Dark Edge Village

Yuki was quietly putting her hair up and putting the finishing touches on getting ready for the morning, and preparing for her cousins to arrive. She wasn't sure there would be much to discuss, but that was why one had meetings like this after all. Placing a final pin in her hair, Yuki leaned back on one of the furs and waited for the others to arrive.

Nonin arrives, bringing a tea set in case such was needed. He bows politely to Yuki. "Blessing of the Fortunes upon you Asako-san."

Shiba Kaizen bowed at the open entry way to the Asako and Isawa. "Konnichi-wa cousins I heard about this gathering from Asako Hirase-san. I am Shiba Kaizen, I hope the morning finds you both well."

Nonin bows to the new arrival. "Welcome, Shiba-san. I am Isawa Nonin, a shugenja of our clan."

Hirase, as if summoned by the mention of his name, arrived next. He was heard before he was seen, his low tones patient and calm as he bade his son and his servant a good day of lessons before pushing aside the flap of the tent to enter. Bowing politely, he smiled a bit at his kin.

"Ohayou, kindred." Seeing what Nonin held, he perked up noticeably. "Oh, good, are we having tea?"

Nonin nodded to Hirase. "With our hostess' permission, yes."

Yuki smiled and invited them all in. "Oh, please. The tea at the feast was alright, but I haven't had good Phoenix tea in weeks."

"Jizo-kami bless both of you." The older Asako sat down and looked between the hostess for the day and the Isawa, a rueful smile on his lips. "I enjoyed a time of tales and education with some of our hosts yesterday evening and the tea will help with some of the lingering effects."

Nonin smiles and pours tea for those here. "The Unicorn cuisine is . . . unique."

Yuki nodded at Nonin. "Hai, while I liked some of it, I'm not sure I've developed a taste for their kumis. I much prefer sake." She pointed out. "I saw The demonstration of Bariqu, yesterday. That was quite interesting. Though it got a little too intense towards the end and I left early."

"Yes, so I heard." Taking his tea, Hirase took the first pull as if it were the first and last tea he would ever enjoy, expression transported fro a moment. "You were missed, you know."

Yuki blinked and then started to blush. "Oh, I hadn't realized he had noticed me. I thought he was busy." She mumbled. "But the Mantis and one of the Matsu got into a fight that was far less ceremony and far more violence. I was frankly surprised that there wasn't a duel over it."

"The same one we met the first morning or did another Mantis arrive?" He had thought her a perfectly pleasant companion, if a bit terse, and raised a brow. "What happened?"

"The same." She paused and fretted with her sleeves a bit. "I... don't know exactly. I had been paying attention to the contest. I think it started over who would be next to face Moto Butaj."

"Well, hopefully they can contain themselves from sullying the event with further unpleasantness." Waving the unpleasant affair away, he asked the group in general, "How have other meetings with our hosts gone? Anything or anyone of note?"