Poetry Competition

[Matsu Yoshino]

A young lion made old by war strides proudly into the court of the Hantei. She does not hide her mons: Yojimbo to the Lion Champion, head of the Matsu Elite Guard, her personal flags have flown at every battle thus far, sometimes in the front of a valiant assault, sometimes as rearguard to a desperate falling back. Regardless, her valor and personal honor seem unimpeachable, whomever she fights for.

She is wearing no armor nor weapon, trusting her safety to the honor of those whose court she is attending. Bowing first to the Otomo that host this court, she falls to both knees as a hush falls over the crowd:


Ashes in the air
Tears of green and gold abound
Why come down this far?

She bows her head. Stands, bowing to whichever Dragon is the highest military leader and then bows again to the highest Shugenja of the Dragon present.

[Shosuro Suzume]

Shosuro Suzume join the poetry contest in a vivid red kimono. Hair well tied. The makeup gives me some "extra age".
After my unexpected performance at the Winter Court I was awarded an `express gempuku`... all for this moment.
I carry a mask attached to my obi belt, a butterfly mask, but I don't wish to hide today, I almost feel like i'm ready to be famous.

Suddenly the Shosuro actress is hooked by the words of a Lion samurai-ko. Once the Matsu is done with her words I can't help but bow to her. My words are whispered, mostly spoken to myself in surprise:

-I wasn't aware the Lion could give birth to fine poetry.

After finding such skill in a Matsu samurai my thoughts betray me with insecurity... I'm an actress, poetry is something that I'm used to reproduce, not to produce. Deep breath. Things must be different here. Scorpion is going through a hard situation, I must deliver the most beautiful poetry, and I may change some opinions in our favor.

After a while I take a seat, preparing my ink and brush, my eyes scanning the room, finding many Cranes there. Looking for one person, specifically one, the only one who, in my thoughts, could match my abilities. The one who could help me or ruin me this time.

[Asahina Timaru]

Asahina Timaru looks as out of place among the courtiers of the Imperial Court as he does among his peaceful brethren in the Asahina family. His hair tousled by the air kami that constanlty surround him, skin tanned by the long hours spent under the sky
and with the strong build of a warrior he cuts a rather commanding figure. His deep blue court kimono, embroidered with stormy winds and crashing waves, is obviously of the highest quality, yet Timaru does not seem to feel comfortable in it.

He responds to the appearance of the Matsu and her stirring poem with stoic calm, only aknowledging her with a respectful bow after she has delivered her poem.

Then, a few moments later, his eyes suddenly scan the room. As if tucked by unseen strings they find the young scorpion maiden whose words stirred the whole of Winter Court. He nods to her, his stormy grey eyes never leaving her face. Then, with a rather abrupt move, he leaves the circle of Crane delegates around him and offer his poem to the Imperial Court.

Crows crying on ash
Final rites on bloodied fields
Warriors lovelost

He bows to the assemled court, then somewhat shockingly much more deeply to Shosuro Suzue and returns to the group of Cranes he was with.

[Shosuro Suzume]

"I knew it wouldn't be hard to find you here, once more, you stand out in a crowd of not challenging people" - With these thoughts I have a brief smile taking over my lips, kinda against my will. Same happens to my hand, suddenly searching for the mask on my obi.

No, this is not fear, and I'm not hidding... I'm preparing, lets get it started.

Suzume close her eyes for a while, adjusting the mask on her face. It barely hide her face, but is enough to make her expressions and emotions a lot less evident.

The actress bows low to Asahina Timaru, respectfuly.
She had many personas in mind, many Cranes that she had played on stage that she could summon to aid her.
She raises from the bow to find grey eyes, and to be sure this was something she would do by herself, without personas.

"I must win, it's cruscial time to show the scorpion have more than most think... but... this is just the first day of court... may be I can take my chances on my own issues as well"

With a bow to the audience I grab a chance to speak right after Asahina-sama:

When enemies meet
Only one may satisfy
The heavenly wishes

-----

Away from the core of the competition another Scorpion watch the situation. His voice, muffled by a mempo mask, have no chance to be heard by Suzume:

-Shosuro-san, you may have choosen a prey too big for your claws this time.

A bald and well built warrior monk nods besides him:

-Experience only comes with age.

(OOC: I'm, as much as Suzume, boldly using a less traditional kind of metric. I think it should remark style differences between clans. It's not perfect, of course)

[Togashi Homsar]

There once was a traitor named Kaneka
He spent all his koku on geisha
The Dragon scared him
He knew he couldn't win
So he commited jigai.

[Asahina Yuuto]

Elsewhere in Kyuden Otomo...

The mud caked waraji treading upon the pristine floors of Kyuden Otomo appear out of place, as the worn and dusty motions of a Crane courier proceed through the palace halls. Indifferent to the sneers of courtiers and courtesans not used to such uncouth sight, the young peasant retreats into a side-hall, before dipping his straw jingasa into the quarters of the Asahina Daimyo.

