[Day 2 - MA] Earthy Pepper Festival [Observation Thread]

[Yoko]

Masao nods thoughtfully, adding to his mental notes about the ronin. He checks again for eavesdroppers, and keeps his voice low as he expects Yoko would prefer: "Yoko-san, I worry that your good heart may put you in unnecessary danger. Please remember that you are not alone here. Let your Mantis friends help. Let me. We would all like to see you again, in places far from here, so please let us help make that possible." The Crane's voice remains low and controlled, but by his last words is heavy with concern.

"Maybe I should have left all this for private, eh?" she said with a smirk, shaking her head. "You're kind, Kakita-sama. More so than I have any right to accept. Been spending plenty of time these last few days reminding people, and being reminded, about what I am. I won't stop you from doing what you wish, it wouldn't be my place and really, I appreciate it. Still, let me tell you something special, something just for you. Let me tell you about who I am, eh? I'm not a good samurai, I have duty to nothing other than where my heart takes me. Maybe that's wrong, but it's never felt wrong, even for all the trouble it brings me. So, if one day I die for my heart? Well.. I'll consider that a good death. I owe it to mom to try and postpone it as long as I can, but I don't think she'd ever want me to limit who I am because of my situation either, eh?"

[Ichiro Taiki]

Taiki was quite happy - his team's performance had been outstanding, the rhythm, the dancing, the exercise, it had all been quite fun really!

And being out and about this freely, and seeing others do so as well - except for those who seemed troubled by seeing others' bodies, of course - it was all very nice and pleasant.

Kitusuchi seemed quite happy too, and from what he could see, her team had performed quite well too. He wasn't sure a blessing was what she and the Yasuki needed to improve things... but if the blessings of a Festival could help, this could be the one.

After his team reached the Shrine and placed their own shrine where it was expected, he greeted the others with a smile, then kept quiet, first observing the others for some time, then taking the chance to do some stretching and some push-ups at a corner of the Shrine.

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OOC:
Please PM if approached!

[Togashi Keigo]

"The Asahina teachers have their pupils try a wide variety of arts to see for which one we have the most natural and spiritual affinity with. After many lukewarm results with other art forms, the spirits ended up reacting very positively to my mock attempt at tattooing. So I'm quite literary following the will of the kami there."

"Fascinating. I had no idea it worked like that for Asahina. Or maybe it never occurred to me that it could be approached that way. How far have you explored the art form?"

[Kakita Masao]

"Maybe I should have left all this for private, eh?" she said with a smirk, shaking her head. "You're kind, Kakita-sama. More so than I have any right to accept. Been spending plenty of time these last few days reminding people, and being reminded, about what I am. I won't stop you from doing what you wish, it wouldn't be my place and really, I appreciate it. Still, let me tell you something special, something just for you. Let me tell you about who I am, eh? I'm not a good samurai, I have duty to nothing other than where my heart takes me. Maybe that's wrong, but it's never felt wrong, even for all the trouble it brings me. So, if one day I die for my heart? Well.. I'll consider that a good death. I owe it to mom to try and postpone it as long as I can, but I don't think she'd ever want me to limit who I am because of my situation either, eh?"

The Kakita listens respectfully to Yoko, nodding his understanding. When she finishes, he responds, "I would happily talk in private, Yoko-san, at whatever length you wish, but I can also tell you that in public or in private, I will say the same: duty to one's own heart is not no duty at all. It is not no honor. My honor is not for bullying or shaming anyone. It is every samurai's own choices that will honor or dishonor them. Clan mon or no. The Fortunes know, the ancestors know--and that samurai knows what their choices mean."

Masao sighs, looking at the ground. "I am sorry. I am not sure I am helping anything right now. But I think highly of you, Yoko-san, and I want to be able to talk more about these things with you. Perhaps we have said enough for now, but I pray the Fortunes we will have time to say more." When he looks at her now, she can see exhaustion creeping up on him, but the concern in his eyes has not diminished.

[Hida Daichi]

Sen rubbed at the back of her neck. She never took compliments well, especially from other locals. “Ah, yeah. I hate big gatherins n’ stuff, but the festival is an exception. It’s kinda liberating for everyone to parade around in fundoshi, yeah? I feel like a sumai!”

at that Daichi let out a bellowing laugh "Indeed it is Hiruma-san! Do you have much experience with sumai? Maybe we could give the people a show!" he said with another chuckle "I bet a lot of people would bet on me though I know how quick and wily you Hiruma can be."

[Yoko]

The Kakita listens respectfully to Yoko, nodding his understanding. When she finishes, he responds, "I would happily talk in private, Yoko-san, at whatever length you wish, but I can also tell you that in public or in private, I will say the same: duty to one's own heart is not no duty at all. It is not no honor. My honor is not for bullying or shaming anyone. It is every samurai's own choices that will honor or dishonor them. Clan mon or no. The Fortunes know, the ancestors know--and that samurai knows what their choices mean."

