Hayato had met too women this miai that he would of married if circumstances were different, one he had gifted a very fancy dinner that she would otherwise be unable to afford. The other he decided to offer something different. He knew romance wasn't the highest on Hyeon-ju's list of aspirations. He also knew she wasn't deaf to it either. So he decided to offer a wish that sometime in the future at least she finds the chance at love.

Frozen Expression
Becoming Painted With Warmth
Dream of Tomorrow

He wasn't particularly sure if the poem vonveyed his meaning, but there was little chance to ssecond guess himself now. Approaching a branch he doed the poem on and offered a silent prayer to benten before making his way to the festivel proper.

Day 11 EE Tanabata Celebration of Love, Targeting Utaku Hyeon-ju Void for 1k1 lore/int tn 15: 3d10 18 +1 branch
Day 11 EE Tanabata Romantic Aspirations Utaku Hyeon-ju, Poetry/awareness void for skill tn 15: 4d10o10k3 19 + 1 branch
Hanging from a branch + 1 point

3 points for Utaku Hyeon-ju May she find a good match

The tale of lovers crossing the stars has a different resonance among the Osprey, who spend a great deal of time focused upon the void and the stars within it. Meeting only once a year is a hard thing for the lovers, but they've also gained the freedom to move among the stars, so the story is celebrated as much for their achievement as their love.

The Phoenix monks were pleased with this Osprey's apparent knowledge and fitting prayers at the temple, though they found the ecstatic dance traditional to this festival's rites a bit off-putting. Though if so, Mumei didn't really notice. She left the temple, feeling pleased to have had a chance to observe the festival.

Heart full of their story, and her own, it isn't hard to draft an appropriate poem. The priestess is not unhappy to send it skyward unseen by human eyes. This too is an offering.



_______
Celebration of Love
D11 EE Tanabata: for Shinjo Yul Lore: Theology (Fortunes)/Intelligence TN 15: 4d10o10k2 15 1 point

Romantic Asperations
D11 EE Tanabata: for Shinjo Yul Artisan: Poetry/Awareness, void for skill, TN 15: 4d10o10k3 25 1 point

Sending the Message
D11 EE Tanabata: for Shinjo Yul Craft: Lantern/Agility, void for skill, TN 15: 4d10o10k3 25 1 point

3 points total for Shinjo Yul

Nozomi was a priestess of the highest caliber. That was why she was certain that the customs of the Lion were the correct way to go about it. It was likely suitable for Shoan but it didn't impress the monks in the least.

The priestess stared at her piece of paper before pulling up her sleeve to begin writing:
A pendant of jade
Keep it closest to the heart
Purest love of all

She frowned, unsure if it was really that great. She folded it up into a pendant and hanged it up.

---

D11 EE Stage 1 Reversal of Fortunes TN 10, Affinity: 5d10o10k3 21
D11 EE Stage 1 Lore: Theology / Intelligence TN 30, 3 CR, VP for +1k1 (To Murame Shoan): 5d10o10k4 15
D11 EE Stage 1 Lore: Theology / Intelligence TN 30, 3 CR, VP for +1k1 (To Murame Shoan) - RoF Reroll I'm so gutsyyyyy: 5d10o10k4 22

D11 EE Stage 2 Reversal of Fortunes TN 10, Affinity: 5d10o10k3 36
D11 EE Stage 2 Artisan: Poetry/Awareness TN 15: 2d10 15
Holy crap it's a point!

D11 EE Stage 3 Reversal of Fortunes TN 10, Affinity: 5d10o10k3 20
D11 EE Stage 3 Artisan: Origami/Intelligence TN 20, 1 CR, VP for Skill: 4d10o10k3 37
Wtf Orokos. 2 More!

Total: 3 Festival Points for Murame Shoan

Shoan prayed at even more than her usual intensity. It felt a little strange to not be praying about a battle or war. She just hoped sheer sincerity would carry her message through

Day 11 EE, Tanabata, Celebration of love for Kitsu Nozomi, lore theology TN 15, voided, unskilled: 3d10 17

The Lion was no poet, but she was not one to quit. A good half the day had been spent writing and re-writing a simple poem. Ultimately she decides to trust in the honest of her words.

