Of course the Crane can dance. This child seems like the perfect person to get information from. She doesn't know better than to stay silent.
A slight smile plays across Hida Yuo's mouth as he looks about the room, almost as if he's enjoying himself. Almost.
Also, we appear to have mixed up the Phoenix at some point. Asako Wataru (Emerald Magistrate) is here, not Isawa Hikaru (father of the bride).
Isawa Hikaru finishes speaking with Hiruma Kage
Takaji bows to the man. "You flatter me, Isawa-sama." "I am indeed the Lion honored with protecting your fellow clansmate. I am called Akodo Takaji. I hope that my service will further strengthen the friendship between our clans."
Katsuko bowed to her superior. "Indeed. Kisada-sama was a most gracious host. It was an honor to meet him." This was a topic she disn't wish to linger on. Changing subjects, she gestured to Takaji. "Takaji-san has been a most dutiful shadow since the moment of our arrival. I am unused to being guarded, but he has made the process a pleasant one." She said, smiling at Takaji.
She glanced around the room. "Will our bride be attending the dances?"
She nods to the lone Shiba bushi in the competition. A massive Crab samurai-ko looms over him talking loudly and gesturing with her hands. It's hard to be sure, but the conversation seems fairly one-sided and quite lewd. "Is that our man?" Saki asks.
Asako Kuhime holds a fan up to cover her mouth. "I think I speak for the court when I say that you should absolutely participate, Doji-san. It is known that the Crane possess some of the finest performers in the Empire. Surely that reputation holds some weight."
The younger Phoenix girl, Isawa Akiko, continues to stare at Yuo.
His focus turns to Katsuko. "She will not. Mutsuye-chan is visiting a local shrine to commune with her ancestors. It could take some time. Her grandmother was a pacifist and expected Mutsuye to marry an artist." The Emerald Magistrate smiles slightly. "I would not expect her back until the evening."
Shinjo Nagasawa squints at the Phoenix.
"Well, I was about to check the register to see. Should be simple to determine; he's the only Phoenix here far as I can tell. He's either Shiba Noburu, or he isn't."
He grins to Saki before continuing.
"At any rate, I'll bet it's less a question of is he our man than is he going to be made Sachiko's man. I can't imagine who else that samurai-ko could be.. and if I'm right he may be in need of some rescue..."
Hida Yuo continues to look about the room. He doesn't seem particularly concerned about danger, simply uninterested in the conversation at hand and oblivious to the young girl's stare.
Takaji nods. "The Crab are well known for their ability to fight; if any threats get past them, it will most likely be due to subterfuge and trickery. Though as you say, hopefully no plots will appear to mar the happiness of the young couple."
He smiles slightly at Wataru's comment to Katsuko. "Crab" is about as far from "artist" that you could get. He then waits to see how his ward would like to proceed given the bride's absence. If he hasn't joined his daughter, perhaps the father might enjoy some dancing. Or the mother.
Ameiko looks over to Kurako. "Thank you. If you will excuse me for just a moment, I will go and speak with her about my interest in dancing today."
Ameiko gives a little bow and moves off to speak with Kurako. "Excuse me Kurako-san, if there is any room left for dancers in the competition today, I would like perform in it."
Whether or not the answer is yes or no, Ameiko will return back to the little group she was talking to and inform them of the result.
Hida Yuo continues to stand where he is watching Ameiko walk off to speak with Kurako. His armor creaks as he shifts and turns.
Katsuko quirked an eyebrow at Takaji's strangely pessimistic musing. Hopefully Asako Wataru wouldn't take it the wrong way - Lion were well known for being blunt in matters of security.
She nodded at Wataru-sama. "That is very wise of Mutsuye-san. The weight of our ancestors' wishes should never be taken lightly." It was hard to not look over her shoulder as she said this, as though she could feel Isawa standing there. "Perhaps she would care for some spiritual guidance? I am well versed in the matter of Isawa's lineage, and it would be the least I could do."
Kuni Daigo seems stoic as he stares at the older man.
"It is the purpose of the Crab Clan and of the Kuni Witch-Hunters specifically to be vigilant for the taint at all times. Tell me of your trip here. Tell me of the encounters of your masters. I wish to know of anything unexplained or anything you might have seen as odd. These are not the lands in which one turns a blind eye."
Hida Yuo turns and peers down upon the young woman. He blinks once as if considering the question. After this moment of thought he responds,
Yes.
Shinjo Nagasawa groans inwardly at Sachiko's antics, hoping to deflect her crudeness before it embarrasses him.. or even worse, provokes any unfounded jealousy in Saki-chan.
