Wedding at Fire Shrimp Village an L5R PbP

Amika arrived somewhat early at the castle. She was not sure if she was allowed to enter or not, after all she didn't had any letter or paper that gave her permission or an invitation, only the words of the Scorpion lady she agreed to work for.

The wolf ronin, arrived in a nice, expensive, pink-ish furisode. That she bought earlier on the morning with the money that Ijihime gave her.

She goes to the guards and after bowing, she said to them that she was invited by Bayushi Ijihime. After that she waits to see if she is given permission to enter or not...

They check and after a few minutes they wave her inside and have a servant show her to the guest rooms.

Ijihime is in her guest room having a light breakfast, with enough to spare. She seems to have been reading a pillowbook when the young ronin arrived. She smiled and said, “Good morning, please eat if you are hungry.”

Amika bows to the Scorpion samurai from the entrance of Ijihime's room. Then kneels at the same place and once again she bows. ''Ohayou-gozaimasu, Bayushi Ijihime-sama. This one is honored to meet you today. I see that Inari-no-kami has blessed you today.'' She said politely.

As she enters the room, if the guards didn't took her katana, Ijihime will notice that the sword and the smaller wakizashi on Amika's obi were peace-bound. The ronin removed them from her obi and put the sword/s on her right side with their hilt not pointing towards the Bayushi.

"Did you sleep well?" she said softly.

'' Indeed this one had, at least, from what is expected for me...'' She said to the Bayushi. '' I had never had easy time falling asleep unfortunately, Bayushi-sama.''

She nodded and said, "So what do you think makes a true artist?"

'' Hmmm...'' She thought for a moment. '' Inspiration, creativity and....'' She was not sure if there was a third characteristic or at least she didn't know how to properly describe it. '' Hmm...i think i have a third idea of what could ake a good artist but i don't know how to describe it, Bayushi-sama.'' She replied.

“None of that matters, you need an audience to be an artist. The most skilled painter on a mountain by herself is no artist if she is the only audience. Your work is defined by those that observe and experience your art. You have the skill and talent to create but you must cultivate an audience or it matters naught,” she said in reply.

Well she got a point, Amika thought. Without an audience no matter how good you are, art will not be expressed to others, only to oneself. '' I see, Bayushi-sama. '' Amika replied to her.

Still she was not completely sure. Especially because painting fundamentally was different from other arts, in the sense that, sometimes painters didn't need an audience, at least not while they were alive. Some paints transcend their creators.

"My concern is the now, it does neither of us any good if you are discovered a century from now. But I also have a plan, naturally," she said warmly.

"Assuming your plans align with me, we would return to the Capitol."

'' Well this one's plans are rather simple, Bayushi-sama. Live and beautify the world, or something like that...'' She replied to her. '' There are some other dreams that this one has but, they are just dreams, nothing more.'' Amika adds.

'' If Bayushi Ihijime-sama would take Amika to the Imperial Capital, this one would be honored. I never went to the capital itself, but this one's home is the Southern Hub village which is close, of course.'' She explained.

"What are these distant dreams?" she asked.

'' This one would like to start a school in my home town, one day, Bayushi-sama. Becoming a sensei is somewhat of a dream for me.'' She explains. '' But even if such thing is possible, this one has still much too learn to even be thinking in becoming a sensei.'' She adds.

"We could get there, but if you wish to build the fame and respect you would need for that, then we must build your name up," she said.

'' Right. Hmmm, well, presenting more artistic works could be the way, but i believe in quality over quantity, so to speak. I don't think if this is correct or no, but building up the expectation of a new work of art, is better than just creating things that overwhelm the audience. At least that is what this one thinks, Bayushi Ijihime-sama''

"As a prelude to your future work for the Empress, I think a suitable challenge will be a painting of the bride and groom," she offered.

Amika nods to Bayushi Ijihime, but then she wonder for a moment. '' This one understands, but...'' She continues to think. '' Wouldn't that be against what you ordered from me Bayushi-sama. Daidoji Yushoko-sama is a Crane.'' She explained her confusion. '' But if Bayushi-sama decided that that should be this one's first work, then this one will gladly do so as you say.'' She offered.

"It isn't for the Crane, it's for me," she corrected.

'' Oh, right. Forgive this one for reaching for a wrong conclusion.'' She bowed as an apologize.

'' Well in which style do you wish the work to be done, Bayushi-sama?'' She asked for her opinion. '' This one's speciality is sumi-e, but though sumi-e is beautiful it tends to be less detailed than other works. The mural that you watched me painting was done in a more vibrant and colourful style, kano-ha.'' She explained.

'' While i'm more confident doing sumi-e style, kano-ha could be more beautiful.''

"Kano-ha," she said after a moment of thought.

'' As you wish, Bayushi Ijihime-sama.'' She bows. '' Do you wish it to be a direct representation of the groom and bride? Or my interpretation of them? What i mean by that is if you wish for me to paint them directly personally or should i just create an hypothetical representation of both them...'' She asked.

"I like the idea of seeing them through your eyes, yes... that will be suitable," she said warmly.

'' Very well. I have seen them both, although briefly. It would be challenging, but, that is what art and paint is for, i suppose...'' She nods. '' This one will start your painting by tomorrow Bayushi-sama. I will dedicate all my soul to it so you could gave the best gift to Hida Yoji-sama and Daidoji Yushoko-sama.''

"I expect nothing less," she said warmly.

"This relationship may begin transactional, my dear Amika but I am generous when pleased. I live by the saying of killing with kindness."