[D7, EE] Dinner with a fox

[Agasha Yuna]

She ate some of her scallop and gave them space to talk.

[Kitsune Aiko]

"Trees, usually," Aiko replies. "Occasionally one rock that was standin' out in th' middle of a clearin'."

She looks to Yuna. "Like I said, reminds me of 'im."

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

"I take care of her as best I am able. Making sure she eats, bathes, so on." Jinkan said nodding with the Kitsune. "I expect at some age I will look too deep into the threads of fate and end up losing all sense of time and space. But until then I will be happy with whatever firmness I can find in the here and now."

"But go ahead, tell us about Kitsune Mori."

[Agasha Yuna]

As he spoke to Kitsune-san, she had a chance to verify that they had all finished the first course. She quietly signaled the attendants to bring the next course and re-fill any wine glasses.

A soup with fresh seafood and vegetables in broth
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A plate of fresh sashimi, beautifully presented.
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"Mirumoto-san, perhaps after she tells us about Kitsune lands, you could speak about your Ito lands."

[Kitsune Aiko]

"Quite a spread," Aiko reaffirms, tucking in with as much elegance as might be expected from someone who really ought to have a stalk of grass between her teeth.

"Now, Kitsune Mori's a forest, o' course," she says, answering amid bites. She doesn't talk with her mouth full, at least. "An' while th' trees yield a whole lot to us, they do more f'r th' spirits livin' among 'em. Y'all know about the various Realms an' such, right? 'cause if'n I gotta 'xplain them, ain't gonna be a whole lot else gets into this here confab."

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

"I have approximate knowledge of many things." Jinkan replied nodding his head at her answer.

"Would you be willing to share anything about these spirits you found interesting, despite obviously, growing up near them?"

[Kitsune Aiko]

"Since I ain't gotta 'xplain what Chikushudo is, I might could do just that," Aiko says.

"Got a number o' animal spirits an' th' like--them's close t' bein' animal spirits, but're us'ly more ornery--as walk around the Forest an' all. Some of 'em'll take a shine t' somebody or 'nother. Some of 'em'll take such a shine as they wanna be their wife."

Aiko pauses and eats a little more, then continues "It's always wife, somehow. Ain't never understood that.

"Anyway, sometimes folks'll get enamored of 'em, an' that's often a distraction. Hard t' do what needs doin' here when your mind an' heart're there, y' know."

Then she goes to eat more.

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna listened, fascinated.

She had also nodded that she knew enough to not need an explanation of the realms.

"I can understand the desire to be a wife." A shy blush. She was engaged! Today!

"And it is a good reminder that we are hoping to discuss marriages possible between our clans. Did you want to speak to candidates you might have available?"

She had also earlier encouraged Mirumoto-san to speak about his lands, his role as heir. Another suggestion for topic. Possibly related.

Attendants quietly brought the main entree course. Course three of five.

There was a plate of fresh fish and roe. And on separate plates for each person, a beautifully grilled eggplant, and a plate of bamboo shoots in a daikon broth.

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[Kitsune Aiko]

"Ain't had many complaints 'bout bein' a wife, myself," Aiko says. "Can't say none an' be speakin' truth, but ain't many."

She looks at Yuna closely. "Your momma ever talk t' you 'bout goin's on?" she asks. "'cause if she ha'n't, might could be you need t' know some 'bout it afore you head in.

"Anyway, my brother, love 'im an' all, but he's got the distracted part goin' on all kindsa ways. An' since he's the Champion an' all..."

Aiko shrugs and takes a bite.

"Good victuals, these."

[Agasha Yuna]

There was a moment it was clear to anyone looking at Yuna's face that she was not at all sure her mother had told her any such important information.

She looked down at her plate and took a nervous bite of fish.

And then, deciding this particular meal had a certain aura of genuine candor, she added, in a quiet unemotional voice: "My mother took it very personally that her first born could not speak to the kami. She prefers to avoid the sight of me. Happily, I have achieved the marriage out of clan that will set her at ease for good."

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

"Don't worry Agasha-san, you have very little to worry about with a willing partner." Jinkan said nodding at both of them.

"But to reply to your description, the Ito live in the side of a mountain, our castle has only one wall as the rest is solid rock. Makes volcanic activity a problem but that hasn't been an issue for centuries. The mountains around us are black, brown, and white on the top. Forests below us. A river down at the bottom of the cliffs, fed by the peaks around us. That is about it I think. Lots of fog I guess." He paused and then shook his head.

"Yeah that is it."

[Kitsune Aiko]

"We get fog sometimes, too," Aiko says. "Usually have things movin' in it, though."

She eats a little more, then turns to Yuna. "I'm sorry t' hear 'bout your mom," she says. "I been married a few years. Maybe later, you an' I c'n talk about things it'll be good f'r you t' know.

"But your friend here has th' right of it. Willin' partner'll help a lot. One willin' t' learn'll help a lot more."

She grins. "An' I'm sure he'll have reason t' study hard."

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled shyly.

"I admire him very much, and he is glad of me. I ... always appreciate advice. Perhaps, yes, later."

"Though other advice about harmonious marriage is probably most suitable for this dinner."

She took a deep breath, collecting herself.

"The Dragon have several options if the plan is for a Kitsune to marry into the Dragon." That was her understanding, but always best to check.

[Kitsune Aiko]

"An' if they'd care to trade peaks f'r trunks? What then?" Aiko replies.

[Agasha Yuna]

"That is a possibility also, though it would eliminate anyone who is the heir to their house and must stay in place."

"It is mostly bushi, either way. If that helps you consider."

[Kitsune Aiko]

"Ain't always th' case th' heir's gotta stick 'round," Aiko replies. "Sometimes, it's better f'r th' group if'n the heir 'parent goes 'nother way.

"An' bushi're fine. My husband's one, matter o' fact."

[Agasha Yuna]

"Perhaps you could tell us more about the gender and age of your candidates? Or range therein? Relative status? A notable trait like stunning beauty or other Fortune-gifted advantage in life?"

"Marrying candidates in ... there are options at almost any weight of status, that we could consider. Marrying out ... our options tend to be younger bushi, performing well, but earlier in their career."

[Kitsune Aiko]

"I've got one bach'lor, Kitsune-ke no kashin Kondo Yoshimasa, as'd be fit t' bring most anyone in [Status 6]. He's 29, an' he's a poet o' no small skill. Been workin' to gather bits fr'm 'cross th' Empire t' honor Shinjo when he returns," Aiko says.

"Could go either out 'r in with Kitsune-ke no kashin Reizei Kimihiro [Status 4]. He's pretty for'rd, but he gets on well with most e'rybody. Good t' ride th' river with.

"Be most like to send out Kitsune-ke no kashin Reizei Ikuko [Status 1] in a couple years; she's young yet, but we c'n make sure she keeps herself fit f'r hitchin. Studious girl, she, spendin' most'f her time in th' libraries. Her sensei seem some fire in 'er, though.

"I ain't gonna lie," Aiko continues. "There're others as're lookin' f'r foxy spouses. Seems folks want some of what all we have t' offer."

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

"One can see why." Jinkan said to the air at large.

[Kitsune Aiko]

"Like I said, hon," Aiko replies, "you're sweet. You lookin' f'r a wife, maybe?"