Mal-Chin instinctively took a few steps away from the drastic insult being laid out, even before he figured out that it was a public rift between two of the...Lion!?!?!

Cowardice was, if he remembered, an insult that had to be answered.

Ishiyo had been present from the start, she had opted to wear her dress uniform. The day had started with few surprises. The Crane liked the two Unicorn and their picks, but had no real emotional investment in them. Still she wished them well. The Bayushi was only marginally more curious as he had chosen the Governor’s daughter...and had sparked the first reaction among the suitors. She noticed the Crab’s anger, controlled as it was, and then was unsurprised to see he took an Imperial instead.

Then Shokomaru had taken the stage, she had suspected this would be the nakodo’s final decision. Her feelings toward him were complex at best…

Ishiyo glanced to Ryuu first after her name was called, her expression neutral even if her eyes were not. But they had both expected this.

Then the Akodo had picked and that caught her by surprise. Not to say she was upset, hardly as it was clear enough the Lion had picked her cousin out of love for what gain was there. Instead the Crane pilot was more just confused that it had all happened under her nose.

When Hayato had stepped onto the stage her eyes were on him. Another path she was not going to see. As with Ryuu her expression told the Tsuruchi nothing, her eyes saying everything. She dipped her head after that, pulling the kepi’s brim down enough to shadow her eyes.

Mumei looks at the Kitsu's outburst. Who wouldn't? She finds she isn't even entirely surprised by it, as her glance flickers to Shoan. Ok, sometimes the fuse is really short, actually. she thinks.

Hide couldn’t take it anymore. She was pissed at Akihiko, but Nozomi’s outburst was inexcusable. She made her way over to the other Lion, beyond angered expression. Hide was able to keep her voice low, holding back the desire to shout at her kin. “Stop. Now. You are the one shaming us right now with this outburst. You are embarrassing us all here with this inability to keep yourself in check.”

Yul, too, stared at Nozomi, his jaw dropping. Slowly, he shut it. It opened again as Hide joined the metaphorical (for now at least) fray.

"Wow." He murmured.

A smile cracked on Nozomi's lips. "Did you not see that I was already done speaking?" she whispered. "Or are your powers of perception so lowly?" She closed her eyes and took the most calming breath she could manage. "Be glad that I do not care about your choice anymore."

Akagi affected not to notice Nishida's fury, instead focusing his eyes on the continuing ceremonies. He even pretended not to notice the Lions' shameful display, though this was harder, what with all the shouting.

"Kitsune-sama made a good pick," Akagi commented quietly, nodding with approval. "Those two seem well matched."

“It doesn’t change the fact that you made a huge scene during a sacred event.” Hide started to move back to her spot, but she looked back at the Kitsu with disgust. “You’d think a Kitsu would know better.”

Shizuku heard the outburst. Who didn't? Her jaw clenched in her mouth, but she kept her expression neutral. Expanding the scene wasn't an acceptable response. Still, she wanted to keep her promise to support Akihiko. If that meant talking to them later, so it would be.

Hayato understood Nozomi's anger, and there was no judgment in the look he gave her as he moved past. The day was bittersweet though he had seen the look in Ishiyo's eyes. But that choice had been taken out of his hands. Part of him wanted to go to her though and say, well he didn't know what he could say. She was destined for a home she never wanted, and his choice may have doomed her to it anyways.

So instead he made his way to the side of his soon to be wife, pushing aside any lingering feelings he might hold for others here, sinking the down to the depths of his soul and greeting her with a bright smile. "Hyeon-ju." He said simply seeing no need of honorifics between him and his betrothed. "You look dazzling."The Mantis continued, his hands looking like they might reach for hers for a moment before he clasped them in front on him.

Nozomi's features softened and she bowed her head to the Matsu. "Then be happy that I am the one to carry the shame while you do not. The Unicorn, no, everyone must know we do not take kindly to traitors."

The Kitsu's outburst was another surprise for the Crane. She glanced to the angry Lion. Her attention shifted back to the ceremony.

Totally there since the beginning, wearing her usual suit, Akemi was clueless about a lot of what was happening.

The Phoenix had apparently deemed the Bayushi... merchant guard?... worthy of the governor's daughter. Probably more than met the eye here.

The Lion Commander had picked... the Crane tinkerer? And the Lion in the audience were getting mad? Akihiko, it was probably high time for you to board your jet. And not land for one year or two.

The other choices were a bit confusing, but not on par with the chaos birthed by those two. Sho in particular was always going to end up with a Crane, she just wasn't sure which one.

Well, at least, Yul and Mumei did manage to get together. That was worthy of applause.

Hoshiko was surprised. Dinner with the Crab had been nice, but they hadn't spoken since then. It wasn't a bad match. It could work well. It just wasn't what she'd been expecting.

She glanced towards Joo-Woo. Their paths were different after all.

Satoru shook his head at the inappropriate outburst. Such behavior would never be tolerated in the Spider. He threw his cold judgemental eyes toward the Kitsu and adjusted his glasses before returning to the ceremony

Shokomaru went to find Ishiyo with his eyes. He wondered if she even had a gaze for him as well with sl her head turning.

Oh there seemed to be some hub-hub. Lion? Looks like Akihiko chose wrong. Bummer.

Noticing the lions quarrel, he took another cig out.
At least he wasn't the only one angry.

That was unexpected... Ryuu barely made a perceptible movement, when the outburst exploded. Instinct was to reach for his sword, but it was easily pushed aside, because it was not his quarrel.

Still though, he was saddened for Shizuku to have to deal with the outburst. The few times they had spoken, she was beyond pleasant, and deserved to have her moment not ruined.

Seeing that Moriko was next, he braced.

Ruhe had to look aside from whatever conversation he'd been having with his chosen betrothed to return gestures of gratitude and support toward the fellow Unicorn. He was happy for Yul, very much so! He truly hoped Hyeon would find fulfilment in the relationship with the elegant Mantis, seeing as how the Lion had made a weird choice that nobody seemed to understand well. Maybe she'd actually dodged the bullet there, because...

The subtler signs of dissatisfaction and heartbreak were lost on him entirely, but the Lion perfect storm couldn't be entirely ignored. Ruhe gave them a perplexed look. Apparently they lacked a strong sense of brotherhood the Unicorn shared and thus enjoyed some public accusations and infighting. He'd rather see them resolving it in some wrestling matches once it was all over. He was more than happy thus that he hadn't ended up having any substantial dealings with them and instead let his heart by drawn to the lovely Scorpion cop who was about to be his wife now.

And the happiness of that pretty much overshadowed all the other things.

Hearing Daigotsu Ryuu's name called. Ishiyo dipped her head, a moment of emotion in her otherwise stoic demeanor.