"Stillmeetingpeople. Howcananyonebesureafter only a day?"

He remembered to slow down at the end.

"Can't be sure. But if there's interest already, that's something." She shrugs. "I've mostly met all of you so far, and I'm definitely not sure about any of you," she laughs with a teasing wink.

"But," the laugh sobers to a wry smile, "you're all decent enough I don't think I'd be upset if we were stuck with each other either."

"I've met the daughter of our hostess, Asako Chiruha-sama. She seems nice and affable enough. Haven't met many other Phoenixes." He nodded towards the Fox and the Firefly. "Ah, gomen, actually, one of my roommates is one. He seems to be really interested in wildlfie. I think. Shiba Atsutori-san, I think?"

He shrugged unsure. Meanwhile, Yube was busy observing his new territory.

"As for myself, I'll take any and all help I can get. This area is not my forte, and truthfully, I always assumed my mother would just pluck a bride down in front of me." He seemed sheepish at the thought. "In case you met anyone who you think would be ideal for me, please let me know. I'll do the same for you."

As the conversation continues, Shion seems more focused on keeping Kurikoo and Stray okay with each other, and on keeping herself straight and balanced on the bird.

Whether that is partly - maybe in large part - to hide her discomfort at the topic is anybody's guess.

"Um... I'll be sure to help. As I can. That is...I don't know? I can tell you if I see someone that you folks might like I guess. Or... Help compose a song? I..." She turns to the animals again, awkwardly. "Um, sorry. I'm not great at this..."

"No problem Suzume-san, I doubt any of us are great at any of this." He waved his hands. 2I have no idea what to do, frankly. Mother was supposed to handle this." He grumbled.

"Oh, Hotaru-san, I may know of someone who might fit your criteria. Yours too, Kitsune-sama."

"I still need to meet like, 95% of the guests..." He pulled on the reins as Blinky tried to throw him. "Whoa there buddy."



"Yes? Great! Tell me more." The Birb settled down and cawed at them all.

"ShibaAtsumori-san? Ihavelinksonhim, owestheFoxabigfavour. I'mmeetinghimtonight."

Then Jin said he knew someone.

"Ohwho?"

"Asako Chihura-sama, daughter of the local governor. She is a courtier, but greatly enjoys the outdoors and nature. She seems affable enough, so you might wish to meet her. Shiba-san is my roommate, though we haven't spoken much yet. He seems friendly enough, though."

Comet started pacing around, seemingly teeming with energy.

Hiroki picked up on Comet's energy, stamping a foot and stretching out vestigial wings to flap.

"Yeah, picking a tumble's easy. But a mate?" She blows out a noisy breath. "Kinda thinking mom had the right idea there." Not that she elaborates on the idea.

"Sounds like future operation meet the Phoenix then, neh? They mostly seem like good folks and I know we're happy they pay us to keep a small settlement here, and we would dearly like to continue that arrangement."

She pats Hiroki's neck, as the bird bounces on giant clawed feet. "So with that settled...are we racing or what?"

Dasshu was only held back by Fox restraint for the right moment.

"Timetoride?"

"The Governor's daughter? Wow. No pressure huh? Okay then." He smiled and tugged on the reigns.

"I think Blinky's keen. Say the word..."

Izumi took him literally . . .

"WORD!!!!!"

He kicked his mount and . . . off they went, Dasshu . . . . dashed while the little Fox held on.

With a screech worthy of her clan's namesake, Mumei clings to the gleaming sapphire feathers, heels tucked tight under those wings by pure instinct as Hiroki takes off at a bone rattling run with her own sqwaaaawk!

"We....could....invite....folks....to .....race ....and....picnic.....later" She calls out across the racing group. No reason not to keep planning. "This... would...be ...fun! Date!"

"Faster Blinky!" He looked for the accelerator but it seemed to be feathers all the way down.

By the time Izumi yelled, Comet was already moving and the pair of speed freaks were running as fast as they can. "C'mon slow pokes"

Jin whooped loudly, enjoying the weird sensaion, despite the bobbing gait of the birds. "First to the giant mushroom wins!"

Kicking his heels seemed to di the trick and with a loud Squawk! it was game on. Koseki scowled at the Hare. "Hey...they're...ALL..giant...mushrooms!"

(non-rolling of my non-existent ride skill says not the winner!)

"Deeeeaaaaal!" Mumei dopplered past, then flew off as Hiroki comes to a sudden stop at a completely different, and apparently delicious mushroom.

At least her training let her turn a fall into a roll that used the momentum to pop her back to her feet. "Well, I was gonna say loser buys drinks next club night, but I think that would be a dumb thing to say now."

"The GIANT giant mushroom, Hotaru-san." He smirked as he raced, the pair still sticking together.

To an outside observer Dasshu was dashing in random directions due to uncoordinated instructions from its rider.

To Izumi he was going exactly where he wanted and loving it.

"WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!"


The outside observer would be correct.



--

/ooc Was hoping to let Shion catch up before we get too far ahead!

Shion mostly skips the conversation - she hadn't really met the phoenix, and she nodded that she might tag along if the MCA folks went out to meet some of them, but she wasn't particularly hopeful a possible match there.

When Izumi says the Word though, she doesn't even need to decide - or have a chance to. "Whooops alright then!", she spurts as Stray darts after the other Otori, and Kurikoo starts racing as well. She clings to the feather as best she can, and surprisingly enough Stray seems to follow them relatively closely.

"Aaaaa Giant giant mushroom then?", she asks when she thinks she can get a pause for breathing. "How giant giant are we talking??", she says, definitely not in the lead.

OOC
Sorry folks, been mostly afk for the last few days. I feel I'll have to skim through at least part of the game :/ Will try to get a post up now and then at least...