[Day 2 - MA] Earthy Pepper Festival [Observation Thread]

[Yoritomo Xung-Ji]

“Crab men seem to be the rage this spring.” She said warmly.

“My cousins will be most disappointed.” She added.

“Crane will be in fashion one day, but Crab suited the needs of my house better,” she said honestly.

“I am sure they will survive though, most don’t seem keen to life on a ship. They would fare far better on the islands.”

[Yue]

After completing her job as hired help for the Mantis crew, Yue was perhaps in a hurry to return in a hastily tied yukata as others were comfortable standing as they were. She knew the festival and sacred place were supposed to be representative of greater and more objective things in life but she still felt a bit awkward wishing fertility on someone else. However, a job was a job and it was an easy buck all things considered. She was more than fine with making herself scarce while the others mingled.

(PM if approached please, thanks!)

[Kitsuki Naida]

Their team having found some success despite their own failing Ushi had donned their robes and joined the crowd.

With her team done, and considering the mood, Naida gives Ushi a clap on their back once they're out and changed, "Thank you for the help, Bayushi-san. You were all a good team. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to look for some clothes myself, apparently."

[Yoritomo Koemi]

"Oh... my," the older Doji lady was heard to say near the end of the route, while observing the rather scandalous parade in the most honorable way she could: side-eye, a courtier's fan covering the lower half of her face.

"What... what a... charming fertility festival," Soon-ja managed to say. She allowed herself a small giggle from behind her fan.

Koemi approached the Doji midway through re-dressing herself. Better that someone gaze upon her body than the discomforting features of her face. "Didn't feel like showing off today?" she asked the Doji with a big grin, one that suggested maliciousness despite the rest of her appearing casual.

She gave a polite bow, more reminiscent of a proper samurai if not for the lack of sleeves and kama. "But this is an auspicious occasion regardless of your participation, Doji-sama."

[Hida Daichi]

Sen remembered Daichi from growing up quite well, and didn’t really envy him and his position within his family. But Sen also didn’t really see why he was treated in such a way, he always seemed like an okay guy.

“Not just the Crane. Some of the others looked absolutely puzzled as well. The Mantis are taking it well, though.” Sen motioned towards the Mantis team that did particularly well.

"Yes but most of the others don't have quite so much red on their face. Embarrassment or outrage im not sure but its damn funny either way!" He said with a laugh "as for the Mantis it makes sense they'd do well, cut from a similar cloth to us Crab. There's a reason our clans tend to get along so well."

He looked about at various samurai in states of undress, no doubt at least a little gleam of hunger sat in his mismatched eyes. He looked back to Sen "Im almost surprised to see you here Hiruma-san, you never were one for crowds if I remember right." A pause "though you've certainly kept in shape well."

[Moshi Minari]

"Fuuuck," Minari groaned as her group joined the crowd, grabbing some cloth to wipe the sweat off her. "I would love some rain right now."

It was very unceremoniously how she wiped the sweat off her toned body, uncaring about her state of undress.

[Yoritomo Katsu]

"Mind your language, Moshi-san." Katsu grunted. His voice had a bit less bark than usual, owing to his fatigue.

Smirking, he brushed sweat from his chest. "If you're going to say fuck, use Thranish."

[Kakita Masao]

Seeing the Kakita passing before two of his clansmates like an automaton, Yuma tried to recall the teachings of Asahina about dealing with such cases. The closest thing that came to his mind was shell-shocked battle veterans. He didn't remember any details about how to treat that issue though, just an emphasis on calm and patience.

He walked forward to put himself in his way, avoiding physical contact, and simply asked:

"Kakita-sama?"

Masao shakes his head, turning toward the voice. With a couple of blinks, his eyes look as clear as usual, and he nods at Yuma with a smile. "Ah, thank you, Doji-san. I apologize, I was... I am good now. Thank you, for the concern." Masao shakes his head and smiles again. "This is... a truly exceptional experience. And thank you for your help, in supporting Hida-dono today. My family is most appreciative of all the efforts to ensure this wedding succeeds."

From the corner of his eye, the bushi spies someone he knows. "Uh, Doji-san, please excuse me for now. But let us please talk more again soon, eh?" He waits for an affirmation, and only then steps away.

Having arrived with the rest of the Mantis, Yoko was happy to have played her part. Finding herself a spot to enjoy watching for a bit she stood off to the side, one hand on her hip. Leaning onto a nearby shelf that was set up, she sat her chin into it. With only the undergarments yet still, she didn't rush herself back into clothing like some of the more reserved, meaning the many scars across her lower body were visible to all. Notably, perhaps, was the cloth she wore around her fore-arm despite the rest of her attire.

