Chiaki had heard of the skill and care that the Crane offered to their gardens and she wanted to see for herself. As a person that was enthusiast about plants and other artistic arrangements, she was eager to walk around the tended nature.

And she was not disappointed of course, the subtle artistic touch was everywhere, every single plant and tree was set on the right place, looking to achieve the right impression and emotion of those that walked around

It was beautiful indeed...

Sitting on a blanket that was spread out on the ground so that she would not dirty her kimono, Ahiru was assembling the pieces she had gathered in the park to practice her ikebana. Hardly the first Crane to use the bounties of the local garden here to practice their art. Nearby Kagehisa was sitting and keeping a watchful eye on things.

As she looked up from her work, she saw one of the two ronin girls who had been invited to attend the championship, and she offered a friendly wave to the girl, indicating she was welcome to approach.

Chiaki noticed that one of the participants, the one that went by the name of Kakita Ahiru, was nearby and she was waving at her to approach. Of course the ronin had heard some fact about the rest of the participants and she suspected that Ahiru was a kuge, or coming from an important family line.

She approaches as graceful and as quickly as she could possibly could, not wanting to waste any time of such important samurai. The ronin closes the gap between them, and bowed lowly towards the Crane.

'' Good afternoon, Kakita-sama. This one is known as Chiaki, participant on the tournament under the sponsoring of the Imperial house of Miya...'' She presented herself formally, even though Ahiru already probably knew who she was. The ronin also gave the oportunity to the Crane to present herself on her own so she can honor her line, even though she already knew her by name. '' This one hopes that Inari-no-kami has blessed you today?'' She asked politely.

The ronin noticed that the Crane was doing some ikebana, and that got her gaze's attention, but for now she waits with her head low, for Ahiru to present herself.

"Good afternoon, Chiaki-san." She offered the ronin a polite bow. No need to be rude just because the other girl was a ronin... she was sponsored by the Miya, after all, and probably for a good reason. "I am Kakita Ahiru, daughter of Kakita Takeshi and Kakita Sayomi. It's a pleasure to meet more of my fellow competitors."

Ahiru made a gesture for Chiaki to join her on the blanket to sit. It would be hard to have a conversation if she was left standing like that "How are you enjoying Tsuma so far?"

'' It is an honor to met you Kakita Ahiru-sama, daughter of Kakita Takeshi-sama and Kakita Sayomi-sama.'' Chiaki bowed again after the formal introduction came.

The ronin complied and accepted the invitation that the Crane was offering, still when she sat down, in perfect seiza, she tried to at least mantain a lower relative position in comparison to the Kakita, status differences still were in effect, especially in public. She took out her fan and put on her lap just in case.

'' This one has enjoyed Tsuma, Kakita Ahiru-sama. Your most respected clan has treated this one with honor and graciousness. Indeed the courtesy shown by your clan is not only what this one has heard, but much more than others rumored to be. You have my most sincere thanks for your treatment.'' She replied formally.

'' Not just that, but the beauty of the Lands of Doji-no-kami has indeed captured this one's imagination and awe.'' She adds while looking around the gardens. '' Your clan's well respected and legendary attitude and skills towards the embellishment and nurturing of beauty indeed is something to look for inspiration.''

As Chiaki spoke, Ahiru could not help but to smile more and more, until she clasped her hands together in her lap with a briefly contained joy. "Oh, Chiaki-san, you are so kind in your words. Thank you. Forgive me for my honesty, but I had heard so many strange stories of ronin, I am so pleasantly surprised that you are nothing like those ill rumors of wave men and women. You are so eloquent and well-mannered!"

She beamed happily to the girl. "I can see why the Miya chose to sponsor someone as exceptional as you."

Chiaki grabbed her fan and opened it, gently, to cover half her face. '' Kakita Ahiru-sama is too gentle and courteous, it mades this one happy to hear such words.'' She was sincere.

'' Indeed Kakita Ahiru-sama is not wrong in her perception of most people like me, but, it is also true that there are many unfortunate souls, that just try to navigate the waves of fate as best as they can, in order to serve as best as they can.'' The ronin added, moving her fan slightly down, closing it, and moving it to her lap again.

'' The Miya family has honored this one truly beyond what this one could had hoped. Indeed, it is a life debt that this one hopes that one day she could repay them.'' She said honestly. '' As far as for now, giving my absolute best, is the only thing that this one has in mind.'' Chiaki added.

'' What about you, Kakita Ahiru-sama? This one assumes that you aim for reaching the championship top? Forgive this one if it would sound as meddling, please, you do not need to reply if you do not wish to.'' The ronin asked politely, still interested in her ikebana, but also on what the Crane had in mind for the tournament.

