Asahina Kyuzo sat quietly, listening to the competitor before him play the most beautiful rendition of Cherry Snow he had ever heard. It was the perfect song to play here at the Topaz Championship, full of complicated transitions between notes and strict timing. Probably the best song to pick if one were skilled enough to manage it, unlike Kyuzo. He could handle a komabue well enough, but since his acceptance at the Kakita Bushi Academy he had not the time to practice as often as he would have liked. The Asahina family was well known for their talent in arts, a talent that seemed to pass Kyuzo by. Still, he managed what he could, taking up the flute and painting in the precious little time he wasn’t learning dueling techniques, or strategy through games of Go with other students.
The song ended and after a bow from the Phoenix player, the stage was his. Kyuzo took his place, inhaled, pressed the komabue to his lip and began the introduction of Whispering Kami. The piece was soft and melodic, a simple lullaby he favored since he was a young child. Kyuzo began thinking about the previous contender and their eloquently played, well composed piece. Perhaps he had chosen something too simple, comparatively. He started going over more complex songs he could have chosen inside his head, ones he knew he was capable of playing, River would have been perfect. There was this elongated pause in the middle, long enough that it would be as if the song was over, but then you came in with a low key and brought on the outro which went something along the lines of C E F D… Before Kyuzo even realized it, he had started playing the ending of River. Attempting to simply disguise it as a personal flair, he jumped right back into Whispering Kami and tried not to show his embarrassment.
Needless to say, the flute event ended and Kyuzo wasn’t surprised he didn’t even receive an honorable mention. It was okay, though. There were other events Kyuzo had registered for, ones that he was sure to not make the same mistake on. Painting, for instance, that was the next one he had to prepare for and he vowed to not second guess himself this time around. Now if only he had an idea of what to paint. As if a sign from the Celestial Heavens, itself, a woman from the Lion clan literally parted the crowd. It was easy to tell what school she was from, the lion accompanying her was only given to one academy, the Matsu Beastmasters. And although they had an affinity for controlling the animals, it was still intimidating to normal folk and lesser samurai than Kyuzo to see a lion strolling through the streets. She was gorgeous, even with her chestnut hair wild and unruly, a common hairstyle of the Lion clan to imitate the mane of their symbolic beast.
Casually, Kyuzo crossed the invisible stream which kept the rest of the city from crowding this Lion. “Hajime-mashite, I am Asahina Kyuzo. It is my great pleasure to meet you. May I ask your name?” He bowed his head and gave a charming smile, attempting to put the Lion at ease. In return he received a rather blank stare which seemed to drag on for minutes.
“Matsu Mikoto.”
“Matsu Mikoto-san, your name is as radiant as your appearance. I would like to ask a favor of you, if you’re so inclined to lend me your time for a moment.”
Kyuzo watched her amber eyes dart down to her lion then around the crowd before she smiled pleasantly and said, “Go on.”
“I don’t know if you heard me playing my flute earlier, I was just at the event and did Whispering Kami-”
“Oh, that was you?” Mikoto interjected, cutting him off. “It wasn’t very good.”
“Yes, well, I am much more talented as a painter and I would like to have you as a muse. It is unmistakable that your stunning features are noticed by those here in the city, I would like to share them with the judges for my next event. If I paint you, Matsu-san, I could share your beauty with all those in the tournament.” He studied Mikoto’s face as he spoke. Kyuzo didn’t want to offend her by being too forward, but she was a Lion, and often times they didn’t understand the subtle conversations of politeness.
“Alright, but if you do half as badly as you played the flute, I’ll have my lion eat you.”
The song ended and after a bow from the Phoenix player, the stage was his. Kyuzo took his place, inhaled, pressed the komabue to his lip and began the introduction of Whispering Kami. The piece was soft and melodic, a simple lullaby he favored since he was a young child. Kyuzo began thinking about the previous contender and their eloquently played, well composed piece. Perhaps he had chosen something too simple, comparatively. He started going over more complex songs he could have chosen inside his head, ones he knew he was capable of playing, River would have been perfect. There was this elongated pause in the middle, long enough that it would be as if the song was over, but then you came in with a low key and brought on the outro which went something along the lines of C E F D… Before Kyuzo even realized it, he had started playing the ending of River. Attempting to simply disguise it as a personal flair, he jumped right back into Whispering Kami and tried not to show his embarrassment.