Approaching from one side, Masao tries not to stop and stare, but moves so the ronin will see him coming. "Good afternoon, Yoko-san," he says, not so loud as to draw great attention in the noisy space, but clear enough for her to hear right in front of him. "Might I sit with you awhile?"

[Yoko]

Approaching from one side, Masao tries not to stop and stare, but moves so the ronin will see him coming. "Good afternoon, Yoko-san," he says, not so loud as to draw great attention in the noisy space, but clear enough for her to hear right in front of him. "Might I sit with you awhile?"

"Huh?" she said, looking up when she noticed the body moving toward her. "Ah- Kakita-sama," glancing round for a spot to sit she shrugged, "sure. Enjoying the festivities this evening? Hopefully you've managed a bit better than-" she shook her head, "never-mind that. Just enjoying yourself, eh?"

[Doji Soon-ja]

Koemi approached the Doji midway through re-dressing herself. Better that someone gaze upon her body than the discomforting features of her face. "Didn't feel like showing off today?" she asked the Doji with a big grin, one that suggested maliciousness despite the rest of her appearing casual.

She gave a polite bow, more reminiscent of a proper samurai if not for the lack of sleeves and kama. "But this is an auspicious occasion regardless of your participation, Doji-sama."

"Goodness gracious! I doubt anyone here would want to see my withered old hide," the elderly Crane chuckled. Her courtier's fan slipped for a moment to show a bright smile among the wrinkles that hinted at a beauty that had faded over the years.

"I'm sure the spectators appreciated seeing your performance far more than anything I could have done. It looked like your team of Mantis did a credible job of carrying the... ahh... fertility offerings."

[Kakita Masao]

"Is Yoko-san asking whether I participated in the parade?" Masao gently pulls at the collar of his kimono to reveal his left collarbone and the small scar there, and slides his right sleeve up to reveal part of his clan tattoo on that forearm. "An honorable duty well done, if a bit... disconcerting... for those of a certain upbringing." He's not smiling, suggesting he's pretty familiar with such an upbringing.

[Yoko]

"Is Yoko-san asking whether I participated in the parade?" Masao gently pulls at the collar of his kimono to reveal his left collarbone and the small scar there, and slides his right sleeve up to reveal part of his clan tattoo on that forearm. "An honorable duty well done, if a bit... disconcerting... for those of a certain upbringing." He's not smiling, suggesting he's pretty familiar with such an upbringing.

"Maybe, or if you're just enjoying yourself with all the fanfare going on," she shook her head, chuckling to herself a little. Turning a bit she leaned her back up against what she had been leaning against with her elbow. "Understandable. I'm not really," she glanced around a little bit, "well, I'm not really used to it either. Just uh.. maybe a bit more used to performing while I'm this kind of uncomfortable a bit, eh?"

[Hiruma Sen]

"Yes but most of the others don't have quote so much red on their face. Embarrassment or outrage im not sure but its damn funny either way!" He said with a laugh "as for the Mantis it makes sense they'd do well, cut from a similar cloth to us Crab. There's a reason our clans tend to get along so well."

He looked about at various samurai in states of undress, no doubt at least a little gleam of hunger sat in his mismatched eyes. He looked back to Sen "Im almost surprised to see you here Hiruma-san, you never were one for crowds if I remember right." A pause "though you've certainly kept in shape well."

Sen rubbed at the back of her neck. She never took compliments well, especially from other locals. “Ah, yeah. I hate big gatherins n’ stuff, but the festival is an exception. It’s kinda liberating for everyone to parade around in fundoshi, yeah? I feel like a sumai!”

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Well he hadn't started the day with the idea of dragging a stone penis around, now that it was done and over though he had to admit it had been rather fun. As the Captain finally finished one of his heimen crew appeared with his clothing as well as a small towel, and the man was given a nod of thanks before he disappeared into the crowd.

Much like his crew he didn't mind the lack of clothing, but he felt no need to stand around half dressed either. Taking the time to wipe the sweat away he began to dress. Once that was done he could start mingling.

[Kakita Masao]

"Maybe, or if you're just enjoying yourself with all the fanfare going on," she shook her head, chuckling to herself a little. Turning a bit she leaned her back up against what she had been leaning against with her elbow. "Understandable. I'm not really," she glanced around a little bit, "well, I'm not really used to it either. Just uh.. maybe a bit more used to performing while I'm this kind of uncomfortable a bit, eh?"

