Power Ballad Observation Thread (D7, EA & LA)

[Shinjo Kemuri]

"Shinjo's Law." he answered. "Our guests are not family, but they are here to become it. They will either join us, or accept us into their families. Among family, we would not resolve this with blood, much less death. That is the way of the Empire. If you accept that, you may as well accept her words. If you wish to stand by our ways, then use them."

[Shinjo Akil]

The situation seeming diffused for now, Akil bows to Liu Yue, ignoring her statement for the time being. "Please excuse me, Li Yue-san. There's something I would like to do."

He approached Mei calmly, bowing as appropriate. "Pardon me, Miya-sama?"

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"Shinjo's Law." he answered. "Our guests are not family, but they are here to become it. They will either join us, or accept us into their families. Among family, we would not resolve this with blood, much less death. That is the way of the Empire. If you accept that, you may as well accept her words. If you wish to stand by our ways, then use them."

"Heavens know I tried. I offered hand-to-hand combat. She denied: her bloodlust asked for steel and blood. If I accept her words, I accept the Unicorn is in the mud. Would you accept that, Kemuri-san?" She closes her eyes, still smiling. "I understand the affection both of you share. I've heard your songs. Please, do not place yourself against your cousin."

[Miya Mei]

Mei wipes at her face quickly with her hand and turns to the newcomer.

Her face is red and eyes somewhat puffy and watery.

"Y..Yes, Shinjo-san?"

She bows.

[Shinjo Akil]

If Akil noticed her discomfort, he gave off no indication. "Perhaps we may have a word in private?" He offered her, "I wish to seek clarification, with the understanding that I believe your initial gesture at least was made in good faith."

[Shinjo Kemuri]

"Heavens know I tried. I offered hand-to-hand combat. She denied: her bloodlust asked for steel and blood. If I accept her words, I accept the Unicorn is in the mud. Would you accept that, Kemuri-san?" She closes her eyes, still smiling. "I understand the affection both of you share. I've heard your songs. Please, do not place yourself against your cousin."

"Hand to hand combat? You mean a duel with shinai, as tradition?" he asked. "She rejected that?"

[Miya Mei]

Mei nods and motions for him to stand next to her.

When he is, she turns her back to the crowd and begins to speak in a soft voice.

"I needed to speak with Otaku-sama, Moto-san, and Shinjo-san immediately to explain what they had just done. In the Empire, such relationships are intended to be kept on the utmost of secrecy, for it is ill suited to speak the name of your lover in public, even more so if that one is of the same gender. Additionally, at an event looking to choose a husband, singing love of a woman could be taken terribly wrong by the men of the Empire."

Mei sighs

"I am a Miya. We are called the Voice of the Emperor. I am to spread news across the Empire, but also to spread reasons for why things are the way they are. To help assist the clans. I wanted to explain to them how they could speak to the matter in a way that would not make the Unicorn look bad, as the rumors of late have been very harsh to your people."

Mei glances back at Kitakuhime

"Somewhere along the line, things went sideways, words were said that cannot be retracted on either side, and here we are."

Mei looks back to Akil with pleading in her eyes.

"Know I did not mean for this. A duel, perhaps, to show error of ways, but not for death."

----Rolls----
[D7 Afternoons] Sincerity: 4d10o10k3 23

[Ide Amaya]

Amaya had observed her kin from behind Hideo's fan with growing discomfort. What is the Princess doing? It seemed as though she were imploring the Fortunes to turn their backs on her. First she refused to play by the rules of the game, and now she wanted to duel unto the death? What could have hurt her so badly that she prefers death to marriage?

[Shinjo Akil]

"Then why is your issue with them, and not with those who organized this event?" He can't his head in curiosity.

"The organizers told them to proclaim their love proudly to the Heavens. Are they expected to do so insincerely, dishonestly? It strikes me that, while I understand your frustrations, they might be misplaced."

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"Hand to hand combat? You mean a duel with shinai, as tradition?" he asked. "She rejected that?"

She shakes her head. "Not with shinai. Jiujutsu. To submission, as tradition. She rejected with steel."

[Shinjo Kemuri]

"Why not shinai?" he was becoming more confused. "That is how we duel."

[Miya Mei]

"Then why is your issue with them, and not with those who organized this event?" He can't his head in curiosity.

"The organizers told them to proclaim their love proudly to the Heavens. Are they expected to do so insincerely, dishonestly? It strikes me that, while I understand your frustrations, they might be misplaced."

"My displeasure is in that she would not listen to the urgency of my desire to speak with the three of them. I simply wished to pull them aside as you have me, and discuss it with them. I am embarrassed at having to shout my love for Shinjo Kemuri-san to the Four Winds, but I understand there are differences between our people and I accept that."

"What I am not accepting of is refusing to allow me to assist in helping the three of them know what to say should the rest of the day come difficult for them due to their actions. Thrice I offered to talk in private, thrice I was denied. Otaku-sama wanted to wait until tomorrow and have tea. By then, the whole camp would be abound by rumors! I impressed to her that the Unicorn name had already been drug through the mud, and pushing me aside would only do so further."

"When everything is said and done, my frustration is no longer even about the minor etiquette dispute, it is more about her insulting my honor to assist, and for her, it was me insulting her ability as a leader, her clan's honor and traditions, and many other things that might have been said in the heat of the moment in my urgency."

Mei shakes her head.

"There is no need for a duel to the death. A duel to first blood is acceptable and all I wish for."

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"Why not shinai?" he was becoming more confused. "That is how we duel."

"I confess I have chosen jiujutsu due all the Moto around looking at me." She blinks a bit.

"My intention was pure. She pressed on with first blood and remained adamant –– without ever retracting her offense. As many heard, she accused me even further in her anger."

Kitakuhime looks down to her hands. "I expect the Kami grant her wisdom. So she may apologize, back down and learn from her mistakes. I cannot: I will not allow such grave slander to mar our Clan's name."

[Shinjo Kemuri]

"I am unaware of any Unicorn who has dueled to the death, do you really wish to be the first?" he asked. "Do you think Ide-dono will allow it, here? I am offering an alternative."

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"I am unaware of any Unicorn who has dueled to the death, do you really wish to be the first?" he asked. "Do you think Ide-dono will allow it, here? I am offering an alternative."

She squints her eyes at him, now. "In the desert, the Otaku fought and dueled against many honorable opponents to death. Emma-O is not a stranger to us, Kemuri-san. Miya-san is not an Unicorn, yet. It would be very fortunate –– and in her best interest –– that she apologizes before entering the Clan she just declared was in the mud."