Power Ballad Observation Thread (D7, EA & LA)

[Matsu Yurio]

"Yet a Crane was first to perform," she decided to point out with a clear amusement to her tone. However, before she could go on the whole scene surrounding Kitakuhime, Khulun, and the Miya woman played out and it naturally put a bit of silence to the moment.

"yes, that was quite a surprise. I would have expected the Crane to sit this out. Perhaps she doesn't expect to be wearing blue much longer."

If he heard the Scorpion speak . . . well he wasn't about to annoy an ally, but his eyebrow did twitch.

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"This is the Empire, Otaku-sama. You do not get to set the rules. Whatever ways the Unicorn have settled this sort of matter, it is not how it is done here. We settled duels with the sword."

"These are the Unicorn lands within the Empire. You should be courteous enough to accept our traditions and our rules, as the Child of Heaven has accepted us. Follow the example, Miya-san" The Otaku heiress persuades her to concur.

--
Courtier/Awareness Roll: 9

[Miya Mei]

"Otaku-sama, I believe the Empire has been lenient enough with what we have tolerated. I refuse. We will let the heavens intervene in the sacred art of Iaijutsu. To first blood."

----Rolls----
[D7 Afternoons] Etiquette vs Courtier, TN 9: 4d10o10k3 29

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"No. Your accusations and disrespect to the Unicorn are too great. It will be to the death." She corrects.

[Moto Khulun]

"Otaku-sama, I believe the Empire has been lenient enough with what we have tolerated. I refuse. We will let the heavens intervene in the sacred art of Iaijutsu. To first blood."

----Rolls----
[D7 Afternoons] Etiquette vs Courtier, TN 9: 4d10o10k3 29

Khulun chuckles, because the Otaku can totally take this... Imperial. She clears her throat and remains silent.

Then her sister raises the stakes and that brought a grin.

[Shinjo Hanashi]

Hanashi feels a cold shiver run down his spine.

[Otomo Tenzo]

Tenzo thought it unwise for one of his stature to participate directly in the Moto's ballad affair, though word of the event alone drew him to at least observe and study it, and so he was in attendance in the audience, watching the range of performance, all of them obvious into their subject, some more subtle than others, and of course a few that made him hold his courtier's fan quite stiffly in front of his face. The Otomo was not well-read in the nuances of poetic verse, but even the steamiest poetry he had come across was still more restrained and subtle in subject matter!

For all his interest in what was happening on the stage, however, his attention, much like the attention of others, was slowly being drawn and shifted over to the brewing dispute between what appeared to be one of his dear cousins and a contingent of Unicorn maidens that were familiar to him. As the argument started to become louder and draw more attention onto itself, he maneuvered closer to those arguing yet kept a fair distance, interested in hearing how this was going to play out...

[Shinjo Liu Fei]

Suteichi's performance had caused Liu Fei to raise the fan he had given her, concealing her expression with a practiced effort. When she settled enough from it she allowed the fan to drop and keep her inner delight to herself.

While discussions happened elsewhere, Fei did her best to do the proper Rokugani thing and just continued with her conversation unhindered. Well, she tried to, but Suteichi's words gave her a few seconds pause that were used to compose herself again.

When she finally did, however, she tried to do the right thing by not turning to Suteichi. "Perhaps not, Matsu-sama, but it does seem a rather strange time to be so confident she will be doing so. Or.. the Crane are also more artistic?" she seemed to ask earnestly but continued with or without a quick answer. "Maybe it is from that sense, one where it is an art?"

[Shinjo Kemuri]

Kemuri had been satisfied with simply watching the remaining singers. He was confident that Mei and the other could peacefully resolve the issue. Then, he heard a word he did not expect.

Death?

Turning with his eyes wide, he stood and made his way towards them.

[Ichiro Daisuke]

Dong-Ha's song cheered the Badger to some degree, perhaps the rumors of Tomoe hadn't hurt her chances of find a pleasant match after all.

Then Kitakuhime made it to stage, it wasn't long into the song before he felt the disappointment sink into his chest. Not willing to hear anymore he shook his head then left.

/exit stage right.

((Wanted to get all this commentary done earlier but we'll work happened. Daisuke will be well gone by the time the talk of duels comes up.))

[Miya Mei]

"No. Your accusations and disrespect to the Unicorn are too great. It will be to the death." She corrects.

Mei blinks and turns to face Kitakuhime fully again.

"Otaku-sama, a duel to the death is for offenses much graver than this. While there is still a slight here that requires heaven intervene, my lord has much use for me yet and thus would not allow me to accept the terms of a shi duel."

[Usagi Tomoe]

Tomoe had kept her attention on the situation that seemed to be escalating further, but something else pulled her attention away.

Hotaru was dedicating her song to Dong-Ha too.

Even if the Scorpion's performance was... less than stellar, it still made her heart sink. Hotaru was beautiful and sweet, a shugenja of a respectable Great Clan family... and unlike herself, she was highly regarded in this competition.

Since no one was paying much attention to her now, with the duel occupying the spotlight, the rabbit found a quiet place away from the crowd to be alone with her thoughts.

[Moto Khulun]

Tomoe had kept her attention on the situation that seemed to be escalating further, but something else pulled her attention away.

Hotaru was dedicating her song to Dong-Ha too.

Even if the Scorpion's performance was... less than stellar, it still made her heart sink. Hotaru was beautiful and sweet, a shugenja of a respectable Great Clan family... and unlike herself, she was highly regarded in this competition.

Since no one was paying much attention to her now, with the duel occupying the spotlight, the rabbit found a quiet place away from the crowd to be alone with her thoughts.

Kitakuhime had this fight, and it was hers alone and as it were she was liable to punch the Miya instead of being silent so she follows the Rabbit and says, “Rabbit-sensei, you sing good.”

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"You threw the Unicorn in the mud with your very words –– I asked you to apologize: you ignored. You offended my family by insinuating they didn't know what they were doing by allowing me to have a position of leadership. You offended me by accusing me of ignorance. I forgive you for the latter. Honor forbids me accept your other offenses.. If you draw steel against the me, be ready to die for your actions."

Kitakuhime may be a barbaric Unicorn not so well versed in the way of the Empire. But honor is something she knows plenty.

[Usagi Tomoe]

At times like this, she was glad for her Courtier training, as she smiled politely.

"Thank you, Moto-san, though there are much better singers than I... a shame that some choose to throw shade at their talents," Tomoe looked in the direction of Mei and Kitakuhime, making it obvious who she thought was throwing the shade.