"I too find myself better wielding swords than words, Hida-san", the Dragon said with a smile. "Though there are some who are certainly worth the effort of wielding your finest words for." he said. "I have noticed that the Lion samurai-ko seem quite direct, more so perhaps than I am used to."<br/><br/>"If the situation were different, perhaps we might take a couple of bokken and spar. I do not think such games would meet with our hosts approval though, particularly during the festival time. Still, if we are on the road together afterwards, perhaps we might compare techniques?"<br/><br/>- - - - -<br/><br/>Yasuki Arinori seemed to take Mitsuki's sally as intended, and smiled indulgently in reply. "The road wasn't too bad. I've had worse to travel certainly. And I'd hope you managed to get the better of those merchants in town. The day you can't is the day you retire and go find yourself a monastery to take up in." his voice was kept faily low, so as to not give any offense to his hosts though. "Are you here just for the wedding, or do you have anything else to attend to while you're here?"<br/><br/>- - - - -<br/><br/>"I am pleased to meet you as well , Agasha-san." the elderly Kitsune replied. "I would hope that the bride and groom are happier than I, but certainly we may speak. You must have come a long way, hmm? And not with Mirumoto-san, unless I miss my guess?"<br/><br/>- - - - -<br/><br/>"Your presence here honours us as much as any member of your family would." Ikeda-san replied to Akodo Narumi. "Every samurai knows the importance of duty. And your duty tonight is to enjoy yourself. along with the rest of our guests." he continued, with a smile. His gaze moved on to Ide-san, noting how close the two of them seemed to be keeping. "You are likewise welcome Ide-san, we are pleased that you could be here with us. Both of you though, eat, drink and enjoy yourselves."<br/><br/>- - - - -<br/><br/>The elderly Kitsune turned slightly to include the younger in the conversation, bowing politely in greeting. "And I am Kitsune Mara. No, I do not believe we have met, but then there are many here who are meeting tonight for the first time." Her eyes moved to the bride and groom before returning to the younger samurai-ko. "Have you ever attended such a wedding as this before?"