[D13, EE] Needling Away (Open)

[Kitsu Sayomi]

Sayomi gave the Phoenix a polite smile. "I tend to pray more to my ancestors, Shiba-sama, that my choices and actions will be the right ones that bring honor to their name that I now carry. If the Fortunes bless me, I believe it to be that I have lived my life in a way they approve of, not because I prayed every day to them."

[Shiba Ryusei]

He arched an eyebrow.

"There's nothing wrong with thanking them for their blessings, you know."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"And not every conversation is a battle to be won, Shiba-sama," she replied, keeping her polite tone and smile. "Sometimes people disagree and that is that. Just as Lord Akodo declared that it was not his way to spend time on contemplation on the Tao, the first Hantei let it be."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Oh, is that what you see as happening here? Then I must apologize. I'm simply... dealing with a very different mindset than I am accustomed to, and I'm curious as to its ins and outs."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"I accept your apology," a slight bow is given.

She considered it better to change the topic to something less volatile. "Have everything turned out alright for the Phoenix this season, if I may ask? Needs have been met and all that?"

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Hm? Oh, very much so. We achieved most of our directives from the Elemental Council and Lord Asako, although the library proposal could have gone a bit more smoothly if I'd had more time to drum up support. Our material needs were met as of our second agreement with the Scorpion, and the second Crab treaty saw to a little extra copper to fashion more bells for the Shrine of the Ki-Rin. Every agreement after that has been largely an exercise in trying to help others meet their needs while diversifying our surplus. And the Lion? I know Akodo Kenji-san mentioned you'd had a good harvest, so I imagine you had few difficulties finding trade partners."