"Perhaps. You know I can't lay down my card so soon." She chuckled quietly. "Mmm, have any others of the Crane caught your attention? We have quite the bevy of beauties present... and one macho man if such things catch your fancy."

"I wouldn't imagine you would. I have yet to meet many of the Crane as of yet, though I have heard from some in my Clan that there are indeed several Crane who would be suitable matches."

"That's hardly a surprise, considering I've met a good number of your clanmates as well. Out of curiosity, what makes a suitable match for you Susumu-san, other than a lovely Asahina designer?" There was a hint of a tease at that.

"In my case? Someone who would be willing to look past the fact that I am Spider and not bring judgment simply because of my origins. If I were to marry into the Crane, someone who could find my talents useful, most likely. As for someone potentially marrying into the Spider? Someone that would be willing to accept a life that may not be easy, as the Spider lands are...unforgiving."

Her head tilted slightly. "You make the latter sound like a punishment more than an honor Susumu-san. Or at the very least an undesirable outcome."

"Not at all, Asahina-sama. It is merely a fact that life could be difficult, depending on where I and my prospective spouse were stationed. The world on which I was raised, Whisper, is not a particularly hospitable environment. There are many samurai who would find the accommodations and lack of comforts...disheartening. I would of course endeavor to ensure that they were comfortable."

"I never doubted that you would Susumu-san," she said simply with a slight smile. "For all your words, did you not enjoy your youth on Whisper? There is of course acceptance in your place, I do not doubt that, but I am curious if you found something worth appreciating in all that... inhospitableness."

"There were parts of my youth that were enjoyed, yes. There was a sort of beauty in the wasteland just beyond our walls. It was raw, primal nature...untouched and unconquered. I found some measure of comfort in the starkness of its all. Occasionally, there would be rays of sunlight that broke the horizon and the darkness of the dark zones were briefly lit and the fields of snow and ice would sparkle like light through a prism...those were good days."

His expression softens somewhat as he remembers, before he finds himself once more and his expression becomes more neutral.

"It is also likely why I developed my appreciation and fondness for poetry."

She listened intently, nodding as he finished. "I can only imagine it would fuel such a thing. I know many of my father's friends find such stark and vibrant changes and differences influence for their own poetry. I fear I've never had much talent or time for it myself, though I quite enjoy reading poems from all over in my spare time."

"It can be an enjoyable experience to be able to craft something beautiful with simply words. If you'd like, I can compose something for you perhaps."

"Come now Susumu-san, this is a miai. How could I refuse?" she asked with a smile. "Still, I would not have you rush such a thing, even if I thought you easily could. Perhaps compose one over a day or two of thought, and you can share it with me next we meet?"

"That sounds perfectly acceptable, Asahina-sama. Would you like my communicator number so that we might be able to arrange a meeting?"

Taking out her densai from her bag, she did a few taps before handing it over. "Just put it in there. You can take mine as well. I'll try to keep a time open after you're done, just contact me."

After taking her number and putting his in her densai, he gives a bow and a slight smile.

"A pleasure meeting you Asahina-sama, but I wouldn't want to take up any more of your time and interrupt your workout any further. I'll be sure to send a message your way once I've sufficiently percolated and written the poem."

"Oh, I was just finishing anyway, so I was about to go shower off. It is I that shouldn't interrupt your own work out Susumu-san. Until next we meet then." She gave a bow in return before turning to make her way to the showers, adding just a touch of a sway to her hips for good measure.

/exit