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

[Isawa Nonin]

Nonin watch this all with mixed fascination and nervousness.

[Doji Fukawa]

Doji Fukawa arrived to the march dressed in her finest kimono, her finest netsuke, and her best perfume. She wasn't thrilled about being second to the inscrutable Togashi. Second was first loser as her sensei had reminded her. Still, it's not like they were competing for spouses, regardless of the Unicorn's strange ideas on herds without stallions. So, she was first in a sense, and there was pride in that.

Then the Otaku Iceberg Squad hit the miai. Fukawa listened patiently behind her fan.

Well that will make Dong-Ha happy, I guess. she noted.

She watched impassively while a couple of samurai stormed out of the march.

And others very unhappy. Ide-dono is master here and can do as he pleases, but this does not speak well for the value of his word. she mused.

After Togashi Udo's pick (which we'll assume is something other than telling the Unicorn they have no idea what they're doing), it's her turn to pick!

"Ide-dono, thank you for providing us all with this wonderful miai. With these matches, I believe that the Unicorn are finally a part of the Empire again, after being seperated for so long. I am grateful that I was able to show you my own worth, and have been allowed to request my match so early in the day.

I would ask for the hand of Shinjo Akil. His flute music, part of the Unicorn's soul, will be intertwined with that of the Crane. May the Fortunes smile on this, and every other match made here today."

Her selection made, she rejoins the march.

(PM if interacted with)

[Shinjo Akil]

Akil is having exactly the worst time keeping his On right now, the smile on his face ever growing as he bounces on his heels.

It's really, really hard for him not to be waving his hands in excitement.

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo arrives late, wearing her best outfit that has already been worn too many times. (Complete with warpaint makeup, red lips and kohled eyes) She squeezes in next to Usagi Tomoe and Usagi Tsukimi, suspecting the two Minor Clan samurai will be kind and not comment if she appears distressed during this choosing. They were all in similar situations, though Tomoe had climbed significantly in the standings.

Kogo is surprised and slightly elated at watching the Otaku maidens charge in and pick their husbands. There is an example to emulate, for sure. None of this prancing about and delicacy. A tactical strike. Her smile is restrained enough but anyone looking would see a bit of her customary fierceness in it. She smiles as she hears Hiroji's name called, thinking that he will be a good choice for a strong minded woman.

He takes guidance well that one. He will find a way. Plus, he will need a strong minded woman to guide him through his fits and starts.

Seeing her kinsman being acknowledged, her smile broadens and she is gladdened for his chances.


Seeing the distress of others though, her soft heart is a little touched. She does not condemn the Imperial and the Ide in her mind, knowing that if she were a different person, she might have followed their example.



And then the time comes for Fukawa's pick. She looks to the side to see Akil's face watching Fukawa as she chooses him. His excitement is palpable. His smile intense and growing. Ahhh Kami. I never had a chance. Kogo's On becomes shuttered and closed, her blank mask her best attempt at keeping herself together. She places her hands on her lap, clenching them together to keep them steady. She takes a slow, deep breath, seeking the balance within herself. Her lips curve up, but it could not be called a smile.

It is as if the light has gone out from her eyes and left a statue behind. A statue of perfect courtesy, with little inside.


(Pm if talking or approaching.)

[Usagi Tomoe]

"I am confident on your behalf then, Tsukimi-chan," Tomoe put on her bravest smile for Tsukimi, and for Kogo who joined them. Kogo she knew would at least leave her with a husband, one way or another, so she held onto hope for any of the fine Unicorn men before them to choose Tsukimi. Please,
Benten, show some kindness to Tsukimi-chan too.

Noting the reactions on Fukawa, Akil and Kogo as the second choosing is made, the Hare nodded behind her fan. Leaning a little closer to Kogo, Tomoe spoke in a quiet tone. "Lady Matsu never said her goodbye to Lord Akodo when she departed with Shinsei for the Day of Thunder... will repeat that?" She didn't say 'mistake', but it was hinted at, indicating that the Hare felt that it would be wrong to at least not say their last farewells before destiny took them both to different places.

[Otaku Imane]

Covering her mouth not to giggle, she compliments the other battle maiden, "I'm so proud of you, sister. You bring honor to us all."

Imane bowed to her sister in thanks and was about to reply when Doji Fukawa stepped forward and made her choice. It was good to see that their war hero had found a fine bride. Of course this meant it was her turn.

She looked into Kitakuhime's eyes and mouthed 'Shiotome', winked, and then walked proudly up to the centre of the action. Ide Dabo and the judges received a deep bow. Her lightly accented voice carried across the crowd with more strength than her small form implied.

"Ide Dabo-dono, minna-sama, you have my deepest thanks for such a joyous miai. It is pleasing to find such a warm reception from our cousins, and to have introduced them to our own culture. I now find I must choose my husband, and it has not been an easy decision from a field of such fine samurai."

I am not my mother. I am not my mother... But I think I understand her better, now.

She looked across to where the Otaku, at the behest of their daimyo no less, had chosen their matches for love. She touched the comb and went with her gut.

"I am spoiled by good choices. Although I did not know of his clan until a week ago, they have guarded the pass by which we left the Empire. I believe our temperaments to be well aligned, and he accepts the demands placed on an Otaku husband. I choose Ichiro Daisuke, and look forward to bringing my people closer to our stalwart Northern neighbours. May each of you be blessed with joyful matches."

With a bow to the audience she returned to the crowd and, smiling faintly, made her way over to the Badger.

