[Day 10 Late Morning] Bunnies need fresh air

[Matsu Nintoku]

"Well I started well but most of the contests seemed ill suited for bushi," he admitted. "Still I am proud of you Usagi-san. I knew you'd manage."

"I hope so," he smiled shyly. "We've even traded fans, That has to count for something no?"

[Usagi Tomoe]

"Custom made fans too, from what I saw yesterday," Tomoe grinned. "Khulun showed us the one you gifted to her... she seemed very happy with it."

[Matsu Nintoku]

He blushed at her words, "I hope so. I really liked her fan as well. Its better than anything any artisan could make," he smiled. "At least to me."

[Usagi Tomoe]

While she had found the quality to be rather child-like, she couldn't deny that they were both pleased with it. "Not many Matsu have put such devotion into gifting a fan to their intended, I imagine. You really are full of surprised, Nintoku-sama."

[Matsu Nintoku]

"We wouldn't," he admitted as his cheeks flared. "But I knew it would make her happy."

"I know I might not be very versed in most courtly arts but I'm trying," he sighed. "The Crane often caw that court is their battlefield, so what Lion would I be if I ever let the Crane have any semblance of advantage."

[Usagi Tomoe]

"Very good, you've grown since we first met," she chuckled, but gave an approving nod. "Just don't try to apply tactics directly to courtly situations... I've heard of some warriors who have tried that, with some rather mixed results. But certainly draw your inspiration from such texts. I know I do."

[Matsu Nintoku]

"I might be a Matsu but I'm not about to charge into a court ready for some blood," he laughed. "I believe I am smarter than that, Usagi-san."

[Usagi Tomoe]

She'd have to share stories on that particular tidbit some other time. "Aha, are you now?" Tomoe opted with a tease instead of elaborating on the subject of warriors being way too literal with the application of Leadership to court-settings.

"You and Kogo-sama have really surprised me though... I heard all sorts of stories about the Matsu from my kin who married Shikyo-dono's daughter, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. But you've both been great friends and a lot of fun in my time here... I think I'll miss having both of you around."

[Matsu Nintoku]

His smile widened. "I also consider you as a friend Usagi-san," his cheeks flared as he dropped his eyes to the ground. "I was worried when I saw you fall yesterday. I wanted to see if you were okay."

"Also we will be keeping in touch, won't we? We are to investigate on this affair together."

[Usagi Tomoe]

"Please call me by my chosen name. It is only right if we are friends, and soon allies in this affair," she said with a friendly nod, though her smile faded a little. "Oh... you saw? I'm fine, really... I didn't mean to cause you any worry."

[Matsu Nintoku]

"I will... Tomoe-chan," he blushed as he said that, he clearly wasn't a person that had many female friends or any friends for that matter. "You can call me by my chosen name as well, it is only fair."

"I knew about your condition but for the vision to be so dire to trigger it," he frowned and shook his head. "I'm just glad you are fine."

[Usagi Tomoe]

Even she blushed at the leap from Usagi-san to Tomoe-chan, as she hadn't really expected the familiar suffix to be used. She assumed it meant she had probably moved squarely into a little sister-zone with Nintoku, so she quickly smiled through it.

"Ah well... I'm not sure if it was a combination of the potion and the vision, or me just being unused to such ordeals. I'm not exactly someone who's used to that sort of thing... you know, feeling like your soul is leaving your body as you reach out into the realms beyond."

[Matsu Nintoku]

"Can't say I know how that feels," he laughed and then pushed the seemingly forgotten box of sweets in front of the Usagi. "You haven't even touched one. I don't know what it might have been but I'm certain having an empty stomach does not help."

[Usagi Tomoe]

"Ah..." she chuckled, having completely forgotten about the sweets, considering the gravity of the previous topic. "... I admit, it escaped my mind. Thinking about other things."

Seeing as she was reminded of it now, Tomoe helped herself to one of them. "I don't remember much about how I got back to my tent after collapsing, but I had some rice when I woke up."

[Matsu Nintoku]

"You were carried there though I do not recall by whom," he admitted as he nibbled on one of the sweets. "I've heard this ailment is very common among the Crane though I do not know if it is a curable ailment."