Kinsen makes sure that plenty of rice and vegetables are served, and takes hands on most of the preparations to the point of politely refusing much of the servant's help. She does request fresh fish for the Captain, and for her handsome Genji-kun, she managed to get extra treats she knows he enjoys in a sealed bento: so that he could savor at a later time while undisturbed.

With rice filled in the bowls, and tea prepared, Kinsen waits for them to arrive. Hungry, as she enjoys.

Genji stepped into the room, a smile on his face. He seemed to be refreshed from the day after, and he gave a bow towards his mother.

"Good morning mother, may Grandmother's light shine upon you." He took a seat close to her, and observed what was on offer.

"My my, quite the spread. Are we celebrating that we are snowed in?"

"May the light of Lady Sun bless us every day. Good morning, my dear Genji-kun~" Says the mother with a sweet tone of voice, "Snow? Of course not. I would like to celebrate me finally being able to catch back with my beloved prince. It has been quite a while the last time I was able to treat you like this. Do you remember when I used to make you egg rolls every morning at Shiro Yaban no Seirei?"

She taps on the bento box and slides it over, saying, "Some treats you can indulge later."

Hantei Kinsen wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 10, 2021 10:57 am

"May the light of Lady Sun bless us every day. Good morning, my dear Genji-kun~" Says the mother with a sweet tone of voice, "Snow? Of course not. I would like to celebrate me finally being able to catch back with my beloved prince. It has been quite a while the last time I was able to treat you like this. Do you remember when I used to make you egg rolls every morning at Shiro Yaban no Seirei?"

She taps on the bento box and slides it over, saying, "Some treats you can indulge later."

Genji sat down with a smile, once again. "Ano, I'm not a small child anymore mother." He said as he put the bento away for good measure. "Certainly, father and I have been busy. How is my little sister doing?"

Kinsen narrows her eyes for just a half-heartbeat as he tucks in the bento. "You're the heir of the Stag and a very tall man, indeed, my son. Yet, still, my son. I am grateful you allow me to spoil you even today."

The mother smiles as Genji mentions his dear sister. "Kazoku-chan is doing amazingly great. Her gempukku ceremony is soon to happen. I hope that you may attend. She would love to see you there, as much as she would never confess."

"I am not that tall." He replied half-heartedly.

"Of course I'll visit. I spoke with father about it. He is planning on coming as well, if Duty doesn't steer him away." He smiled, recalling his father's proud smile upon his own gempukku. His little sister deserves the same.

"I still need to find some gift for her for when I visit. I would be a terrible brother otherwise."

He took a small piece of food for starters. "How have you been Mother? I am surprised you came without Kazoku-chan."

"I am feeling very good, Genji-kun. Specially with you near. Thank you for asking." Kinsen takes a deep breath and Genji sees much of Kazuku in her face for a moment. "Kazoku-chan is always in my thoughts, as you are. Also, she's in her let me alone time, too. So, I think it will do good for her to start making decisions without your father's or my guidance for a couple of months."

She pours tea to Genji and reminds him, "We might change where the gempukku ceremony will be performed, though. Stag lands are too far away to get most of the Clans together. Speaking about that: how was yesterday. Did you meet anyone interesting?"

Hantei Kinsen wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 11, 2021 11:48 am

"I am feeling very good, Genji-kun. Specially with you near. Thank you for asking." Kinsen takes a deep breath and Genji sees much of Kazuku in her face for a moment. "Kazoku-chan is always in my thoughts, as you are. Also, she's in her let me alone time, too. So, I think it will do good for her to start making decisions without your father's or my guidance for a couple of months."

She pours tea to Genji and reminds him, "We might change where the gempukku ceremony will be performed, though. Stag lands are too far away to get most of the Clans together. Speaking about that: how was yesterday. Did you meet anyone interesting?"

"Glad to hear mother." He observed her mother, ever youthful. In fact...he hasn't seen her age since he could recall. "Ha...I remember. It's good for her to have some time alone. Father did the same when he sent me to help the Nezumi." His face fell a bit. "It was good, though something strange happened."

