Clash (D2, EA, Open)

[Otomo Saisei]

He was already in fundoshi for the event, so, thinking about washing himself later on to get ready for dinner, why not first skinny dip into the sea, which is just nearby the shrine.

Running over the sand in a charge to clash against Suitengu's snoring waves, the Imperial lets out a, "Woooo-whoooo!"

Then, they clash!

[Doji Yuma]

Hair tied, sleeves rolled up, Yuma was jogging and stretching along the beach, warming up his body for the event to come.

At first he thought a young fisherman was playing in the waves... But the not burnt by the sun skin pointed out at a nobleman. Hard to know which one in such context, almost naked thus wearing no mon and turning his back to him.

He slowed down when he passed by him, in case that what someone he knew.

[Otomo Saisei]

Saisei notices a white figure at the beach and waves a hand. Step by step, he comes out from the waves soaked wet and then provides a bow to the Doji, "Good day, sir. I am Otomo Saisei. Forgive me if I disturbed your stroll, but the sea calling was really intense and I had to bathe for a moment."

[Doji Yuma]

Yuma returned the bow as expected:

"Doji Yuma of the Crane. No need to excuse yourself, it's but my own curiosity that stopped my warm up.

Is this your first time on the seashore?"

[Otomo Saisei]

As if seeing a shining ghost nearby the Doji –– which probably was the case –– Saisei rubs the salty water off his eyes and takes a moment to reply, "Iie. Not my first time to the seashore. Yet, it is my first time in warmer waters. Up in the Golde Sun Bay the water is incredibly freezing to bathe."

He laughs a bit, "You're a Doji, though. I imagine you already know, since we are quote close."

[Doji Yuma]

"Didn't bath in the bay itself, but I guess from your testimony it's not warmer than the open ocean near Kyuden Doji.

So, capital born and raised? Is this your first time so far from home then?"

[Otomo Saisei]

He nods again. "Hai. It is my first time away from the Golden Sun Bay. I confess, though, I have been to Kyuden Doji once. I was to young to remember much, though. I do have this idillic image in my mind, anyhow."

[Doji Yuma]

"It's a marvel of its own. In truth though I haven't seen it in quite a long time myself, spread between my training with the Asahina, my time with the Togashi and a couple of missions in minor courts.

If I may ask, what motivated your presence in this particular marriage out of the many occasions you could have graced with your presence?"

[Otomo Saisei]

The Otomo actually cocks his head back and then nods in admiration, "Quite a dedicated background for a scholar. Training with the Asahina and time with the Togashi. A true peacemaker, I imagine."

He scratches his head again, "Eto. I am the assistant to Otomo Yusuke, the nakodo overseeing the marriage."

[Doji Yuma]

"Oh. That was the piece of information I was missing. It explains a lot.

Though it also raises other questions if you never come here before. Was everything arranged through proxies directly within the walls of Otosan Uchi, without you never meeting either Daidoji Yushoko, Hida Yoji or their immediate families before coming here? Or did Otomo Yusuke travel alone while you remained at home as his liaison?"

[Otomo Saisei]

He puts a hand over his mouth, and –– in fundoshi –– tries to act his best as a courtier should. He says, not fully answering the Crane's doubts, "This is my very first assignment. So, I wasn't actually his liaison at home. I was completing gemppuku. As for having met groom and bride before, I wouldn't be able to answer without my master's advice."

[Doji Yuma]

"Oh. Sure. Are there some administrative details that still need to be finalized or is your presence and that of your master only for protocol and thanks? You did a tremendous work here, uniting these long-feuding families."

[Otomo Saisei]

He bows to the Doji, saying, "It is my master's work, not mine. I am humbled and grateful for the praise to Yusuke-sama's skills and intentions."

Maintaining the visible gratitude for a tad longer in the bow, he returns straight up and mentions, "There are some documents to be filled, and the many lesser chores I must check with the involved parties while my master focuses his attention on the groom, bride and their close relatives."

[Doji Yuma]

"Bureaucracy helps keeping the empire together. Or so the bureaucrats say.

I feel everyone will be relieved once the marriage is done and well done. A one hundred-years conflict is not something that is easily forgotten, and every side seems to be walking on eggshells at the moment, avoiding any subject that could accidentally unearth not so old issues. Of which there are many."

He tapped the remnants of his black eye.

"Though no subject is safe when your interlocutor is drunk enough."

[Otomo Saisei]

The Otomo tilts his head, and asks, "So there was a brawl at the event in the first night?"

[Doji Yuma]

"It didn't go that far. But the spark was there. Several of the other Cranes were also roughen up a bit. Everyone kept their head cold thankfully and the situation cooled down by itself.

Nothing serious in the end but a good reminder the situation is far from stable and violence is just waiting for an excuse to erupt."

[Otomo Saisei]

"Whatever I can do to help out soothing the situation, please, do let me know. One trained by the Asahina such as Doji-san understands that, sometimes, it takes a third party to talk with the offended one."

[Doji Yuma]

"Thank you. I hope we won't need yours or your teacher's skills anymore for that affair... But should we I won't hesitate to call you. Peace at last is our definite objective there. Everything else has some room left for negociation."