Tara
The young crane had set a schedule with the mantis to do the no bake pastries. He gives a small smile as he started to set up. He had bread that was going to he used for the no bake meal. Now he was wishing around as he would give a soft sigh. The small residence was small but was perfect for a single person. The room was clean, pretty average. Though it had a lot of decoration in it. He'd wait quietly for them as he gives a soft sigh.
Willie
"Oi! Daidoji-san?" A voice came from behind the front door.

Kana was grateful, so say the last, that they weren't working in the embassy proper. A Mantis showing up on their doorstep to demonstrate her lack of skill in something would have reflected poorly on her and the clan. As far she knew though, Adohiro was much less judgemental. While she was not sure how their emerging friendship might be taken, it wasn't as though she was approaching this without caution.
Tara
"Here." He called put as he went to open the door for her. He gives and all smile as he would Invite him in. Bread was laid out along with some sugar and other spices for the sweets pastry they were going to make. "So want to get started right now?"
Willie
"Oh? Right to business, are we?" She chuckled, stepping in. "Of course! I am very curious indeed as to how this will all work now..." She knelt at the table with the ingredients, studying them carefully. The spices were familiar, being of the Mantis, and while she was somewhat familiar with bread, it wasn't exactly the most common ingredient. She chalked it up to the fortunes of the Crane.
Tara
He gives a nod smiling as he would go sit at the table. "So we first need to put the bread into a bowl and put some milk. Not too much to make a dough like substance. He said with a small smile. "Then we can add sugar and other sweet stuff too:"
Willie
"We make dough out of the bread? Okay..." She approached to bowl. "So, how do I mix it? Just with hands?" She rolled up her sleeves in preparation, just in case that was indeed the method she needed to follow.
Tara
He gives a small nod glancing at the already baked bread. "We need to make it into its sorta wet then we add flour and sugar." He smiled softly. "Then we can shape it into a cake."
Willie
Kana nodded, wrinkling her nose as she got in with her hands, squishing the soggy bread. The texture was unusual, to say the least. Still, Adohiro was the expert, so she continued to follow his instructions.

"So... How long do I keep doing this?" She asked. "Until it's like a paste, or do I stop before that?"
Tara
He smile softly as he would glance at her. "Until it's a paste and then we can add the sugar and some spices ." He smiled. "Okay I think yours looks good." He said. "Now add some sugar until it's doughy like." He said.
Willie
Kana continued as directed. The texture was unpleasant to say the least, even as it made no sense to feel that way. It wasn't that much different than any other dough, after all. She was also driven by curiosity to see the finished product, and what manner of magic no bake pastries were!

"So... How much do I add?" She asked, starting to add the sugar and spices more conservatively.
Tara
"Umm until it's almost dough like and then it'd be good. Then We can decorate it." He said with a small smile. "Oh yours looks ready." He finished making his.
Willie
"Really? It looks done?" She glanced down at the dough, a little but surprised. "Are you certain? I don't need to be doing any more with it?"
Tara
He gives A nod. "Well you can add cinnamon or if you want to make it savory and sweet." He said. "You can shape it into a donut." He said.
Willie
Kana nodded, adding some more cinnamon to the mix. She raised an eyebrow at the shape, though.

"Do... Nut?"

She would need to watch Adohiro to understand what he meant, following his lead was closely as she could, and making a crude ring shape.

"I think that's it!" She smiled, somewhat proud of herself.

"Though... Not related to the cooking, but something's been on my mind."
Tara
"Yeah I read it in a book." He smiled. He added plain sugar to his and a tiny bit of cinnamon. He would make it into a circle shape. He would then hear her statement as he glanced over at her. "Sure." He said smiling. "What is it?" He asked as he would soon glance at the bowl. "We can make a glaze with some water and sugar." He said.
Willie
Kana nodded, moving to put some sugar into the bowl to start that. "Well, as I'm sure you are aware, our clans are not on the best of terms," She began. "So, I'm a bit curious as to why you've made such an effort to befriend me. Not that I am ungrateful, mind you! I suppose I'm just wondering why a Mantis?"
Tara
He would start to make his icing too adding some cinnamon to it. He soon heard her question and he shrugged. "I like making friends with everyone. I don't think the clan you're from has much meaning to you, and you're also nice too, Kana-San." He said to the mantis. He gives a small smile as he would soon make a frosting type consistency. "I also am friends with other clans too."
Willie
Kana stumbled a bit as she worked. She got Adohiro's meaning but...

"Well! I do appreciate that. I would say my clan is certainly valuable to me, but I also value harmony and peaceful solutions where possible. I would rather build connections than be at each other's throats myself. I also enjoy your company as well, Daidoji san." She grinned. "Not to mention I find myself learning a great deal from you."|
Tara
He gives a nod hearing her clan was important of course. "Oh not, not like that. More like I look at the person rather than think politically?" He said. He soon heard she liked being in his company and how she was learning a lot. He gives a small nod. "Hmm yeah I'm glad you're learning,Kana-San. Shall we try our snacks now?" He gives a small smile.
Willie
She nodded, and gave a smile. It was heartening to see the young Crane's idealism. She hoped that he would not be given cause to lose it any time soon. Though she raised an eyebrow at the use of her name, she nodded, and smiled.

