Chatting idly, two young samurai in training entered the house of exotic goods. They did not sacrifice it to flip their provinces face up. This time. No, today it was for perusing, perhaps a purchase. For herself, Michi required gifts for her family back home to grant upon her return, which is only right.

As they entered, she tipped her hat back to let the tie rest against her neck and took in the smell of the place. She did not make a sour face, despite her sensibilities reacting such a way.

"It is strange on the outside, and even more lavish with items within, Asahina-san. Have you been here before?", she asked.

The servant watching the store bowed and welcomed the two from behind the counter, offering any aid should it be required.

"Isn't it just? I have, in fact- this shop is one of my favourite, um, haunts?" Sakura smiled to the Lion samurai-ko, her hands buried in the sleeves of her kimono as protection against the wind outside.
"Is there anything in particular you're hoping to find, or uh, perusing the wares to see what might catch your fancy?"

"I admit I am unfamiliar with the items contained within", she told the Asahina as she strode into the shop fully. "Yet I can say that I seek reminders of Tsuma, and further, a gift for my parents that commentates my time spent here away from them."

She chuckled lightly, "I'm not familiar with many of them either! But that's half the fun, and the wonder, I think?"

"Hmm...", she hummed slightly considering the Crane's cheery encouragement, but seeming lack of specific knowledge. She supposed that spirit was enough in some cases. The Lion stopped at a hanger where three different ribbons were displayed. One had a hawk standing on a turtle's back in what appeared to be the sea, another showed a tiger on the hunt, while the last was three crows circling a cloud of some sort.

All three were in patters, but in truth each iteration was different as it flowed down the ribbon, as if telling tale. The hawk flying and landing on the turtle's shell, the tiger stalking and pouncing on a stag of sorts, while the crows flew into the cloud but within it were three crows staring back.

"I wonder what the significance of each might be", she said softly, examining.

Sakura blinked. "I... have no idea? These concepts or fables are as foreign to me as they are to you, Akodo-san..."
She's baiting you to look like a fool. her ephemeral companion chided the Asahina and she busied herself at the next rack over.

"Well, my father does enjoy hunting with hawks from time to time...", she muttered slightly, then shook off such nonsense, speaking quite clearly again. "I will continue to seek a proper gift, but will not forget these items should fortune return me to them."

And she moved right on further into the shop.

"It does have a particular scent, this place", she mentioned. "Do you know tales, Asahina-san?"

She nodded slowly, fingers tracing along other fabrics and testing the feel of them, "You mean um, tales of the scents? They're... exotic?"
The secondhand frustration from Sakura's constant ghostly chaperone was almost palatable. "They come from across the sea, um, we have nothing like this here? But um, they're a feast for the senses in and of themselves, yes? Everything that surrounds what we can have here, it leaves its mark? Takes a bit of where it came from with it..."
Sakura realizes she's rambling, and shifts her stance awkwardly to talk to Michi's sandals. "... Or just tales in general? I have a bit of skill with storytelling but it's nothing akin to the skill of my schoolmates?"

"Is there a matter here, Asahina-san?" She asked, not looking back at her as she examined what the Crane had touched. "You seem distraught."

"What?" Sakura looks genuinely confused and freezes up for a moment. "No? I'm sorry? Everything's fine? This is nice? Um. Spending time with Akodo-san is a pleasure?" she makes an attempt at a friendly smile?

"I do not doubt your sincerity in that, Asahina-san", the Lion assured her, but then turned to face the girl, her look quite serious. "Yet there is something on your mind, do not let me keep you from seeing to other things."

She shook her head quickly, "No, no! This one has reserved time for just this outing, with your good company," Sakura attempted to reassure the Lion.
"I'm just ...There's so much potential here, it's invigorating, isn't it? Seeing the best competitors each clan has chosen to send?"

A slow nod as she turned back to the fabrics.

"What you say is true, I did not expect to be beaten by a Dragon in a test meant for warriors, much less so a Kitsuki." She shook her head. "And yet here I am in a shop, while perhaps my rivals train."

Yet obligations are obligations. She would find time to improve.

"Oh! I'm sorry to keep you..."
A flick of the Crane's gaze to behind the Lioness, and then a quick downward glance. "Yes, I know, it's irresponsible, but I thought... Gifts are important, yes?"

"Of the utmost, and as a Crane I'm certain you understand better than I", Michi said and looked at a wood carving of a turtle shell...or perhaps it was a lacquered turtle shell in truth, her fingers felt natural texture when she touched it. "I feel no regret being here, Asahina-san, your company is appreciated, but I must always look forward and thoughts of the difficulties we have had since still linger. It is not a matter you bare blame in."

She finds herself in front of a tabletop display of bracelets. Skinny straps of leather knotted around beads - some sets of beads made with vibrant and colourful designs, others subdued and of natural blends.
Her expression visibly lit up at the sight of them. "Perfect."

"Oh, yes, gift giving is an art form in and of itself, I know, thank you, she adds pointedly, turning her head to her side over a shoulder - as if talking to someone who was decidedly not the Akodo. "But they're..." she trailed off.
"Of course," her gaze refocused on Michi happily, "Being prepared is an art form, too! One to which your clan is especially attuned, yes?"

"Preparation must be thorough, in order to adjust one's strategy to the moment", she nodded.

Sakura smiled at that, while inspecting the bracelets and deciding on two: one vibrant, one naturally dyed.
"I admit I don't know much by way of strategy, myself. I just kind of... rely on guidance? Ritualized or uh, spiritual? And trust I'll be led down a peaceful path."

"Just as I know nothing of your rites, Asahina-san", the Lion replied with a nod and stood closer to examine what Sakura did. "The natural tones may contrast pleasantly with the blues of your eyes and kimono."

"Oh! Um! No it's not for me... For my sister? And this one," she ran her thumbpad over a bright bead on the other bracelet, "-for my brother closest to my age? Oh... Maybe I should buy one for Tenshin, as well, I don't know if he'd wear it though..." she considers this.