[EE0] - Gathering of Future Heroes - Table 3

[Ender]

One of the tables set for the feast, for any of the young samurai to gather. It is exquisitely laid out with drink and food, dropped by serants who stay out of sight when they aren't serving. The low cushions are comfortable, and plush.

[Seppun Urusai]

Having made his introductions, Urusai seats himself--at the head of the table, of course, and one hard by the right of the high table. How otherwise?

[Kakita Yuji]

Having made his introductions, Urusai seats himself--at the head of the table, of course, and one hard by the right of the high table. How otherwise?

How Indeed? Having made the proper bow to the Master of the Academy, Yuji made his way over to this particular table of those set up. It took but a moment to assess the noble mon upon the man's clothing, indicating the level of bow such a man was accorded.

"Seppun-sama, good evening, I hope that the Left Hand has been properly accommodating to a blossom of the noble Chrysanthemum gardens. I am Kakita Yuji. While I'm sure you have heard these words many times today, allow me to bid you welcome to the fair city of Tsuma as well." he offered.

[Seppun Urusai]

How Indeed? Having made the proper bow to the Master of the Academy, Yuji made his way over to this particular table of those set up. It took but a moment to assess the noble mon upon the man's clothing, indicating the level of bow such a man was accorded.

"Seppun-sama, good evening, I hope that the Left Hand has been properly accommodating to a blossom of the noble Chrysanthemum gardens. I am Kakita Yuji. While I'm sure you have heard these words many times today, allow me to bid you welcome to the fair city of Tsuma as well." he offered.

"The city has been kind thus far, and its people," Urusai replies, bowing in turn. "Urusai, son of Tokaji," he adds by way of introduction, then "You are local to the city, then? But of course," and a small gesture towards the mon, "being of the Family."

[Kakita Yuji]

"The city has been kind thus far, and its people," Urusai replies, bowing in turn. "Urusai, son of Tokaji," he adds by way of introduction, then "You are local to the city, then? But of course," and a small gesture towards the mon, "being of the Family."

Yuji nods.

"Well reasoned, Seppun-sama, Tsuma does not simply spring into being once a year, I have seen the leaves of Tsuma turn from season to season and the roof of the Academy wreathed in snow that comes and goes as all must do."

He looked thoughtfully at the Seppun.

"Hm, one would guess that Seppun-sama hails from the capital itself? I am no Kitsuki to ascertain hidden little truths from the way one is attired, and so I would venture such a guess where there are many noble Seppun Would this be correct or erroneous?"

[Seppun Urusai]

Yuji nods.

"Well reasoned, Seppun-sama, Tsuma does not simply spring into being once a year, I have seen the leaves of Tsuma turn from season to season and the roof of the Academy wreathed in snow that comes and goes as all must do."

He looked thoughtfully at the Seppun.

"Hm, one would guess that Seppun-sama hails from the capital itself? I am no Kitsuki to ascertain hidden little truths from the way one is attired, and so I would venture such a guess where there are many noble Seppun Would this be correct or erroneous?"

Urusai shakes his head.

"Kyuden Seppun," he replies. "Though many of the Family live and stand their watches in the Imperial City, still there are some who dwell in the ancestral home and lands. My father is one such, still, and my mother was. My uncle, as well."

[Kakita Yuji]

Urusai shakes his head.

"Kyuden Seppun," he replies. "Though many of the Family live and stand their watches in the Imperial City, still there are some who dwell in the ancestral home and lands. My father is one such, still, and my mother was. My uncle, as well."

Yuji shook his head.

"Ah, I should have listened to my instincts. There was a whisper in my thoughts that you were of Kyuden Seppun rather than the capital, but I overruled it. One of those little choices that one cannot regret, but merely wonder upon what might have been." he remarked.

"So, how stood Kyuden Seppun upon your depature?"

[Seppun Urusai]

Yuji shook his head.

"Ah, I should have listened to my instincts. There was a whisper in my thoughts that you were of Kyuden Seppun rather than the capital, but I overruled it. One of those little choices that one cannot regret, but merely wonder upon what might have been." he remarked.

"So, how stood Kyuden Seppun upon your depature?"

"Proud and solemn," Urusai replies. "As it has ever been, truly."

He gives a slight smile.

"How otherwise, truly? The First Family maintains its pride and honor, certain of its place and more so of its purpose. We strive ever to deserve the trust placed in us, these eleven hundred years and more, and we do not fail in that effort.

"But how go your studies? And in which discipline are you trained? For it is known the Kakita teach many arts."

[Kakita Yuji]

"Proud and solemn," Urusai replies. "As it has ever been, truly."

He gives a slight smile.

"How otherwise, truly? The First Family maintains its pride and honor, certain of its place and more so of its purpose. We strive ever to deserve the trust placed in us, these eleven hundred years and more, and we do not fail in that effort.

