"...by attending a play. I have heard good things about the Five Arches theater in town, and the manager has agreed to reserve us seats."
Technically, that last part isn't strictly true, but you're reasonably certain that Strong Birch will be willing to admit you at virtually any time you happen to ask. His gratitude should last at least as long as the Winter Court, at least.
"That sounds quite lovely." Doji Mariko says with a warm smile. "I have heard that the Scorpion are keen students and practitioners of the acting arts."
As she speaks she begins to walk towards the exit from the fortress, and you fall into step alongside her. There is a certain protocol to such things, and you are careful not to walk too close, but there seems little chance that anyone watching will fail to divine that some form of relationship exists between the two of you. Still, as in all things, superficial appearance is of greater import than actual truth.
"You have heard correctly. The most famous tend to come from the Shosuro, but every Scorpion family boasts at least a few notable actors." You explain, for conversation is expected here and this is as safe a topic as any. "I am told there is a town in the Shosuro lands known as the 'Painted Village', where every inhabitant is an actor-in-training. Each year they tear down and redesign the entire layout, and the inhabitants adopt different roles and live their lives in them for an extended period."
"Truly? That is a mark of impressive dedication." Mariko says in a faintly awed voice, and you see that the common understanding of the Crane's appreciation for art is if anything understated. "I have heard of master artisans among the Kakita who dedicate themselves so utterly to their craft, but for an entire settlement to participate is something else entirely. Have you ever trained as an actor, Soshi-san?"
"I am afraid I have not, Doji-san." You confess. "It always seemed to me that such a craft is one that should be pursued with dedication. I would need to set aside a period of time from my other duties to spend exclusively on learning the techniques. Perhaps some day."
As you converse, Doji Mariko telling you of some of the plays she has seen in Crane lands, you make your way into the town. The buildings have been strung with thin lines, and each is festooned with small pieces of colored paper or silk. Tradition dictates that those wishing for good fortune in love over the coming year, be it in the specific or abstract, should write their desires on the paper and suspend them in the wind where they will be visible to the heavens. Of course, those who would keep secrets would be best advised to employ indirect wording, if they hope to avoid revealing their desires to those unscrupulous to take advantage of them.
Everywhere, the streets are thronged with people like you, both samurai and heimin taking time off from their duties to enjoy the festival and the company of those they love (or are at least attracted to). The true festivities will not begin until the stars themselves become visible, but already there are stalls offering sweet foodstuffs and impromptu displays of song and dance being organized on the street corners. Overall, the mood is surprisingly joyous for such a normally severe city, and you can even see a large number of Matsu samurai indulging in the opportunity to pursue matters of the heart for a day. And then...
"Crane."
The word cuts through the street like an unsheathed sword, carrying enough naked hostility in it to draw the attention of everyone within earshot. Others turn to see what has caught their neighbours eye, and with surprising speed a collection of several dozen witnesses is assembled. Doji Mariko closes her eyes for a brief moment, then fixes a pleasant smile on otherwise perfectly controlled features and turns to face the source of the voice.
"May I help you, Lion-san?" She says lightly, but you note the lack of a truly respectful honorific. Then you turn and study the one who has spoken.
It is, perhaps unsurprisingly, a samurai-ko of the Matsu family, dressed in the gold and brown of her Clan and staring at Doji Mariko with an unnerving intensity. Her long dark hair is pulled back away from her face, and her hands are calloused in the way of one who studies the art of the sword. She is wearing her swords at her waist, and seems quite prepared to use them.
"You insult our daimyo, spit in the face of our hospitality, and then have the nerve to walk our streets as though nothing is wrong?" The Matsu demands, and there is a gentle swell of supporting remarks from the surrounding crowd. It seems that the Crane's conduct in the opening of the court has begun to filter down to the rank and file, the story likely becoming heavily distorted along the way.
Mariko's expression remains calm, as composed as though she was merely answering some minor enquiry. "I don't see that anything is wrong, Matsu-san."
"Of course not. A true samurai would understand such matters, and would not need to be educated on them." The Matsu says, her every word chosen with deliberate care and her eyes shining with vicious purpose. "You, on the other hand, are nothing more than a jumped-up geisha with delusions of grandeur."
For a brief, terrible moment, the entire streets is utterly silent, the magnitude of the insult registering in everyone's mind with awful clarity. The Matsu is not drunk, she is not in any way impaired - for reasons of her own, she is quite deliberately offering massive and deadly insult to the Crane, in front of far too many witnesses to ever hide the outcome. There is only one way that Mariko can reasonably respond to this, and she takes it with an air of icy calm.
"You insult me, Matsu-san." She says quietly. "I challenge you to a duel."
The Matsu samurai-ko grins fiercely. "I accept. Will you pick up a blade yourself, or rely on the skills of another?"
There is a momentary pause here, and you know that you have a choice to make.
Respond
[ ] Volunteer to act as Mariko's champion
[ ] Remain silent
QM's note - As Doji Mariko does not carry a katana, she is entitled to have a champion represent her in a duel, which can be any friend or relative willing to step up. If you do not volunteer, the expected outcome would be that either Kakita Sekawa or Daidoji Chen would take the role for themselves.
For an insult of that magnitude, in front of so many witnesses, the standard expectation would be a duel to the death. If Mariko's champion loses, she would be expected to commit seppuku.
