Day 1, LM: Time to Wake Up!

[Asahina Asano]

Asano murmured, "I practically tackled you when I saw you had come to the ceremony, I recall..."

She cleared her throat and looked over at Yoshino, "And I wouldn't be surprised by that. I was a very... precocious child. Always getting into mischief. If I'd had any siblings, I'm sure my parents would have had THEM watch over me. I think my parents trust me now...."

Asano sounded very unsure about that.

"A-Anyways, we're here for a purpose, no? We have plenty to do without me embarrassing you..."

[Doji Yoshino]

"Good it wasn't a hard dojo floor for bushi."

She swayed left and right, an expression of merriment, even as her expression returned to a blank state. "Precocious she says. I'd have gone for loud or excitable, but precocious is a start."

At the assertion she nods. "I'll embarrass myself just fine. Have some faith in me."

[Asahina Asano]

Asano nodded a little, "I will choose to believe in you. I do trust you to do anything you put your mind to, Yoshino-san."

The fact it was embarrassing herself was kind of lost on Asano in her readiness to agree.

[Doji Yoshino]

"... It's been some time since I last tried putting my mind to much. I just get by amongst the humdrum of the day." She let out a huff of a sigh. "Maybe some Crab will propose to me and my family can finally be rid of me."

[Asahina Asano]

Asano seemed to think for a bit, "...do you want to marry a Crab? You've never really talked to me about relationships, or marriage prospects. For yourself, that is."

[Doji Yoshino]

Asano would be greeted by a strange, not really delighted at the prospect, sort of face. "I don't hate the idea, but it's not my first choice. I haven't ever been courted and... I was practically kicked out of the Doji School, so..." She shifted position, placing a hand to her side and another onto the table. She looked up and frowned. Her gaze returned to Asano and some sadness crept into her voice for the first time. "Why day dream about it? The Crab are kind hosts and the Yasuki do know their trade, but all the relationships I have are transactional. We're on good terms and we exchange favours because that's what you do. I only had an in as some of them remembered my parents fondly. If it was just my own impression?" She shook her head. "So I don't talk about marriage prospects. I imagine at some point someone will remember that I exist when it's beneficial for some sort of marriage agreement. That or I'll be forgotten about so my line can't continue."

[Asahina Asano]

"I just doubt it will be the latter; You're charming and talented and a better samurai then I. I know there must be places out there that could handle, or even help, with your situation. I know the Crab are more open than most about such things, so it's possible there, I'd think. Not to mention how the Phoenix and Dragon handle spiritual maladies."

Asano shook her head, "I know it's tough... but I will do what I can to help. And I'm sure I could talk father into giving a good word or two as well. Probably..."

[Doji Yoshino]

"Asano-san, I doubt anyone would call me a better samurai than you. Certainly not more charming." Yoshino states in a scolding tone. "Don't speak badly of yourself. You're a very precious shugenja." Complete with a finger wag.

She took a deep breath.

"I suppose I could ask someone about it. I don't want to ask the Crab. They'll keep flinging jade at me and perhaps bar me from their lands. They can be..." She went to sugar coat it, then remembered she was in a Crane tea room in Crane lands with no Crab in sight. "They're paranoid. Absolutely, unashamedly paranoid."

Yoshino genuinely smiled at her cousin. "I'll keep you updated. I won't rush, as I need to focus on the competition, but I will make enquiries."

[Asahina Asano]

"Fine, fine... and I suppose I'm not one to talk anyways. Not because I'm bad or lack charm; I'll take your word on that. But I've certainly not been in a hurry to talk about marriage... I feel like I'm only just starting to experience the world on my own, after all! I'm happy for you to keep me informed... but I don't want you to feel like I'm rushing you or anything."

[Doji Yoshino]

"I don't know. The old spinster undertones came through pretty strongly Asano-san." She rested her chin on her palm, an elbow on the table as she sat languidly. "Maybe I'll shrivel up once the week is over."

[Asahina Asano]

Asano put a hand to her chest indignantly, "I would never let that happen to you, Yoshino-san. And... And if it did? I would have the kami mend you!"

She pouted deeply, quite put out by the image and the self-deprecation.

[Doji Yoshino]

"We'll have to wait and see."

She moved to refill both their cups. Yoshino had become more animated and less impassive as the Asahina had thawed her out.

"It is good to see you again Asano-san. Tell me about your family, ne? There's a lot else to catch up on." There was certainly a lot more they could talk about.

/ Scene?

[Asahina Asano]

Asano broke out of her funk to talk to Yoshino; She liked talking about herself, and her family... and random things. And Yoshino really was a good listener...

(/scene, and thank you very much again for the thread!)