Opening Ceremony (Day 1, Early Afternoon)

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Udo looks at her curiously. "Balance is key in all things, no?"

He exhales audibly. "I apologize, when you spend your life with monks, you get into certain habits of speech. I hope you don't hold it against me." He feigns a smile. "I really was just looking to continue our conversation."

"I do not hold it against you," she said, tentatively, if only due to the language barrier. Yue smiled back, genuinely. "I have been enjoying the conversation and would like to continue speaking with you, Udo-dono."

[Matsu Nintoku]

"Well, that's a given. I don't think anyone comes to a miai with the plan to find a spouse they will absolutely detest?" the Hare jested. "Surely, Matsu-sama has preferences of some sort? A fierce warrior to accompany him perhaps, or a clever homemaker who will look after your house and children?"

"You got me there Usagi-san." he conceded before furrowing his brow in thought "I would say..." he sighed "I do not know. I really don't Usagi-san. Creating expectations might not be the best, since we might end up marrying someone completely different."

"Let the person be a good samurai. Someone with whom I may one day create a greater bond. That would be enough for me."

[Togashi Udo]

"I do not hold it against you," she said, tentatively, if only due to the language barrier. Yue smiled back, genuinely. "I have been enjoying the conversation and would like to continue speaking with you, Udo-dono."

"Good, I am glad. I would not like to think the most charming Unicorn I've met did not like me in return." Udo bows slightly. Flattery never hurt anyone!

"You've seen many lands beyond the Empire? What sight impressed you the most? I know for me, in the Empire, I am always awestruck when a mighty wind blows across the peaks, lifting snow into the air like a giant cloud. The wind is change, and the snow are my Clan... ever content to stay in the mountains, but always cast into the world. But like the snow, are we not better for it? Does that cloud of snow not turn to rain which can better the Empire?"

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"Good, I am glad. I would not like to think the most charming Unicorn I've met did not like me in return." Udo bows slightly. Flattery never hurt anyone!

"You've seen many lands beyond the Empire? What sight impressed you the most? I know for me, in the Empire, I am always awestruck when a mighty wind blows across the peaks, lifting snow into the air like a giant cloud. The wind is change, and the snow are my Clan... ever content to stay in the mountains, but always cast into the world. But like the snow, are we not better for it? Does that cloud of snow not turn to rain which can better the Empire?"

Am I the only Unicorn you have met? She chose to ignore the compliment verbally but returned the bow to him.

The Unicorn was a bit lost with the speech, her trying to picture everything while translating it all in her head. "There was much sand, Udo-dono," she replied, mostly as a joke. She hoped he'd find that funny.

[Togashi Udo]

Am I the only Unicorn you have met? She chose to ignore the compliment verbally but returned the bow to him.

The Unicorn was a bit lost with the speech, her trying to picture everything while translating it all in her head. "There was much sand, Udo-dono," she replied, mostly as a joke. She hoped he'd find that funny.

Udo nods, completely missing the joke. "Sand and snow. So similar and so different. A fitting juxtaposition for the circumstances."

At some point, Udo was going to realize how he shouldn't use big words.

[Usagi Tomoe]

"You got me there Usagi-san." he conceded before furrowing his brow in thought "I would say..." he sighed "I do not know. I really don't Usagi-san. Creating expectations might not be the best, since we might end up marrying someone completely different."

"Let the person be a good samurai. Someone with whom I may one day create a greater bond. That would be enough for me."

"Fair enough," the Usagi nodded, "I shall keep an eye out for anyone who could be worthy of Matsu-sama then! It is the least one can do when one of our numbers married Matsu Shikyo-dono's daughter."

[Matsu Nintoku]

"Well your clan certainly distinguished itself over the past years." he replied "Though I thought most of the Hare were bushi. Are you a warrior yourself Usagi-san?"

[Usagi Tomoe]

A small frown appeared, but soon dispelled with a polite smile. "No, I'm not, Matsu-sama. I am... unsuited for warfare, sadly, no matter how much of a warrior's heart I might have. Instead, it was arranged for me to be trained outside the clan, and I studied with the Asako loremasters."

[Matsu Kogo]

"Matsu Kogo-sama is truly a fine example of your most esteemed Family. I am honored to have met her today... and you as well, of course!" Another dip of the head in Nintoku's direction.

"Guessing by such a handsome stature, I assume Matsu-sama is a bushi as well? No doubt, you look the most forward to the physical challenges our noble hosts might provide?" the Hare snickered playfully behind her fan.

