Shawn
*An overmorrow following his initial meeting with Kitsu Himiko, Hoshi Senri stood at the ornate gates of the Lion Embassy, carrying a bundle wrapped in the cloth that Himiko had offered him at their initial meeting. After being greeted by an attendant, the Dragon Monk was led to the rock and sand garden. Senri then took a seat overlooking the garden as the attendant dismissed themselves to fetch Kitsu Himiko.

He took a good look at the Embassy around him. The designs and layout of the compound were far more regal and polished than his own clan's, which was fitting considering the Lion Clan's reputation within the Empire. Though Senri found some solace and comfort within the garden, he could not help but feel a bit anxious. The monk closed his eyes, taking out some prayer beads of jade, and begin to silently pray to Akodo and the spirits within the vicinity.

As he closed his eyes, intrusive thoughts began to interrupt his meditation. Senri recalled the boisterous and curious red-maned Kitsu Miu. He began to feel his heart beat as he remembered the brief yet enjoyable meeting he had. But as the Monk felt a smile curl on his lips, he suddenly remembered Himiko's piercing heterochromatic eyes, and his heart sank. Senri opened his eyes, and exhaled a long sigh. Rubbing his temples, he murmured,*
"What in Togashi's name is wrong with you..."

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Mary
And there they appeared, not only in his mind but in true vision. Though considering these were looking at least three times less hostile than the ones in his vision had done. Her warm voice chanted *"Hoshi-sama! I am happy to see you again."*. Somebody who was also beyond happy was Ilu. The beast stormed towards the dragon with a wagging tail and hops of joy. Ironically as it was giant. The big tongue dangled all around and Himiko had to call Ilu to a halt to make sure Senri would not be trampled. 

*"Ilu. Calm down."* She demanded, the dog had slightly obeyed as the manic hops now turned more into a held back jog. Approaching the dragon she had first bowed down and then gave herself permission to receive some pets. 

On her back had been Kuro, trying to survive the wild bull ride the critter looked rather calm and healed. Himiko had smiled at this sight. 

*"Could I offer you some tea?"* She questioned. 

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Shawn
*Senri blinked, then braced for the giant mastiff to smother him with slobbery kisses. He breathed a sigh of relief as Ilu calmed down, and reached out to indulge the overgrown puppy with pets and scratches.

He glanced at the baby crow that had taken refuge in Ilu's fur, now thoroughly disturbed from the wild ride it had just endured. Senri laughed, and reached out a finger to the bird.* "Well, hello there Kuro. I see you've found a new nest!"

*Senri felt his heart swell with joy as the dopamine feelings that can only be found from pampering pets, and turned to Himiko with a warm smile,*
"How could I say no? Thank you, Kitsu-san."

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*The Dragon Monk slowly sipped his tea, enjoying the flavor and warmth it brought. He carefully set his "Yunomi" Teacup to his side on the bench. While he normally would have kept the cup in his hands on his lap, a large, fluffy Mastiff head rested on his knees, wordlessley demanding attention whilst drooling into his robes.

Senri deeply massaged Ilu's head, the sensation of petting such a fluffy canine sending dopamine to the Monk. He turned to his left as he felt a pinch, greeting Kuro that had climbed onto his shoulder to temporarily evacuate from his nest that had turned into a bull ride.*

"I hope Kuro here was not too much trouble, Kitsu-san. I know this one right here demands much more of your attention."
*Senri bowed his head to Himiko before turning back to Ilu and patting the Tibetan Mastiff's head.*

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Mary
Himiko smirked *"Kuro actually has been a great help with keeping Ilu amused. Being busy these days means truly busy. Most of the servants fear that Ilu will drag them around when going out for a stroll. With Kuro around she seems more... Controlled."* 

The young lion ambassador took a sip of her tea as well. Watching Ilu and Kuro enjoy the company of the dragon. She had as well. *"How have you been? Kuro clearly has missed you.'* She stated before turning her gaze back to the boiling hot water in the cup. 

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Shawn
"Ah, so you've missed me as much as I missed you then, my friend?"
*Senri chuckled and reached his hand on his shoulder to scratch the baby Crow's neck,*
"It has been... Quite hectic, Kitsu-san. With everything that is happening within this city, our Clan is finding the path that we must take become ever so elusive..."
*Senri stared off into the garden, a somber smile resting on his face as he rested his hands on Ilu's head. He turned towards Himiko with that same small smile,*
"But I'm sure the Lion clan is in good hands, with such a talented ambassador at it's head!"

*A beat passed, and Senri's eyes rose as he remembered something important.* "Ah, that reminds me! I have something that belongs to you, Kitsu-san."
*He reached to his side, pulling out the bundle that he had carried with him into the Embassy. At first glance, it is clear that this bundle was wrapped in the same cloth that Himiko had lent Senri when he had been plagued with a nosebleed, now clean and pristine.*
"It is not much, but I hope this would be enough as thanks for all you have done for Kuro and myself."

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Mary
Himiko smiled. Bowing down to the gift yet refusing it the three times it had been necessary according to etiquette. *"You flatter me with your compliments Hoshi-sama."* Himiko stated in his comment about her being a good leader. She did not doubt herself but there was much more improvement ready to be made. 

Himiko had not opened the bundle of the gift in public. After all it was a gift. *"You are always welcome here. So is Kuro-san, Ilu seemed only happy to have another friend that is not just me."* The Kitsu had playfully joked. Looking at the crowd and the dog playing around with so much joy made her long for a game of Cuju. 

*"I hope your clan will find their way soon. If you ever need guidance, I will be at your aid."* She would cling onto her cup, taking a sip of the hot tea. She didn't mind. It was decent at best but tea was tea. 

