[Day 1 - Mid Morning - Open] Morning Routine

[Kuni Takeshi]

Like every morning, Takeshi walked around the castle and said prayers of thanks for another quiet night during which the servants of Jigokuok refrained from launching an attack.

In small alcoves he lit incense, said a quiet prayer and went to the next alcove. He did this for a while until he had scoured all the small alcoves that were set up for this purpose on the wall.

Then Takeshi went to a small shrine dedicated to Kami Hida and took out his kawaru coins to get the prediction for that day.

[D1: MM] Divination/Intelligence TN15: 4d10o10k3 15

[Dapper Dog]

OOC: What is he predicting, what is he looking for in the coins?

[Kuni Takeshi]

OOC: Didn't thought about that one really, is there an option for random prediciton? ^^°

[Dapper Dog]

The coins jingle and dance and then before him they read that the rice will be sweet this day but fear the bottle for it will come like thunder. The luckiest number is nine for the day.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

Looking through the castle, he found it to give the same impression inside than it gave outside: Stiff to the point of depressing. This seemed not what any proper rokugani would build. At least it would be only ten days until he could return...

Upon entering a shrine, he found another Crab. This one was not a bushi like the patrolling ones, however. Not wanting to disturb the prayers of the man, he waited by the door. It was never too late to make some Crab friends, was it?

[Kuni Takeshi]

Happy with his prediction, Takeshi put the coins back into the bag and straightened up. A small prayer of thanks to Kami Hida and then he turned around.

A crane stood there, suddenly. At least if one would ask Takeshi. In his head he started to recite the first lines of the invocation for a jade strike until he remembered that the crane delegation would arrive today.

He bowed stiffly. He did not know exactly what the man's status was before him, so he tried to maintain etiquette and introduced himself first. "Greetings, my name is Kuni Takeshi, son of Kuni Satoshi and Kuni Shinoha, court physician and spiritual advisor of Hida Kitusuchi, to whom do I have the honor?

[Asahina Sanaharu]

The makeup on his face startled the Asahina, although he maintained an on strong. What was this for? ...Oh, so this one was a court physician. Very interesting. Contrasting to the Kuni's stiffness, he bowed gracefully, as if the movement was natural to him, somewhat deeper — it was always safer to assume whoever he was speaking to was more important than him. Such is the way of the Status 1 musician.
"I am Asahina Sanaharu, son of Asahina Saie, priestess of the winds, and come here by both the wish of the Kakita Academy, of which I am a student, and Kakita Haruka-dono; and in the company of his son, Kakita Masao-dono. I entered here to seek the company of words of our new allies, in honor to the tenets of the Asahina, which I do assume you are aware of? In any case, on the peak of my ignorance, may I kindly ask what is your face painted for?"

[Kuni Takeshi]

Takeshi blinked slowly, his green eyes scanning the Asahina before him. If he remembered correctly these were the ones who were mostly cowards and hid behind the ones who had the balls to fight. Well, no need to discuss something like this with the wedding approaching.

"I see, Asahina-san. I'll welcome you glady to our humble keep. As for my face Paint: It is an ancient tradition of Kuni Shugenja to put make-up on their face in consideration of our duty. It serves as a heraldry as well as a reminder of who your own sensei was, since the pattern is based on that of the sensei."

"If you are from the Kakita Art Academy, you will probably be part of the play that is planned?" he asked.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He blinked twice. "I have not yet met with any other Crane other than Kakita-dono. I was not even aware there was a play... The Kakita Academy sent only three of us, so I must be part of the cast if it was to be hosted by the Crane, although I'm an orator first and foremost, and not trained on noh or kabuki both. A meeting with my kin to discuss this and more is needed. Kuni Takeshi-dono, may I humbly ask for a servant of yours to inform my betters?" He asks in a slight bow. "A favor that, as well with the incredible hospitality of the Crab, is to be repaid." He smiles in a coy.

"But you are, aside from your duty, as well a man of your own. May I ask you what do you find pleasure in doing on your free time?"

[Kuni Takeshi]

Takeshi nodded. He waved at one of the servants that were walking around and orderd them to come to them. "Ban, this is Asahina Sanaharu-san, he wishes to bring a message to his kin in the blue bird house. It would be good if you could do this"


After the business with the servant was done, he got back to the topic.

"I usually study in my free time or take the time to meditate or drink tea. Not that there is much free time. My wife is pregnant and the preparations are in full swing.