Day 11 EE, Tanabata, Romantic Aspirations, Poetry/Awareness TN 15, voided, unskilled: 4d10 26



The poem is carefully tied to a bamboo branch and Shoan spends a long minute watching it sway slightly in the breeze before finally nodding and walking away.

(( 3 Festival Points for Kitsu Nozomi))

To say that Akodo Akihiko was taking the Tanabata rituals seriously would understate his almost single minded focus for the day.

He had been talking to staff at the hotel, his lunch server at the restaurant, virtually anyone who might keep prepare him for the festival.

When it came time, his preparation and focus showed the monks his dedication. Akihiko carefully performed all the prayers, and he was not too proud to say how personal the origin story seemed to him.

The Lion's poem [more fluff to come].


-----------
Rolls:
Prayers: success w/1 raise. 2 festival points for Daidoji Shizuku.
Poem: success. 1 more point.
Delivery: Tying on for 1 more point.
Total: 4 festival points for Shizuku.

Atena decided that she was going to see how her relationship with her not so friendly artist had changed. Seem not really changed.

She wrote short poem trying to portray a bit of an olive branch.
Friends bloom in the dark
Spring rain grow pretty flowers
Sun dawns make amends

She tied the poem to the bamboo.

//D11 EE Tanabata Miai Happiness for Nara Lore Theology 1 raise for extra point TN 20: 4d10o10k3 11 Fail

D11 EE Tanabata Miai Happiness for Nara Poetry TN 15: 3d10k3 18 1 point for Nara

Tying poem to the bamboo 1 pt

2 points for Nara

Also Casting Benten's blessing on Daidoji Kamui D11 EE Cast Benten's Blessing on Kamui TN 15: 6d10o10k3 23

Nara was, unsurprisingly, not much of a poet. She could act and do performances, but sitting there and thinking of a poem was tricky. She at least looked the part dressed in romantic colours. Or at least ones she thought felt romantic.

Nara surprisingly understood the references of the festival - she paid attention and listened, offering her small bits before going to do her own offering. She thought on those at the miai. She'd made plenty of friends, and wasn't sure she could it for everyone. She finally decided on one after inspiration hit for an awful poem.



It was a pretty awful poem, but she hung it and hoped that the heavens would smile upon the target. He was a nice person after all.

D11 Miai event - for Shokomaru - Lore: Theology/Int TN15: 2d10 17 1 point
D11 Miai event - for Shokomaru - Artisan: Poetry/Awareness (vp for skill) - TN15 +2 raises (Tn25): 5d10o10k4 19 - 0 points
Tying to bamboo for last part 1 point

2 points for Shokomaru

Yul didn't know much about the reason for the festival. Something about two lovers, parted, who only rarely see each other. While the specifics were not known to him, the sentiment was. It was something that was very much on his mind, after all.

And so, while he may not have had the right idea, his heart was in the right place, and it was from the heart that he wrote:

Two stars, far apart
light and warmth across the void
love knows no distance

He smiled as he tied it to the tree. It wasn't much, but perhaps it was enough.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

D11EE, Celebration of Love, unskilled, VP 1k1, Nakauchi Mumei: 3d10 14 0
D11EE, Romantic Asperations, unskilled, VP 1k1, Nakauchi Mumei: 3d10 17 1 festival point
Taking the freebie

2 festival points for Nakauchi Mumei

A Festival of love. How quaint! Not very metal though...

Ghost dad was adamant that he focus his efforts on finding a nice Crab or Phoenix to marry, which was fine, most of those options seemed good once he consulted with the nakados. He did wonder how his MCA friends were doing though. Izumi-sama and Mumei-san looked happy and confident in their picks, but he was a bit concerned about Shion-San. The Sparrow had tried really hard, but the one place she had excelled wasn't the sort of thing the miai judges were scoring. So Koseki decided to give some offerings for his friend...

"Hmm, not quite sure I follow you there old man. Something about a weaver bird and a cow? Sure, fine, whatever. Well I'm dedicating this to Suzume Shion-san."

Having failed to understand what the senile old guy was blathering about Koseki got on with his poem. It took a few goes but eventually he nailed it!



10/10 would write poems again.

Extremely satisfied that he had done everything he could, the Firefly tied his masterpiece to a bamboo branch. With a grin he wandered off to inspect the games and other events of the festival.

