[D5 EA] Ulterior Motives (Amaya's Yurt) [Closed]

[Seppun Hitako]

"That is it! Yes, he seemed... willing, but young. Obviously, a man already, but he must be a very good student, to be so soon an adult."

[Ide Amaya]

"Certainly better than I," she confesses, "after a full four years of schooling, I think my sensei despaired that I would ever be ready for my gempukku."

[Seppun Hitako]

"I can understand your feelings. My first sensei sent me to a second one; fortunately, his style fit me much better, and I have succeeded much better there."

[Ide Amaya]

"Having a good teacher can make all the difference. For that reason, though I was frequently permitted to shadow him, my father would not undertake my education himself."

The tea has brewed, and she pours, first for her guest and then for herself. "This," she indicates to the small platter, "is boortsog, it does have a little butter - that is churned fat from milk - on top. It shouldn't upset the stomach too greatly."

[Seppun Hitako]

Hitako blinks at this. "May I bless it?" Perhaps that would work.

[Ide Amaya]

Bless it? For a moment, Amaya does not understand, perhaps this an Imperial custom? "Certainly, you are my guest."

[Seppun Hitako]

Recalling a blessing she felt appropriate, Hitako performed the quick little ceremony. After she had finished, she took up the cup, and addressed the other. "Some among those that remained - most in fact, have difficulty with milk products after the age of walking. Hopefully, that blessing will keep me from any ill-feeling that might have resulted otherwise." She tactfully didn't mention the part about animal products in general.

[Ide Amaya]

"I understand that an equal number amongst the Unicorn have struggled with the ill-effects of the delightful foods of the sea that are common here. I have been fortunate, for which I am glad as I quite enjoy the new foods I have sampled." She sips her tea, "have the accommodations been adequate? I regret that we were unable to provide more suitable fixtures."

[Seppun Hitako]

"I am not sure it would be my choice for long-term accommodations, but for a short period of time, it is interesting and fun. That the weather hasn't been cold has also helped. I'm not too sure how well it would be in the cold; have you experienced the winters in these? Also, I find these, ah, 'yurts' to be very suitable. They show off some of what your clan brings back to Rokugan from outside. It wouldn't make sense to not have had anything brought back; that would have been ignoring the clan's duty, and initial reason for leaving!"

[Ide Amaya]

"The weather we faced beyond the Empire was rather different. Much drier," she thinks about the previous night's storm. "I've never stayed in the same place for this long before, so the experience has been curious to me as well." She picks up a piece of the boortsog with her chopsticks and breaks off a corner, offering it to the weasel on her shoulder.

[Seppun Hitako]

Hitako watches this, the answers the statement. "My own training mentioned that - it is called the Burning Sands, is it not? How will you deal with the winters here? I'm not sure they are as bad as Phoenix or Dragon lands, but they will get cold with snow on the ground."

[Ide Amaya]

"We shall adapt," she offers without bravado. "In the depths of winter, the heat of the day gives way to nights so cold that Lord Moon seems frozen in the sky. Breath smokes and streams from a speaker's mouth like dragon breath, and a skin of kumis left outside will be ruined and full of flecks of ice."

Finishing the treat, the weasel moves forward slightly, hoping for more. "We have traditionally donned furs to repel such cold, but without each day to thaw us, I don't know how well we will suffer the cold."

[Seppun Hitako]

"Well, if you are looking for what the Phoenix and Dragon do, I believe they build large castles, out of stone, with many fireplaces. I'm sure there are tricks they have learned over the years that I do not know, to make it more efficient. They may be the ones to make contact with about that. hmmm, similarly, you might make contact with some of the minor clans, to see how they also get through the winters."

[Ide Amaya]

She takes a long sip of tea, sets the cup down again, and folds her hands before her. "Seppun-Sama, I must confess that I have asked you here for a reason that is not simply to serve you tea and demonstrate my learning of Rokugani manners."

[Seppun Hitako]

Hitako takes her own sip of the tea. "Hmm, that's not bad. The butter does add something." She set it down.

"I had assumed so. Please, speak freely."