Leash (D4, EA)

[Otomo Saisei]

The young Otomo sends word to one of the Crab retinue if the groom would be available to talk, now that he has already done twice with the bride.

[Hida Yoji]

Hida Yoji was present playing catch with his dog, Bujaro.

[Otomo Saisei]

"Good afte-tchoooooooo!" He sneezes, trying to greet, and then bows apologetically, "I beg your pardon. The day has been odd with me.""

Once back, he presents himself, "I am Otomo Saisei, assistant to the nakodo. I hope Inari-kami has treated Hida-san well, today."

--
D4, EA, Etiquette/Awareness +Benten: 4d10o10k4 18

[Hida Yoji]

"Yeah I ate, Otomo-san, how are you?" he asked as he played a game of tug of war with his dog.

[Otomo Saisei]

"Inari-kami has provided sufficient, through the good will of the Crab. So, I confess I could be better at my own expense." He mentions, rubbing his nose.

Then, he looks at the dog and opens a gin, "So this is the famed Bujaro. I've heard about him."

[Hida Yoji]

"You have? Hopefully all good and nothing bad?" he said laughing.

[Otomo Saisei]

Saisei opens his fan to cover and... "Atchooooooo!" He sneezes again.

Back like a gentleman, he adds, "Only good. Although I confess I am not used to have animals in the household myself."

[Hida Yoji]

"Bujaro is no mere animal, Bujaro is a warrior of legend," he said proudly.

[Otomo Saisei]

He nods, and corrects, "Well. I am not used to have furry warriors of legend in my household. At the stable, yes."

With a grin, he says. "So. I wanted to congratulate you personally. Daidoji-sama is certainly the best bride one could dream of these days."

[Hida Yoji]

"Really, everyone says she is a little old but she looks very Crane like," he said to the Imperial.

"I mean that as a good thing."

[Otomo Saisei]

"Daidoji-sama is not old." The Otomo tries to loosen up a bit and cocks his head back, "She's at the summit of her age. We are the ones too young. There are only advantages to such pairing. Besides, she's really good looking. Didn't turn into... you know... someone too relaxed with their self image. She's definitely going to stay pleasant to the eyes for years ahead."

"ATCHOOOO!!"

He sneezes and bows to the Crab again, "Sorry. The fur and all..."

Then Saisei waves his hand dismissively, mentioning it not being an issue, to continue, "Hida-san would only have advantages in partnering with a wife such as her. She can show you an entirely different world. The Daidoji have the steel of the Crab, and the refinement of the Crane. It is a Family of devoted defenders, that know no limit to protect their charge, but honor itself. Just like the Crab. Hida-san is a somewhat more reserved kind of person, from what I could notice."

The Otomo rubs his chin to add up to the scene, looking at the pair, "Hida-san fits perfectly with the Daidoji, and having someone as his future wife to open the doors to his arrival, I have to say, it is a rare opportunity."

[Hida Yoji]

"Wow, I never... you really think so?" he said.

[Otomo Saisei]

"I do, and Otomo Yusuke-sama does it too." He says, frowning a bit at him. "I mean, he could have picked anyone else in the Crab, but chose Hida-san. Not his brothers. Hida Yoji-san was the choice. There's a reason for that."

Saisei thinks on taking another step to get closer to him, but refrains from doing so due the dog. In turn, he rubs his nose a bit, and adds, "When I was a kid, my okassan used to offer me oysters. I would always looks at them with disgust and say they looked too raw. I didn't try them for years. When she departed from this world –– I was still younger than I am today –– I tried it."

He puts a thin smile of satisfaction on his face and rubs his belly, "Kami knows how delicious it is. I was a fool, filled with prejudices against it, and never wanted to try. If I had known before how delicious it was, I would have been happier to have shared it with okassan."

The young Otomo chuckles, mentioning, "My grandfather had a phrase for that: 'Didn't eat and did't like it'. It makes no sense, right?"

[Hida Yoji]

"Just seems like the Crane will not be very welcoming to a Crab, but if she is so wonderful then maybe it will not be so bad," he said blandly.

[Otomo Saisei]

"Wait. Wait!" Saisei warns him with the palm of his hand, and then...

"Aaaa... aaa..."

His held is held there for another moment.

"Tchooooo!"

Another bow, and he resumes his warning, "I didn't tell Hida-san that the first time I ate the oysters, I got so... hungry and impulsive, that I ate a whole platter. Hida-san, being a Crab, oughta know that folks that are not used to eat oysters can't each a whole bunch at once. One needs to learn how to savor it. It takes years to fully... well... get used. Yet, it is worth every measured bite."

[Hida Yoji]

"I get that," he said chuckling.

"Just between you and me, I hate shellfish... that was the best thing about the Wall. We rarely had that kind of food."

[Otomo Saisei]

"Secret kept, Hida-san. Please, call me by my name, since Hida-san shares such a dark secret for a Crab." He chuckles, and adds up, "I can check which food Daidoji-sama likes. I wonder if she enjoys noodles. Kami, the noodles here are really unique. I am drooling just by thinking about them."

[Hida Yoji]

"Yoji is fine for me," he said in response. "The noodles are wonderful, see now that you discuss more food I am going to get hungry again."

[Otomo Saisei]

"We should indeed schedule to get some noodles sometime soon. Sake included. I am expected to indulge plenty at the marriage festivity proper. Training is needed. Perhaps Yoji-san could be my senpai on that?" He laughs a bit.

Then sneezes, "Acthooooo!"

Another rub to his nose. "Maybe that will be a remedy to the sneezing. Anyhow, If I may suggest, it would be good for you to bring her some sort of gift. Not sure if you're skilled in any non martial art. I actually am not."

[Hida Yoji]

"Well what does she like? Do you know?" Yoji asked.

He knelt down and played with Bujaro and added, "I have been trying to learn origami with little success."

[Otomo Saisei]

"Well. Tea, for sure." He chuckles. "Well, I am sure that if you put a good effort into an origami and offer it as a gift, Daidoji-sama would greatly appreciate. Even if she will deny in the beginning. It is the intention that counts along with your truest feeling, after all. Let's do this, Yoji-san gets Daidoji-sama that origami, and I get her to eat some noodles with Yoji-san. Then, he can ask her what Daidoji-sama really likes to eat."

Saisei wiggles his eyebrows, "Deal?"

[Hida Yoji]

"Deal, shall we do this on the morrow?" he asked.

[Otomo Saisei]

He nearly said yes, but reminds about the time loop. Pressing his lips, he wonders if everything done today would reset the next day. With a sigh, Saisei reinforces, "You should present her a gift in the first opportunity you have. Today wouldn't be a bad day, frankly. Eating, sure, tomorrow."

[Hida Yoji]

"I can try this evening, if you feel it must be that urgent," he said in reply.

[Otomo Saisei]

"I have a sense that it could go especially well today. A tip, don't bring Bujaro –– keep him leashed somewhere open –– and do proceed with the gift-giving process. Insist until Daidoji-sama accepts... which will be on the third time you offer. Use genuine arguments. Compassion and courtesy should take care of the rest."