...Damn, Doji were good, she'd read Shoan like a scroll.

"Umm, my apologies Doji-san, you are right. Honesty is the best way forward."
The Lion carefully unclenches her hands and tries to stand straight
"I was intending to make small talk with you, since you appear affable and attractive. However, when I initiated the conversation I nearly made a verbal faux pas regarding your eyepatch. I attempted to correct but it was a clumsy effort regardless of whether I am tall or not. I apologise unreservedly and if you prefer I will return to the side of the tent."

"Outside the city?" The cup of tea has disappeared, set down on a convenient tray as a servant passed by, and a finely detailed fan was currently resting closed in her hand and tapping delicately against her leg. "No, just simply a few places in town. I have heard its rather dangerous to travel outside the city but a hunt in such conditions could be just the right amount of excitement needed to get one going for the festivities."



With a few subtle changes to her body language, Hakka tries to convey that she is open to more conversation if Satoru should wish to join Nozomi and herself.

"Ah," she brought a hand up and touched the corner of her eye-patch. "I'm sorry," she uttered before she'd totally collected everything Shoan had said, "Oh, no! It's quite alright Lion-sama! Did you want to watch the performers with me?" she said, indicating the performers now certainly just behind her.

Then she thought back further and turned a little red, but she tried her best to hide it, her makeup helped.

When Ichika says 'sorry' Shoan looks like she'd been punched in the gut
"You don't...I mean, yes. I would like to watch the performers with you Doji-san, I assure you, I can do that."
If she notices any redness on Ichika's part, the Murame gives no indication
"They are very skilled."

"Don't know of any. I mean, we're small but I don't know every other Osprey, so maybe?" She shrugs, 'Not me for sure."

"Does sound like fire kami, but without the cleverness and warmth."

Pausing for a bite of her skewer--fried anything is not as tasty cold--offers a pause to think of appropriate questions for a miai. "So, the kami's gift doesn't mean you have to be in medicine. So, what took you there?" she asks, finally.

"They put their hearts into it, I think." she said, turning back to them and looking for Shoan to join her at the side. "Anyway.. have we introduced one another yet?" she chuckled lightly.

"I am Doji Ichika, diplomat kinda.. well, maybe. Guess we'll see if it stays the same after the Miai," another soft laugh.

Introductions.....Ahhhh!
Shoan takes Ichika's side
"Oh, forgive me, I did not give you a chance to introduce yourself. I am Ikoma of the Murame who serve Shoan."
There's a pause for a few moments
"That is, Shoan....of the Muraume....who serve the Ikoma. I'm...as you can tell, not a diplomat. I serve in the Jade Legions.[/i]

The Obsidian Magistrate took a long sip from the refreshing barley tea, swaying slightly to the music as he listened. His eyes, unblinking, took in the mingling of the others.

Satoru caught the changes in body language and thought for a moment. This while event was very much not his sort of affair but he was sent here for a reason, might as well dive in.

He approached the two women and offered an appropriate if somewhat stiff bow "Good evening this one is Kuchiki Satoru Doctor of Unit 137 colonization and settlement medical division." His introduction may have been a touch formal.

"How are you all liking this?" He said gesturing vaguely around.

Hakka bows in return, a polished smile in place, her fan opened in hand as she begins to speak, "One such as I always enjoys the company of others, Kuchiki-sama. This one is known as Doji Hakka, of the vassal family Katogama, a minor courtier. And," she gestures to the other woman, "this is Kitsu Nozomi."

Koseki took one look at the fighter and knew it was worth more than the entire squadron his Clan had assembled. He wouldnt call them fighters, that would be overly charitable. This though? A whole other level. Like another world entirely.

"That's your fighter?! I've never seen anything like it! I... Oh. My apologies. I will do my best to wait patiently Daidoji-sama. I have a thousand or so questions, but that would be unfair to Suzume-san. Tomorrow would be wonderful."



"Pleased to meet you Suzume-san. I think that in the presence of Daidoji-sama you could say that I am one who can fly various machines, whereas she is quite clearly a Pilot." He gave a respectful nod accompanied by a wry smile and nodded at the image of the fighter. "We Firefly tend to have a broad set of skills. I am fixing spacecraft as often as flying them." He gave the Sparrow an interested look. "So, are you a reporter then Suzume-san?"

Nozomi offered a bow that was courteous and only such to the Spider. "It is nice to have such delicacies. The Phoenix have been very generous indeed."

She looked back to Hakka and then smirked. "Going hunting? Is that a Crane courtier pass-time?"

Hide had on her dress uniform for this. It’s always good to put on your best for a good first impression. All that was left was to choose a tent.

Yellow was a nice color. And the meat skewers smelled pretty great, so Hide gravitated towards that tent. The Matsu savored the first instance of a real meal in weeks.

Ishiyo blushed a little, realizing she had been crowding out the poor Sparrow. "Ah...my apologies...afteh I had been the one who approached you...so the Miya Entertainment Network?" She nodded, "Audio or Visual? If...I might ask."

She was back to smiling, a pleasant expression drilled into every Crane. Her eyes spent a moment studying the Suzume.

"A pleasure to meet you both and San is more than sufficient, I assure you I am no one deserving such respect."I am interested in the local hunting grounds, I have heard the fungal forest here is home to many interesting creatures."

Hakka's expression doesn't change but something about her seems to go flat in effect. "Yes, Kitsu-sama. Though not greatly skilled, I've more than hit a target or two, the same for the beasts on my family's estate. Should I pass my time in another way perhaps?"

She uses her fan to surreptitiously call for a server, this time to bring a cup of alcohol. After receiving it she takes a long pull, of it and then holds it in the hand not occupied.



"They sound interesting do they not, Kuchiki-san? I do hope for at least a chance to see what is there." The flatness seems to disappear when she speaks to Satoru.

Ichika giggles at that, covering her mouth with a sleeve of her kimono, "Well, I'm just glad there are no Ikoma around to hear that," she laughed again.

What do you do when you're not serving the Jade Legions, Ikoma-san?"

For a second it looks as though Shoan is going to respond with 'I always serve the Jade Legions', but it appears not even this Murame is that dedicated to the cause.

"I travel, I enjoy bad music, I study history and sometimes I put my foot in my mouth. What about yourself, Doji-san?"

"Im sure we could arrange some time to go out and visit the forest. Though I understand there are also some quite dangerous animals that can live there. I believe they say not to stay there too late, even if it can be quite beautiful at night." His own tone was distant and possibly a little analytical and a touch cold but this was just perhaps how he was.

The Sparrow shakes her head and extends her hand apologetically. "Oh, don't worry about that, Daidoji-sama, Hotaru-san. It's always good to find shared interests too, ne?, she says, with a small smile following a quick grin at the Hotaru's comment, then settles into a more neutral face and sips his tea before answering them

"Oh - Audio - definitely only audio. 'Ve worked on the soundtracks for quite a few shows, sound design and editing for others. You might've seen Three millenia of Iaijutsu, maybe? Or..." she thinks a bit better on something they might like. "Oh... there's that show about pilots, Honour in space?"