[D5, LM, expecting] Let us talk

[Otomo Saisei]

The Otomo raises a hand, questioning, "Forgive me, Masao-sama, but, worthy of what exactly –– being a potential bride to my friend?"

[Kakita Masao]

The Kakita smiles, and closes his eyes for a moment. "My apologies, Saisei-san," he says, looking kindly at the other man. "I am not being as clear as my friend deserves. I simply meant to ask, whether any samurai-ko besides Kitsuki-san seems worthy of my friend's praise. It would be surprising, I suppose, for us to find two diamonds in one small patch of the rough, but the will of the Heavens cares not at all what surprises a soldier, eh?"

[Otomo Saisei]

Saisei smiles back, "There are some treasures kept this small village, yes. So, I would counter what my friend says about the odds of finding jewels around. Some of these are hidden treasures. Others are so colorful, one cannot help as to get mesmerized by the smallest of their details."

The Otomo chuckles, "I have to say I've been finding oddly hard to see one unworthy of praise. If Masao-san knows what I'm meaning."

[Kakita Masao]

The Crane seems to look confused for a moment, but then starts to smile. "So, Saisei-san has... enjoyed making the acquaintance of some of these women?"

[Otomo Saisei]

He laughs a bit, "Even the ronin are pretty around these parts, Masao-sama. How would one not enjoy meeting them?"

Another laugh and he adds, "I mean. Especially the ronin."

[Kakita Masao]

Masao chuckles, maybe less than would be expected for a man his age, and actually looks a touch embarrassed. He takes a drink of tea.

"Yes, there are plenty of, ah, sights to see here." He smiles, only a little nervously. "Which sight have you... appreciated... the most?" he asks, pushing focus away from himself.

[Otomo Saisei]

"The mountains of the Dragon are really, but really large. Rocking hard as they roll above ground, too. Quite a feat of nature." He begins, holding his laugh, and adds, "The curves on the Crane's coastlines are to be enamored for. Many are too busy, though. Yet, there might be some areas of development in more distant regions I might not be aware."

Another sip and he goes on, "The round hills of the Falcon and its valley look incredibly fertile. Although it might be rather hostile to the unprepared. The lush and exotic gulfs of the Mantis are inviting, yet there might be dangers once one gets into the jungle. The wolves that wander around are unfamiliar to the Rokugani plains, from what I've seen –– yet, there's no telling if they're just passing by or ready to attack. The Otosan Uchi Bay is always a welcoming site, yet we all know the palace is quite forbidden... for some."

A sigh and he says, "The most... it is hard to tell at this point. I guess I'm still figuring it out. I am quite inexperienced in traveling."

[Kakita Masao]

The Crane, eyes wide and perhaps more speechless than ever in his life, blinks in wonder at Saisei's recitation. After the Otomo has finished, and realizing that he's staring somewhat rudely, Masao tries to form a response.

"Rrr--right, Saisei-san, quite... right. I mean... yes, the wolves, the... er, certainly." He looks deeply into his tea cup, realizes it's empty and no help, and sets it down a bit awkwardly. "Um, there's... I don't," he chuckles, "I don't suppose I'm very helpful with, uh, such geography."

[Otomo Saisei]

The Otomo laughs a bit more, asking, "What's wrong, Masao-sama?"

With another chuckle, he leans a bit forward and raising eyebrows, "Has my friend been familiar with one of these formidable descriptions?"

[Kakita Masao]

Now the Crane turns pale, knowing there's no where to hide from the question.

"Um." He stalls. "It wouldn't be very honorable," he says, sounding rather less confident than he should on this point, "for a samurai to be, um, too... To enjoy the geography too much," he finishes in a rush. "I mean, I can... appreciate... the geography. But, you know, visually. From a respectful distance," he sounds vaguely proud. And vaguely insincere.

[Otomo Saisei]

Saisei rubs his chin and narrows his eyes at Masao's potentially insincere comments. He then says, "There's much honor in knowing the Empire, when invited to other courts... I guess."

[Kakita Masao]

Masao doesn't understand the vague response, and realizes his own embarrassment might have given offense. Perhaps overcorrecting, he speaks with full candor.

"Ah, apologies, Saisei-san. This one... This one has appreciated. The geography. More than... more than expected." He looks at the table. "It is a... Well. This one is not used to discussing such things."

[Otomo Saisei]

"It is always easier when we make subtle comparisons, I confess." He mentions with a chuckle and a silly grin, being himself rather naive at the topic.

[Kakita Masao]

The Crane chuckles too, clearly relieved that they are perhaps not so far apart as he feared.

"My friend will have to forgive me. Although my clan is well skilled with words and subtlety, I am still just a soldier. To feint with my blade comes easily. To feint with my words... It is a challenge." He sighs.

"So in honor of clarity, if not subtlety, perhaps I can ask a plain question, and then we may discuss it as plainly as our knowledge permits?"

[Otomo Saisei]

"Are you sure you won't end up in a trap by saying something to me that could bring regret?"