[EE9] - The Feast of Thanks

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai raises an eyebrow slightly.

"Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't have a line of suitors a mile long. Or do you, and I will have to fight for your hand?"

He grins, wiggles his eyebrows slightly. "I will, of course, if it must be."

[Asahina Sakura]

She nearly coughed on her soup. "What! No. Um. Me? No. That's not me. That's another girl."

[Ender]

As the contestants move through the ceremony of giving their gifts during the feast of thanks, something is afoot. It starts as the doors slide open, and a young woman, dressed in the powder blue of the Crane walks with purpose and intensity down the side of the room. Almost scurrying up the dais, she immediately approaches Kakita Toshimoko, bowing deeply, then bringing her fan up, covers her mouth as she says something to the Grey Crane.

His head turns to face the woman directly, the color flushing from his face, eyes wide. If you can read lips, you clearly see him mouth the words Are you certain!?

She nods, and prostrates herself before him. The Grey Crane stands at that moment, but before he speaks, another person walks in to the great feast hall.

The Mon of the Miya on their resplendent clothing, a hat of power properly worn. Their eyes are focused on the Grey Crane, before looking at all the contestants.

The Grey Crane shoots a look to one of the servants, and wordlessly, they begin to hurriedly tidy and organize.

"Sumimasen, minna-san!" The Miya speaks, their voice overpowering every one in the room, commanding in tone. "A great honor to all potentials for the Topaz Championship! Presenting, his divine majesty, the Son of Heaven, the Emperor!" The Miya steps to the side, bowing deeply, as a pair of Seppun miharu walk in.

Behind them, an older man, long beard groomd expertly. His kimono intricate and heavy. His hands folded into the sleeves of his robe. Behind him, two men enter. One bearing the mon of the Akodo, the recently crowned Emerald Champion, Akodo Toturi. To the left of him, a pair dressed in crimson and gold.

The Royal Advisor, Bayushi Kachiko, and standing with her, looking over the room, the Chancellor Bayushi Shoju.

More Seppun Miharu enter with them as they move down the main path of the room. Four children, maybe a year or two younger than most of the competitors. The two sons of the Emperor, Daisetsu and Sotori. At the right of Sotori, is Yoritomo's niece, Mebuki.

Just behind Daisetsu, a young woman dressed in the purple of the Unicorn, bearing the mon of the Iuchi, the guest of the Seppun, Shahai.

The retinue moves wordlessly to the dais, and Toshimoko himself bows deeply to his old friend.

Sixth Sense Advantage Owners: There is another figure, slightly behind Sotori. Long, skeletal fingers placed tenderly on either shoulder, with pointed, talon like nails. Only for the briefest moment, appearing dressed all in white, before flashing away quickly.

OOC: If you haven't arrived yet, you can still post in. Just that maybe your turn in the gifting ceremony hasn't come up yet.

[Funegao no Hirame]

Hirame was suddenly glad that he had worn his new clothing instead of his sharkskin jacket. Or... wished he'd worn his sharkskin jacket. Either way, his first panicked thought definitely had to do with his sharkskin jacket.

His etiquette lessons hadn't covered this.

He shot a quick glance over at Ahiru, figuring that whatever she was doing would probably be a good idea for him to do too.

[Shiba Jiro]

As likely most others were doing, Jiro lowers himself into a deep bow for the emperor. There was no worry or concern on his face, simply calm. But that just hides the fact that his insides are currently a series of knots.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

Great. 'Cause these Crane assholes needed to feel more important.

Kasumi, spiritually sensitive as a brick, bowed to the assembled potentates as befit her lowly station with nary a hint of anything but the awareness that if the roof fell in, the Empire would be decapitated in one feel swoop.

The Emerald Champion, the Chancellor, the Adviser, both princes, and, of course, the Emperor. Wonder how it'd go if I walked up and mentioned how we're related... would everyone fall over dead from my effrontery before anyone managed to draw and cut my head off? Doubt it.

It went without saying that her mood remained blacker than the heart of the Festering Pit.

[Suzume Rin]

For a few moments Rin, literally, cannot believe it. The Son Of Heaven, here?!?!

Fighting down the natural feeling of concern one has in the company of those who could have you killed very easily the Sparrow does her best to adopt her most serious and respectful On and genuflect deeply before sitting up straight with her gaze down. She's pretty sure nobody will look over in her direction anyway.

[Kakita Ahiru]

Ahiru was absolutely taken aback by this sudden arrival. Mostly because a retinue like this would've been gossiped about days beforehand, so she was completely caught unawares.

Still, she did the only natural thing to do in the presence of the Son of Heaven. To kneel down and bow.

[Nekoma Seto]

The Cat, already somewhat fixated on trying not to break anything, was now totally fixated on not breaking anything in front of the Emperor.

His bow was notable for being carefully angled to not even come close to the table.

