So, there I was, minding my own business

....drinking the last of my morning tea and thinking I shouldn't've had all that bacon even if Edward insisted on making enough for twice as many people and we didn't want to waste it. I didn't think too much of it when Their Majesties approached our camp dressed for the last court of the event as (a) Rolf and Aurora were among the first people I met out here, he being an old, OLD friend of Gaius', (b) Rolf is Takeshi-dono's knight, and (c) the 10.0 cheese-factor grin comes standard on a Rolf. You know that itch between my shoulder blades? It started up with a vengeance as His Majesty said, "Hana, I have a research project for you." Namely, whether or not there is a period Japanese equivalent of a Laurel vigil. I regret having disappointed those present who were hoping I'd faint or drop the tea bowl (Gwenhwyfaer insisted on trying to pry it out of my hands) or otherwise lose my shit. It'll be at Twelfth Night. As soon as I know where Twelfth Night IS, I'll let folks know. EDIT: For the non-Society For Creative Anachronism readers of this list who are wondering what this means, this is sort of like when the Queen of England gives a knighthood to an artist or actor. ""Membership in the Order of the Laurel is given for excellence in the arts and/or sciences. Only a member of the Order of the Laurel may wear a medallion with a laurel wreath, and in the Kingdom of the West may wear a cloak with the laurel wreath on the back, possibly enclosing an emblazon of their Arms, and a smaller one on the front. The laurel wreath is a Greek symbol of achievement, and was also a symbol of Apollo, the Greek god of the Arts." To the best of my knowledge, there has only been one previous recipient for "Japanese Studies" in the Kingdom of the West, the late Omatsu Yoshiaki-Sensei, AKA Senkyu, in 1990. Senkyu-sensei passed away some time ago and has much been invoked by old-timers upon meeting me.