[D6: MA: Expecting] Why not?

[Kitsune Shizenko]

Shizenko wanted to know what was the fuzz about the tra houses and the tea serve in them. Raakun like always followed the Kitsune to the house with the hopes that he isn't kicked out. The well trained tanuki is welcomed in most places. The Kitsune takes a seat and ordered her tea.

[Shosuro Otoko]

Shizenko wanted to know what was the fuzz about the tra houses and the tea serve in them. Raakun like always followed the Kitsune to the house with the hopes that he isn't kicked out. The well trained tanuki is welcomed in most places. The Kitsune takes a seat and ordered her tea.

Not long after, almost as if she was being looked for, Shosuro Otoko swept into the tea house.

She approached Shizenko's table and offered a polite bow.

"Kitsune-san isn't it? I am Shosuro Otoko, actress and current diplomat for the Scorpion Clan. Might I join you for tea and conversation?" she requested.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

The Kitsune was overtaken by the approach yet her expression did not show. The woman stood up and so did the tanuki. The shugenja bowed and the tanuki in lieu. "I would be honored to share tea with you Shosuro sama. This humble one is Shizenko of the Fox since you already know my family name." She moved her hand to offer a seat.

[Shosuro Otoko]

The Kitsune was overtaken by the approach yet her expression did not show. The woman stood up and so did the tanuki. The shugenja bowed and the tanuki in lieu. "I would be honored to share tea with you Shosuro sama. This humble one is Shizenko of the Fox since you already know my family name." She moved her hand to offer a seat.

The woman took the offered seat, with a small bow of the head in thanks.

"Thank you for the ocurtesy, Kitsune-san." she replied. "I hope the competition has been kind to you thus far."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

Shizenko sat and so did Raakun. She placed her hands on lap. "It has been a challenge but like the earth I have been constant in not winning any mention or being a top tier. Yet..."

[Shosuro Otoko]

Shizenko sat and so did Raakun. She placed her hands on lap. "It has been a challenge but like the earth I have been constant in not winning any mention or being a top tier. Yet..."

Otoko nods.

"It can be difficult to distinguish oneself when surrounded by talent." she agrees. "A candle's light seems so small in broad daylight, but when darkness comes, is when it is truly appreciated."

Her tea cup went untouched.

"And what of your plans after the competition, Kitsune-san?"

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"This one is no candle nor a flickering flame. This one is more of an insignificant pebble in a road."The shugenja sipped her tea "I am going to Daidoji lands." The Kitsune replied. "I am authorize to study Akagi forest."

[Shosuro Otoko]

"This one is no candle nor a flickering flame. This one is more of an insignificant pebble in a road."The shugenja sipped her tea "I am going to Daidoji lands." The Kitsune replied. "I am authorize to study Akagi forest."

Otoko shook her head.

"I'm afraid I can't agree with your assessment, Kitsune-san. Were that truly the case, I do not believe you would have received an invitation to compete. And I believe you are well on your way to be named a sapphire ambassador." she countered.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"You flatter this one...Like a tortoise steady and slowly will get to the goal." She nodded. " You have quite the fan club in this contest. I have seen how people dedicate their works to your cause."

[Shosuro Otoko]

Otoko dipped her head a bit at the compliment.

"You flatter me as well Kitsune-san." she replied in turn. "While I would like to credit my charisma for their support, I think it really is that the Scorpion clan are the best choice for hosting the next tournament."

She looked at the Fox curiously.

"Have you met Shiba Aibou?" he asked casually.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"I have seen him around but not had the honor to meet Shiba sama." She sipped her tea. "Your clan is well represented and the probability that the Scorpion are the next host is high. I don't favor any particular place for I travel around Rokugan exploring the forests."

[Shosuro Otoko]

"I have seen him around but not had the honor to meet Shiba sama." She sipped her tea. "Your clan is well represented and the probability that the Scorpion are the next host is high. I don't favor any particular place for I travel around Rokugan exploring the forests."

Otoko nods.

"I would recommend that you meet with him Kitsune-san. He's a talented painter and an excellent conversationalist. Also, he's quite friendly with animals." she offered.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"Well I will seek him out tomorrow. I could use more human friends." The Kitsune nodded. "I haven't made many in this town perhaps this will be a nice opportunity to grow."

[Shosuro Otoko]

"Well I will seek him out tomorrow. I could use more human friends." The Kitsune nodded. "I haven't made many in this town perhaps this will be a nice opportunity to grow."

Otoko nods.

"It can be hard when you're visiting a new place." Otoko sympathized. l

She glanced at the racoon.

""It does take a bit more than having food to share. But it's worth the effort I think."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"I know... one must talk and share information about oneself. Not too different from what I do with forest friends." She patted the tanuki's head. "Sometimes they are better listeners because they don't judge."

[Shosuro Otoko]

"I know... one must talk and share information about oneself. Not too different from what I do with forest friends." She patted the tanuki's head. "Sometimes they are better listeners because they don't judge."

"Ah but you are in a competition, Kitsune-san. You cannot help but be judged." Otoko says with a small shake of the head.

"Which, in itself, is not a bad thing if you wish to grow as an artist."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"That is a conundrum of the human kind. We are always judged by our actions even in death. I will try to uphold what virtues we have to be judge for." The Shugenja nodded. "When judgement is covered by play of words does it truly help us grow?" The woman tilted her head quizically.

[Shosuro Otoko]

"That is a conundrum of the human kind. We are always judged by our actions even in death. I will try to uphold what virtues we have to be judge for." The Shugenja nodded. "When judgement is covered by play of words does it truly help us grow?" The woman tilted her head quizically.

Otoko waved her hand to indicate that it depended.

"There is an old saying in Sparrow lands, Kitsune-san. 'The water that softens the potato, hardens the egg.'' Some people grow when challenged in such a way, others break. Then again, there's many a monk who simply sit in quiet meditation for years of their life. It would be incorrect to say that they are not growing, I would think." she offered.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"I see..." She sipped her cup. "Like the fight, flight or freeze that some of my companions do in dangerous times. I fight... and stand my ground... but one must know limitations when an opponent is stronger than one."

[Shosuro Otoko]

"I see..." She sipped her cup. "Like the fight, flight or freeze that some of my companions do in dangerous times. I fight... and stand my ground... but one must know limitations when an opponent is stronger than one."

Otoko shook her head.

"I have to disagree with you there, Kitsune-san. We are, after all, not beasts in the ffield, but samurai. While we do have our limits, we fight despite them, we even fight because of them. We do not always win. We may indeed lose to a superior foe, but you cannot know that a fight is unwinnable, until it is already lost. If you declare it hopeless at the outset, than you have already lost, when you might have won." she argued.

Her own teacup sat untouched, slowly cooling