Opening Ceremony (Day 1, Early Afternoon)

[Bayushi Hotaru]

A loaded question, if ever she had heard one, "I suppose that depends on your definition of many," or your definition of 'friend', she silently added. "There are many stars in the night sky, and many grains of sand in the Burning Sands. But perhaps the measure of a friend is not in how many one has?" Her tone remained light and cordial.

Hotaru looked rather amused by Amaya's answer and nodded soundly at that. It was a deflection if she ever heard of one but she couldn't blame her for no answering upfront. Perhaps the reputation of the Scorpion had already so far north already. "No, not at all. I understand your meaning, I so do. The winds surround us and are ever-present regardless where we go. However, the winds here are never the same as the ones who were with us a few moments ago. Often, they easily blow toward one direction and they won't stay regardless how much you beg or plea. There's always plenty of it but they're are always so fickle, isn't that so?"

She gave Amaya a small smile, as if to reassure her no harm. "I don't doubt you have many friends, and I do too. I merely wish to ask if your friends were here, at the moment. Despite a very strong showing of my kin, I can't say I've made acquaintance with many of them. I don't have many friends here, but I do hope to change that. Given your Family's honoured duties, you probably have a bigger advantage over me when it comes to making them," she chuckled.

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo raised her fan and smiled as well. "I am sure she will, she is a magnificent creature. I hope I can speak to some of the Unicorn about them and the other creatures they may have seen." Kogo's eyes brighten above her fan and it slips a bit. "Of course you can. She does love being petted, but she must be introduced properly to others, like any proper Rokugani maiden. After that, she is often friendly, though occasionally mischevious. "

"Of course, of course," the Hare nodded happily. "I have my own companion as well, Ganko-chan... she is the epitome of a stoicism. But she's a tortoise, so I'm sure it comes naturally to her. Still, that is very little in comparison to one of the Lion warcats. I've read about them in documents detailing different sort of tactical units used in different wars... never thought I'd get the chance to see one."

Looking around, she saw that there were still many other people mingling about. "Gosh, hope I'm not hogging you all to myself when you're probably here to find a handsome Unicorn husband! I think a got a little carried away."

"I would be glad to introduce you and speak to you about some of the tactics we use. It is a favorite topic of mine." Kogo laughs quietly behind her fan. "If you wish to mingle more with others, I would not mind Usagi-san. But I am glad to be meeting all individuals at this event, beyond just those who are eligible for marriage. The Matsu do not mingle a great deal with other clans and I am glad to be remedying that decision in this moment."

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

"It's a Crab port. I think it's actually one of the oldest cities in the empire. Also one of the largest? It's on Earthquake Fish bay. Lot of trade. We usually went during the great fairs held by the Yasuki."

"Hee. Never been to a port." A pause. "That might be obvious, seeing I've never been to sea. All these places I'd like to see and experience myself." Perhaps he suffered from wanderlust. "I take that you trade with the Crab then?" Also, Dong-Ha had no idea that trade didn't make a polite topic.

[Bayushi Suteichi]

A loaded question, if ever she had heard one, "I suppose that depends on your definition of many," or your definition of 'friend', she silently added. "There are many stars in the night sky, and many grains of sand in the Burning Sands. But perhaps the measure of a friend is not in how many one has?" Her tone remained light and cordial.

Hotaru looked rather amused by Amaya's answer and nodded soundly at that. It was a deflection if she ever heard of one but she couldn't blame her for no answering upfront. Perhaps the reputation of the Scorpion had already so far north already. "No, not at all. I understand your meaning, I so do. The winds surround us and are ever-present regardless where we go. However, the winds here are never the same as the ones who were with us a few moments ago. Often, they easily blow toward one direction and they won't stay regardless how much you beg or plea. There's always plenty of it but they're are always so fickle, isn't that so?"

She gave Amaya a small smile, as if to reassure her no harm. "I don't doubt you have many friends, and I do too. I merely wish to ask if your friends were here, at the moment. Despite a very strong showing of my kin, I can't say I've made acquaintance with many of them. I don't have many friends here, but I do hope to change that. Given your Family's honoured duties, you probably have a bigger advantage over me when it comes to making them," she chuckled.

