Dark Edge Village

Dong-Ha was sulking, for lack of a better word. He had hoped to improve his standings in the events held by his Family, but unlike Hotaru had promised, the Fortunes had been cruel and callous, leaving him with little luck. Sighing and muttering to himself the young man waded across the dueling field, kicking small pebbles out of his way. His only consolation was that Tomoe had done rather well on both days.

Tsukimi came by, her smoking pipe between her teeth, and a thoughtful expression upon her features.
Spotting Dong-Ha, and recognizing him- sort of- as the one Tomoe-san had sung about, she decided to snoop a bit about her cousin's suitor.
And so over to him she walked, and held up a hand.
"Ohayo! Iuchi-san! Quite the ...interesting pair of challenges your family has set forth, ne?"

"Oh... yes." the young man muttered, less than enthusiastic about the topic. "Uh... good day, samurai-san." he greeted the Hare. "Though, well... I would like to note that the more... esoteric spiritual escapades offered the day before do not draw from the teachings of Iuchi-shiryo. It was the Moto who introduced such... things to us." Moto sages had been happily tripping balls throughout the centuries, when they had been called Ujik-Hai and still among the Ki-Rin. "Today's task was perhaps more characteristic."

"Oh. Well then, excuse me. I have found the events challenging, and candidly, frustrating." She bows, and when she pops back up, she has a puff of smoke about her.
"This one is Usagi Tsukimi.. Have you had your rice today?"

"Frustrating, aye." he nodded with a huff. "Who wouldn't." Dong-Ha could not really hide his upset. "Well, it's done now, anyway. All there remains is the wait, neh?" Dark brown eyes eyed Tsukimi curiously.

"Well met, Usagi-san." the young Unicorn offered the Hare a polite bow, trying to pronounce 'usagi' as Tomoe had. "Uh, yes, I have eaten, thank you. Um.. I hope you have been blessed likewise?" What had she said about the proper responses to such a greeting.

"Hai," she nodded, and tilted her head slightly to one side, regarding him with curiosity then.
"Indeed, now we wait, and see what is to become of us, whether we have the Fortunes in our favour. What will be, will be, but I remain a happy samurai, and hopeful. All we can do is wait, and hope."

"With any luck, Usagi-san will call me a kinsman tomorrow." he chuckled. "I might have not done well today, but your kinswoman sure impressed the judges. Yesterday too!"

"Hai, she's fared very well in the last few events, my heart cheers for her. As does yours, if the day of singing is any indication?" Tsukimi seemed chipper then as they got to the juicy bits, and she took a comfortable step closer to the Iuchi.
"You have impressed her, as well?"

"Uh... I am not too sure about that." he chuckled shyly, stepping away from Tsukimi. "I haven't done exactly well in the trials, unfortunately. She says she doesn't care, and I do believe her, but that means that someone else could call my name before her."

"I do like her, though." Dong-Ha admitted, blushing as he did so.

She noted his step away, and halted, with a nod. "Liking her is a good place to start."

"I wouldn't dare to admit more." He turned again to face her. "It's been merely what, a week I've known her? Only a fool would claim more, no?"

"These are trying times, and we are presented with such an opportunity here. I think, if given the chance, love is possible. But a samurai's duty isn't about love. One can only hope they are so lucky as to love who they are with."

"Yet, there is more to marriage than a mere duty, no? To spend one's life with someone, just because you are bound to doesn't like a good way to live." Dong-Ha replied slowly. "I trust the love will come in time, if the people are right."

She took a puff from her pipe. She let a smile creep slowly across her features. She nodded.
"Hai. Tomoe-san is a lucky woman, to have your heart, Iuchi-san."

"Ehhh.. ehhh." Dong-Ha flushed into shades of crimson. "Eeehh..."

"What makes you say that, Usagi-san..." he finally managed to stammer.