Needless to say, the flute event ended and Kyuzo wasn’t surprised he didn’t even receive an honorable mention. It was okay, though. There were other events Kyuzo had registered for, ones that he was sure to not make the same mistake on. Painting, for instance, that was the next one he had to prepare for and he vowed to not second guess himself this time around. Now if only he had an idea of what to paint. As if a sign from the Celestial Heavens, itself, a woman from the Lion clan literally parted the crowd. It was easy to tell what school she was from, the lion accompanying her was only given to one academy, the Matsu Beastmasters. And although they had an affinity for controlling the animals, it was still intimidating to normal folk and lesser samurai than Kyuzo to see a lion strolling through the streets. She was gorgeous, even with her chestnut hair wild and unruly, a common hairstyle of the Lion clan to imitate the mane of their symbolic beast.
Casually, Kyuzo crossed the invisible stream which kept the rest of the city from crowding this Lion. “Hajime-mashite, I am Asahina Kyuzo. It is my great pleasure to meet you. May I ask your name?” He bowed his head and gave a charming smile, attempting to put the Lion at ease. In return he received a rather blank stare which seemed to drag on for minutes.
“Matsu Mikoto.”
“Matsu Mikoto-san, your name is as radiant as your appearance. I would like to ask a favor of you, if you’re so inclined to lend me your time for a moment.”
Kyuzo watched her amber eyes dart down to her lion then around the crowd before she smiled pleasantly and said, “Go on.”
“I don’t know if you heard me playing my flute earlier, I was just at the event and did Whispering Kami-”
“Oh, that was you?” Mikoto interjected, cutting him off. “It wasn’t very good.”
“Yes, well, I am much more talented as a painter and I would like to have you as a muse. It is unmistakable that your stunning features are noticed by those here in the city, I would like to share them with the judges for my next event. If I paint you, Matsu-san, I could share your beauty with all those in the tournament.” He studied Mikoto’s face as he spoke. Kyuzo didn’t want to offend her by being too forward, but she was a Lion, and often times they didn’t understand the subtle conversations of politeness.
“Alright, but if you do half as badly as you played the flute, I’ll have my lion eat you.”
Kyuzo swept a hand towards his tent, not sure if that was an actual threat or just a jest. It had to be a joke, surely no one would be that brazen and uncouth. “Please, this way.”
***
Mikoto covered her mouth as she let out a loud yawn, uncaring to those
that stood around her and gave annoyed glares. So far the Topaz
tournament had been a very boring affair and it was only the second day
of events. Sure, the fireworks were exciting, but that was so short
lived that it barely made a dent in the grand timeline of events of high
art and cunning. Today was even more of the same, though at least they
were holding tests of strength today, which meant only one more day of
this to endure. She absently wondered why she was chosen to come to this
tournament. Perhaps her sensei was attempting to test her patience. Or
maybe her second mother wanted to torture her a bit for the things she
said about her betrothed. They had to have known she wouldn’t actually
enter into any events. After being informed her Hikaru, her lion, wasn’t
allowed to participate with her, she had even less of a desire to be
privy to the championship, and quickly withdrew her registration. What
was the point of representing a school if you couldn’t showcase the
basics of your technique? Hers just happened to involve a lion, there
was nothing wrong with that. Like a duelist is with a katana, she was
with her Hikaru.
By and large she had spent most of yesterday wandering around the city looking for a cure for her boredom. There was a Dragon female who had made eyes at her, and blushed the most endearing shade of pink when Mikoto had suggested they visit her tent. Nothing had come of that, something about dishonoring her parents if she didn’t return by the end of the night. Mikoto had bluntly said it wouldn’t take all night, and as a compensation offered to return with the girl, what was her name? Morimoto? Either way, Mikoto was denied and Hikaru was the only one that kept her company during the fireworks. She was used it just being the two of them.
