[Day 7 - LE] Salon at the Blue Bird

[Doji Kintaro]

The Blue Bird House is decorated in tasteful décor and with the acting troupe still in town they provide additional entertainment and class to a party to honor the Bride and Groom. The theme of the evening is transition and rebirth and guests are encouraged to match the theme which adheres to the colors of Spring and emulates the natural beauty of the natural world.

But please no low born ronin to sully the grounds.

[Ikoma Ren]

Ren arrives, approaching the his host and offering a gracious bow. "Thank you for your invitation Doji-sama. This certainly is a gracious gesture, opening up like this. I wish you well, and thank you again for your hospitality.

In spite of his words, Ren stands out like a sore thumb. He remains in his Lion colors, the yellow brown and tan making him a fixture of autumn rather than spring.

OK, it was a choice out of practicality. But why let them know that, make it seem like you're making a statement

[Asahina Sanaharu]

Ren arrives, approaching the his host and offering a gracious bow. "Thank you for your invitation Doji-sama. This certainly is a gracious gesture, opening up like this. I wish you well, and thank you again for your hospitality.

In spite of his words, Ren stands out like a sore thumb. He remains in his Lion colors, the yellow brown and tan making him a fixture of autumn rather than spring.

OK, it was a choice out of practicality. But why let them know that, make it seem like you're making a statement

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.

The sight that appeared was peculiar — a Lion contradicting the theme of the party. Time to check if his intention was to be ill, or if this was a move out of ignorance.

Sanaharu approaches him and bows deeply.

[Dapper Dog]

Outside the building a Crab samurai announced the arrival of Oturi Yuahime.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku, who had been engaged in something or other, takes notice and moves to the door to admit the Empress-to-be. She deserves more than a peasant to admit her, after all.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He dropped his Ikoma-approximation on the spot, understandably, as the Empress was announced. He looked across to Yuuwaku, tilting his head and pointing his fan to himself in some very basic fanspeech.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku's hand gestures sideways twice in a quiet "no."

Things will be handled, of course, and she opens the door wide, bowing deeply.

Outside the building a Crab samurai announced the arrival of Oturi Yuahime.

"And she is most welcome," Yuuwaku says, stepping back to make way, bowing deeply again.

[Ikoma Ren]

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.

The sight that appeared was peculiar — a Lion contradicting the theme of the party. Time to check if his intention was to be ill, or if this was a move out of ignorance.

Sanaharu approaches him and bows deeply.

Ren bows to the new Crane, trying to scope out the mon. "Greetings as well Crane-san. I see that you have a great set of actors here, but I hope there is still room for entertainment from a humble Ikoma"

[Kakita Konohamaru]

The magistrate himself, of course, is present.

It almost felt like the wedding was going well, but he daren't let his guard down.

He spotted the Ikoma arrival and the Empress, bowing as appropriate as she arrived, but mostly observed for now.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

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.

The sight that appeared was peculiar — a Lion contradicting the theme of the party. Time to check if his intention was to be ill, or if this was a move out of ignorance.

Sanaharu approaches him and bows deeply.

Ren bows to the new Crane, trying to scope out the mon. "Greetings as well Crane-san. I see that you have a great set of actors here, but I hope there is still room for entertainment from a humble Ikoma"

He bows deeply as well towards the Empress, returning to his talk with the Ikoma. "Oh, you need not worry, Lion-sama. You are a guest, please make yourself comfortable."

[Oturi Yuahime]

Yuahime entered wearing a finely made kimono with hints of green and sky blue with soring cranes across it. She nodded to those already present. Her first guard Ikeda Hiro entered and said, “Announcing her highness, Oturi Yuahime, crown princess of the Empire. She wishes to thank the Crane for this invitation and we are honored to be here this evening. Please be at ease.”

He then stepped aside as she entered with Ikeda Ishi shadowing her steps.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Shouji was likely a bit later to the affair then he should be, but then he hadn't been entirely sure if we wanted to attend. He was dressed well, though perhaps not as well as he was this morning. His sea green kimono decorated with sea birds in black.

He took a brief look around seeing he had arrived after the Empress, he tried to avoid making any fuss about it as he looked for an empty table.

[Kitsuki Naida]

Naida definitely shows up, sans hat. Her hair is done up very nicely in a low foxtail with a blue flower in her hair as decoration. Her kimono is green and gold, nothing fancy but it's highlights are nice enough.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

Yuahime entered wearing a finely made kimono with hints of green and sky blue with soring cranes across it. She nodded to those already present. Her first guard Ikeda Hiro entered and said, “Announcing her highness, Oturi Yuahime, crown princess of the Empire. She wishes to thank the Crane for this invitation and we are honored to be here this evening. Please be at ease.”

He then stepped aside as she entered with Ikeda Ishi shadowing her steps.

Shouji was likely a bit later to the affair then he should be, but then he hadn't been entirely sure if we wanted to attend. He was dressed well, though perhaps not as well as he was this morning. His sea green kimono decorated with sea birds in black.

