A Match with Swords and Hearts [Silva/Tenma/Event Reward]

Lounging above the bustling Kinan capital, Akihiko pushed wide the palace windows onto Hakyu’s streets. In response, the morning sun painted squares of gold light upon his walls, making artwork from the shadows of peach-trees and tea houses. No artist mortal or divine could surpass that silhouette! Limned in dark blue against the yellow glow, the sunbeams painted stronger and fainter tones on the floor, changing in strength with day-time business. Indeed, as he watched the shadows fade and grow, Akihiko could only bemoan that he had not made the sun his court painter.

    But there were more important issues at hand than painters and artwork, for Akihiko was hosting a private gathering within the Hinamoto palace. He had ushered nobles and warriors and foreign officials into Hakyu’s walls, showcasing the newly-rebuilt Kinan capital for them, but Akihiko was mostly interested in two individuals. On one hand was Silva Kaida, who had his mother Manami as his romantic interest. Ever since the new Shogun had closed Kina’s borders, Silva had been busied with sumo matches and Hinamoto politics, but Akihiko was certain that he would make time for Manami this afternoon. On the other was Mikazuki Tenma, whose strength caught the Hinamoto clan-head’s attention. As far as Akihiko was concerned, his sparring session with Yoshihiro’s warrior was the sole reason for this gathering within Hakyu.

    And so, with the sun shining upon Kinan rooftops, a small procession of soldiers and statesmen weaved their way into the labyrinthine Hinamoto palace. Passing under gates decorated with stone youkai - some with heads of elephants and others with heads of lions - and through doorways lined with gold and silver, the procession came to a halt within a small garden of golden lotus-flowers. There was lovely Manami and Akihiko Hinamoto, newly-called Emperor, decked with his usual luxuries of jewels and beautiful women. Behind him, however, were nine beauties unseen within the Hinomoto entourage before this afternoon. Each was animal-eared as foxes or rabbits, as though Akihiko had made them wear some headband, but Silva and Tenma would both recognise these women as inhuman. As the clan-head Onigaku Amida saw them, they might even notice that a mononoke such as herself seemed surprised with their animal-like appearances - far different from the Morihana’s creations.

    Whether they noticed or not, however, Akihiko would take centre-stage and welcome them all into the Hinamoto palace, “Dear guests from Kina and Kou, I welcome you back into Hakyu! It has been some time since the Hinamoto have entertained such an esteemed crowd within the palace, not since the Kambutsu festival, but I am proud that our refurbishments are now finished. As such, in celebration of this, I have asked you all here so that we might party much as we have done in times past. We are also here to celebrate two special guests, the famed Mikazuki Tenma and our very own Silva Kaida! But I am sure that we have many stories to share, and so I shall not keep you waiting for any longer! Although one toast for the Hinamoto would not go amiss, would it not?” As he raised his glass, all those in attendance raised theirs as well and cheered, "To the Hinamoto!" And once the cheers were over, the party was begun.