"Right, I suppose it's worth a shot!" With that, she took one of the pastries and popped them in her mouth. It was... Quite different from the desserts she typically ate. Not in an entirely objectionable way, but certainly not what she was used to. The taste was not half bad, though!
Tara
He smiled softly as he would try his glancing at hers. "Do you like it!" The expressive crane asked as he ate his. It tasted good. It would have been nicer if he had more sugar to it to make it more fluffy but it was still good. The texture was good, almost gummy like texture but still chewable like a soft pastry. "I use to make this as a kid, I'd sneak the ingredients if I couldn't eat anything sweet or if I was grounded." He said as finished the rest of his since it wasn't very big. He had only used one slice of bread. "Well now you can teach your mantis clan this skill." He joked.
Willie
Kana nodded slowly. "It's not something I am especially used to, but the flavor is nice!" She replied. "I think it would be very interesting to share this with the rest of the clan, at least. I wonder what they would think of it?" She mused. "Your parents must have been quite successful, to have such ingredients in ready supply!"
Tara
He gives a nod hearing she did like the flavor. He gives a small nod as he soon heard the parent comment. He'd chuckle nervously as he nodded. "Yeah I guess so." Though he learned how to do this when he was living in the streets before he joined the crane clan at 5 but he couldn't ever mention that!
Willie
Kana did notice Adohiro's nervousness, and offered a reassuring smile. "Is everything all right? I apologize if I gave any cause for offence." She kept it short; letting him know he would be free to speak further if he wished, but at the same time he was under no obligation to.
Tara
"Oh it's fine." He chuckled playing it off. "It's fine." He smiled softly. "Oh right do you want anything to drink? I have some tea and juice." He smiled softly. "It's pretty good the juice."
Willie
She smiled, and thought for a moment. "Well, since you seem to be recommending it, I will try the juice, if that please you." She moved to take a seat at the table.
Tara
He gives a nod as he'd take the the juice out and poured it. It was apple juice and he then handed her the cup. "Here it is." He said with a small smile. He also got his own too smiling.
Willie
Kana took a drink of the juice. It was yet another surprising, and unfamiliar flavor. She'd tried foreign foods before; being of the Mantis it came with the territory. Yet this was nothing like anything she had tasted before. Evidently her friend was full of surprises, and liked to be able to show those surprises off. It was pleasant, however.

"It is good, Daidoji-san. What is it?"
Tara
"It's apple juice." Hr said with a small smile as he glanced over at the juice which was a brown color. It definitely didn't look good but it had a nice flavor. "It's sweet right but not too sweet?" He said. Adohiro was definitely full of surprise but he enjoyed it.
Willie
"Apple... Interesting." She took another sip. She'd have to make sure to ask some of the guys at the docks what exactly it was. "It's very nice, actually! I can imagine you would be able to make a good wine out of this."
Tara
He gives a nod wondering if there was apple wine. "Maybe there is? I know there are some imports of grape juice. That's good too." He said glancing over at her. "What other fruits have you tried?"
Willie
"Grapes..." That one she was familiar with. She also was convinced that one would make a good wine as well! Perhaps the Mantis could ask about it the next time they were out trading.