[Akodo Michi]

Michi stood from her seat, then knelt. It was the only thing to do.

[Shinjo Jingyi]

Awaiting her turn to present a gift, Jingyi immediately knelt and bowed low alongside everyone else.

[Isawa Natsuko]

Natsuko joins the wave of motion to the floor as word and realization move through the room, and feels fear shiver though her, settling in the long bones of her legs as if to say 'run!'

It was an ishiken whose visions sparked warnings about the dangers of the Unicorn's strange magics. And here was one of its practitioners a few feet from the Emperor. That was concerning, but she had some confidence that the Seppun were on top of such things.

No, the fear was born of the fact that nobody, not even the host of this tournament, seemed to have known the emperor would be here, but the Phoenix sent not just one, but three of their rarest and strangest graduates to this year's tournament--the ones able to potentially rework fate. The coincidence was deeply troubling.

[Kuni Mitsuko]

For a few moments Rin, literally, cannot believe it. The Son Of Heaven, here?!?!

Fighting down the natural feeling of concern one has in the company of those who could have you killed very easily the Sparrow does her best to adopt her most serious and respectful On and genuflect deeply before sitting up straight with her gaze down. She's pretty sure nobody will look over in her direction anyway.

Mitsuko had not managed to find her favourite Sparrow before the dramatic developments. The emperor's arrival triggers a tiny wave of petulant indignation, as teenagers are wont to have around authority figures, but her training and genuine fear of someone so powerful keep that flicker of rebellion buried deep. She is rebellious enough to sneak glances around as etiquette sort of allows once the emperor has settled, noting that Rin is actually not too far away - though it may as well be miles with their current ability to move about.

[Togashi Shinko]

Shinko gulps and kneels. Suddenly the miniature rock garden she had been given to present seems paltry.

[Kitsu Masaru]

Masaru's features turned to a stony mask of neutrality as the announcement happened and the Emperor appeared. He knelt for the sun of heaven as the others had.

He wasn't sure if he was relieved or upset that the Emperor arrived after he had performed his song.

It had been quite good after all.

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai had been about to respond to Sakura--but the Imperial arrival, oh, that takes precedence over all!

He scoots back from the table and folds into a full zarei, remaining with his face pressed to the floor until and unless told otherwise, or His Majesty departs.

As is proper, even for a Seppun who is not on duty. And Urusai, yet a child, is not on duty.

Though he does glance--he cannot help doing so--to see if his father is among the miharu present.

[Asahina Sakura]

Sakura's gaze lingered on the skeletal ghostly figure in the procession for perhaps a beat too long before she dropped to her knees and then into a full bow for the Emperor.

[Shosuro Kaoru]

Kaoru was completely puzzled by the appearance of so many prestigious characters at once. And worried.

Why is every head, present or future, of the Empire gathered in one place? Doesn't that go against every safety measure? If that building was to burn down the empire would be left in utter disarray.

It was hard to keep observant of one's surroundings while being prostrated as proper deference required, but Kaoru nonetheless tried, hoping to catch the pieces of information she was missing to make any sense of what was happening.

[Kaiu Taura]

Taura blinked and watched the retinue arrive, it was . . . fascinating. As she realized that everyone else was bowing, she did so as well. Following the example of the Akodo as she should know how this is to be done. But she kept watching, this was a singular event, most people went their entire lives without seeing the Emperor, be here he was, close enough to touch, not that she would, but still.

[Ender]

The judges had all bowed deeply, and quickly vacated their seats as the Imperial retinue reached the dais. The Emperor bowed slightly to Toshimoko, then there was a slight curl of his lips to a smile, and the bond between two old friends was briefly highlighted. The two older men laughed quietly, as Toshimoko stepped aside. The Emperor nodded to his retinue, and they quickly moved to take seats at the main table.

The four children sat at a table with the contestants, though a pair of Seppun accompanied them. His Divine Majesty, Hantei XXXVIII, looked over the feast hall, his grey eyes lingering over each table, taking in the various contestants from all across his Empire.

"Please, enjoy your feast, sit up." He spoke up, his voice calm, yet warm. Almost inviting. "Tsuma is not far from the Forbidden City, and my old friend had said that this years potentials were truly... something special." His hands remained folded in his kimono robes. "And from what I can see, he is right. You are all the best and brightest that your Clans have sent, and if this is a reflection of the Empire as a whole? Then truly Heaven has smiled upon us."

He beamed to the students. "No matter how the tournament turns out, each of you is a Champion. Your Lords will be blessed to have you serving them, and your families should be proud. The Royal Court is excited to witness the duels tomorrow, and we will be watching all of your careers with great interest." He then moved, taking a seat, a chair having been secured for Toshimoko to be able to be seated next to his friend, the Emperor.

Though he does glance--he cannot help doing so--to see if his father is among the miharu present.

His father is one of the Seppun with the royal children and their guests.