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===Act XIX: Art Critics=== :>When I woke up in the morning I noticed my beard was getting shaggy again. :>Time for a trim then. :>I shook my head at the thought. :>On the Wall a 'trim' was me pulling my beard taut and slicing it off with a tanto as close to my chin as I could. :>Away from the wall there was an assortment of tools to use. :>And my fingers were ill suited to fine detail work. :>Mirrors were expensive as well, hard to make. :>Naomi saw me rubbing at my scruff. :>Smiled. :>I'll get it Ishigaki-kun. :>Fortunately, I had Naomi. :>We sat in silence while she made me presentable, enjoying the intimacy of the moment together. :>Then off for breakfast and polite meal time conversation with the court. :>I was fortunate enough that the talk had already shifted away from the sumai tournament and on to the painting contest. :>It was, like the sumai tournament, an amateur affair. :>Open to any who cared to pick up a brush. :>A large room had been set aside to display the finished works. :>Who painted what would be kept secret, so bias against this or that clan would have no weight on the judging. :>Naomi had with a few paintings, so I was looking forward to her entry. :>I had no doubt even my eyes would be able to pick hers out from the group. :>Kitsuki-san was a consummate courtier so I'm sure he would enter as well. :>To my surprise those two encouraged the rest of us to enter as well. :>The Akodo from the tournament overheard and agreed. :>The way of warrior is the two fold way of pen and sword. :>One must train their mind as diligently as they train their body, and so be scholar, poet and warrior all at once. :>He nodded to emphasize his point. :>Indeed it is one of Akodo's orders that one always carry a text with them. :>If one has nothing else to do, they should read. :>Toshiro, Mantis-san and I all exchanged glances. :>It was Naomi who finally convinced us. :>All the works will be anonymous you three. :>It is only the winner whose work will be known. :>So we agreed to try our hand at painting. :>I stared for a long time at the blank paper in front of me. :>It was taunting me. :>I didn't have the first clue what made a good painting so I had no idea where to even start. :>And, my hands were rough. :>My fingers thick and a little clumsy. :>Ill suited to delicate work like painting. :>In fact the only time I could ever be gentle... :>...was with Naomi... :>I knew what I would paint. :>It was crude, and ugly. :>The lines far to thick. :>I used no color. :>I was afraid trying I might slop over the lines I had already laid out. :>A simple jagged line near the bottom represented a layer of snow. :>And in the center a single flower bloomed with all it's might. :>I struggled for a bit after I painted the stem. :>In the end I went with five petals, like the ones Naomi had planted in our garden. :>I'm sure they had some meaning, but like with the patterns she had raked in the sand, I never bothered to ask what. :>That garden was HER garden. :>I did not understand the art she brought into and made for our house. :>But it brought her happiness to do so. :>That was reason enough for it to exist. :>I didn't give the painting a name. :>I signed my own name to the small paper beside me and called in a servant. :>They confirmed that this was my painting and my name, then folded up the paper with my name on it and tucked it behind the painting. :>The painting declared the winner would have the paper bearing it's creators name unfolded and read aloud. :>Everyone else's painting would be returned to their rooms discreetly by servants after the judging was finished. :>I took a few deep breaths and then went out into the grand hall where the artwork was on display. :>There were a LOT of paintings. :>And servants kept bringing in more. :>At the door a servant asked my name. :>I told them, and they wrote it down. :>Then folded up the paper firmly. :>He handed the paper to me. :>Beneath each painting you will find a bowl, great samurai. :>Please place your vote into the bowl of the painting you judge to be the best. :>Once all the paintings have been brought in, of course, great samurai. :>Please do not vote for your own painting, great samurai. :>I looked at the paper in my hand. :>I had to ask. :>What's to stop someone from just swapping out their vote with the name of a painting they they think is better than their own? :>The servant took two pieces of paper. :>The vote ballot is folded thusly :>He folded :>While the artists name is folded in this way :>He folded again. :>When he unfolded them they had clearly different creases showing in the paper. :>Oh. Okay then. :>I circulated among the paintings already here. :>A few stood out to my eyes. :>One was a single vertical line, with almost the entire rest of the painting covered in black ink. :>Only a small circle of blank paper surrounded the line. :>It almost looked like a darkness closing in on, and threatening to engulf, whatever that one line was supposed to be. :>There was another