"Nooo, my woodcarving," the Lion giggles. "I, um, was actually working on something for you. I hope that's not... weird." Kawauso looks uncertain. "You should come in. To see it. Unless that's, um... against the rules." Her eyes and posture -- already leaning away from the door a little -- clearly w...

"Nooo, my woodcarving," the Lion giggles. "I, um, was actually working on something for you. I hope that's not... weird." Kawauso looks uncertain. "You should come in. To see it. Unless that's, um... against the rules." Her eyes and posture -- already leaning away from the door a little -- clearly w...

Kawauso lets go, giggling. She tries to make what could charitably be called an angry otter face, but it basically ends in a smile and more giggles. "Ok. But you do really have to teach me how to use one of those in court. I promise to be a good student," she says, raising one hand. It's slightly cu...

Kawauso closes her eyes, taking a calm breath at the gentle touch.

"Enemies on a battlefield are easy to manage, Misaki-san," the Lion says calmly. "Study, practice... They can be killed. I don't need to fear them. But I cannot kill the truth. Or feelings."

"Ahh," Kawauso says, nodding. "Yes, such energy for, ah, friendly competition... It won't end here." She makes a face. "Some of it should, but proud samurai from every clan..." She sighs. "There will be much to prepare for, you're right. But I didn't think the Dragon unprepared here..." She thinks b...

Kawauso was among the attendees, though most of her focus seemed to be on Genji throughout the evening. After the occasional serious blow she would make a face, then look around for a distraction.

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Quote or PM if you notice the slightly distressed looking Lion.

Sasori giggled again. "Think of it as a winter crush, then... as there are summer crushes, winter should have some as well, nya." She nodded. "Do not worry he may be a big fish but you do have other fishes in your net." She nodded. "Spring will come and you will bloom." Kawauso smiles sadly. "Perha...

Hantei Genji wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 29, 2021 6:27 am

Genji seemed to be quite happy with both of his prizes, thanking profusely the two Lioness(essess?). "Arigatou minna-sama!"

The taller lioness was effusive in her praise, and probably smiled a lot more than was proper when she handed the hand-carved figures to the Stag.

There's a rough little bark of laughter. "Yes Misaki-san, but, I think it is less the room and more you that makes me feel safe. In the woods or on the river, back home, I was safe from others, but not... so safe." She looks at Misaki from under her brow, clearly fatigued but also... expectant?

"Hantei-sama is most generous to offer her aid. I, ah, am not sure who is... aware of my qualities. I had not really, um, intended... Well. I am not sure what my marriage prospects are, but if Hantei-sama is willing to give me some guidance, I would be most foolish to decline." The Lion smiles inno...

Immediately after hearing Misaki's words, Kawauso comes up on her knees, reddened eyes catching the Crane's for a moment, and she bows her head almost into Misaki's lap. "Thank you, Misaki-san. This... This is the safest place I have been in a long time." She takes a deep, heavy breath. "I wish... I...

Sasori pouted. "Baka... Akodo sama... Bokuwa Baka desu." She hit the woman playfully with her fan. "You casted a wide net. Are you regretting it now? Nya" The swat of the fan snaps Kawauso out of a developing funk. "Hey, Sasori-san!" It comes out louder than they've been talking, but it doesn't see...

Sasori giggled. "Fishing nya!" As she looked at Genji then back to Kawauso. "Father said that fishing needs a lot of patience. Nya... Have you decided on your fish?" "It, um..." Kawauso likewise looks toward the Stag prince, and her eyes linger before dropping to the ground. "I, ah, have," she says...

After another few moments, Kawauso begins to speak quietly, still not opening her eyes as part of her tries to pretend this is all a dream. "I'm sorry, Misaki-san. Um. I shouldn't... have done that. Too, um, presumptuous. Of me. I can't imagine... Well. You are... most kind to, um, accommodate a sam...

Kawauso's eyes show the curiosity of a playful otter.

"Prepare? Oh, have the Dragon made some sort of breakthrough on something? I could see something big coming from Togashi-sama or Saru-san," she says, feeling genuinely unaware of anything particularly significant.

"You... Um..." Kawauso sniffles harder, eyes clamped tighter shut, but in that moment, there's really nothing she can say or do but pivot into hugging Misaki with both arms, shaking from trying not to completely go to pieces. Kawauso's hug isn't intimate either, but it is fairly tight. The grip of s...

1st place, Hantei Genji, also receives a small carved wooden general figure and loyal lieutenant figure.
2nd place, Doji Dojihime, receives a small carved wooden general figure.

Kawauso sits very still for a time after Misaki has spoken. Finally, after an audible sniff, she whispers, "Thank you, Misaki-san." She keeps her eyes closed, fighting through another sniffle. "Not, um, not just for me. It is... Um. I hope that there are, uh, more people... like you. The, um, the co...

Misaki sat up a tiny bit, wavering before putting her back against the low table behind her. Using it as support, she took the offered up of herbal tisane and took a sip. The pain relieving herbal tonic was a bit bitter but had a faintly minty taste at the same time that soothed her throat and cool...

"Well, of course, Misaki-san, I'm happy for your company. Honored, really. I am... not used to rating as desirable company anywhere but home, and not always so, even there." The Lion looks down at the table, a touch of sadness pulling the corners of her mouth down. "I am sorry. I was certainly not q...