The Perfect Gift? (D5 EA. Open)

[Kakita Ahiru]

It had to be of the best quality possible she could buy in Tsuma. But at the same time... it also had to be something unique and special. Just any sort of silken haori or kataginu wouldn't do for this recipient, as he seemed to have his own flair and personal style choices.

So the House of the Exotic sounded like the perfect place to look for something he'd like.

There were a lot of strange things on display that did draw her attention away from what she was looking for...

[Shiba Kuroneko]

His paper had run out with all his writing and needed to get more. He walked about the stores, trying to find his way. This place was sort of like a maze for Kuroneko. He noted the Kakita he met at the party, and hopefully, she can guide his way. "Oi Kakita sama..." He called from the crowd.

[Kakita Ahiru]

Oi...?

Thinking it was one of the Mantis trying to get her attention, Ahiru looked around to see who it was... then was surprised to be adressed by one of the Phoenix she met the eve before the tournament. "... Shiba-san?" she blinked, trying to connect the dots of what was happening.

[Shiba Kuroneko]

"Kakita san...good to see you." He smiled. "I hope Inari has blessed you today." Kuroneko bowed.

[Kakita Ahiru]

"Shiba-san, good afternoon," Ahiru returned the bow. Ah yes she had probably just misheard the oi earlier. "Inari has been as kind and generous as always. I pray the Fortunes have blessed you today as well?"

[Shiba Kuroneko]

"Oh yes, they have, but I have run out of paper and need some more." He nodded. "Has it always been this windy today?"

[Kakita Ahiru]

"Ever since the sun rose, I think?" she hadn't been outdoors all the time, so it was hard to tell when she had spent most of the morning inside the Red Lotus. That reminded her... "I missed your performance in today's test. May I ask what sort of art you made for the judges? The Phoenix present seem to be very artisticly inclined."

[Shiba Kuroneko]

"I kind of forgot today's event Kakita sama... I was busy writing a play." He lowered his head in shame. "I kind of got inspired by Sadahiko... I kind of forgot."

[Kakita Ahiru]

Ahiru raised an eyebrow. "You... forgot?"

She was truly baffled. How could one forget they were attending the most prestigious gempukku ceremony in existence, in front of people of great importance in the Empire. "I hope you have a better apology for those who put their faith in you to represent the Phoenix than 'I forgot'."

[Shiba Kuroneko]

"I was working really hard on this play... when a fortune enlightens one, one must let it flow. Specially if one was working on a gift for or esteem host." He sighed.

[Kakita Ahiru]

"It would be more proper to have the gift completed before arriving... I'm not sure what Lord Toshimoko would think of a contender missing out on the tests like that..." she shook her head. A case of illness she could understand but this was the first time she had encountered anything like this, so for a while Ahiru was at a loss of how to react.

"But..." she sighed, shaking her head once more, "it is not my problem to think of how your superiors will react, or what you should do about it. I just hope you know what to do to make things right, Shiba-san. I've... never encountered a problem like this before."

[Shiba Kuroneko]

The Shiba shrugged. "1. I am a Shugenja in a tournament that is clearly for a bushi to do the finals. 2. We are still enjoying our last bits of childhood we have left. 3. I was following what the fortunes wanted me to do. My duty as priest is to follow the fortunes wish. If it was for one to miss one of these test so be it." He explained to the girl that sounded more like a nagging mother than a young girl. "I prefer giving a personal gift from a special place than buying one."

[Kakita Ahiru]

Ahiru's eyebrows rose. "I am merely concerned for you, Shiba-san. I know my family would have me sent home in disgrace for acting like that, but... it's clearly the Phoenix do things differently." She personally doubted that any Fortune had explicitly told the Shiba boy to make a fool of himself, but that was between him and his conscience.

Taking a step back, she gave a bow. "But I see my concern is misplaced for it is not wanted."

[Shiba Kuroneko]

"Yes, it is. I have found that this whole thing for you is more important than to me. I came here to meet people from other clans and see how they interact." Kuroneko explained. "Perhaps for you, this is a prestigious tournament and perhaps for those in my clan delegation too. For me, I do not aspire to be Topaz Champion or anything the like. I know all the skills I am lacking and know that I will not be it. If I hadn't told you that I was absent in the test you probably wouldn't have noticed because there are so many contestants I might have been lost in the crowd." Kuro looked Aihiru in the eyes. "Tell me otherwise." He turned and looked at the sky.