It's Always Summer Under The Sea (D5, LE, Tomoe's)

[Asako Yuki]

"Well it is very well made." Yuki replied about the tea.

"Ah, hai. I am one of six." Her smile faltered for a moment. "Well, actually, with recent changes I believe they were expecting that I would be joining the Unicorn." She paused. "But I'm sure that, regardless of the outcome they will be happy for me. What about you Usagi-san?"

[Usagi Tomoe]

"Hm, I would prefer to remain with my clan since we are still young and our numbers few... but I am prepared for the possibility that I will most likely join the Unicorn. I just hope I can be matched with a good man..." she sighed wistfully.

"We seem to outnumber the eligible Unicorn samurai here, and all the other girls seem to be so much more highly regarded than me..."

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki smiled a little. "Does Usagi-san have someone in particular in mind, yet? I've met a few that seemed quite nice."

[Usagi Tomoe]

Tomoe smiled, enjoying the girl-talk.

"Well... if I could choose, it would probably be Iuchi Dong-Ha-san. He's nice, learned and open to learn more about the Empire. But I find Shinjo Monkhbaatar-san and Shinjo Kemuri-san to both be good company too." She struggled a little with the foreign names, but didn't allow it to stop her.

"What about you? Have anyone in particular caught your interest?"

[Asako Yuki]

"I don't think I've met any of them." Yuki said with a sigh. "Half over and I've not even met half of the Unicorn men here I bet."

She blushed a little bit then as she thought of one in particular. "Moto Butaj. He's quite nice really, eager to learn, and he sings very well. He is below me in points though, so I would not be joining the Unicorn and... by most standards I think some would be unhappy if I brought him back to the Phoenix." She frowned a bit and squirmed where she sat before taking a deep drink of tea to calm herself.

[Usagi Tomoe]

. . .

Tomoe maintained a pleasant smile, even if there was something akin to mentally screaming going on in her mind, as she couldn't comprehend how someone like Asako Yuki would fall for a guy who hardly seemed able to write his own name in the snow.

Oh well... on the bright side, it meant they weren't competing for affection with the same man.

"I... well, what is important is a harmonious marriage, no? I'm certain he would do his best to make you happy. Or is there something you're worried about?"

[Asako Yuki]

"He is rough around the edges, even if his heart is in the right place. Those unwilling to see that may take to him poorly." Yuki frowned some.

[Usagi Tomoe]

"Some would argue that it is a wife's duty to smoothe the edges on a man," the Hare suggested with a chuckle. "Some require more work than others. I... won't deny that Moto-san is rather exotic compared to the traditions of the other clans, but I'm certain with guidance, he... and all the other Unicorn too for that matter... will learn and adapt."

[Asako Yuki]

"He is more confident than some of the men, anyway." Yuki smiled a bit. "I don't... has anyone mentioned the old Moto way of marrying to you yet?"

[Usagi Tomoe]

"Err... no?" Tomoe blinked a few times. At least she was sure she hadn't heard of it. "I'm not surprised they have traditions and customs different from ours, considering the Moto's origins and their long trek... right, I'm babbling. What is this 'old Moto way of marrying you'?"

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki made a little "Oh" noise that the Usagi hadn't heard yet. "Well. When they pick a woman, they may let them know. But what's important is that on the day of the wedding, they come in on their horse, abduct the bride to be, throw her over their saddle, and ride off with her." She flushed a little.

"I... still haven't decided how I feel about that."

[Usagi Tomoe]

Tomoe's face flushed a little red too. Oh my~! I can only imagine the sort of pillowbooks we'll get from this once it becomes known across the Empire...

"Oh my... that is... uhm..." she fanned herself with her hand. "Sounds rather daring. I mean, as long as the woman has agreed to it before the wedding, it could maybe be a bit of fun."

[Asako Yuki]

"I don't think it used to be, necessarily. I think that in more recent times though they agree. But hai, it could be fun." She paused then, remembering Hirase. "And... I don't think it's limited to just women. I've heard that Moto women may like to ride off with their groom."

[Usagi Tomoe]

"Oh, really? I can certainly see Moto Khulun-san do something like that," Tomoe giggled behind a raised hand. "I think I will pass on doing something like that myself... not a good enough rider yet to try that sort of stunt."

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki nodded at the idea Khulun would do such a thing. "I would be more surprised if the choosing ceremony didn't end with her throwing her chosen over her horse and riding off." Yuki said with a small smirk. "Hai, the same here. While I can ride decently well I think I would just end up bruising someone that I threw over a saddle, or worse they might fall off."