that was simply the kanji for 'empty' upon an otherwise blank page :>Except, it wasn't empty, because there was a kanji on it. :>Was that supposed to be clever? :>There were quite a few courtiers discussing that one, so I guess it was. :>Dots. :>Lots and lots and lots of dots. :>There were several courtiers around that one, arguing over what it could mean. :>I looked again. :>Wait. :>This looks like a battle formation. :>No. Two armies engaging each other. :>If you were looking at a battle from above, anyway. :>I wasn't certain, because the artist had only used black ink, but I thought I could pick out the sides. :>I was no great strategist, but I had seen plenty of battles. :>If I was right about which dots were on which side, this battle was going to end without a clear winner. Just piles and piles of corpses. :>Huh. :>Oooh? Do you have some idea as to the meaning of this painting, Hida-san? :>It was Scorpion woman, Soshi by the mon on her kimono, that spoke to me. :>I looked back... :>The courtiers were all looking at me expectantly. :>There were several Crane and Scorpion in this group, as well as a few Phoenix. :>And the head of the Mantis delegation. :>I pointed. :>Looks like two armies to me. :>See, here and here? :>These are battle formations. :>The Soshi hid behind her fan and sniffed. :>How uncouth, to make a painting glorifying war when there are peace talks going on. :>I wonder about that. :>An Asako spoke up. :>What do you mean, Hida-san? :>Well, they're all going to die. :>I gestured, explaining how the battle would progress from this point. :>When each unit would likely be ordered to join in, and how the shape would change. :>Looks to me like these armies are going to just wipe each other out. :>No one wins. :>I laughed at myself. :>But what do I know about art anyway? :>I'm probably wrong anyway. Don't mind me. :>Fans fluttered as I got away before I could embarrass myself further. :>There was another painting, of a mother bird feeding her young in a nest. :>Behind them was a large wall. :>Behind the wall, dark, ill defined shapes could be seen trying to climb over it. :>The wall was cracked in a few places, but the shapes didn't seem to be having any luck. :>At first I thought I had found Toshiro's but the style was too practiced. :>His would be uglier, like mine. :>The person who painted this one had painted before, many times. :>Of course, with such an obvious meaning, this had to belong to one of my fellow Crabs. :>I wondered which one painted in their off time.. :>Katsuie-sama, perhaps. :>I'd already seen him playing a Konto, so it wouldn't surprise me if he had other artistic pursuits as well. :>I overheard some courtiers talking, another painting had drawn a small crowd. :>I went over to see what the fuss was about. :>I wonder about the deliberate crudeness of the lines. :>It obviously speaks to the harshness of the world, and how one must struggle to bloom so beautifully. :>Indeed, this perfectly captures mono no aware, even without the petals falling. :>There's no way... :>I agree. It was wise to leave it to the viewer to remember the truth. :>I came up. :>Sure enough, it was my painting. :>I'm sorry, I'm a bit crude. But could someone please explain to me what's going on this painting? :>Patronizing smiles only half hidden by fans. :>Of course Hida-san. :>Look here, this thick line is snow. It's crudeness shows a harsh winter, just as the world can be a harsh and cruel place. :>A lone flower, struggling to bloom beautifully with all it's might. :>Though it is far from perfect, no other flower has the strength to do this. :>And even as your heart exults in the flowers victory, you are taken over by the bittersweet realization that it will wilt and perish soon, perhaps even alone, before the other flowers bloom themselves. :>Mono no aware; the impermanence of things. :>Moshi Aoi took a moment to peer at the painting. :>I think that this painting is exulting the virtues of the artists lover. :>What? :>Isn't this a Wasurenagusa flower? :>It is hard to tell because the artist used no color. :>The others crowded around again. :>Gasps arose. :>You are right, Moshi-san! :>A secret declaration of love! :>A winter romance already! :>Fluttering intensifies. :>... :>... :>The fuck did I just do? :>I beat a hasty retreat. :>I understood that great art was supposed to be subtle, full of hidden meaning. :>I hadn't realized this meant art critics would talk out of their asses and see things the artist never intended. :>It was just Naomi, just my Hana-chan. :>Not some epic treatise on short beautiful lives. :>And certainly not the declaration of a winter romance. :>I didn't even know what those wasa.. wa.. wasabi flowers, or whatever the hell they were called, meant when I painted that. :>True Love. :>Huh. :>Of course that was where Naomi would start. :>Well then, I supposed I would just let the courtiers gossip about a non-existent romance. :>Don't misunderstand, of course I loved my wife dearly. :>But a winter romance was a different thing to that. :>Love