Yasuki Odai
Rogue, Ruffian, Rapscalion
Crab Clan
Posts: 157| Likes: 91
Of course I have what you need...
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Post by Yasuki Odai on May 8, 2014 17:16:05 GMT
Shortly following the trial...
***** A moment of quiet. A true moment of silent contemplation, where he was not hounded by attendants and clients, is all he desired at that moment, though the thirty seconds between when a servant delivered his sake and Kanehitsu's message and when the next knock came on his door was the closest he was going to get it seemed. Sitting in his own private, lavish chambers, he finished adjusting several of the cushions before opening the door. Finding it was simply his guard informing him of the new shift beginning, he realized that it may be some time before those he was waiting on would be available for discussion, and sighed slightly, before going to his desk and scrawling out a message to respond to the Crane. Kakita Kanehitsu-san,Indeed, it was a rather tumultuous chain of events, one that caught all of us off guard at some point or another. I admit, I look forward to enjoying the drama you shall no doubt be crafting from the proceedings here. I know in the next few months business will be bringing me to Crane lands, perhaps you and I could enjoy sharing said sake at that time? I've often enjoyed the comforts of the Academy, and in good company would no doubt take even more pleasure from the visit. For the moment though, would you perhaps join me for dinner this evening?He then crafted a short invitation to Shiba Kaigen which he sent out with the message to Kanehitsu, before settling into a quiet, meditative state. Kuon and Hachi would no doubt have much to do before being able to join him, and he could do with a little rest and relaxation before the unpleasant business of meeting with the most "powerful" people in his Clan.
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Post by Kakita Kanehitsu on May 8, 2014 18:48:07 GMT
Kanehitsu decided to give the note a little bit of time before responding and then following it along. Odai's calligraphy had been strong, but tired, and it was likely that he needed some time to properly prepare his suite before receiving guests.
***
Later, the Crane entered the room absent his throng of hangers-on and poseurs. He was still dressed fashionably in something more appropriate for a small gathering. He had traded his billowing kataginu robes for a more modest kimono and hakama, although they were still lavishly ornamented with cranes, koi, and chrysanthemums (something he always brought to Yasuki lands). He bowed to his host before taking a seat.
"Yasuki-sama, I can't thank you enough for the dinner invitation. I must say, it put off some of my students that I was coming alone. They would have liked to share a meal with so auspicious a person as yourself."
"I presume we are continuing to let things calm down before too much further rehashing of tonight's courtroom drama. With that in mind, what shall we discuss?"
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Yasuki Odai
Rogue, Ruffian, Rapscalion
Crab Clan
Posts: 157| Likes: 91
Of course I have what you need...
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Post by Yasuki Odai on May 8, 2014 19:18:16 GMT
Odai rose to greet the Kakita poet, his weariness only barely touching his face, and he had himself traded his elaborate Court ware for a more spartan visage, a finely crafted yet simple matte blue kimono subtly embroidered with shifting landscapes of the Crab coastline. "You are too kind, Kakita-san, though surely you overestimate your students' interests in my work," he responded, an amused laughter underlying his words as he gestured for his one of his attendants.
"Would you care for some tea, perhaps? I anticipate that this nights work has only just begun, and I find a strong Kitsuki blend is often exactly what the mind requires after such a stressful evening." His servant returned quickly, a tray bearing light snacks and a pot of dark, aromatic brew that filled the room with aromas of cherry and honey. He poured himself a cup before offering it to Kanehitsu, a thoughtful expression on his face as he seemed to be enjoying a rare moment of true relaxation.
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Post by Kakita Kanehitsu on May 9, 2014 2:14:45 GMT
Kanehitsu settled in with his cup and looked over the sturdy crab ceramic designs as if he were attending a formal tea ceremony.
"This is very interesting tea ware. Is it your own Yasuki-san? I must say that I'm used to the thinner and more delicate Crane kiln fired cups but there seems to be a charming strength about these designs. I tell you that it is most interesting to look over cups from about the empire and compare them to one another. I have a set that I use when entertaining Lions that you might also like. It's very...firm and resolute and it extols the virtues of the tao with some nice calligraphy on the inside bottom of the cups."
Truly Kanehitsu was interested in what Odai meant when he implied that there was much work still to be done before bed but he sensed that the governor would like a moment of calm among the storm and something lazy like tea culture might be a fine ice breaker until they were joined by anyone else.
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Post by Shiba Kaigen on May 9, 2014 7:10:44 GMT
Kaigen's response to the luckless messenger who found him might best be described as a sort of manic friendliness.
"Yasuki Odai-sama sent you, hm?"
"Hai, Shiba-sama."
"I see, I see..."
The Phoenix gunso took rueful stock of his traveling pack. He'd meant to head out at dawn, head north to heed his father's summons and get away from all the rumblings about his heroics in the basement.
I miss the days when Matsu Yukari just rolled her eyes at everything I said...
"Please return my acceptance of his gracious invitation to Yasuki-sama."
And now I need to unpack the kimono that isn't stained...
He was, consequently, a late arrival to Odai's chambers. He arched an eyebrow at the Crane's presence, but bowed politely enough.
"Kakita-sama. Yasuki-sama. I trust your enjoyment of your tea will be... interrupted by the presence of a man whose palate is, shall we say... unrefined."
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Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
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Post by Moto Arandaru on May 9, 2014 8:12:58 GMT
Moments later, a servant of the Yasuki slid the shoji screen open and knelt on the tatami mat. Then he spoke to Odai
"Yasuki Odai-sama, his excellency the Shogun, Hida Kuon-sama and his excellency the Emerald Champion, Yasuki Hachi-sama."