Masao sighs, looking at the ground. "I am sorry. I am not sure I am helping anything right now. But I think highly of you, Yoko-san, and I want to be able to talk more about these things with you. Perhaps we have said enough for now, but I pray the Fortunes we will have time to say more." When he looks at her now, she can see exhaustion creeping up on him, but the concern in his eyes has not diminished.

"You know, what you said.. my mom would say something like that. Suppose it makes sense, considering," she shook her head. Raising her arms up into a somewhat exaggerated shrug. "But, as you said, enough talk on that for now, eh? Seems Kakita-sama has a mind to not wish the ronin to wander off out of sight, and I'm not a mind to wander for the moment, so I'm certain we'll have our chance to talk more about whatever you wish, Kakita-sama. Even if I'm pretty certain I haven't done nearly enough to earn your praise of me," she raised a hand and waved off the thought. Stepping forward with a smirk she looked about the festivities going around.

"Shall we join a bit more in then? Unless you wanted to hide back here and speak of other.." she leaned in with a cocky grin, "less weighty things? she said with a chuckle.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Your crew were the soul of Courtesy, they have my admiration," she said in reply.

"This one apologizes for bringing disappointment to you, she just would not wish to sully your ship with her poor manners."

"I'll pass your praise along to them." He offered with an easy smile. Though he couldn't know what most would think of it.

"But no need to apologize, Ikeda-san. Nor would I worry about your manners. From what I've seen they have been impeccable, though certain circumstances made that difficult."

"Plus it's good to learn to live with a little disappointment, isn't it?"

[Kakita Masao]

"You know, what you said.. my mom would say something like that. Suppose it makes sense, considering," she shook her head. Raising her arms up into a somewhat exaggerated shrug. "But, as you said, enough talk on that for now, eh? Seems Kakita-sama has a mind to not wish the ronin to wander off out of sight, and I'm not a mind to wander for the moment, so I'm certain we'll have our chance to talk more about whatever you wish, Kakita-sama. Even if I'm pretty certain I haven't done nearly enough to earn your praise of me," she raised a hand and waved off the thought. Stepping forward with a smirk she looked about the festivities going around.

"Shall we join a bit more in then? Unless you wanted to hide back here and speak of other.." she leaned in with a cocky grin, "less weighty things? she said with a chuckle.

Masao's eyes brighten with curiosity when she starts to say things and then stops herself. But he knows now is not the time to pursue it. And he is about to interrupt her doubts of his praise, but he honors the wave of her hand.

When she leans in, he misses a breath, her grin so distracting he misses several of her words as well. "Ah, uh, I would be happy to follow Yoko-san's choice," he almost stammers, starting to chuckle himself both to match hers and to cover his distraction.

[Ikeda Ishi]

"I'll pass your praise along to them." He offered with an easy smile. Though he couldn't know what most would think of it.

"But no need to apologize, Ikeda-san. Nor would I worry about your manners. From what I've seen they have been impeccable, though certain circumstances made that difficult."

"Plus it's good to learn to live with a little disappointment, isn't it?"

"Perhaps that is so," she said closing her eyes in reflection.

She opened them and said, "Did you enjoy the parade? I am a bit shocked so many participated, it seems so... scandalous."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"It does at that." Shouji mused his eyes scanning the crowd. "And that's coming from one of those that participated." He finished with a smirk.

"Though I have to admit I was encouraged to participate by the governor, and this manner of dress isn't too uncommon on Mantis ships in the middle of summer."

"But yes I enjoyed it. Even with some of the stares and scandalous looks. It's nice just to be able to enjoy a festival like this."

[Kitsuki Naida]

"I don't think anyone would say much," Yuuwaku comments. But you'd have everybody's attention!

"Might be a bit hard to carry your accoutrements, though." Those not attached, anyway.

"I thought I had nothing I was supposed to bring," she says glancing back with a slight smirk.

"Though you are right; And I was planning on bringing some things, after all."

[Yoko]

Masao's eyes brighten with curiosity when she starts to say things and then stops herself. But he knows now is not the time to pursue it. And he is about to interrupt her doubts of his praise, but he honors the wave of her hand.

When she leans in, he misses a breath, her grin so distracting he misses several of her words as well. "Ah, uh, I would be happy to follow Yoko-san's choice," he almost stammers, starting to chuckle himself both to match hers and to cover his distraction.

Yoko quirked a brow for a moment, glanced elsewhere, "How about- if you're not of a mind to stop me. I'm gonna go get my things, eh? Can find me when I get back if you want."

