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Kurama no Koishi Vice Captain
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 Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:02 pm
Miharu blinked again, turning to Shizuka in surprise when the other calmly suggested that she share some poetry. Not that the request itself was so unusual, but the Shirabyoshi had just begun to settle in again when the spotlight was beamed at her... again. Her mild dismay was evident—likely, at least, only to Shizuka—but then her attention was diverted back to the samurai in front of her. And he also wished to hear the verses that Shizuka knew Miharu kept close at hand.
That Shizuka. Of course she knew how Miharu wrote her poetry. It was something Miharu didn't like to flaunt overmuch, for she wished to be viewed as humble. She wondered now whether or not Shizuka was trying to make her uncomfortable. Etiquette did not allow her to decline such a request. "Yes," she said, sounding a little embarrassed, "Certainly." The Shirabyoshi thought for a few seconds, selecting a poem that suited her audience, one that even Shizuka had not heard before.
This one, Miharu had written only days before, inspired by the summer Cherry Blossom Festival. She opened her mouth, and as if by their own accord, the careful verses began to spill out. Her sweet, gentle voice first outlined, then detailed the petal rain that had occurred in the days before—Miharu captured the delicate swirling storms of pink, the silent awe of heavy branches dutifully releasing their wealth of silken petals, and the harmony that the earth and the moon shared, that the yin and the yang shared with each other in the moment that Miharu penned those verses. And just as softly as the poem began, it faded away, like the breeze that sifted through the cherry blossom petals once they lay peacefully on the ground.
Having finished, Miharu lowered her head as was customary. Useful too, for hiding yet another blush of embarrassment. She felt some pride creep in to banish her shyness, however, just as a poet would feel after having accomplished her purpose in the writing of such a poem. She only hoped now that she was not the only one who admired her own work so.
[[ Mwahaha Koishi cheated and used pretty words instead of writing a poem herself~ Though it's incoherent and made my brain hurt. I hate consciously thinking about literary devices. ;__; Anywai. Plot commence. ]]
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Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 5:24 am
Shizuka smiled benignly to Raiden, now pleased with her suggestion. It seemed the samurai would really be rather pleased to hear one of Miharu's poems, and while Shizuka was aware that the other Shirabyoshi was shy about her poetic talents, she also knew that those talents were all there. The other Shirabyoshi actually meant the opposite from harm in her suggestion. After Miharu's altogether strange actions just moments earlier, Shizuka was aware that a poem could easily be a saving point.
The Shirabyoshi smiled encouragingly to Miharu as the other agreed, well aware of the embarrassment in her voice, but choosing to disregard it. Instead Shizuka listened to Miharu's wonderfully-executed poem, allowing the overall feeling of it to engulf her. In the end, Shizuka was still glad of her request. The poem had been lovely, and she now breathed deeply, making sure to enjoy the moment of peace before really looking up.
Shizuka knew that Miharu was likely blushing under her make-up by now, but she didn't think the other was quite to the point of being distressed or anything, so she spoke, in a soft lilting voice to compliment the other. "That was lovely, Miharu-san." Shizuka then shut her mouth politely. Miharu was very likely embarrassed by now - but Shizuka thought she might never find out the reason for that in her life. The last thing she could fathomably see for Miharu's feelings about her talent was embarrassment. Still, she and Miharu really did have different outlooks on things much of the time.
[[ xD Dude. Half of this didn't make sense to me while I was writing it. :'D ]]
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Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:13 am
Raiden smiled lightly- it was apparent that Shizuka knew about whatever talents Miharu was hiding. They were quite the dynamic duo, he noted. He listened intently has the Shirabyoshi began to speak, head tipped slightly in avid concentration. He was highly impressed- the way that the young woman wove her words together was phenomenal; it created an image in his mind that was quite realistic.
"That was... beautiful, Miharu-san." he said softly after she had finished, "I have gone many days without hearing such wonderful poetry."
