Power Ballad Observation Thread (D7, EA & LA)

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

He turned to Kitakuhime, taking a moment before speaking quietly so that only Kitaku and Samai could hear.

"Otaku-sama, forgive me for approaching a...perhaps sensitive subject, but may I enquire as to the...reason behind the choosing of your song target?"

She takes a lot of time to reply, as thoughts race her head to find a way to synthesize the myriad of reasons in a sentence or two. Something would prevent unnecessary questioning and further discord.

"Why would Seppun-san want to know that: Simply because of curiosity or are there ulterior reasons?" Kitakuhime asks –– innocently worried.

[Yogo Mizuki]

"Oh... it was a joke!" Baatar feigned a confused smile, but it was obvious that he didn't really understand the joke.

"So the Crab fight a lot at weddings, too?" he asked. "I guess they must have a lot of those 'duelist' types then?"

"The Crab fight a lot in general. Probably more wrestling for non-fatal fights. And more heavy weapons for the fatal kind. They are not as a rule, duelists. Their duty is to protect the Empire from the Enemy who has little interest in formal duels."

[Seppun Hideo]

She takes a lot of time to reply, as thoughts race her head to find a way to synthesize the myriad of reasons in a sentence or two. Something would prevent unnecessary questioning and further discord.

"Why would Seppun-san want to know that: Simply because of curiosity or are there ulterior reasons?" Kitakuhime asks –– innocently worried.

"I am curious, Otaku-sama" Hideo said honestly "the competition was set up for the participants to sing out for those they have a romantic interest in, which is a very unusual contest. However, while Moto are very...unique in their thinking, I would be surprised if they had expected the dedications you and some of your kin have made."

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"I am curious, Otaku-sama" Hideo said honestly "the competition was set up for the participants to sing out for those they have a romantic interest in, which is a very unusual contest. However, while Moto are very...unique in their thinking, I would be surprised if they had expected the dedications you and some of your kin have made."

She frowns a bit at his response. "I understand it is odd, but I didn't want to offend the Moto. So, I sang," She tilts her head a bit, "In the same fashion Seppun-san and all the other guests did." Kitakuhime opens a hand, indicating everyone else.

"Proper etiquette, of course, tells us this is not 'adequate'. I am fully aware, and will bring this matter to Ide Dabo-sama 'later'." The Otaku princess looks into his eyes. "Be sure: I am not offended by your song, and I hope Seppun-sas has found no offense in mine."

[Moto Baatar]

"The Crab fight a lot in general. Probably more wrestling for non-fatal fights. And more heavy weapons for the fatal kind. They are not as a rule, duelists. Their duty is to protect the Empire from the Enemy who has little interest in formal duels."

"That does sound a lot more like how we settle arguments," the young Moto admitted. "I had heard before that the Crab had a duty to fight monsters; that must be an exciting life. Do the Scorpion have a special duty, as well?"

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Freshly finished and flush with a certain degree of satisfaction, if not pride, Hirase made his way to the group of listeners. He hoped to talk to Yue and take any ill-will he might have coming head on like a samurai should, but saw she was in conversation.

So he moseyed in her general vicinity, trying to catch her eye, but did not move to intrude.

{{Waiting for Yue but happy to chat to whoever, PM please!}}

Yue walked over to Hirase with her fan covering her face to entire way. She took a seat next to him and looked at him. It was clear that behind her shield that her face was mortified. "Your song was interesting, Hirase-san."

[Seppun Hideo]

She frowns a bit at his response. "I understand it is odd, but I didn't want to offend the Moto. So, I sang," She tilts her head a bit, "In the same fashion Seppun-san and all the other guests did." Kitakuhime opens a hand, indicating everyone else.

"Proper etiquette, of course, tells us this is not 'adequate'. I am fully aware, and will bring this matter to Ide Dabo-sama 'later'." The Otaku princess looks into his eyes. "Be sure: I am not offended by your song, and I hope Seppun-sas has found no offense in mine."

Hideo considered the answer as he met her eyes with his. He didn't seem offended, and nodded as she explained. "Before I offer my opinion on the matter, I have one last question to ask, Otaku-sama; have none of the male candidates garnered your interest enough to be worthy of a song?"

[Yogo Mizuki]

Mizuki nods. "All Clans do. The Scorpion discover the hidden threats to the Empire and deal with them. If something falls outside of the other Clans' duties, it is ours. These threats can range from traitors to tsukais."

