[D7, ME, Crane-open] To be fully prepared

[Kakita Masao]

Much had happened, today and all the days before, but tonight's event would put a great focus on the Crane as they aligned with the Crab, with the new empress... It's the sorry of thing that would be very important to someone like Kakita Masao's father. Important to me too, grandson.

So the nikutai entrusted himself to Asahina Sanaharu, steeled his on for what could be a long evening, and concentrated on taking deep breaths, as the last hours, days and months had all piled up their expectations for him.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

It was one hour until the party. One hour, Masao, and now you show me what you have.
Sanaharu takes a breath. Not a deep one, he had on enough for that, but a longer than usual one was inevitable.
It was no time to make a good piece of clothing, those took a week. By the wagasa market, all the fashions options here would also be lame.
Better to ask first.
"Masao-ue... Do you have anything else to wear aside this?"

[Kakita Masao]

The nikutai feels an odd combination of embarrassment that he's failed Sanaharu and indignation that the artisan feels it's ok to criticize him. But, growing up in the clan and family that he has, Masao knows who's right in this situation.

"My apologies, Asahina-san, but the wardrobe of a warrior is ever focused on function rather than form. As you've seen, my best attire here is this."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Alright, alright. I will see if I have anything that fits you that I had not used... That's three sets left if I'm well aware. Although I could as well repurpose the layers I wore inside, which would give far more combinations, maybe they will fit you because you are buffier than me, although lower, and the clothing goes on the free-flowing side of things. My zori will probably be too big, but we could try if any is your size as well."

Well, not to say that Sana was not entirely on the right dressing already.

He dressed on a new kimono for this. This one was apparently perfectly tailored to match the season — it was of a light blue and light pink, embroidered with cherry trees on negative space and painted flowers.

[Kakita Masao]

Masao doesn't really understand what the artisan is talking about, but he's certainly not going to argue about it at this point.

"Your helpful attention is appreciated, Asahina-san. There has been much to be concerned about of late, and your support... has been noticed."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"I'm the most honored to hear this, Masao-ue." He bows slightly, still on his hateful neutral on, although the commentary really made him happier inside. "Returning to the clothes, let's start on the basics. Your neck is short and wide, open your kimono a little more so it will look longer. Like I do. You see, my neck is short as well," he closes his kimono collar with his hand, "it only looks longer because I open it below the clavicle." He lets it go, the clothing finding its way back again. "Silk is great for this, see? It will try to go down as much as possible, drapes super well. Also because you can swap it out for an inner layer in an emergency and people won't find it strange. Not good for battle, though, or hunting, or fire shugenja."

Now to the always problematic subject. "Since your head isn't shaped on the top, you can also let your hair free. Both your bangs and a topknot do well with the shape of your face."

Asahina fashion session time.

[Kakita Masao]

Masao realizes how little he knows about fashion as Sanaharu showcases his knowledge. He nods agreeably, pleased to wear what the wiser Crane recommends.

As things come together, Masao starts to present more confidently. This is much like preparing for battle, best using the skills of the soldiers available, and that comfortable feeling reinforces the confidence. Sanaharu will notice a better posture and happier agreement in the soldier as the prep work translates into results.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

So he actually changed his hair? Sanaharu didn't expect that, not at all. It's even like Masao wanted to collaborate this time. "I will go get my zori, try them whilst I search for what I could use on my clothes." With a bow, he dismisses himself to outside the room, ordering a heimin to bring his shoes to Masao's bedroom whilst he made a fuss over his bedroom selecting parts of kimonos.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

As Sanaharu steps outside, he will see Yuuwaku, dressed resplendently, coming down the hall.

"All well?" she asks.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He stops to bow to Yuuwaku. "Oh, couldn't be better. Have you eaten your rice today?" Even when he was hurried more or less, basic etiquette was stronger.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"I have," she replies, "although I am looking forward to a bit more this evening. Dancing takes a lot of energy.

"But what're you about? Is there something with which I can help?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Oh, are you dancing later? Most charming, I would love to spectate." He smiles.
"I'm helping Masao-ue dress to the party. His best kimono is just a casual bushi thing. I believe I will need to make do with some pieces of mine and painting."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"I might yet do so--but what's this about dressing the part? I must see!"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"He's in the bedroom behind me currently. Just gave some general tips for now."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"May I come in, then?" she asks. Her face lights up with a smile. "I do so love helping with this kind of thing, you know."

[Kakita Masao]

Masao hears the conversation in the hall enough to call, "the door is open."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Thank you, Kakita-nikutai," Yuuwaku says and waits for Sanaharu to step aside to allow her in.

Once there, she looks at him and says, "You know, you do cut a dashing figure. We'll see what we can do to accentuate that. What has Asahina-san said to you of it?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He steps aside to let her in, entering his bedroom. The conversation took long enough that the servant he sent to fetch sandals already held them on his arms and entered the bedroom as well, putting them on the floor and organizing them in pairs on a line.

[Kakita Masao]

"Thank you, Kakita-nikutai," Yuuwaku says and waits for Sanaharu to step aside to allow her in.

Once there, she looks at him and says, "You know, you do cut a dashing figure. We'll see what we can do to accentuate that. What has Asahina-san said to you of it?"

"Ah, in all honesty, Asahina-san speaks the language of a master, while this one can only hear with the ears of an apprentice. I... am trusting to his wisdom, and the Fortunes. And your wisdom, as well, Kakita-san."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He separates the things that people couldn't infer he used before — which were a lot of inner layers, some haoris flipped to the other side, and his unused pieces.
Separated parts from 10 different sets of clothing were clothing enough still that one would look full if they took everything on their arms.
He went to separate what would fit Masao... But knew not what would fit Masao.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Ah, in all honesty, Asahina-san speaks the language of a master, while this one can only hear with the ears of an apprentice. I... am trusting to his wisdom, and the Fortunes. And your wisdom, as well, Kakita-san."

"Wisdom begins in inquiry, Kakita-nikutai," Yuuwaku replies. "Consider, what impression do you wish to convey, and to whom? Knowing that others will take other ideas therefrom, of course, but there is still a primary audience for any display, and it is to that audience that you would address--or dress, in this case--yourself."

[Kakita Masao]

"It's my duty to represent my honored father and our family here, and then the honor of the Iron Warriors," he says, a little stiffly. "In the eyes of the empress, in the eyes of our new Crab allies..."

Masao says all the right things, but it's clear, though unsaid, whose eyes he most seeks approval from.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"But she's your audience," Yuuwaku says, nodding. "And there is nothing wrong with that.

"But, what do you want her to see of you? It must be true, of course, but there are many parts to a man, and not all need showing at any given time."

[Kakita Masao]

The soldier looks at Yuuwaku thoughtfully, and in only a few heartbeats he realizes: "Hope. I can give her nor anyone else certainty. But there is a future of great potential remaining before us, and if I can represent the fire of hope undampened by worry and uncertainty..."

It is one of those moments -- random, improbable, never to be repeated -- that resets a life.

"Thank you, Kakita Yuuwaku-san. Toritaka-san and I spoke of it on the beach, but I hadn't... I am very thankful that you're here."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

Not knowing what would fit the bushi, he brought up everything, which meant that he returned Masao's bedroom with arms full.

Not Sanaharu. Who carried everything was the heimin behind him.

What Sanaharu did was to scratch the door.