"Hm... Well, I am fond of peaches myself. A good persimmon is also nice as well." She smiled. "Cherries are fine as well, but I often struggle with the pit. I nearly chipped a tooth the last time I got too eager..."
Tara
He glanced over hearing her say grapes. Grapes were quite good. "I like them when they're sweet." He said. "I hate when I get sour ones." He said. He heard her say peaches and he gives a nod. "Those are good too." He smiled. "I hate the pits in cherries. They're the worst." He said. "What about pomegranates?" He asked. "They're a pain by to eat." He said.
Willie
"Hmmm... That's another one I've never had. I must say, you're truly an expert when it comes to fruit," She replied. "It's not often you see a samurai who is so informed about matters of agriculture. If I can ask, how did you come to be so well informed?"
Tara
He gives a nod hearing she hasn't heard of it. He'd be surprised over the compliment and he gives a small shrug. "I like to look around the market for any new foods so sometimes I see vendors with weird or strange fruit from other places so I ask about them and I buy them." He said. "It's pretty fun that way." He stated giving her a glance. "What about you?" He asked. He wondered if she did that sort of stuff.
Willie
Kana nodded. Given how busy the port was, it was likely there'd be goods from all across Rokugan, with a few even outside of that. "I see! No wonder you are such an expert! I'd say it sounds almost like me with my figurines..." She chuckled. "I don't know that I get that way with anything else myself."
Tara
He gives a snap nod hearing her talk about how busy the port was. He gives a nod. "The marketplace is a fun place to visit and shop at." He gives a small smile happily. He'd glance over at her with a grin. "Wouldn't that be great?" He asked.
Willie
"Oh? You mean you'd like to go sometime?" Kana asked. "That would be a lot of fun, actually! Though I confess I've been hearing some word of a bazaar coming to the city, and have been saving my funds for that. Just a bit."
Tara
He nodded his head. "We could go together." He shrugged. "If you're not busy." He said. "A bazaar?" He asked. "I think I have heard of it." Hr said giving a glance over at her.
Willie
Kana nodded. "Yes! Once the bazaar is set up, I think that sounds like a good plan, don't you? That I said, I would ask one favor of you. Please do not judge me too harshly if I see any of those sculptures I like... I'm not entirely myself when I do."
Tara
He nodded his head smiling. "Yeah we can do that unless I have stuff to do for the clan." He said smiling. "It's fine." He smiled. He gives a soft smile as he would stretch his arms
Willie
"Of course! We're all Samurai here, and I know duty always comes first. If anything, I'll probably be looking for you when the bazaar opens up. Even if you're not available, well, I'll make sure we get to go together some time. Does that sound good?"
Tara
He gives a nod hearing her remark about the samurai. He gives. A small nod. "I can maybe sneak away when things don't get busy." He said with a Small smile."I sometimes like to crash out of things early." He said giving a small glance at her.
Willie
"Truly?" She gave him a somewhat concerned look. "I mean, I would hardly want you to lose face or get in trouble on my account. What would happen if you got caught?"

*What would happen if you were caught skipping out on your duties for a Mantis, for that matter?*
Tara
He shrugged not really sure. "I dunno? Maybe just a scolding?" He said shrugging. "I can always ask my friends to cover for me too." He pointed out. "I know we might be running something for that fest thingy." He sighed. "Have you shirked your duties?"
Willie
Kana gave him a horrified look. "No, never! Maybe once or twice I would play at being lost to avoid my lessons when I was a child, but never again. I could never ignore my duties in such a way!"
Tara
He gave a chuckle at her horrified loom at her question. He gives a nod hearing she wouldn't. "Hmm I'll just ask my best friend, I'm sure he'll cover for me." He said. "I hated my lessons as a kid. They were so horrible."
Willie
Kana nodded. Complaining about lessons was one thing, but she was surprised he'd be so open about avoiding duties. "Regardless, please do not risk yourself or your friends getting into trouble on my account. We will make it work for both of our schedules, yes?"
Tara
He gives a small nod hearing they should work an idea out. "Okay don't worry though. I didn't plan to skimp out too much." He laughed. "We can work out an plan." He said smiling. "Oh right, do you plan to do this cooking style from now on?" He asked about the No bake method
Willie
"Good! I would be very worried if you were to get in trouble on my behalf!" She chuckles. "As for this method, perhaps the next time we get some bread in. I know I would certainly like to show some of the others the technique. Maybe they would think I am using my Shugenja abilities?" She started laughing.
Tara
He chuckled softly hearing her remarks. "I'm use to getting in trouble, especially as a kid." He joked with a small laugh. He gives a nod, bread by itself was always good. "Any bread like pasties work. I'm thinking of trying it on Mochi maybe?" He shrugged unsure if it would work at all. He gives a small smile as he sighed softly.
Willie
"Mochi? That could also be interesting..." She thought to herself. "Regardless, I thank you for opening my eyes to new possibilities! I hadn't ever considered that manner of preparing food before. Or, really much about food preparation at all, if I am being completely honest."
Tara
He gives a nod surprised she didn't do much cooking. He gives a small nod as he was interested. "Maybe we need to cook regularly pastries too." He smiled softly.

He gives a small smile bearing her say the bazaar. "Sure I bet it's open right now. We should go." He said giving a small determined smile. "I think we'd do amazing." He said with a grin. "Want to head there now?"
Willie
"Hmm..." She thought for a moment. "I suppose I can make it work. Our clan may well be interested in this bazaar and what it offers. I can day I am there on official business!"
Tara
He gives a nod smiling. "Okay awesome, let's go there now! Before it gets crowded or All the good fruit is taken up. Oh have you had kiwis?" He asked wondering if she had. "They're super good, albeit sour." He said with a small smile.
Willie
"Tell you what," She replied, stretching a bit. "If they are selling any kiwis there, I will try it." She smiled. "Of course, I've no idea what could possibly be there. It will be up to the Fortunes whether or not we even find anything of interest."
Tara
He gives a nod about it. "Alright let's hurry there before it gets too busy." He told Kana as he got up. He would grab his money purse which there wasn't too much money in there. However, it would be enough to buy certain fruits. "Are you ready?"
Willie
Kana stood up, smoothing out the folks on her kimono, and nodding. "Hai! I'm ready whenever you are. Shall we get going, then?"
Tara
He gives a small nod as he stuffed his money into his pocket. He then would open his front door as he put his slipper on. "Okay!"