Opening Ceremony (Day 1, Early Afternoon)

[Bayushi Hotaru]

At the edge of the crowd, large eyes barely peeping over the edge of her fan, a diminutive girl in Unicorn colours watched the crowd. The bodies of samurai were like a forest, tall and burly trees trunks mingled with willowy bamboo and, here and there, were the saplings of others small as herself.

Jealously she watched the cats, monkeys, even a lemur, that accompanied a number of samurai. You are a woman now, she chided herself, and too old for such childish fancies; but she couldn't help but feel envious.

Once the announcements were done, she shrank back a little, people watching. Amaya fluttered her fan slightly and quickly averted her eyes when anyone came too close.

((Due to time zone differences, please PM if you speak to Amaya, I will endeavour to respond promptly))

As Amaya was avoiding eye contact with a samurai around her, Hotaru was taking the opportunity to eye the other woman in return at a distance. She was focused on her Clan mon in particular, trying to decipher that it meant and which family it belonged to. It was like school all over again, and Unicorn mons weren't exactly covered in the lessons. Nevertheless, sometimes it was just best to ask and find out later.

Hotaru took a few steps forward to the Unicorn maiden and bowed politely to greet her with a welcoming smile on her lips. "Good afternoon and it's a lovely afternoon at that." She said with a quick gesture to the sun with one hand before placing it on her heart. "This one is Bayushi Hotaru, honoured shrine maiden from Tengoku's Path. May I be honoured to make your acquaintance, Unicorn-san?"

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

The new arrival was bowed to as flawlessly as if she had spoken with a Crane's own grace, with perhaps a hint of apology at the disruption to Chi-Pu as he moved.

"I am Asako Hirase. I had only asked Utaku-san of how your people came to join the Ki-Rin. While I am assured her knowledge would have been sufficient in this regard, by all mean, please, let us hear it from one of the descendants of those that were there."

“There’s the clean version and the Moto version, which you want?” she says sternly.

Chi-Pu looks to Khulun but does not say anything. In fact, Chi-Pu continues to smile from atop her steed.

Tianma paws a little at the ground with a hoof.

[Bayushi Suteichi]

Suteichi maintained a stoic look as she spoke. He took his time before replying.

"You do a fine work Usagi-san. Compiling history. Truly a noble work."

Don't make me faint from such swoon-worthy praise, Scorpion.

"Thank you... probably boring work to most, I'm sure. But someone's gotta do it when all the other Hares are fighting and stuff," she chuckled.

"So Bayushi-sama and Matsu-sama were already acquainted before coming here?"

Oh yes..fighting bunnies. I can see your enemies fleeing in terror. "Sound the retreat! Those damn bunnies have us out numbered! They'll beat us with their carrots and their books!"

Even his amused thought did not break his stoic nature. He then returned to the question.

"Matsu Kogo-san and I met a court."

[Asako Hirase]

“There’s the clean version and the Moto version, which you want?” she says sternly.

"I want your version." He gazed at her calmly. "The first lesson is the one most often retained. Yours will be the first words I have on this subject. It is only fit that you choose for yourself how it, and you, will be judged."

A slight tip of the chin indicated those around them.

"By more than ourselves."

[Usagi Tomoe]

"I am certain Matsu-sama will have the chance to learn much more while here. Not only about the Unicorn, but of the other clans as well. I will be holding lessons in history every day while I'm here, as long as the hosts allow me to do so... I spoke earlier about the Battle of Stolen Graves, the Battle of Bloody Retreat and the Battle of Sleeping River." She replied politely to Kogo.

"Though I'm certain you both are familiar with those tales, as the Scorpion and the Lion were instrumental heroes in those battles," a small nod of respect. "But you say you met at court, Bayushi-sama? At Shiro Matsu then?"

Kogo didn't seem the courtly type to her, so she was naturally curious.

[Ide Amaya]

"Good afternoon and it's a lovely afternoon at that." She said with a quick gesture to the sun with one hand before placing it on her heart. "This one is Bayushi Hotaru, honoured shrine maiden from Tengoku's Path. May I be honoured to make your acquaintance, Unicorn-san?"

Bowing neatly, if not entirely gracefully, from the waist, she lowered her fan to reveal a polite, shy smile. "The honour would be mine, Bayushi Hotaru-Sama," she replied carefully, a little uncertain. "I am called Ide Amaya. On behalf of the Unicorn Clan and Ide family, I welcome you."

[Matsu Kogo]

Suteichi maintained a stoic look as she spoke. He took his time before replying.

"You do a fine work Usagi-san. Compiling history. Truly a noble work."

Don't make me faint from such swoon-worthy praise, Scorpion.

"Thank you... probably boring work to most, I'm sure. But someone's gotta do it when all the other Hares are fighting and stuff," she chuckled.

"So Bayushi-sama and Matsu-sama were already acquainted before coming here?"

Oh yes..fighting bunnies. I can see your enemies fleeing in terror. "Sound the retreat! Those damn bunnies have us out numbered! They'll beat us with their carrots and their books!"

Even his amused thought did not break his stoic nature. He then returned to the question.

"Matsu Kogo-san and I met a court."

"I will be glad to learn more. My curiosity of the ways of other clan's is part of what brought me here." Kogo brightens again at the idea of lessons. "I am sorry to have missed your lesson! I will most assuredly attend tomorrow."

Kogo noticed her confusion and laughed a little inside. *Even now, mother would probably be a little embarrassed of me.*

"We met at the Akodo court recently. I had gone to learn more of my noble cousin's ways and broaden my education. Bayushi-san was kind enough to provide some assistance as I learned my way around court." Kogo looks at Bayushi-san. "Even though I suspect this humble one's fumblings occasionally caused him grief."

