Opening Ceremony (Day 1, Early Afternoon)

[Moto Khulun]

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."

“Otaku-sama,” she adds in return.

She turns back to the Phoenix and says, “Yeah, been good for me and mines. My line has taken many heads and pillaged many enemies and grown strong on our victories. You tell your people the Moto are strong, and the Unicorn stronger.”

“We’ll put the fear of Shinjo-no-kami into our enemies. One horse or a hundred, we are one.”

[Asako Hirase]

"I do not doubt it." A glance included Chi-Pu again. "I know nothing of what you passed through, but I know it took two years of constant travel to get you here. That alone proves you are strong. I would not envy anyone with whom you came to blows."

[Moto Khulun]

“The dead need no pity,” she says as she removes jerky and chews on it.

[Shinjo Taichi]

As her eyes began to return to center, a stab of light caused a sudden flinch. Searching its source, she soon located an enormous disc of metal, attached to the arm of young Unicorn who looked inordinately pleased with himself. Curiosity piqued, at the strange object and the source of his demeanor, Sayuri resolved to chance into him as she departed, and began her measured walk towards him.

Taichi noticed the approach of the Phoenix woman, and began to move towards her. His travels hadn't been able to take him that far -there simply hadn't been enough time - but tales both past and present spoke of the power and virtue of their priests.
As they neared one another he bowed. Surprisingly well for a Unicorn too. "Ah, Phoenix-san. Welcome to the lands of the Unicorn. It was.a good speech, neh?"

[Iuchi Yukarin]

Glancing down to spy her lack of martial tools, Bantu nodded his agreement. He wasn't positive of her profession before, but now she had confirmed it he did find it a little coincidental. Perhaps I shall consult the coins about it later he mused to himself.

"Well Iuchi-san, it seems a very broad selection of the youth of the clans of Rokugan have turned out to welcome you and your kin home, I can only hope that some of us prove worthy of consideration in the task of reacquainting the wandering sons and daughters of Shinjo with their homeland."

"You certainly won't find me complaining; I think all of you are wonderful for the warm welcome and the consideration. I know I wish to learn as much as I can about the people and places my ancestors' scrolls described."

[Doji Fukawa]

He glanced toward the raised voice of the Moto woman "Yes I am sure thier honor will easily smooth over any misundrrstandings" he touched his side and Kyrie moved closer "Doji sama, I take it you are here for the miai? Do you have much, intelligence on the candidates?"

While the Shimizu studied the Unicorn, she studied the Lion from behind her fan.

"Mmm, quite an interesting mix of candidates, don't you think, Shimizu-san?" she said. "There are the exotic Unicorn from out of the Empire's deep past, there are those who have been sent by their lords and families to see if they can open the door for friendlier relations with them before others do, and those who have displeased their lords and families and were sent as far away as possible. There are those of every great clan, most minor clans, and an odd ronin or so. There are those looking for love, those looking for their glory, and those who have given up on either."

She glances back at the crowd then the Lion.

"As I said, an interesting mix. Was there someone you were interesting in Shimizu-san, or simply trying to figure out who you wouldn't mind waking up to for the rest of your life?"

[The Soul of Honor: 45 counting free raise]

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

"I do not doubt it." A glance included Chi-Pu again. "I know nothing of what you passed through, but I know it took two years of constant travel to get you here. That alone proves you are strong. I would not envy anyone with whom you came to blows."

Chi-Pu frowns and glances around the crowd again, scanning the faces of those present.

"It was a long and dark ride. Without the skill of the Moto, many would not have made it."

[Ide Amaya]

"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."

Upon hearing Butaj burst into song, Amaya's head snapped up, glancing at the large man before composing herself once more and returning her attentions to the somewhat bewilderingly cute Scorpion and her question.

"Your praise brings my family great honour," was she doing this right? She certainly hoped so. Pondering on the question a moment longer, not sure what information would be deemed interesting, "the Ide family traces back a long way. They say that Ide-dono's skills in diplomacy were legendary. In everything that we do, we hope to honour his name and live up to his ideal. It is our sincere belief that there is no circumstance in which a wise word cannot overcome a hasty blade."

[Shimizu Ryori]

He glanced toward the raised voice of the Moto woman "Yes I am sure thier honor will easily smooth over any misundrrstandings" he touched his side and Kyrie moved closer "Doji sama, I take it you are here for the miai? Do you have much, intelligence on the candidates?"

While the Shimizu studied the Unicorn, she studied the Lion from behind her fan.

