" I knew that staff of yours was just compensation!" She finally stops on one of the temples, shortly behind you, whistling as she looks out towards the rural areas. 'It's a beautiful night, ain't it? Summer's in full strength, but it hasn't yet gotten so godawfully hot that you can't leave...' Tiger grins as she looks over the peoples in the streets. 'It's nearly time for the meeting with Seiryuu... Treat me to a bit of dinner after you finish.' she says, walking up behind you and giving you a push, off the temple roof, smiling as she follows, jumping after.<br/><br/>Horse grins. 'Most chancel inhabitants wouldn't be able to get a specialty ingredient delivered purely for them. You should appreciate your status as a Power more often.' He smiles lightly. 'My dear, I know the basics of commerce.' He sits back. ' Of course, if worst comes to worst, well, it's always good to have such a cunning and clever cousin who might be persuaded to aid us in a less fair business arrangement.' He smiles as he stands up. 'Let's head off, don't want you to be late for meeting with Seiryuu.' he says, offering you a hand to help you up, hardly expecting you to take it, but making the gesture all the same.<br/><br/>Xianghua smiles. ' Family Suzaku should be arriving soon, they'll be wanting to celebrate, I'm sure. They're always so light-hearted..." She grins. " Much less serious than you." She stands up. 'Shall we leave to the park, after you open your gift?' she asks, smiling as she tilts her head towards the small wrapped package. The wrapping paper is a soft scaled pattern of bronze, delicate and reflective, and the bow is an incredibly fine gold foil. When you open it, there's a single cake, one of the small New Years sweets, about four inches across, filled with a sweetened egg yolk, delicately printed with the kanji for Good Fortune. When you choose to take a bite from it, there's the softest sensation, almost on the edge of perception- a kiss on the lips, a mere brush, with the soft taste of metal of Xianghua. She stands up, and smiles. 'I hope that it will serve as a good omen for this year.'