(D6 EA) Paint Party (Crane Quarters)

[Kakita Ahiru]

(Note: There are other events in the other areas of the Academy, posted by other Crane PCs, this is not the single party thread).

Parts of the living quarters for the students of the Academy had temporarily been turned into a studio of sorts. Cushions were set out for people to sit down and pick up the various painting implements made available for those who wished to honor Kisshoten with a painting, or just have fun painting for the afternoon.

Servants were nearby as well, serving tea and small mochi in cute shapes of animals.

Kakita Ahiru, the host of the painter's corner, stood and bowed to those who arrived.

"Well met everyone, noble samurai and students of the art. All afternoon and to the first rising of Lord Moon, I am honored to be your host this humble gathering of painters, whether they are experienced or just startng out. For today's theme, the Crane wish to honor Kisshoten-no-Kami, to offer her our prayers for her blessings in these days of our transition from child to adult. Please be at ease and be comfortable, and let yourself have fun in these few hours when the world is not watching us soon-to-be-adults."

With a bow to those gathered, Ahiru slowly sank down into seiza on a cushion, smoothing out the multiple layers of fine silk as she did and picked up her own brush to begin painting. Of course, since it was such a quiet artform, there was plenty of opportunity to talk.


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Rules: You may make a single Aesthetics (Any) Skill Roll at TN 1 to make a painting with a theme of children. All who participate are awarded two pieces of chrysanthemum monaka. The best painter judged in order of: Most Successes, Most Opportunities, Least Strife, Highest Status, Highest Glory, Highest Honor, First Poster. will receive four pieces of chrysanthemum monaka. This is a informal event, so feel free to chat, comment on stories, and just enjoy yourself.

[Shiba Jiro]

Jiro was happily attending, lookin forward to the opportunity to do a little bit of painting. But before he did so he looked around the event for Natsuko. In particular he wanted to learn a bit about how she might express herself artistically. So he didn't rush to the painting part.

[Funegao no Hirame]

Well, he was supposed to try different ways of expressing himself, right? And... cute was good, right?

Wearing his more simple travelling clothes, safer to paint in (or so he'd tell anyone who asked) Hirame was working on a scene. It was of a boy watching a young dolphin. And, so it seemed, the dolphin was watching him. His technique was a bit rough, but Hirame did seem to be putting his feeling into it, painting with vibrant colors.

"Kakita-san." The greeting was formal enough for public, if the playful twist of his lips was a little scoundrelly. "Shiba-san." His eyebrows went up. "Still thinking about what to paint?"

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D6EA Fire 3 Aesthetics 0 | TN: 1 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2


3 Successes, 1 opp, 2 strife

[Kakita Ahiru]

"Shiba-san, Funegao no Hirame-san, good afternoon. I'm glad you could both join us." She smiled but averted her eyes a bit shyly from Hirame a little bit as he was giving her that scoundrel-look. "Painting might not be very exciting, but it's good to see you're making the effort."

Peering over to see his process, she nodded approvingly. "I guess it is a bit easier for you than intepretive art?" Yes it was a bit teasing.

Ahiru herself was painting a scenery of two young children placing folded paper-boats into a river, dressed in what seemed like their parents clothes because they were clearly oversized. The Kakita maiden had some technique with painting, but she was also keeping her work modest so to not outshine the guests.


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D6 EA Paint Party. Aesthetics 1/Water 3. TN 1 | TN: 1 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 3 / Strife: 3

[Funegao no Hirame]

From the way he grinned, it was clear that Hirame recognized the teasing, and appreciated it. "I think one attempt at creative sculpting was quite enough, yes. There doesn't need to be more of that in the world."

He blinked at her innocently. "I thought I'd engage my passion more, instead. That sounds like a good idea, don't you think?" It's possible that he was also teasing. A little. There was a Phoenix here, after all.

[Shiba Jiro]

Looking to Hirame, he smiled. "Waiting for the arrival of Isawa Natsuko-san. I had suggested to her that it might be a good exercise in learning about one another in exchanging creative processes."

He shakes his head to Ahiru. "Painting is a great event. Creation is always an exciting process to me."

[Kakita Ahiru]

Looking to Hirame, he smiled. "Waiting for the arrival of Isawa Natsuko-san. I had suggested to her that it might be a good exercise in learning about one another in exchanging creative processes."

