The Crab Clan building seems taken from the Wall itself. A brutalist, utilitarian design, it features easily fortifiable positions, as well as a training ground.

An artists rendition of The Maw is carved over the main entrance.

Kuni Mitsuko wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 25, 2021 11:48 pm

Mitsuko had invited the Sparrow over to prepare for making a bit of an entrance - forgetting that perhaps inviting Rin to enter

The Crab Clan building seems taken from the Wall itself. A brutalist, utilitarian design, it features easily fortifiable positions, as well as a training ground.

An artists rendition of The Maw is carved over the main entrance.

Was a less than romant--welcoming, ahem. Come on, Mitsuko.

In the common room of those less than heartwarming lodgings, Mitsuko had ensured a small table with cups and tea, and another with some modest ribbons and other hair decorating supplies like brushes, had been set up. She had then, in the most Kuni way possible, expressed to any nearby servants or other Crab samurai how unnecessary it would be for them to hang around. There hadn't been too many potential witne--visitors, and Mitsuko felt fairly confident that the ones she'd found now knew to keep their distance.

So the skinny Kuni girl, her dark hair clean but loose for the first time anyone has seen, sits patiently awaiting her visitor, considering the small assortment of hair decorations carefully.

Suzume Rin wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 26, 2021 12:02 am

...
Rin arrives wearing her nicest kimono...it's still brown, but this one actually has a pattern along the sleeves and would probably tear if exposed to hard physical labour. Otherwise she has a small box of accessories, although compared to most samurai' collections it's a sad thing.

"Oh, blessings upon you Mitsuko-...um."
Rin looks around, making sure there are no loitering servants
"-Chan....gosh, I'm gonna have to get used to saying that without sounding so silly."
She bows and approaches, looking curiously at the accessories and back to the Crab.
"You know, I like your hair down like this, think it does a good job of umm, what's the word. Does a good job of making yer neck look nice."

Kuni Mitsuko wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 26, 2021 12:59 am

As the Sparrow enters, Mitsuko practically bounds to her feet and walks to meet her, looking more like an excited puppy than she would want to admit. There's a shimmer to her dark sapphire blue kimono that at least makes it look slightly elegant. She grins widely at Rin, even wider when she hears the 'chan,' and then happily murmurs, "Get used to saying it a lot?"

She blushes furiously when Rin comments on her hair and neck, actually having to look down and away for a moment, which lets the long dark locks spill toward Rin somewhat invitingly.

Suzume Rin wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 26, 2021 1:05 am

"Well...I ain't gonna have to practice in the mirror if I can say it to you a couple times a day. 'Course, my mirror doesn't blush and look away when I say nice things to it."
Rin, a little embarrassed herself extends a hand and gently twirls a fingers around a hair lock.
"Oh and it's so smooth as well. Dunno how you manage that, mine gets pretty feisty if I do more than wash and dry it."

Kuni Mitsuko wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 26, 2021 4:58 am

Still blushing behind her makeup, but looking very intensely at her hair in Rin's hand, then into the Sparrow's eyes, Mitsuko is at a loss for words briefly.

"You, um..." She takes a shallow breath. "I'm glad you like it, Rin-chan," she manages to say, quietly, as her eyes tell Rin she's serious.

Suzume Rin wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 26, 2021 5:42 am

" 'Course I like it, and it's attached to a pretty wonderful samurai too, so it's a pretty grand deal on my end."
Rin rubs her nose self-consciously before releasing the hair.

"Important people be told they look nice when they're making an effort."

Kuni Mitsuko wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 26, 2021 5:55 am

Mitsuko grins, though she isn't thrilled that Rin let go, even briefly.

"I noticed you making an effort," she says with a little more confidence, a finger dancing through the air close to Rin's kimono and the box in her hand. "And you do look nice," she says emphatically. After a serious-but-not-too-long look in Rin's eyes, Mitsuko goes on.

"I'm hoping I can help you look even nicer - and likewise - but did you want tea first?" The Crab glances toward the table with tea, then toward the other. I'd rather hold a hot teapot in my bare hands than not be touching her right now. Mitsuko takes a slow, centering breath. Going slow. We are going slow. Her eyes flicker back to Rin, trying to say 'I'm happy either way.'

Suzume Rin wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 26, 2021 6:00 am

Rin looks a bit sheepish, appreciating the confident

"If you can make a difference my whole family will want to know the secret. Never been much call for me to prepare for formal occasions. And...well I mean I've bean to parties before. But it's different when it ain't all family...or when you're..you know, going with someone. A little tea to get my nerve would be very appreciated Mitsuko-chan, don't wanna be falling asleep at the big event."

