This is mine now [D1, EM] (OPEN)

[Yuzuki]

"You can't spend all your days at sea. And I don't really like the idea of coming home to a swamp, so dry land it is."

[Asako Hirase]

"I could not expect that to be pleasant, no." With an inclined head, he yielded the point. "At least the plains are lovely. Watching the grass shimmer is a new experience for me. We had valleys, but nothing that you could grow this much on on one flat stretch."

[Ichiro Daisuke]

"Pah, no sense of adventure in you younglings." For being only four hears or so older, Hirase pulled off the 'stodgy old man with a cane' expression quite well. "Think how much more one can learn about them while among them. Think of what you might be the first of your Clan to learn. Think of how helpful we can be to them in turn."

"Knowledge is indeed a powerful tool, but there are other things that my. Clan has greater need of at the moment." People, they needed people to fight a war.

[Asako Yuki]

"I wouldn't mind staying. I guess. I don't know." The bundle of furs stated quietly. "There is a lot to learn, and I suspect they have a lot to learn too. They've been gone for a long time after all."

[Asako Hirase]

Turning back to Yuki, her kinsman nodded. "Exactly so. Having one who has lived here for their entire life among them at all times...that will make sure learning, both ways, happens as swiftly as may be. New children will be taught all sides of the matter, a blessing of experiences that few of us can boast."

[Ichiro Daisuke]

Well he should of expected Phoenix to be pretty obsessed with learning, the pair of them would likely make fine Unicorn if that was the way they were thinking. "Well I guess either way, we'll all have a bit of time ahead of us to get a better idea of what we prefer."

"I do wonder though... How are you liking those furs Asako-san?"

"Seems to me they'd be a bit warm in this weather."

[Yuzuki]

Furs definitely weren't fashionable. Hopefully whatever husband she'd end up with wouldn't insist on her wearing them.

"And itchy too," she said.

[Asako Hirase]

Gently, Hirase suggested, "Perhaps you might put that back for the time being, Yuki-san. If you're set to wear local fashion, you might ask one of the Unicorn about it directly. Certainly some of them will have made an amalgamation of styles that you'll find interesting enough to talk about. It is a perfectly acceptable topic and will let you meet some of the young men."

[Asako Yuki]

Whether Yuki's face was red from embarrassment, over heating, or itchy furs, it was hard to say. But red it was nonetheless.

"It is a bit warm, yes, Ichiro-san." The woman managed. "If a bit bulky, I don't see how the Unicorn would go around in these things in winter." She paused. "And they're actually sort of... fluffy, not itchy, like petting a soft dog." She smiled at that thought.

Finally she turned to Hirase. "Ah! Hai, yes. You're right Hirase-san. I'll... I'll just... go... then." The woman stumbled a bit as she turned and fled back into her tent.

[Ichiro Daisuke]

Well that was a quick retreat. Perhaps he was right in not asking if they smelled bad after all. Momentarily without a conversation topic he glanced around the group.

"So... Is anyone else curious about what events the Unicorn have planned for this miai?"

[Asako Hirase]

"No doubt horses will be involved." The older man gestured vaguely in the direction of the fields full of Unicorn horses. "It seems key for their lifestyle to have at least a minimum competence with, and on, the beasts."

[Yuzuki]

"I hope not," Yuzuki remarked. "I don't know how to ride one."

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki came back out, still flushed but fur free.

"My parents had two horses and I got to ride them." She paused. "But they're nothing like Unicorn horses. They're massive, like... this tall!" She showed with her hands, going far above where a normal Rokugani horse would stand.

[Ichiro Daisuke]

"Can't say I have much experience with horses either." They really didn't make much sense in the mountains after all. "Suppose I'll have to see if I can get some sort of lessons in." It couldn't hurt after all.

[Asako Hirase]

"That is my intention." He nodded an acknowledgement to the Tortoise. "I suspect there will be ample volunteers, even if just for the fun of watching us struggle. It'll be a nice reversal for the Unicorn to have us trying to mold to their needs, not the other way around."