At this point, he didn't really care that she was slightly embarassed- to him, it was alike to meeting a great warrior. One should acknowledge their greatness without attempting to flatter them excessively.
[[ omgomg so shortttttt. Dx -suck- ]]
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Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 2:28 pm
[[ Since Koishi said it was okay. :B ]]
Katsuhige Ebisawa had been wandering around rather hopelessly for some time now. He had originally hoped to find a few friends and start another party off, but everyone was either being entertained or doing the entertaining himself. Now he was in the habit of peeking into each room under the guise of saying hello, when really he was looking for Shizuka. It had been around fifteen minutes of fruitless searching when finally, he happened across the room Shizuka, Raiden and Miharu were in and he breathed a sigh of relief at that, no more having to stay around for false pleasantries.
He had heard the soft tones of Miharu's poetry, though he barely caught any of it through the rice paper door. His mind, when it wasn't on war, was on Shizuka. He guessed it was obvious he favoured her and in his mind it wasn't that big a deal, as long as his wife never found out that is. He had few trusted friends, he guessed Raiden could be considered a good friend of war; though they had barely talked.
Katsuhige slid open the door with one hand the other gripping the hilt of his sword. He was dressed in his blue hakama outfit with his hair swept back in a lower style of ponytail then he usually had. He smiled at the occupants within, bowing at the waist a little. "Greetings Raiden-san, Shizuka-san and Miharu-san" he greeted with a pleasant smile. He was feeling rather left out actually, since he had only gone to check up on his family for a fewdays. It seemed to have thrown him out of the social loop.
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Kurama no Koishi Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:50 pm
Miharu, though wishing to maintain her shy demeanor, could feel herself glowing from the praise. She wondered why she didn't get used to it, but for someone as shy as Miharu, the slightest bit of attention was enough to put her off base, as was evident by her perpetual blush. But they had liked her work! The Shirabyoshi smiled at her hands. It was her heart's desire that the one thing she loved so much was too, appreciated by others. "Thank you..." She was not yet composed enough to look up at either Raiden or Shizuka.
As she was avoiding eyes and biding her time, she heard footsteps on the tatami mats, and it sounded as if they were approaching the table quickly. Automatically, Miharu glanced up while the newcomer addressed them. However, it was the face and voice that she did not recognize. A blank look surfaced fleetingly on her pretty face before she smiled and murmured, "Good evening."
What she did not understand, though, was how he knew her name, and Shizuka's. The idea that her partner in crime would know caused her to shoot a brief inquisitive glance in Shizuka's direction, before she returned her attention to the stranger, forgetting about the other samurai she sat across from for the moment.
[[ Meep. Rusty. ;___; ]]
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Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:16 pm
Shizuka shot a tranquil smile to her colleague, noting Miharu's flattered state with quiet amusement before looking up to see the visitor herself. She looked a little shocked at Katsuhige's appearance, but quickly composed herself. Shizuka shot an apologetic look to Miharu before straightening to address the newcomer.
"Good evening, Ebisawa-san." She murmured quietly, deciding to let down on her ridiculous and near-obsessive use of honorifics. She was not happy that Katsuhige was here; not happy at all. She had not yet had time to tell Miharu of her run in with the samurai in the gardens, and this appearance set the shirabyoshi on edge.
Miharu would probably notice that her movements were a little more stiff now that she turned her attention back to Raiden to pour the samurai a drink. "Do you know Ebisawa-san... Raiden-san?" She didn't need to be stiff with her manners anymore, she felt. No one here was paying attention, save for Miharu, possibly. She poured some of the alcohol into Miharu's cup, as well, to keep her hands busy. It was best when she was so uncomfortable...
[[ 8] Remember~ They don't pour things for themselves. xD lulz. <3 ]]
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Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:34 pm
"Ahh, Ebisawa-san," Raiden stated, nodding his head to the other samurai in greeting, "Please, join us. That is, if you two do not object." His gaze shifted from the warrior to the two Shirabyoshi, trying his best not to analyze either of their expressions. That would be prying a bit too far, after all; he didn't want to pick their every emotion and thought apart, now, did he?