His eyes glanced up. "Oh? Somewhere else? It would do good for Kazuku-chan to travel. As for yesterday..." He blushed slightly, but tried to hide it. "I did meet someone from Uncle Bayushi's clan. Oh, and spoke to one of Aunt Doji's retainers, and a few people from the Lion clan."

Perhaps belatedly, Gusai arrives, bowing himself in and, as appropriate, seating himself. Something about battening down hatches against the weather crosses his lips, his player still vacationing.

Otomo Gusai wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 11, 2021 12:24 pm

Perhaps belatedly, Gusai arrives, bowing himself in and, as appropriate, seating himself. Something about battening down hatches against the weather crosses his lips, his player still vacationing.

"Good morning, Otomo-san. Please, join us." Kinsen says as she pours him some tea and notes, "Genji-kun was mentioning he has met a –– perhaps quite charming –– Bayushi samurai-ko, I pressume. As well as others from the more akin Crane and Lion, hmmm."

She does avoid talking about whatever strange things may have happened with the Nezumi, for now. Certain topics are better discussed within one's own family.

"Obliged, of course," he replies. And he adds "Lion's good. Need to talk to them, myself."

And he tucks in. Never know when another meal will come, after all.

"Ah, sounds good. Perhaps we can set up a meeting Otomo-san?" He joined in the fooding.

"Have you met anyone interesting, Mother?"

"In fact. I did." She says while looking up to the ceiling and noticing the lamp providing additional light over their heads. "Otomo-san might find interesting to talk with Makime Ayano-san. A spitting image of her mother, if not for the brightness of her hair. They have intentions to make their rivers navigable –– which might be a good way for Otomo-san's ships to reach the interior."

Kinsen takes another sip to refresh her mind, and brings more, "Yoshitsune Chizu-san and Anjing Sagara-san. The first, a massive beauty of a maiden. I confess I felt... safe... at her side. Shows character and stoutness behind an armor of grace. She's definitely someone to consider talking. The latter shows signs of a great woman. Stoic and tempered. I presume she's married."

Putting the cup back on her lap, Kinsen looks to Gusai with a raised eyebrow, "I also met a certain Viveki Doshi, of the Doshi family from the Ivory Kingdoms. She's some sort of heimin merchant that has some special privileges. Travelled with the Nezumi here. Took three weeks, she says. From the little I understood, they have similar ideas of the world as we have, yet they don't understand much of the Kami. I believe it would be wise to befriend them, and see how we should prepare to either trade, or even defend ourselves from them."

"I'll have to talk with the Makime, then," Gusai notes, his player emerging from a waterpark. "Though I gather this Ayano is the heir?"

Kinsen takes a ball of rice with the chopsticks into her mouth and chews it while nodding to confirm Ayano is the heir. Her eyes do smile a bit while doing so, since they soon move over to Genji.

"Beg pardon, Lady," Gusai says as he follows her eyes, "but the young lord here is his father's heir, correct?"

“Oh, yes. Mmmhmm.” She says, casting her eyes at the food to serve them some sliced vegetables.

"Then, Lady, I'm obliged to advise against her for the young lord," Gusai adds. "It's a stormier sea than bears facing."

Kinsen blinks for a moment, then tilts her head. She takes another bite before saying, “She is of high nobility. It will definitely come with challenges, if that’s the path Genji-kun gets inclined to pursue. The rewards would be great, nevertheless.”

She gives a short bow to Gusai, “Otomo-san’s insights are highly valuable, I so believe. Genji-kun is fortunate to have you here to provide such perceptions.”

"Otomo-san, Mother, arigatou for your deep insights into my romantic life." Subtle teenage snark, or sincere humble thanks? You decide!

"Hm...I should take into account any other heirs and potential positions then, in my pursuit of grandchildren for you, neh?"

Okay, some snark there.

"What would be your honest advise, minna-san?" And now this was sincere.