Day 2 [LA] The Show Might Go On (Expecting)

[Suzume Rin]

Rin had arrived 15 minutes early outside Mitsuko's room and had made a bad job of hiding in the hallway until it was polite to announce herself and drag the Crab off to the Red Lotus. Now the two of them had made it to the exterior of the Red Lotus and Rin was admiring the exterior while happily chatting to the Ronin doorman.

"You're so brave Shinji-san, facing down three samurai like that with nothing but your fists. You know, I could probably think up a little story about that."
The ronin laughs and says something lost in the murmur of the crowd before gesturing that the Sparrow and Crab were welcome to enter at their leisure as Rin returned to Mitsuko's side.

[Kuni Mitsuko]

The Crab girl found Rin's conversation with the doorman fascinating. Not because of the content, but because of its existence. She... This story thing with her is fascinating. If she hadn't been so caught up in the conversation, the Sparrow might have seen Mitsuko's eyes looking at her as curiously as some Kuni look at a gaki.

Mitsuko smiles as Rin steps closer. "Do you want to lead the way?" She offers, then remembers, "Oh, but you said we needed to do this together." The smile gets a little wider, then she looks at the teahouse door and contemplates two skinny girls going through at the same time.

[Suzume Rin]

The Crab girl found Rin's conversation with the doorman fascinating. Not because of the content, but because of its existence. She... This story thing with her is fascinating. If she hadn't been so caught up in the conversation, the Sparrow might have seen Mitsuko's eyes looking at her as curiously as some Kuni look at a gaki.

Mitsuko smiles as Rin steps closer. "Do you want to lead the way?" She offers, then remembers, "Oh, but you said we needed to do this together." The smile gets a little wider, then she looks at the teahouse door and contemplates two skinny girls going through at the same time.

The happily humming Rin misses it all except for the question as she inspects the door.
"Of course Kuni-sama, we'll do it together. I'm not the biggest samurai, not if I turn sideways at least. And you're...also well boned. I reckon the two of us can fit through there at the same time if I sorta turn and shimmy. Time was I could fit through the hole in the storehouse next door if I need some peace and quiet. Then I started getting taller and everything got complicated."
Extending an arm to Mitsuko
"So, together?"

[Kuni Mitsuko]

The happily humming Rin misses it all except for the question as she inspects the door.
"Of course Kuni-sama, we'll do it together. I'm not the biggest samurai, not if I turn sideways at least. And you're...also well boned. I reckon the two of us can fit through there at the same time if I sorta turn and shimmy. Time was I could fit through the hole in the storehouse next door if I need some peace and quiet. Then I started getting taller and everything got complicated."
Extending an arm to Mitsuko
"So, together?"

The Kuni's brow furrows for a moment. The Sparrow think this is well boned? Then, realizing that it might be a compliment, Mitsuko's face flashes to a grin and she grabs the other girl's arm firmly. "Together," she affirms forcefully, and Mitsuko doesn't relinquish the arm until the girls are sitting at a respectable table. Not that the Kuni girl knew what was really favorable, but an intense look at the hostess had seemed to resolve any potential questions like "Are these girls serious?" And that winning attitude had certainly been the source of Mitsuko's swagger as she walked arm-in-arm with Rin, not any other reason.

[Suzume Rin]

The Kuni's brow furrows for a moment. The Sparrow think this is well boned? Then, realizing that it might be a compliment, Mitsuko's face flashes to a grin and she grabs the other girl's arm firmly. "Together," she affirms forcefully, and Mitsuko doesn't relinquish the arm until the girls are sitting at a respectable table. Not that the Kuni girl knew what was really favorable, but an intense look at the hostess had seemed to resolve any potential questions like "Are these girls serious?" And that winning attitude had certainly been the source of Mitsuko's swagger as she walked arm-in-arm with Rin, not any other reason.

'Wow, Mitsuko-sama is so confident! And she knows exactly what the best table is.'
Rin is clearly just happy to be pulled along until they reach their table.

"This is so exciting Kuni-sama, I think I would have darn near froze when the hostess gave us that look. But she took one look at you and knew you knew what was what."
Rin peers around the richly appointed room with a variety of low tables angles to allow guests to view the stage. A few discreet waiters made their way amongst the samurai quietly taking and depositing orders.

"I feel very fancy. Oh look, over there's definitely a Unicorn judging by the coat. And the fellow shooting him angry looks when he thinks nobody's looking has to be a Lion. Seems there's folk from all over had the same idea as us."

[Kuni Mitsuko]

'Wow, Mitsuko-sama is so confident! And she knows exactly what the best table is.'
Rin is clearly just happy to be pulled along until they reach their table.

