Weather:
High: 64° F (17° C) during the EA
Low: 53° F (11° C) during the EN and LN
Clear skies, Windier than yesterday

Day 5
Breakfast consists of rice, eggs, and a strange delicacy brought forth from the Unicorn. Sweet, and slightly spicy meat. It pairs well with the eggs, and leaves those who eat it feeling quite satisfied. For vegetables, the Crane continue to expend the larder of pickled vegetables. Bright and acidic, featured are yamagobo, pickled daikon, and soy cured mushrooms.

Events:
LM - The Test of the Soul

EE - Art for the Temple, Balm For the Soul

Game of Letters:
The paper is nothing fancy at first glance, although it's good stuff in a silvery grey.

An unsigned work requires an open reply.

Lady Sun shines on us all- but where to direct Her smile?

Orchids of blue bloom
Hanging persimmon heavy
Waiting for a shaking wind.
Jikoju: gentle zephyrs
arriving soon, Komoku

Brilliant, a spring moon

Two lines written in an uncertain, but flowing hand on a simple, green sheet of paper are left alongside a copy of the longer poem in a easily visible spot in the garden park. The lines change the pattern to 5-7-5 for the second part of the poem, but that would be rather common for renga poetry.

shifts on a rippling surface
night and prime in tune

Rumors:

Overheard from neatly dressed peasants in the markets:

"Who knew this year's Topaz candidates would be pious enough to help clean up the shrine?"
"Fortunes bless them, but they're not gonna stay. When it's just Saito again...."
"Some were smart enough to think of that too. Kakita Ahiru-sama led a group to petition Kakita Josuke-ue for long-term support."
"Huh. Well, I hope those silver tongues work a miracle."

At the Red Lotus, a pair of young Scorpion observers-

"Will you be attending the party?"
"What party?"
"The one the Crane contestants are throwing!"
"A chance for the Crane to peacock about? Sounds like *fun*"
"Baka-chan! Don't you get it!? All of the Topaz Competitors will be there. All of them up and coming, the great promise of the future."
"So you're saying you're going?"
"Well of course. We must know who is who... and think of what little things we might learn..."

Between people at prayer at the Shrine to the Fortunes-

"There must be something to it. Those kids that helped here? Look at how well they're doing in the tournament! One of them has been on the podium twice now!"
"You have to feel bad for those who didn't help though..."
"Why? They can still continue to support the shrine, and Fortune could still smile on them!"

Overhead at the Administrative Center-

"Can you believe what people are saying? That we Crane are conspiring with those filthy pirates!"
"What!? Impossible. We have been blessed by the name of Lady Doji, and them?"
"I know! They don't even have Family, just their little wooden dinghys."

The two Crane raise the backs of their hands to their mouths, tilting their heads back, and laughing. "OHHHHHhohohohohohhoho!"