---
Rolls
D11. EE. Celebration of Love (Suzume Shion). Lore: Theology (Fortunes)/Intelligence. Void for skill. 1CR. TN20: 4d10o10k3 19. Fail.

D11. EE. Romantic aspirations (Suzume Shion). Artisan: Poetry / Awareness. TN15: 2d10 7 Fail.

Tie the poem to bamboo for a grand total of 1 point (Suzume Shion).

After perusing the festival and learning of its purpose, Geppu decided that he'd do a solid for one of his fellow Spider.

A parting thought for the Spider at the center of the web...good luck, Shokomaru.

Unfortunately, he didn't quite remember his prayers for it, but that wasn't the whole point. It was more about the intent than the actual words, right? His poem was significantly better and then he quietly attached it to one of the branches.
----
Failed first roll. Second roll success with a raise, earning 2 points. Taking the freebie point for a total of 3 for Shokomaru.

Celebration of Love

Kamui doesn't know much about cultural traditions, even Crane's, but he the celebrated Tanabata festival.

Celebration of Love (Int 2 + unskilled + 1 VP) = TN 15 for Nara: 3d10 18 1 pt for Nara

Romantic Asperations



Romantic Asperations (Awa 2 + unskilled + Benten's blessing) = TN 15 for Nara: 3d10+3 16 1 pt for Nara

Sending the Message

Kamui trying to make a boat lanterns.

Sending the Message (Agi 3 + unskilled + 1 VP + 1 CR) = TN 20 for Nara: 4d10 21 2 pts for Nara

4pts for Nara (or 2)

Boogiepop's Note: 3 Points for Nara

Tsugiharu knew about Tanbata. It had been communicated to him that the clan needed him to pray for a certain member of the delegation. And the traditions were not to pray for oneself, and so he offered his wishes for Commander Chokeslam himself.

CoL 1 CR, 58 vs. 20, Pass

2 Festival Points

The man didn't really inspire him to poetry, but the forms weren't that difficult to follow.

Awa/Perform: Poetry

1 Festival Point

He considered origami, but in the end, he just tied to poem to one of the branches.

1 Festival Point

4 Festival Points for Daigotsu Shokomaru

Shion thought she remembered some things about the Tanabata festival - she was quite sure it was held at some places in the Rokugan homeworld still... although she barely remembered having been in one. The stories told by the monks were interesting, but... her mind was not so quiet, today. She hadn't really so immersed in the Miai for some time - she had focused on finding places to play, get to know some things of the local culture, walk Stray, ride Kurikoo around... and more recently, try to find out and help how she could with some serious things. She was around for most of the competitions, all right, but she didn't quite feel the Miai atmosphere.

But then... the last two days had been interesting. Of course, the Miai was almost at its end, so the reality that she would - hopefully - leave Asakaze with a match, and possibly not be a Sparrow soon, was really dawning on her now. That aside.... she had, for the first time, felt really interested in someone.

So as she walked alone seeing the lanterns, the couples, the poems hanging from the trees, she couldn't help but smile a bit. She felt awkward doing so - wasn't really used to smiling for no reason other than when walking Shion - and noticed it... so she focused on the sounds and rhythms around, as she often did to relax. She probably shouldn't keep thinking about that so much - not like she would have much of a choice with how she had done, really. So... maybe it'd be better to just do her thing, set that to the back of her mind, and...

Help friends. Yeah, that's something she had got from Asakaze. An actual connection to the Minor Clan Alliance, unlike earlier, and... Friends she felt she could trust.

When she went to talk to the monks, then, she had her mind set. She wouldn't keep thinking about a companion - a love - that could... or could not be.

(She of course noticed by thinking about not thinking about it, she was thinking about it all the same... but quickly shrugged it off).

The story about the weaver princess and the cow herder was interesting, really and... she thought how she could actually turn her into something about friends instead. Thinking about her conversations to the other folks in the MCA, it seemed Mumei was pretty much set, and Izumi had done quite well and seemed to have something possibly going on... so her mind went to the Firefly. Also into music, good, trusty friend, simple, fun. Had done quite well in a few things, but seemed to be a bit unsure about the Miai - much like herself. So... dedicate a prayer to his luck in finding a soulmate sounded about right.

She keep thinking about it. Koseki was no weaver princess, definitely. A... herder of ores, maybe? Looking for a weaver princess. Sounded possible.... maybe if...

