James
In a cage designed to restrain it without limiting it, a creature paced, occasionally stopping to eat and occasionally to bellow; an angry cry that rang out amongst the Gardens.

Nearby, and watching keenly, Takeda stood with his hands clasped behind his back, frowning at the beast as it broke into a saunter around its cage, it's long neck craning to get a good look at its guest today.

The Young unicorn Shugenja had taken a day to wander around the gardens and view the animals. It was a way he could relax and while he was still wary given the current political climate, being with animals soothed his nerves.

"Hang in there, brother." He said to the great long necked beast, coming as close as he would dare without breaching anything. "I too know the pain of being stranded far from home."

The beast grunted and walked away but Takeda stood there watching it a few moments more, turning something over in his mind.
Teri
The little Scorpion had been at this *All* Morning. 

While she thoroughly enjoyed the animals in the menagerie, she was not currently viewing them in a capacity as a mere visitor. An open book was balanced in one open hand, a graphite stylus in the other. She had started at one end of the zoo, stopping before each exhibit to make note of the animal within, and if a handler was available, to learn the names, both proper and familiar, of each one. 

The first time seeing a crab spring two feet into the air had startled her to the point she dropped her stylus and uttered a little squeak of alarm. The creatures identified as 'ant eater" Was fascinating, like the Fortunes hadn't quite had a plan when it was created. 

However, the birds were always a favorite of hers, especially the raptors. The birds that could change their colors were beautiful, if sometimes hard to detect at a distance. Which was, of course, entirely the point.
She was just now making her way towards one of the last enclosures, entirely focused on her notebook.



||including the part I took out, because I enjoyed writing it. XD

So far, she had seen the lions, which seemed... Remarkably lazy. They simply lay there, mostly sleeping. One had moved to like the head of another before promptly falling asleep again. While it was easy to imagine how impressive and terrifying the beast would be in action, it did make her question why this animal had been chosen to be the totem of the most militaristic of the clans. 

The bear had been lumbering about its pen, snuffling at the ground, scratching its back on a tree, and then choosing to plant itself in the small pool within its enclosure. It seemed to be watching her as she watched it, sitting up in very much the way a human would.

The creature called an ostrich was an absolute enigma to her, being in her eyes nearly the size of a pony. ||

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James
Takeda had made to move away, so as not to disturb the next person to come along. After all, he could stand here all day and stare at animals, but the sounds of footsteps made him reconsider.

However, the camel, that grumpy long-necked beast, had other ideas and began moving over, its jaw working overtime as it chewed and chewed.

"Careful, he's about to spit..." Takeda said, putting an arm out to prevent the other samurai from stepping into the "Splash zone", more out of reflex than anything else.

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Teri
"Who's about to—eep!" 

Unfortunately, Kotori had not been paying attention. When Takeda thrust out his arm, she almost walked smack into it, her nose stopping just scant inches short of his hand. As such, she uttered a squeak. An honest-to-god, startled squeak. 

"U-Utaku-sama!" She fumbled with her notebook and stylus, her eyes wide and cheeks flushed from her startlement. "H-how nice to see you again. Forgive me, but who is about to, um, spit?"

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James
"The Camel." 

The Unicorn still held his hand out as a puddle of *Something* Fell at his feet followed by an excessive groan from the creature as it sauntered off with an arrogant disposition. Or maybe that was how Camels were.

Turning to the newcomer, Takeda gave a smile and a bow "Oh hello Bayushi-sama. My apologies but I just couldn't let anyone have their day ruined in that way."

"Are you alright?"
Teri
The little Scorpion turned a little grey in the face as the wad of camel *Goo* Landed with such an audible splat at Takeda's feet. She leaned slightly to one side to look at the offending animal, her color slow to return to normal. How utterly *Revolting.*

"*That* Is a camel? What a disagreeable creature."

Remembering her manners, she quickly tucked her stylus into the book and closed it before returned his bow. 

"I'm... Alright. Just a bit startled by that." Kotori offered him a shy, slightly embarrassed smile. "I thank you for your kind attention."

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James
"Oh, don't worry about it." The Shugenja said, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly before chuckling "At least you didn't get too close and it tried to eat at your sleeves."

"This one is just in a mood. I'd love to see if he could be ridden. Usually they're quite good if you can get them in the open plains."

Noticing the book, he gave a nod "Sketching the animals? Documenting them?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
Teri
"How does one even get on a camel? It seems so much higher than a horse." She looked back towards the camel, and then Takeda again.

