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 Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 10:02 am
It wasn't common for maids to speak that freely and Sachiko really had been taking a risk doing so. She wouldn't do it again, but she really didn't want the shirabyoshi to dislike her. Connections and friendships, no matter how faint, were important. She also didn't want to be blamed for the stranger's almost chiding words.
But Shizuka's response didn't invite her to continue, so she bowed again and rolled back to the balls of her feet then stood. That, at least, she had practiced enough to be able to do smoothly, even with the sake tray in her hands. She looked back at Shizuka one last time and followed her gaze to the gentleman watching them. Oh dear. Noticed again? This really wasn't her day at all.
She bowed toward him as well. If he wanted sake, he could beckon and she would go. Or he could come, though she didn't intend to make him stand.
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Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 6:19 am
Shizuka's brown eyes soon wandered back to settle on the maid, watching the girl stand. "Sachiko-san, if the man wishes to come over he will. I doubt he is extremely interested in sake." She informed the maid in an undertone, pursing her lips. It probably wasn't just that, either. If Sachiko left, Shizuka was a shirabyoshi sitting alone, and in all cases one preferred to be come to here, as opposed to doing the coming. This was if you were a shirabyoshi at least, for you certainly looked bad if no man of the court was interested in coming to you, it meant you were disinteresting or had made a fatal blunder.
Shizuka was neither of these, but she was very proud. Even when the shirabyoshi were half here to be supported in the disintegrating world she seemed to refuse to accept it. It was certainly as if she preferred not to play her desperate role.
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Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:52 am
San? Shizuka was calling her san, too? Maybe she was still asleep and dreaming of impossible things. Either way, a little thrill fluttered through her. Dream or not, it was a good day being honored that way, even if she was being scolded a bit at the same time. She hardly noticed and she certainly didn't mind.
She bowed again toward Shizuka. "Of course, Shizuka-sama. I did not want him to think he was ignored, though. But you are right." And that meant she should go. "I hope your day goes well, Shizuka-sama. I should go now."
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Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 5:40 pm
Shizuka paused before nodding slowly to the maid, standing in one fluid movement herself. Staying would not do in this situation; she would leave now and occupy herself with other matters. Perhaps she would perfect a dance or maybe she would just take a small nap. She had utter freedom to do most things and this was what drove her to walk away gracefully from Sachiko and out of the performance hall, her head held high.
It was best this way; more useful than sitting around, trying to make conversation with unintelligent noblemen. Well, not to say all of them were completely unintelligent, but many were. In the main, there was no use in staying.
[[timelapse.]]
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Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 12:16 pm
 Shinju left the gardens to practice her sword dancing. As Shirabyoshi, she had to be skilled in the art of sword weilding. Practice makes perfect, as they say. Once she entered the performance hall her eyes grew a little wider as she marveled at the craftsmanship of the whole area. The room was elegantly designed for all the festivities that were to occur throughout the year in the palace.
Shinju smiled to herself as she walked in further, her hand gently resting on the grip of her sword. Once she was in the middle of the room she stopped. Looking at the magnificent carpet she bent down, both hands now on her sword: one on the grip the other on the sheath. With one graceful movement she rose up again, this time with her sword out of its protective case. She swung her sword with precise movements so as to not injure herself or anything around her, although there was nothing around her.
Shinju, having only been Shirabyoshi for a short while, enjoyed her job more than anything. She enjoys performing for his majesty, Rei-Zei, and for all the others who go to see the Shirabyoshi. From the time she was a small girl she had dreamed of learning the ways of the Shirabyoshi. Now she's living the dream, most happy with the results of her triaining.
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 4:04 pm
Reizei entered the performance hall with his attendants, his quiet, refined air clearly stating his divine position. He was the emperor and he was quite ready to view a performance. The man's dark eyes fell to Shinju and he awknowledged her with a small nod, crossing the room with his attendants to seat himself upon the throne within the hall reserved for he alone.
He heaved a tired sigh and murmured quietly to one of his attendants, who approached Shinju with a request for performance. A few of his ministers had entered the hall, as well, and they looked fairly skeptical as they glanced to the shirabyoshi. She was an unknown; certainly no Akane. Still, it didn't matter to most of the men. They were here to please the emperor. This was politics.
