(D6 EA) Paint Party (Crane Quarters)

[Kakita Ahiru]

Ahiru was trying to not think gifting anything to daughters, least of all that doll.

Seeing Natsuko looking to her painting, she at least managed a smile. "My memory is not something as amazing as Hirame-san's. Sometimes in the summer, we'd make origami-boats to race down the rivers and brooks - just a simple pasttime for children with a carefree life. I don't recall winning, but winning wasn't the reason why I did it, but rather the excitement of watching which one would pull ahead, if the red boat would actually go faster than the others..." she chuckled a little bit. "The children are dressed in adult clothing, which they aren't yet ready for, as children often strive towards becoming adults... while also yet doing childish things. A bit like today, really, with this little gathering."

With a smile, she presented Jiro with four chrysanthemum monaka. "I am not surprised that a student of the Shiba Artisans impressed me the most with his work, but I do want to say that everyone has been exceptional today."


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Jiro gets four chrysanthemum monaka. Natsuko and Hirame recieve two chrysanthemum monaka.

[Funegao no Hirame]

"If I ever find that doll, I'm gifting it right to a fire." Hirame said, smiling but firm.

He inclined his head to the two Phoenix. "But yes, quite well done. "If anything, I'd say the uncanniness of it all rather enhanced the paintings. I'm not sure how much you've painted before, but I feel like it's something you should keep doing, at least when the mood strikes you."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Thank you Kakita-san. It was pleasant to spend the afternoon painting and conversing with everyone. As a token of my appreciation," perhaps we could split the main prize between the four of us and enjoy them together?" He offers them between the four, sharing a snack rather than giving a gift.

[Isawa Natsuko]

Looking at Ahiru's painting, she nods. "Adult clothing they are not ready for yet. When did we become ready, I wonder. Was it a particular moment when these robes began to fit us?" Slight as she is, hers hang on her in a less drastic fashion than seen in the painting, but there is still that sense of a child's frame in adult clothing, even if there is nothing else childish about her.

She accepts the sweets with a small bow and sincere thanks.

"Have not painted much before, but it is relaxing, and seems amenable to giving expression to the void in a less...conscious fashion. I appreciate the Crane preparing such an opportunity."

[Funegao no Hirame]

"I feel ready." Hirame said. "Or... I did, anyway." He frowned as he scratched his head.

Regardless, this apparent new uncertainty was not expanded on. "But yes, thank you. The Crane have continued to be excellent hosts." Hirame bowed, but grinned when he straightened. "Also, this was a lot of fun! Maybe I should try painting more things. And what I feel like painting, not... whatever part of me lead to that doll."