"By the Fortunes, she better not talk like that in front of Nari-san.. she'd likely believe it!"
He tries to "play along" with the samurai-ko's crude banter, but only long enough to deflect the topic.
"Ah, Sachiko-san, everyone in the fortress knows you would have broken me like a little twig if I were your lover boy.
This, since you asked, is my Clan mate and future kin Otaku Saki, sister to my betrothed, Otaku Nari. She's here at court as the yojimbo to the esteemed Ide Toshimitsu, and here at the tournament today to ensure I don't come away with a victory in the competition."
Nagasawa attempts to maneuver the Phoenix into the conversation before the bushi sneaks off and leaves his "rescuers" holding the bag.
"I am Shinjo Nagasawa, in service to the Hiruma Dojo here at Kyuden Hida.
"I digress, I didn't interrupt to make introductions. If I must be truly honest, we were hoping to scout our competition in the upcoming tournament by getting to know the other bushi."
To the Phoenix, so that momentum is maintained in keeping Sachiko sidelined (maybe she'll get bored and go away):
"How do you feel about your prospects in the tournament? Between you and me: I were a betting samurai, I'd be putting koku on one of our competing Battle Maidens."
"That will perhaps come. But suspicion is always present. And I certainly worry more about the samurai that you serve. Witch Hunters find answers in all places and the words of servants have averted more than one disaster in my experience."
"I will be performing "The Lost Dragonfly Maiden".
Ameiko will then return to where she was with Yuo and the Phoenix girls. "I can only hope I don't happen to be doing the same dance as someone else."
Ameiko returns in the middle of this scene. Keiyomi, the young Ide girl, smiles at the Crane. "I would not worry about that. At least not with me. I've prepared something few outside the Unicorn know."
Saki watches the enormous Crab beauty walk away with a smirk. "Well she's something, isn't she?"
The Phoenix bows and nods. "Thank you, Nagasawa-san. Saki-san. My name is Shiba Noburu." He scratches the back of his head and smiles. "I'm afraid my training didn't prepare me for the likes of her." Noburu is a young man with an honest face and a strong chin. He wears his stubble well and you are forced to admit he possesses a certain rugged handsomeness. "I cannot speak as to how I will do today. Surely whatever victory I win will not be because of the arrows I fire today, but the thousands I have shot before them."
Nagasawa thinks to himself:
Yes, Saki-chan, "something" is exactly what Sachiko is.
He banishes the troublesome samurai-ko from further thought. He tries to appear somewhat surprised to learn who the Phoenix is.
"Ah, it's a pleasure to meet you Noburu-san. I imagine I know what you mean about endless hours of training. I believe I made a few of the holes in the practice targets myself."
Phase 1: strike up some good old bushi rapport. Check! Now to begin to gently pry...
"But surely you've had practical experience as a warrior as well? I think I heard you were Isawa Mutsuye-sama's yojimbo, are you not? I'd imagine you must have an impressive record to be honored with the responsibility of the princess' protection."
Hida Yuo considers the question far longer than any would think necessary. He stands silently looking down upon the girl.
Finally he speaks, Yes.
Takaji shakes his head. "Although I've heard some compare dancing and dueling, I'm afraid I've never quite seen the similarity." Not to mention it seems like it'd be hard to do while also fulfilling my duty. "While I understand how a duel is won, I've never quite followed how it's decided who wins a dance competition. I try to pick out likely candidates only to discover I'm so far off I may as well have chosen blindfolded. I don't suppose Asako-sama has any recommendations on which dancers I should pay particular attention to in order to see what it is that sets them apart?"
Hmmm, most likely some gaijin inspired type of dance. Hopefully it won't be too barbaric.
Ameiko appears politely interested. "Oh? May I be so bold as to ask the name of your dance?"
"I was also wondering about who our honorable judges would be? The bride to be perhaps? I mean surely she wouldn't be competing in a competition of any kind."
I still don't think I've laid eyes on her yet and that does make my mission a bit difficult.
Kuni Daigo nods at the man, looking somewhat grim. "Good. Allow me a moment to check the quarters for signs of infiltration or other unpleasant dangers. I assume that you have not yet had a witch hunter ensure that nothing unfortunate was picked up or included in your masters' belongings without your knowledge."
Katsuko snapped out of her reverie after what seemed like ages. Asako Wataru was asking her a question.
"While I can dance, it's safe to say that my true skills lie elsewhere. I will leave the competition to more passionate performers." She looked around. Maybe Mutsuye's friend Kuhime was present. Young girls were known to share their deepest secrets, and she would be arguably easier to question than Mutsuye's sworn guard.