The thought of someone weaving words while she herded sounds interrupted her and she lost the train of thought.

Ah... well. She still tried and said her prayers to Koseki. Not as well as she had hoped, but there it was...

She then sat down and tried to think of a poem.

It was hard to keep thinking only of her friend when she did that one. She keep trying to think of something less traditional, but kept coming back to Haiku. Kept coming back to that weaver.

But... it came out right, at last. She smiled, feeling the poem did her friend at least some justice, now truly thinking of him, and sending to the fortunes her wishes that he may find a person that might be proper... and, most importantly, make him happy.

sound of fire flies
around - a heart calm and bold
shines like veins of gold

She looked at the poem once more, said a quick prayer, and hang the paper slip with the poem on a tree, wishing him well again before she started walking again.

And thinking about that weaver as she made her way to the west side of the garden.

------------------------------

D11 EE - Tanabata - Celebration of... MC Friendship - May Hotaru Koseki find his soulmate! - Lore: Theology/ Int, VP for +1k1, 1 CR, TN 20: 4d10o10k3 17 - Fail :/

D11 EE - Tanabata - Friendly Aspirations - Artisan: Poetry/ Awa - 2CR, 1 VP for +1k1, TN 25: 6d10o10k4 30 - 3 Festival Points for Hotaru Koseki!

Hanging the poem for 1 Festival Point for Koseki.

Total: 4 Festival Points for Hotaru Koseki.

---
Celebration: Pass with 1 raise. 2 Festival points.
D11 EE Tanabata--Theology/int, VP, 1CR = TN20. For FOXEH!: 5d10o10k4 56
edit: would like to note for the record that this is, literally, Atsumori's best roll of the entire game???

Aspiration: Fail
D11 EE Tanabata--Poetry/Awa TN15. VP: 3d10 12

Message: Hang the paper simply, 1 Festival point.

Final tally: 3 surprisingly erudite Hyper-speed Festival points for Kitsune Izumi

Event is now closed.

As the sunsets on Shiro Yaoke, the stars begin to appear in greater frequency over the night sky. The Shiro is relatively small and still blessed with starry skies on a clear night like this one. As more stars arrive, they form the celestial barrier that kept the stars of Orihime and Hikoboshi apart. However, on this one special and fateful night, this barrier will instead host a bridge across a river. The lovers will reunite and be together once again.



After the offerings are made by the celebrants and well-wishers, the local monks take a peek at some of the offerings while the elder monks decypher their divination in private. The monks pray to the Fortunes, hoping that they will take notice and bless those who wish for love either for themselves or others. The Fortunes take notice of the proceedings here but ultimately it will be up to the lovers to cross that bridge tomorrow...

At the conclusion of the hour, the fireworks show erupted in a cascade of orange, green, blue and pink lights. The loud and vibrant spectacle of pyrotechnics light up the skies during the majority of the late evening hour. Those in the gardens have the best view, although they could be seen from some places around the shiro and as far away as the marketplace.



Fortune Point Totals (Alphabetical by Family name)
Akodo Akihiko: 5 (2+3)
Asako Chiruha: 12 (8+4)
Bayushi Tenma: 4
Daidoji Shizuku: 6 (2+4)
Daigotsu Ryuu: 8 (5+3)
Daigotsu Shokomaru: 10 (1+2+3+4)
Hotaru Koseki: 4
Iuchi Joo-Woo: 3
Kitsu Nozomi: 3
Kitsune Izumi: 3
Kuni Eriko: 2
Moto Ruhe: 4
Murame Shoan: 3
Nakauchi Mumei: 2
Shiba Atsumori: 3
Shiba Hoshiko: 6
Shiba Moriko: 1
Shinjo Yul: 12 (9+3)
Susume Nara: 11 (2+1+2+3+3)
Suzume Shion: 1
Utaku Hyeon-Ju: 3

Worthy of Benten
(Those listed here may purchase Benten's Blessing at 3 experience points)
Asako Chiruha: 12
Shinjo Yul: 12
Susume Nara: 11

Please make your choice and expenditures before the end of Day 11. Note your spending here.

Plushies for me. <3

Oho, my dearest Shoan gave me enough for plushies!

2 Courtship Points and a set of plushies, please!

Plushies please, all the cool kids have them.

2 courtship points, please.