[D2 - LA] Swole Hida (Open)

[Amika]

After a terrible night sleep, which was interrupted by the Kuni, Amika managed to sleep enough in order to recover her strength. The wolf never had it easy when it comes to rest.

Nonetheless after eating something light and with most of her inner strength back to normal, she decided it was time for fulfilling her first request. She looked around to see what was the best area to paint the mural of Kami Hida leading his troops to victory. She thought for a moment that the best site was the inn reception hall. That way, the hosts will always see the mural each time they enter and leave, being reminded of the Crab clan founder divine spark each and every time.

With the site decided, and with proper natural light, she proceeded to create the first baseline strokes....

[Bayushi Ijihime]

"My word it is true... a ronin artist, the Crane must hate you," a voice crooned softly.

[Amika]

After doing a few more strokes, Amika stopped her initial work in order to assess, properly, who was talking to her, or about her. She noticed what appears to be a Scorpion woman, or at least she thought it was a Scorpion clan member due to the colours of her kimono, but she was not carrying a mask.

'' This one just do what she has some sort of skill, Samurai-sama '' She said, respectfully bowing very low. '' This one has nothing but admiration and respect for the honored master artisans from the estemeed Crane Clan, Samurai-sama.'' She adds. '' If i have done something to earn the ire of the most estemeed Crane Clan, then this one will have to go and apologize to them.''

'' This one name is Amika, it is an honor. I hope that Inari-no-kami has blessed you today'' The wolf continues to keep her head low.

[Bayushi Ijihime]

"Oh honey, pissing off the Crane is the best way to make a name for yourself," she said in reply.

"Don't be boring."

[Amika]

'' Is that so? '' Amika thought for a moment, genuinely contemplating the words from the apparent Scorpion woman.

'' Though gaining recognition is something that this one certainly looks for at some level, i would not feel so good if gaining fame this one hurts others in the process...'' The idea really caused some level of conflict inside her mind. '' Although this one is just a lordless ronin, so, there's no comparison to what this one can do to what a master Crane artist could do, i suppose...'' She shrugs a bit.

'' If this one is boring you, Samurai-sama, then i apologize. This one could go somewhere else if my presence bothers you...'' She offered another very low bow.

[Bayushi Ijihime]

“Ronin are precious,” she said with a smile.

“Honey if you are doing art you will need a strong backbone and more importantly you need attitude. The best artists are not the best because they do the best work but because people love and want their work. Now that sounds like you need to be the best but really you just need a hook, an attitude, and an untouchable aura that makes you different from the Kakita spewing priss artisans the Crane churn out like rice balls.”

“You don’t want to be riding someone else to glory because you are forever stuck in their shadow.”

[Amika]

This is the first time she had heard that ronin were precious. At least from a clan samurai. It did mean something for Amika, but proper etiquette dictated that she kept her On in front of the higher status samurai.

'' I see...'' She wondered about the words. '' Hook, attitude and an untouchable aura.'' She repeated the words. '' This one is grateful for your advise, Samurai-sama, and will take your words seriously. ''

'' Might i ask you a question, samurai-sama?'' She asked respectfully.

[Bayushi Ijihime]

"You just did," she responded.

[Amika]

She was absolutely right, Amika thought. That left her in a conundrum.

'' Hmmm, you are right. Thank you for your reply, Samurai-sama'' She bowed respectfully again towards the unknown scorpion woman. She could not bring the topic she wanted to ask again. Not after that reply.

[Bayushi Ijihime]

"If you say nothing honey, nothing will get said, speak, being timid does not suit you," she responded.

[Amika]

She was right again, but it was not easy for Amika to change her ways in just a few minutes.

'' I-uh. This one is curious. You seem very knowgeable about subject of arts, have you been trained in the arts, like painting or other type of artistic creations, samurai-sama?'' She asked politely.

[Bayushi Ijihime]

"I have dabbled, I am more of a muse at best, and critic," she said with a smirk.

"I don't dedicate my whole life like a Kakita, I prefer to enjoy all the pleasures around me."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He knew not where the Crab guests would be. The inn or the castle, it had to be one of the two. Not very confident on the hospitality of the castle, he went to check out the inn first.
His surprise was to find a woman painting the walls. Oh, he could help with critique and maybe gain a new contact! Those were useful for his kind. Approaching them both, he bows deeply on a gesture of respect before checking their mons on the back. Huge mistake.

[Amika]

"I have dabbled, I am more of a muse at best, and critic," she said with a smirk.

"I don't dedicate my whole life like a Kakita, I prefer to enjoy all the pleasures around me."

'' I see. Well i would be honored that you would critic my art any time you could, Samurai-sama'' She replied. '' If you find something that is wrong or out of place this one will be glad to hear it from you.'' She adds.

Then, what seems to be a crane clan member appeared and bowed towards the two females. Amika bowed gracefully, very low in reply. She didn't open her mouth though, since she was the lowest person in status among them, for sure.

