[D4 EA] Serving Tea [Expecting]

[Ide Amaya]

"Not at all, Matsu-San," and her eyes sparkle. "Do you ride? Truly there's nothing like it." His sigh, however, causes her to restrain herself. Gently, "does your duty weigh heavily upon you, brave Lion?" Her on forgotten, she looks deeply concerned.

[Matsu Nintoku]

"I do but nowhere as well as the Unicorn." he admitted "I wanted my wife to feel good. A samurai does his role but at least I could make an effort for the relationship to be amicable."

[Ide Amaya]

"Matsu-Sama, if you will forgive me for being so bold, but I do believe you will make a happy woman of your wife. I suspect that something troubles you, and that it is not your impending marriage. But, if being married to one one of these strange creatures like the one who sits before you worries you..." She changes tack, "do you know why I asked you here?"

[Matsu Nintoku]

His eyes widened when she mentioned themselves as strange creatures "At all Ide-san! Marrying a Unicorn is not something that troubles me or burdens me." he lowered his eyes again to his tea "My burdens are something else Ide-san. You need not to worry about them."

He raised his eyes back to her "To share a good tea?"

[Ide Amaya]

She smiles kindly, she cannot deny she is growing fond of this Lion and his bashful ways. "I asked you here because you are strong, intelligent, noble, and handsome. I suspect that you are kind, and that you can be gentle when the moment requires. These are qualities I value more than what a man does in his service to his Lord, lands, or Emperor."

"And your burdens do worry me. You have broad shoulders and I should be greatly saddened to see them bowed." Before she can go on a servant interrupts, presenting a selection of savoury foods, both Rokugani and Unicorn.

[Matsu Nintoku]

He had never received so much praise, at least not directly and from a woman. His cheeks flared red as his eyes locked on his tea "Thank you." he said in an almost sheepish tone

He was about to answer regarding his burdens but the food arrived before he could speak. He waited for her to choose a food and then begun to eat the same she'd pick.

[Ide Amaya]

Charmed by his blush, "I apologise if I am bold, Matsu-Sama. Sometimes careful words are required, but why walk around the field when you can walk through it? I realise you are no Courtier to be pandered and flattered, so I hope I might speak plain." And so saying she reached for a fried scallop and popped it into her mouth.

[Matsu Nintoku]

"I don't mind and I am thankful." he replied, following the Ide and taking one of the fried scallops "To tell you honestly while I am trained in etiquette as any good and proper samurai I am not the best at courtly arts. In fact I don't think I know any of my cousins that is skilled beyond the barest minimum."

[Ide Amaya]

"Even the Ide see no shame in this. What use are courtly ways to the horse? Spring is for flowers and Courts are for flowery words." She indicates to the bare, unremarkable room, "and I hardly think we have found ourselves at Court."

[Matsu Nintoku]

"I guess you are right Ide-san." his tone was grateful "I think I'd have thought twice before coming to this event if it had been a court."

[Ide Amaya]

She smiled and shook her head. "Can you picture Butaj-San at court? No, it is much better this way. Even if there is no where to go to escape the rain I believe will visit us tonight." She helped herself to a piece of crab.

[Matsu Nintoku]

"I am pretty certain the 'yorutu' will provide enough protection." he took the piece of the crab "They are at least bigger and more comfy than a campaign tent."

[Ide Amaya]

"Then you are finding the accomodations suitable? I know that some of the ladies were lamenting the lack of, well, anything."

[Matsu Nintoku]

"Then I am fortunate not to be a lady." he joked although his serious face made jokes hard to convey "I am used to such spartan commodities. It is one of the many perks of being a Matsu."

[Ide Amaya]

"Do you travel a lot?" She knew little of tactics and troop movements, and she tried not to let it be too obvious. "From one posting to another?"