[Day 2 - LM] No Shame to her Game

[Otomo Saisei]

"Thank you." He says, dismissing Jun, and bows to those inside before entering, "Yusuke-sama, Ikeda-san, good morning, I hope Inari-kami has been generous."

[Otomo Yusuke]

"Thank you." He says, dismissing Jun, and bows to those inside before entering, "Yusuke-sama, Ikeda-san, good morning, I hope Inari-kami has been generous."

“Ah my good boy, please come in, it is a good morning and the Crab has seen fit to feed my growing belly. Any more and the maidens may think I am with child,” he joked.

“Now have a good seat, and join us.”

[Otomo Saisei]

Saisei opens a wide smile followed by a chuckle as compliment to the customary 'dad jokes' the nakodo often throws out like a champ. He says, " "I am relieved. The Crab did come unannounced to make another credential check with the guests. A ritualistic one. I see no harm, since we are here, and hope that is not an issue to Yusuke-sama."

Taking the indicated seat, he does give Ishi an uncontrollable instinctive glance and takes a scroll out. The younger Otomo leans forward and offers it with both hands to the nakodo. "I double checked the guest list and all seems to be in accordance. Some remarks t the Captain of the Mantis ship that brought us here, the Crane entourage likely offering their support to our directions with a potential arrangement involving Kakita Masao-sama, if my master is of interest. Yesterday's celebration went well –– too well, in fact. I am glad that my expectations about Crab celebrations were wrong. Today we have the festivities at the shrine. Don't worry, I've been preparing myself. Then, the dinner with the gifts."

[Otomo Yusuke]

"Excellent, the Crab will do what Crab do best," he said with a nod.

"Tonight is critical, but I do not foresee anything untoward happening. In fact I have some good news, my cousin Himari just sent me a letter saying she is scheduled to go hunting with the Empress and her family, if all goes well then I expect we will be wintering with the Empress. Imperial Court, my boy... a good opportunity for one as young as you."

[Otomo Saisei]

The boy brightens up another smile, to say, "Winter Court." He starts nodding proudly of his master, and repeats, "Winter Court, Yusuke-sama. You're really good, you."

He laughs a bit and checks on Ishi to cheer her up also –– which was a likely more difficult endeavour. "Did you hear that Ikeda-san. Winter Court. Amazing opportunities indeed, and not just for me. I mean, for me specialize since it is what every courtier in the Empire would like to be."

[Ikeda Ishi]

Ishi responded, "It is a good opportunity."

[Otomo Yusuke]

“So we just need to make sure things go well, and I have full confidence in you, my boy,” he said warmly.

“Tonight will be our first test, the goal is calm and understanding.”

[Otomo Saisei]

Ishi responded, "It is a good opportunity."

He cracks a full teethed smile with her blunt reply to his tease, and mentions rhetorically, "I'm happy yo see your excitement! I am still learning, of course, and correct me if I am wrong, Yusuke-sama: Ikeda-san would definitely make a lovely bride, no? "

“So we just need to make sure things go well, and I have full confidence in you, my boy,” he said warmly.

“Tonight will be our first test, the goal is calm and understanding.”

The boy coughs a bit and resumes antics as soon as Yusume talks about the evening. He produces a sharp bow, in reply, "Hai! I am grateful for your confidence Yusuke-sama. I will do my best not to disappoint you."

[Otomo Yusuke]

Yusuke smiled and said, “She will be a most desired spouse, unless this is your subtle way of inquiring of your worth for her hand? If so we should focus on the task at hand, but I could look into it.”

[Ikeda Ishi]

“Honored, but we should focus on the matter at hand,” she offered.

[Otomo Saisei]

He shakes his head at the sudden counter-strike. "Iie. I meant." The young man coughs to explain his mind, trying to hide the blush, "First, I wouldn't be worthy of such pairing. Ikeda-san is too valuable for the Imperial Families to be invested with such such as me. A much better union could be found, I am sure."

"We... should focus on the matter at hand." Saisei agrees, looking down to the floor.

[Otomo Yusuke]

“Speaking of matches, what of the Crane, my boy?” he asked gauging the young man’s response.

“Or a Scorpion?”

[Otomo Saisei]

Playing the game, he looks at Ishi, then back to Yusuke, and says, rather confident, "A Cane gentleman would suit Ikeda-san, in my point of view."

[Otomo Yusuke]

Playing the game, he looks at Ishi, then back to Yusuke, and says, rather confident, "A Cane gentleman would suit Ikeda-san, in my point of view."

“But what a Crane gentleman suit you?” he countered with a smile.

[Otomo Saisei]

He stops to think for a moment on how to reply that, then closes his eyes to say with a smirk, "I don't think it would be in my own nature to be matched with a gentleman. They do have a fraternal advantage when it comes to friendship, after all, we are almost kin."

Looking back to them, he says, "If I could choose, and I apologize for being less modest than I should, I would perform my duties to the Empire and try to really find enjoyment with my future wife. In this order. Even if raising children is part of the duty."

Narrowing his eyes, he asks Yusuke, "What would Yusuke-sama recommend me to pursue?"

[Otomo Yusuke]

"So you seek a complimentary spouse, if I were you, I would do the same but tradition matters. Taking a Crane wife holds symbolic value given your esteemed lineage," he said honestly.

[Otomo Saisei]

He nods to that, adding, "I take Yusuke-sama's guidance into heart."

[Otomo Yusuke]

"It is borne of many mistakes and hard lesson," he said chuckling.

"There is no such thing as a peaceful marriage, but striving for peace and harmony should be a daily goal. But don't let this old goat prattle on. We have other things we should concern ourselves with. Anything of note I should know about any guests you feel would cause issues or may merit our friendship?"

[Otomo Saisei]

"The Mantis are plenty, as all as the Crane. I believe we could gain some predisposition by, well, shipping something between them. Of note, the Captain of the Sea Fox mentioned you knew about some admirers. He's hooked into that. I could try to gain his acceptance and even friendship with such information."

[Otomo Yusuke]

“He’s a captain, that writes itself as far as admirers go but if I had to pick… one of the Moshi sounds like a good choice,” he responded.

[Otomo Saisei]

"A marriage within the Clan, I see." Saisei thinks to himself, trying to figure out the intentions, and why not leverage that with the Crane. Perhaps leaving Crane and Mantis at odds, since both have great access to the ocean was indeed the best distribution.

[Otomo Yusuke]

"I see wheels turning, your thoughts," he asked.

[Otomo Saisei]

"Wondering if Yusuke-sama said so to make sure the Crane and Mantis don't create too much affinity between themselves and allow their rivalry over the seas to continue." The Otomo says, thinking about al the coastal cities they passed to get here.

[Otomo Yusuke]

“The Mantis and Crane squabble over the seas, two wealthy Great Clans at odds is in the interest of the Empress. Perhaps the day will come when it no longer suits us, but for now the status quo will do. Besides he is not actually highly placed that I know of,” he responded.

[Otomo Saisei]

Saisei nods in agreement. "I'll see to that. In any chance, a friendly Captain, and ship, could be something good to have in hand."

Folding his hands on his lap, he asks his master before departing, "Anything else my master needs me for?"