"This is so exciting Kuni-sama, I think I would have darn near froze when the hostess gave us that look. But she took one look at you and knew you knew what was what."
Rin peers around the richly appointed room with a variety of low tables angles to allow guests to view the stage. A few discreet waiters made their way amongst the samurai quietly taking and depositing orders.

"I feel very fancy. Oh look, over there's definitely a Unicorn judging by the coat. And the fellow shooting him angry looks when he thinks nobody's looking has to be a Lion. Seems there's folk from all over had the same idea as us."

"It was your good idea, Rin--Suzume-san," the Crab corrects herself. "Um. I wouldn't have... I wouldn't have thought to come without you," Mitsuko says honestly, looking for a moment out of sorts. But she seizes on the arrival of a server to refocus, order something that she knows is respectable in Crab lands, and then give them a commanding look of "Yes, really" that works on Crab bushi and is certainly compelling enough in this setting. That done, she turns back to the Sparrow with a smile.

"I'm glad you suggested this. Very educational," Mitsuko says warmly.

[Suzume Rin]

"It was your good idea, Rin--Suzume-san," the Crab corrects herself. "Um. I wouldn't have... I wouldn't have thought to come without you," Mitsuko says honestly, looking for a moment out of sorts. But she seizes on the arrival of a server to refocus, order something that she knows is respectable in Crab lands, and then give them a commanding look of "Yes, really" that works on Crab bushi and is certainly compelling enough in this setting. That done, she turns back to the Sparrow with a smile.

"I'm glad you suggested this. Very educational," Mitsuko says warmly.

Rin's nose turns a little pink "Oh, you can use my given name if you want Kuni-sama."
She watches Mitsuko command the servers, reflecting that order fruit juice was no different to ordering an assault if you looked steely enough.

"I'm glad you're liking it! I hope the plays lives up to the rest of this place. Let's see, it's suppose to be..." peering at a small sign on the stage

" 'The Servant of Two Masters'. I think I know this one, there's this ronin who ends up being employed by two samurai at the same time with him tryn' to serve both without either of them the wiser. Also, one of 'em is a woman in disguise. I've never seen it performed but the story is interesting even on its own."

[Kuni Mitsuko]

Rin's nose turns a little pink "Oh, you can use my given name if you want Kuni-sama."

"I think that I should only do that if you do the same," Mitsuko suggests, watching Rin's reaction with interest.

She watches Mitsuko command the servers, reflecting that order fruit juice was no different to ordering an assault if you looked steely enough.

"I'm glad you're liking it! I hope the plays lives up to the rest of this place. Let's see, it's suppose to be..." peering at a small sign on the stage

" 'The Servant of Two Masters'. I think I know this one, there's this ronin who ends up being employed by two samurai at the same time with him tryn' to serve both without either of them the wiser. Also, one of 'em is a woman in disguise. I've never seen it performed but the story is interesting even on its own."

The Crab's eyebrows rise and she smiles a little. "Hai, that does sound interesting. I haven't seen hardly any plays save draw lot style. And... So why is there a woman in disguise," Mitsuko questions as her mind gets stuck on that detail.

[Suzume Rin]

"I think that I should only do that if you do the same," Mitsuko suggests, watching Rin's reaction with interest.


The Crab's eyebrows rise and she smiles a little. "Hai, that does sound interesting. I haven't seen hardly any plays save draw lot style. And... So why is there a woman in disguise," Mitsuko questions as her mind gets stuck on that detail.

" 'Course Mitsuko-sama. Don't wanna be informal, but also not too formal I guess. Kinda middle formal seems to work."
Glad for a distraction
"Why's she in disguise? It's a long story I think. See, she's disguised as her dead brother who was killed in a duel by the samurai she loves. So now she's taken on his identity to get a dowry he's owed so she can escape with her lover. But her brother's fiance is now in love with someone else and it gets all sorts of complicated."

Rubbing her chin
"It makes it sound convoluted but it's meant to be a comedy so I guess being a little silly is the point. I don't know much about draw lots style plays though. Is that a Crab style of performance?"

Some musicians start playing quietly to get the crowd warmed up before the court is drawn.

[Kuni Mitsuko]

" 'Course Mitsuko-sama. Don't wanna be informal, but also not too formal I guess. Kinda middle formal seems to work."
Glad for a distraction
"Why's she in disguise? It's a long story I think. See, she's disguised as her dead brother who was killed in a duel by the samurai she loves. So now she's taken on his identity to get a dowry he's owed so she can escape with her lover. But her brother's fiance is now in love with someone else and it gets all sorts of complicated."

Rubbing her chin
"It makes it sound convoluted but it's meant to be a comedy so I guess being a little silly is the point. I don't know much about draw lots style plays though. Is that a Crab style of performance?"

Some musicians start playing quietly to get the crowd warmed up before the court is drawn.

