Beat the Heat (D2, EA)

[Usagi Tomoe]

"... Do you think they eat tortoises?" the Hare looked a little concerned.

[Yuzuki]

"Pretty sure he hadn't seen any kind of cat before. Definitely not as a pet."

She shrugged.

"I think he figured it didn't make any sense to keep a pet around if it isn't useful or to keep as emergency food."

[Matsu Kogo]

"The Matsu family are those who train the Beastmasters, as well as other schools, so yes, there are a good number of them. The Matsu clan is a large part of the Lion's ferocity on the battle field, particularly the cats. Some say that the Akodo are the brain, but the Matsu are the heart of the lion."

He smiled while crouching down not too distant from the big cat, eyes on it. "I have heard many tales of your family, yes. Your heart and passion is one thing that never fails to be mentioned." He extended his hand slowly towards the cat, but not too close. He thought that seemed appropriate.

"Our clan has a similar arrangement, as I guess most do. The Shinjo lead, the Moto and Otaku strike, the Iuchi support us, and the Ide speak for us." He paused for a moment to look up to her, smile still in place "I guess our families have a quite similar role."

She smiled at him and his slow progress with Noburu. "Yes it appears we do. Though some in the Matsu would probably also see themselves as strikers. I wonder what else we have in common. "

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki paused. "Hai, some of them." She finally admitted. "The Master of Water, for example, is capable of taking herself an others across nearly the entire empire in moments. Well, from what I hear anyway."

An eyebrow and an eyepatch raise up. "That....is certainly something. Horses must seem quaint, next to that kind of traveling if it is that reliable."

Yuki shook her head quickly. "I've never traveled like that. I couldn't say. I only just achieved my gempukku. I'm certainly no one important enough to be taken on such a journey." She paused. "Besides, horses are lovely creatures, I think. Do you... think that if I marry into the Unicorn I would be granted one?"

[Shinjo Taichi]

She smiled at him and his slow progress with Noburu. "Yes it appears we do. Though some in the Matsu would probably also see themselves as strikers. I wonder what else we have in common. "

A small, shuffling step forward, still in his kneeling position. "Ah yes, of course. I meant no slight to the ferocity of your family. I was referring to their heart. Both Lady Matsu and Shinjo-sama were known for their heart, although in different ways. Matsu was always there for Akodo, and Shinjo will always return to us."

His hand inched closer to the big cat's face, cautious but not timid. "Those born to such a name must always strive to be the best they can. A beacon for others to follow. Would you not agree, Matsu-san?"

[Ichiro Daisuke]

"Pretty sure he hadn't seen any kind of cat before. Definitely not as a pet."

She shrugged.

"I think he figured it didn't make any sense to keep a pet around if it isn't useful or to keep as emergency food."

:i suppose that makes sense in a desert..."

He looked around.

"But there is plenty of food around here.

I'd likely be able to feed all of us with little trouble, if it came to it. "

[Yuzuki]

"Speaking of, I'm holding a feast tomorrow evening. Kitsune Kumahime-san has already graciously offered to help me prepare the food I brought." She nodded toward the woman.

"You're of course all welcome."

[Moshi Asakiko]

The tiny Moshi tried her best to take a bite of the food. That was all she could take. "So you need decorations Mantis sama?"

[Yuzuki]

"Hmm, I hadn't considered it. Why, do you have ideas?"

[Moshi Asakiko]

"I could make you some flower arrangements and maybe someone can make some origami decorations as well."

[Yuzuki]

"Hmmm, that might work. If you'd be so inclined to do the work."

[Usagi Tomoe]

"Gomen, I'm not very artistic," the Hare admitted. "I can play the shamisen poorly... but I'd rather not scare away any of Yuzuki-san's guests with the sound of me killing the instrument."

[Moshi Asakiko]

"We can do a duet Usagi sama if you so wish. I play the shenobue. That is if Mantis sama needs music as well." She also offered.

[Usagi Tomoe]

"Uhm... maybe for another occassion, perhaps? I think I would need a bit more practice..."

Little did she know she would be having a sudden meeting with two Unicorn and a Fairuz all of a sudden during that dinner.

[Yuzuki]

"I enjoy playing the samisen myself, though I'll probably leave that for after the party. Depends on if the mood seems to need it though, I suppose."