Dark Edge Village

Everything was ready for the occasion. Dong-Ha had made space in his yurt by unceremoniously stuffing all his belongings on and around his sleeping mattress to allow more space for the guests. A tarnished pot simmered on the small hearth, filling the air with a scent of boiled milk. Rice balls, bowl of pickled vegetables and several honeyed barley cakes sat on large leaves by the hearth, freshly brought in by a flustering heimin girl. Four cups and several skins of kumis and water laid from a safe distance of the fire.

Amidst all this food sat Dong-Ha, slowly mixing the boiling broth.

Outside, someone scratches on the felt by the yurt door. "Dong-Ha-san? It's me, Saksaha."

If invited, she shoulders her way in holding a dish covered with an embroidered cloth. "I know you do not need more, but I brought fried dumplings. A lamb was killed this afternoon and the herdsman gave me some--for letting him borrow Fiyanggu for her milk before."

"Come in." Dong-Ha quipped, his tone surprisingly morose for the occasion. He watch her enter, and seeing the tray, smiled. "A lamb? Well, I guess 'tis an auspicious occasion. We are soon done with this Crane nonsense." the young man frowned. "Take a seat." He reached for her dish, placing it among the other items were she willing to let it go.

Asakiko was behind the female Iuchi but she is small and could be barely seen. "Konbanwa Iuchi mina sama. I hope lady Amaterasu had blessed your day."

"Oh hello Moshi-san, please sit down." he waved his hand at the pillows scattered around the hearth. At least the Moshi didn't take much space, Dong-Ha mused to himself. "And welcome." the young Iuchi offered the newcomer a friendly smile, his eyes bright. "I could have done better myself, but others did well and that too, is something to celebrate." Tomoe had done well, and while his own failure was still fresh in his mind, he took solace from her success.

"I hope the day as treated Moshi-san well?"

The Moshi took a seat with a puzzle look on her face. "I kind of don't remember most of my day." As she thought about it. "I think I was looking for a bean... or something..."

"Good evening all," said Nonin with a bow. "It looks like I am the last to arrive."

"Last, but not least." Dong-Ha nodded to the Isawa. "Welcome, Isawa-san. Grab a pillow and make yourself comfortable." Waiting that everyone managed to seat themselves, the young Iuchi simply asked. "What do you want to drink? Water or kumis?"

"Don't you have tea, Iuchi sama?" She nodded. "I don't think I would be able to manage kumis specially after a day like today..." She nodded. "If not I'll just have the water."

"Water will be fine, I wish to keep my mind clear, Iuchi Dong-ha-san," says Nonin.

Moshi Asakiko wrote:"Don't you have tea, Iuchi sama?" She nodded. "I don't think I would be able to manage kumis specially after a day like today..." She nodded. "If not I'll just have the water."

"Sorry, no tea." Dong-Ha frowned, cursing himself for forgetting how important the locals considered the watery weed drink. He moved to grab one of the water skins, filling a cup before handing it to Asakiko. "There you go."

Isawa Nonin wrote:"Water will be fine, I wish to keep my mind clear, Iuchi Dong-ha-san," says Nonin.

"Very well, Isawa-san." he repeated the process, offering a cup to the Phoenix.

"Domo," nods the Phoenix.

"Arigatou Iuchi sama." Asakiko gave a seated bow. "How have you been Isawa sama?"

Saksaha greets the two Rokugani shugenja and finds a cushion for herself. "I will take kumis if you will, and water if you will not, Dong-Ha-san," she says, arranging her embroidered skirts over her folded legs. "And there is part of a brick of tea in my tent if you want to have some after dinner."

She tilts her head and waits to hear how the others have been lately, since Asakiko asked.

"Aye." Dong-Ha grabbed the other skin, pouring the lightly fermented milk into two of the remaining cups before offering one to Saksaha. "Can't think why not have kumis. It's a celebration of sorts, anyway." he stammered. "Uh.. or I think it is, at least."