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Shawn
"And I shall be your aid, should you need guidance as well." *Senri nodded with a small smile. He sat quietly finishing his tea while staring at the garden, nodding in greetings towards the distant Lion attendants and retainers. He felt a rustle on his shoulder, and noticed Kuro the Crow hopping around restlessly.*

"Yes, Kuro, go play with Ilu for a while."
*With a smile, Senri picked Kuro up, and gently tossed him into the wind. The juvenile crow flapped his wings to momentarily stay in flight, but landed ungracefully onto the ground. Without missing a beat, Kuro hopped back onto his feet, croaking at Ilu as an invitation to play.*

*Senri chuckled as the tiny bird taunted the massive Tibetan Mastiff into chasing him. The Monk quietly contemplated his next words before asking Himiko,*
"Kitsu-san, do you miss your Clan, or the places you come from?"
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Mary
Himiko had nodded her head at the statement of aid. After all normally the Dragon and Lion hadn't been too close but she liked Senri enough. Her strange colored eyes had followed the bird and the dog. Watching Ilu take the invitation as the game of chase had started. The small lion would chuckle at the sight and hoped that they wouldn't bother any other attendant. 

She would look at him for a moment when he questioned if she missed home. Her eyes would break the contact as her voice seemed rather somber. *"Although I long for someplace to call home. It is but a memory. A wave of melancholy, a longing for something that will not return."* Himiko decided to smile at the monk. 

*"My parents died due to circumstances I never understood. I was taken in by the Phoenix clan. But a blur of memories will not tell me about that time. I married back into the lion but I haven't truly found a home again."* She would take another sip of her tea. 

*"What about you? Do you miss home? Your clan? From what the stories told me you live up in the beautiful mountains, right?"* 

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Shawn
*Senri watched Himiko as she recounted her past. As her tone turned somber and she looked away, Senri put a hand under his chin, deep in thought.

He knew that feeling of melancholy far too well; the longing for a place to be oneself free from judgement. He chuckled at Himiko's wry smile.*
"Careful, Kitsu-san. You're starting to sound like a Unicorn."

*Himiko's mentioning of her parents and blurred memories struck Senri like a shock of lightning. His own history was checkered, and he struggled to put the past behind him, but he could not help but think back to when he had seen heterochromatic eyes like Himiko's before. For a brief instant, Senri's expression grew dark as his mind searched the countless blurred lives of those he had taken. The Monk barely heard the Lion Ambassador mention her temporary stay with the Phoenix Clan and return to the Lion clan. 

Senri looked up from his thoughts at Himiko's questions, and would look away. A beat. The Monk looked back with a overly wide grin; a clearly forced expression that hid shame... And possibly hurt.*
"Well, yes. My order resides far in the Northern mountains of Dragon lands... But it we treat it much like a temporary school. We stayed and we learned, and those who felt the need to leave their nest of comfort did so. And that's what I did."
*The Monk bowed his head and scratched his neck,*
"I must admit that I miss my teacher and the fellow monks. They are responsible for making me who I am today. Before them, I... Let's just say I did not have a home worth longing for."

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Mary
Himiko would clearly notice the disruptance of his thoughts. If it not was only by his behavior, something in her gut feeling would speak to her about this. However it was clear he wished not to speak about parts of his past. Therefore Himiko decided not to pry but simply let it rest. She would nod her head. *"I am glad you have a home you can long for now however. Your journey seemed rather harsh. But perhaps that is what shapes us. If I have to truly rely on soley Lion perspectives in life."* She would smirk a bit in the hopes she could relief some of the tension that suddenly built up between the two of them. 

*"My uncle will be coming soon. Perhaps this place may feel more at home with him around. Although I feel like he will scold me for eating too much pastries and playing Cuju. Not like a young ambassador should."* She tried to mimic her uncle with a low voice with the last sentence but seemed to fail. She chuckled at the thought of this. *"One day I'll travel to the mountains to seek their glory."* She stated. *"Like one day I will return to my hometown to find a home once more."* 

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Shawn
"Forgive me, I mispoke. The temple where I stayed was nice, yes. But it felt more like... A private academy to discipline rather than a home. I miss it, yes, but more in the vein of someone missing a teacher."
*Senri bashfully scratched his cheek. He turned towards Himiko with an awkward, goofy smile. He quickly glanced at Himiko's noticeable scars before bowing his head.*

"I have had my share of strife, yes. And I can say the same for you as well, Kitsu-san. I can only imagine what you must have gone through on your own journey."
*He looked up at Himiko's heterochromatic eyes. His embarassed smile had returned to his modest, reserved smile, but his tone was sincere, if not a little sad.* "But you are right. Our struggles and difficulties shape us, and our past should not entirely dictate the fate of our future."

"I would say a young ambassador like yourself should be free to enjoy sweets or the occasional Cuju. And don't worry." *Senri winked as he put a finger to lips.* "I shall not tell your Uncle, should our paths cross."

*Senri stared off as Kuro and Ilu came bounding past them. Without turning, he continues.* "And if you ever need a guide through the Mountains, I shall be of service. I swear it."

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Mary
*"Oh? You mean my scars?"* She questioned. It was part of her but it was not part of her struggle. It was part of her ancestors struggles. *"Those are my Ancestors."* Only by then did she realize how crazy this had sounded. She would shake her head. She would clarify only when he had asked for elaboration. She had smiled at him agreeing to her words however. 

*"Will you play Cuju with me next time Hoshi-sama?"* Her eyes would glance at him as she would observe his emotions through this talk. 

*"As for the Dragon. The Lion will be helping them if necessary. So please let me know if you need it. Kindness needs to repay itself."*

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