The slight slackening of the tension in the room was almost relaxing; as Shizuka's speech became more informal, he felt that although he did not know these three exceptionally well, that the need for intense formality and use of honorifics was not as pressing. He did not, however, catch the stiffness that had come over her when the other samurai had entered the room. Why would he have a reason to be on top of everything in the room at once in such a place?
"Thank you, Shizuka-san." The words came from his mouth somewhat quietly, at a lower volume than he had expected. He didn't make to fix this, however, and took the cup from the Shirabyoshi with a deep tilt of the head to show his gratitude. "Yes, you could say such a thing," he responded to her inquiry, "All samurai know each other in one way or another. Our own code of honor binds us all as a similar soul. It is like one magnificent whirlwind of a dance."
[[ Prolly not, but I'm too lazy to make up a story. xD;; ]]
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Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:54 pm
Katsuhige smiled pleasantly as he took a seat, laying his sword in the empty space next to him. He rather noticed his appearance to Shizuka was hurried, but Katsuhige was not a patient man on most counts. Not when striking first could be more fruitful then letting the opposition dodge around him. He inclined his head in greeting to Raiden. "Gladly, Raiden-san. If I do not impose." He answered, shifting his gaze from the two shirabyoshi to rest pleasantly on Raiden.
He felt a little on edge, but then entering a party generally did that to him. He did not know everyone here very well, so he had no idea what everyone had in common with him. He wasn't worried any after he relaxed. He could do that here, if he didn't think about earlier events too much.
"It's common to know your allies by name at least, otherwise how do you know who is on your side?" He commented with a grin, looking to Miharu. "It is very nice to meet you, a first meeting should be a good experience. Hopefully me intruding has not damaged that any."
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Kurama no Koishi Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:36 pm
Miharu did not look down soon enough to see her friend's immediate reaction to the newcomer, but did quietly note her change in the use of honorifics. It was not unusual for Shizuka to get tired of flattering others with her honorifics, as the two Shirabyoshi knew each other well enough to know each and every tic of the other's personality. Nothing was out of place at all, really. Natural invisible blush in place, Miharu smiled meekly at the newcomer. "Ebisawa-san, it is a pleasure."
She was coming down from her flattered state, and this completed with the change in Shizuka's tone. Miharu glanced sharply to her friend without moving her head, a bit alarmed, as both of them were known to be quite level-headed. The stilted, nervous Shizuka was not someone who appeared often, even if Miharu was the only one who ever noticed her appearance. They had guests to entertain, though, so to cover for her surprise, she too poured sake into the cups of Katsuhige and Shizuka, pasting another sweet smile onto her face. Perhaps the sake would calm their nerves anyway.
Having finished, the Shirabyoshi exhaled a bit, and sipped from her own cup of sake, savoring the warmth as it rolled into her throat. She had never been given to talking overmuch, and this bit of sake was not enough to change that, either. Even still, the conversation had turned a bit stale with pretty words and formalities. They needed a new subject... she appreciated how the samurai spoke, however; it was akin to the way they often needed to speak at court, which was a comfort to her. Miharu seemed to be satisfied for now, and folded her hands in her lap, bright eyes waiting for the undercurrents of emotion emanating from the other three to be revealed.
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Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:06 am
Shizuka silently calmed, reassuring herself that nothing odd would happen here. This was completely natural. She nodded to Raiden as he spoke, taking in his words with a small smile. She was beginning to like this samurai; he was polite and not at all lewd with his actions. "I'm sure." She replied warmly, concentrating her attention on him for a few moments before flicking her brown eyes to Katsuhige.
