(D0, EM) The First Moments (Open)

[Kakita Yuji]

As the city of Tsuma roused itself once more to serve as the crucible of the Empire's finest, one particular found himself drawn to main gate. The early chill warded off by a straw cloak and the early rain warded off by an umbrella, he considered the scene.

In his grandfather's stories, the sun was always shining the tournament, the city always described as unimaginably bright with the colors of the clans. Was this a sign of things to come, a sign that things would never b e as they were before, or simply an acknowledgement that things never were that way?

Still, Yuji felt it was important to witness these first few moments that would herald the last days of childhood. Perhaps he might even be so lucky to meet a fellow competitor coming into the city. The stories were full of such chance meetings on the road after all.

[Ide Yizhak]

After finishing the customs work to officially be welcomed to the city, Isaac stepped away from the caravan and decided to take his first steps away from a handler in a while. Turns out going through your current enemy's nation makes for a pretty stressful trek for a final exam! He takes a second to get his bearings before noticing young man with hair whiter than his grandfather's. "Good morning Kakita-San, have you had your rice today?"

[Kakita Yuji]

After finishing the customs work to officially be welcomed to the city, Isaac stepped away from the caravan and decided to take his first steps away from a handler in a while. Turns out going through your current enemy's nation makes for a pretty stressful trek for a final exam! He takes a second to get his bearings before noticing young man with hair whiter than his grandfather's. "Good morning Kakita-San, have you had your rice today?"

Yuji took a moment to appreciate one who addressed him. He was just so...different than the average samurai of Tsuma. One studied the stories of the Unicorn's return to the Empire, perhaps made the occasional visit to the Unicorn's market, but there was something striking about this particular individual.

"Ah, indeed I have...Unicorn-san." he went with, not being terribly familiar with the mons of the Unicorn. "It is important to fortify oneself for the day ahead. I am Kakita Yuji, at least for some time longer. Welcome to Tsuma, I hope your stay here is memorable."

[Akodo Michi]

As a party of Lion made their way through the city gate, one of them stopped to appraise it for a long moment. She was on the taller side, stood quite straight and held an umbrella to keep the light rain off, a cloak to keep warm in the early spring chill.

Seeing the Kakita talking to some foreign servant in Unicorn livery she decided to keep her attention on the gate, then the wall, then the motions and dispositions of the guards.

[Ide Yizhak]

After finishing the customs work to officially be welcomed to the city, Isaac stepped away from the caravan and decided to take his first steps away from a handler in a while. Turns out going through your current enemy's nation makes for a pretty stressful trek for a final exam! He takes a second to get his bearings before noticing young man with hair whiter than his grandfather's. "Good morning Kakita-San, have you had your rice today?"

Yuji took a moment to appreciate one who addressed him. He was just so...different than the average samurai of Tsuma. One studied the stories of the Unicorn's return to the Empire, perhaps made the occasional visit to the Unicorn's market, but there was something striking about this particular individual.

"Ah, indeed I have...Unicorn-san." he went with, not being terribly familiar with the mons of the Unicorn. "It is important to fortify oneself for the day ahead. I am Kakita Yuji, at least for some time longer. Welcome to Tsuma, I hope your stay here is memorable."

He takes a short moment to take notice of the lion taking a closer look at the walls around her, almost as if they were interesting to look at. This information is ignored for now as there is a kind person who would make for better conversation. With a less than natural bow, "greetings, I am Ide Yizhak. I thank you for your hospitality, I apologize for sticking out like a sore thumb. It is just nice to be in a town with more than 3 colors again."

[Kakita Yuji]

He takes a short moment to take notice of the lion taking a closer look at the walls around her, almost as if they were interesting to look at. This information is ignored for now as there is a kind person who would make for better conversation. With a less than natural bow, "greetings, I am Ide Yizhak. I thank you for your hospitality, I apologize for sticking out like a sore thumb. It is just nice to be in a town with more than 3 colors again."

Yuji shook his head.

"Ie,no apologies needed, Ide-san. This is the time of year when Tsuma blossoms with colors of every clan. People of all families of the Empire from Asahina to Yasuki are invited to participate in the tournament, and of course many families and important persons come to see the skills of this generation's most talented put to the test." he said, trying to make the guest feel more comfortable.

He looked over at the Lion studying the walls. They were humble affairs meant to keep wildlife out of the city, not ward off a Lion invasion.

"I wonder if Lion-san is looking for the banners? In years past, banners of each of the clans welcome visitors to Tsuma, but they're meant for sunnier weather than today. Or perhaps they are not quite in the spirit yet of the tournament? Would you care to join me in welcoming them into Tsuma, Ide-san?"

Despite centuries of bloodshed between them, Courtesy demanded that all the guests of the tournament be made welcome after all.

[Akodo Michi]

The Lioness was aware of the movements of the other two and turned to face then.

[Kaiu Taura]

A slender Crab slides off the back of a Yasuki trade wagon. "Domo arigato," she says with a bow to the driver. "May the Fortunes smile upon you Yasuki-sama."

The merchant handed the young Crab a large bag. "I am sure it will, Kaiu-san. Do you best for the Crab."

"This one will, Yatsuki-sama."

She turned and made her way toward the gate, pausing only for a moment to check her invitation. Seeing the others here, she politely, if nervously bowed to them.

