Dark Edge Village

Feeling much better this morning than he did yesterday, Akil seated himself in the public area around the yurts, flute in hand. He had considered the item for a while, smiling broadly before he lifted it to his lips and started to play a lovely morning wake up tune. He didn't really think about the idea that others might still be asleep. After all, an early morning was the only way to awaken!

Liu Yue was excited to start her new day. For her riding lessons, she left her arm bare. She came across the man playing his flute and smiled. He was quite talented. She stayed and listened to him, opting to not interrupt his song.

Akil removed the flute from his lips once the song was done, looking to the woman that stood near. "Ah, Shinjo-san, I hope I didn't interrupt your sleep?"

The woman shook her head. "Iie. I was already awake when you began playing." She gave him a deep bow. "Watakushi wa Shinjo Liu Yue desu." She peered at him and then smiled. "Are you Shinjo Akil-dono?!" she exclaimed like an adoring fan. Perhaps, for once, her usage of -dono was fitting.

He blinked at the sudden excitement coming from Liu Yue. "Ah, Hai, I am indeed Shinjo Akil. It is pleasant to meet you, Liu Yue-san."

"It is an honor to meet you, Akil-dono!" She gave him another deep bow. Her excitement made her Rokugani faster than usual and therefore more sloppy in pronunciation. "You play the flute well!"

"Liu Yue-san is kind to say," his shocked looked settled into a smile. "I would like to think that my skills are enough not to embarrass the unicorn, though it sounds as if they pale in comparison to a Crane artisan's."

Yue cupped her chin and then her smile became even greater. "I had heard that Akil-dono was a humble man! It appears that the rumors are true." She looked around passively. "I do not see anyone complaining about your talents, Akil-dono! You did well."

"Certainly there are not any," he smirked, "I just hope that such remains the same when I end up playing for one of the Samurai that I am courting."

"Who has the honor of being courted by you, Akil-dono?" She continued to smile until her mind found an answer. Mizuki-dono. Well, if anyone is worthy of courting her it is Akil-dono. Yeah...

"There are three who have caught my interest," he admitted, his hand going behind his head somewhat nervously. "Yogo Mizuki-sama, Doji Fukawa-sama, and Matsu Kogo-sama."

"Which woman do you favor most?" She lowered her eyes, embarrassed by her forthright question.

He smirked, "If I was certain of that, I would not be courting three." Then a shrug, "they all have qualities about them that I enjoy. Yogo-san has been very forthright, and Doji-san has been an exemplar of politeness and helpfulness. And I think Matsu-san understand the Unicorn the best." He considered, "I am also considering their Clans, admittedly. Yogo-san told me that the Scorpion would sacrifice everything for the Empire's good. Which is interesting, I think? The Crane are apparently amazing artists, so I think I could learn a lot from them. And of course, the Lion appreciate their heroes, but I don't know what they would do with a hero who cannot fight."

"Akil-dono is wise to court all three then," she affirmed. She listened intently to each of his explanations. "I have not met and Crane nor Lion yet. However, I have met many Scorpion. They wear their masks but I have enjoyed the people behind them."

She perked her brow. "What do you mean by, 'a hero who cannot fight?'"

"My injury was such that the Iuchi have advised me away from active duty," he explained, frowning, "the cincern, is that I may be a liability."