Even then, it was unlikely that either of them knew anything of real significance. With Mutsuye tied up at the shrine, and everyone else attending the Winter Court festivities, it might be possible to glean some answers from the bride's quarters. It would be wise that they spend some time here before leaving, as to not rouse suspicions.
Katsuko gestured to the dance floor. "Will your daughter be participating, Wataru-sama?"
[spoiler=Nagasawa]Noburo visibly stiffens when he hears Mutsuye's name. "I have that honor, yes." he replies. "Any skill of mine, I owe to my sensei. Their training is why I am here."
"Oh, it's nothing you'd recognize, Doji-san." Keiyomi smiles sweetly. "It's a traditional dance of the Unicorn. I think that Kage-sama will be judging the event."
He looks to Katsuko. "Hai. Kuhime-chan will be performing tonight, she has been practicing a traditional Phoenix dance called The Wind in the Pines for months now."
The old man bobs his head up and down. "Of course, my lord, of course. Which room would you like to see first?"
Hid Yuo stands impassively as the girl speaks. There is a slight curl at the corner of his mouth, almost imperceptible, but perhaps he might be smiling. Again, there is an awkward pause after the girl finishes speaking and before Yuo responds. He seems to be thinking about what to say, then,
Men do like swords.
This child has certainly taken to the gossip part of being a courtier. Lucky for me, I suppose.
Noburo visibly stiffens when he hears Mutsuye's name. "I have that honor, yes." he replies. "Any skill of mine, I owe to my sensei. Their training is why I am here."
Noburo visibly stiffens when he hears Mutsuye's name. "I have that honor, yes." he replies. "Any skill of mine, I owe to my sensei. Their training is why I am here."
Nagasawa nods to Noburo, trying to banish doubt from his thoughts.
I don't think we're getting off on the right foot here..
He turns to Saki in effort to salvage forging a connection with Noburo, asking her about her thoughts on the tournament in front of Noburo.
"What about you Saki-san? Have you loosed any arrows at someone shooting back at you? I expect the duel shooting to be rather memorable, don't you?"
Takaji nods at Wataru's words. Sounds roughly like what his sister had told him. Except with a 'or whomever you think the prettiest' comment and a wink at the end. It's probably a good thing I didn't go into courtier school.
Ameiko stands beside Keiyomi and asks: "Does Kage-sama often judge dance events?"
I know this girl wants to ask me something, I wonder why she just won't come out and say it. Is she too shy or is the question too delicate for public discussion?
Kuni Daigo paces for a moment as if thinking, "Show me to your quarters and then to your master's. Once you have done that and allowed me entrance, wait outside of this wing until I have completed my review."
Keiyomi continues speaking to Ameiko. "I don't think so, but this is a special day." The Unicorn maiden leans in, dropping the volume of her voice. "Ameiko-san, I feel as if we are friends? May I ask you a favor?"
If Noburo saw the look, he doesn't say anything. He visually relaxes and some of the tension falls out of the air. The Phoenix lets out a small sigh. "I apologize for being defensive, Nagasawa-san. I am just unwilling to listen to any more insinuations about the lady Isawa."
"My apologies, Wataru-sama, but may I borrow your Lion friend?"
The Emerald Magistrate nods, barely looking at the Scorpion newcomer.
The large man taps the hilt of his Wakizashi absentmindedly. Yes.
He looks to be thinking about something. The silence drags on and it seems like he's finished speaking, but then he finally responds, This sword is named Soh, he says, as he touches the end of his Wakizashi. This, as he taps the end of the Katana, is Center of the Wall.
Hid Yuo smiles ever so slightly as he brings the head of his Ono up and lets the haft slide through his hand. And this, as the end taps the floor, surprisingly lightly, is The Mortal Man's Destiny.
""I apologize for being defensive, Nagasawa-san. I am just unwilling to listen to any more insinuations about the lady Isawa."
Aho, so there IS something going around. Prying now is a straight-and-sure way to get him to clam up. I need to drop this topic and not bring the princess up with him again until I feel he trusts me.. at least more than some bushi he literally just met. Once we both have the tourney behind us, we'll have that as something in common and maybe I can find a way to broach the topic again.
"Ah, please accept my apologies, I absolutely meant no insult to the Princess-sama.. I literally had no idea anyone had been doing so. Please, let us focus on issues worthy of bushis' attention: preparing ourselves for glory in the tournament!
Noburo-san, will you be competing in all three events?"
8+6+4=18
Takaji blinks slowly at the newcomer. "What is this about? Surely you can speak of it here as I am currently on duty."
What could a Scorpion want with me? Does she wish to draw me from Isawa-sama? I would have thought it unlikely, but you can never be certain with them.