Hiding his surprise with a timely inclination of his head, Gensai responds coolly to the Magistrate’s praise with a deferential “Arigatō gozaimasu.” The relaxation of the man’s broad shoulders hint at the utter relief and joy experienced by those that have succeeded in the face of a daunting endeavor, already privately giving thanks to the spirits of the Seven and Sadahako for answering his prayers for guidance and inspiration.Vardaen wrote:Magistrate Doji Hirawara, your host stands there gazing at the piece of drift wood for a long few minutes. His face is impossible to read, his words do not come. He only gazes. Then he moves closer and reaches out and takes the carving into both of his hands with care. Turning it about he studies the figure on it, and the crow, and then allows a smile to be seen on his face. "Most excellent, your potential shines through in this. I am most pleased to see it, and am pleased to have you here tonight Gensai-san." He turns to Kyo and bows politely to the old shugenja, "You have done well again Kyo. I shall be sure to visit the shrine tomorrow and properly thank the Fortunes for guiding such an artist to our humble village."
Had Gensai been told by someone upon arriving at this settlement that he’d be sitting at a place of honor beside the village’s Magistrate the very next day in recognition of his burgeoning talents as an artisan, there’s no doubt in his mind that he would laugh in that person’s face, regardless of their station. And yet here I am, he muses not for the first time while sitting between perhaps two of the most important people (barring Takashi and the Otomo) attending this party. Far be it from he to refuse such a gracious invitation from the host himself of course, but privately he ponders what repercussions might potentially ensue from Hirawara’s snubbing of the Imperial family member.Vardaen wrote:He places the carving in the center of the table where all may see it. Then he claps his hands. "It is time for dinner!"
The silence that had fallen on the room lifts and the chatter begins, for the next half hour everyone is talking about the carving, and about art in general and what a fine collection Hirawara has gathered over the years. Before anyone takes their seats Hirawara announces a 'fun little game' where he has collected your paper cranes that were gifted to you by another of the guests and has placed a kanji on them with your names. They have been shuffled and placed randomly around the table. "Gensai, you will sit here next to me."
So around the table you find your paper cranes, well most of you do. Iuchi Jun is left to guess the empty place is for him. Other wise you locate your name and take a seat. The Otomo is given the head of the table opposite your hose, and his yojimbo is seated next to him - not randomly.
Anyone looking at the shugyōsha can tell that the large young man is clearly out of his element. Unused to the level of praise and scrutiny he is currently receiving, Gensai avoids most eye contact by looking down except when spoken to and adopts a posture about as wooden as the statuette put proudly on display a mere few feet away at the center of the dining table.
Realizing he must look quite foolish right now, Gensai’s hands tightly ball up as he steels himself before reluctantly lifting his gaze up from the table. Dark eyes surreptitiously take note of the Yasuki family mon before settling upon the amused countenance of the aged man sitting across from him. Something in the Yasuki's wry expression sparks a sense of familiarity within the shugyōsha’s mind, and it does not take long for him to sift through his memories to remember when and where he’d seen this man from before.
“Konnichiwa, Yasuki-sama. This may sound odd but, anō*... would you happen to be staying at the Cresting Wave Inn by chance? I believe I saw you leaving that place the other day while I was on my way to the shrine of the Shichinin no Rōnin.”