(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.

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

"Konichiwa, fellow competitors! I am Asahina Sakura, and my Crane cousins and I welcome you to a light-hearted chance to paint with a theme of children in honour of Kisshoten-no-Kami. Please, enjoy yourselves, take your time, let your hand and your heart guide you, and enjoy one anothers company!"

With a bow to each who attends, Sakura takes time to wander around, giving praise to everyone and admiring their works.

----

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.

Urusai returns to the Academy--of course, since he's staying there. And he approaches Sakura again.

"Thank you for having me," he says.

She gives the Imperial a deep and respectful bow and when she rises, her expression is a friendly one, "Seppun-sama, thank you for attending? It means a lot to me that you'd choose to spend your time, um, here?" She paused, raising an eyebrow slightly. "How are you? And how is your uncle?"

"Matters are improved," Urusai replies, "on both fronts, for speaking with you."

Not bad, boy, says the voice.

"And I hope as much is true for you?"

She nodded, "Very much the same. Um. It's ...been a good day, if a bit quiet? The Crane events seem to be going well, though? So that's, um, good?"

There wasn't much for her chaperone to rage about at a relaxed art stop such as this, but Sakura didn't doubt her chaperone might find something. It seemed like it was just one of those days.

"You seem...are you sure it is well with you?" Urusai asks, glancing about. "Something seems to be bothering you."

An eyebrow rose and Sakura shook her head, tucking white hair behind an ear, "No, no! This morning's, um, assessment? Was... let's say destressing? for someone I know, and he... may have been on edge? During the whole thing? That's all, Seppun-sama, it's fine!" she chirps reassuringly, as if this isn't uncommon.

"Someone like my uncle?" Urusai asks, "or someone else?"

He looks at her, searchingly.

"Um, anyway, do you have any recommendations for painting?" he asks, realizing that matters may be...uncomfortable.

Had she not mentioned...? Hm.

You didn't tell him about me, Saku-chan.
No?
I'm hurt to be so overlooked!

"Yes, like your uncle." she gave a small smile at his examination? "Um. Well. We're honouring Kisshoten-no-Kami? So um. Something with children as a focus? Is what I'm looking for? But ultimately it's a fairly open ended assignment, the goal is to relax and for contestants to get to know one another in a peaceful setting.."

Urusai nods.

"I but sought clarity," he offers.

The voice in his mind suggests otherwise, and is met with I am trying to behave, Uncle.

"There are many here, and I cannot but think that many seek your time and attention. I am the more gratified to receive it."

His sandals suddenly became very interesting to hide colour blossoming on her cheeks. "Not really? But um, there's only one I want to spend my time with?"

"Oh?" Urusai replies, and he makes a show of looking about for others, seeing none at present.

"Who is so fortunate a person?"

"I, I- uh-" she stuttered, "-if that's unclear... I wouldn't dare to be so forward as to name a um, name."

"Oh, come on," Urusai prods playfully, smiling. "Or shall I guess?"

The voice in Urusai's mind warns him against teasing her further.

His smile shifts slightly. "No," he says. "I shouldn't do such things. I apologize," and he bows his head to her.

"I... Um..." Not just her cheeks burned red but her eyes rimmed such momentarily, and she looked incredibly flustered when the Seppun rose from his bow.


EE6 trying not to die of embarrassment? Air 3/Courtesy 1, Benten's Curse | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 0

2 opp used to 'Notice an interesting detail about a character in the scene, such as an advantage or disadvantage.'

Urusai begins to flush, in turn, and Sakura will note the echoing loneliness behind his eyes if she looks into them.

The voice in his mind suggests that both are being foolish.

She did, in fact, and she saw... and she shuffled a step closer to the Imperial, but not too close as to appear unseemly.
"Can I get you some tea? I'm getting us some tea. To soothe and calm the nerves a bit before painting?"

"That...that'd be lovely, yes," Urusai says, then composes himself and finds a place to sit.

"Your Mantis friend was...insistent earlier," he adds. "I apologize for having been the source of discomfort."

She steps aside briefly to fetch two cups, filling them both before returning to sit close to the Imperial- but not too close, just conversationally so- and hands him his.
With one hand now free, she gives a small wave off of his apology, "Um, thank you? Seppun-sama? But it was alright, I'm sorry if it seemed I was bothered? I really wasn't. How have you been, um, since then? Did you find another event for Kisshoten to attend? I'm um... flattered you found you way back, uh, to me?"

Urusai accepts the tea gratefully and sips at it before he replies.

"I could hardly not return to you," he says. "I mean, well, it's like I said; we don't have much time here.

"But as to that," and he takes another pull from his tea, "I suppose I ought to try my hand at the appointed task. It'd be rude of me not to, after all, and I...very much want to have your esteem."

And with that, he drains his tea, gathers paper and brush, and settles once again into the Seppun stillness, trying to open himself to the intuition of the world. Perhaps he does, perhaps he feels something of the ineffable eminence of being, but if he does, it does not translate into his hands. They move the brush badly, showing the utter lack of training in such arts on his part, and his youth precludes the understanding of fundamental unities of which the scholars and sages speak, that the work of the brush and the work of the sword are the same.

Were this a fight, he would not have wounded his opponent. Since it is not a fight, his efforts do wound the eye that gazes upon them, harms the soul that sees them.

He shakes his head sadly, says "I did say your sketches surpassed anything I could do, after all," and smiles wryly.

~~~~~
The roll...Void / Aesthetics, TN 1, https://sakkaku.org/rolls/2858; failed at 0 sux, 1 opp, 1 strife
If Approach does not apply, opp to eat strife.
If Approach applies, no strife gain, opp to "Feel a chill down your spine, notice a sudden silence, or detect another sign of the supernatural if there is a spiritual disturbance in the scene."