Absolutely undignified (Day 1, Late Evening)

[Seppun Hideo]

There was something quite innocent about the girl. She hardly seemed as barbaric as her kin, it was quite cute really.

"I must agree with Ide-sans view. So many new foods to sample. I would certainly welcome a chance to sample more of the delicacies that you and your kin have discovered on your travels, if it would not be of too much inconvenience to you" he replied in a friendly tone, assuming her stumble and her words to be an invitation "I imagine returning the favour would be difficult though, as I hadn't made preparations when it comes to food. I can provide refreshments in the form of Tea or Sake if this would be of interest to Ide-san."

[Yogo Mizuki]

Whenever it would have been appropriate, Mizuki would have introduced herself. "Hello, I am Yogo Mizuki."

[Asako Yuki]

Butaj nods appreciate lively without pause to his play when Amaya joins the performance. He doesn't begrudge the famous Shinjo that he hasn't, having the sweet burden of entertaining a masked lady with his fantastic skills of polite conversation (well beyond Butaj's ability). Since the Phoenix lady seems to be the only one that is unaccounted for, Butaj smiles at her while changing music to a slightly more romantic one.

(Song!)

The young Asako woman blushed as Butaj brought his attention to her and quickly drew her fan to cover her face, though in her haste she fumbled it a bit, which only caused her face to redden in embarrassment even more. That, probably unlike so many non-Unicorn here, she seemed to understand the words of the song caused her to glance down at the ground and start counting in her head.

[Moto Butaj]

Butaj is delighted by the genuineness of Yuki's reaction! He ends the song on a long instrumental note that punctuates the vigour of the lyrical content, then puts the morin khur away as he rises, gripping the neck of a large bulging skin and rattling it before anyone that could see it.

"Butaj is happy to see friends of the Unicorn coming over, and to extend hospitality! Butaj will share his best kumis with you, from private stock, many times slapped during fermentation. Please join!"

Butaj's smile is wide for all, but his gaze is mostly for Yuki.

[Ide Amaya]

There was something quite innocent about the girl. She hardly seemed as barbaric as her kin, it was quite cute really.

"I must agree with Ide-sans view. So many new foods to sample. I would certainly welcome a chance to sample more of the delicacies that you and your kin have discovered on your travels, if it would not be of too much inconvenience to you" he replied in a friendly tone, assuming her stumble and her words to be an invitation "I imagine returning the favour would be difficult though, as I hadn't made preparations when it comes to food. I can provide refreshments in the form of Tea or Sake if this would be of interest to Ide-san."

"There is a gaijin tradition known as the breaking of bread," was that unseemly?, "where food and good conversation can be shared. If it pleases Seppun-Sama, I could arrange a sampling of cheeses and sweets." She smiled and added, "I confess I have never tried sake, you would do this one great honour to share a cup."

[Yogo Mizuki]

This would have been answered when asked, but Mizuki's player didn't see it.

Mizuki bows to the people as she approaches. She sits as the musician directs and enjoy this foreign, but pleasant music.

Akil sat himself next to Mizuki, listening calmly to the music as well. He gives it time before he speaks to her again. "I did not get much opportunity to speak with you at the opening ceremonies, and I apologize for that. If I may, what is your role in serving our Glorious Empire?" Was that too forward a question? What's too forward a question. I DON'T KNOW IF I JUST MADE A MISTAKE. His internal angst was hidden with a polite smile, his flute for the moment set aside.

Mizuki smiles behind her mask. "While I did school with the Bayushi as a courtier, my main duty is to watch over the financial concerns for my Clan." Since the Unicorn probably doesn't have detailed knowledge of the Clans, Mizuki adds, "The Yogo family are renowned shugenja specializing in protection, specifically wards. Those of us who cannot speak to the kami often serve as our Clan's mercantile advisers." Mizuki takes a particular pride in what her Family and it's duty.

Though, she notices she doesn't know that much about the Unicorn. "If I may be so bold, may I ask about what you duty is? And what the Shinjo do within your Clan?" Hmm... I wonder what father would think of him?

[Seppun Hideo]

"This sounds like something I would very much enjoy Ide-san" Hideo said with clear interest "I find the ways of the Unicorn fascinating. While many of your ways may not fit among the common social interventions of the Imperial cities, I would like to learn more. As for sake...what have you heard about it?"

[Shinjo Akil]

Mizuki smiles behind her mask. "While I did school with the Bayushi as a courtier, my main duty is to watch over the financial concerns for my Clan." Since the Unicorn probably doesn't have detailed knowledge of the Clans, Mizuki adds, "The Yogo family are renowned shugenja specializing in protection, specifically wards. Those of us who cannot speak to the kami often serve as our Clan's mercantile advisers." Mizuki takes a particular pride in what her Family and it's duty.

Though, she notices she doesn't know that much about the Unicorn. "If I may be so bold, may I ask about what you duty is? And what the Shinjo do within your Clan?" Hmm... I wonder what father would think of him?

So far so good... just keep it up like this and you should be fine.

"The Shinjo serve as warriors, as do the Otaku and the Moto. I was... trained in those same traditions by my sensei. As of now, though," he considered his words carefully, a thoughtful frown temporarily gracing his lips before it was replaced by his usual smile. "As of now I do not know, if I am being honest. My destiny is not as certain as it was only a few years ago."

