[Match Observation] I Choose You! (D11, LM)

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

Kogo nods her head, having expected this for some time after the conversations they have had. "I wish you happiness as well Shinjo-san, in whoever chooses you to share their life. And I will hope to see your face and have a conversation with you again sometime. And perhaps we could finally read Leadership together." She says with a smile. It is more authentic than previous ones, though there is still a slight strain to it.

"That would be nice," he says.

He looks on as one heart after another breaks in the presence of the crowd. "Too many..." he shakes his head, though it's difficult to tell if it's disappointment or a sense of empathy.

He looks at the other three. "While you are all wonderful women that deserve the unfettered love of whoever you marry... this is exactly why I was not willing to give myself fully to anyone in particular during the miai. Too many spent a week chasing and knowing love, only to have had it shattered or stolen by politics, confusion or fate. And regardless of who we end up with, we can work towards something beautiful without the shadow of lost love hanging over our hearts."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

An idea came to Yue's head. The timing, indeed, was horrible and perhaps manipulative. However, with so many eyes upon them, the Shinjo knew she'd have the stage. "Pardon me, Hiroji-dono."

Perhaps the message will be clear to any further suitors.

She closed her fan and walked over to the Phoenix. She held it out for him to take, her only words being, "Hirase-san." She was ready for him to turn her away, be insulted, but this was a gamble she was willing to take.

[Asako Hirase]

Hirase is probably the only man who can stop Butaj without violence, and the only one he would allow close enough for the utter despair in his eyes to be seen. He indeed stops, as if paralysed, with just his wrists twitching in a way that curls hands into fists and back. He makes no further move, but aura of violence emanates from him. Still, he manages to seethe out the only words that matter now. They are barely audible, even for Hirase lip-reading may be better than trying to hear them. It gave the impression of Butaj as a cauldron of boiling tar that could go over the rim any minute and the fire underneath should not be given too much fuel. "I will do... anything... for her."

Hirase's gripped tightened, never to the point of pain but nearly so.

"Then do what she asks. Let her choose, keeping her pride and what On she can find. Whoever he is, he will be less than nothing to her. Tell me where you'll meet her, and I will see she meets you when this distasteful business is done."

He saw Yue coming, and said, "Please...a moment...for my friends..." He hoped she would no it was no rejection, but this was a crisis that needed averted. NOW.

[Asako Yuki]

Nonin realizes that something has happened to Yuki but he is lost as what exactly it was, interpersonal skills not being his strength. He offers a water bottle to Yuki and stands ready in case she needs his support.

Yuki takes it, her face still pale and her eyes red and watery. Still, she manages to rebuild some of her On. Enough that her legs no longer wobble dangerously, and the tears that threatened to overwhelm her begin to fade, though the young maiden still looks like a wreck.

[Miya Mei]

Mei frowns and folds the fan she holds...Kemuri's fan...putting it away.She stands for a while, observing Kemuri with longing in her eyes. Hearing the Scorpion choosing the Otaku heiress, and that she was to marry out of the Unicorn gave Mei pause. She glances to the two.

"I wonder...Was that because of me?"

She shrugs and then spots Misa.

She approached the Dragon woman and bows.

"Congratulations, Tonbo-sama. You have picked a fine man. My feelings for him are now yours. Please treat him well."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo nods her head, having expected this for some time after the conversations they have had. "I wish you happiness as well Shinjo-san, in whoever chooses you to share their life. And I will hope to see your face and have a conversation with you again sometime. And perhaps we could finally read Leadership together." She says with a smile. It is more authentic than previous ones, though there is still a slight strain to it.

"That would be nice," he says.

He looks on as one heart after another breaks in the presence of the crowd. "Too many..." he shakes his head, though it's difficult to tell if it's disappointment or a sense of empathy.

He looks at the other three. "While you are all wonderful women that deserve the unfettered love of whoever you marry... this is exactly why I was not willing to give myself fully to anyone in particular during the miai. Too many spent a week chasing and knowing love, only to have had it shattered or stolen by politics, confusion or fate. And regardless of who we end up with, we can work towards something beautiful without the shadow of lost love hanging over our hearts."

