Kiriko stepped through the garden, umbrella held over her head to ward off the light rain. She closed her eyes, breathing the cool night air deeply and enjoying the soft sound of the rain above her. Yes, this was a nice decision. She smiled. If only one could see the stars and enjoy the rain at the same time. Oh, well... They were both nice, and the wetter weather was an interesting contrast to the mountains.

She remained still on the path for a moment. She wasn't blocking anyone just yet.

Soft footsteps nearby were followed by the arrival of a thin Kuni girl, unmistakable in her traditional face paint, who seemed somewhat cross to be needing the umbrella. Managing it and her temper, she came rather closer and faster to the Phoenix than was really polite - and stopped abruptly as she realized it.

"Er, ah, good evening, Phoenix-san," she said, recovering herself and giving a small bow. It wasn't much of a bow, though the Crab seemed to be constrained by what she could do while keeping the umbrella in an appropriate position. "Kuni Mitsuko, of the Hida Battle Leader dojo," she said, a little curt-sounding. "Oh, um, daughter of Kuni Etsumiko and Kuni Adorai," she added hurriedly, realizing she'd left it out.

The small woman before her didn't seem to notice the sharp tone, opening her eyes and returning her introduction with a soft smile and a bow. "Hello, Kuni Mitsuko-san. Would you like to share my umbrella? It seems easier to talk like that than trying to manage two," she invited, raising the bamboo item in question.

Then she remembered. "Ah, I'm Isawa Kiriko, adopted daughter of Isawa Tsukasa." Yes, that was a much more efficient way of saying it, she would use that from now on. "A shugenja initiate. Pleased to meet you."

Mitsuko stares a moment at the offer, blinks dramatically, then seems deep in thought.

"Erm... That sounds nice, but I'm sure I'm supposed to politely decline... Although it's not exactly a gift..."

The Crab looks confused, though her face paint hides the red coming to her cheeks as frustration sets in. "Um, you... You probably wouldn't want to share with me anyway," she says, half grumbling and half whining.

"Two worlds stand before you, one where you chose to share with me, and one where you didn't. I think I will probably like the outcome of sharing better, but which you would prefer is up to you," she replied with a smile. "Though I am curious why you are supposed to decline. Is sharing an umbrella regarded as bad luck where you're from?"

"Buh..." The Crab starts to sputter and then stops, looking confused.

"I... I'm sure I read somewhere that there are supposed to be two or three refusals," Mitsuko scrambles to explain, worried she's making a worse impression on behalf of her family than if she hadn't spoken. "It... I don't exactly remember what needs refusing, though. Maybe not umbrellas? Or not..." She purses her lips in hurried thought. "Not if it's just sharing instead of a gift? That's what this is, so..."

After a moment of further thought, she whips her umbrella down and steps into the little Phoenix's space in a manner that might even make her Hida relatives wince.

"I didn't like that thing anyway," she says, a little huffy but clearly happier now that the decision is made.

"Yeah! Down with that umbrella in particular!" She pumps one fist, clearly entirely sincere. As she did, she adjusted her umbrella upward to account for the other girl's greater height. "They can be annoying, but there's nothing like the sound of rain on one. I think if you hadn't come along, I might have fallen asleep standing up because of it."

Mitsuko raises an eyebrow at the fist pump, and her brow creases at the idea of falling asleep just due to rain.

"I don't... Rain can cover the sounds of approaching enemies, Isawa-san. It could be dangerous to fall asleep due to that sound," the Crab says, lecturing politely. "Er... I mean, not that one would be in danger here. Our hosts are no doubt thoroughly securing their guests' well-being," Mitsuko corrects herself with a firm nod.

"Oh, that's true. I'm glad the Shiba are around, and my parents helped me as a child. I was probably at a high risk," she mused. "Huh. I suppose that's true. Crane must be good at that."

"A high risk," Mitsuko asks, confused. "What's risky about the Phoenix lands?" There was a tiny twitch of competitiveness when Kiriko said the Crane must be good at protecting people, but Mitsuko focused on the part of the conversation that was probably more important anyway.

"Oh, it was more me than Phoenix or Crane Lands," she replied with a smile. "There was a time when I wasn't very well anchored in the here-and-now, so it's entirely possible I might have wandered off and gotten hurt or something."

"How... Curious," Mitsuko says, genuinely confused. "I think my clan is very... anchored... in the here and now," she says, smiling at what is perhaps an understatement.

As they continue to speak, the Kuni looks slightly self conscious about the size difference and says awkwardly, "I could hold the umbrella. At least for a while. Because... Sharing." Her awkwardness in offering is objectively adorable.

"Yes! I've heard that the Crab are very oriented toward Earth. It's exciting to be able to meet you! I haven't gotten out much to see anyone before that I remember." At the question of the umbrella, she looked up, handing it over. "Okay, that would be nice, thank you. You have a much better angle for that. I would feel bad if you got wet because of of my suggestion and because I'm short."

Mitsuko almost makes a comment about memory, as she's beginning to think that's an interesting concept for her new friend, but then there's concern about her getting wet and the taller girl snorts.

"Isawa-san," she says seriously. "If I had a good hat with me, I wouldn't worry about an umbrella at all. As long as my makeup is reasonably protected..." Mitsuko shakes her head with a little chuckle. "I've stood a watch on the Wall in steady rain, and my clothes and I can take much worse than this. I'm just protecting my makeup and you," she says with a nonchalant grin.

"Thank you, then, Kuni-san. You're a very impressive person," she replied with a bright smile, before shifting to an oddly intent sort of interest. "What has life been like for you? You said you stood watch in steady rain on the Wall. Was that part of your training? How did you end up chosen to come here?"

It's evident Mitsuko likes the compliment, and then she pales - invisibly under her makeup - at questions about her life.

"Er... I'm... honored to represent the Battle Leader school. We are... Not numerous, so being chosen is very, um, prestigious. I hope..." There's nervousness in her voice. "I hope my... family... will be proud of my accomplishments." The Crab takes a deep breath. "I come from a big, somewhat famous family, so standing out is... Not easy." The last words carry a weight well beyond simply having multiple siblings.

Even Kiriko can detect nervousness that obvious. She does her best to focus on the physical person in front of her and does her best at an encouraging smile. "You've gotten here. From what I understand, that's already exceptional. Beyond that... asking for more than the best you're already going to do doesn't seem very fair."

Mitsuko gives a sad smile behind her makeup.

"Well, I don't think fair is really part of the thinking." She sighs. "Expectations are high, and um, I have to try to not let that interfere with my actual performance. At least be dependable if you can't be spectacular, or something..."

"Mm... We all live in a sea of expectations, with the waves of others thoughts crashing against us," she replied with a solemn nod. "Would you like to meditate with me tomorrow? It can help us become sea stacks."

The Crab is already about to agree when she pauses. "Sea stacks?" Mitsuko shakes off her confusion. "It... I'm sure that meditating together will be quite helpful," she says with a smile. "It will be good to take some time to practice."