is, at best, a secondary consideration in marriage, if it is considered at all. :>It is taboo for a samurai to show emotion in public, and this extends to love as well. :>In plays and stories however Love is often an element. :>Most of the time, the lovers meet a tragic end for their feelings. :>Most of the time, this is what would happen in real life as well. :>I remember one play I saw, about two bushi who loved one another dearly. :>They would often duel one another testing each others skills and pushing the other to excel, and so they were both quite skilled with their blades. :>Such was their skill that they dueled with real blades, and never hurt one another. :>This kind of skill could be seen at some of the top tournaments in Rokugan, like the Test of the Emerald Champion. :>What began as a rivalry blossomed into romance, then into love. :>However, the parents of the Samurai-ko arranged a marriage for her, even though they knew of her love. :>On the wedding day, the two lovers had one last duel with each other. :>The parents and her husband to be thought it a minor indulgence, one last duel to end their rivalry and love forever. :>The lovers killed each other, by stabbing each other through the heart at the same time. :>This play was written about two people who did such a thing in reality. :>A winter romance was the closest thing a Samurai was supposed to get to love, in the real world. :>One person would, though subtle innuendo and often hidden in works of art, extol the virtues of the person they were romancing. :>It was a game, dancing on the edge of acceptable behavior. :>One must be subtle enough to not let on who they were courting for real, yet it was no good if the one being courted could not themselves realize it. :>If, by the time it was over, everyone knew but could not prove who was involved then it was successful. :>The participants would both be talked about with admiration for some time, perhaps even years. :>The best ones would be immortalized in art. :>Of course, should someone be able to PROVE who was involved things would not go so well. :>Many times, some brash young fool would pursue a married woman. :>Sometimes, should samurai love someone who ends up married to another, they pursue their love in this way. :>Having clandestine affairs during the winter courts. :>Those that get caught will be spoken off for some time as well. :>As a warning to those would selfishly pursue their own desires instead of their duty. :>Whatever the outcome, a winter romance would be a very exciting thing for everyone to try and keep track off. :>I suppose then, that I had unintentionally muddied the waters making it easier for those who would try one this year. :>It was while I was thinking of these things that I came upon the next portrait. :>It was a woman, facing away from the viewer. :>She was slipping her Kimono off, exposing her back down almost to her rear, and looking over her shoulder seductively. :>There was nothing to distinguish a clan or even caste. :>I wondered if this was the Moshi pervert's submission. :>I saw many that were quite simple, paintings of animals, landscapes, some fortunes. :>One was of Ebisu, a pleased smile on his face, as he watched over peasants planting the next crop of rice. :>Kitsuki-san was extolling the virtue of an honest peaceful life to a group of assembled courtiers in front of that one. :>There were already a few ballots in that ones bowl. :>I looked around. The servants were not bringing in any more paintings. :>I realized I could be here all day and not see, or at least not understand, all the paintings here. :>I followed Kitsuki-san's lead and tossed my ballot in that one. :>Though I still hadn't seen Naomi's painting. :>Once everyone had cast their votes, the servants tallied them up and Shoji announced the winner. :>It was Ebisu watching the peasants. :>I was absolutely mortified. :>As I watched an embarrassed Monkey walk up and get his accolades for having the best painting. :>Several runner ups were on display, without naming the painters of course. :>I was more than a little shocked to see mine up there. :>So had the dot battle. :>And 'Empty'. :>Now it was Monkey's turn to be swarmed by courtiers. :>Kitsuki-san came to the rescue, helping poor Monkey by covering for any gaffes. :>I silently wished them luck and thanked the Fortunes it wasn't me this time. :>I see your painting did well, Ishigaki-kun. :>Naomi came up to me, smiling. :>But, why are you trying to court me? I thought we were already married. :>She was teasing me again. :>Too many people around for me to swat her rump this time. :>Looks like you chose this battlefield well, Naomi. But I'm going to launch a counterattack tonight. :>She hid her blush behind her fan. :>Tonight then. :>Um. My eyes are bad at judging art, and there's a lot here... :>You couldn't find mine? :>She did not seem saddened by that, though a bit surprised. :>It is here. :>The birds and the wall. :>Naomi? YOU did this? :>I thought you would go for something more... gentle. :>Ishigaki-kun, you