Kuni Mitsuko wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 26, 2021 6:18 am

The Crab's smile doesn't waver, and she gestures for the Suzume to follow her to the small table with impressive cushions beside it. "Of course," she says, a little tone of doting in her words. At the table, Mitsuko immediately pulls the farther cushion around so she can sit near Rin's knee, not saying anything and acting like it was a perfectly unremarkable choice. Sitting down with legs crossed she knows their knees won't touch, but a small reach out with a hand... Focus.

"Ahem," she says, smiling while hoping she didn't miss anything. She reaches for the teapot a little slower than the last time they'd had tea together, but raises her hand clearly intending to pour again.

Suzume Rin wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 26, 2021 6:24 am

Rin can't believe the cushions in here are even nicer than in the minor clan lodgings, how do the Crane do it?...What do Crane pillows for Crane look like. True to form she'd already begun reaching for the tea and gently brushes against the Crab's hand.

"Mitsuko-chan. I'm the guest so it's only proper I pour this time. And...you know, it is your Clan's lodgings, so where you want to sit works for me. Feeling a bit chilly myself, so sitting close is the smart choice, logical choice I reckon."
The Sparrow will brook absolutely no objections on mission tea.

Kuni Mitsuko wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 26, 2021 2:36 pm

Mitsuko smiles at the brush of Rin's hand, then smiles wider at her being a little assertive, and logical. These are very good qualities, she thinks as she grins happily at the Sparrow girl. As Rin finishes pouring, Mitsuko gives a dreamy sigh and realizes she's got her left hand on the table near Rin while the rest of her is leaned slightly away, head resting on her right hand with her right elbow on the table.

Suzume Rin wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 26, 2021 9:51 pm

Rin takes the tea pouring very seriously and makes sure Mitsuko can drink first before she savours the brew. Much nicer than what they had back home...would the kitchens let her take some back. After she's sipped, Rin mirrors the Crab slightly, her right hand resting very close to Mitsuko's left as she sighs happily.

"This is so nice, I can just feel myself relaxing. Been a couple busy days, neh? Didn't even get to congratulate you for acing the test today. Was nice to see yah in your element, if you barked an order at me I'd be up and doing it before my mind caught up with my body!"

Kuni Mitsuko wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 27, 2021 1:01 am

Mitsuko blushes furiously, her eyes closing and nose scrunching at the praise.

"Oh, well, it's... I mean, you did really well, too! And I was... I did the sort of thing I'm trained for. Defend the wall -- you even used that idea! I heard you out there," she says excitedly, not actually thinking about it as her fingers slide on top of Rin's. She keeps looking at the other girl happily as she straightens, her thumb sliding under the Sparrow's fingers so Mitsuko can gently squeeze them.

Suzume Rin wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 27, 2021 1:14 am

Rin lifts her hand a little to aid said squeezing, not looking down at the hands but clearly enjoying the squeeze.

"Well...seemed a good idea at the time. Everyone knows 'bout the wall, it's the biggest and toughest thing in the whole empire, lotta that's because of your clan though. Big walls are nothing without folks to man them."

Kuni Mitsuko wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 27, 2021 2:37 pm

Mitsuko is quietly reveling in the feel of Rin's hand and misses part of what she says, but talking about the Wall is easy enough for a Crab without any prompting.

"Mmhmm. The Wall is impregnable, as long as the Crab are vigilant and strong..." The Kuni has a sudden strange thought and tries to literally shake it out of her head, but the change, and the slight tug on Rin's hand as Mitsuko shifts, makes it obvious to the Suzume that something has disturbed her.

Suzume Rin wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 27, 2021 8:48 pm

"Hmmmm? Mitsuko-chan? I say something wrong?"

Kuni Mitsuko wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 27, 2021 9:07 pm

"No, Rin-chan, no," the Crab girl says softly, a little exasperated with herself. "I, um..." She shakes her head again. "I had a, um, unfortunate thought. It surprised and, ah, saddened me..."

Suzume Rin wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 27, 2021 9:10 pm

"Well, no use keeping it bottled up then. Let it out so I can have a good look at it, ain't gonna let unfortunate thoughts be bothering you alone when I'm around."
Gently squeezing the Kuni's hand back
"That's what being more than friends is about, right?"

Kuni Mitsuko wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 27, 2021 9:32 pm

The look of relief and adoration on Mitsuko's face would be evident through 1,000 layers of makeup, aided somewhat by the sparkle in the corner of one eye.

"It..." She fights back the hint of a sniffle. "It really is, I think," she says, voice very soft and very relieved. "It was, um..." She looks at the table, still embarrassed, but then glances at her hand in Rin's, and with another squeeze feels strong enough to say more.

"I had the thought that I would be a poor match for you, with my duty to the Wall," she admits quietly. "And I shouldn't even... We haven't..." She waves her free hand vaguely. "It's probably, um, too soon, and..." She looks nervously at Rin's eyes, part of her wanting to flee in embarrassment but that option being a non starter because it would require releasing Rin's hand.