Clouded Moon (Day 14 Late Evening Open)

[Hiruma Daichi]

The outside door to Daichi's room was open leaving the interior open to the elements. Which didn't seem to particularly bother the young gunso as he sat in front of the open doorway enjoying the evening air. There was a small piece of wood in his hands as well as a knife for whittling and he was slowly shaping the wood into something that was as of yet impossible to tell.

He didn't seem to be in any sort of a hurry either as he sat aside the knife and reached for a cup of sake. Nyoko wasn't far off either, lurking just inside his room on a plump pillow. Seeming at the moment unwilling to go outside, even for the promise of an open lap.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

During a break in the rain, the familiar looking figure of Kitsu Sayomi could be seen approach, illuminated by a simple lantern in one hand to light her path at this late hour.

With no haste or delay in her steps, she walked toward the Crab house... and noticed the open door and the silhouette of Daichi in the doorway. Her trajectory changed slightly to move towards him instead of the main door.

"Good evening, Hiruma-sama," she greeted, bowing slightly as she walk closer.

[Hiruma Daichi]

"Kitsu-san." Daichi greeted the young woman politely. "I hope this evening finds you well." Perhaps a bit less formality would be the proper thing here, but it was a bit difficult still to out how exactly he should be addressing her now.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"It does," she nodded, coming to a stop outside his door. Sayomi wasn't quite sure either about the circumstances of things. "Ah..." she began, stumbling slightly to find the words, "I have something for you. A gift, and a small request. And please, you need not refuse the gift."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"if that's your request Kitsu-san I won't play the normal games then." He offered easily a small smile on his lips. "But first I ask you to allow me to be a polite host." He finished as he rose to his feet and moved to fetch another cushion and cup so she could join him.

Nyoko in the meantime had noticed the invader and rose to her feet from the cushion she was on, taking a few moments to stretch before starting to lazily move towards Sayomi.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"I would be a bad guest if I denied you that." She gingerly placed down her lantern first before she properly stepped to the doorway. "But that was not the request... oh, hello there friend."

Seeing the cat, Sayomi slowly knelt down to not be so intimidating to the small creature. "Ain't you a little darlin' shadow," she cooed, offering a carefully outstretched hand.

[Hiruma Daichi]

"I know." Daichi replied with a chuckle. "I suppose I should admit I was just teasing you a bit." He shook his head slightly. "I won't refuse yiut gift Kitsu-san." He finished a touch more serious.

Nyoko's tail swished in curiosity as the Lion crouched down and offered her hand, and slowly she approached, sniffing at the offered appendage for a moment before stepping forward to rub her head against Sayomi's hand.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"Awww..." she let the majestic feline rub against her hand as it pleased, before she dared to gently use a finger to scratch the spot near where the jaw and ear connected. "What a pretty cat you are."

It seemed like Nyoko held more of her attention than Daichi did.

"Did she travel all the way here from your home?"

[Hiruma Daichi]

A fact Nyoko delighted in; she turned her head into Sayomi's scratches pleased to have a new provider of attention. There were not nearly enough Crab in the house to fulfill her need for attention apparently.

"Yes, she wasn't exactly the biggest fan of all parts of the trip, but she made the best of it." He took a few moments to arrange the sake cup and cushion, so they were available for Sayomi when she was ready. "Made a fair number of friends in the process too."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"Oh, I can see why. Yes, you are such a sweetie." Clearly she was already fond of the cat she just met. "Aw, big purrs."

A moment of gentle scritches, and Sayomi then noticed the cushion and cup. She chuckled briefly over her own little lapse in attention, and with a smile moved to the cushion. Nyoko was invited to follow for more pets with a soft pat on the spot beside her.

"Right," Sayomi cleared her throat demurely, "so, ah, the request I had was that you may call me by my chosen name from now on. And you may need not worry about formalities with me in private, like this."

[Hiruma Daichi]

Nyoko was in fact the sweetest, it was well known through all seven provinces of Nyokotopia and was why she deserved all the pets and all the laps. Though at times hoomans seemed to disagree with her, which she resented. This one seemed to understand though and was thus named the Third apprentice chin scritcher. She followed Sayomi over and took the offered seat beside her, for the moment. The Chin scritchers lap might require testing before long.

"We probably should get used to doing that." Daichi agreed after a moment adding "Sayomi." That was probably a tad more embarrassing than it should have been. "I'll ask in return you do the same though, if it's not too much trouble."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

Chin scritches continued, as the greated of Nyokotopia deserved.

"Of course. Daichi." It was more embarrassing than she had expected, but she smiled nonetheless. "I'm glad to be shown the same courtesy." With her free hand, she could now take out the gift; a small silk pouch from her obi. It was embroidered with colorful threads, depicting a lit torch surrounded by a wolf, a hummingbird, a shark, and lastly a lion.