"Love? Dowry?" Mitsuko's eyes are wide as the Sparrow speaks, and she almost doesn't hear the question about draw lots. But the timely arrival of their tea as start time of the play approaches gives her time to reset.

"Um, it sounds like we can talk about a lot of things after the show," Mitsuko says in what she hopes is a sweet voice. She's quick to grab the tea pot, to show she doesn't think she's above Rin at all.

[Suzume Rin]

"Love? Dowry?" Mitsuko's eyes are wide as the Sparrow speaks, and she almost doesn't hear the question about draw lots. But the timely arrival of their tea as start time of the play approaches gives her time to reset.

"Um, it sounds like we can talk about a lot of things after the show," Mitsuko says in what she hopes is a sweet voice. She's quick to grab the tea pot, to show she doesn't think she's above Rin at all.

There's an awkward moment where Rin had automatically reached for the pot and quickly pretends she was actually brushing some dust off the table before the show thankfully starts.

On stage the current lifts and the actors bow to the audience before walking into position. The first scene seems to be set in the house of a wealthy samurai who is celebrating the upcoming wedding of his daughter. Enter the bumbling ronin Truffo-san, who announces the arrival of his master Fubatsu!

There is much shock as Fubatsu was presumed dead in a duel! Of course, Fubatsu really is sister Barako in disguise, as she narrates to the audience.

Shenanigans ensue as Barako attempts to claim the money promised to their dead brother, the bride's father decides to annul the wedding so she can marry who he believes if Fubatsu, the angered bride refuses, her fiance remains determined to win her hand and the ronin falls in love with a geisha hired as entertainment. It's all very absurd.

"Wow" It's Rin's turn to be wide eyed "This first act is real intense, everyone running which way and gettin' into trouble."

[Kuni Mitsuko]

On stage the current lifts and the actors bow to the audience before walking into position. The first scene seems to be set in the house of a wealthy samurai who is celebrating the upcoming wedding of his daughter. Enter the bumbling ronin Truffo-san, who announces the arrival of his master Fubatsu!

There is much shock as Fubatsu was presumed dead in a duel! Of course, Fubatsu really is sister Barako in disguise, as she narrates to the audience.

Shenanigans ensue as Barako attempts to claim the money promised to their dead brother, the bride's father decides to annul the wedding so she can marry who he believes if Fubatsu, the angered bride refuses, her fiance remains determined to win her hand and the ronin falls in love with a geisha hired as entertainment. It's all very absurd.

"Wow" It's Rin's turn to be wide eyed "This first act is real intense, everyone running which way and gettin' into trouble."

Mitsuko, who looks almost as traumatized as anyone can in heavy, demon-intimidating makeup, nods at Rin's assessment.

"It's, um... Fascinating?" The young Kuni isn't ignorant of theater, thanks to studying the work of one of her obscure relatives, but seeing such a performance that's so at odds with her own life is hard to process. She takes a long drink of tea, breathes deeply as she wishes it were sake, and unconsciously scoots closer to Rin as the music and curtain signal the start of act 2.

[Suzume Rin]

Mitsuko, who looks almost as traumatized as anyone can in heavy, demon-intimidating makeup, nods at Rin's assessment.

"It's, um... Fascinating?" The young Kuni isn't ignorant of theater, thanks to studying the work of one of her obscure relatives, but seeing such a performance that's so at odds with her own life is hard to process. She takes a long drink of tea, breathes deeply as she wishes it were sake, and unconsciously scoots closer to Rin as the music and curtain signal the start of act 2.

"Yeah, that's a good term for it. Bet there's a lot of subtext I'm missing!"
Rin beams supportively at the traumatised Kuni
"Oh, here's act 2!"

The curtain raises again where we find the main twist of the performance. Greedy Truffo-san is approached by Fumitaso, the lover of Barako!
"Oh boy, two names like that? I'm gonna get 'em mixed up."
Fumisato is in need of a servant himself and Truffo determines that he cans imply serve two masters at the same time and double his income. Fumisato immediately sends him to collect his mail where he comes across the disguised Barako who tells the ronin to collect her letters as well. Naturally the bumbling ronin mixes up the letters and gives each party's letters to the other. Fumisato releases Barako is somewhere in the city and immediately sets off in search of her.

Meanwhile the still disguised Barako returns to the wealthy samurai's house and explains her secret to the daughter. The two embrace which her father views from afar, believing that means they have agreed to wed! Oh no!

Act 2 ends dramatically as a series of bumbles from Truffo lead both Barako and Fumitaso to believe the other has dead. What will become of these two lovers and the web of lies around them?