Reizei himself had been listening to audiences all morning. The doubt that was freedom currently reigned as reality for the emperor, although he knew his responsibilities. It didn't matter how much he wanted to shirk his duties and fall back into his disguise to explore; he was the emperor, as his mother reminded him much too much. He needed to accept his role and privelege.
"Go ahead." He murmured audibly to Shinju, resisting the urge to address her by name. It was more than likely that she at least partly recognized him, but that was not what was at issue here. He only wanted to see her perform.
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:48 pm
As Shinju neared the end of her practice she heard footsteps sounding in the hallway that lead to the performance hall doors. She stopped abruptly and looked toward the door, her sword still in hand, when she noticed a regal looking man enter the room. She noticed at once that it was Emperor Reizei. He nodded to her in acknowledgement, and she returned his gesture by bowing to him. The sword in her hands dropped lower so as to not seem offensive.
Her eyes stayed on the handsome emperor, watching his every movement. Then one of his servants walked over to her asking for a performance. Not like she had a choice. Shinju nodded and took a few steps back as some of Reizei's ministers entered the hall as well. She sighed softly to herself then straightened herself out.
When she heard Reizei's voice telling her that she could start, she closed her eyes and bowed to him, as well as his ministers. Then, as she lowered herself to the ground, she raised herself briskly, removing the sword from its protective sheath once more. Shinju hoped that every movement, every curve and twist of her hands with the sword would be accurate and to the liking of his majesty. She twirled and danced with the sword in a performance in which she had learned while in school, but she had thrown in a few moves she had seen her father perform. She knew that the moves weren't special, but they didn't conflict the performance at all.
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Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 6:34 pm
Reizei observed Shinju quietly as she straightened out. It was always refreshing to watch a Shirabyoshi dance, although he had no real interest in the way of the sword. Some said that samurai were more apt to enjoy a dance by the beautiful women who's faces were so pale with white makeup; they displayed lovely moves with their swords, essentially honoring warriors and the gods. Still, emperors had always been well-known patrons of the arts. Reizei didn't really mind the samurai, although he wasn't exactly prone to love him due to a demeaning childhood relationship with a current Shogun.
The emperor watched appreciatively as Shinju began to dance, his dark eyes lighting up as he noted the careful and accurate movements. He raised his brows in curiosity when he spotted the extra moves interfering with the traditional dance of the shirabyoshi, but Reizei was surprised to see that it fit.
"It is always refreshing to watch a Shirabyoshi dance. I am a lucky man to be the emperor. To be able to view such spectacles at my whim is quite the honor." Reizei spoke when the dance had come to a close. He smiled wryly, his dark eyes concentrated on the dancer before him.
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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 9:02 am
The dance with the sword was refreshing for Shinju. She hadn't performed in front of many people for quite the while, so the small audience that watched her today exilerated her and allowed her to perform to the best of her abilities. It was something Shinju had enjoyed doing and she hoped that the emperor would keep her in the palace for her to perform always.
As she came to the close of her performance, she sheathed the sword and smiled to herself. A job well done, she thought. She looked toward the emperor and his ministers, then bowed her body in respect and honor that they had watched her perform. With the emeperor's comment she smiled to him, a warm and happy smile. "I am glad to have made you happy, your majesty." She bowed her head once more.
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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 9:11 am
Reizei nodded lightly at the smiling girl before him and nodded. The emperor stood gracefully and his attendants followed the example. It was clear that the emperor was leaving, whether to bask in his gardens or sit through an audience he did not reveal. Still, his lips were curved upwards in a soft, imperceptible smile as he exited the performance hall; he had enjoyed the performance.
Perhaps he would see that shirabyoshi again, whether he disguised himself or kept up his full glory as emperor. She was a lovely dancer; he wouldn't mind seeing her perform again. Who knew? Perhaps she'd be dancing at the Cherry Blossom Festival.
[[Going to close that off there and do a short timelapse so others may enter! :3]]
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