[Day 7 - LE] Salon at the Blue Bird

[Kakita Masao]

Hanatsuko blinked a few times at the courtier looking Masao. "Ka.... Ka... Kakita sama?"

If he wasn't already beaming at her, he certainly is after seeing that reaction. Stepping close enough that she can hear him clearly, he says, "Welcome, Toritaka-san. If you'll forgive this one an excess of honesty, I must say that you look exceptionally beautiful tonight." He bows his head for a moment, but his smile remains radiant.

I thought you didn't like courtly functions, grandson. Seems you like them just fine, at least with certain company. The internal voice is heavier on sarcasm than usual, but the soldier shows no outward reaction at all.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

Sadly, he chose his words poorly. He just set up the perfect tease. No wonder she is cursed by the realm of trickery. "You are saying that yesterday I looked bad?" She lowered her head in shame. "I thought I looked pretty yesterday."
It's a trap Kakita sama... don't let her trick you. She is just teasing you. Don't give her the upper hand... you know better...

[Kakita Masao]

Though he was not terribly clever, Kakita Masao had rather accidentally anticipated this trap by Hanatsuko, for even as he complimented this night's attire, he knew the next thing he would say.

As she bowed her head, the Crane stepped closer and confided, "Please don't tell my artisan friends, but I liked last night's selection even better." As she raises her eyes, she'll see him smiling mischievously, which she well knows to be rare.

[Doji Soon-ja]

And thus the Otomo begins his courting, and extends his arm to dance with his potential Doji bride of another life.

"Will Doji-sama dance with me?"

--
D7, LE - Courtier/Awareness + Benten: 4d10o10k4 32

"Oh, my. My dancing days are past, Otomo-san, I couldn't possibly..." Soon-ja attempted to demur, but the Otomo was far too charming. The Doji eventually yielded, allowing Saisei to guide her onto the dance floor. There, the elderly woman attempted the steps of a courtly dance, but her movements were noticeably awkward. It seemed that age and infirmity had stolen much of her agility, and she nearly stumbled once, only to be saved at the last moment by the Otomo's strong lead.

But despite her difficulties, Soon-ja's smile was radiant.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

Though he was not terribly clever, Kakita Masao had rather accidentally anticipated this trap by Hanatsuko, for even as he complimented this night's attire, he knew the next thing he would say.

As she bowed her head, the Crane stepped closer and confided, "Please don't tell my artisan friends, but I liked last night's selection even better." As she raises her eyes, she'll see him smiling mischievously, which she well knows to be rare.

"Oh really... if the bird is to change its plumage. The bird wants to see how the new plumage might look." She smiled. "This feels good." She nodded. "The wings are missing feathers and the talons are dull."

[Otomo Saisei]

"Oh, my. My dancing days are past, Otomo-san, I couldn't possibly..." Soon-ja attempted to demur, but the Otomo was far too charming. The Doji eventually yielded, allowing Saisei to guide her onto the dance floor. There, the elderly woman attempted the steps of a courtly dance, but her movements were noticeably awkward. It seemed that age and infirmity had stolen much of her agility, and she nearly stumbled once, only to be saved at the last moment by the Otomo's strong lead.

But despite her difficulties, Soon-ja's smile was radiant.

It was, of course, Saisei's fault. He is a terrible dancer himself. At least, he managed to catch her in time. So, no harm was done. On the contrary, there's a big and wide joyful grin crossing his face. He says, after bowing elegantly as they finish dancing to the song, "Doji-sama, may I ask, where does her chosen name come from?"

[Kakita Masao]

"Oh really... if the bird is to change its plumage. The bird wants to see how the new plumage might look." She smiled. "This feels good." She nodded. "The wings are missing feathers and the talons are dull."

"I do not believe that a change of feathers would dull this strong bird's talons. And there is much that makes a bird special beyond feathers and talons." Masao hopes he's being clear enough in what he means. Speaking through metaphor is not the soldier's way, but he seems more optimistic and less worried than Hana has usually seen.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"Does the changing feathers changes the bird?" She smiled. "This bird is glad that you are here."

[Kakita Masao]

"I am proud to be here. Close enough that wing tips might touch," he smiles, though he keeps the "proper under the circumstances of a crowded party" distance.

"When the noise settles a bit more, I hope to share my favorite bird song," he says, moving his sleeve to reveal his flute, as well as the feather hanging from his obi that Yuuwaku had given him.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

Hanatsuko saw the feather and her eyes glowed of happiness. She took out her flute as well. "A duet Kakita san?"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

The dance done, Yuuwaku returns to Naida, a faint sheen of sweat on her brow and glistening along with the forehead jewel.

"Pray forgive me, Kitsuki-san," she says. "I could not but help--and I hope you approve of the performance."

[Kakita Masao]

Hanatsuko saw the feather and her eyes glowed of happiness. She took out her flute as well. "A duet Kakita san?"

"As you wish. I had thought to play Hana, if you don't mind it being played in such a large company." He readies his flute, but awaits her lead on the song choice. The smile on his face is broad and unsubtle, showing he would not be anywhere but in this moment, now.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"I will be honored to play it with you." She gave a bow. She started to play.

[Kakita Masao]

Masao kept right with her, and the duet style gave not only more volume, but a deeper resonance to the song. The house was still crowded, and there was noise of all kinds even though Kintaro's song had died out.

Masao didn't know how many people heard the song, nor did he care. He was in a beautiful moment, at Hanatsuko's side, and they might have been the only two people left in the world for all he knew.