RP: Clan Champion Feast

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma lead those who wanted to attend the feast to an elegant room inside of the castle. Before them was a table with the finest feast laid upon the table. Kazuma motioned for everyone to take a spot as he moved to the head of the table. He then motioned to the servers to come and take everyones drink order.

Thank you all for attending, please enjoy what is laid before you and if you need anything else do not hesitate to ask a server for it. It is a great honor to have you all around this table.

[Kuni Kaymar]

Kaymar joined the procession to the tables, finding the space allocated and taking his seat. The Phoenix had indeed put on an impressive display of food. Were it not a celibration of a new Champion, the Crab may well have thought it ostentatious.

What interesting times we live in, he mused, 2 newly raised Champions in as many months and a war at the edges of the Empire. A war that didn't involve Shadowlands. Interesting times indeed.

Kaymar surveyed the faces of those sitting down and passing by, nodding as appropriate, before asking a servant for a glass of water.

[Akodo Tomatsu]

Tomatsu entered the great feasting area near the head of the crowd, as befitting his rank as Champion. He positioned himself near the food, as was his custom in these events, both strategic because he could always get the best food and because it was an easy place for people to find him.

After a few minutes, he caught the new Champion's eye and made his way over to the Phoenix champion.

Congratulations are in order, Shiba-san. Last we met I had not known you were such an influential member of your clan. Regardless, I have seen your character and know you to be a true friend of the Lion.

He made a wave of his hand, producing a fan from his sleeve and began to fan himself slightly, rather odd for the Lion champion who usually believed suffering was good for the soul.

My gift for you Shiba-san, is, well something not traditional. As you know our clan has the unique ability to speak with one's ancestors, and while I combed the great vaults of Shiro Akodo attempting to find something fitting for this occasion, none leaped better to mind than to extend the offer for you to come to our lands and have the chance to speak with your ancestors. I for one, have found that my ancestors have had a thing or two to tell me that was of worth over my reign as champion already, that is to say, after they got over the shock that their line had become so powerful. He smiled. I hope you will take us up on this offer, it is the least we could do for providing us such a fine feast.

[Mirumoto Machu]

At the table reserved for the Dragon clan the humble bushi sitts far from the head of the table his shoulder to the wall, occasionally chatting with the Shiba and Tonbo he trained with in his youth. Unnoticed by the elite and powerfull but with unquestioned right to be in attendance.

[Hiruma Koji]

Koji found his way to the feast, a small package carried in one hand. Formalities and all, but at least the Phoenix enjoyed spices in their meals. His taste buds had not done battle with the like for some time now, it would be intriguing to see how they would fare.

Now, how to approach this upcoming battle...ah, some sake as an ally would be good, and a clean pair of chopsticks, whose own wooden tang would not distract nor absorb the different spices...hmm hmm...

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma looked at the Lion Champion.

I thank you for such an honorable gift and I accept it graciously. I must also admit that when last we met I too did not think I would be such an influential part of my clan. It is a great honor to have you here on this glorious occasion.

Kazuma picked up the cup in front of him.

I thank you all for attending, you honor me with your presance.

[Kitsu Hiraku]

The boy entered the room and suddenly stopped shocked from how much people, and food, was inside. He shook his head and looked around the room for Tomatsu-sama. After he saw him he moved slowly towards him, really cautious not to hit anyone. Or anything.

When he arrived before him he bowed and then made another bow for the new champion. - Hello, Tomatsu-sama! Umm... congratulations phoenix champion-sama... I may not be important but I have a gift for you and I would be honored if you accepted it. I heard rumors that one of the scrolls in the library became partly illegible... and I'm sure that the masters would easily repaired that, but since I wanted to help I thought I would give you this Daisuke said and laid a small scroll onthe table before Kazuma. It contained a part of a scroll from the phoenix libraries, although it was easy to see that it was written by a child that had some problems with caligraphy.

- And um... maybe Tomatsu-sama could allow the Kitsu family to make you a gift of allowing you to speak with you ancestors, and maybe I could assist in the ritual... could we do this champion-sama? The boy asked turning to his clan champion.

[Akodo Tomatsu]

How rare, an eager child. He must be barely past his Gempukku. Hasn't had the weight of the world crush his soul yet. He took a step back so as to allow the two to converse in a more proper manner. Each person here was allow to approach the champion with their congratulations, however most were not so..... eager to do so.