His boyish gesture instantly set her at ease, and she offered a more genuine smile. 

"Oh! Documenting them, yes. I have been appointed as mistress of the bath house, and so am making myself more familiar with the rest of the gardens. What about yourself, Utaku-sama? Just out for a stroll?" 

||
Christine
Not too far away, there was an enclosure that contained a number of tropical birds. They squawked and cawed, while others stood quietly around... Whatever their habitates consisted of. Keeping birds in a menagerie was always difficult, as they liked to fly.

Standing nearby one particular enclosure, dressed in teal and gold, his long hair pulled up fashionably, but this time with just a touch of a devil-may-care looseness on one side, was Yoritomo Sadao. A fan was in his hand, of lovely dark red-lacquered wood, unfolded. The painting on it detailed three rabbits jumping over a hill.

Sadao's eyes were utterly *Fixated* On a sight before him.

It was incredible. It was one of the most unusual and amazing sights he'd ever seen.

Three little birds, sort of puffy around the middle, all brown, with long, thin beaks. One adult and two little chicks. They were walking very... Very slowly...

...Because they were dancing. Three little woodcocks doing their dance.

Sadao was entranced.
James
"I thought I'd come and see what animals were around." Takeda shrugged with a smile "Some of the richer nobles abroad had their own private collections, and this reminded me a little of that so I was very curious."

The Unicorn clasped his hands behind his back, not quite sure what else to do with them now the camel was gone and Kotori wasn't in any danger of having more animal refuse in her vicinity.

"And you get them to kneel. And then swing on to their back. After that, the riding is all in the hips." Takeda replied "The camels have a natural sway to them. You just got to go with it and it becomes quite enjoyable after a while."

"I was hoping they'd have a Rhino here." He frowned "It's a fascinating creature. Large, armoured, big horn. When it was first introduced I believe our ancestors called it a Burning Sands Unicorn. But I guess it wasn't to be today."
Teri
"One is able to make them kneel?" She sounded both amazed and incredulous. Any creature that would spit so freely had to be ill-mannered in addition to ill-tempered. "Is riding a camel similar to riding a horse?"

"Rhino... Rhino..." Kotori opened her book and flipped through a few pages, scanning through the entries. "Ah, here! Apparently there *Was* A rhi... Rhinoce... Rhinoceros here at one time—" Despite her best efforts, the way she pronounced the animal more as rhi-no-CER-os, having only heard the full name spoken but once before, when the keepers were telling her about the different animals."— but died some two years ago." 

"I hope such an animal is more agreeable than a camel." She smiled again. Though the little Scorpion was prone to smiling often, it was especially easy to do around such a genuine soul as Takeda. 

"Are you enjoying the menagerie thus far?"

She took a small step back, only now realizing how close she was still standing to the Unicorn. Glancing about, she noticed a not-too-distant figure dressed in opulent gold and teal with notably long hair. "I think that may be Yoritomo-san, but I cannot quite tell from here."

||
Christine
If it wasn't for the fact that he was wearing his Mantis mon on his back, wearing the Mantis colors, and had his *Exquisite* Hair done up... Well, who knows who it could have been then? But Sadao flouted the typical Yoritomo 'rough and thuggish' man stereotype. He was graceful, serene, but also *He really liked staring at these adorable fuzzy little birds.*

He did not kneel, he did not stoop. He wasn't a child, and hadn't been for some time. Still, inside his own mind he was positively jumping with excitement. Those with savvy eyes could see he was gently twitching his fan in tandem with the bobbing of the little woodcocks.

Sorry, everyone else. These little guys were just too cute.
James
"A little bit more..." Takedas hand swayed back and forth to indicate the natural sway of the camel before grinning "Like I said, its all in the hips. If he had any training I could probably try to get him to kneel. Maybe."

"Oh..." Takeda was a little sad about the passing of the Rhino "Oh, that's a shame. However, I'm proud you got the pronunciation right the first time. Not many people can do that."

"Ah Aha. They were not agreeable though. Slow to rage, sure. But once they did, it would be like staring at a walking battering ram." Takeda frowned "Or Running, as the case may be."

"But apart from that, I am. It reminds me of home, in a way." Takeda gave a genuine smile. "How about you? Was it everything you thought it would be?"