[Usagi Tsukimi]

She nodded to Tomoe, and took a deep breath, slow to let it out.
When the Lioness joined them, Tsukimi smiled to her as well. "Fortune be with you, Matsu-san." She truly hoped the best for the Lioness. Though she is somewhat ignorant to her upset.

[Soshi Yuuru]

Yuuru shook his head at Imane's choice.

A minor clan over the Soshi? What world are we living in?

He began to feel this would be a long day for him...

[Seppun Aramoro]

Aramoro was standing amongst the other his fan waving with a slow tempo across his face. His expression remained unwavered by the choice of Imane. He had hoped, but could not fault her at her choice, since he did not make his intentions clear and neither was he about his own.

Hideo's fate however was cause enough for him to raise his fan to his face. He owed the man a great debt and even to Ide-family to an extent.

Fear not my friend, all is not lost...

[Ichiro Daisuke]

Covering her mouth not to giggle, she compliments the other battle maiden, "I'm so proud of you, sister. You bring honor to us all."

Imane bowed to her sister in thanks and was about to reply when Doji Fukawa stepped forward and made her choice. It was good to see that their war hero had found a fine bride. Of course this meant it was her turn.

She looked into Kitakuhime's eyes and mouthed 'Shiotome', winked, and then walked proudly up to the centre of the action. Ide Dabo and the judges received a deep bow. Her lightly accented voice carried across the crowd with more strength than her small form implied.

"Ide Dabo-dono, minna-sama, you have my deepest thanks for such a joyous miai. It is pleasing to find such a warm reception from our cousins, and to have introduced them to our own culture. I now find I must choose my husband, and it has not been an easy decision from a field of such fine samurai."

I am not my mother. I am not my mother... But I think I understand her better, now.

She looked across to where the Otaku, at the behest of their daimyo no less, had chosen their matches for love. She touched the comb and went with her gut.

"I am spoiled by good choices. Although I did not know of his clan until a week ago, they have guarded the pass by which we left the Empire. I believe our temperaments to be well aligned, and he accepts the demands placed on an Otaku husband. I choose Ichiro Daisuke, and look forward to bringing my people closer to our stalwart Northern neighbours. May each of you be blessed with joyful matches."

With a bow to the audience she returned to the crowd and, smiling faintly, made her way over to the Badger.

Udo picking Saksaha, earned a pleased nod from the Badger, the Dragon seemed to have a fine taste in women. That he had not picked Inane, also pleased him but that was left unsaid. Fukawa's match was also approved but given less attention as Daisuke was more nervous about the one following.

He stood rigid as Inane took the stage, unable to do anything more, and as she picked him, he couldn't help but close his eyes and offer a silent prayer of thanks.

When his bethrothed started to make her way over, Daisuke moved to meet her a faint smile on his lips. He had wanted to make highway over as soon as she arrived, but with no certainty on this day he had lingered in his place.

"Imane-san." He greeted her quietly as they met, unable to say anything more as a happy smile lit his features.

[Otaku Imane]

Her spine tingled when he said her name like that in public! Okay, it was a whisper, but still... A hint of colour reached her cheeks and she looked back at him happily.

"Daisuke-san. I thought about what you said at the pool, and I look forward to our future together." A hand slipped down to her belt and she removed the fine comb. "Thank you for your letter. You did not tell me you were an artisan."

[Matsu Kogo]

"I am confident on your behalf then, Tsukimi-chan," Tomoe put on her bravest smile for Tsukimi, and for Kogo who joined them. Kogo she knew would at least leave her with a husband, one way or another, so she held onto hope for any of the fine Unicorn men before them to choose Tsukimi. Please,
Benten, show some kindness to Tsukimi-chan too.

Noting the reactions on Fukawa, Akil and Kogo as the second choosing is made, the Hare nodded behind her fan. Leaning a little closer to Kogo, Tomoe spoke in a quiet tone. "Lady Matsu never said her goodbye to Lord Akodo when she departed with Shinsei for the Day of Thunder... will repeat that?" She didn't say 'mistake', but it was hinted at, indicating that the Hare felt that it would be wrong to at least not say their last farewells before destiny took them both to different places.

Kogo's face flushes faintly, realizing that she has betrayed herself somehow, though she is unsure how. Her face reanimates for a brief moment as she whispers. "I know my history Usagi-San." She says, somewhat cryptically. In a slightly louder voice she say, "May Benten bless you both. I have high hopes for your futures." She says with a slight smile, smaller than her usual. At least I have not been disgraced by my own actions. There is something there. I may not have performed as I would like but with all the courtier games, how is a Matsu to excel?

Kogo turns her face back to the choosing.

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

Happy for Imane — perhaps too happy — Kitakuhime snaps her fan open, hiding the enormous smile stamped on her face. She waves a bit, cooling her off while looking over the edge of the fold to the next samurai to choose before she could.

[Ichiro Daisuke]

Her spine tingled when he said her name like that in public! Okay, it was a whisper, but still... A hint of colour reached her cheeks and she looked back at him happily.

"Daisuke-san. I thought about what you said at the pool, and I look forward to our future together." A hand slipped down to her belt and she removed the fine comb. "Thank you for your letter. You did not tell me you were an artisan."

His own cheeks went pink as she used his name, this was a lot more embarrassing then he had ever considered. "As do I" There was a smile in his eyes as he matched gazes with her for a moment before his gaze dropped towards the comb she carried. "I'm only a beginner." He offered in way if explanation. "So I don't speak of it much. I could make you more things in the future though, if you want."

[Isawa Nonin]

Nonin smiles as two of his friends are matched. It would be a good day for all, he was sure.