[D7, EE] Dinner with a fox

[Agasha Yuna]

She nodded.

"I quite understand that you are making many deals and any candidate could cease to be available as the process goes on."

"I have an interesting possibility for your Kitsune-ke no kashin Reizei Kimihiro. Our Mirumoto-ke no kashin Tsubouchi Yoko (Female, Status 6, Age 24). She is an administrative prodigy and the Governor of Yakeishi Province. She needs to remain in place as the Governor, but your Kitsune Kimihiro is close enough in status to marry her, and sounds like he would be an affable support. An excellent opportunity for him to be a Governor's husband. Of note, while Yoko presents as female and lives a female life, she was assigned male at birth. Their children would need to be adopted. I don't know if you or he would object to that. If that is an isssue, we can look at other options."

"For your young Kitsune-ke no kashin Reizei Ikuko, I have three possible bushi at influence slightly higher than her justifying a marriage in to the Dragon. (status 2) Two I could describe in more detail. The other is Mirumoto Jinkan-san, as you guessed. And I'll defer to him to speak to his circumstance and if he would like to be considered."

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

"I would not. I have plans, I just like the shape of your bones." Jinkan gave a seated bow to the Kitsune to avoid causing too much offense.

"They can be slightly distracting, but I am not looking for a Fox wife."

[Agasha Yuna]

She nodded.

"Then, if we want to consider the younger match, of the remaining two, I recommend Mirumoto Kyuu-san. A young bushi who has served well in his duties to date. He is currently assigned at Shiro Mirumoto. It is a major castle with plenty of options for more bookish service, such as record-keeping and archival roles."


(fluffing a little flavor on a delegate with a male name, if that's okay)

[Kitsune Aiko]

"I'm sure Mirumoto-san'll make a fine husband," Aiko says. "Shame he'll miss out on one of ours, but that's his preference.

"'s far's hitchin' t' Reizei-san," she continues, "s' far's I know, he's pretty flexible. An' adoption's not a stranger t' Fox folk, neither."

She eats more of what's before her, then adds "I suppose we'll need t' talk weddin' presents an' all."

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled. It seemed like a good match.

"I'll have to run this all through Togashi-ue, but I should be able to meet with him tomorrow."

"There is still that stone for your dyes, but if there is something else you are hoping to see as a wedding present, let me know."

The attendants cleared the entree plates once everyone was finished.

And the next course was gohan - the rice course. This particular rice included steamed fish, along with the broth.

After this, there was only dessert as the final course.

https://ibb.co/DpT3nKZ

[Kitsune Aiko]

"That's what I'd been thinkin'," Aiko replies.

"More tasty food. Gonna have to do a lot of runnin' t' work it all off."

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

"Agasha-san enjoys watching people turn into round balls before they leave here." Jinkan said laughing at his own joke.

"If we eat much more you will need a cart to push me to my room."

[Kitsune Aiko]

"Somethin' t' be said f'r hospitality, though," Aiko allows. "Y'all eat like this t' home?"

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled at the description. Turning them into round balls.

"Ah, I did not eat like this back home. My uncle introduced me to a friend of his - a chef from Otosan Uchi. He is helping us entertain here. It's a great honor to meet the other clans here. The lovely meals are a small way to show our gratitude."

"Are you all too full for dessert? There is no need to foist it on you, if you have already eaten all you can."

[Kitsune Aiko]

"Now I didn't say that!" Aiko says. "An' I'd hate to put food t' waste after it's been made an' all."

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna grinned that her guest's appetite had not been entirely exhausted.

And thus dessert was also served.

It was a mango & plum coulis, a shiro miso crumble, and black sesame mochi.

https://ibb.co/FBzvCTZ

She smiled at the Kitsune. "Your dyes will satisfy a hunger in our people. I am so very grateful. I'll bring all that we discussed here to Togashi-ue tomorrow, and the marriage to the Imperial Matchmaker, and bring you word of the outcome. Fortunes watch over this harmonious plan, and see it achieved."

And that would give her an excuse to chat with the Fox again. Privately. About certain personal matters discussed earlier in the dinner, and of great interest to an earnest young wife-to-be.

[Kitsune Aiko]

Aiko clears her mouth--which was quite full quite suddenly--nodding.

"That'll be swell," she says. "I mean, I'll be in Court, o' course. But I'll still look t' palaver after."