Kuni Mitsuko did not look happy. Even through layers of demon-scaring makeup, the girl's face clearly showed her stress. The near-hum of spirits around the Phoenix tower had put her on edge - I might hate everything about this place except it being a tower - and even entering just the reception space had felt like she should be creeping stealthily, not trying to walk in respectably with her head held high. But she wanted to talk to Haru, hadn't looked here yet - and I never will again - and was trying to look pleasant and optimistic.

Hidden within the hum is a small, calm, anchor, passing through to a space before their shrine with her hands full of small bowls squirreled from the kitchen. She'd paused to watch the visitor enter and walk right past the orange-shrouded shape, blending into the orange-decorated space. As Mitsuki just passes her, she asks quietly, "Doesn't that much makeup itch?"

The Crab, who hadn't the slightest inkling of another person near her, freezes mid-step and almost feels that her heart has jumped out her mouth. Fortunately she's too shocked to make a sound, and instead slowly turns to look at the source of the voice. Her eyes narrow appraisingly, and through the Kuni's eyes Natsuko can almost see her brain trying to process exactly what is talking to her.

"It... Isn't really. Partly you get used to it, and partly you trust that the folks who've made this stuff able to stand up to combat conditions for 1,000 years have paid a little attention to the fact Kuni can't really afford distractions." That relatively matter-of-fact answer done, Mitsuko ponders another moment before asking, "You're not a ghost, right?" She tries to look cool as she asks, but the Isawa might notice that her feet seem primed to start running without notice.

Carefully balancing the bowls in one arm, she frees a hand to lift up the front of her kimono a bit, revealing dusty, stockinged feet. "Definitely not a ghost, Kuni-san. About to make some tea...not for ghosts. You are welcome to stay if you like?" Her voice is an alto that would be warm if inflected a bit more. As it is, it's just quiet.

"Those are very daunting conditions for makeup," she continues as she moves to a low table to deposit her bowls and the rattling satchel...how had she been so quiet with that rattlebag on her? "Why did you wonder if I were a ghost? Have you seen some in the inn?"

"I, uh... No, thankfully, I have not," Mitsuko says as she composes herself. "You just surprised me, which generally doesn't happen. I can usually sense folks reasonably well... But the, um, energy in here... It's... Just strong? Not base, I suppose, but..." Mitsuko shakes her head.

"I don't like it, Phoe--er, Isawa-san," the Crab says, not sure but playing the odds when it comes to creepy shugenja types. "I, uh... I'm not your typical Kuni, as you may have guessed. Oh, and, I'm sorry. Kuni Mitsuko. I'm not sure we've officially..." She waves a hand vaguely between them, her management of etiquette just one of the skills that's thrown off by the mystical sort-of buzzing energy of the Phoenix lodgings.

"I have heard your name called at the tests though. So you are known, Kuni Mitsuko-san." The bowls are all laid out on the table before she starts rummaging in her satchel and pulling out one paper packet after another. "I am Isawa Natsuko of Starry Heaven Sanctuary, and honored to meet you. I had actually hoped to have a chance to speak with someone who might have a bit of non-Phoenix theological study in their past."

She nods at Mitsuko's explanation about the spirits. "When in tune with the void, I suppose I might blend into all of this a bit. Spirits are...a little closer to the void than we are, after all. And It is impressive that the place is so spiritually active despite being relatively new."

"Oh," the Crab says at hearing Natsuko's name. She's thankful again for the protection of her makeup as her face might have gone white on its own.

"Um, and yes, impressive the activity is." The Crab looks somewhat fidgety, a but like she regularly feels something plucking at the sleeve of her kimono.

"I, uh... I'm probably not your best source of theological study, Isawa-san. I'm a proud student of the Hida Battle Leader dojo and theology is not our priority." Unbeknownst to Mitsuko, she's gritting her teeth at this discussion, recalling how she'd been as blank on the topic at the morning's test as a layer of new-fallen snow.

"Ahh, I had guessed that you were not a priestess, but supposed that such discussion might be rampant in Kuni families..." She pauses, one small paper parcel half open. "hmm...I suppose it is not correct to imagine family discussions run anything like those I grew up with at the Sanctuary. What did you talk about at meals as a child?" If that's an odd or overly personal question, she seems to have no awareness of it, speaking with the same even tone as she finishes opening the parcel and pouring what looks like a pleasantly roasted oolong tea into a bowl.

"Since I suspect it was not all about how to lead battles either."

"Hai, Isawa-san, such discussion is rampant. But when you are the only child among six who lacks the gift, it is... Somewhat less engrossing," the Kuni girl says with some grinding of her teeth. Whether it's the constant twinge of spirits around her or the question cutting too deep isn't clear.

Continuing to look slightly anxious, Mitsuko tries to keep up a polite conversation. "I, uh... Without the same spiritual depth," she says, trying to hide a grimace at the admission, "I am not unfamiliar with the Kuni framework for Rokugani theology. I'm just.. stronger in other traditional areas of Kuni study, such as herbalism and healing.