painted a picture of me. :>What do you suppose I painted? :>I stared, starting to get it. :>That is you. You are my wall, protecting me. And our children. :>Baka. :>She bopped my nose with her fan, for not seeing it sooner. :>Toshiro had been the smartass who made "Empty". :>Mantis-san had simply done a sailor, standing on the prow of a boat. :>And Kitsuki-san a landscape. It was very detailed, almost jumping off the paper. :>That night, I launched my counterattack and laid siege to my wife's castle. :>Her gates opened before my might, and I stormed inside her fortress. :>But in the end, it was a draw. :>We were both victorious. :>We took a private breakfast, just our little group. :>Once again, Mantis-san was not present. :>Kitsuki-san thanked me for explaining Dot Battle. :>Uh, you're welcome? :>It was Amano's work. :>Yesterday we took the temperature of the court, so to speak. :>Seeing how popular images of peaceful life, or at least the futility of war, were. :>Is that why you were talking at length about Monkey's painting? :>Wait, huh? :>Monkey looked absolutely crestfallen. :>You mean I didn't win because it was good? :>Kitsuki-san reacted quickly. :>No Monkey, Ishigaki-san is wrong. I WAS speaking about your painting, but I was speaking about it represented. :>It was a fine painting Monkey, and you won on your own merits. :>You sure? :>Yes. :>Okay. :>He stuffed a rice ball into his mouth. Whole. And grinned, pleased with himself. :>The good news is that by the votes we can tell sentiment is currently strongly against the Mantis. :>They will have to be more sparing with their demands for peace then? :>Naomi's tone was hopeful. :>Kitsuki-san nodded to her. :>Yes. If they overreach then there is a possibility of other clans promising aid to the Phoenix. :>I nodded along. :>So we're ahead, and our objective should be to go defensive and maintain our advantage. :>Exactly so, Ishigaki-san. :>Monkey raised his hand. :>Um, how are we gonna do that, Ishigaki-san? :>I stared at Monkey. Hard. Until he put his hand down in confusion. :>I wasn't about to admit I had no idea how to do that either. :>Kitsuki-san stifled a chuckle by coughing into his hand. :>Just continue on as you would normally Monkey, and you too Ishigaki. :>You need not worry about pushing things along. :>Besides, since there is no competition today, you will likely be a focal point for discussion again Monkey. :>Monkey's eyes widened. :>I had seen that look on the faces of Goblins when I dangled them over the south side of the wall, before dropping them. :>Okay. :>I excused myself early, before Monkey could think to ask for help. :>Katsuie-sama asked for my presence in his room later on that day. :>I was surprised to see the painting of the woman on the wall there. :>Wait, you did that? :>Uh, Katsuie-sama? :>Yes. It is my niece. :>I stared... :>She is... difficult. A tomboy with a real temper. :>And quite ferocious. :>Fine traits for warrior upon the Wall, but I hope to help her find a good husband and settle down a bit. :>You know well, how married life and the responsibility of being a parent can calm the raging fires of youth, do you not? :>A bit, yes Katsuie-sama. :>But, enough about that. :>I asked you here because I wished to hear about how you and friends are doing. :>I explained Kitsuki-san's thoughts on the Crane, and his interpretation of the voting yesterday. :>I stumbled a bit over the part where we were working with the Scorpion, unsure how that would go over. :>But Katusie-sama just sipped his tea. :>Necessity often makes for strange bedfellows, after all. :>Thank you for you candidness Ishigaki-san. You have given me much to think about. :>I took that for the dismissal it was and headed back out. :>Now, how was I going to lay low the rest of the day? :>I saw Kitsuki-san, engaged in a game of go with Moshi Aoi. :>Monkey was drowning in courtiers. :>I left before he saw me. :>I found Mantis-san sitting in a room with the doors to the outside open, allowing in a nice breeze. :>I sat down. :>Monkey is having a rough time. :>He nodded. :>Ran away before he could ask for help, did you? :>He nodded again. :>You too, huh? :>Yep. :>We chuckled. :>He pulled out a Go set. :>Sure, why not. :>We played. :>Mantis-san was reckless, with a style that slashed at my flanks over and over again. :>I played a much more defensive game, trying to lure my opponent into reckless offense so I could nip out and take more territory. :>It was close, but Mantis-san was just able to edge me out when the game ended. :>Good game. :>Yeah, likewise. :>Are things going well for you, Mantis-san? :>We shouldn't really talk about that. :>I don't mean your clan, I mean you specifically. :>Oh. :>He scowled. :>I don't know if I can figure out a way to bitch without giving something away, though... :>Sounds like you need a drink :>I do. Yohko, that's the lead delegate, hates Aoi with a passion. She's always pissed Aoi gets all the attention, even though she's only doing what she's told... :>He cut off. :>You didn't do that on