"I don't think there could be another quite like it, to be honest," her lips quirked a little into a lopsided smile.

Looking to Hirame, he smiled. "Waiting for the arrival of Isawa Natsuko-san. I had suggested to her that it might be a good exercise in learning about one another in exchanging creative processes."

He shakes his head to Ahiru. "Painting is a great event. Creation is always an exciting process to me."

"Isawa Natsuko-san? I do hope she makes it then, I've had the chance of encountering her a few times..." briefly the wooden tip of her brush touched her chin as she thought about something. "It's as you say, art can reveal parts of who we are - I look forward to what you will show, but what Isawa-san wil show too."

[Funegao no Hirame]

"I don't think there could be another quite like it, to be honest," her lips quirked a little into a lopsided smile.

"Thank goodness for small favors." Hirame murmured. His lips quirked too, but he glanced at the Phoenix and said nothing more. As he understood it, it wasn't even proper to flirt with your fiancee in front of others! Weird, but okay, he'd play the game.

Looking to Hirame, he smiled. "Waiting for the arrival of Isawa Natsuko-san. I had suggested to her that it might be a good exercise in learning about one another in exchanging creative processes."

"Oh? That seems like a good idea." Hirame said. He cleared his throat. "Ah... do you know what sort of art interests her? Or will you be discovering that after she arrives?"

[Shiba Jiro]

If he had any concerns over seeing flirtation in front of people he definitely didn't show it. Let people have fun and enjoy themselves. He wasn't about to say anything about it.

"We'll be discovering it together, like many things. The two of you are likely those that most understand some of the concerns I have, but there are certainly different concerns as well depending on the people involved. An interesting navigation."

[Kakita Ahiru]

"What concerns, Shiba-san?" Ahiru didn't have her players' knowledge that Jiro and Natsuko were betrothed, just like she and Hirame was.

[Shiba Jiro]

"Isawa-san and I are betrothed, as I understand the two of you are," he says. "And only meeting here at the Topaz Championship for the first time."

[Funegao no Hirame]

"Shiba-san and I had lunch together yesterday. Yukikaze no Kasumi was also there." Hirame added.

He nodded to Jiro. "I met Isawa Natsuko-san when I was exploring the woods the other day. She's a very interesting person. Very smart." He shrugged. "A little spacy, I guess."

[Kakita Ahiru]

"Oh, I see. Congratulations on your betrothal," she offered with a smile and a dip of her head. "And... yes, Hirame-san and I are betrothed too."

Ahiru didn't know that was common knowledge, but little did she know of how much Hirame had been talking about it with others.

"Isawa-san seems like a good person. I am sure you will both be blessed."

[Shiba Jiro]

"It's been a pleasure to get to know her," he says with a nod. "I hope that things have been going well for the two of you. It's certainly a very different experience from the uninformed ideas I had." He laughs at that.

[Funegao no Hirame]

"Oh? How's that?" Hirame asked, sparing a glance from his painting. He was adding colors to the sky, reds and yellows and oranges.

[Kakita Ahiru]

"I would say it has been interesting to meet one's betrothed. Nothing to complain about, as Hirame-san is acting with grace and courtesy," Ahiru said politely of her betrothed. Because she couldn't say they had been doing something as daring as holding hands! ... And discussing their futures with some high emotions.

"What sort of ideas about it did you have?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"Well, I thought it would be a far more formal introduction, with a nakodo or family present, not surprised with a notification just before heading here." He shrugged."

"Strange set of circumstances."

[Funegao no Hirame]

Hirame cast Ahiru a quick look, eyebrows raised, before looking back to Jiro. "That does seem odd. How'd that end up happening? Some signals get mixed somewhere, or something?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"Decisions made at a level that I'm not aware of," he says with a shrug. "But I am fortunate that Isawa-san is not upset by it and I just consider the circumstances odd. We're sorting it out together."

[Isawa Natsuko]

The mentioned Isawa-san seldom seems upset by much, honestly. Finding her way through the Academy has been slow, feeling the way centuries of use had impressed upon the spiritual landscape here led to wandering thoughts.

Entering the space, she looks around slowly at the supplies and cushions and paintings in progress, until her gaze lands on the conversational cluster that includes Jiro. She weaves among the other participants to approach them and offer a bow of greeting that rattles as her satchel shifts at her hip as she offers a quiet, "minna-san, I hope the fortunes find you all well."