When Butaj stopped playing, Akil offered him a brief applause.

[Ide Amaya]

"This sounds like something I would very much enjoy Ide-san" Hideo said with clear interest "I find the ways of the Unicorn fascinating. While many of your ways may not fit among the common social interventions of the Imperial cities, I would like to learn more. As for sake...what have you heard about it?"

Amaya fans her heated cheeks, a combination of the Imperial's apparent interest and his oblique observations of her social ineptitude. Her mind races as she begins to think about the preparations she would need to make.

Cocking her head slightly, "I have heard that sake is strong," she offers uncertainly. The kumis that her cousins were so fond of had around an eighth of the alcohol content of undiluted sake - not something that Amaya knew so precisely, only knowing that she had been warning against clear drink. "Before the ma-ai I was warned to be cautious of three things: my courtesy, scorpions, and sake."

[Yogo Mizuki]

Mizuki also gives applause when Butaj stops.

Pausing for a moment - partially to make sure her response isn't accidentally offensive, partially to make sure her stomach contents stay inside - Mizuki responds, "I can understand to an extent. My mother, and her family, are all powerful shugenja. I had thought that was my destiny as well. A good, honorable man such as yourself will find whatever destiny has in store for him even if it is not what he thought it would be initially."

It's not right to consider him without his knowledge of your Family.

With a sigh, "This is a miai. You should have all appropriate knowledge for your consideration." She hesitates, but knows she'll probably have to have this conversation multiple times. "Yogo was cursed by He Who Should Not Be Named himself to betray the one he loves most. This Curse has been spread down throughout the ages. My parents have it. I have it. My children will have it."

"I apologize for bringing up such awful subject and the presumption it implies." Mizuki steels herself. "But I don't want mislead you or anyone from your Clan about what a marriage with me could hold."

[Seppun Hideo]

Amaya fans her heated cheeks, a combination of the Imperial's apparent interest and his oblique observations of her social ineptitude. Her mind races as she begins to think about the preparations she would need to make.

Cocking her head slightly, "I have heard that sake is strong," she offers uncertainly. The kumis that her cousins were so fond of had around an eighth of the alcohol content of undiluted sake - not something that Amaya knew so precisely, only knowing that she had been warning against clear drink. "Before the ma-ai I was warned to be cautious of three things: my courtesy, scorpions, and sake."

"The strength of the sake is dependant on who made it. The sake produced by the Crab for example are far stronger than those produced by the Crane which has more flavour to it. Neither compare shochu of course."

Hideo smiled though.

"However, whoever warned you was wise to do so. Sake is quite a strong drink. However, I assure you on my honour that no harm will befall you, and I will ensure that you have an enjoyable evening. You have my word on this."

He paused before adding "I cannot help but wonder what those who advised you on those subjects told you about the Imperial Families "

[Shinjo Akil]

He blinked at the explanation offered to him. Credit for being forward? Curse? Curses seem bad. But she is nice?

"This curse... is it strictly carried by those who carry the name? Do we know that if a Yogo were to marry out, the curse would not chase their descendants, who would then no longer be Yogo?" It seemed a reasonable workaround!

[Ide Amaya]

Apparently, all her learning had fled. "I was trained with the Ide Emissary School, with great emphasis on the skills of diplomacy and mediation." Eyes cast downwards, "I fear I have not been the best student." Bringing her fan up again to cover all but her eyes, she peered shyly up through her eyelashes, "would it be flattery--" and an insult "--to say that this one has been told that the Imperial families were the greatest in the Empire?" Hopefully, "perhaps you would be willing to aid this one's desire to learn?"

[Asako Yuki]

Butaj is delighted by the genuineness of Yuki's reaction! He ends the song on a long instrumental note that punctuates the vigour of the lyrical content, then puts the morin khur away as he rises, gripping the neck of a large bulging skin and rattling it before anyone that could see it.

"Butaj is happy to see friends of the Unicorn coming over, and to extend hospitality! Butaj will share his best kumis with you, from private stock, many times slapped during fermentation. Please join!"

Butaj's smile is wide for all, but his gaze is mostly for Yuki.

Yuki kept her bottom of her face carefully hidden behind her fan as she cautiously approached the raucous Moto. "Moto-san. I am Asako Yuki. I... ummm, do I have the pleasure of addressing Moto Butahj?" Agh! Stupid, of course this is Butaj, he just said he was Butaj.

"I mean, one of your clanmates mentioned you were a great historian."

[Yogo Mizuki]

He blinked at the explanation offered to him. Credit for being forward? Curse? Curses seem bad. But she is nice?

"This curse... is it strictly carried by those who carry the name? Do we know that if a Yogo were to marry out, the curse would not chase their descendants, who would then no longer be Yogo?" It seemed a reasonable workaround!

Mizuki considers for a second. "Yes and no. If someone joins the family, their line will eventually have the Curse. But it does follow the bloodline regardless of name. If it was that easy, then my family would have done so long ago." It is carried in the blood which is why the Yogo rarely marry out of the family."

Mizuki tries to make it sound not that bad. *Probably could have done better. "It is not the end of the world. Sure, some plays and stories try to make it epic, but often the results, while painful, are nothing that cannot be overcome."

*Real result should be 14 since I forgot to add the sickness penalty.