Suteichi approached the two ladies and bowed deeply to them.

"Honored cousin, might I have the pleasure of your company and samurai-sama's as well?! If I may, I am Bayushi Suteichi."

[Yuzuki]

"It's a Crab port. I think it's actually one of the oldest cities in the empire. Also one of the largest? It's on Earthquake Fish bay. Lot of trade. We usually went during the great fairs held by the Yasuki."

"Hee. Never been to a port." A pause. "That might be obvious, seeing I've never been to sea. All these places I'd like to see and experience myself." Perhaps he suffered from wanderlust. "I take that you trade with the Crab then?" Also, Dong-Ha had no idea that trade didn't make a polite topic.

For a Mantis, of course it didn't make for impolite talk.

"We trade with everyone. But the Crab are our cousins, so that helps."

[Usagi Tomoe]

"Of course, of course," the Hare nodded happily. "I have my own companion as well, Ganko-chan... she is the epitome of a stoicism. But she's a tortoise, so I'm sure it comes naturally to her. Still, that is very little in comparison to one of the Lion warcats. I've read about them in documents detailing different sort of tactical units used in different wars... never thought I'd get the chance to see one."

Looking around, she saw that there were still many other people mingling about. "Gosh, hope I'm not hogging you all to myself when you're probably here to find a handsome Unicorn husband! I think a got a little carried away."

"I would be glad to introduce you and speak to you about some of the tactics we use. It is a favorite topic of mine." Kogo laughs quietly behind her fan. "If you wish to mingle more with others, I would not mind Usagi-san. But I am glad to be meeting all individuals at this event, beyond just those who are eligible for marriage. The Matsu do not mingle a great deal with other clans and I am glad to be remedying that decision in this moment."[/quote]

"Is that so? Perhaps we shall mingle together, see if there is anyone else who can assist in broadening your horizons... it's not often we'll get to attend gatherings as large and diverse as this, I bet, so we should seize the opportunity when it presents itself. As it is written in the Thirty-Six Stratagems, be flexible enough in your planning to adapt when opportunities arise," the Hare chuckled mirthfully. Sure, she wasn't a bushi, but she had probably read more texts on warfare and strategy than most non-Akodo had.

The Hare looked around them, trying to spot anyone that seemed likely to be roped into conversation. "Hmmm... anyone of interest around...?"

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

For a Mantis, of course it didn't make for impolite talk.

"We trade with everyone. But the Crab are our cousins, so that helps."

"I see." He nodded, looking around as if he was slightly nervous. "It has been a pleasure, Yuzuki-san."

"I beg your pardon."

[Ide Amaya]

Hotaru looked rather amused by Amaya's answer and nodded soundly at that. It was a deflection if she ever heard of one but she couldn't blame her for no answering upfront. Perhaps the reputation of the Scorpion had already so far north already. "No, not at all. I understand your meaning, I so do. The winds surround us and are ever-present regardless where we go. However, the winds here are never the same as the ones who were with us a few moments ago. Often, they easily blow toward one direction and they won't stay regardless how much you beg or plea. There's always plenty of it but they're are always so fickle, isn't that so?"

She gave Amaya a small smile, as if to reassure her no harm. "I don't doubt you have many friends, and I do too. I merely wish to ask if your friends were here, at the moment. Despite a very strong showing of my kin, I can't say I've made acquaintance with many of them. I don't have many friends here, but I do hope to change that. Given your Family's honoured duties, you probably have a bigger advantage over me when it comes to making them," she chuckled.

Suteichi approached the two ladies and bowed deeply to them.

"Honored cousin, might I have the pleasure of your company and samurai-sama's as well?! If I may, I am Bayushi Suteichi."

Amaya's large eyes go wide and makes a sort of inarticulate squeaking sound as she looked up at the approaching Scorpion. He was... stunning. She bowed from the waist, "I am honoured, Bayushi-Sama."

[Iuchi Yukarin]

"We all must maintain our heritage, but yet not be too stagnant and stand in place watching the world pass us by. Everyone has a lesson to teach, so hold on to what you have learned and expand your horizon with new wisdom. I imagine your people are possessed of a unique outlook, from adapting their original way of life before leaving on your journey and finding a way to survive and return home. I am sure that this minor adjustment to your way of life will prove simple in comparison."

