiramichi-san, your skills in this area will surely be appreciated in the coming days. How have you found our hosts so far?"

[Daidoji Kaneko]

She looked around the house they were in and replied, "It appears that they have done their best to see to our comfort. Bodes potentially good tidings for the wedding and our future prospects with the Crab."

[Doji Soon-ja]

Yuuwaku returns the bow with words of greeting. "Auntie, it is good to see you; here, let me get you a thicker cushion." And she rises like a flower opening, ready to do as much for a respected elder. "And Asahina-san has always had a fair hand on the biwa."

"Ohh, I don't want to be a bother," Soon-ja said, smiling as she protested, but nevertheless allowed Yuuwaku to bring a better cushion. "You're too kind, Kakita-san."

The older woman sat down on the thicker cushion and regarded the gathering. "My, what a good-looking group we are!" she commented. "I hope the journey went well for everyone?"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Ohh, I don't want to be a bother," Soon-ja said, smiling as she protested, but nevertheless allowed Yuuwaku to bring a better cushion. "You're too kind, Kakita-san."

The older woman sat down on the thicker cushion and regarded the gathering. "My, what a good-looking group we are!" she commented. "I hope the journey went well for everyone?"

"It is no bother, Auntie. And I enjoyed the trip," replies Yuuwaku. "But I am glad to be staying in one place for a while, at least. And there has been such interesting scenery so far."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"The journey went well for me, yes, Doji-sama." He replied kindly. Receiving a compliment from an elder was something special! "Aside from the magistrate, are we waiting someone else as well?"

[Kakita Masao]

She looked around the house they were in and replied, "It appears that they have done their best to see to our comfort. Bodes potentially good tidings for the wedding and our future prospects with the Crab."

"Indeed. Honest effort is worthy of recognition, even if it's results are less than perfect." Who are you? This shack isn't worthy of your cousin, or any of us. LOOK-- Masao's eyes close suddenly, and he inclines his head a bit. We have the situation that we do, and we ALL must make the best of it. Let us, please, pursue what opportunity we can, instead of decrying what we cannot change.

After a sharp but hopefully muffled exhale, his eyes open and he smiles at Kaneko. He chuckles and gives no other sign of distress, and reaches for a cup of tea.

[Doji Kintaro]

Kintaro listened and said, “When we are ready to begin I had some news from a friend in Otosan Uchi that I wished to relay. It may be relevant to our interests and at a minimum our relations with the Imperial Families.”

“But please I do not wish to cut short any ongoing discussions.”

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Kakita-bugyo is taking quite a while. I wonder if the messenger heimin recognized him as a Crane, or found him? The Kuni did order him to call over all Cranes." He replies to Kintaro. "If you would wish to proceed anyway even, be my guest."