Escorting the Doji Empress (Open-RP)

[Doji Naetaru]

((OOC: As usual anyone wishing to participate may rightfully do so.))
The Winter Court of the Otomo was already in the end and the Clans had withdrawn their delegates back to their homelands. Some of the competent individuals were left back however to tie any loose ends regarding each others interests.
The Doji lord however wasn't there, for he and his retinue were escorting Doji Domotai, the Imperial spouse back into the Crane lands.
It was the will of the Empress to visit the shrine of Benten, the Fortune that favors marriage and beauty.
Thus, many Hanteist lords were tagging along with her in order to curry the Imperial favor and possibly her future influence.
Naetaru was along with her for the very same reasons and much more as the Crane representative to this very choice.

The morning was dim and the shrine of Benten was more than an inviting place regardless of its position or the morning color hues.
Doji Domotai had decided to enter the shrine accompanied with a handful of her handmaidens. She needed some time to contemplate and offer her gratitude to the Fortune of Love.
The protocol would demand that the future Empress be granted an hour of solitary praying. Naetaru was at the entrance of the majestic shrine, along with many others. He seemed pretty anxious but rather elated.

[Kakita Sojiro]

Dressed impeccably by the best courtiers that Naetaru had to offer, Daidoji Hinto stood beside and slightly behind the Doji Daimyo as befitted his station of yojimbo. He almost felt as if he was responsible for protecting two lives right now - with all the political tension surrounding the imperial marriage, he had no doubt that someone who's plans had been thwarted by Domotai being chosen would make an attempt on her life. It was simply a matter of when.

For now, the harrier-turned-yojimbo played his role and stood beside his "official" charge, but the idea of "disappearing" and staying hidden and out of sight inside the shrine to better protect Domotai was definitely on his mind. He would make no such actions without Naetaru's approval though - the last thing he needed to do was cause a scandal between the emperor's new bride and his clan.

[Doji Naetaru]

Naetaru turned over to his friend Daidoji Hinto.

"It's a calm morning today Hinto-san. As if the world stands still in respect to the Empress' prayers." he glanced casually around.
Looking at his friend, he sensed his tension, the mental and the bodily one as well.
Thus he leaned over and said to him.

"It will be ten more minutes before the Empress emerges from the temple. And thus we shan't let her be escorted by her handmaidens alone. I shall keep the retinue around and we shall reconcile with you in the proper moment."

With these last words he motioned over to a handful of courtiers trying to pick some diverting talk.

[Kakita Sojiro]

No one other than Naetaru would have noticed the slight grin on the Daidoji's face.

"Are my worries that obvious to you, sama?"

Ever practical, Hinto bowed slightly to his friend in acknowledgement. "As usual, I appreciate your awareness of both the situation and my concerns. I will await your arrangements on this matter, if my talents can be of service, please do not hesitate to let me know."

[Kitsuki Ayame]

To accompany the elected bride's large retinue to Benten Seido was a high honor indeed, one many gladly traded favor with the Crane for a chance to attend.

It was hardly a surprise that the glaring majority of the gathering wore the blues of the Crane Clan, but the colors of other Hantei loyalists were also visible. Among them was the brilliant green colors of the Dragon Clan, wrapped around the small and elegant frame of a young Kitsuki in a fashionable attire. The very Kitsuki who had recieved much praise from Doji Domotai's rival during the winter, Kitsuki Iweko.

Kitsuki Ayame bowed politely to those present as she made passing talking with the other courtiers. The long ribbons in her hair danced around her form in the gentle breeze that seemed to linger around Benten Seido.

"It is an honor to be here," she commented with a delightfully clear voice to a bystander, "while one had hoped for a member of one's family to be chosen for the great honor of becoming the Hantei's bride, it is impossible to fault the Emperor for choosing such a traditional match. The Dragon think no less of him for this decision, and we continue to stand strong under his banner regardless."
Her eyes drifted for a moment to the esteemed Doji daimyo and his yojimbo, and she fell into a bow in respect to her betters.

[Kakita Sojiro]

As Hinto's eyes darted everywhere and took in everything at once, the small frame of a pretty Dragon courtier came into view. He saw her bow, and returned it with one of his own somewhat stiffly - dealing with courtiers was still a relatively new thing for him.

[Doji Arisu]

After the winding journey up to the Shrine of Benten Doji Arisu was most glad of the reprive to be out of the sadle and had found herself standing amongst a cluster of Domotai's handmaidens. Their discussion had started with previous journeys to the Shrine, entertaining stories of the Iris festival held there in former years, and while of passing interest to Arisu having been out of Crane lands for some time it soon became apparent there was no current gossip forthcoming.

Putting on a practiced smile of polite interest to hide her inward sighs as the conversation drifted to the state of their kimonos, Arisu found her attention wondering, and couldn't help but feel her ears prick up to try and overhear what the Dragon courtier was saying to her fellow Crane.

On seeing the awkward bow given by the Daidoji, Arisu quickly raised her fan to cover the smirk she felt play on her lips and made her excuses to the group she stood with. Gliding gracefully as her travel weary legs would allow, her geta crunching softly on the gravel she bowed as she aproached the small group, her keen eyes quickly picking up details of rank so she could angle herself with perfect courtesy.

