Shopping wasn't really a common event for Dachi, army camps seldom had markets after all, and well his home was a different story altogether. Traders came to visit, but as far as a market of its own, that was a different story. So, getting a chance to wander through one and just peek at wares was a bit of a pleasant surprise.

Most of his time would likely be spent at court of course, but there might be further cause to come here. perhaps he would need sweets, or a last-minute gift it was hard to say. Today though was for window shopping, well and maybe finding a bit of ribbon for Nyoko to play with.

Hiruma Daichi wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 05, 2025 8:11 am

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Perusing the market for wares didn't appeal to Masumi for the time being. Perusing the market for miscreants... that appealed to her much so! This Hiruma didn't seem particularly unsavory but sometimes appearances were deceiving! The only exception were her fellow Lion, of course.

Masumi made no attempt to conceal her approach. "Good afternoon, Hiruma-sama," she announced before offering a respectful bow. "I imagine it is difficult to choose between all the great options the Ikoma lands have to offer." Oh those Ikoma always loved a good boast.

Never trust a goblin wearing silks. Daichi wasn't quite what that had to do with the current situation, he did have to admit it was a bit odd seeing a Matsu dressed in pretty silks and makeup though. From what he understood, most of the family was warriors and dressed as such, and if the young woman's hands were any indication she was the same.

Still, he wasn't one to ponder upon such minor peculiarities, people were people after all, they all had things they liked. "Good afternoon, Matsu-san." He replied after returning her bow with one of his own. "There is quite the collection here, though I admit to not yet happening upon anything I am truly interested in."

"But then that likely is mostly caused by the fact that I didn't have shopping in mind so much as stretching my legs and having a look around."

Hiruma Daichi wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 05, 2025 10:40 am

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Masumi was certainly no goblin. Her relationship with the finer things in life was a bit more contentious. Part of it was a tool. Part of it was her general aptitude for such things. She might not have been a Doji but she was still elegant in her own way. "Nothing has convinced you to change your mind?" Masumi smirked. "Someone so easily swayed would not have been sent to attend the Winter Court."

It seemed characteristic for a Hiruma to want to get the way of the land, so to speak. She would offer to serve as a guide if not for her own unfamiliarity with these parts. Instead she seemed perfectly content with accompanying him without stating anything out loud.

"I don't know about that." Daichi mused as he glanced at the stalls, not in a hurry to shoo the woman away. Or speed his way through his browsing.

"It could probably be said that there are difficulties brought about when one is too inflexible in certain ways. If people could never be convinced to make a purchase, shops could start going out of business for example."

Hiruma Daichi wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 06, 2025 1:39 am

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"Everything in moderation then," Masumi said, eyeing a stand full of confectionaries. It wasn't that she possessed much of a sweet tooth but she did enjoy it when she could. "Although I would argue that a shop that does not sell what people want deserves to go out of business."

"What kind of shops have what you want then, Matsu-san?" He asked as he glanced towards the sweets himself, he really didn't eat many sweets himself. Knowing the location of a shop that sold good treats could be of use later though. People liked to have them with tea after all.

Now could be a good time to given them a try, and with that in mind he started moving towards the sweet stand to have a closer look. "Is there perhaps a certain type you'd like to see kept in business wherever you went?"

"I am also not searching for anything in particular right now." Fineries were, well, fine but she didn't need them. She didn't want to come off as someone overly indulgent.

"Someone must always provide food," she said, eying the sweets warily. Again the indulgence thing. "Clothing is functional. Yes, things that are functional for people. As for art, I suppose any that fail weren't worthy of remaining in business."

"If your lord provides you with food, does it really need to be sold though?" He asked, a bit curious as to her answer. "Or perhaps only sweets and the like should be?" He continued as he arrived at the sweet stall and began perusing its wares.

At least that left some things any business. "And a bit off topic from our current discussion, but are there any particular treats that are popular in Lion lands recently?"

"Ah but samurai are not the only patrons at these places." Masumi eyed the sweets. By the Kami, they were rather tempting. "But yes, I would not expect a lord to provide vassals with sweets in all instances. A more nutritious food, certainly."

While she wasn't an expert in Lion trends, Masumi still picked out a box filled with Yōkan. "These are a classic. I would pair them with matcha to help balance out the flavoring."

Yokan was a classic, and the Lion were by and large a traditional people, so it was an answer that made sense to at least to Daichi. Calling over the vendor he ordered a small selection of Yokan as well as some Yatsuhashi, the second seeming to be a much better treat for walking.

Storing the Yokan away, he opened the Yatushashi, and offered the Matsu a piece. "For the offered advice."

Masumi watched the proceedings with a faint smile, suppressing any memories of her own childhood that popped up. A proper samurai didn't need any sweets. The sooner a youngster learned that, the better.

And so it was easy for her to say, "The advice was freely given." She wondered if this would be a game of refusals and re-offers. It wouldn't be the worst if she did partake in a little. All those muscles needed a lot of food to nourish them... Accursed sweet tooth.

"So, it might have been, but that doesn't make offer any less sincere." The crab replied as he offered the treats once again, they received a slight shake as well, perhaps in an attempt to make them more appealing.

It hadn't been his intention to make this a game of gifts, but he could play it if she wanted to.

The little shake definitely added to the appeal. Nonetheless Masumi remained resolute. "Your sincerity is not under question at all, nor is your gratitude. A treat is not necessary to confirm that." But it would be so, so appreciated. Oh the game of gifts.

"Well." He paused a moment thoughtfully, perhaps making a bit of a show of it. "You do make a very good point, but on the other hand it would be difficult for me to eat them all on my own."

"Are you sure I couldn't interest you in some Matsu-san?" He asked as he presented them again.

"If it would help you, then I shall take one," Masumi said, finally acquiescing in the game. It was a little much, in hindsight, but it all went away as soon as she plopped one in her mouth. She couldn't keep herself from smiling as she savored the little treat.

Once she finished, she bowed to the Hiruma. "You are most gracious," she said, still rather peppy after the bit of sweets.

"It was my pleasure Matsu-san." He replied before taking one of the treats for himself. A few more were kept as well for savoring later. The bulk was sent to his room at the Crab house though.

"You said you were new to the area though? Are you usually stationed somewhere close then? Or did you have to travel a fair distance."