"One of the traditions of my family is for the women to gift embroidery work to the men; usually small items or sometimes a garment. This pouch can be used for coin, or carrying incense, as preferred." The gift was extended towards him. "I read in the libraries that the Hiruma value the lessons from the wolf, hummingbird, and shark."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"It's lovely Sayomi." Daichi offered as he reached forward to take the small pouch from the Lioness. "I'll treasure it, not just for the work put into its making but also the time you spent studying to find things so meaningful."

"Thank you." He finished simply.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

There was a unique sincerity to her smile as the gift exchanged hands, as if it was a guard that she allowed herself to let down now in private compared to the formalities and expected behaviour of a samurai in public. "I'm glad you like it, Daichi." It was honest and warm.

"If I'm to change my colors, it's only right that I learn what I can about my new clan, so that I can serve to the best of my abilities."

Poor Nyoko had to suffer as the scritching was slowing down and becoming less attentive.

[Hiruma Daichi]

"I have something for you as well, but I have to admit it's not done as of yet." He replied as he gestured towards the piece of maple he had been carving before she arrived. "So, you'll have to wait a little while yet." If one were perceptive, they could tell that the idea of making something for someone was fairly embarrassing for Daichi, though he hid it well.

Nyoko had settled into a happy purrball as the pets had continued, but now that they were slowing, she had one eye open watching the young woman. Judging her. Though no moves were made as of yet.

"That does make sense." Daichi mused as he reached for the bottle of sake and offered to fill Sayomi's cup. "And if you have any questions, I'll answer them as I can, though I would like if you could tell me something of the Kitsu as well, when we have the time."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"I'd be happy to do that, when we have the time," she nodded and accepted a fill of her cup. "Right now though, I'd like to learn more about your family and your home."

Sayomi glanced to the cat and stroked Nyoko's chin softly, then moved her hand to pat her lap, offering the space to her.

[Hiruma Daichi]

Nyoko wasn't going to look excited about the prospect, but she wasn't about to let this opportunity pass either after several long moments of staring at the hand, she jumped into Sayomi's lap, rubbing her head against the Lion's hand asking for pets as she got situated.

"My family and my home." His hand reached over to pick up his cup of sake and he took a sip. "Home is easy enough, it's in what most call the boonies." He offered with a soft chuckle. "The foothills of the twilight mountains, south and east of Lone Candle Keep, not far from the Seigo river. My house over sees an Iron mine in the area and the Castle that protects it. Which is where I live when I'm not attending to my duties for the Clan. Though most everyone in the region lives around the Castle or the mine. The shopping is unfortunately rather terrible, but the views are pleasant and it's a nice place to relax, in my opinion."

"My family is probably on the larger side, in addition to my parents I have three sisters and a brother, all of them younger of course. Nozomi, Koharu, Yuuta, and Himari in order. Though you are unlikely to meet Nozomi as she is marrying into the Lion and Yuuta and Himari are in the midst of their schooling. My parents' names are Satoru and Kiyoko they're fine people as far as parents go, though my father can be a bit awkward at times." He added with a wry smile and shake of his head. "There are of course my aunts, uncles and cousins too., but if I continue, I may talk all day."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"Except for the location, sounds like home, considering House Tatsukawa is also located in 'the boonies'," she laughed softly at that. Funny how they both were country bumpkins who had to act better than that for court. Though she might miss the open plains and forests of the Lion plains. "Though we're not lucky to have an entire castle. Just some fortifications spread out over too much area."

Sayomi fell silent as Nyoko settled in and demanded more cuddles, and warmth spread through her expression as she obliged Nyoko's need for pets and scritches. "Aww... is she this sweet with everyone?"

[Hiruma Daichi]

"We're lucky to have it." Daichi replied with a soft smile. "I wouldn't say it's quite as impressive as Kyuden Ikoma of course, but it's home." Another boonies child, that figured. "I guess that means you have one less thing to get used to though. You might not be quite used to strolls through a forest and playing in a mountain stream, but I'd guess you did some similar things growing up."

"Not everyone." He admitted as he glanced towards Nyoko. "I think she is more of a lady's cat if that makes any sense. My sisters spoiled her when she was young, so she looks to girls more than men to get attention." He smirked. "She is vulnerable to bribes though, which may be why she puts up with me."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"We have some woods near home, along the river, but not much mountains no," she chuckled softly, not wanting to disturb Nyoko who was treated to gentle strokes over her head and back. "I'm used to spending hours outdoors patrolling or traveling between points of interest to check that everything is as it should be. Bandits are often a problem in remote areas like that and our house doesn't have the funds to keep watch everywhere. I know one of my uncles would like to invest more in raising horses to make that easier, but that's pretty costly."

Sayomi took a small sip of the sake. "It's not a long ride away from here. House Tatsukawa, that is. I'll need to return home briefly to share the news with my parents. You're of course welcome to join, but I understand you must hurry home too."