What about you, Asahina-san? Oh speaking of tea, may I offer you some?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He told the servant that there would be a meeting in the Blue Bird House before the sunset, and all Crane should be invited. Turning back his attention to listen to Takeshi, he found himself oddly surprised. He did not expect the Crabs to offer tea. His expectations of the place were getting enhanced a tiny bit. Maybe they are not barbarians. Maybe.
"Oh, blissful be you. May the blessings of Hujokuko-no-kami fill your house. I would, yes, accept tea."
He takes his fan. "If you do like meditating and tea, may I ask if you know the tea cerimony as it was founded by Doji-no-kami?"

[Kuni Takeshi]

"Thank you very much, I would like to pass on your kind words to my wife so she will remember you."

He raised an eyebrow and crossed his arm at that suggestion: "Yes, Asahina-san, i know how to perform a Tea Ceremony. It may surprise you, but tea is one of the most highly valued things in the crab lands. Many fine teas come from crab hands." he said a bit sharply.

After letting the tension linger for a second he relaxed again.

"Please follow me, i'll guide you to a chamber in wich we can have tea." he said, friendlier.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He smiled at the answer not only by soul, as it also bled through his on. The two clans had more in common than what he thought, then. It would not be such a hellish ride. Unless... "Are you used to interact with other clans often?" He asked. "Do you like poetry as well?"
Oh, such were times he desired he was a courtier, as he saw little an artist could provide this man.

[Kuni Takeshi]

While Takeshi led them to a chamber that was in the main complex of the castle, he said: "I am not averse to poetry, but I cannot claim to have ever had time to practice it. My duties keep me quite busy."

When they arrived at the chamber, Takeshi instructed one of the servants to bring them a tea set and hot water. So while they had to wait for the utensils, Takeshi offered Sanaharu a seat.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He nods. "If you would like, I may make you some. As an artist, art is my duty. Although I fare far better on melody, I brought not with me my biwa today."
He gave him a deep bow before accepting the seat. "How do things fare in the Crab? May I ask what our newest allies need the most?"

[Kuni Takeshi]

After sitting down in a seiza he said: "Of course we can talk about that, Asahina-san, but first, would you mind holding this for me?"

jade_pedant.png (17.04 KiB) Viewed 2480 times

Takeshi took off the only piece of jewelery he had on him. A simple green stone. He put it between the two and gestures towards it.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Oh, yes of course." He takes the finger of jade by the rope, analyzing it. "It is in a rather... natural state. Does it carry personal meaning to you? We have a jeweler back on Cold Wind City, I could tell him to sculpt it. But that's all just a suggestion, of course."

[Kuni Takeshi]

"It has a very important meaning to me, my family and the crab. And i would welcome it if you could hold the stone in you hand for a moment. This is of utmost importance" he said, still friendly, but with a slightly tensed jaw.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He nods. "My suggestion was insensitive then. For that I bid your pardon. Still, may I ask what you are insinuating and on what do you base your doubt on?" To even think he would be tainted... It was a little schtick on his honor.

[Day 1 - Mid Morning - Open] Morning Routine - Lore: Shadowlands fluff TN 15: 3d10 20

[Kuni Takeshi]

"Do not take it as an insult, Asahina-san. It's just... a precaution. If you had served on the wall, you would understand." he said calm.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He nods slightly, staring the crab for a second before taking the pendant over his palm, letting it rest, rolling it there, passing his finger through the surface of the stone to find a sharp point and pressing it against the palm of his hand.
"I spent much of my childhood on Shinden Asahina. I learned a thing or two along the way."

[Kuni Takeshi]

Takeshi relaxed again. "That's good," he said with a nod.

As luck would have it, the servant scratched the door. With a neutral "come in" the servant came and put down the necessary utensils and left again.

"To return to your question, Asahina-san,.. the crab needs rice, jade, weapons and soldiers. It has always had that and will always need it. The marriage between Hida-san and Daioji-san is good for the clans, even if they take a strong warrior from the wall, I hope for some relief when the politics relax towards the inland."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Peace is always for the best, even in logistics. You have less soldiers occupied with the other clans and now more occupied with the Wall, right? This outcome is far better than war, not counting its other strains and barbarities." He replies. "It is good then to know everything is in order. Nothing I can help with on a personal scale, unfortunately, as I am merely an artist." He nods, but the nod lasts some time, as if he was saddened.

[Kuni Takeshi]

"We are always at war, Asahina-san. We just prefer our enemies not to be samurai,.... but yes, peace does make things alot easier."

Takeshi began preparing the Tea set before him. "I would begin, if you won't mind?" he asked.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Human life is precious by itself. This makes it a pity." He replies. From what he knew, although the attacks were not frequent, it could still be considered a thousand-year war. "You may begin, please."