He took a brief look around seeing he had arrived after the Empress, he tried to avoid making any fuss about it as he looked for an empty table.

Naida definitely shows up, sans hat. Her hair is done up very nicely in a low foxtail with a blue flower in her hair as decoration. Her kimono is green and gold, nothing fancy but it's highlights are nice enough.

At arrival of all three guests, the magistrate offers bows as appropriate - the deepest of all, of course, being for the Empress herself.

It was nice to see a variety of clans gathering for this event, showing a sense of unity and the possibility of long term alliances. That said, in between being a presence and security, he made sure to keep himself approachable.
((quote if approached))

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Naida definitely shows up, sans hat. Her hair is done up very nicely in a low foxtail with a blue flower in her hair as decoration. Her kimono is green and gold, nothing fancy but it's highlights are nice enough.

Having welcomed the--Heir? still?--Yuuwaku turns her attentions to their guests.

Given social standings and the like, and the presence of Kakita-bugyo in the room, she approaches Naida and bows deeply.

"Kitsuki-san," she says, "it is a pleasure to see you here; thank you for coming. And I must say, you are a vision."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

For his part Shouji doesn't yet approach anyone, making his way instead to the table for refreshments and selecting a tea out if those provided.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

There was something so... uncivilised about how no one had spoken to the Empress herself at this event. He had expected the likes of Kintaro, the host, or the bride to say something - no matter.

He moved towards the Empress and her attendant, keeping a distance before bowing deeply to both.

"Ikeda-sama, this humble one wishes to personally welcome you and Oturi-denka to tonight's event. May this one approach?"

[Hida Daichi]

Daichi approached with a bit of reluctance, he was never one to miss a party but this was a Crane party which promised to be much less his speed then the Mantis party, well parties, were.

He arrived in a kimono but it was a simple one in Crab colors not really on theme for the evening but properly dressed all the same. He scanned around and saw familiar faces but did not yet approach anyone just sort of feeling out the guests for now.

[Otomo Saisei]

The Otomo was, for some reason, already at the Blue Bird House. He arrives dressed with a similar pairing of kimono and hakama he wore earlier in the day.

Noticing the heiress, he provides her a deep bow from afar, and opens a smile seeing that the Crane has put up such a pleasant event.

[Kitsuki Naida]

Having welcomed the--Heir? still?--Yuuwaku turns her attentions to their guests.

Given social standings and the like, and the presence of Kakita-bugyo in the room, she approaches Naida and bows deeply.

"Kitsuki-san," she says, "it is a pleasure to see you here; thank you for coming. And I must say, you are a vision."

"The clothes, or the hair, Kakita-san?"

The young woman at the inn had helped her with the hair. The clothes she'd managed on her own... with some effort. Darn fancyish clothes always got her all tied up and twisted. She was glad no one had seen her attempting to get everything proper.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"The clothes, or the hair, Kakita-san?"

The young woman at the inn had helped her with the hair. The clothes she'd managed on her own... with some effort. Darn fancyish clothes always got her all tied up and twisted. She was glad no one had seen her attempting to get everything proper.

"The whole, of course," Yuuwaku replies. "You wear both well." And nothing at all, she thinks.

"I hope the past days have treated you well," she continues, smiling the most charming smile she has available to her. "I would hate to think that you've been treated otherwise."

[Oturi Yuahime]

There was something so... uncivilised about how no one had spoken to the Empress herself at this event. He had expected the likes of Kintaro, the host, or the bride to say something - no matter.

He moved towards the Empress and her attendant, keeping a distance before bowing deeply to both.

"Ikeda-sama, this humble one wishes to personally welcome you and Oturi-denka to tonight's event. May this one approach?"

"Kakita-san, please join me if you like," Yuahime replied for herself.

[Kitsuki Naida]

"The whole, of course," Yuuwaku replies. "You wear both well." And nothing at all, she thinks.

"I hope the past days have treated you well," she continues, smiling the most charming smile she has available to her. "I would hate to think that you've been treated otherwise."

"The past few days have been some of the most unique in my whole life. I can't say that's an especially bad thing... overall, I think this is just a wonderful cap on some experiences I wouldn't trade anything for."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"The past few days have been some of the most unique in my whole life. I can't say that's an especially bad thing... overall, I think this is just a wonderful cap on some experiences I wouldn't trade anything for."

Yuuwaku's smile stays in place, if perhaps becoming a bit softer. "I am glad, then, to have been part of such things for you, even if only in a small way.

"But, come, will you have some refreshments? It'd be a shame for us to have put them out for nobody to partake!"

[Kakita Konohamaru]

"Kakita-san, please join me if you like," Yuahime replied for herself.

"You honour me."

With a deep bow, sake and cups in hand, he made his way towards Yuahime's table. When instructed, he took a seat at the table she had chosen.

He offered to pour for both the Ikeda and the Empress, before allowing himself

"Please allow me to formally welcome you to this salon. And personally it's been a while, but it's good to see you both."

She was still the Empress, and that likely meant different social boundaries, so caution was applied.