Ahiru wasn't really sure how most wavemen 'served' as most of them had no lords. At least some were wise enough to seek employ with the Great Clans, in pursuit of one day becoming a proper samurai themselves... and then there were the exceptional ones like Chiaki, and the Kaeru that was sponsored by the Miya too.

"Giving it our best is certainly the ideal for the tournament," she agreed with a smile. "Only one can be the victor in the end, but we can all impress the great lords and ladies watching us during the competition." And many a great story or career had started at the Topaz Championship.

"Me? Of course I hope to win, and will do my best to do so, though I am realistic in that I probably will not. It's hardly meddling to ask, Chiaki-san, as we are both competitors. I trust that you too hope to win, no?"

Picking up a branch with still-closed flower buds, Ahiru assessed it for a moment, and noticed Chiaki's interest as well. "Do you like ikebana, Chiaki-san?"

'' Indeed a wish to win. Or at least that is what this one is aiming for, although as this one understands, this tournament might be more focused on the figthing aspects of what a samurai should be?'' The ronin replied to her question. '' Although i was taught how the art of the sword, this one's focus is more on the aesthetical pursuits of what a samurai should do, if that makes any sense.'' She added.

As Ahiru picked up the flower and asked about it, Chiaki's eyes shine. She nods. '' I do. I mean, i have been picking up the art and it is beautiful meanings and expressions...'' She seems excited about the art. '' This one truly likes the way in which we can express emotions and feelings through something natural, while at the same time creating a new expression, that is both fleeting but strong at the same time...'' The ronin truly likes ikebana it seems as her eyes shine while looking around for the flower arragment of the garden, and the flowers that Ahiru had with her. '' The way in which patterns can bring forth something new in the individual soul is something that...'' She stopped and brought her fan to cover her face.

'' Forgive me Kakita Ahiru-sama, this one sometimes becomes too excited over the art of ikebana...'' She seems a bit embarrased after losing her On for a moment as her excitement over the art broke her face for a fleeting moment.

"It seems we certainly have a fondness for ikebana in common!" she exclaimed with some delight, not having been prepared to meet others who shared that particular interest. Well. There were plenty of Kakita who excelled in the art of ikebana, but that was different.

"I enjoy how choosing the right elements, one can communicate intent and emotions without having to compose a song or poem to express them. Combining the visual beauty and meaning... and they smell nice too most of the time so that's a nice bonus too," Ahiru giggled girlishly. "I was thinking of putting together a display to gift, but... well, I worry about that the recipient won't understand the subtlety of such a gift."

She seemed a bit undecided still but kept her attention on Chiaki. "Where did you get to learn the more gentler arts? I had heard that the life on the wave is very rough and harsh, leaving little time for such things."

Chiaki nods to every word that Ahiru says. The ronin and the Crane seem to be equally devoted to the art of ikebana.

'' Hai, well, one could argue that the portray of emotions through ikebana is on itself, a sort of song or poem. All of them have the same effect on people, although you are absolutely right, Kakita Ahiru-sama, that indeed it smells nicer...'' The ronin also giggled girlishly behind her fan.

As for her other question the ronin wonders for a moment. '' Hmm, well, my mother told me how to do so. I learned a lot through her, like dances, ikebana, how to play instruments, lots of those skills.'' She replied. '' But over my journeys this one has been picking up different art styles, while meeting other people like me.'' She added.

'' And although it is not easy for a ronin to devote themselves for those pursuits, it is advantageous, from a certain point of view. For example, when this one was part of her small otokodate, my fellow brothers and sisters would come to me when dealings with certain people or samurai was needed, while they devoted themselves for the more, how to say, physical aspects of the life of a samurai?'' She thought aloud. '' This one thinks that it helped overall since this one could do things that a courtier would normally do, while the others performed their own strengths.''

"It sounds like you've been blessed with many opportunities," she said nodding, listening with interest to Chiaki's words. "Would ikebana be your favorite art then, or is it something else? I'm always interested to hear what sort of art is practiced around the Empire, and I've only had the chance to visit places in the territories of my clan. I hope I can see the Imperial City soon someday."

'' Ikebana is something that i truly like, and in a way this one considers it as her first choice when it comes to artistic expressions and creations, but i wouldn't say it is the only thing that this one has devoted to...'' She explained to the Kakita.

'' There are many ways to express the same type of art, and over my journeys this one has found many different styles. Although of course, your honored clan is the one that leads on such matters, but there are variations in the way that other people do such things.'' She adds.

'' As for me, well, other things that i do like is playing instruments. Like the biwa and the shamisen.'' Chiaki explained. '' Do you know how to play an instrument, Kakita Ahiru-sama?'' She asked.