"Well, that's a given. I don't think anyone comes to a miai with the plan to find a spouse they will absolutely detest?" the Hare jested. "Surely, Matsu-sama has preferences of some sort? A fierce warrior to accompany him perhaps, or a clever homemaker who will look after your house and children?"

"You got me there Usagi-san." he conceded before furrowing his brow in thought "I would say..." he sighed "I do not know. I really don't Usagi-san. Creating expectations might not be the best, since we might end up marrying someone completely different."

"Let the person be a good samurai. Someone with whom I may one day create a greater bond. That would be enough for me."

Kogo spent a great deal of that conversation blushing behind her fan, content to let the Hare converse with her clansmate while she recovered and watched intently. When the subject came up of what kind of husband she would prefer, Kogo realized she had thought little of her preferences, only of what her family required. That is something to quickly be thinking of. This Hare will ask me in a thrice, and I must also know for my own choices.

When Matsu-san discussed his desire for someone who is a good samurai, Kogo felt his words settle into her chest. It was a definite place to start. Other things could be found or worked with, but one who one spends their whole life with must live within their values.

"Please do keep an eye out for me as well Usagi-san. I will rely on your quick wit and knowledge." She spoke with a sparkle in her eye and a flirt of her fan.

[Usagi Tomoe]

"Of course I will, Matsu-sama!" the Hare replied in a chipper tone. "As long as I can ask you both to do the same, right? I have full trust in the honorable samurai of the Matsu to be a good judge of character for someone suitable." And by that, she of course meant both of them.

In a way, Tomoe counted herself lucky in that she didn't have to consider men from all the clans! Not that Nintoku was bad to look at, and it certainly would've been a very fine match... and then there was the very vexing but fun Soshi Yuuru. But duty was duty, and she was determined to succeed in this marital-task set before her.

[Matsu Kogo]

"Of course I will, Matsu-sama!" the Hare replied in a chipper tone. "As long as I can ask you both to do the same, right? I have full trust in the honorable samurai of the Matsu to be a good judge of character for someone suitable." And by that, she of course meant both of them.

In a way, Tomoe counted herself lucky in that she didn't have to consider men from all the clans! Not that Nintoku was bad to look at, and it certainly would've been a very fine match... and then there was the very vexing but fun Soshi Yuuru. But duty was duty, and she was determined to succeed in this marital-task set before her.

Kogo nodded. "I will do my utmost Usagi-san. For it is best if we all succeed here and bring strength to the Empire by bringing the Unicorn into our clans and homes."

[Bayushi Hotaru]

Amaya had spent her life sleeping on a thin mat with sand for a bed, it seemed to her that it mattered little if the roof overhead was canvas or stone or stars. Amaya fluttered her fan, the press of bodies and the dull roar of conversations was beginning to wear on her.

Earnestly she looked up at Suteichi, "with the deepest respect, I should retire and prepare for tonight's feast, I hope you do not think me rude. If it pleases Bayushi Suteichi-Sama and Hotaru-Sama, perhaps we could meet tomorrow to further our discussions? Provided you are free?"

"I have no reason at all to find you rude. I have some time in the afternoon available for the both of you. Will that suffice?"

Hotaru watched Amaya make her leave and turned her attention to her fellow cousin who remained. "That was pretty well done of you, Bayushi-san! A scheduled meeting on first acquaintance. I should have never doubt what could happen when two alike minds meet together! You mentioned that you were from Kyuden Bayushi? I've never been, but I have a brother who stayed there during his schooling. Is it as grand as they say it is?"

[Moto Butaj]

She folds her arms and says, “Tell me of this Scorpion you wish to wrestle tomorrow?”

"Soshi Yuuru, warrior, outdoorsman, scout? Sturdy and level-headed if Butaj can tell, but not shying away from challenge. We exchanged handshakes rather than just those fancy bows."

[Moto Khulun]

"Interesting, I will have two reasons to see you crush him," she says with a grin.

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

He inclined his head, smiling again. "It is a unique benefit of my situation. For the right woman, at least."

Politely, he asked, "Other than an ability to continue your path in the military, what were you hoping to find?"

"They must accept my role as a Nikutai. They must accept the ways of the Unicorn. They must maitain the tenants of bushido, especially Compassion."

She thinks a little before continuing.

"Being handsom is always a plus. Last, we must care for each other. And yourself?"