Scary Stories to Tell In the Dark (D2, LE, Closed)

[Moto Khulun]

She nods and lays her head down, she was still recovering even if she would not admit it to herself. She says, “Good clothes, Phoenix, sturdy and strong. You like?”

[Asako Hirase]

"I admit to a certain curiosity." The Phoenix's smile turned a bit crooked. "Where I've lived the last four years, winters are punishing. Layering silk goes only so far. Here, being lowlands, it might not be so bad, but still...you may be glad in a few months to be so adventurous with your clothing."

He indicated his own kimono, which, upon close inspection, was rather thicker than that worn by most samurai.

"I do not know what I could wear that particular outfit well, however." A soft huff of laughter left the man's lips. "I run to tall and wiry...well. Tall for a man of Rokugan, at least."

Then he thought of something his Cousin had wondered and asked it. "Do the Iuchi have a particular blessing they use to purify a new garment before it is worn?"

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

"Leather also makes riding easier. It feels much better on the skin, as horse hair is coarse and rough and gets everywhere."

Chi-Pu pats her own leather pants.

"Properly taken care of, it feels quite nice."

She thinks on the question asked.

"The Iuchi have many rituals. I honestly cannot recal of there is one for our clothes"

[Moto Khulun]

"Sayyed Butaj is handsome bastard, be good for Phoenix. Teach them much about Moto and Unicorn, then we be great friends to crush our enemies," she says.

"Unless no-name Mantis impress?"

[Moto Butaj]

"Not yet. Besides, Butaj has not demonstrated a full scope of Butaj during this miai yet. Butaj hopes that by the end Sayyeda Khulun will not even have to say a word of Butaj's qualities because they will be obvious for all to see." The Moto chuckles, taking another swig of kumis from the skin. "Butaj wants the best for the Unicorn out of Butaj. Asako Yuki is on Butaj's mind in this though."

[Asako Hirase]

"Do you wish to stay or to change Clans, then?" Hirase was, understandably, curious about this, and directed his question to both Moto. "Otaku-sama will of course stay, she has rank to uphold, but you two...depending on how Benten wills you, it may be that you venture out."

[Moto Butaj]

"Butaj would be fine to start a tradition of Phoenix steppe riders, ha!" The man laughs jovially.

[Moto Khulun]

"Whatever the future brings, it brings," she says with a shrug.

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

"I believe there are a few who might be able to force me to leave the Otaku, Asako-san. Though I have not met them yet, and as you say, it is not my preference."

[Asako Hirase]

"I think you are likely to have your choice, Otaku-sama. I trust in your excellence." He lifted the skin and toasted his own words, a crooked smile appearing after the bottle dropped. "This is going to be like Shouchu. Once it stops hurting, there's no hope left. Ah, well."

Turning to Butaj, he said, "We don't have steppes, really. Some fields, a lot of mountains, and the second most famous woods in the Empire."

[Moto Butaj]

"Butaj is not worried. The Moto can ride through everything!" Laughing, Butaj pats his thigh, then simulates horse-riding in his seat. Bur before he overdoes it, he passes the skin to Chi-pu and rises to get his morin khur. "High time Butaj has played something!"

[Moto Khulun]

Khulun nods and says, "Music is much needed, yes!"

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

Chi-Pu takes the pouch and takes a long drink before setting it down.

"Butaj is an excellent musician, you are in for a treat, Asako-san"

[Moto Butaj]

Butaj sits with his horsehead fiddle on his knees and smiles at Hirase. "Butaj will tell you of the beauty of the lands the Unicorn have seen through music. Maybe Asako Hirase will understand more about the soul of our Clan this way." Butaj closed his eyes and started moving his bow across just two strings...

(Instrumental composition!)

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

Chi-Pu closes her eyes and a smile slowly grows along her face. As the music continues, the woman lightly moves her head and taps a finger to the rhythm, lost in the moment.