Birds, Bees, and Phoenixes (Day 5, LM, Yuki's Yurt)

[Asako Yuki]

"Mmm? Hai." Yuki handed the box over without much thought. The wooden box had been expertly made, but didn't feel like something that was of Rokugani make. The scrawling symbols in Mekhem surrounding the outer walls aided in that thought.

"So one could, relieve this pressure while in the presence of others without concern? Like, if I started to feel that while with someone I could self-satisfy and relieve the tension?" She paused.

[Asako Hirase]

"Lovely...." Hirase examined the box with appreciation, a smile on his face as he gently traced the carvings.

Her question brought his head up quickly though. That line of thought needed to be put down swiftly.

"Ah. No. It can't be done in public. It doesn't make sound, but it does affect ones expression and presentation. Plus, the touching is intimate and would be easily seen. If you are with someone and become roused, you must simply either use willpower or distance yourself. Swiftly, if need be." He chuckled, quietly. "Sudden cold can be useful, too, but we don't have any snow here just now to use."

[Asako Yuki]

"Hai, proof that, despite what some say, there is culture outside of Rokugan." She said with a small smile.

Yuki was suddenly very glad that she'd asked the question. "Oh... ummm... hai." Her blush managed to deepen again. "I... will keep that in mind. Shame about lack of snow though." She said, thinking of Butaj, and his charms.

[Asako Hirase]

Putting the box aside, Hirase took up his charcoal again and started more sketching. It had a female figure this time, then circles pointing to particular places with more detailed close-ups of said areas, accompanied by little numbers. Little x's were put over key areas.

"This is what I recommend for you to try, in the order indicated. Start with the first, then move on to the next when you feel the sense of increased frustration. "

Simple instructions were then filled in at the bottom of the page.

1. Light pressure with fingers. Warning: Do not try with cold hands!
2. Draw circles. Use slow tempos to start.
3. Follow internal indicators for speed and pressure; it should be self-evident when to change.
4. Clear discharge is expected; utilize to avoid friction burns as applicable.

"You'll definitely know if it works. The sensation is difficult to describe, but it's quite noticeable."

[Asako Yuki]

"Ummm... Hirase-san." She looked down from her pipe after taking another deep inhalation. "I... how... How do you know all this about me?" She asked as she read the instructions.

[Asako Hirase]

"I know it about women." He smiled a bit sadly "My wife taught me these things. She assured me that it was much the same with all women as it was with her. When we were new to our marriage, we learned from each other by means first of demonstration and then discussion. As I said before, there are things that you will learn with a partner that makes the experience more pleasant; with her, she was the more experienced and so I had the most to learn."

[Asako Yuki]

"Oh!" Yuki exclaimed. "That... makes more sense." She paused. "I've... never really asked about your wife before. Is, is it ok if I do?"

[Asako Hirase]

"Of course." Hirase's brows rose. "You are welcome to ask me anything you like. I feel..." The hand holding the charcoal moved in a circle, as if he could stir the elements until the word he wanted fell out. "I suppose it might be fraternal. I have no siblings so I'm not certain, but regardless, I feel a liking for you that is more than simple friendship but not romantic. That gives you the right to any questions you feel the need to ask and privy to my secrets, not that I have many."

[Asako Yuki]

"I... well. What was it like, being married. Did you two have... err, relationships besides each other?" Yuki frowned a little bit

[Asako Hirase]

"I didn't." Hirase smiled. "I believe she might have, with one of her fellow soldiers. She was away as often as she was home after our first few months together. I never asked because it didn't trouble me. She was her own woman, after all, and I knew I could trust her to take care. Once our son was conceived, it was safer still." Hirase chuckled. "I was happy when she was happy. She was my best friend, after all. "

[Asako Yuki]

She smiled slightly, her blush now merely a pleasant pink. She didn't think to ask more about the issue of multiple lovers, not thinking it would be relevant. "Ano... how long did it take you to become friends?"

[Asako Hirase]

"Well, we had the highly traditional union, with the month of meditation apart before we were together after the wedding. After that?" Hirase thought about that, frowning a bit. "I liked several things about her within the first week. Her humor, her optimism, her zest for life. The deeper trust of true friendship took a few weeks longer to solidify. But I knew we were well matched and I was going to be happy with the union before the first month of our co-habitation was over."

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki nodded, "I'm not sure I will have the luxury of a traditional marriage, what with all the talk of taking off with betrothed on horseback." She smiled a bit at that, then nodded. "Hai, a month, then."

[Asako Hirase]

"You might find yourself feeling things faster." Hirase was a man who knew and accepted himself, flaws and all, and so he admitted easily, "I am something of what some might call a 'cold fish'. I have feelings, emotional and physical, but I do not seem to have them as strongly as most. Even as a young man fresh out of gempukku, when passions are said to be strongest, I was always rather subdue compared to my peers. "

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki played with her pipe a bit, frowning slightly. "Hai, but... I think I'll be cautious. I don't... want to rush into things."