He waited for the Kitsu to end his speech. When he asked if he could participate, he merely nodded before speaking. I'm sure something can be arranged. You shall have to speak with your Daimyo, Kitsu Natsuki, she will know the requirements of the ritual better than I will. He bowed before the Phoenix champion. If you need me Shiba-san, I will return to the food, come and seek me out if you desire to converse more. With that he backed away, and returned to the food, seeking his usual position.

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma looked at the boy. He realized that boy described him so very well.

Thank you for such a kind gift.

Kazuma examined the scroll and then rolled it back up and placed it back on the table.

You seem to have knowledge beyond your years. Tell me who are your parents?

[Kakita Asamura]

Asamura sat among the Cranes in attendance, his gift-box resting to his right. The splendor of the Phoenix was not in question, but there was no doubt that the presence of the Crane in their finery augmented the display to a considerable degree.

Asamura nodded once to express his approval of the Lion champion's gift, though the Kitsu's eagerness bordered on the unseemly. Such things would never happen in Crane lands. At least, he hoped not.

[Shosuro Ichiro]

Ichiro entered the Feast Hall with his entourage in tow. The last of them quickly falling into the line with a box of wood articulately crafted with phoenixes rising from the ashes of their own demise. He Saw many familiar faces amongst the crowds and chuckled inwardly when he saw Tomatsu near the head of the tables, already picking at the food.

He also saw Kitsuki Yuushahime earlier and thought he saw her frown in his general direction. One could only imagine what upset her, but he was willing to find out. He whispered to his attendant and sent him on his way. The young man bowed and moved off to find his target.

Once he found his seat Ichiro sat and had his gift placed at his side and waited for Kazuma to be ready to accept gifts.

Outside the young courtier found whom he was looking for talking to the Crab Clan Champion. He waited to be acknowledged and bowed deeply to both personage, Without rising his head he spoke.

"Tenacious Hida Champion-sama, and Gracious Lady Kitsuki-sama, thank you for letting me interrupt your most pleasant conversation. I ask for your forgiveness for doing such, but my Master, Daimyo Shosuro Ichiro, wished to send a personal message of greeting for an old friend. He hopes that lady Kitsuki-sama would grace his personage with her company and catch up on old times.

He stays bowed until answered.

[Kitsu Hiraku]

The boy was shocked that the champion showed interest in him but responded quickly. - I will try to explain as well as I can Shiba-sama. My father was Akodo Daiki and my mother was Kitsu Kiyomi. But to explain why I know the things I do...

The boy stopped for a while and you could see his eyes get a little moist for a moment - My parents we're murdered while I was very young champion-sama. I was saved from certain death by a man from the Isawa family. He acknowledged me as his son and taught me the same things that his older sons knew. He even tried to find a way for me to start the studies needed to become more acknowledged with the elements... but then an Ikoma courtier found out about me... and I had to return to my clan lands. There I learned my true purpose in life... but I still honor the Phoenix clan and its scholars greatly. Said the boy with a mix of both extreme joy and sadness on his face.

* I hope I didn't say anything... wrong. There's so many people around here... * Daisuke thought. * It would be very bad *

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma smiled.

Such a contrast in teaching. This must all be very inturesting for you. I will want to talk in depth with you later on this subject.

Kazuma motioned towards the food.

For now please enjoy the feast that has been prepared

Kazuma made mental note that he would have to talk to Tomatsu about the boy.

[Kitsu Hiraku]

- I will be glad to answer whatever question you will have Shiba-sama. And thank you for this amazing feast. Daisuke said and bowed deeply and after raising went to other Lions for gossiping and eating

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

Yuushahime pauses her conversation to answer the young courtier, mentally slightly peturbed by the interruption. She had just introduced herself and started a conversation... this disrupted her first meeting with the Crab Champion and hindered her conversation. Was it on purpose? Certainly a possibility with the Shosuro. She would get him back

Bowing back to the courtier, smiling, she responded "I saw your master earlier and was planning to join him quite soon. He looked busy with other matters when I noticed him. Please tell him that I will find him shortly and we shall catch up then. I will be delighted to hear how he is. Thank you"

She kept her response as short as she could; she did not want to appear rude so needed to say at least a little something but she did not want to be distracted from her conversation with the Crab Champion. Turning back to Setsuro, she continued where she left off