It was an announcement informing of their imminent arrival. In these court situation Odai knew that he had a minute to prepare the room before their arrival, but this wasn't a difficult of a situation. Immediately, six servants barged into the room, bringing extra tea sets, wooden sushi stands, extra shoji panels, more lantern lights, additional mon heraldry and last but not least various incense fragrances.
So much for ruining a "relaxed" atmosphere, Odai's guests had answered his call.
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Yasuki Odai
Rogue, Ruffian, Rapscalion
Crab Clan
Posts: 157| Likes: 91
Of course I have what you need...
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Post by Yasuki Odai on May 9, 2014 18:46:11 GMT
"It is funny you should mention that, Kanehitsu-san, for this particular tea set was actually made by my mother upon her marriage into this family. She was originally one Kakita Aiko, a rather gifted student of the Academy, and-"
His response was cut short by Kaigen's arrival, and he rose to make the formal introductions. "Why, not at all, my dear Shiba-san, after a night like tonight the calming aspect of tea is the factor I find myself appreciating more than anything. This is Kakita Kanehitsu, an artist and playwright of some renown, who-" The second knock came, and Odai only barely managed to contain his displeasure at this second interruption, though he calmed himself; no doubt it was one of his attendants, or perhaps a response to one of his messages.
He did not expect the sudden flood of retainers that poured into his chambers, as he was originally anticipating having to wait some time before the arrival of his Shogun and Daimyo. It seemed the two men wanted to get down to business as soon as possible, alas, and the Yasuki governor sighed to himself. He was so looking forward to being able to relax a little...
Looking at his two other guests, Odai gave a wry smile, before standing to make ready for the arrival of two of the most important men in his Clan, and laughed ever so slightly. "Perhaps not the dinner you anticipated when I invited you, eh Kakita-san?"
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Post by Shiba Kaigen on May 10, 2014 2:45:23 GMT
The Shogun and the Emerald Champion. Lovely. Perhaps I will be able to get away with saying nothing the entire time...
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Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
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Post by Moto Arandaru on May 12, 2014 16:11:33 GMT
In a short, in came Yasuki Hachi the Emerald Champion and Hida Kuon the Shogun. As they stepped in Kuon's foot made small bumping noise on the fine tatami while Hachi nodded in reverence and stepped back courtly and polite. At that moment Kuon stepped on the side, doing the exact same thing.
Hachi said : "Yasuki Odai-san, we regret for interrupting your precious moments of relaxation. Should you wish that we came later or even perhaps tomorrow morning?" even though the matter was grave, Yasuki Hachi couldn't permit either a dishonorable behavior or implications of such.
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Yasuki Odai
Rogue, Ruffian, Rapscalion
Crab Clan
Posts: 157| Likes: 91
Of course I have what you need...
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Post by Yasuki Odai on May 12, 2014 20:08:09 GMT
Odai bowed low to the two men, smiling halfheartedly at his Daimyo's words. "Your concern for my well being is truly humbling, honorable Hachi-dono, but alas I would be failing both you and Lord Kuon-tono if I were to allow my personal desires to rule my actions. However, business would be better discussed after some dinner and tea, perhaps?"
He motioned to his two guests, giving them each a nod in turn while the servants continued to bustle about the room making their preparations. "Allow me to introduce our other dinner companions. Shiba Kaigen, a gunso in the Imperial Legion, who not only saved my life but also proved indispensable in apprehending the infiltrator who originally 'activated' Reiha-sama during Kaneka-sama's wedding." A sad look washed over his face, if only for a moment, and he took careful note of Kuon's reaction to these words before continuing.
"And this is one Kakita Kanehitsu, a writer and artist of some renown. He and I originally had arranged to meet for dinner, and as I noticed him taking extensive notes throughout the proceedings of the evening I felt he may have an alternative perspective on what transpired that could prove invaluable."
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Post by Kakita Kanehitsu on May 12, 2014 20:39:56 GMT
Kanehitsu also made to bow low before the dignitaries.
"This one is but a humble servant of the Kakita Academy. My students wished to know more of the Yasuki courts which have so recently and kindly been opened to our clan and so I thought to help them see the world."
"But most recently I am apparently a surveyor of Yasuki-sama's fine tea wares. He has some fine pieces. Would either of your lordships care to take a look, or are there perhaps more dire matters at hand?"
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Post by Shiba Kaigen on May 13, 2014 12:18:16 GMT
Kaigen bowed low, perfectly willing to let the smooth-talking Yasuki handle the verbiage.
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Yasuki Odai
Rogue, Ruffian, Rapscalion
Crab Clan
Posts: 157| Likes: 91
Of course I have what you need...
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Post by Yasuki Odai on May 14, 2014 21:46:32 GMT
The servants returned, bearing trays loaded with some of the finest foods available in Crab lands, exquisitely crafted sushi and hearty noodle dishes being the main fare. The dinner was accompanied by a variety of tea blends and sake, each catering to a specific taste preference, with Kuon receiving a bottle of his favorite sake and Hachi a pot of his favorite tea in particular, though there was much more available if they decided they craved something else.
Uncharacteristically, Odai went for sake over tea, a choice he normally would not make in the arena of an official meeting, but the night seemed to have taken its toll on the man. Looking to his guests, he made a gesture to dig in, so to speak, though he himself did not take anything until they had done so.
"I hope you find everything to your liking, my dear friends," he said, addressing the whole room it seemed; he was far more casual than one might think in the presence of the Emerald Champion and Shogun, but the tone of his voice conveyed what seemed to be true contentment as the Yasuki governor seemed to relax for the first time that night.
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