[Akodo Michi]

A slender Crab slides off the back of a Yasuki trade wagon. "Domo arigato," she says with a bow to the driver. "May the Fortunes smile upon you Yasuki-sama."

The merchant handed the young Crab a large bag. "I am sure it will, Kaiu-san. Do you best for the Crab."

"This one will, Yatsuki-sama."

She turned and made her way toward the gate, pausing only for a moment to check her invitation. Seeing the others here, she politely, if nervously bowed to them.

Michi heard the calls between Crab, and then there were still the Crane and the Unicorn. It was a simple matter.

"Greetings to all", she bowed confidently, then gazed upon each of them in turn, speaking. "I am Akodo Michi, daughter of Toranaga and Reiko. May we all bring glory to our clans."

[Kakita Yuji]

Yuji had been considering the matter, as time always did seem to move at different flows for different people. It might have seemed like days in between the Unicorn's replies but truly, it had only been moments. The Lion had been stalking for what seemed like an eternity, and with the swift arrival of the Crab, they pounced!

Yuji closed the distance between the disparate elements, hoping the Unicorn would follow along.

He offered a respectful bow to the two he had not yet bowed to.

"Welcome to Tsuma. I am Kakita Yuji and this is Ide Yihak." he said nodded to the purple liveried Unicorn. "I hope that your trip here was pleasant, your stay here memorable and your departure but a brief interlude to your return."

[Ide Yizhak]

It's hard to put into words how much the distant look in one's eyes puts Yizhak off kilter, so he doesn't. Instead, he turned to the Kaiu and bowed.

[Kaiu Taura]

"Greetings all, this one is Kaiu Taura and she hopes that all will do their best for their Clan and the Empire," she says with a slight bob of her head.

[Akodo Michi]

Having not missed the reaction of the Unicorn, who was apparently a samurai's son, the Lion gazed upon him.

"Is there a problem of sorts, Ide Yizhak-san?" Her sharp eyebrow raised, curious.

[Kakita Yuji]

"Greetings all, this one is Kaiu Taura and she hopes that all will do their best for their Clan and the Empire," she says with a slight bob of her head.

Yuji didn't miss the Unicorn and Lion already looking to cause problems with each other before they were literally through the gate. But he focused his attention on the Crab.

"Of course, Kaiu-san. That is why samurai both imminent and eminent have gathered in Tsuma this spring. To watch the students of the sensei of the Empire demonstrate their skills from etiquette to swordsmanship. The Crane are happy to host all of the best of this generation within their walls. If there is anything you or one of your fellow competitors needs, do not hesitate to ask."

The words were polite, friendly, and directed at the Crab. There was, of course, a reminder to all gathered that all here were guests of the Crane, and there were many people watching and judging. But Yuji trusted in the honor of the Lion and the Unicorn to not need more of a reminder than that. After all, who wanted to get hauled before the magistrate before the tournament even began in earnest? Certainly no one here.

[Kaiu Taura]

"The Crane are most generous to host such a prestigious event that brings people from all corners of the Empire together," she says, a little overwhelmed by the Kakita. "Do you know where the guest house is? This one would like to settle in as soon as possible."

[Kakita Yuji]

"The Crane are most generous to host such a prestigious event that brings people from all corners of the Empire together," she says, a little overwhelmed by the Kakita. "Do you know where the guest house is? This one would like to settle in as soon as possible."

Yuji smiled.

"As a native of Tsuma, I would be a poor host if I did not know where the guests were staying. Perhaps a walk towards the quarters would be pleasant for those of us gathered here? We could talk about Tsuma and the travels that brought you all here along the way?" he suggested.

Sending the Crab off would be rude, and leaving the Lion and the unicorn alone seemed a poor idea to Yuji.

[Kaiu Taura]

As if catching Yuji's mood, Taura says. "Come brave samurai, let us go and get settled. There will be much to do once we have had a chance to rest from our journey here."

[Ide Yizhak]

Having not missed the reaction of the Unicorn, who was apparently a samurai's son, the Lion gazed upon him.

"Is there a problem of sorts, Ide Yizhak-san?" Her sharp eyebrow raised, curious.

He realizes his error and takes a second to compose himself before speaking again. "During the championships? I certainly hope not." He then bowed and moved to enter the town proper, attempting to save face.

[Akodo Michi]

He realizes his error and takes a second to compose himself before speaking again. "During the championships? I certainly hope not." He then bowed and moved to enter the town proper, attempting to save face.

The choice of words was observed, but the Lioness had no care. Further, she was not one to make a matter of such a small thing. Michi returned the bow as the Unicorn walked ahead, then joined the group as they entered.

As if catching Yuji's mood, Taura says. "Come brave samurai, let us go and get settled. There will be much to do once we have had a chance to rest from our journey here."

"I look forward to a short rest, the road was tiring, but Kaiu Taura-san must have had twice the journey of myself", she observed. "Your spirits are quite high, were they perhaps renewed by your arrival?"

[Kaiu Taura]

"I look forward to a short rest, the road was tiring, but Kaiu Taura-san must have had twice the journey of myself", she observed. "Your spirits are quite high, were they perhaps renewed by your arrival?"

"It is exciting to see new things, Akodo-san," said the young Crab. "This one has never traveled outside of the Crab lands before and everything here is so . . . colorful."