"Ah well. Benten has come up a few times in recent days, and I was hoping to find another perspective on their manifestations. Not something I studied much, myself." There is nothing of disappointment in her even voice as she shakes other herbs and clunky, solid things into the array of bowls before her.

"I wonder if there is an herb particularly beloved of the fortune. Rose and camellia did show up quite a lot in the plays and poems I was digging through." She carefully sets each empty packet aside, folded for reuse, flaps each folded a bit differently.

"Have you been into the forest? I imagine there are quite a few herbs you don't see wild much in Kuni lands?" The young Phoenix carries on in blissful ignorance of the Crab's anxiety and dismay at the heavily spiritual surroundings she has taken for granted all her life.

"Oh. Benten." Without noticing, she clutches at her obi where the omamori is safely tucked.

"I, um." Anxiety being what it is, and her own bluntness being what it is, this can really only turn out one way.

"Are you having... trouble... with Benten, Isawa-san?"

"Trouble?" There is a long, considering pause. "Not directly. I am unlikely to be noticed by that Fortune in all honesty. My betrothed believes his line touched by them though, and that is a story that...I feel I want to research more about. Because those manifestations seem very disruptive. Also? I worry that there might be repercussions to avoiding a path Benten calls one to in order to attend a more dutiful one."

Herbal bits continue to be dumped into bowls as she speaks, the scents of citrus, fruit, green herbs, and warmer spices floating up. But her hands slow at her last words, still for a long moment after folding aside the last little packet.

Finally, she smoothes the papers one last time before reaching for a bowl and holding it over the larger one of tea. She pauses there. "Does he like yuzu? I should have asked his brother. But who doesn't like yuzu?" The fragrant little shavings of peel are dumped in.

"A friend was petitioning the fortune as well, and I would like to offer her what assistance I can, as well. I do have hopes for her in the tournament, which..I think would make it easier for her to request nakodo to look into the match. Right?"

The Crab squeezes her omamori reflexively again, Natsuko's words somewhat cryptic and confusing. But the last sentiment is one she understands clearly enough.

"Hai, Isawa-san. There are, ah, a variety of ways for prestige from this tournament to be... Uh, I believe one of my ancestors liked the term 'leveraged.' And certainly the higher one finishes, the greater the prestige for them and their family and school." She thinks for a moment, feeling a slight reprieve from the environment as she contemplates this topic.

"A, uh, favorably disposed nakodo would be a most welcome result of the tournament," she says, quietly but candidly.

Natsuko nods, taking a pinch of lavender, and adding it to the bowl. "Crab nakodo would have some weight, I would think." She looks up and adds, "I am actually glad to have run into you, Kuni-san. I realize we have not been acquainted long, but if I am able, I should like to offer you an invitation to my wedding to Shiba Jiro-san. I think it would set Suzume Rin-san more at ease and would be spiritually appropriate to the celebration."

"Perhaps you both will have news to share by then, as well."

If it's possible for something to completely clear spirits from Mitsuko's mind, this conversation is it.

News with Rin? That would be...

But... Jiro and Natsuko? How... I mean...

The verbalized words she can muster aren't much clearer.

"Buhhh... Um. Crab nakodo. I..." When that line of thinking seems too hard, she tries for something polite at least.

"Your invitation, um... Honor and, uh..." The Kuni can't look more uncomfortable on this topic than the more personal one, but she doesn't seem more comfortable.

Natsuko doesn't seem either amused at the Crab's stammering, or annoyed at the discomfort, blue eyes clear and expression placid as she looks up. "I have not studied at all the traditions of other clans in this regard, and...having a match made before even taking my name, I suppose I will not give it a great deal of study. How do Crab nakodo usually work out matches?."

LIfting another bowl to sniff lightly, she holds it toward the Kuni, "I am not sure black walnut is going to go well with yuzu, though they have some favorable associations, what do you think?"

Her discomfort level rising, but knowing she can't flee, Mitsuko swallows hard and looks down.

"I would not... presume to judge the associations of others..." Belatedly considering it, she chides herself for her choice of words.

Natsuko blinks."Are you OK, Kuni-san? It is just yuzu and black walnut."

"I, um... Isawa-san, I was thinking of human associations, which are rather more complicated, I'm sure you'd agree..." The young Crab, trying to keep her composure, focuses her eyes downward. "You, um..." Mitsuko feels a bit like she can't catch her breath as she forces herself to ask, "You mentioned... You mentioned Rin-chan and, um," she swallows hard. "And having news?" She inquires, voice reaching a much higher pitch than usual. She is distressed enough to not even notice the slip in her formality.

"Ahh. Just that I hope you two might have happy news by then if you decide to pursue something." She sets the bowl aside, picking up another to sniff. "Assuming that is a result you also seek?"