Masao's conflict through all of this is clear from his face. "I suppose there is...," he swallows noticeably, "some enjoyment to be had. And I'm glad I'm not alone in being 'not used to it.'" He looks at Yoko, about to say something else, but in that moment he realizes his eyes didn't make it as far as hers, so he quickly closes them.

"Ah, this is..." He rubs the bridge of his nose, and his voice drops, so only she can hear it: "I haven't ever seen something like this. The closest thing was a few days of jiujitsu training at the academy, when everyone was dressed like this, but they weren't..." He vaguely waves a hand toward Yoko.

[Yoritomo Koemi]

"Goodness gracious! I doubt anyone here would want to see my withered old hide," the elderly Crane chuckled. Her courtier's fan slipped for a moment to show a bright smile among the wrinkles that hinted at a beauty that had faded over the years.

"I'm sure the spectators appreciated seeing your performance far more than anything I could have done. It looked like your team of Mantis did a credible job of carrying the... ahh... fertility offerings."

"I wouldn't underestimate anybody's tastes, Doji-sama," she said with a wry smile. "Regardless, I suspect that you might have had your fair share of suitors throughout your life."

The sailor rolled out her neck, shoulders, and ankles. "Seems like the other one did too. Personally, I think we did better," she beamed.

[Kitsuki Naida]

Masao, too, gets a smile and a bow from Yuuwaku, setting the forehead jewel a-twinkle.

"Good work, Kakita-nikutai! Good work!"

But if he heads off after, she will not impose upon him.

Having thanked the Scorpion and excused herself, Naida made her way over to where the Crane were; It was hard to see the short Kakita amongst the crowds, but the powder blue was kind of a landmark. That was enough to find the familiar face.

"Kakita-san! How are you enjoying the festivities?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Ikeda Ishi watched with an impassive gaze.

Once again dressed, Shouji let his eyes drift across the crowd. Finally letting his eyes land on one of the few that had sailed south with his he hadn't had much chance to speak with on the journey. Making his way over, he offered the woman a bow. "Enjoying the festivities Ikeda-san?" He asked politely.

[Bayushi Ushi]

With her team done, and considering the mood, Naida gives Ushi a clap on their back once they're out and changed, "Thank you for the help, Bayushi-san. You were all a good team. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to look for some clothes myself, apparently."

"Any team is as good as those leading it, you did very well, Kitsuki-san." The mask nods in return to the Dragon as she departs.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Having thanked the Scorpion and excused herself, Naida made her way over to where the Crane were; It was hard to see the short Kakita amongst the crowds, but the powder blue was kind of a landmark. That was enough to find the familiar face.

"Kakita-san! How are you enjoying the festivities?"

Yuuwaku looks at Naida--again; she'd been prominent in the procession--and bows.

"Very much so, Kitsuki-san! So many people putting on such a good showing! And you--you gave quite the performance along the way; it was a delight to see such devotions!"

Yuuwaku smiles and asks "How was doing it?"

[Kitsuki Naida]

"A rush; I rarely get the chance to be so boisterous in public as that. I may be a bit unconventional, but I'm a big believer in expression in its own time still. ...you wouldn't happen to have a towel, would you?"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"A rush; I rarely get the chance to be so boisterous in public as that. I may be a bit unconventional, but I'm a big believer in expression in its own time still. ...you wouldn't happen to have a towel, would you?"

"Leaves fall in their season, and emerge again when the time comes, yes," Yuuwaku replies as she snags a towel from one of the many runners handing them out.

With a short bow, she offers it to Naida with both hands.

[Daidoji Kaneko]

“Crane will be in fashion one day, but Crab suited the needs of my house better,” she said honestly.

“I am sure they will survive though, most don’t seem keen to life on a ship. They would fare far better on the islands.”

"I wouldn't mind a trip to the islands myself one day given the opportunity." She said with a nod.

"Any fertility festivals that match this one out on the islands?"

[Yoritomo Xung-Ji]

"I wouldn't mind a trip to the islands myself one day given the opportunity." She said with a nod.

"Any fertility festivals that match this one out on the islands?"

"Probably, but I would not know by experience. What is stopping you taking a trip?" she replied.

[Daidoji Kaneko]

"That which binds all of us to that which we must do. Duty." She said softly.

"Perhaps one day we'll need to assess markets out on the islands and I can petition for the opportunity to go. But as long as individuals like yourself keep our ports busy with... the transportation of goods to the mainland, there is much work for me to do."