Mikoto had slept in too late this morning, missing most of the interesting events. She managed to catch the tail end of the jujutsu competition, when a Dragon spectacularly beat a Spider in the semi-finals. Tough break. How unsurprising that a Dragon won the event, their whole clan is known for their theistic orders of monks. Hand to hand is second nature, taught as soon as the child can stand on their own. Kind of like her and Hikaru, or the other Beastmasters out there. All of them taught to revere and care for their lion cub from an early age until one of them perishes in some sort of glorious battle. There was some kyujutsu event, but watching people shoot a bow wasn’t all that interesting to Mikoto. Ooo, he hit a target! How amazing! She snorted to herself when the small group in front of her had excitedly exclaimed to one another that they were headed that way. Now she found herself standing with a crowd watching the shogi games, feeling herself falling asleep under the midday sun.
Mikoto stretched and looked down at Hikaru, “Ready to go?” Hikaru looked up at her and yawned even bigger and louder than the one she had just unleashed. This time when people turned to glare, they quickly spun their heads right back around. No one was going to try to intimidate a lion, they should remember that when it comes to all Lion too, she thought to herself.
“Yeah, me too.” Mikoto said, turning to go and tapping two fingers on her thigh, a sign for Hikaru to follow. The years of training a Beastmaster goes through with their lion allows for little to be said in the way of commands. Hikaru still gave voice commands for some tasks, but the easier ones like ‘stay’ and ‘follow’ didn’t anything more than a gesture and Hikaru would understand. Every lion was different, and every Lion for that matter as well. Some preferred voicing everything. Some said little to nothing. And some used foreign words in order to prevent another from commanding their companion. A silly thought to Mikoto, due to the emotional bond they shared, there was no way someone could just walk in and start giving orders to her Hikaru. But then again, she had heard rumors of those Scorpion that could take the place of someone you know intimately, if you believed the stories not even loved ones would know the difference. When she could see it for herself, she would believe it to be true, until then, they were just rumors.
The Go games weren’t going to start for another few hours, and although Mikoto didn’t care to watch it either, she was a Lion and it was kind of expected she at least show face. The Lion’s were the military tacticians of the Empire and as such, each one was expected to hold a love for strategy. If it got out that she eschewed her expected apperance at the Go tournament, she’d have to answer to someone scarier than Jigoku, her second mother. She’d cry and make it all about how Mikoto was ruining the samurai name, and purposefully trying to knock her family into the common life of an eta with her dishonorable actions. Mikoto shivered at the thought. She had enough to deal with already, what with her engagement to wed that Unicorn member arranged by her second mother. She didn’t need to poke the hornets nest any more than was necessary.
“Matsu-san, a pleasure to see you again!” An unfamiliar voice called. Mikoto shook herself from her thoughts and saw the Crane she had met yesterday walking towards her.
“Oh, hello again, Asahina-san.” She had rememberd his name, which was unusual. Then again, he was memorable with his terrible flute playing and quality painting skills. He had painted her the day before, after being extremely polite and maybe even a little flirtatious, she had agreed to be his muse. The painting turned out rather well, which surprised Mikoto since he attempted to convince her of his skill by mentioning his flute playing, which left much to be desired. After the judges had determined who was to be awarded for the paintings, Mikoto had snatched his up to keep. He had painted her in a rather attractive light, and it would be a shame for it to just be left here at the tournament grounds. It was hers after all, since it was of her. At least that’s how Mikoto thought of it.
“Are you preoccupied?” Kyuzo smiled.
Mikoto was half tempted to say she was. She didn’t care much for men, after her encounter with Moto Leon, her soon to be husband. He had crushed her dreams of love and affection when he spat at her and declared his disgust for her. Women never did that. Women were kind, caring, and beautiful creatures. But Kyuzo had been the utmost gentleman yesterday. He had looked her in the eyes and even included Hikaru in the painting he had done.
“No, I was just taking a break from the riveting shoji games.” She hoped her statement wasn’t too saturated in sarcasm.
“Would you care to take that break with some tea? I’ll perform the ceremony and would greatly enjoy your company.”
Mikoto glanced at Hikaru and shrugged. “Sure. Why not?"
By and large she had spent most of yesterday wandering around the city looking for a cure for her boredom. There was a Dragon female who had made eyes at her, and blushed the most endearing shade of pink when Mikoto had suggested they visit her tent. Nothing had come of that, something about dishonoring her parents if she didn’t return by the end of the night. Mikoto had bluntly said it wouldn’t take all night, and as a compensation offered to return with the girl, what was her name? Morimoto? Either way, Mikoto was denied and Hikaru was the only one that kept her company during the fireworks. She was used it just being the two of them.