She nodded very slightly to the other samurai, though a small, barely-visible frown graced her lips. Only Miharu would notice this, she was sure. "Thank you, Miharu-san." She spoke lightly, picking up the small cup of sake and sipping at it politely after her friend had poured it. It would be fine if they didn't drink all too much; it was sure to take the edge off.
"The gardens are very nice right now," The shirabyoshi commented as her mood grew slightly better. She looked much more comfortable with the situation by now. "The summer blooms are beautiful and I do believe the emperor is going to host a small party in the garden soon." Shizuka let a wistful smile flicker onto her lips. She was talking more to Miharu than the two samurai. "Only a few shirabyoshi will be invited to perform, as always."
[[ xD Rambling post. <3 ]]
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Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:35 am
Taking a quiet sip of his drink, Raiden nodded in response to Katsuhige's words, a comfortable smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. He swallowed the sake and placed his cup down onto to the table, giving him the freedom to gesture with his hands if need be. As his mind relaxed, he became aware that both of the Shirabyoshi had some sort of quiet nervousness about them. He didn't mention this, however, mostly afraid that it would break the somehow balanced control of everyone's emotions.
"Oh, is that so?" he inquired after Shizuka had spoken once more, "Surely two skilled and wonderful ladies such as yourselves would be invited, am I correct?" He wasn't trying to flatter them, his words were true- he himself had heard only whispers of this gathering, and hadn't even dreamed of going himself. While he certainly aspired to gain a treasured and rare position in the emperor's court one day, his skills were certainly not even close to that of one lucky enough to grace his presence.
"Miharu-san, how did you find that gardens earlier?" he added, suddenly remembering that he had indeed encountered her before, "Fitting enough for the emperor's gathering?" He laughed softly, more in good humor than anything else. Had he mentioned the gardens earlier this night? Ah, well, it probably didn't matter at this point, anyway.
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Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:29 am
Katsuhige simply sat back, accepting his now filled cup of sake with a gracious smile to Miharu. He sipped at the liquid, savouring the way it tasted. He had not had sake in quite some time now, it was a nice change. He placed his cup on the table, relaxing as he got more used to being in the group, though he trained his eyes away from Shizuka as much as possible. He noticed a thin air of some discomfort from her and simply went about not addressing her anymore until she lightened up.
He did notice some shift, but said nothing otherwise. Instead concentrating on listening to the conversation at large. He really had been away, for some things he did not know about just yet. He simply kept a pleasant expression on his face, fingers curling around his cup."Ah yes, the gardens. Shizuka-san was nice enough to accompany me around them last time I saw them. They were quite lovely. He commented, looking to Miharu. "I'm rather sure you will both be invited, for lovely as the gardens are, two lovely Shirabyoshi with fine skills are needed to make it that much more inviting." He commented smoothly, really just speaking for the sake of speaking by now. His words were true, he'd just sugar-coated them a little as it was his habit at court. He had no obvious hope of attending anything to do with the emperor's court anytime soon, but hearing about the plans and such was pleasant enough.
He looked to Shizuka out of the corner of his eye for a moment, noting to let her relax a bit more before attempting communication. He really had been a nuisance to come visit her so soon. His actions had been anything but normal towards her lately.
[[Fux that's a load of hot air right thur XD;; ]]
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Kurama no Koishi Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:22 pm
Miharu set her mostly empty cup back onto the table, feeling a bit more relaxed than she had been before. It seemed as if Shizuka, too, was feeling the positive effects of the sake, as she had calmed as was chatting the way that befit her. This time, regarding the garden party that the emperor was rumored to be having. The shirabyoshi's lips curled up into a girlish smile, as well, as she thought of the prestige of being called upon to perform in such company. "Oh, Shizuka-san, wouldn't it be wonderful to perform at such a gathering? I know that surely Akane-senpai will be there!"