"Mmm, quite an interesting mix of candidates, don't you think, Shimizu-san?" she said. "There are the exotic Unicorn from out of the Empire's deep past, there are those who have been sent by their lords and families to see if they can open the door for friendlier relations with them before others do, and those who have displeased their lords and families and were sent as far away as possible. There are those of every great clan, most minor clans, and an odd ronin or so. There are those looking for love, those looking for their glory, and those who have given up on either."

She glances back at the crowd then the Lion.

"As I said, an interesting mix. Was there someone you were interesting in Shimizu-san, or simply trying to figure out who you wouldn't mind waking up to for the rest of your life?"

[The Soul of Honor: 45 counting free raise]

"Personally I have had little interaction so far though a pair of the Shitome did meet me on the road a few days out and help escort me in, that young lady there." he nods toward Chi-pu and a beautiful young samurai-ko named Otaku Kitakuhime, both were quite formidable and quite impressive."

[Soshi Bantu]

"You certainly won't find me complaining; I think all of you are wonderful for the warm welcome and the consideration. I know I wish to learn as much as I can about the people and places my ancestors' scrolls described."

"Then if I may be so bold as to offer a recommendation, Usagi Tomoe-san held a talk on one of the more pertinent points of recent history earlier this morning. I believe she plans on making this an ongoing occurrence, it may be a good place to begin your education."

[Asako Sayuri]

Taichi noticed the approach of the Phoenix woman, and began to move towards her. His travels hadn't been able to take him that far -there simply hadn't been enough time - but tales both past and present spoke of the power and virtue of their priests.
As they neared one another he bowed. Surprisingly well for a Unicorn too. "Ah, Phoenix-san. Welcome to the lands of the Unicorn. It was.a good speech, neh?"

"Indeed Shinjo-san, your people have a way with words. What is more, that you employ such talents to extol the virtues of bushido and understanding gives me great hope that you may bring much to the Empire."

She pauses briefly before speaking again.

"Yet I have forgotten my manners. I am Asako Sauyri, priestess of the Phoenix clan."

She bows slightly lower than she would if she were certain of Unicorn heraldry.

[Iuchi Yukarin]

"Then if I may be so bold as to offer a recommendation, Usagi Tomoe-san held a talk on one of the more pertinent points of recent history earlier this morning. I believe she plans on making this an ongoing occurrence, it may be a good place to begin your education."

"I had heard of that," Yukarin says, her smile lessening a bit in a match to the disappointment in her voice, "Unfortunately, the Iuchi higher ups had scheduled a meeting at that same time weeks ago. It hardly would have done to have skipped that. So I will have to live with missing that first one."

[Soshi Bantu]

"The crux of Usagi-san's speech was regarding the Battle of Stolen Graves and the Battle of Sleeping River, I am a small student of History myself, so if Iuchi-san has the time and inclination during this miai I could explain the salient points for her at a time of her choosing?"

[Matsu Kogo]

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."

"Did not Akodo write in Leadership, 'Diversity is a great strength that allows a commander to use his forces in any way that circumstance demands.'? There is value in many different ways of thinking. My Matsu family has long been known for their sharp tempers and their harsh words, but I find that channeling my anger to other purposes gives me strength."

Kogo looks over at Bayushi-san. "Well, to be fair, he would probably disparage my telling. But he was an asset at court as I learned my way around. He has a way with words and with a look, that I cannot manage. My mother said that the best way to learn my way through court was to watch how others did things and then find my own way. "

[Bayushi Hotaru]

Upon hearing Butaj burst into song, Amaya's head snapped up, glancing at the large man before composing herself once more and returning her attentions to the somewhat bewilderingly cute Scorpion and her question.

"Your praise brings my family great honour," was she doing this right? She certainly hoped so. Pondering on the question a moment longer, not sure what information would be deemed interesting, "the Ide family traces back a long way. They say that Ide-dono's skills in diplomacy were legendary. In everything that we do, we hope to honour his name and live up to his ideal. It is our sincere belief that there is no circumstance in which a wise word cannot overcome a hasty blade."

Hotaru dropped her good spirits and turned for a quick second to see what Amaya was looking at exactly, wondering if she was following that source of...hymms? That's what is sounded like to her. She didn't spend too long on it, returning her attention on the Ide with a renewed smile.

"Oh, that seems rather fitting when it comes to a Family that has shown itself to be both skilled in hospitality and organization. It makes me wonder how much the Family has done for the Unicorn abroad. In what avenues do you ply your skills while in the world abroad?" She paused for a moment, giving Amaya an unsure look with a narrowing of her eyes in caution. "Are people out there, outside of the Empire, often willing to talk things out than fight it out? Where can you find common ground when you don't even share any with strangers?"