"But how go your studies? And in which discipline are you trained? For it is known the Kakita teach many arts."

Yuji offers a small bow of the head.

"Well enough to represent the Academy at the Empire's finest gempukku ceremony at least. I may or may not be destined to claim the lofty title of Topaz Champion, but I at least have a chance at such a claim, the same as any other of the finest of the Empire gathered here. I am trained in the art of the duel, as many of my family are, have been, and will be. But a samurai is more than a single thing, and I have enjoyed learning the arts of both Summer and Winter in my time here."

Yuji looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Although, speaking of studies, there is one final project I could use Seppun-sama's assistance in, were he so inclined to give it. I am attempting to gather two poems from each other this year's competitors. One about their initial impressions of Tsuma and the tournament, and one of their final impressions of such. A small glimpse of this brief moment of time wherein childhood ends and adulthood begins, told from the viewpoints different in background and yet similar in excellence. I cannot, perhaps, catch all the leaves as they fall from the cherry trees, but I would be honored if Seppun-sama were to contribute to this undertaking."

[Seppun Urusai]

Yuji offers a small bow of the head.

"Well enough to represent the Academy at the Empire's finest gempukku ceremony at least. I may or may not be destined to claim the lofty title of Topaz Champion, but I at least have a chance at such a claim, the same as any other of the finest of the Empire gathered here. I am trained in the art of the duel, as many of my family are, have been, and will be. But a samurai is more than a single thing, and I have enjoyed learning the arts of both Summer and Winter in my time here."

Yuji looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Although, speaking of studies, there is one final project I could use Seppun-sama's assistance in, were he so inclined to give it. I am attempting to gather two poems from each other this year's competitors. One about their initial impressions of Tsuma and the tournament, and one of their final impressions of such. A small glimpse of this brief moment of time wherein childhood ends and adulthood begins, told from the viewpoints different in background and yet similar in excellence. I cannot, perhaps, catch all the leaves as they fall from the cherry trees, but I would be honored if Seppun-sama were to contribute to this undertaking."

"Vivid metaphor, that," Urusai notes. "But it would be a privilege to be included in such a collection, even if my skills run more to prose than to verse. Still, I will make the attempt thereat, perhaps something like 'Helpmate to many / Beckoning with promises / Bringing forward youth.'"

He shrugs slightly.

"As I say, my talents run more to prose, following my uncle of honored memory. Perhaps occasion to practice further will present itself in the coming days. And perhaps your hands will be full of the blossoms that are cast about, neh?"

[Isawa Kiriko]

A rather short Phoenix woman soon appeared at the table, bowing to the two preset. Her gaze was odd, intent but a little unfocused, like she was looking through them rather than at them. Or into them. Still, she's smiling in a friendly enough way. "Good evening. Do you mind if I join you?" It was open seating, but it never hurt to be polite.

[Seppun Urusai]

"Please," Urusai says, then adds "Urusai, son of Tokaji, of the Most Noble Family of Seppun," by way of introduction, and "Kakita Yuji of Tsuma," gesturing towards the Crane and introducing him.

[Shiba Kuroneko]

Following the small Phoenix the taller Phoenix, moved to the table granting a bow to those present at the table. "Konichiwa Mina sama." He took a seat. "This one is Shiba Kuroneko..."

[Seppun Urusai]

Again, he says "Urusai, son of Tokaji, of the Most Noble Family of Seppun," by way of introduction, and "Kakita Yuji of Tsuma," gesturing towards the Crane and introducing him. "And..." and he gestures towards the Phoenix girl, whose name he does not yet know.

[Isawa Kiriko]

She bowed. "Isawa Kiriko, daughter of... Isawa Tsukasa, now," she said, only pausing briefly. As she lowered herself gently, she added, "An honor to meet you both. Shiba-san I met earlier, but it is nice to see him again."

[Seppun Urusai]

"Now?" Urusai asks. "Remarriage?"

[Isawa Kiriko]

"Adoption," she replied simply. She was curious what sort of conclusions people would come to when they heard that. Everyone at the Sanctuary knew how it worked, but she wasn't sure about the other Clans or Imperials.

[Seppun Urusai]

"Ah."

Urusai does not understand, certainly, but he knows enough to know that he ought not to comment far on what he does not know. So an acknowledgement suffices, and the next polite question.

"What School do you represent at this tournament," he asks. A samurai should be proud of their School, of course, especially if they do well enough in it to merit consideration for the Topaz.

[Isawa Kiriko]

"I'm a shugenja initiate," she replied with a smile, showing the mon of the Starry Sky Sanctuary on her clothing. Without much recognition, perhaps it was just a specialized school?

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai nods. No priest, he still comes from his Family, after all, and the Seppun run long on piety and devotion. "And you, child of the Shiba?" he asks, trying to bring all present back into the conversation.