Armour of honour - week 1 - A celebration

[Toku Hirotomo]

Arami smiled, and filled the glasses again. "Making the most of such moments is important, Bayushi-san. As my founder said, 'Tomorrow we may die in service, but tonight there are friends to speak with and sake to drink." Arami pulled out another bottle, this time dipped in a red wax, completely covering the bottle. He wispered to the others with a wink and a smile. "Perhaps you may have heard of the distillery in Toshi Aitate in Sekkai Yuri? You may be familiar with the area in southern Scorpion lands. There an old Scorpion family makes some of the finest sake in the Empire. I can think of no better company to share such a bottle with."

He looked intently at the Mantis. "But it seems that I am monopolizing the conversation. Please tell me about yourself, Moshi-san. I find you most interesting. I've known few samurai-ko that can handle the drink so well." He smiled as she spoke. Clear and beautiful speech. What a treasure.

[Akodo Tomatsu]

If you have not seen many samurai-ko who handle the drink well, you must not have spent much time at Shiro Matsu. I hear there the women drink sochu from the skulls of dead lions. She gave a mock shutter and flashed the Ikoma a smile, letting her eyes sparkle. My mother was very close to a Matsu once, and I had the honor of sitting and hearing stories of that family and of their founder. We Moshi would be honored to have such a famous figure as Matsu to guide us. Perhaps you may find some young Matsu for me to have an arranged marriage to so that we may bind our families. She gave a laugh so as to drive home the point it was a joke.

If you really must know about me, Ikoma-san, I was born on the Islands of Silk and Spice, my mother is karo to the Moshi Daimyo, along with a few other influential women. She is so proud that her eldest daughter is here to compete at this glorious competition and from what I have been told, she has prayed to Osano-wo every night for my success. What about your families Bayushi-san and Ikoma-san? Do you hope to honor them with success here?

(Roll)

[Kitsune Poxo]

Kiku looked triumphant for a moment then went back to trying to pluck food as it passed by.

A frown slipped ever so slightly on Shosai's face at the mention of forces beyond the shugenja's control guiding her but he continued on pushing past that subject. "No, I am not here to participate is just where my last charge has lead me. Though hopefully I can learn something that might put me one step closer to my journey's end but in a more practical sense I hope to find another charge. It is rather amazing that such a display can be held during times like these but then again there can be hope in such arrangements of world events. Must have been a bit of a journey to get here. Did you have to come close to any of the armies?"

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

Elsewhere the monk who had been walking around was leaving the square and heading towards the castle. A few of the ronin had joined him. They looked like they were having a deep conversation.

The dancers started dancing again as the band began an exciting tune again. It sounded familiar but as if something had been tweaked. The man with the flute was possibly giving the song a purposeful twist. It was not bad though. Especially not with all the drink the majority of the crowd had been consuming. More flowed towards the band to join in dancing and the drinks flowed with them. The day was wearing on now and the atmosphere was picking up. Perhaps this would continue well into the evening?

[Toku Hirotomo]

(Roll Passed)
"Listen to her words, watch her eyes boy, you know what that means" The voice of his dead ancestor reverberated inside Arami's skull. Yes, Revered Ancestor. Perhaps another tactic?" "Perhaps, but reveal nothing. Not even your brothers know what services you perform for the Lion"

Arami let a heartfelt laugh when the Moshi told her joke. "I've seen large cups, but never skulls!" His eyes grew sly, then he smiled. "I think we all are here in some way to honor our ancestors. I think the Lion has more than just scions of Matsu to intrest you, Moshi-san. Heh. For your question, I'm from a courtier branch, though my great-grandfather joined the legions. He rose to the rank of Chui, and enjoyed a long retirement training hohei after his legion years were over. Though we are small, we can trace our lineage to Ikoma himself. I'm happy to see the Lion are not the only ones taking this seriously."

[Yasuki Chad]

"What a strange thing to say, Arisu-san. I don't think you will find a single samurai that would answer no that that question."

He puts his cup out for Arami to fill with his scorpion sake. When full he nods thankfully at the surprisingly genarous Ikoma. When the Ikoma finishes his tale he raises the glass and calls,"To our ancestors! May they look over us with pride, and my we never fail them!" He throws the drink down his throat. He manages to refrain from coughing this time, although his eye water profusely.

"For my part my family is very small. My parents fell to illness when I was very young and I and my Sister were raised by our Father's Father. He retired a few years ago. I was practically raised by my sister. She's a Magistrate for my clan. My lineage can be traced to Bayushi himself, athough I will admit it is no direct path. I took an amalgram of my parents name at my Gempukku, and my victories here will make it greater with my deeds." He seems quite full of himself.

His eyes stray from the group halfway through his boasting as they catch sight of the monk and his ronin.

"Tell me Ikoma-san, but does it not seem unusual to you that so many ronin would suddenly follow a monk? They do not seem to be discussing religion from here." He gets up. He nearly takes the cup Arami had given him before remembering it and setting it down.

"Forgive me. I feel a need for serenity." He smiles once more, and bows deeply to Ikoma Arami and Moshi Arisu. "It was a pleasure meeting you. I will look for you during the compititions."He gathers his things and walks quickly through the crowd toward the Monk and Ronin.

[Doji Naetaru]

Later that day Ide Keiji joined the festivities. He was looking around as if trying to find someone familiar that he'd know, a fellow Unicorn, a comrade, a sensei.
He was looking around, people savoring their drinks. Keiji was a constrained individual and he knew that it would be better if he had little sake, for it dulled his senses and he had enough distraction in his life at the moment.
Moments later he was listening to the singing and the storytelling. He was moved by the story and was wondering of his own mother. Would he have been blessed by her as well?
He looked around trying to shake away these thoughts.

[Yasuki Chad]

Shinra found it odd that so many ronin would be so intent on a Monk. Remembering the recent buisness with the spider and their tendency to masquerade as holy men and ronin, he was somewhat.....suspicious. Not worried. No.

Besides, he had to know. And sometimes you listen to your gut.

(I attempt to get close enough to overhear some of their conversation without them noticeing me. I use the crowd as cover as much as I can. If the conversation seems innocuaous I shake my head and go back to my room.)

[Toku Hirotomo]

"Sad to see him go." Arami sighed as the Scorpion left them. He turned to the Moshi and smiled slyly at the young woman. "Though I for one find my current company much more enticing than monks and ronin." He poured more sake for the young woman and looked intently into her eyes. "We're all here for something, tell me Moshi-san. What are you looking for? A marriage? Honor? Perhaps something more?" He looked into the Moshi's eyes and purred his words softly.

(Can I have Courtier vs Etiquette please?)