Wedding at Fire Shrimp Village an L5R PbP

Having tidied himself up again in preparation for the Crab party, Masao brings his flute back to the impromptu studio beside the woodpile. It's a pleasant evening, and although he's anxious for his first encounter with his cousin's future family, music is always the right answer.

Without meaning to, Masao's flute music fills the area between the Blue Bird house and the Hole, lending a light, warm quality to the evening as the sun begins to disappear over the horizon.

The air filled with the notes of Masao's flute, he would hear a response to his notes. Sitting bellow a tree Hanatsuko practiced her music playing her own flute. Kuma up the tree thrilled and Sari just laid beside Hana.

As he concludes his own song, Masao cocks his ear, looking almost like a hunter catching the scent of its prey. He rises and looks for the source, following the sound to stand before the samurai-ko as she played. He waits patiently, refusing to interrupt her beautiful song, and standing just far enough away that she knows he's listening but not so close that she might feel required to stop and speak with him.

When she finished, Hanatsuko looked up at Kuma. "Seems that you enjoyed that... at least Sari wasn't howling this time." The girl chuckled that stopped abruptly at the sight of the Crane. "Hello..." The Falcon woman stood up and gave the man a bow.

Masao gives a conspicuously deeper bow. "Good evening, Falcon-san..." he says kindly, somewhat questioningly, with a glance and a smile to the namesake bird in the tree.

"It appears you already have fans. But please count Kakita Masao, Iron Warrior nikutai and son of the governor of Cold Wind City, among them. Your song was most enjoyable." Masao abbreviates his introduction, having said it enough times today that he couldn't stand it anymore.

"Kuma san has weird taste in music." She shook her head. "This one is Toritaka Hanatsuko. And I just heard a melody in the wind and wanted to respond." She looked at the Crane with surprise. "I hope I didn't interrupt you."

The Crane laughs politely. "Well, I'm glad you did. I finished my song, heard yours, and I just had to find the source," he emphasizes the word just. "If you'll forgive me saying, I don't think that it's a small thing when an artist is moved by another artist's work."

"Right Kakita sama. It is an honor to meet you." She bowed again. "My art entertains my friends. You know Kuma... and the lazy one is Sari." She pointed to the lazy dog. "They are my forever audience and I guess fans."

Masao offers a small bow to each creature, though neither probably notices. If they are important to Toritaka-san, then -- What. Are. You. Doing. This is not how your parents raised you.

The Crane smiles, shakes his head like he's clearing a fog, then takes a step closer to Hanatsuko and her entourage. "Would Toritaka-san care to play together?" he asks, raising his humble flute. "I am no master, but if you'd care to play I'd be happy to follow."

She looked at Kuma and raises a brow. The bird lowered to Hanatsuko's shoulder and tilted his head sort of like what could be seen as a bow. "Kuma is honored to meet you as well." The bird flew up and perched upon the branch. He made a cry. "Ah... yes... I am honored to play with you but I am no expert either. Let's see if the spirits of the air favor us." She bowed once again.

Masao stands unmoving for a moment, astounded at Hanatsuko's connection with her animal.

"Well, thank you, Kuma-san." The Crane nods to the falcon, feeling less like it's a joke and more like it's necessary now.

As Masao gets ready to play with Hanatsuko, he gets an idea. "Actually, Toritaka-san, may I try something before we play?" he asks, raising his flute. Assuming she doesn't object, Masao begins to play a short tune, slightly martial in feeling, that slowly builds to an empowering end. Masao plays it masterfully, surprising even himself as the notes simply come together perfectly.

When he finishes, he has to catch his breath a moment, then he explains himself: "I learned the tune from one of my Daidoji sensei, who would hum or whistle parts of it in his walks around the grounds every day. Apparently some Daidoji use it to help ready their spirits for battle. It's called 'On the Hunt.' I thought Kuma-san and Sari-san might enjoy it." After the words are out of his mouth, Masao feels foolish, realizing he just played flawlessly -- for pets.

Hanatsuko looked at the Crane and blinked a few times. His piece moved her. Sari stood up and rubbed her head on Hanatsuko's leg. Hanatsuko patted the dog and smiled. Kuma came down to the ground and tipped his head again bowing in thanks to the Crane. Not many acknowledge her companions like that, they are her friends. "Kuma thanks you for such masterful performance." The bird perched back up the tree. "I think air spirit have favored your playing for my friends, Kakita sama. A humbling gesture, that bring bittersweet memories to mind."

Masao nods his thanks, but he looks pained. "Bittersweet memories, Toritaka-san? My apologies. I hoped it would be only pleasant for all of you."

The Crane resists asking more about the memories, although he's curious. Instead: "Perhaps it is better for me to put my flute aside for a time, and just listen to yours?"

The girl nodded. "Of course... Let the music take the bitter part and make it all sweet." Hanatsuko smiled. She took her flute up to her lips and started to blow a happy melody. Her performace wasn't as good as the Kakita but she enjoyed it. Sari howled at the high pitched notes and Kuma just bobbed his up and down. The Toritaka bowed as she ended her tune.

The Crane smiles, enjoying the song as well as the animals' reactions.

"Lovely, Toritaka-san. Thank you," he says with a bow. "Your friends here clearly live a good life, nourished by your music. Are you all here as guests for the wedding?"

"Not particularly guest for the wedding more of the Crab." She placed the flute in her obi. "I came here by some... spiritual action."

The Crane looks at her even more curiously than he had with the thoughtful animals.

"Spiritual action?" he questions. "How mysterious. I have heard that the Toritaka are more attuned to spirits than other samurai. But please tell me, Toritaka-san, that this enjoyable time has not all been some trick of the spirits." He smiles at the jest, although a small part of him now wonders.

"Perhaps it was the fortunes that are making this evening enjoyable." She smiled. "The eyes may play tricks but the soul can be stirred Kakita sama. Soul has been stirred by your music." She bowed.

Masao smiles at Hanatsuko's smile, but he is also confused. "Toritaka-san, my soul is likewise stirred by this beautiful music," he says, slightly flustered. "And I would see you again, for more music, or tea, or as you might prefer. Can I see you and your delightful friends again?"

"of course Kakita sama." She bowed once again. Kuma came down his perch and onto the Toritaka shoulder and pecked her softly. "I know I know..." She looked at the Crane. "Kuma will be honored as well to join us."

The Kakita smiles, obviously pleased. "Excellent. I think tomorrow shall be quite busy, but perhaps a visit to the beach the following morning would be to your liking? Unless Kuma-san would prefer somewhere else, of course." He looks to the bird for a moment, half expecting it will answer without Hanatsuko's help.

Kuma thrilled. Hanatsuko chuckled lightly at the bird response. "He likes the idea of going to the beach in the morning that way he can catch his breakfast." Hanatsuko nodded. "Two days from today then."

"Excellent." He bows deeply. "I shall greatly look forward to more stirring in our souls. From, the music. Of course." He shakes his head at himself. "It will be lovely to see you and Kuma-san again."

With a final smile, Masao /exits.