[Day 11 - Mid Afternoon] Close to the Sun

[Kuni Shiori]

As agreed with their letter, Shiori would make her timely appointment to the Minor Clan residences to see Moshi Akane after court. She would carry a wrapped bundle under her arm in additional to her usual things.

"Good afternoon, this one is Kuni Shiori and I have an appointment with Moshi Akane-dono. I wish to have a conversation and acquaint myself with the Centipede Clan, please," she would say when she was stopped by the first attendant, bowing deeply when she stated the purpose of her visit.

[Moshi Akane]

The servant has a slightly confused look at Shiori's words but conducts her to the Lady Centipede, who bows from where she sits and motions for Shiori to join her.

"Kuni-san," she says, "what a pleasure! Have you eaten rice today?"

[Kuni Shiori]

When received by Akane, she would bow deeply to greet her. "Good afternoon, Moshi-dono. Thank you for receiving me today and I have had my morning rice, thank you. I hoped to acquaint myself better with you and your Clan, especially in light of the recent arrangements made with your Clan. I trust that you've already been well acquainted with members of the Crab Clan here but not less so with me, so it seems only right."

She paused for a moment and unwrapped the bundle she carried to reveal something of a flat bowl that seemingly was carved out from a darkened rock. "I wish to present a gift to you from House Kuroyama. This belongs to one of the founding members of the House some generations ago when we resided in the Black Mountains, Kuni Emiko. She was a researcher of the realms but also took to ikebana. It seemed appropriate that this bowl be only filled with flowers from those lands, as she used it for that purpose, but unfortunately, we are removed from those lands at the time being."

Shiori would bow once more and present the bowl forward. "Nevertheless, this is a piece from my House's history and it would be an honour to gift this to the Moshi, as one from that family will be joining House Kuroyama soon."

[Moshi Akane]

"It would not be meet to take a piece of your House's history," Akane says, making her first refusal.

[Kuni Shiori]

Shiori nodded soundly at that, well expecting it. "Yes, it is admittedly a part of our family's history, especially as a keepsake from our former lands. However, much of the legacy of those lands still lives in what we do and our memories. Those memories are also better spread when shared with others and I would sincerely hope that Moshi-dono will allow me that honour." She bowed once more.

[Moshi Akane]

"The honor is to have Kuni-san in company," Akane says, beginning her second refusal. "That is more than enough to keep in heard and mind."

[Kuni Shiori]

"I'm honoured that Moshi-dono would think so, especially already on first impression," she said with a flash of a brief smile. "But I feel it's only fair when it seems that my reputation has already preceded me in the negotiations. It seemed only fair that I gift something in return when you had me in your thoughts. I would be an honour to leave a piece of my House with you, Moshi-dono." She bowed once more and presented the gift once last time.