The bushi continues to gently rumble with deep breaths and sounds of satisfaction.

"Could be the happiest winter of my life," Kawauso mutters, trying to rein herself back in but entirely honest.

The Lion calms, but looks at Genji more suspiciously. "So you're... not close? I'm not close with my mom, but that's..." She looks away with a sniff. "That's not something you want to hear about," she says, trying to shake it off. "It, um... Well. I wish we were closer," she says sadly, going to ref...

Distant crunching of snow and tapping on stones announces the other otter sister's arrival before she's visible. It's soon clear that she'd come a little slower than usual, as she'd brought her long spear but had also been hampered by the winds. Finally reaching conversation range she stops, plantin...

When given a turn to perform, Kawauso tried to keep it simple. She wasn't a great singer, and she knew every song sounds better with a flute or two to give depth, like the wind skimming over the river, as the song rolls out. But, especially in light of the good company tonight -- and throughout thes...

I should point out that Chizu joined the horse race on a lark, because she's completely unskilled in Horsemanship. The only reason she won is, everyone else was even more unskilled! :D Ok, ok, but also fashion, also... I can't even remember all of them. I think you've made up for the sumai at this ...

"Ah..." he shrugged. "Ignore mother. She is very peculiar." He smiled at her once again. "You are a wonderful samurai-ko. Don't let others convince you." Kawauso looks at Genji, very confused. "Wait, what? I thought Hantei Kinsen-sama liked me... She..." The Lion is clearly distressed, no doubt sho...

Hantei Kinsen wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 30, 2021 1:12 pm

The best brides Mamma Stag wanted in her Family.

*pouts at Genji*

*pouts at losing to Chizu again*

Kawauso laughs a little. "Wu-sama is most kind in his appraisal, but I am... so-so in getting my father to see things my way. I would not presume to think a kami any easier to sway than he is." She gives the Dragon a warm smile. "I hope Wu-sama doesn't struggle to recognize his own kind and valiant ...

"Thank you, Akodo-san." She returned the bow to the Lion woman, relaxing back as she was joined. Her smile was pleasant, her features on her face softened as she relaxed, the music csrrying off the worries of the day. "My father taught me how to play. He always said to put your whole passion when p...

Kawauso smiles at the compliments, but still looks away to the side. "Come on, you know. The big, simple river girl... good at fishing and doing sumai the wrong way..." She's not exactly pouting, but she does seem to be drifting a little deeper into the negative thoughts.

Kawauso frowns, although she doesn't look surprised. "Perhaps I am not a very good Lion," she admits. "My father swore to serve Lord Akodo when I was 10 years old. It... was a challenge, in our village and tribe. And things are better because of the kami, but many things were fine or even great befo...

Surprisingly, Kawauso reaches over to hug her sister. She doesn't announce it, and she doesn't say anything for a while after she's started the hug, but who eventually she says, "We'll figure it out. Whatever it is." There's an exhale and a little tightening of the hug. "I'm really glad you're here."

Satsuki chuckled but didn't poke at the Lion's embarrassment. "Ah, it seems to be something I hear about a lot of my cousins." If she meant being a model samurai or kind and gentle, or easy to talk to, Satsuki didn't specify. "And he's also decent with a sword and understands tactics. I wasn't too ...

"Maybe? This is the most time I've gotten to spend with him in a good while. He visited once with his father, but that's a long time ago now, and coming here was my first time travelling outside of Dragon lands." Her eyes glinted with curiosity as she regarded Kawauso. "What's your opinion of him? ...

Kawauso beams, not saying anything for a moment and looking adoringly at Genji. "Oh, thank you, Genji-sama ," she says slowly, clearly liking the sound of it. "I felt like it was very special at the ball. I was feeling... foolish, for even being there..." The Lion looks away, saddened even rememberi...

The Dragon princess seemed rather unbothered by the questioning, and seemed to find the conversation a bit relaxing after today's events. "Oh, it's not my place to say exactly... but I suppose I can say that he did a bit of standing up for himself to overbearing people who are trying to control his...

Kawauso blushes, unable to hold it back.

"Thank you, Hantei-sama," she says emphatically. "I, um, thought the mask would be a nice reminder. Of that first night we met. It... meant a lot to me. Your kindness... and everything since then..." She looks at him expectantly.

As it seemed like Matsu had it well in hand, Satsuki looked to the approaching Lion. "Akodo-san," she bowed in return. "Genji-kun? Naaah, he's been hit worse, I'm pretty sure. And judging by what I saw in court today, he probably deserved some of it," the Dragon grinned playfully. No chill whatsoev...

Letting her poor cousin be free to get beaten up by someone else, Satsuki took some time to catch her breath and listen to what was going on around her. Kinsen's and Matsu's conversation for now at least had her ear. After Genji had stepped away to his next match, Kawauso approached the Dragon prin...

The "Swamp Witch," who secretly hated that name, "acted" like she was alarmed as the heroes approached.

"What?! I mean... Curses! Their friendship powers are helping them find my lair, deep in the swamp. But I will set a cunning trap! To distract them all, as I escape with the princess!"