[Fuzake Hifumi]

Hifumi was doing what she usually did, watching all the activity around her and noting anything of interest. Dango was with her. He had not stayed where she told him to while she participated in the procassion, but he had quickly found her once she was done. Hopefully, he hadn't gotten into too much mischief.

[Kakita Masao]

Yoko quirked a brow for a moment, glanced elsewhere, "How about- if you're not of a mind to stop me. I'm gonna go get my things, eh? Can find me when I get back if you want."

"Right. Of course." Masao smiles as she walks off. And he does an admirable job of not watching her walk away. For too long.

[Kakita Masao]

Kitusuchi was proud of her team but did not put on a kimono enjoying the moment. Even her mother gave her a nod of approval.

Sometime after they had finished their hauling -- and Masao had recovered his kimono and attended to another conversation -- the Crane nikutai circles back to the Crab lord.

"Hida-dono?" He seeks her attention from a respectable distance, then bows deeply when she turns and recognizes him.

"I hoped, Hida-dono, on behalf of the Crane Clan, to thank you for the honor of serving on your team today. I hope that our efforts were at least adequate to our duty today." He bows his head in sincerity.

[Ikeda Ishi]

"It does at that." Shouji mused his eyes scanning the crowd. "And that's coming from one of those that participated." He finished with a smirk.

"Though I have to admit I was encouraged to participate by the governor, and this manner of dress isn't too uncommon on Mantis ships in the middle of summer."

"But yes I enjoyed it. Even with some of the stares and scandalous looks. It's nice just to be able to enjoy a festival like this."

Her only reaction is to raise her sleeve once more in disbelief, to protect the emotion of shock on her face.

Once recovered she said, "She is a remarkable person, it speaks to Crab resilience that they find such joy even with their endless Duty."

[Hida Kitusuchi]

Sometime after they had finished their hauling -- and Masao had recovered his kimono and attended to another conversation -- the Crane nikutai circles back to the Crab lord.

"Hida-dono?" He seeks her attention from a respectable distance, then bows deeply when she turns and recognizes him.

"I hoped, Hida-dono, on behalf of the Crane Clan, to thank you for the honor of serving on your team today. I hope that our efforts were at least adequate to our duty today." He bows his head in sincerity.

“Kakita-san, I was honored to carry with you! Did you have fun?” she replied with excitement still in her fundoshi and chest wrap. She was drinking with other Crab and guests as they admired the fire and told stories.

[Kakita Masao]

He answers truthfully and carefully: "It was more enjoyable than I had expected, truly. Our honored hosts continue to impress and inspire."

"I hope you'll call upon your future cousins in the Crane again if there is any way we can be of service." He bows his head a little, reinforcing the offer.

[Hida Kitusuchi]

“I will keep that in mind,” she said offering him some shoju, “want a drink?”

[Kakita Masao]

"Of course. Thank you."

On the off chance, Masao asks, "Is your honored brother here? Of course I don't know how all of this works, but I was surprised to not have seen him yet."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Her only reaction is to raise her sleeve once more in disbelief, to protect the emotion of shock on her face.

Once recovered she said, "She is a remarkable person, it speaks to Crab resilience that they find such joy even with their endless Duty."

"Now you have me wondering which part of my words were the most scandalous." Shouji replied an amused smile on his lips. "Not that there is a need to tell me."

"You're right though, she is quite remarkable and there is probably some things I could learn from her, should time allow." Which seemed unlikely. "If nothing else though, it will have been worthwhile to see the Crab in a setting such as this."

[Yoko]

The ronin was excited at having done something so daring but also fulfilling. For now she observed the fire and muttered a prayer.

With some small time apart, Yoko traveled off to wherever she'd gotten her things brought to or left. Returning in just a bit after her brief conversation with Masao, now clothed, she walked over toward the flame tended at the center, standing next to the woman there. "Mind if I take the spot, Samurai-sama?" she asked.

[Ikeda Ishi]

"Now you have me wondering which part of my words were the most scandalous." Shouji replied an amused smile on his lips. "Not that there is a need to tell me."

"You're right though, she is quite remarkable and there is probably some things I could learn from her, should time allow." Which seemed unlikely. "If nothing else though, it will have been worthwhile to see the Crab in a setting such as this."

"Then today was worthwhile," she said thoughtfully.

[Sutorenja]

With some small time apart, Yoko traveled off to wherever she'd gotten her things brought to or left. Returning in just a bit after her brief conversation with Masao, now clothed, she walked over toward the flame tended at the center, standing next to the woman there. "Mind if I take the spot, Samurai-sama?" she asked.

"Oh of course, this one got distracted in thought," she said moving aside for the woman.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Then today was worthwhile," she said thoughtfully.

"Yes, though that may just be my opinion."

He offered the young woman a curious look. "Do you agree?"