His response to the Crab duty made Mizuki feels like she at least needs to warn him. "Though I do have to you warn you that the Crab face danger beyond the monsters they fight. Those monsters spread the Taint which can warp even the most honorable samurai into the Enemy's pawns. If you ever go to Crab lands, make sure you have jade on your person."

[Asako Hirase]

Yue walked over to Hirase with her fan covering her face to entire way. She took a seat next to him and looked at him. It was clear that behind her shield that her face was mortified. "Your song was interesting, Hirase-san."

He smiled at her, admittedly a bit sheepish now, rubbing the back of his head with one hand.

"I hoped...it might help. On a few levels." Growing more serious, he said, "I meant what I said about not minding. But I also thought it might be useful, given how many of your Clan sisters have declared similarly, to remind everyone that just because a partner doesn't desire you in the flesh, it doesn't mean you can't still make a happy life together. I wouldn't have ever said such a thing publicly anywhere but here, but, well..." He shrugged, then looked at her sidelong. "If I've offended you, I humbly apologize."

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

Hideo considered the answer as he met her eyes with his. He didn't seem offended, and nodded as she explained. "Before I offer my opinion on the matter, I have one last question to ask, Otaku-sama; have none of the male candidates garnered your interest enough to be worthy of a song?"

"Quite a few have. But I don't understand: Wasn't the intention of the song to be a romantic interest –– any one romantic interest?"

She puts both palms of her hands up. "Perhaps Seppun-san is making a bit of a confusion here. I do not need to show or have romantic feelings with my future husband. I am here at this miai to honor my clan, to marry and have healthy, honorable children to serve the Unicorn and the Emperor. That is my duty, and I intend to see it realized. My romantic preferences have nothing to do with duty."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo entered the stands, slightly dazed after her performance and seeking a chair. She sits down towards the back of the stands, watching the others move and seeing Shinjo Akil sitting with Shinjo Liu Yue. She looks around for Monkhbaatar, but doesn't find him easily. She decides to have some more water and wait.


(PM if approaching)

[Moto Baatar]

Mizuki nods. "All Clans do. The Scorpion discover the hidden threats to the Empire and deal with them. If something falls outside of the other Clans' duties, it is ours. These threats can range from traitors to tsukais."

His response to the Crab duty made Mizuki feels like she at least needs to warn him. "Though I do have to you warn you that the Crab face danger beyond the monsters they fight. Those monsters spread the Taint which can warp even the most honorable samurai into the Enemy's pawns. If you ever go to Crab lands, make sure you have jade on your person."

"Huh!" Baatar said again. "Jade, eh? I'll be sure to remember," he promised.

"Hunting traitors and tsukai must be Serious Business," Baatar commented. "I bet coming to something as pleasant as a miai must be a welcome respite from that, eh?"

[Shinjo Kemuri]

While he was watching the whispered conversation, Kemuri heard Kogo's voice. For the duration of her song, he was distracted, smiling in appreciation of the performance. He was surprised and pleased that she had chosen to sing, regardless of who the subject was.

As she joined the other observers, he gave her an encouraging smile and a nod. Then, his attention returned to the matter at hand.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue walked over to Hirase with her fan covering her face to entire way. She took a seat next to him and looked at him. It was clear that behind her shield that her face was mortified. "Your song was interesting, Hirase-san."

He smiled at her, admittedly a bit sheepish now, rubbing the back of his head with one hand.

"I hoped...it might help. On a few levels." Growing more serious, he said, "I meant what I said about not minding. But I also thought it might be useful, given how many of your Clan sisters have declared similarly, to remind everyone that just because a partner doesn't desire you in the flesh, it doesn't mean you can't still make a happy life together. I wouldn't have ever said such a thing publicly anywhere but here, but, well..." He shrugged, then looked at her sidelong. "If I've offended you, I humbly apologize."

Yue blinked and looked at him with bemused eyes. "Are you certain that my song was sincere? I may have sung it because I did not want to choose a suitor so blatantly in front of the crowd."

[Yogo Mizuki]

"The miai has been lovely. Though while my Clan's duties are to hunt the hidden threats, my personal duty is to support them by ensuring trade flows in and out of my Clan. Admittedly, less exciting, but necessary. I'm curious, how do you see the Unicorn's role now that they have returned?" Honestly, Mizuki wasn't sure why she never asked anyone this yet.