[Day 8 - EE] Ornate Wild Roses (Crane-open)

[Asahina Sanaharu]

Today the Blue Bird House would receive a must illustrious guest. He was so far even avoiding directing word to the Empress, although her presence was equally intimidating... And now his flowerwork would be upon scrutiny of the heir of Hida herself.

Sanaharu was understandably anxious. He made sure that the common room was perfectly trimmed and that the second best tea would be prepared — the best was, of course, if the Empress appeared. When things were at an acceptable level, he wrote an invite for Hida-no-kimi and took his flowers to the common room. A peasant sent to deliver it, now what was left was to wait.

He played slow notes on his biwa. Both for reception and to ease anxiety.

(OoC: Since this is at the common room, any passerby Crane may join)

[Dapper Dog]

The servants announce the Crown Princess and then the Crab Champion Regent here to see Asahina Sanaharu.

[Oturi Yuahime]

"Greetings Asahina-san," she said warmly.

"I hope it is not an undue burden that I have decided to join you this evening? Hida-san said you were a talented artisan," Yuahime asked.

[Dapper Dog]

"I have absolute confidence he will be a wonderful sensei for us this evening," she responded.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He gets on the ground much like heimin did again, in the presence of the Empress. "Please, please, be welcome. You are the most honored guests I could think of attending. If you wish, you may take a seat." He gets up from the ground, taking his fan. "I do not deserve to be praised like this, Hida-no-kimi. My humble ability at ikebanas is middling at best compared to the great ikebana artisans of the Kakita. I'm rarely more than a company."

[Oturi Yuahime]

"You are the teacher, we follow your lead," she said warmly.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

It is at about this point that Yuuwaku, dressed well, comes into the common room.

Seeing Yuahime, she immediately falls into seiza and executes a full zarei, declaring herself "Her Majesty's humble servant, Kakita Yuuwaku" in a firm voice.

I did not expect this, she thinks.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He sees Yuuwaku passing by and almost sighs in relief. "Oh, here is Yuuwaku-senpai! She is a dear friend of mines and an extremely talented dancer who always had reached me when I needed the most. Would you like to join us three for a session of ikebana making?"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku straightens at being addressed--and realizes, since it is Sanaharu, always a stickler for protocol, who has done it, that he is playing host.

This is a dangerous game, Sana-kun, she thinks, but she says "This one never did study such, Asahina-kohai. And this one would be wary of presuming to inflict her lack of skill upon the guests here."

[Dapper Dog]

"Such modesty, shall we get started?" she asked.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

Aaaaaaaaaa, he thinks, I think I have dragged you in this as well now. I hope they don't leave this place offended.
"My knowledge is not much greater, Yuuwaku-senpai, for this one studied this art little. Yet, we all would benefit from having your honorable presence."
He moved the art supplies around the table as to give a busy impression, so they could not get started yet.

[Oturi Yuahime]

"I am so nervous, I hope I don't mess this up," Yuahime offered.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"This one doubts such could be," Yuuwaku says to Yuahime as she, bidden, approaches the table and joins the group. "And this one will attempt the art."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He smiles at her approach. Ichiko should be the best ikebana maker of the group, but he had to act like he knew what he was doing. Well, he knew a little.

"Art, on any of its forms, is to convey a message. Before one starts to craft, one needs to know why they craft. By Hida-no-kimi's suggestion, I believe it to be of everyone's wish to make a single craft together?"

[Dapper Dog]

"I think that is suitable, and do not worry Oturi-denka, you will do fine," she said with a smile.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku nods her assent. Truly, can she do otherwise?

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He nods. "Oturi-denka, Hida-no-kimi, we are merely followers and have much to benefit from your leadership. What or who do you find suitable to make an ikebana for?"

[Oturi Yuahime]

"Let us make displays for the bride and groom," Yuahime offered.

[Dapper Dog]

Kojimasu.jpg (25.76 KiB) Viewed 4926 times

“An excellent choice, my lady,” a deep smooth baritone voice offered as a man carrying more flowers strode into the room.

“I apologize for my lateness, but I wish to make sure that we had enough for our esteemed guests. Sanaharu-kun is so modest but with reason his skills rely on his masterful tongue, while I am a master with my skilled fingers. Yet I see we have two eager students here, and as the saying goes you give a fox a fish and he eats for a day, but teach that fox to fish and he will have many days of fish ahead of him… or some such.”

He placed down the flowers and said, “But since you wish to learn from the best, then allow me to introduce myself… Doji Kojimasu, humble artisan and man of leisure. Freshly arrived.”

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Who? Yuuwaku thinks. I thought I knew all of the Crane here for the event.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

Oooooooooooooooooooooh what? So it was really a... magic thing? He was glad he got this fish now. "Oh, Kojimasu-san! Please come sit, you are more than welcome."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"How does Asahina-kohai know Doji-san?" Yuuwaku asks politely.

[Dapper Dog]

"How does Asahina-kohai know Doji-san?" Yuuwaku asks politely.

"Please, do tell," he said warmly and began pouring tea for each person at the table.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He had forgotten it. Thank you, fox. Well, so it actually knew etiquette... And ikebanas. A lifesaver, indeed.
"Oh, this question has an answer most curious. We had met just yesterday over a flowery field when I was searching for materials for the ikebana, and Kojimasu-san was also there."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Oh?" Yuuwaku asks. "So, has Doji-san been long in the area, then?"