Dark Edge Village

It was early when Imane arrived at the stables, makeup kits in hand. She had bottles of dye along with assorted brushes and various oils. Almatar seemed to know what was coming and was ready for the offering of figs and apples that usually accompanied the colouring of her mane. It was something her human seemed to enjoy.

Imane wore loose clothing that was modest but less so than a typical samurai-ko. It suited her needs for working with her companion in the stable. She sang a little tune as she prepared to re-colour Almatar's mane.

Having completed the prayers to Lady Sun, Nonin set about wandering which again, as it often did, brought him to the stables.

"Ohayo, Otaku-san," he smiled. "I hope you are well."

Aramoro was following the enchanting voice like a birder would follow the song of bird of paradise. The was a murmur that interrupted the angelic voice, but he had by then pinpointed the origin.

He walked into the stable seeing the peculiar sight of a young girl colouring the mane of a horse.

Oh yes, the Unicorn will never cease to surprise

He would have left her to it, but now that he had found the song bird, it would be a crime not to hear it speak.

"Does your horse appreciate your song as much as other samurai do?" He says with a smile. He was so smitten with his bird find that he failed to notice the Phoenix initially.

"Oh, Good morning Isawa-san. Have you been charmed by the singing as well?" He bows

Nonin bowed deeply to the Seppun. "It is quite lovely, Seppun-sama. It makes an ephemeral and charming counterpoint to the beauty of the horses here."

The sound of voices brought Imane back to herself. She was halfway through yellow. Looking out of Almatar's stall she spotted one familiar face and one she had yet to meet. Judging by the size of the second man's hat he was probably important. She continued to sing as she rose and bowed to the two men, eventually ending the song.

"Ohayou minna-sama, good morning to you both. Isawa Nonin-san, so lovely to see you again. I am well thank you, have you been enjoying the miai? And..."

She looked at the second man's clothes, recognising something about the style from her meetings with Seppun Hideo.

"... Seppun-sama? You are very kind." She smiled and patted her horse's flank. "Almatar does seem to like my singing. Or at least, she does not complain. I am Otaku Imane, of the Shiotome."

"An honor to see you again, Otaku-san," bowed Nonin.

"And forgive my impoliteness, Seppun-sama, I am Isawa Nonin, shugenja of the Phoenix."

He bows to both "Seppun Aramoro, of the Imperial families."

"It is a shame I have so late in the Miai only seen the stables today and not earlier. Seems there are majestic things are to be seen here."

Imane smiled at both of her visitors. "Well Almatar would thank you for your compliment if she were able." A hand moved up to stroke the mighty horse's nose.

"I recall you wished to meet Almatar up close Isawa-san. She is a good judge of character. If you would like to approach her more closely I am sure she will agree."

Her attention shifted to the Imperial with the fancy hat.

"I have had the pleasure of meeting Seppun Hideo-san a few times in the last week. Do you have similar backgrounds Seppun-san?" She could see he did not carry a katana, which suggested that he was not a member of their Bushi school.

Nonin slowly approaches the horse, he is cautious but not afraid of the animal. "Almatar-san should look even more lovely once you are done, Otaku-san."

Nonin would be able to see where the greens, blues and violets were starting to fade. Almatar seemed unconcerned by the approaching Phoenix, but turned her head to watch him.

"I am sure that she appreciates your kind words Isawa-san." Imane seemed to as well. The surest way to please an Otaku was to compliment her horse.

"It has been lovely to be among the Unicorn who take such an interest in animals," he says. "Such is rare among the more settled members of the Empire."

"We would not be who we are without our steeds Isawa-san. It sounds as though joining the Unicorn will suit you well." She smiled and watched him with her horse. Almatar seemed to take to the Phoenix quite readily.

"Domo, Otaku-san," he nodded. "I hope to do as much as I can to bond the Empire and the Unicorn together."

Her smile flashed to the Imperial as well, but the man seemed to be considering his next words carefully. She patted Almatar as Nonin took a closer look. "I have some fruit if you would like to feed her. Perhaps you could tell me about your thoughts on how to bring the Unicorn and Empire closer together?"

He was observing the horse and his interaction with the 2 other samurai when he responded

I have had the pleasure of meeting Seppun Hideo-san a few times in the last week. Do you have similar backgrounds Seppun-san?" She could see he did not carry a katana, which suggested that he was not a member of their Bushi school.

"Well yes, very observant of you Unicorn-sama. Although I did not train at that same time, we underwent the same training. Do you have siblings that are priests?"

He listens carefully at her question put to the Isawa.