Dark Edge Village

Fukawa was getting a few things ready to go for the next day. Of course, she couldn't carry everything herself. She'd have Akil and Settem carry some of her stuff, and some friends carry some more. And if that wasn't enough? It's not like her family's wealth couldn't replace whatever she left behind. Perhaps some of the things would help some young Ide in her training, and therefore indirectly help the Crane.

Moto Baatar stopped by as Fukawa was packing up.

"Getting ready to go already, Doji-san?" the young Unicorn asked. "Surely you'll stay for the choosing ceremony, won't you?"

Fukawa bows her head.

"Of course, Moto-san, but as you previously pointed out, I have a lot of stuff." she replied. "I surely won't need all of it between then and now."

"Would you care to talk to me for awhile, Moto-san?"

Doji Fukawa wrote:"Of course, Moto-san, but as you previously pointed out, I have a lot of stuff." she replied. "I surely won't need all of it between then and now."

"Oh, that's a relief," Baatar replied. "Doji-san has, uh, risen in the estimation of the Unicorn. To be deprived early of her company would be a, um, great sorrow." His words were a little halting, but it was clear that the young Moto had been practicing Rokugan-style courtesy since their last talk.

Doji Fukawa wrote:"Would you care to talk to me for awhile, Moto-san?"

"Sure!" he said brightly. "Um, that is, if I won't be interfering with your packing?"

Fukawa shakes her head.

"Not at all, Moto-san. I shall do my best to not accidentally pack you up as well, and ship you to Kyuden Doji." she offers, with a little humor.

"So, the miai is almost over." she adds, expectantly.

"Yes, nearly so," Baatar agreed. "I know you've done very well, Doji-san. I'm sure you'll get your choice for the best match."

Fukawa nods.

"This is true." she offers. "What of your own chances, Moto-san?"

"I'm pretty sure the governor thinks well of my behavior in recent days," Baatar replied. "Though, that might only be because I haven't been swept up in some of my clan mates' antics. So I feel pretty good about my prospects and I'm hopeful for a good match."

"I never really 'got' why the Ide insisted on this miai...at least not before I came here," Baatar admitted. "But now I see how important it is for the Unicorn to make friends among the other clans. Talking with you really helped me understand that, Doji-san. So, thank you for that."

Fukawa bowed at that.

"I am glad I was able to help show you that, Moto-san." she replies honestly. "And I hope you learned much from everyone else as well."

She tilts her head curiously.

"Did you remember to ask the other attendees about poetry? What makes something a poem, rather than just words?" she asks, curious.

"I did," Baatar affirmed. "I.. I think I know what poems are, now. They're like the songs the Moto sing; songs are 'just words', too, but it's the music and the feeling that you put into those words that make them something more."

"I think poems are like that, too. Well... we don't sing them. But they're still words with rhythm and feelings in their own way."

Fukawa nods.

"Well put, Moto-san. That is pretty much what I would have answered." she says, pleased that the Moto worked it out for himself.