His nostrils are greeted with the sweet smells of burning incense; his eyes are soon treated to the soft complexion and artic gaze of Asahina Yukihime, unprepared for such interruption. Apologizing for his presence, he displays a scroll from his satchel partly hiding the seal of the Asahina Hatamoto, before straightening his posture to receive orders for dismissal.

[Matsu Yoshino]

Yoshino bows to Timaru-San and and Suzume-San deeply. Her eyes twinkle as the scorpion uses a different meter than th expects. Somehow, it seems, she expected this, and nods approvingly should the scorpion look her way.

Overhearing the mocking of th Fragon, Yoshino makes her way through the crowd by shear force of personality alone. As the courtiers part like a wave, she raises one battle scarred hand. Eyes alight with fire as she glares down at the errant Dragon.

I'm sorry, Dragon-sama, please, do speak up louder, I am sure that the entire court wishes to hear your drivel.

(OOC: this is obviously an IC thread and will be treated as such)

[Shoju]

[OOC]Posting as a random Spider courtier, dressed in predominantly black, with no mon. He looked like a VERY well dressed Ronin

Laughter could be heard at the Lion's request to hear the dragon's words again. "I wouldn't bother Matsu-sama." The Well dressed, fair faced young man said. "You know how the dragon are. Always speaking something bordering on.... nonsense and claiming it has some deeper meaning." The man walked towards the front of the gathering, turned and looked at the dragon and smiled. "I would watch how far you push the bounds of Lord Hantei's protection Togashi-san." He looked at the Matsu "I would imagine that our... guest would ask for the honor of a duel with you over such petty words."

The man smoothed his robes. They were exquisitely crafted, obviously expensive. His skin was cool and fair looking. If he didn't move, one would almost expect that he had been carved out of marble. "If I could, I had prepared for this very opportunity." The man folded his arms behind his back, and smiled a devilish grin.


Sons of the beloved
wage war for right of heaven
blinded to the cost


The man bowed low to the court, his long braid falling over in front of his shoulder as he did. As he stood, his face held a smirk.

[Matsu Yoshino]

Yoshino bows to the well dressed Ronin. Hai, I believe you have the right of it, friend. Had I recognized an Ise Zumi before I came this way I would have been more careful. As to a duel, dueling a monk seems...dishonorable. Unless the monk chose the setting, I suppose.

She listens respectfully to the Ronin's poem. She misses the smirk, and addresses the court not in Haiku, respectfully on one knee, a show of respect, not submission.

"Samas all, I notice a theme of lament intertwined with saluting the Dragon for their great victory. Such means have not been employed before, as far as my research in the Ikoma libraries has shown. I will be so bold to suggest, on my own, that we have reached an edge, a breaking point. I recognize many here from when I was younger, many I still count as friends though we fight as honorable samurai against each other now. Given that we all, including the Dragon, seem to mourn the loss of Castle of the Swift Sword, perhaps it would be best if we convened a council under flag of truce to ensure that such things are only used against the oni? I am sure all clans can come up with something equally devastating and the dark ones will laugh as we employ them against each other."

"I speak only for myself, and if I have overstepped my bounds, I may be asked to purge my dishonor, and if so, I bid you all fairwell. But if I can bring a message of reason back to my lord Akodo-Daimyo, then it will be worth it."

She falls silent, wondering how right she is in her interpretations of the poems she has heard.

[Shoju]

The 'ronin' listens to the words of the Matsu, and then exhales, cocking his head to the side. "But what of the Yobanjin? The Gaijin? The Yodotai? The Ivory Kingdoms? Do we offer them a fate better than Oni? What of the Maho Tsukai that have been causing mischief in the empire as of late?" The Young man's voice was soft, and contemplative.

He walked towards the Matsu, sized her up. "While I understand your... perspective Matsu-san, I just can't help but wonder. If we continuously make more and more arbitrary rules for when we will, and when we wont use something, what good does it serve? Are we going to ask each of our generals to wage a war while milling through a scroll to make sure that we abide by the rules of the conflict?" He paced a little as he talked, his voice never betraying anything but a curious tone.

"Would you restrict the might of Rokugan when it faces any threat that may render her lifeless? I fear that is the ultimate question. If we say,

let us not use this against anything but the oni.

Then what happens when the Burning Sands brings forth a threat to our very existence? But if we say

Well then, let us not use it against ourselves?

Then what happens if a clan falls to the influence of jigoku? They are not Oni. They are your kinsmen. And if we say.

Well, we will only use it against those who bear the mark of Fu Leng

Then the followers of Fu Leng will shield themselves with the innocent, rendering it, just as useless. "

The ronin looked at her. His eyes held a fierceness that his voice lacked. "It is as, as I said before, a matter of cost. This war has cost Rokugan. Clans have betrayed their duties. They have betrayed treaties that have stood for generations, They have defied the celestial order." The ronin eyed the room. "None are innocent. The blood of our kinsmen stains the earth, and our souls."

[Togashi Homsar]

Well, Kaneka is no man from Nantucket, but I still think I conveyed my meaning.

As for a duel, well, I would never say no to some jello wrestling. Though I think it is more fun to watch samurai-ko test themselves in such a setting. That, or foxy boxing.