purpose, did you Ishigaki-san? :>You think I'm that smooth? :>Yeah, you're right there. :>Hah. Well whatever. I don't really care at this point. :>The Mantis delegation is sabotaging itself with infighting. And Yoritomo Yohko thinks I should try and play double agent to get us back on track. :>I refused, of course, and now she's pissed at me. :>Seriously, that damn bitch is as vindictive as your Father-in-law. :>Huh. I can see why you're pissed then. :>Yeah. :>I won't tell anyone. :>Huh? :>You don't sit in our meetings, so I won't tell anyone about this little slip up. :>... :>Thanks, Ishigaki-san. :>Another game? :>Sure. :>I got him the second time around. :>We were just about to go for two out of three when a shriek arose. :>We looked at one another. :>We both knew that song. :>We ran towards the cries. :>A crowd was beginning to gather as we made our way through. :>A servant, still shrieking her head off was staring at the lifeless body of Yoritomo Yohko. :>A wakizashi with a charm dangling off the end of the hilt jutted up from her chest :>Without thinking about it I extended my arms and began pushing back the crowd, ordering them back from the scene. :>Mantis-san gave the servant a soft slap. :>She stared at him, in shock. :>But she stopped screaming. :>MOVE! :>MOVE DAMN IT! :>MAKE WAY I SAID! :>Shoji burst through the crowd. :>Looked at the Mantis delegate. :>And sank to his knees. :>Not the reaction I was expecting. :>I knew that the implications of this murder must be far worse for him than I realized, if he reacted like that. :>Then he saw me. :>YOU! :>You were an Emerald Magistrate once! You MUST find who did this! :>For Shoji to ask me, of all people for help. :>And to do so without hesitation. :>I realized this was a very big deal. :>Kitsuki-san and Naomi arrived on scene next, along with the Karo. :>Thump. :>Drag. :>Thump :>Drag. :>Thump. :>... :>Thumpthumpthump. :>Hey, hey guys! Magistrate coming through, make way please! :>And there's Monkey and Toshiro. :>I looked evenly at Shoji, now that everyone was here. :>You're sure you want US to handle this investigation? :>Yes! :>He looked at Toshiro, avoiding Naomi. :>Bastard. :>You may be Jade Magistrates now, but you were Emerald Magistrates before, and there is a Mantis among you! :>None can doubt you will be impartial in this matter! :>He stared hard at the assembled courtiers, almost daring anyone to contradict him. :>Find the culprit, quickly! :>He took off, the Karo right behind. :>I shooed the lookie loos some more, then glowered when that wasn't working. :>The glower did work. :>Moshi Aoi was the last to leave. :>She addressed Kitsuki-san. :>You were an Emerald Magistrate? :>Yes. :>Then you will be able to find the one responsible, won't you? :>He looked up at her. :>Of course I will. WE will. :>She nodded. :>Thank you. :>She left then. :>Mantis-san waited for a bit, then sighed. :>Guess I should tell everyone now. :>Yohko here hated Aoi. :>Kitsuki-san looked up. :>Was it mutual? :>I can't be certain. But Yohko was a vengeful bitch if you got on her bad side. A bit like Shoji, actually. :>I see. :>See anything useful, Kitsuki-san? :>Hmmm. red silk for the tsuka ito, the tsuba a bronze oval without decoration. And this charm here... :>It is for peaceful dreams. :>Damn, that is twisted. :>You said it Monkey. :>We withdrew the wakizashi and cleaned it, then asked for a servant to bring us a spare sword stand to keep it on. :>Toshiro looked the body over, but there was no way to perform an autopsy without raising too many questions. :>Her arms are cut up. :>Defensive wounds. :>And she was stabbed from the front :>So she was not caught completely off guard :>Hmmm. :>Toshiro waved over one of the eta waiting for us to be finished. :>Lift up that arm there. :>One stab, straight through the heart, but many more cuts on her body. :>Can't tell if it's an amateur, or just rage though.. :>Kitsuki-san nodded. :>Okay then, someone who she did not trust, drew their short blade and attacked wildly, overpowering her and finishing her off. :>Toshiro nodded. :>Looks like it. :>Mantis-san folded his arms. :>My money is on rage then. Another courtier she pissed off most likely. :>That, sweet dreams bit seems pretty personal. :>Kitsuki-san stood up, and nodded to the eta. :>They began to clean up. :>We went back to our rooms to talk and set the wakizashi down. :>At this point, I am inclined to agree Mantis-san. :>But we would be remiss if we did not first check to see if we can find the owner of this blade. :>Monkey stared at the weapon. :>Hey, if the killer used their own blade wouldn't that make it stupidly easy to find them? :>It would. :>Which is why we should check to see if they know someone who might want to frame them. :>What if they're just running away, like right now? :>It couldn't be that easy, could it? :>Best not risk it. :>Our first line of questions, unexpectedly and to everyone we passed, was whether or not anyone was missing. :>As it turned out, someone was.
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