Yukarin beamed a smile at Bantu and nodded.



"Hai, it is as you say; A group is stronger when everyone brings their own unique skills and values to it. At the same time, I am sure we have much to learn from our cousins in the other Clans. Or at least my hopes are to do so."

[Bayushi Hotaru]

Suteichi approached the two ladies and bowed deeply to them.

"Honored cousin, might I have the pleasure of your company and samurai-sama's as well?! If I may, I am Bayushi Suteichi."

She turned to regard the fellow Bayushi who approached them and re-applied her smile after his introduction. "Oh, of course! You're more than welcome to join us, honoured cousin. This one is Bayushi Hotaru, honoured shrine maiden of Tengoku's Path and I'm in the company of Ide Amaya-san, here. We were just talking about the fundamentals of making friends for the first time, something she and I are planning to do here. From what she had told me thus far, her Family are total experts in such a field of expertise."

"Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity for making both of our introductions, Ide-san," she chuckled.

[Yuzuki]

For a Mantis, of course it didn't make for impolite talk.

"We trade with everyone. But the Crab are our cousins, so that helps."

"I see." He nodded, looking around as if he was slightly nervous. "It has been a pleasure, Yuzuki-san."

"I beg your pardon."

"Is something wrong, Iuchi-san?"

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

"Nothing really." He shook his head slowly. "I think I'll excuse myself."

"Thank you for your time." With that, the man moved to disappear among the the crowd.


// PM if approached.

[Moto Khulun]

“So you rely on your sorcerers to do all the work?” she replied.

“When was the last time the Phoenix marched to war!”

Unruffled, Hirase nodded. "They are excellent at it. Would you use a dagger, no matter how well made, when a sword is at your disposal?" Looking thoughtful, he, considered the histories. "We marched with the rest of the Empire against the Naga in recent times. We fought to reclaim my Family's ancestral home. We aided in the reclaiming of Shiro Hiruma. We were part of the war against the Bloodspeakers forces. But, Clan on Clan? That would be...the Lion. Three years."

**Edit to talk about the right war**

"What's a naga?" she says with a cock of her head.

"Oh who won? Did the sorcerer's rain down death on the Lion?" she asks very intrigued.

[Asako Hirase]

"A naga is a sentient being of an older time." A hint of what might be a smile touched the corners of his mouth. "They are serpents with humanoid features, such as arms and a talent for weaponcraft. I have never seen one in person, but I have heard the reports. They are in the forest to the South, the Shinomen, among other places. My own Clan had difficulties with them along the coast prior to the war."

Thinking back to the Lion, he said, "It was called the War of Burned Wings. There was much death rained down by the kami, yes, but victory is not defined by how much blood one spills. We lost ground many times."

For a long moment, he paused, then said, "My own Family seat suffered the greatest harm."he whole of that tale is not suited for such mixed company, however. If either or both of you wish to hear the story, I am happy enough to tell it in a more casual setting than this one."

[Moto Khulun]

"A naga is a sentient being of an older time." A hint of what might be a smile touched the corners of his mouth. "They are serpents with humanoid features, such as arms and a talent for weaponcraft. I have never seen one in person, but I have heard the reports. They are in the forest to the South, the Shinomen, among other places. My own Clan had difficulties with them along the coast prior to the war."

“Snakes that move like men? Now this I must see! When do we fight these naga, they sound like worthy opponent or have we killed them to the last?” she says with a bit of disappointment.

Thinking back to the Lion, he said, "It was called the War of Burned Wings. There was much death rained down by the kami, yes, but victory is not defined by how much blood one spills. We lost ground many times."

For a long moment, he paused, then said, "My own Family seat suffered the greatest harm."he whole of that tale is not suited for such mixed company, however. If either or both of you wish to hear the story, I am happy enough to tell it in a more casual setting than this one."

“Of course I want to hear this tale! Tell me the songs of your battles, Phoenix. I would hear them and remember,” she says with a frenetic glee.