(D6, EE) Party: Hold it! (Pool)

[Funegao no Hirame]

Hirame shrugged. "Guess that's why there's different kinds of games, huh?" He said.

He glanced at the others, then shrugged again. "Is preferring Go and Shogi a Crane thing, or a you thing, Kakita-san?" Hirame asked.

[Kakita Yuji]

Hirame shrugged. "Guess that's why there's different kinds of games, huh?" He said.

He glanced at the others, then shrugged again. "Is preferring Go and Shogi a Crane thing, or a you thing, Kakita-san?" Hirame asked.

Yujij took a moment to make sure no one was actively drowning while he considered the Manti's query.

"Hmmm, well, certain games are definitely more popular than others. I cannot speak for every Crane, of course, but my perception would be the order of popularity would be: the game of letters, sadane, go, shogi, hanafuda, and then fortunes and winds." he said offering his opinion.

[Funegao no Hirame]

"Huh." Hirame said, frowning and nodding. "I've heard of those first two, but we don't really play them in the Mantis. How do those work? Sadane especially I don't really get."

[Kakita Yuji]

"Huh." Hirame said, frowning and nodding. "I've heard of those first two, but we don't really play them in the Mantis. How do those work? Sadane especially I don't really get."

Yuji smiled a bit

"Well, I'm no master, but I can give you a basic run down of each, though we should start with the game of letters. In the game of letters you send anonymous poetry through the court circulated by the servants. But it's just more than poetry. You have to consider every element of the presentation. For example, using large pieces of high quality paper show that you respect the person whom the poem is intended for, whereas a small piece or poor quality paper is quite insulting. Your calligraphy, your use of scent on the poem, anything attached to it and more, they all speak of what you are saying. And there can be a wild range of things you are trying to communicate. You can show how clever you are, speak of your romantic intentions without revealing yourself, insult a rival, there are nearly as many things to communicate as their are messages." he explained.

[Funegao no Hirame]

Hirame listened, his hazel eyes a little wide. As Yuji finished, Hirame grimaced, looking a little daunted. "That all sounds very complicated. Are the rules explained, or is it one of those things that you're just expected to know?"

His slightly confused frown deepened. "And does that every go awry? Messages misunderstood, offense taken when none was meant? Or worse. I'd hate to accidentally indicate to someone that I was romantically interested in them, or something."

[Kakita Yuji]

Hirame listened, his hazel eyes a little wide. As Yuji finished, Hirame grimaced, looking a little daunted. "That all sounds very complicated. Are the rules explained, or is it one of those things that you're just expected to know?"

His slightly confused frown deepened. "And does that every go awry? Messages misunderstood, offense taken when none was meant? Or worse. I'd hate to accidentally indicate to someone that I was romantically interested in them, or something."

"Well, it's normally something you study a bit to understand the basics of it. Though really it boils down to what you are trying to convey and how well you do so. It's not so much different than understanding the signficance of the fan you carry in court." he offered, because everyone obviously knew fan etiquette.

"Ah, well...the anonymity of the game does offer some protection from such. I mean, can you imagine someone ranting at the court about how they were insulted in an anonymous letter, demanding that the author step forward? It would shatter their reputation more comprehensively than any letter could realistically achieve. And if you act on misinterpreted romantic intentions....well, Benten works in mysterious ways at times."

[Funegao no Hirame]

"Would it?" Hirame said, tilting his head thoughtfully? "I guess it makes sense. Although Mantis do it a bit differently." If everything's anonymous, how do the people involved know who to punch in the face? Confusing...

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Truly, Benten does work in mysterious ways. Ummm..." He pursed his lips. "And Sadane? All I know is that it's saying mean things about art, or fashion. Is that really a game?"

[Kakita Yuji]

"Would it?" Hirame said, tilting his head thoughtfully? "I guess it makes sense. Although Mantis do it a bit differently." If everything's anonymous, how do the people involved know who to punch in the face? Confusing...

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Truly, Benten does work in mysterious ways. Ummm..." He pursed his lips. "And Sadane? All I know is that it's saying mean things about art, or fashion. Is that really a game?"

Yuji chuckled a bit.

"Ah well, the point is to show how clever and discerning one is in their commentary. Saying that a kimono is ugly is simply mean. Commenting that is is a lovely kimono, it reminds you of one that your great-grandmother wore when she was a girl.....that is more along the lines of Sadane." he explained.

[Funegao no Hirame]

"Oh, okay, I get it." Hirame nodded, but his brow was creased. "So, it's about saying mean things, but in a clever way?" Wait, what had people said about his jacket?!?! His frown deepened as he thought back...

Sighing, Hirame shook his head with a smile. "Well, I think I'm not much good at that sort of thing. But perhaps I should give this game of letters a try sometime. I made an attempt at painting earlier today. Perhaps I should try poetry as well."

[Kakita Yuji]

"Oh, okay, I get it." Hirame nodded, but his brow was creased. "So, it's about saying mean things, but in a clever way?" Wait, what had people said about his jacket?!?! His frown deepened as he thought back...

Sighing, Hirame shook his head with a smile. "Well, I think I'm not much good at that sort of thing. But perhaps I should give this game of letters a try sometime. I made an attempt at painting earlier today. Perhaps I should try poetry as well."

Yuji smiled quite a bit at that.

"I think that you should Mantis-san. My hope is that all the contestants come away from Tsuma with a greater appreciation for the arts and the creativity to pursue their own artistic interests. Art is such a good way to connect people across distance and time." he said encouragingly.

[Funegao no Hirame]

"Especially since I still owe you two poems, eh Kakita-san?" Hirame grinned at him. "It may be that you'll receive the first and second poems I'll ever write."

He pursed his lips. "Hrm..." But he didn't add any more.

[Kakita Yuji]

"Especially since I still owe you two poems, eh Kakita-san?" Hirame grinned at him. "It may be that you'll receive the first and second poems I'll ever write."

He pursed his lips. "Hrm..." But he didn't add any more.

Yuji bowed.

"If that is the case, Mantis-san, I will be honored by their inclusion, just as much if not more if they were your hundredth and two-thousandth." he replied, just happy he was going to participate.

"Although, if there is some....other purpose Mantis-san wanted to bend their first and second poem to...and if there were something I could do to help, mantis-san need barely mention it."

[Funegao no Hirame]

"Although, if there is some....other purpose Mantis-san wanted to bend their first and second poem to...and if there were something I could do to help, mantis-san need barely mention it."

Hirame gave Yuji a quick glance, and then a longer look. After a moment, he smiled, nodding. "That's very kind of you, Kakita-san. I think that I would like to make my first attempt on my own. But... perhaps if I find that I need advice on writing, I may take you up on the offer."

It would be something to consider, anyway.

[Kakita Yuji]

Yuji bowed.

"Of course, Mantis-san, you need tbut ask." he said.

Yuji looked over to the change in crowd as the hour grew later.

"Ah, everyone, thank you so much for participating in our celebration dedicated to Kisshoten. Everyone be sure to grab two pieces of the seashell monaka on hyour way out. Except for Akodo-san, she gets four for her impressive feat of stamina! We wish you the best of luck in the remainder of the tournament and hope your stay in Tsuma continues to be pleasant." he says wrapping this part of the party up.