Keisha
*Ehakli gave a humored nod with the laugh and correction on Machi's name, sounding it out in her head. On the question of Toyoshige, she gave a small dismissive wave* "Oh just a business associate I am to meet before the ship casts off back for the Gate, I don't think he'll have much reason to interrupt your goal, but it is good to know what to expect should he try." *She breathed out with a bit of mirth, reserving as much nervousness of the prospect of Ling being quite honest with the statement.*

*As Ling described her lover to her, the dark elf poured some more of the sake, enjoying the unique taste of it while absently wondering why Lymia doesn't make such a drink while being so rich-rich themselves. It was so light and clean compared to the darker fruit wines she adores. Perhaps there was opportunity there. A note for another time. She gave an understanding smile to Ling's explanation.* "A noble reason for certain, Miss Kazami. A labor for love is almost always worth the effort, but what I truly mean to ask with intent, is not so much justification, but what do you intend to make her feel when she reads this poem of yours? That is, after all, the difference between a poem and any other simple letter. An intent to invoke certain feelings in an artful way." 

*She took another drag from her pipe.* "It can be meant to invoke many feelings, but let's get to the one you wish to invoke the strongest. Gratitude? Beloved? Aroused? Again it can be a number of things, but when it comes to poetry there should be one that rules over all the others."
Magnolia
"Make her feel?"

*Ling began to rub her chin, lost in thought. She didn't exactly plan for that; her idea was to really express what she felt. Describe her beauty, and what she saw in her. Tell her what she felt every time she looked or thought of her.*

*At the mention of 'aroused', Ling nearly spits out her sake. She didn't expect Ehakli to say that; though, that __would__ be a nice bonus. Machi certainly stirred up those feelings, though that wasn't her primary goal.*

"I want to make her feel loved. That I'll always be by her side, and what she makes me feel is the only thing I need."
Keisha
*Ehakli seemed to be having a bit of enjoyment trying to read Ling's face while the young woman thought it over, especially to more bold possibilities of expression. The elf thought back to her more aggressive maneuverings in Silnari courts. Still, she would be patient and quiet, letting the macen come to her own conclusions.*

*When Ling had done just that, Ehakli brightened.* "A beautiful sentiment worthy of expressing, Miss Kazami." *She then moved to unsling her satchel, setting it upon the bar and retrieving some paper, a feathered quill, and a small, stoppered pot of ink, and began preparing them.* "Now, of course I'm not entirely familiar of what sort of customs in literary styles this land has, but that should be fine in this case. After all, you mentioned yourself that the ways of the people of Runra are not your ways, and it sounds as if your lover must surely be aware of this as well. That will give us some ease in forming the structure. Let's start with some notes."

*Ehakli began writing down Runran characters for certain key elements, mainly what Ling had just mentioned now. To be by her side, to only need how she is made felt by her. Of course, Ling couldn't read, so Ehakli could have been writing about the endowments of previous lovers for all she knew, but the macen would just simply have to trust that Ehakli at least seemed interested in helping her in this.*

"Now, poetry is also often invoking in imagery. It seems you have an intention of expressing a pure and intimate love, so let's list some imagery that comes to mind when you think of her, and," *For a moment the elf pointed the feather at Ling* "Think importantly of imagery that relate to shared moments with her that you both likely treasure. Perhaps the moon over the leaves of a particular tree you took respite under one night, or even a color she often wears when you two are together, hm?" 

*She let Ling think it over, setting down her pipe to rest upright while taking instead her sak

E cup as she wrote. Surely sake could only help this process.*
Magnolia
"Tch. Customs. I threw away customs a long time ago. Stupid honorifics. Kun, san, sama, senpai. All worthless."

*Ling squinted at the inked symbols, not knowing what Ekhali was writing down. To her, they just looked pretty. Is that what writing was all this time? Maybe there were actual words on those sheets of symbols called 'menus'. She would definitely have to learn what these symbols meant; only the ones involved in the poem, not much else.*

"What is 'imagery'? Oh, that's what you mean. Well, her fur is black and white. I remember the winter with her, with all the snow. Her armor is gold and black, with a red and black mask. When we first met, the desert was dead, full of sand and dried stone. The water flowing down my throat was like heaven. She saved me that day."

"And of course, that massive blade of hers. A beautiful weapon, with curves just like her, and just as strong as well. We really haven't been anywhere too scenic, besides the winter in Salvania. Maybe in the Okiangupi Mountains? We camped there once. Very windy. The other places we've been have all been desert."

*Ling thinks for a moment, taking another large sip of sake, looking up at the ceiling in thought.*

"She's like my lifewater. I couldn't imagine life without her."
Keisha
*Working with a silnari stylings of a Ramul Ta quill probably looked a bit different than characters Ling would naturally see made with the thicker brushes, but even in simple notes Ehakli seemed to put effort in her handiwork. She would pause here and there, trying to remember the strokes of certain characters, but while some came sooner than others, several decades of practice would come into service. It was important, after all, to not make silly mistakes of putting a wrong stroke and changing a word intended for "Winter" To be read as "Sickness" For a love poem.*

"Ah, yes, you're getting the idea of this perfectly." *The elf continued writing as Ling spoke, gently smiling to the paper as the macen's enthusiasm seemed to open the flood of memories.* "Hmm, I wonder if there's something striking to say of black standing out in the snow, yet in your eyes more pure than the famous precipitation." *She made searching remarks like this here and there, all the while pointing out certain characters to Ling, explaining to her the more important nouns in it.* "And this one is Desert, though this is Sand if it fits better when we put this together." *And so on.*

"You've been to Salvainia? I'm there often on business myself, though my home is Lymia north of it. Hmm, there could be a theme here. Black in snow, the stark contrast between your time in the desert together and cold wintery lands. I believe there is a tie here for how the differences between when she is with you and when she is not being just as stark, perhaps? Anyway, this would be "Water of Life". If there's a character in particular for "Lifewater" I'm not aware of it, but this should convey the same meaning. Let's continue."