Animals & Bugs (D1, Late Evening)

[Asako Sayuri]

Sayuri's face, bright at Monkhbaatar's description of his clan, suddenly falls at his inquiry. Looking down at the hay on the floor, she swallows before speaking.

"Memories. We tend memories."

Pulling herself together, she raises her head to face her Shinjo companion once more.

"Truth be told, Shinjo-san, I do not follow the ways of my family. We are traditionally the historians and librarians of our Clan, preserving the glories and tragedies of our ancestors so that the new generations may benefit from their wisdom. Yet when a child, such as I, is born who is favored by the Kami, we are trained by our Isawa brothers and sisters. That I can maintain my family name while serving as an intermediary to the spirit realm; that is my joy and my honor."

This last sentence is more difficult for her to speak clearly than she would have liked.

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

As if on cue, a scorpion arrived.

Soshi Taira seemed curious, as much as anything, as he wandered past the yak pens, and toward the stables. He'd heard the Unicorn rode horses, but it seemed hard to believe they all did.

Still, it didn't hurt to look, surely, and so he came to see just how many horses could be in one place.

Lots of horses, surely, and a few other samurai chatting here and there, too. Noticing people around, she silences herself and finds a good spot to observe without eavesdrop. The smile, nevertheless, is stamped across her face.

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

Sensing the obvious discomfort at the subject, he gives a polite nod. "We all serve how we best can."

"So what does Sayuri-san do for fun when she's not busy with her duties?" he asks hoping for a more positive tone to the conversation... and being a bit more informal and close than the Asako probably was comfortable with. But he was the friendly sort and was used to being like that with his family and clan.

[Soshi Taira]

Well, there was a samurai, and she seemed to be feeling very happy.

With a faint smile of his own, Taira approached the Otaku, pausing at a respectful distance to see if his presence was unwelcome, before invading her reverie.

It occurred to him that some of these animals might have been the same sort which had graced his dinner... and the thought gave him some pause. Why did they have to be cute?

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

Is this an infestation? These bugs are everywhere!

She shakes off an insect crawling up her furisode, and reassumes her On noticing the boy nearby. With a silent nod, she potentially has welcome him to introduce himself.

[Soshi Taira]

For his part, he ignored the removal of the insect, and instead approached, bowing when he did. "Good evening, lady of the Otaku. This one is Soshi Taira of the Scorpion. Does the evening find you well?"

It was perhaps overly polite, and he winced internally; it was a struggle, striking the right balance of courtesy and familiarity when meeting new people.

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"Konnichiwa, Soshi-san! This one is Otaku Kitskuhime, indeed. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!" She bows, "The fortunes have been kind. Good company and good food, thank you for asking. How about Soshi-san: feeling welcomed?"

[Soshi Taira]

That brought a smile.

"Hai. I've never had many of the things I tried at dinner tonight, but they were well worth discovering. I see we will have many good things to give one another, as your clan settle back in."

A faint chuckle. "It seems the journeys your kin underwent have brought back many wonders indeed."

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

The girl lifts her eyebrows at the though of the food. "It is reciprocal, Soshi-san. The delicacies the Empire has to offer are without comparison. So many flavors and tastes. Anything you enjoyed in particular?"

[Soshi Taira]

Taira considered it quietly, and then offered, "Cheese."

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

She raises an eyebrow at that, surprised. "Is that so? The Moto will be pleased."

[Soshi Taira]

Taira shrugged.

"I've never had anything like it. It seemed to go along any dish... as if it belonged."

He glanced at the Otaku, and inquired, "And you? Did the offerings of the empire provide any new favorites for you?"

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"Everything?" She grins, closing her eyes and blushing a bit.

"It was delicious." She comments, looking sideways... to the horses.

[Soshi Taira]

That brought a warm smile. "I'm glad. I hope you'll find more to like about your new home."

Looking across the stables, he couldn't help but be impressed. "Your horses are unlike any I've seen. Those who raise them are to be commended. I can see why your clan takes such pride in them."

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

She nods, standing up to lean and pet one of the mares that peeked her head out. "You have only seen ponies before."

She points, one at a time, "Ponies, Riding Horses, Blessed Herd. Known as Otaku steeds, or warhorses."