Day 3 [LM] Taking The Field (Expecting)

[Doji Fukawa]

"Butaj will trust Doji Fukawa then." Butaj nods. "So Butaj will understand why things are the way they are later, or never?" He pauses. "Will Butaj have a say on what he will be taught? There are some things Butaj needs to know sooner rather than later."

Fukawa nods.

"I will attempt to explain why they are, but sometimes the answer will be, 'Because that is the way it is done'" she offers. "But please, what do you think you need to know sooner, Moto-san? I will be happy to explain, in as plain rokugani as I can manage."

[Moto Butaj]

"How to give a gift. Butaj knows that back in Medinaat as-Salaam there were rules for it, so Butaj assumes there are rules for it too here."

[Doji Fukawa]

Fukawa nods.

"There are quite a few, but fortunately for Moto-san, the Crane are well known for being able to give the perfect gift." she says.

"The first thing to consider is what to give. A gift must never be a practical item, such as a weapon. Practical items imply that you think their lord cannot provide for them properly. If you have any skill in the arts, making the gift yourself is better respected than buying the gift. The gift should always have some sort of personal meaning between the giver and the receiver. A pebble from the beach where you both trained would be a gift of much higher regard than a random golden necklace."


"Then comes the tricky part: the game of refusals. Gifts are always meant to be offered three times before they are finally accepted. This is meant to represent that the receiver genuinely believes in the sincerity of the gift-giver. If you accept before they offer three times, you are essentially saying you don't think they really wanted you to have it, and are grabbing it before they can change their mind. Conversely, refusing a third time is a very grave insult indeed, because that is the final offer.

The tricky part of the offerings and refusals, is that one must remember they are not trying to 'win' the exchange. It is a game to show how clever the gifter is in having many reasons to offer the gift, and that the receiver is clever enough to put it off until the third offer. You never want a refusal to be final, or leave the giver without a recourse to offer it again. Just like the giver should not use something irrefutable as their first or second offer. If, for example, your first offer was, 'The Emperor said to give this to you,' this leaves the receipient no-where to go, because it's the Will of the Emperor and is irrefutable."


Fukawa pauses a moment.

"It's a lot to take in, in one go. Do you have any questions, or do you think you could recite it back to me?" she offers.

[Moto Butaj]

Butaj listens intently, then nods, then stretches out his hand and uncurls fingers when counting. "Something sentimental, something the other lord wouldn't give. Offer three times, refuse two times. Offer and refuse differently each time. Leave space for refusing until third time. Don't mess up or someone will be offended." He looks at Fukawa questioningly if he got it right. It may or may not occur to her that Butaj is not inherently socially clumsy, just following a pattern unfamiliar to her, but once his mind is set on new things, he's not a slow learner.

[Doji Fukawa]

Actually, it was deepening her suspicion that the whole barbarian thing was just an act, but she let it lie...for now.

Fukawak nods.

"You have the basics down, Moto-san. If you can keep those, you will at least not offer insult in gift giving, when you mean the exact opposite." she offers as a sincere compliment.

[Moto Butaj]

"Butaj will try it and tell Doji Fukawa how it will have gone." Butaj smiles wide.

[Doji Fukawa]

Fukawa nods.

"I will look forward to hearing about it then, Moto-san." she replied. "Was there anything else you wished to discuss this morning?"

[Moto Butaj]

Butaj finds it odd for someone who have come over to ask this question but maybe it's another cultural thing, so he just shakes his head and smiles. "Butaj guesses Doji Fukawa has important matters to do this morning still. Butaj won't be holding her back. It's enough lessons to consider for one day. Butaj is grateful for this talk."

[Doji Fukawa]

Fukawa bows to the Moto.

"Carry the Fortunes then, Moto-san." she offers politely.


/exit unless stopped.

[Moto Butaj]

"Winds favour Doji Fukawa." The Moto replies as he watches her go, then rises, collects his things and goes to hop on Huludai. This requires riding some thoughts out.

/exit

[Otaku Imane]

"Of course Lady Otaku-sama. I am expecting a wonderful turn out. Well, I would hate for this day to get away from us. Was there anything you wish to know more about me Lady Otaku-sama?"

His focus was solely on her. He completely ignored Khulun.

Imane took a moment before pressing on with a few questions. She really knew little of the Scorpion that had not come from Suteichi and Yuuru.

"Yes, if you don't mind my asking, would you tell me about your family and the place you call home? Do you have many siblings? Have you always lived in the same area or do you travel?"

The Shiotome paused and smiled encouragingly. "It interests me to know more about how your background compares to my own."