[Bayushi Suteichi]

"I am certain Matsu-sama will have the chance to learn much more while here. Not only about the Unicorn, but of the other clans as well. I will be holding lessons in history every day while I'm here, as long as the hosts allow me to do so... I spoke earlier about the Battle of Stolen Graves, the Battle of Bloody Retreat and the Battle of Sleeping River." She replied politely to Kogo.

"Though I'm certain you both are familiar with those tales, as the Scorpion and the Lion were instrumental heroes in those battles," a small nod of respect. "But you say you met at court, Bayushi-sama? At Shiro Matsu then?"

Kogo didn't seem the courtly type to her, so she was naturally curious.

"A simple matter involving minor lawlessness being chased into our border. Nothing really major Usagi-san."

[Moto Khulun]

"I want your version." He gazed at her calmly. "The first lesson is the one most often retained. Yours will be the first words I have on this subject. It is only fit that you choose for yourself how it, and you, will be judged."

A slight tip of the chin indicated those around them.

"By more than ourselves."

“Shinjo-dono… well we tried to kill her. My people are warriors and we saw an opportunity, but then we learned she ain’t easy to kill and more so she was more god than the gods we had, way it goes. We follow the strong and the first of my family gave his loyalty and life for Shinjo-no-kami,” she spits on the ground and then gazes back at the Phoenix.

“We been her right hand ever since, I can trace my line back to those that rode at her side, that killed her enemies, that brought glory to the Unicorn. Check your fucking rolls again, Bird-san we are the Unicorn and your written words ain’t changing that.”

She puts a hand on his shoulder, “But no harm done, the wind is still good to ride.”

She then removes her hand and offers it the Phoenix.

[Asako Hirase]

Yobanjin had, once, been of the same fabric as Rokugani, but so long ago that it was a thin tie indeed. The Unicorn, and this woman in particular, were not so dissimilar than the more distant of their neighbors. He didn't do more than raise a brow when she touched him, then extended a hand to brush hers when prompted.

"Your ancestors bent to a Kami. So did mine. Location makes little difference in the end. Welcome, then, to the land that is yours by right of service, even if to your Family it is unfamiliar."

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

...

"I'm not so sure Meushi would be fond of that. I'd probably have to train her up a bit I think," he says with a chuckle. "But as for myself? I am certain I'd love it. I'm a bit of a thrill seeker in that regard. She couldn't always join me on the ride when I'd go off and explore the more hazardous terrains we passed through. She definitely couldn't swim in some of the rapid waters I've dared or climbed some of the heights I've challenged. Though I've never conquered a mountain. Something I'd definitely love to try someday."

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

“Shinjo-dono… well we tried to kill her. My people are warriors and we saw an opportunity, but then we learned she ain’t easy to kill and more so she was more god than the gods we had, way it goes. We follow the strong and the first of my family gave his loyalty and life for Shinjo-no-kami,” she spits on the ground and then gazes back at the Phoenix.

“We been her right hand ever since, I can trace my line back to those that rode at her side, that killed her enemies, that brought glory to the Unicorn. Check your fucking rolls again, Bird-san we are the Unicorn and your written words ain’t changing that.”

She puts a hand on his shoulder, “But no harm done, the wind is still good to ride.”

She then removes her hand and offers it the Phoenix.

Yobanjin had, once, been of the same fabric as Rokugani, but so long ago that it was a thin tie indeed. The Unicorn, and this woman in particular, were not so dissimilar than the more distant of their neighbors. He didn't do more than raise a brow when she touched him, then extended a hand to brush hers when prompted.

"Your ancestors bent to a Kami. So did mine. Location makes little difference in the end. Welcome, then, to the land that is yours by right of service, even if to your Family it is unfamiliar."

Chi-Pu watches the exchange and nods to the Moto approvingly.

"Moto-san"

She says in a greeting and then continues to watch the exchange.

[Moto Butaj]

Butaj yawns and looks around. The speech has sounded out, people are talking, and no-one is paying attention to Butaj! Butaj twitches, then tosses of topshur from his back and starts playing and singing in celebration of the Unicorn's return!

(Song!)

Day 1 - EA - Topshur Playing! - Ag/Sensation.: 5d10o10k4 30
Day 1 - EA - And Singing! - Awa/Sensation, Voice: 5d10o10k4 13

But while the music travels well, the voice dies in the conversations and words are lost.

[Bayushi Hotaru]

Bowing neatly, if not entirely gracefully, from the waist, she lowered her fan to reveal a polite, shy smile. "The honour would be mine, Bayushi Hotaru-Sama," she replied carefully, a little uncertain. "I am called Ide Amaya. On behalf of the Unicorn Clan and Ide family, I welcome you."

There was a slight glint in her eyes as something in her name dawned on her, namely her Family. Her smile grew and she nodded back at her. "Thank you so very much, Ide-san. It seems rather safe to assume that your Family will be handling a bulk of the organization of the event and hosting us. You've done an amicable job from what I've seen and especially in such a short time! Your local governor actually fills me with hope and only pleasant thoughts. I do wish to return that generosity you've given us in time. Perhaps, first, I could learn a little more about your Family. I know you don't have all day, so any small amount would be really indulging my curiousity."

[Usagi Tomoe]

Tomoe looked between them, thankful that the Matsu was more chatty than the stoic Bayushi. Wait, isn't it usually the opposite?!

"Aha, I would hardly think you cause Bayushi-sama any grief, Matsu-sama. You seem to have an aptitude for these social things. Guess Akodo's followers really can be good at anything they put their minds to, eh?" she grinned behind her fan, which depicted a cute scenery of hares and and mice.

"Though I see Bayushi-sama is trying to downplay the whole thing. Tsk. I think I'd rather hear this story from Matsu-sama's point of view."