Mikoto had slept in too late this morning, missing most of the interesting events. She managed to catch the tail end of the jujutsu competition, when a Dragon spectacularly beat a Spider in the semi-finals. Tough break. How unsurprising that a Dragon won the event, their whole clan is known for their theistic orders of monks. Hand to hand is second nature, taught as soon as the child can stand on their own. Kind of like her and Hikaru, or the other Beastmasters out there. All of them taught to revere and care for their lion cub from an early age until one of them perishes in some sort of glorious battle. There was some kyujutsu event, but watching people shoot a bow wasn’t all that interesting to Mikoto. Ooo, he hit a target! How amazing! She snorted to herself when the small group in front of her had excitedly exclaimed to one another that they were headed that way. Now she found herself standing with a crowd watching the shogi games, feeling herself falling asleep under the midday sun.
Mikoto stretched and looked down at Hikaru, “Ready to go?” Hikaru looked up at her and yawned even bigger and louder than the one she had just unleashed. This time when people turned to glare, they quickly spun their heads right back around. No one was going to try to intimidate a lion, they should remember that when it comes to all Lion too, she thought to herself.
“Yeah, me too.” Mikoto said, turning to go and tapping two fingers on her thigh, a sign for Hikaru to follow. The years of training a Beastmaster goes through with their lion allows for little to be said in the way of commands. Hikaru still gave voice commands for some tasks, but the easier ones like ‘stay’ and ‘follow’ didn’t anything more than a gesture and Hikaru would understand. Every lion was different, and every Lion for that matter as well. Some preferred voicing everything. Some said little to nothing. And some used foreign words in order to prevent another from commanding their companion. A silly thought to Mikoto, due to the emotional bond they shared, there was no way someone could just walk in and start giving orders to her Hikaru. But then again, she had heard rumors of those Scorpion that could take the place of someone you know intimately, if you believed the stories not even loved ones would know the difference. When she could see it for herself, she would believe it to be true, until then, they were just rumors.
The Go games weren’t going to start for another few hours, and although Mikoto didn’t care to watch it either, she was a Lion and it was kind of expected she at least show face. The Lion’s were the military tacticians of the Empire and as such, each one was expected to hold a love for strategy. If it got out that she eschewed her expected apperance at the Go tournament, she’d have to answer to someone scarier than Jigoku, her second mother. She’d cry and make it all about how Mikoto was ruining the samurai name, and purposefully trying to knock her family into the common life of an eta with her dishonorable actions. Mikoto shivered at the thought. She had enough to deal with already, what with her engagement to wed that Unicorn member arranged by her second mother. She didn’t need to poke the hornets nest any more than was necessary.
“Matsu-san, a pleasure to see you again!” An unfamiliar voice called. Mikoto shook herself from her thoughts and saw the Crane she had met yesterday walking towards her.
“Oh, hello again, Asahina-san.” She had rememberd his name, which was unusual. Then again, he was memorable with his terrible flute playing and quality painting skills. He had painted her the day before, after being extremely polite and maybe even a little flirtatious, she had agreed to be his muse. The painting turned out rather well, which surprised Mikoto since he attempted to convince her of his skill by mentioning his flute playing, which left much to be desired. After the judges had determined who was to be awarded for the paintings, Mikoto had snatched his up to keep. He had painted her in a rather attractive light, and it would be a shame for it to just be left here at the tournament grounds. It was hers after all, since it was of her. At least that’s how Mikoto thought of it.
“Are you preoccupied?” Kyuzo smiled.
Mikoto was half tempted to say she was. She didn’t care much for men, after her encounter with Moto Leon, her soon to be husband. He had crushed her dreams of love and affection when he spat at her and declared his disgust for her. Women never did that. Women were kind, caring, and beautiful creatures. But Kyuzo had been the utmost gentleman yesterday. He had looked her in the eyes and even included Hikaru in the painting he had done.
“No, I was just taking a break from the riveting shoji games.” She hoped her statement wasn’t too saturated in sarcasm.
“Would you care to take that break with some tea? I’ll perform the ceremony and would greatly enjoy your company.”
Mikoto glanced at Hikaru and shrugged. “Sure. Why not?"
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