Matches with the Matchmaker.

[Hiruma Daichi]

Daichi had arrived early at the Inn, not wanting to be seen as late to a meeting like this. He expected to be having dinner as he talked, and if the Matchmaker hadn't already arrived, he'd request the use of one of their private dining rooms. It wasn't strictly necessary, but it would likely be appreciated.

[Otomo Mariko]

Daichi is led to such a room, and, since the servants seem to be aware of who will be joining him, several bottles of sake are already laid out, along with two cups.

It is not long after that Otomo Mariko is shown in, and she gives a short bow.

"Hiruma-gunso," she says. "It is a pleasure to see you again."

She takes a seat without further preamble.

[Hiruma Daichi]

"A pleasure to see you again as well Otomo-sama." Daichi said in return, offering the older woman a polite bow in greeting.

"I hope you've been well since last we spoke?"

[Otomo Mariko]

"Oh, I have," Mariko replies. "It has been so good to have so many things moving again. It gives one hope that soon all this nasty business will be put behind us and order will be restored."

Somehow, there is now drink in her hand.

[Hiruma Daichi]

Daichi didn't quite have the same expectations as Mariko. Something in his bones told him that there might be a lot more turmoil on its way. But then, he was pretty used to being what the rest of rokugan would call paranoid.

"Let's hope that it is so." He agreed with a nod, noticing the cup in her hand but not commenting as he filled his own.

"I did get a chance to speak with Yasuki-san and Kitsu-san by the way."

[Otomo Mariko]

Daichi will notice a servant attending the drinks as Mariko responds.

"Oh? And what all did they say?"

[Hiruma Daichi]

He'd let the servant fill is cup and instead focus on the conversation. "Yasuki-san would prefer a match with Kitsu-san over any others considered. Though he knows that things may not turn out that way."

He raised his cup to his lips and took a sip. "Kitsu-san was a bit more diplomatic about the situation saying she would consider a match with either one of us if there was another agreement that could be made with her Clan."

He left out his own opinion on the matter for now.

[Otomo Mariko]

"So she sees herself as sealing a deal, then?" Mariko says contemplatively.

She drains her cup and toys with it idly.

"Do the Crab have any intention of making another arrangement for her to seal in such a way? I don't need details, of course, just a yes or no."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"Yes, at the moment she wishes to marry for the benefit of her clan, not any personal reasons."

Which was a perfectly valid reason to avoid a marriage.

"As to your second questions. It's not entirely outside of a possibility, so I would say yes. We still have a few samurai we would like to see matched this Season after all, and out possibilities are getting increasingly slim."

[Otomo Mariko]

Mariko nods.

"There are several candidates among the Minor Clans remaining," she says, "and a few Imperials yet. Although I am glad the way is clear for your Yasuki Ryoichi to marry Miya O-Nana."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"Yes, I have plans to meet with the badger about that later, and as you said there are the Imperials to consider as well."

He paused for a moment thoughtfully. "I do like the match between Yasuki Ryoichi and Miya o-nana as well. It would be a boon to my clan to have such a match this season."

"I ponder too a match between Kitsu-san and Yasuki Masaki rather then myself. Kitsu-san is a fine woman, but there are some particulars about life on the southern border and it struck me that she may be a bit too idealistic to be comfortable with them."

[Otomo Mariko]

"The women know they would be expected to adopt, yes, to continue Yasuki-san's House?" Mariko asks.

[Hiruma Daichi]

"I haven't mentioned that as a possibility to Kitsu-san, but Yasuki-san would accept such a thing if need be. Though it is not to her preference."

"Honestly I'm hoping to find a potential match for Yasuki-san elsewhere but there are very few samurai available of a status that would allow her to comply with her houses wishes. Kitsu-san is one such person i do believe. "

"If you know of other options though, I am more than willing to hear them."

[Otomo Mariko]

"It may be that Yasuki-san must wait to wed until she has advanced in station," Mariko says after some deliberation. "For her to remain in her Clan and House and take a husband would require someone to lower himself or for her to delay her marriage. But she is young and skilled; I have every expectation that she will advance rapidly."

She looks at Daichi. "There are many who will appreciate a more mature bride."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"She is quite skilled." He agreed with a nod. "I imagine with how well she has done here that it's only a matter of time before her station advances."

"You are right though, it does seem there are many in the the Empire that will enjoy a mature bride." He agreed with a nod. "Marriages are often done at a young age in the Crab and it's hard to remember that not all the Empire is like that at times."

[Otomo Mariko]

"The circumstances the Crab face are unique," Mariko agrees. "I think, however, that Yasuki-san is more removed from them than most in the Clan, especially given her training.

"So much said," she continues, "it might be easier to find a wife for you, Hiruma-san."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"You aren't wrong. Yasuki-san may be a bit disappointed, but if waiting a season or two provides a much better match its worth the wait." He agreed with a nod. Of course he wouldn't stop looking for a match for Masaki, but if there were none, then it couldn't be helped.

"Oh?" He asked while raising an eyebrow. Her earlier statement had sounded a bit leading, so it wasn't surprising that she had something to add, and he mentally prepared himself to hear about an older Otomo in her 40's.

"So you think there may be some of interest other then Kitsu-san."

[Otomo Mariko]

"Two candidates, actually," Mariko says. "One if Hiruma-san wishes to stay among the Crab, another if he should want to leave it."

[Hiruma Daichi]

Daichi nodded. "My houses preference would be for the former. Though there is no harm in hearing of the later. Especially if it would be a boon to the Crab."

[Otomo Mariko]

"Then I shall say both," Mariko answers.

"To keep you in the Crab, Ichiro-ke no kashin Miyake Matsuko. She is a formidable woman and a forward thinker, as was shown at the Dragon's recent contest. To take you from the Crab, Seppun-ke no kashin Tanaka Mayumi, an administrator of no small skill and well versed in courtly things."