However, before she could respond, he cocked his head to look at the Mantis. "I think you're right, and he's transfixed by those birds." He commented "Did you want to go save him?"
Teri
Kotori hid a giggle behind her sleeve at Takeda's demonstration. "You must be quite the equestrian if you are able to get such a beast to kneel. Or, I suppose, whatever the proper term would be for one who excels at riding camels." 

But when his expression dimmed, hers did as well, as though she were personally responsible for the death of the animal. His praise, however, was enough to reverse things yet again. She smiled with girlish pride, a pleasant pink blush rising to her cheeks. "Oh? I said it correctly? I've only heard it said once, so I was sure I would say it wrong."

Golden eyes drifted back to the Mantis, and she giggled again. "He does not seem to be in need of rescue, at least not yet. He seems utterly transfixed by the birds there." 

There was more she wanted to say, but the image of a long, detailed scroll with a list of names flashed into her mind, accompanied by Yuto's voice. Now it was her turn to look a bit solemn, slender fingers gripping the edges of her book more tightly.

"On a more serious note, Utaku-sama... I know that our clans are at odds, to phrase things kindly. I hope that we may continue to be friendly with one another despite that. I may be a member of my clan, but that is not *All* I am."

||
Christine
Sadao couldn't help it. He tilted his fan to and fro in tandem with the little birds. But the conversation has now reached his ears, and he turned. He snapped his fan shut and bowed to the two of them. They had not directly addressed him, so he would at least be polite to acknowledge their presence, but he did not want to interrupt their conversation.

He regarded the trio of birds again, and gave a nod to them at their performance. Perhaps he could imitate that style and insert it into some martial arts or something. Crouching Woodcock stance.
James
"It's just practice. I had to ride one through the Burning Sands for a month, so I learnt what worked and what didn't." Takeda shrugged. It was not a demonstration of false humility, but him mentioning something he'd done to stay alive. "The hardest part, interestingly, is when they rise from kneeling. It's rather quick, so for the unprepared it feels like your stomach ends up lurching uncontrollably."

However it was the solemn tone and look she gave him that snapped him back. He was reminded of a fireside chat with his sensei after one particular ordeal, the words imparted to him coming to mind instantly.

"To many, we are the sum of our duties. But to some precious few, that view slips just a little and you get to see a little more." Takeda intoned before looking at Kotori "That is to say, I understand, Bayushi-sama. Or is that Bayushi-san, given that we should continue to be friendly with each other?" A small smile played out on his features, the comment meant to defuse at least some the tension in the air that still lingered.

At the Mantis' bow the Utaku gave a wave and an informal salute of sorts - an acknowledgement that they were here but did not want to break up the party so to speak.
Teri
"I would like that very much... Utaku-*San*." 

How pleasant it felt to say that, to address him with familiarity. Her expression showed both joy and relief at his acceptance, a clear softening of her eyes. 

And then she turned to Yoritomo when Takeda waved and bowed, smiling. 

"Good day to you, Yoritomo-san! You seem rather taken by..." Here she opened her notebook again, flipping another page. "Akane-chan. The keepers have not yet named the chicks. Perhaps you have suggestions I may pass along?"

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Christine
"Ah! Utaku-san! Bayushi-san!" He bowed, enthusiastically to the two of them. In a flourish he gestured to the little rockin' birdies. "Look at them! I have seen strange behavior in macaques, I have seen the catfish in the rice paddies during planting season. I have seen some of the dancing rituals of sea birds. I have *Never* Seen this. It's so... Simple. So elegant."

All they were doing was bobbing like it was going out of style.

Still, Sadao was positively thrilled to see such adorable little things doing their adorable little dance. "Akane-chan? Ohh, the others' names... Mitsu," He said, pointing to a lighter colored chick. "Do you care to make any suggestions?" He asked the two of them.
James
"I have never seen these kind before." Takeda said, crouching down to get a closer look, his face screwed up with thoughtfulness.

Looking up at the sky, he frowned. *No... It can't be like they just flew in.*

"Given my lack of knowledge, I am not sure I can provide a suggestion." The Shugenja said, standing back up. "Perhaps if I observed them more I could provide one. The name being provided by the nature and all."

"Anyway, how are you Yoritomo-sama? Were you hoping to see more animals here, or have the little ones done that for you?"
Teri
The little Scorpion smiled as she approached the enclosure which housed the fluffy, bobbing birds. Seeing two grown men so fascinated by such small, cute creatures was endearing, and just a bit unexpected. Charming, really.

