The Lion's eyes widen at Misaki's predatory look, but she doesn't flinch. "Eee... Yes? I suppose," she says tentatively. "What, um, things would you test on me?" Her skeptical otter eyes have returned. She realizes she's still standing pretty close to the other woman, though with the wind that's som...

Kawauso bows her head. "I am sorry, Makime-sama, I do not mean to complain. I just... Your honored mother's technique. We train, we practice, we learn to use what advantages we have at hand to overcome a challenge. Here, somehow, when the simple country girl formally presents a gift, she speaks with...

As Kawauso looks at Sasori with questioning otter eyes, she also scoots a little closer and leans her head forward. Speaking quietly, conspiratorially, she says, "Some otters are very playful, but they play... more out of sight, not... as might be expected." The Lion tucks an errant stand of hair be...

Kawauso nods as she processes what she's learning. "How interesting. I do not think I've seen a caravan, but my home is far from main roads." At mention of undue influence, Kawauso makes a face. "Hrmm. That would not... be the best way. It is important to share what our people are experiencing... Do...

Kawauso nods as Ayano speaks, then sighs as she gets the question. "I presented a gift, and it went well even though I was sure I would mess up. I almost got in a fight with a Spider, but then made friends including a Scorpion. I went to the Stag Ball, with a great mask, and I danced... well, I thou...

Kawauso smiles at her friend, nodding in affirmation, but by the end she's looking at her confused. "Are we still talking about..." she waves a hand awkwardly, voice filled with question. Her voice goes very soft as she says, "what an otter... likes to play with?" She raises an eyebrow, looking at t...

"No, I had business for my father. I gathered ," she says, sounding like that means 'was coerced,' "that it would be... inappropriate... to avoid the wedding and other events." She looks to the side like she's uncomfortable admitting to something. "This place is very different than school or home. I...

Kawauso's eyes start to glaze as Misaki gets detailed in her explanation, but she's listening closely enough to hear reference to her beautiful hair. It fills the Lion with embarrassment, which is fairly clear from her face, although there's also a noticeable amount of pride in her smile at being co...

Kawauso giggles at the food joke and then freezes when asked about her preferred "fish." She looks down at her hands in her lap. Meep. "Bleeh, um, I don't... I don't really have a... preferred fish ..." The Lion woman says, obviously embarrassed. "I mean, it's not... I just..." She looks up at Sasor...

Kawauso doesn't exactly smile, but she quietly notes, "Like Lady Makime, so too my father. I believe he likes to keep emissaries standing to shorten their audiences as much as possible." The tall woman folds her legs to cross over each other, then takes a deep breath before answering. "Makime-sama, ...

Kawauso calms a little at Misaki's smile and tone, although there's a new wave of tension that the Crane can see as the ear muffs block out much more sound than the bushi expected. She straightens and concerned eyes flicker to Misaki, but after a few moments the Lion woman seems to be pretty comfort...

Kawauso giggles with her, not sure she understands the joke, but happy to be supportive. At mention of a caring father, the otter-spirited woman smiles as she would if her friend had said her father was a dragon or a flock of birds. "Care for animals, of course," she encourages, latching onto an exa...

The tall shadow turns out to be a very familiar looking clanmate, as Akodo Kawauso enters in a pretty plain tan kimono. The mild voice that had been calling was gentler than Ayano typically associates with the rough spun Lion from the far west. "Good evening, Makime Ayano-sama," Kawauso says, more f...

A polite-ish but insistent scratching at the door signals an unexpected guest. After less pause than is really appropriate, a soft but insistent voice that Ayano may or may not recognize calls, "Makime Ayano-sama? Are you available?" The shadow on the door is rather large, making the voice seem stra...

"Just add it to the list of unexpected last night," Kawauso laughed as well. "But it was the right choice, even though I would have been quite happy with water," she says with a grin. The Lion gives the Scorpion's hand a little squeeze. "The lifesaving is appreciated, but if this otter is to have su...

A small smile, "You are forgiven. I will say though, you would be surprised how much the commoners care about tea, even if not the correct way to serve it. Still, that is a conversation I would be interested in having. There is only so much the fifth apprentice to Doji Kokuro-sensei can do or help ...

Kawauso makes a face like an unhappy otter, even making a slightly squeaky rumble of displeasure. "A fox mask clearly does not bring with it keen eyes," she says a little petulantly, and she reaches to put a hand on her friend's hand. "Bayushi-san has seen much more of me than some silly boys who ca...

Kawauso looks at the other woman like she's grown a second head. It takes a few moments to get past her look of total disbelief and find words. "Uh, no, Bayushi-san, you are mistaken," the Lion says shaking her head. A kind smile remains on her face as her eyes continue to show disbelief. "I... Neve...

"Dad is... He's dad, Kotsu-chan. Always stern and grumpy about something. He wants to spend his days chasing raiders or doing the things he used to. But he can't because Lord Akodo made him headman of..." She waves her hands vaguely. "Some swathe of the lands on the Lion side of the river. I don't k...

The Lion nods with interest as she listens, though by the end her eyes hint at having waited a while to reach the end. "You must tell me more about your work -- er, perhaps indoors, at another time? -- for I have had some conversations with other guests here about focusing the energy and resources f...