Courts of the Crane Clan

As a brief note, I wonder if Daidoji Tacticus caught the fun little bit there with Daitsu and Lady Matsu.

Change it from Daidoji Reiji to "The Matsu Bride"

Hey, hey!

Perfect story for perfect Crane demonstrating perfection!

Quite good. Well done all. Daitsu is super cool!

I have to say, I liked today's story. Well done!

It's hard to spin a failure into a win, but Higaru's tale was an interesting arc bridging two different game victories and accomplishes the goal. Daitsu's story was also a good way to portray a cocky character being antagonistic while still being likeable and relatable. He wasn't being overly mean, and was even a bit heroic, but he did what he set out to do and that was to insult the Matsu. He did it in a cleverly subtle way which was interesting and also highlighted the rivalry between the Kakita and the Matsu, a point made even more powerful with the backdrop of unprecedented Crane/Lion unity. Of all the recent fiction this one has to be my favorite so far.

Also, Reiji!

Thanks for using the forum discussion for actual story coolness! Well done!

I loved this little pair of stories, I think Higaru's story was delightful. And the thought of a Kakita "correcting" a statue to represent her loss to his ancestor is a good representation of a somewhat erratic pick.

Hooray for that correction to Lady Matsu's face. And I'm overjoyed that the hard work of the Crane delegation during the last Winter Court to keep the Crane-Lion alliance alive was honored and made to bear sweet fruit.

Two little questions though:

1. "Reiji’s brow shot up, his barking laugh surprised him as it echoed through the vast chamber...." - I found it challenging to imagine someone laughing while having one's brow up. Did I interpret it wrong?

2. "She caught Daitsu’s eye and breath gestured him closer with a wink and snap of her fan." - Doji Hoshihana caught Daitsu's breath? Someone's breath gestured Daitsu closer?