[Bayushi Ijihime]

"Good afternoon child of Doji, did you smell the paints on the wind?" she said playfully.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Have you eaten your portion of rice today, Scorpion-sama?" He replies with a nod, looking at the ronin to see how to call them, and not being able to see any mons.
It should be some odd design. Maybe at another angle. For now, until she could find how to call her, she at least deserved a greeting. "What about you, ojou-san?"

[Amika]

'' This one has been blessed today. Thanks for asking Crane-sama.'' She bowed, again. '' This one's name is Amika, crane-sama.'' She adds, presenting herself to the son of Doji.

[Bayushi Ijihime]

“One of the best artists of her generation,” the Scorpion added.

“Lacking the rigidity expected of more mainstream Kakita artisans, seems to make her all the rage among those in the know in the Capitol. It’s the kind of work that is sublime and defies convention. But then again I would not wish to bore the Crane with details that are outside the expected artistic paradigm set forth by their venerated masters.”

She mused and added, “Though if i recall from the last salon I spent with Oturi Toturi, he preferred her progressive and unconventional works.”

OOC: Bayushi Sincerity Deceit: 7d10ro1o10k3 16

[Asahina Sanaharu]

...She did say no surname, and he could not find any mons. It was safe to assume now she was a wolf.

Curious. This should be a peregrination, although the humble attitude of the ronin and the fierce cuts of the Bayushi suggested the opposite. "A painter of great fame, then. An uncommon story such as a lovely ronin artist, surpassing the milennia-old masters of the Crane, should have been all the rage at the capital. How very odd is that I heard nothing about her from the Imperial guests at my lord's court, or from my sister who there resides, or from all my friends who there present? Truly, they should have kept themselves more informed about such a famous and prestigious artist."

He nods, and offers the ronin a respectful bow.

"I see them why you were so eager to bring me such news, Bayushi-san! For nothing else than the beauty of her art and the grace of her name could be on your mind upon seeing her, a rising star true, for merely I gave out my greetings and you informed me of her fame. This one is truly honored."

[D2 - LA] Swole Hida (Open) - Investigation/Perception TN 16 + VP: 4d10o10k3 31

[Bayushi Ijihime]

"Well given the last time I saw a Crane at a court of worth was in my childhood, I just wanted to keep you aware of how things were among proper culture," she replied kindly.

[Amika]

Amika listened to the battle of words happening between the Scorpion and the Crane in silence. She certainly was a bit uncomfortable being the center of discussion of their battle which, probably she had nothing to do in essence.

She didn't show it though, of course, as she mantained a proper On without interveening


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Awareness/Etiquette; +0k1 Benten's; nothing to do with me - 40

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Worry not, Bayushi-san. May the Crane or the Otomo will send yours truly an invite to their courts this year." He knew not if the Doji were getting invited to the most prestigious courts of the empire, but on those he was sure there ought to be some of the Crane. He looked to the ronin, finally, knowing he was no courtier and not able to sustain this for long. "What are you doing, Amika?"

[Bayushi Ijihime]

“Is this a personal invitation?” she responded.

“I am honored though it would be rude of me to turn down Oturi-sama’s invitation to Winter Court… well Imperial Winter Court. Where Amika will be displaying her latest work for the Empress and her heirs.”

“This mural is only a prelude of what is to come.”

She added, “Look at her eyes, surprised. I had hoped to surprise her, I do hope she feels a certain shock, that is the spark of creativity and whimsy that seems to be missing from more mainstream artisans and creators.”

[Asahina Sanaharu]

As she stopped to attack the honor of his school and started to lash out at the traditional schools, which included the own Shosuro Butei, this was a great opportunity to disengage. If he was a Doji, he would press and make her pay. But he was an Asahina, and trying to have people remain unconfrontational was a duty placed on him by his ancestors.

"If the ronin's talent is truly a shining star on inspiration and regard, I would find it hard she would remain truly lordless for long. Rejoice, Amika, for a great samurai found on your work beauty and inspiration." He smiles slightly at the ronin. Now he was really curious on seeing how her work fared like, but would never in a thousand years do so without a mountain of pretext in front of this Scorpion.

"Unfortunately, to your question, this is not an invitation I can hand out. I'm no lord, Bayushi-san. I have no court of mines. For this misunderstanding, I am to apologize." He bows slightly.

[Amika]

Wat

Indeed that was the inner reaction from Amika as this whole battle was going on right in front of her. The Scorpion samurai was putting her reputation on Amika's skills, to present her artwork in front of the Daughter of Heavens herself? That was on a whole different level that she was expecting...

Now, she did have confidence in her work, but this was bigger than she was. This was a political ploy, which, she might want to avoid, but destiny was not something that one avoids easily. Especially if one was a ronin.

The fact that the Scorpion was attacking the Kakita school of artisans was, well, not good from the perspective of her own neck. But there she was.

'' I'm honored that this one's talents had been given attention. This one is honored that i had been given the oportunity to beautify the world, even if in a small way.'' She adds bowing again to the unknown Scorpion woman that had promised a lot, and also to the Asahina that might had been offended by the attacks to the Kakita school. She tries to difuse the conflict.

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Sincerity/Awareness; +0k1 Benten's - 40