[Kuni Mitsuko]

Mitsuko's eyes are wide but she's not saying anything as all of this develops before them. She again takes a long drink of tea, breathes deeply as she wishes it were sake, and unconsciously scoots closer to Rin as the music and curtain now signal the start of act 3.

[Suzume Rin]

Rin doesn't seem to notice any scooting, so busy is the Sparrow trying to interpret what is appearing before them. She mirrors Mutsiko with a long sip of tea and starts concentrating hard as the curtain rises....

Act 3 sees the grief stricken Barako through off her disguise in front of the whole house.
"Gosh, amazing how much work a fake beard can do!"
Before fleeing in her sorrow. The father of the fiance seems to take this in surprisingly good stride, resolving that the once cancelled marriage with the original suitor is on again. At this point the fiance appears to hit him with a shoe.

As fate would have it the mourning Fumitaso and Barako go to the same waterfall to throw themselves off and after a humorous moment where each keeps politely offering the other to go first, they realise their respective identities! Joy! Romance!
"..Maybe these two are a good fit for one another."

Ultimately all the couples are set to be happily married except for Truffo-san who requests the right to marry the geisha but is informed her contract has been transferred to Fumitaso. And so to marry the love of his life the ronin confesses that he is indeed a servant of two masters.

The show concludes and the actors all bow with the audience appreciatively shaking their fans in approval. Rin looks around in surprise too before quickly extracting her fan and doing the same while leaning over to the (now much closer) Kuni
"Well! Wasn't that something, thought everyone was going to be requested to commit seppuku for a moment there!"

[Kuni Mitsuko]

Looking a touch self-conscious, Mitsuko opts not to draw her warfan to join the crowd's activity, instead clasping her hands before her face and bowing politely to the stage.

The self consciousness fades as attention to the stage wanes and Mitsuko notices she's quite close to the Sparrow. She grins but keeps her eyes down on her tea, then raises it toward Rin.

"Thank you, Rin-san. For bringing me and the explanation and... Just thank you so much." Her eyes are warm looking over the tea cup at her companion.

[Suzume Rin]

Looking a touch self-conscious, Mitsuko opts not to draw her warfan to join the crowd's activity, instead clasping her hands before her face and bowing politely to the stage.

The self consciousness fades as attention to the stage wanes and Mitsuko notices she's quite close to the Sparrow. She grins but keeps her eyes down on her tea, then raises it toward Rin.

"Thank you, Rin-san. For bringing me and the explanation and... Just thank you so much." Her eyes are warm looking over the tea cup at her companion.

Rin is clearly overjoyed at the feedback as her face softens into a broad smile.
"Well I think the inn deserves the credit for the show and you deserve the credit for joining me. Was a bit worried it was all gonna be a bit much but I'm so happy you liked it! It's been nice to just go out with someone and do something fun...uh, research and fun."

[Kuni Mitsuko]

Rin is clearly overjoyed at the feedback as her face softens into a broad smile.
"Well I think the inn deserves the credit for the show and you deserve the credit for joining me. Was a bit worried it was all gonna be a bit much but I'm so happy you liked it! It's been nice to just go out with someone and do something fun...uh, research and fun."

"Yes, absolutely," Mitsuko agrees, beaming. "Important research. Very educational. One of this trip's many learning opportunities," she says confidently. Rin may notice a slightly mischievous look to the Crab, her makeup less intimidating than usual.

[Suzume Rin]

"Yes, absolutely," Mitsuko agrees, beaming. "Important research. Very educational. One of this trip's many learning opportunities," she says confidently. Rin may notice a slightly mischievous look to the Crab, her makeup less intimidating than usual.

"Oh, well I bet you got twice as much learnin' out of it as I did."
Rin notices the looks and blushes slightly worried she had something on her face or in her hair. She does her best nonchalantly rubs a hand across her face to dislodge anything.

"Um, well I'm sure you've got other things you'd rather be doing than spending time with little old me without a show on. Would you want to be walking back to the Laughing Carp?"

[Kuni Mitsuko]

"Yes, absolutely," Mitsuko agrees, beaming. "Important research. Very educational. One of this trip's many learning opportunities," she says confidently. Rin may notice a slightly mischievous look to the Crab, her makeup less intimidating than usual.

"Oh, well I bet you got twice as much learnin' out of it as I did."
Rin notices the looks and blushes slightly worried she had something on her face or in her hair. She does her best nonchalantly rubs a hand across her face to dislodge anything.

"Um, well I'm sure you've got other things you'd rather be doing than spending time with little old me without a show on. Would you want to be walking back to the Laughing Carp?"

Mitsuko's smile continues, perhaps a touch brighter as she sees the Sparrow nervous.

"I'm kind of liking the tea right here... But we can certainly go soon." Mitsuko takes another sip. "Either way, I'm... glad for your company," she says softly, looking away nervously even as she says it.