Slurp (D5, ME)

[Otomo Saisei]

He turns to her, and shakes his head, "Of course. But I am not thinking on that specifically. Kakita-sama could go higher, as kuge within her own. At least that's the potential I see."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"That..." Yuuwaku trails off. "That had not been something I had considered."

She leans in. "How might such a thing be done?"

[Otomo Saisei]

"Make sure her name is well spoken after this marriage as the loveliest bride the Crane has still available, I guess. Some good recommendations from the next Daidoji daimyo, and a landed lord of th Kakita here present. If Yusuke-sama sees that gathered in front of him, I guess he would have some solid material to begin prospecting a potential Imperial interested." The Otomo closes her eyes, trying to align the variables into one package.

Then he inhales a bit deeper than usual to say, "That would be the optimal way. Yet, difficult. If not that, Kakita-sama could be paired with a ranking member of the Imperial Familes, so she has access to higher courts."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"It will be long, Kami willing," Yuuwaku says, "before there is a succession among the Iron Crane. But other matters..."

She trails off, considering. "But perhaps the latter course, being more certain, is a wiser one to take. Yet what ranking Imperial is available for such a thing?"

[Otomo Saisei]

"I would have to check with Yusuke-sama." He says, pointing out, "I forgot to ask Kakita-sama. Are there things she despises or dislikes, so I may provide more of the expectations as to the matching?"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku considers. "I'd not thought of such things, truly, but since Otomo-san suggests it..."

She trails off, thinking.

"Coldness of manner--not politeness, no, but the lack of warmth behind that politeness--and lack of appreciation for art. He need not be an artist, but one can not have a skill and know the value of it--or not, and that is unhelpful."

OOC: Think the Insensitive and Obtuse Disadvantages.

[Otomo Saisei]

"What of the things she seeks in a match?" He asks, and soon after interjects himself to add, "By the way, very good way of prioritizing the top two, since there might be other things Kakita-sama either likes or dislikes."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Again, Yuuwaku considers. After a few moments, she smiles.

"A man willing to learn is a good start," she says. "As is one who can keep up with me as I fulfill my own duties.

"But if I marry out, one who is positioned to further the arts. If he marries in, then one who would be a help-mate. And in either case, one who would accept that an artist has needs and would work to fulfill them."

She looks at him. "I would not be a mere ornament; I am more than that, and I would remain so."

[Otomo Saisei]

"We all have needs, artist or not. Yet, duty comes first. Good." He replies almost immediately, and takes mental notes. "Someone that will fuel the arts, either Kakita-sama's or overall."

"Thank you for sharing your goals with me, Kakita-sama." The Otomo gives her a smile, then says, "Wearing a hat without purpose is rather silly."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"A hat?" Yuuwaku asks.

"Seems an abrupt shift, Otomo-san. What hat?"

[Otomo Saisei]

"Kakita-sama mentioned she won't be a mere ornament." He says, chuckling, "I reminded that wearing a hat for no purpose, even if quite elegant sometimes, might be silly. That's all."

Saisei provides a shrug and asks rhetorically, "Unless the objective is indeed to look elegant. Would that be proper, then?"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"I think our hosts might have a different opinion on elegance and its need than I," Yuuwaku concedes. "But there is certainly the issue that more careful attention to presentation connotes the importance of the audience. That is, preparing and practicing more shows greater concern.

"For instance," she continues, "did I dance poorly for you, you would have cause to think that I held you in poor esteem. And that would be something other than I would convey to you, Otomo-san."

[Otomo Saisei]

“So Kakita-sama would do her best regardless of the hosts expectations?” He blinks a bit, going deep into the subject out of a sudden, “I mean. If the host’s expectation is — for some some reason — lower than what one would like to provide. The reason here potentially due to cultural differences. Would it be too much?”

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"It depends on the presentation," Yuuwaku replies. "There are ideas on this, not entirely consensus.

"Take, for example, the issue of etiquette--stereotypical of a Crane, I know," she continues. "Some will say that the forms are meant to remind each of us our proper place in the world, to keep us where we ought to be. Others will say that the forms are meant to show our care and concern for others, to help each of us feel valued.

"It is, as it were, the difference between duty and compassion. Both valuable. Both vital. But, in those of us who are beneath the Throne and the Heavens, not always in accord, strive though we may."

She takes a breath and adds "Experience tells me that the evidence of effort often ameliorates other concerns. But often is not always."

[Otomo Saisei]

He rubs his chin to add, controversially, "I would say that intent is what really matters, as effort can be shallow, fail or even hide true meaning. I actually dare even say that persistence with honorable intent is even doubly so. Which... yes, can be translated into effort, as Kakita-sama mentioned."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"There is rarely a simple answer," Yuuwaku notes. "But there is a great difference between someone who is clearly trying and simply falters and one who does not try, succeeding or otherwise. How it reads depends in part on the reader; art exists between the performer and the audience and requires both. Or so it has seemed to me." She shrugs. "Again, though, I am only mokoroku in my art; the more learned would have more to say, and more eloquently."

[Otomo Saisei]

He nods a couple of times, listening attentively. Then he questions, "I thought art was something one did for himself, and not for the audience. A painting for example: does the painter does it for the audience, or simply because it is one's will to express themselves in some way, Even if that is not ever seen by another soul?"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Some of a more theological bent," Yuuwaku replies, "would note that there is always an audience; there are spirits in all places, and the ancestors watch what their descendants do. Others, more prosaic, remark that the artist-who-is-making is not the same as the artist-who-has-made, much as the river is not the same water once it has flowed; the artist becomes the audience as soon as the work is done, the change like the sound of hands clapping, coming without hesitation or uncertainty."

Yuuwaku continues. It's clearly been a matter of some thought for her. "Some would also argue that the artist is but a conduit, the passage through which the spirits themselves move to make art; inspiration comes from on high and is refracted through the artist to make the art. And there are others who hold the view you note, that it is a will-working in the world. But whether the work is itself art or merely practice is never certain until there is an audience, much as the draw of a sword may seem perfect, but it cannot be known to be without something to cut."

[Otomo Saisei]

He nods a couple of times, "I see. Interesting points of view, indeed. If one practices an art, there's always an audience, of some sort.""

With a chuckle, Saisei adds, "I wonder if there is a duelist so keen, so expert and admired –– or feared –– that no one ever dared to challenge, and thus has never even cut someone else."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"That is an interesting thought, Otomo-san," Yuuwaku agrees. "And stories of duelists conceding after seeing their opponents' stances suggest that such might have been. I have not looked into the matter, though."

[Otomo Saisei]

He smiles, "Well, if Kakita-sama figures it out. I would be willing to learn. After all, who better than a Kakita to talk about art, and its many ways."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Otomo-san flatters again," Yuuwaku replies. "One might begin to think his appreciation is earnest."

[Otomo Saisei]

"Kakita-sama is worthy of the compliment and the expectation for even more compliments. She might be humble to accept herself, but it is known that the best artisans in the Empire are often from her Family. So, there's only truth." He notes and crosses his arms.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"So his appreciation is not in earnest, then?" Yuuwaku teases, taking the sting from the words with a laugh. "I jest, of course; I have no doubt of his sincerity.

"Who could, truly?"

[Otomo Saisei]

He cocks his head a bit at the joke. Not really so flexible as the Crane and their jests. He clears his throat a bit and opens a grin, finally getting it. He nods. "Speaking of which, I am sad to say, since my sincerity forbids me not to warn. It is rather late for the hour."