[Asahina Yukihime]

With the letter in hands by the morning the Asahina Daimyo dismiss the messenger wishing him safe travels. It have been a while since she last heard of her family's Hatamoto. But among all the content of the letter, one wasn't a surprise at all... The first time she saw him, among supplies for war at Toshi Ranbo, he seemed to be focused on poetry. It was good to know war hadn't changed that.

Preparation begins at early afternoon, so she could join the court by the setting sun, in perfect dress, make-up and acessories. Among all the blue and white finest silk a small pendant of red fire agate shine timidly.

Yukihime enters the poetry halls followed by Asahina Shen, right in time hear Matsu's words addressed to the Dragon monk.
She would recognize that Matsu, one she had briefly met. Besides her wishes to reply Matsu's words about the Dragon methods these weren't Yukihime's business here this time - though she had plenty in mind to reply - she wouldn't endorse those ruining the meaning of these chambers.

Without interrupting any conversation Yukihime bows greeting the present samurai, with the demanded courtesy. After what she finds her place near other Cranes, bowing with notable respect to Asahina Timaru.

Once she can, Yukihime presents her words to the court. With a serene semblance, her posture and behavior are nearly a rupture in the turbulence that was taking over:

"Esteemed participants of this court, I wish to remind you this is a place for poetry, we have enough room to display animosity in numerous battle fields elsewhere. But this, is a place and a time that should be used to remind us of our civilization. Let us not forget about courtesy and kindness, please.
We must cultivate our habilities to live side by side, despite our differences, because wars can't last for ever, and once it's done our descendents are still going to share this same Empire, and live together."

She nods to the Matsu, in clear respect to the truce between their clans.

"Please, allow me to take us back to the main purpose of this chamber. I'm proud to present you the next poem. Written by Asahina Yuuto-san, Shugenja of the Asahina school and also Hatamoto of our family."

Honor burns in the light
the divine flare with gazing fright
Prides smoulder by the night

Once done, she bows to the present retaking her place near the other Cranes right after.

[Tamori Manji]

OoC: although I disagree heavily with the idea of a Lion who clearly supports Toturi walking around Hantei's Court without being put to the sword, either by duel, execution or seppuku, I must praise the idea of this thread. As such, I will humbly contribute with my wanna-be haiku in honor of the spirit of this thread and Yoshino's intentions but will refrain from RPing.

Pale winter snow
A roar of defiance
quelled by fire

[Kenji]

[OOC : As always, I will post as "a follower of the Otkodate of the Scarab". Since we are in the Imperial Court, il will be Miya Maseraki's turn.]

Miya Maseraki was quite disappointed. Raised as a shisha, she was concerned that the fate of Rokugan's people was of such a small matter in the court opinion. It seemed that everything was a game, with pawns on a board... but pawns were human beings, killed by fire, sword and starvation.

How long will this uncounciousness perdure ? She was part of a family founded by a dying Emperor as he wanted everyone to know the War against Fu-Leng had been won. Could the Miya warn the Empire was dying because two living "emperors" were killing it ?

Now a poetry contest was being held to celebrate the Hanteï's army victory at Castle of the Swift Sword.
To Miya Maseraki, it all sounded like the victory of war over peace. It reminded her memories of a bitter past, where the Emperor sitting in the Jade Throne wasn't human anymore, but its dark reflection, and the embodiement of a dark god.

Whoever was ruling Rokugan, if anyone was, he will soon be Emperor of a more devasted land that the desolation laying on the other side of the Kaïu Kabe.

Her steps had led her at the door of the poetry contest room. What a strange coincidence. Or was it ?

She entered the room, and ignored the ironic comment about the intricated symbols of her kimono. She was still wearing the Miya colors, but she had ordrered her tailor a scarab pattern. The tailor was reluctant at first, but she had convinced him with a single argument.

"If you are able to make wonderful works with silk and a scorpion pattern, I guess another insect is no problem, is it ?"

Everybody silenced when she bowed to the Otomo courtier hosting the contest.

Sanity blinded,
of the living, a funeral pyre
the dusk of the Empire

All courtiers remained silent at the violence, the almost rudeness of the poem. It was almost an insult to all they stand for. She was herself dizzy with shock at her own words, discovering the rage in her. But Miya Mazeraki didn't care for what they did stand. She cared for what they should. Protection of the Empire. Not its ruin.

She slowly came out, just as she went in. She had nothing left to do here, but wanted to make everyone clear she wasn't running away in shame or fear.

If anyone wanted "explanations", she would gave them.

[Shosuro Suzume]

Aaaahrn, what are they doing? They are ruining it! It's supposed to be a poetry competition, not a place to show off courtiers. Out fo my "Stage" all of you - Irritated behind my mask, I hold my tongue not to express my thoughts, but too much is too much.

"Ah, Miya-sama, the purpose of the contest is to praise the Dragon, not to lecture the room on your opinions. I believe something like

Let not your courage fail, in any kind of fight
Golden hearts, like at the birth of the empire
In both sides sacrifice, but only one carries light

would be more to the standards of this room "