Kogo looks up, her brow furrowed as she feels a slight annoyance at hearing again what she has heard so many times before. "Your words are heard Shinjo-san. There was much wisdom in what you did." She pauses. "But perhaps it is best not spoken of here, where other's hearts are tender. "

[Mindshred]

The commotion hasn't gone unnoticed by the Unicorn. Two large, burly Moto make their way through the crowd to within a dozen feet of Hirase and Butaj. They don't come any closer just yet, and they haven't reached for their weapons, but their steely glares make it clear that they'd like nothing more than for their half-breed cousin to start some trouble and test their mettle.

[Tonbo Misa]

The Dragon woman looked... well, turned her face up... toward the voice, standing with a bit of help from her servant, giving a low bow. After a small whisper from Sanmi, Misa nodded. "Of course Miya-san, I would never treat a man, or woman, poorly. But you are wrong. Your feelings for him are not mine, nor are his for you for me. I do not know what you have shared with him since your arrival, but no matter what has happened here, I cannot take that away from either of you." She gave a soft smile of sympathy.

[Usagi Tsukimi]

She smiled to Monkhbaatar, and held his gaze. "I will experience no heartbreak here this morning. Whatever the Fortunes have in store for us is what's meant to be. I am thankful for what we shared here, and will go from this place with pleasant memories, and new friends."

"I am saddened for those who have had their hearts broken, however, and wish their grief does not consume them." She nodded slowly, and wished she had her pipe with her to smoke.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue bowed and stood aside. Close, but not interfering. She kept the fan out, halfway, still in offering to him. Her eyes looked to the two Moto. Butaj, don't be foolish. Please.

[Doji Ameka]

Ameka stands back, watching the drama play out. She knew of the love between Butaj and Yuki... he had spoken to her about it the previous evening. She hid her expression behind her fan, but her eyebrows drew together in sadness and sympathy for the two. Oh, Moto-san, Asako-san... I'm so sorry... She bit her lip as the Moto went over. Would he do anything?

For her own part, she glanced over who was left, wondering who would be there at the end, the person who would be her husband. In some ways, how things had gone had been a positive for her... Her heart wouldn't be broken no matter who was chosen or who she had to choose. She resolved to try and create a happy marriage with whoever it was. Seeing what happened here illustrated the possible pain otherwise... and life might be too short not to put everything into it.

[Miya Mei]

"You are kind. I wish to remain his friend, but nothing more will transpire. You have my word. I could not hurt another, for now I know what it feels to have a broken heart"

Mei pauses and bites her lip.

"He spoke of wanting to see the Empire, Tonbo-sama. Perhaps..."

She takes a deep breath.

"Perhaps if duty allows it, the two of you could accompany me to deliver proclamations for some time. He could see the Empire, and you could spread the wisdom of the Dragon."

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

Monkhbaatar simply nods to Kogo. His emotions were mixed at everything that was happening. He really did feel for those that had their hearts broken, but at the same time he couldn't help but feel like they really should have acted far more reservedly.

Favoring Tsukimi with a small smile. "I'm glad for the time we've spent together as well. Many pleasant memories have been shared over the days."

[Tonbo Misa]

"You are kind. I wish to remain his friend, but nothing more will transpire. You have my word. I could not hurt another, for now I know what it feels to have a broken heart"

Mei pauses and bites her lip.

"He spoke of wanting to see the Empire, Tonbo-sama. Perhaps..."

She takes a deep breath.

"Perhaps if duty allows it, the two of you could accompany me to deliver proclamations for some time. He could see the Empire, and you could spread the wisdom of the Dragon."

Misa's smile warmed gently. "I never doubted that a lady of the Miya would act honorably in such a case, though I would invite you to exchange letters with him if you wish. What you feel is what it is, no matter where duty will take you. As for my accompanying yourself with Kemuri-san... I fear my duties as an advisor to my daimyo do not leave me time to travel often, if at all. None the less, there will perhaps come a time she travels out for a winter court, or a diplomatic meeting. I would be honored to travel alongside you for such a journey."

[Moto Butaj]

"All as agreed." Butaj whispers, and takes a step away. He does not see the other Moto, but would not test their resolve either. He sits on the ground and takes his horsehead fiddle of his back. Placing the box on his knees, he expresses his pain through music.

(Song)