Such was the longest and most emotional string of words that Miharu had spoken in this company, save for the poem she had so eloquently recited earlier. Composing herself from her wishful excitement once more, she had the grace to color shyly as Raiden, and Katsuhige in turn assured the two that they were bound to make the presence of the emperor. Even more so as Raiden then turned to address her directly. Miharu silently thanked Kami-sama for the white mask of makeup that concealed her frequent blushes, before giving him a reply. "Ah, Raiden-san," she began, incidentally calling him by his name for the first time, "Perhaps they are, and maybe they are not; were you not paying attention earlier today?"
The shirabyoshi giggled softly, and continued. "But of course, if he deems them worthy, it is for him to decide." She lowered her eyes from his face to the hands she clasped together in her lap. "As for me, I am merely your entertainer," she finished humbly. As Miharu looked down, she had seen the small frown appear on her friend's face, in the direction of the other samurai. In the time before, Shizuka had refused to enlighten her regarding Katsuhige; this slightly worried her, as Shizuka's displeasure was becoming ever more apparent—at least to Miharu. The two had evidently met before. She would have to question her friend about this matter later.
For now, it was fitting to pour more sake to distract Shizuka, and to hopefully lighten the overall mood that had fallen on the company.
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Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 7:23 am
Shizuka found herself smiling coyly to Raiden as he spoke to she and Miharu. "One never knows, Raiden-san." She replied before smiling to Miharu. "Yes, Miharu-san. Akane-senpai barely ever performs!" Shizuka let out a small sigh of contentment, sipping more of her sake. Thoughts of flowers and performing for the emperor had now invaded her mind, calming her and lightening her mood quite some deal. There was no doubt that the sake was helping, as well, but that was beside the point.
She threw Katsuhige a fleeting glance, feeling herself blush beneath her make up against her will at his comments. After this glance, the shirabyoshi set her gaze on Miharu, studying the other. She had not failed to note that her companion was becoming more bold with her words and actions. Shizuka found herself idly wondering whether or not Miharu was merely weak to the influence of the alcohol they were pouring.
The shirabyoshi eyed the sake Miharu poured her, nodding in thanks to her friend before putting the cup to her painted lips and drinking a bit. Shizuka sat the cup carefully down on the table afterwards, her eyes still on Miharu. She flicked a coy smile to Raiden and Katsuhige before leaning over to whisper in Miharu's ear. "You are being very bold, Miharu-san." She giggled girlishly.
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Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 4:00 pm
Slowly draining the last of the sake from his cup, Raiden placed the empty thing upon the table, a warm, satisfied feeling settling upon him. No, he was no where near drunk yet, but there was always that soft, pleasing feeling that alcohol gave you after only one or two cups. It was like a good friend after a long journey. Or... something like that. Perhaps the drink was mixing his thoughts sooner than he had anticipated.
He smiled, partially amused as Shizuka and Miharu exchanged their sentiments of the Shirabyoshi known as Akane Mori. He himself had only heard of her before, and was not nearly important or privileged enough to have seen her with his own eyes. Judging by the way these two spoke, however, it was likely that she was a marvel, and excelled at her art.
"Oh?" Raiden stated, a soft expression of surprise upon his face at Miharu's comment, "It must have slipped my mind that I mentioned it earlier." He flashed her a gentle smile, somewhat apologetic, but slightly more bold than he may have intended. In truth, he had forgotten some of the pieces of their earlier conversation; one thing lead to another, and the present was much more interesting than the formalities from before.
At the corner of his mind, he was beginning to catch on to the slight bout of irritation or displeasure that was not-so apparent from Shizuka. He pushed it to the back of his mind, however, and decided to play innocent, unintelligent samurai instead; after all, it had started when Katsuhige had entered the room, and Raiden was in no mood or state of mind to begin intruding upon the outside lives of others.
"Do not say such things, Miharu-san," Raiden replied after a moment, waving his hand softly to the Shirabyoshi, "While you may be an entertainer, you are also someone who is a pleasure to talk to." He gave her a reassuring smile. "A common 'entertainer' does not often have that quality, if I am not mistaken."
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