"Mitsu." Kotori repeated, making a note into her book. She would be sure to pass the name along.

"The keepers tell me that chicks hatched just over ten days ago, and so they won't be able to determine the sexes until they mature." She too, watched the woodcocks bounce and step, step and bounce. They really were adorable little birds.

"I hope that both of you are finding the menagerie to be an agreeable experience. Perhaps when you have finished, I may offer you tea and refreshments?" Kotori smiled up at the both of them, eyes shining with good humor. 

||
James
"Oh yes." Takeda nodded 'Wherever there's a few animals or more usually feels just like home."

Now, on the one hand, the promise by the Scorpion was one that Takeda didn't mind the sound of. However, he already owed his friends a drink...

"Oh, I wouldn't want to impose, Bayushi-san." The Unicorns good natured smile turned into a chuckle "Alternatively, it might be my turn to provide the drinks and refreshments."
Christine
"Just over ten days!" Exclaimed Sadao, and he was all too pleased with the fuzzy lil guys. "The menagerie reminds me of some of the wilderness back home. Thank you for asking, Bayushi-san." At the sudden rise in competition for hospitality, the Mantis could not help but partake.

"If the two of you are unafraid to set sandal in the merchant district, I know of a stall that is likely carving freshly-brought tuna..." He looked up briefly, to judge the time with the position of the sun in the sky, "...Right now, in fact. It seems we have a three-way fork in this road. That is, if I am also invited." He realized he was imposing, and tried to hide his embarrassment in his sleeve.
Teri
"I am so pleased that the menagerie meets the approval of you two esteemed gentlemen." And truly, she was. She meant every word, feeling as though their praise was her own to relish, at least in some tiny amount. The little Scorpion smiled, though she made an admirable attempt at keeping the gesture small and modest. Arrogance and pride wouldn't do at all.

"Regarding refreshments, I am as happy to be the hostess as I am to be the guest. You need only tell me your choice, as I place myself in your hands." Her small, sweet smile remained in place, even as she lowered her eyes demurely. 

Ultimately, this was part of the problem with Rokugani manners: no one could ever just *Say* What they wanted.

What did Kotori want? *She* Wanted to spend more time in the company of her new friends, and it did not matter to her where that occurred. Both Takeda and Sadao had been pleasant—and accepting—that it was only natural, as she saw it, to continue to enjoy their presence. 

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James
"Of course you are Yoritomo-san." The Unicorn remarked with a grin; a friendly, easy going thing designed to allay any concerns by the Mantis.

"And I don't mind setting foot among the merchants quarter. The Zythum would be in the liscensed quarter besides , so I was going to ask a similar question." 

Then Takeda did a peculiarly Unicorn thing, turning towards the sun, raising a palm turned outward to the sun so the image of Lady Amaterasu rested in the crook between his thumb and forefinger. The Unicorn squinted at the palm, then seemed to do some quick calculations in his head.

"We do have a couple hours before Lady Sun starts to get ready to sleep." He finally remarked. "If we wanted to let Bayushi-san rest for the evening, given how especially gracious she was last time, we may be able to do tuna and a drink."
Christine
Sadao seemed intent on making a solid decision if nobody else will. Neither of them seemed to have a problem being seen in the merchant's quarters, an unseemly place for most of the *Buke* Caste.

"This little menagerie is well-made and the creatures therein are exotic and beautiful in their own ways. However, I must agree with Utaku-san. Tuna, and a drink. To the merchant's quarters?" He offered, even gesturing with a sleeve... In the entirely wrong direction.

He was still new to Ryoko Owari Toshi, after all.
Teri
She was just about to offer a gentle correction when something else suddenly came to mind. 

How would she safely return after the outing? While Kotori could make a reasonable argument that the trip into the merchant district would be made in the company of two others, the return journey was a bit let clear. She could neither expect nor demand one or both accompany her back, could she? 

While neither Takeda nor Sadao may have been *Bushi*, they were still men, and neither struck her as being remotely helpless. She, however, knew exactly how helpless she was when it came to matters requiring any sort of physical exertions. Her smile faltered despite her best efforts. 

"If Yoritomo-san may provide the name of the establishment, I can meet you both there." Kotori lowered her eyes again, biting her lower lip momentarily. "I must first send for and await my yojimbo. If the window of time to enjoy the tuna is limited, I cannot very well impose upon you both to wait for me. I would struggle to forgive myself if I hindered your ability to enjoy a good meal. Please, accept my apologies for the inconvenience." 