"As we are most honoured to have you here, Kitsuki-san, the presence of your clan here in support of Hantei's choice can only strengthen the ties between us. We look forward to hosting you at court should you chose to extend your visit to the Crane lands."

Arisu couldn't help but ponder on the Dragon's choice of phrasing, and wondered if the Kitsuki felt the slight at the Emperor chosing a Doji bride more than they revealed. Maybe the gossip amongst the Dragon courtiers would be more of note than that of the handmaidens'.

[Kitsuki Ayame]

The Kitsuki moved gracefully compared to the stiff bow presented to her by the yojimbo, and as another Crane appeared, she sank once again respectfully to bow to Arisu.

"Unity amongst those loyal to the Hantei is a wish we all share, Doji-sama," she smiled charmingly in return to Arisu, "in the hopes that the Empire will soon stand united under the name of Hantei, and the peace that can grace the lands then."

Ayame dipped her head slightly. "If such could be possible, I would always be delighted to spend more time in the lands of the noble Crane. However, for now I am merely a guest for this occassion... until I might be called to serve the Dragon some other way." Her eyes looked wistfully to the north as she pondered for a moment how her kin were faring at the battle surrounding the Castle of the Swift Sword. The forlorn look soon melted away and the practiced ease of a courtier returned.
"My apologies, Doji-sama, it seems I have lapsed in my manners and forgot to introduce myself. I am Kitsuki Ayame, betrothed of Otomo Nigeru... merely a humble courtier of the Dragon Clan whom was fortunate to be invited as a guest in Lady Domotai's retinue. It is a pleasure to speak with such an honorable maiden of the Lady Doji's family."

[Doji Arisu]

Arisu felt her eyes widen momentarily as the diminuitive Dragon mentioned her betrothal, although the Crane might secretively dream of such a union for her own self she knew she had a long way until she could prove herself worthy for such a match.

"Ayame-sama, it is I, Doji Arisu, who is humbled to meet you, your paintings were the talk of the Winter Court and it is my pleasure to meet such a talented artist such as yourself." Arisu smiled with eyes softened by sympathy as she continued; "We of course understand that your duties could require you to return North sooner than any of us would wish, but you would do us a great honour of you were to visit the Fantastic Gardens and render them with the same beauty as the paintings of your homeland."

Arisu smiled warmly at the Dragon courtier, "Should you chose to view the Crane lands this humble one would be most honoured to accompany you." The young Crane courtier bowed low to show her sincerity, then couldn't resist looking towards the Daidoji who had so far remained silent with a teasing twinkle in her eyes. "I'm sure Daidoji-san would also find much... pleasure in accompanying such an honoured guest as yourself also."

Arisu once again used her fan to hide the smile that teased at the corners of her lips, she couldn't help but think of an older brother of hers who was exceptionally fast with a katana, but whose brain seemed to freeze as soon as a lady even half as pretty as the Kitsuki smiled his way.

[Kakita Sojiro]

"Unfortunately, my responsibilities to Naetaru-sama keep me occupied, although I will admit that you both present a much more lovely spectacle for the eyes than he does."

A slight smirk could be seen, more in Hinto's eyes than on his face. Was that... a joke? Had the Yojimbo finally loosened up enough to be able to let some of his personality shine through around the courtiers that constantly kept Naetaru company?

"But, please forgive me, I forget my manners in favor of focusing on my responsibilities. I am Daidoji Hinto, Yojimbo to Doji Naetaru-sama, daimyo of the Doji family." He bowed in apology, still somewhat stiff but better than the first time.

"If time allows for my lord to be social during our trip, then I would be delighted to partake of your company. However, he is dedicated to his duties to the Empress, so I can make no promises."

[Kitsuki Ayame]

"Daidoji-sama, I could hardly fault you for attending such prestigious and important duties. Your dedication speaks well of the Protectors of Doji," she spoke with a sincere smile, every praise seeming fully genuine.

"The company of yourself would be much enjoyable if there is a chance for such pleasant pastimes, Arisu-sama. And since it you seem to have heard of me from winter court, it is to my shame that seem to have missed seeing you there, but alas, the Imperial winter court is such a large flurry of events, it's almost impossible to keep track of everything."

Smelling the scent of irises on the breeze, she politely changed the subject slightly. "The iris-blossoms are certainly lovely this spring. I pray it is a good sign for the new year..."

[Doji Arisu]

Arisu laughed gaily at Hinto's comment, resisting the urge to observe Naetaru's reaction and instead nodding at the Daidoji's conditional acceptance. Facing the green-clad courtier again she replied, "Indeed, aren't they? Although I cannot now look at the flowers without remembering a festival some years back... A young sparrow Samurai-ko was visiting, a combination of our warmer and dryer climate made the poor girl quite thirsty. Unfortunately no one had warned her that the sake is particularly strong at the start of the Spring season... I'm not sure which was wilting faster by the end, the Sparrow or the Iris' she had adorned herself with!'