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James
"To the quarters." Takeda agreed with Sadao, making to walk in the other direction. It almost seemed a bit satirical with both men splitting up and going the exact opposite direction.

However it was the fretting of Kotori that stopped the Unicorn. He blinked as he processed what she had said.

"Just like Bushi in the ring, I am sure we can patient Bayushi-san. Oh and I should have already extended the invitation to your Yojimbo. I quite liked talking to him while he was fishing." The Unicorn flashed a grin.
Christine
Sadao did not walk in the wrong direction, he merely pointed. At the prospect of yojimbo... Sadao's mouth thinned a moment. He had one of his own. "I... Suppose it may be in good taste for me to bring my own as well, in that case," He said. "The stall is around the wharf, where much of the fish is brought in fresh. If we're lucky we may be able to acquire some fresh from the catch."

While butchering animals for food was a thing meant for heimin and the servant caste, Rokugani weren't strangers to such violence. Carving up a fish fresh out of the net was certainly a way to enjoy it, and it was something both the Crane and Mantis practiced.
James
Takeda blinked at the prospect of another Yojimbo, surprised for the briefest of seconds.

*Hang on, how was I the only one that didn't have a Yojimbo?*

He knew the answer, of course. The clan had not sent one across the desert with him, and by the time he came back, he had no need for one.

Touching the sword hilt suspended from around his neck, more for the memory of why he didn't have a Yojimbo than anything else, the Unicorn took a calming breath.

"If there's any land marks I can use to spot it, I can wait for all four of you there." He finally said. "It's no matter. I could probably even talk to the river again while I'm there."
Teri
"Oh, I... I really do not mean to inconvenience you." The discomfiture was clear on her pretty face, and even a masterfully skilled actor would have struggled to match the expression. How embarrassing it was that she'd not thought of this before agreeing! Her excitement at the prospect had run away with her reason, and reason only know came skulking back. 

"Please, gentlemen, go and enjoy your meal and drink. We can make a proper meeting of it another time, when our schedules align." Kotori bowed to them both, perhaps lower than strictly necessary, but she had an affinity for them both and felt it only right. || Etiquette (Sincerity) 4 ||

"As it is, I should attend to some of my other duties. I am afraid I would enjoy myself too much and the sun would be setting before I even realized it." She turned slightly, momentarily lifting a hand to mimic the gesture Takeda had made, except, her version looked far more like the elegant fluttering of a dancer: pretty, but completely worthless. Golden eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at the sun. How in the world he was able to deduce anything that way was a mystery to her.

She slowly lowered that same hand, smiling at both of them as she turned back to face them. "Seeing both of you today has brought me joy enough. I dare not be greedy with my good fortune." 

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Christine
It seemed that the necessity for security and the way that duties pulled people, that the outing was already coming to a close. Sadao did not seem displeased, merely a change in the trajectory of things. "Ah, it seems that fortunes change with the winds. It is ever so." Philosophical, but rolling with the punches, so to speak.

Sadao was happy to direct Takeda to landmarks that would be where that spot was. "If you frequent it, you may find some of the freshest fish available there. But as it stands, Bayushi-san is correct. Other duties must be attended to, and we are ever at the service of our lords and our Clans." Respectful, polite, and happy to smooth any choppy waters, Sadao seemed content to let the would-be hangout happen another time.
James
"I understand." Takeda finally said after he'd processed it all. "If either of you happen to come by the bazaar, in your duties or otherwise, there will be plenty of delicacies I would be happy to show you as well."



"The feeling is mutual, Bayushi-san." He added with a smile. "Now please, don't let me stop you both. When duties need to be attended you should go with the wind at your backs."

The traditional unicorn goodbye was said with good natured humour, a grin, and a bow from the Shugenja.
Teri
"I am grateful to your both for your kindness." Kotori smiled at both Takeda and Sadao, her relief almost palpable. Thank the Fortunes they were not irritated or upset with her! Such a reaction may well have broken her heart, even if she wasn't quite cognizant of the fact. 

"We should make it a point to meet again and take a meal at some time. I am told there are many fine restaurants in the city, and to visit one while in good company would be time well spent."

"Until that time, please be well." She bowed one final time and gave one last little flirtatious smile before she turned and began to make her way back to the bath house. 


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