<div class="floatright">(http://i58.tinypic.com/97m96r.jpg)</div><br/>Shiori was the first one waiting at the gate, the act of slipping into her light armor a well-practiced maneuver by now, traveling garments beneath.  All inn Lion colors.  Shiori frowns, but there was no help for it.  Her only kimono in her the Owl colors was her newest and fanciest, not at all suitable for the rigors of travel.  After all, it was a gift from her former sensei.  Shiori once again finds her cheeks coloring slightly, although she is not sure why.<br/><br/>The approach of the former Scorpion draws Shiori's attention; Shiori's head turns, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studies the shorter woman.  Her lips twist as her assessment comes up decidedly... mixed.  Her clothing was irregular.  Shiori's was too, of course, but hers was worn in proud tradition.  And the inclusion of the tetsubo, when the scroll case marked her as a shugenja, made Shiori cringe inwardly.  In the Lion, shugenja knew their place; behind the bushi.<br/><br/>And then there was the Unicorn.  Former Unicorn.  Shiori's lips thin slightly as she considers the much shorter woman.  Another shugenja, armed and armored... Shiori's eyes narrow slightly as they pass over the katana.  Still, unlike the tetsubo, the katana was a hallowed weapon; the nod Shiori gives to Kotone is brief, but not disrespectful<br/><br/>And yet, Maseko had an air of rough readiness about her.  The clothing was unorthodox, but still seemed practical.  It seemed, in Shiori's assessment, that Maseko could at least handle herself on the road ahead.  She gives a nod of greeting, only slightly grudgingly.<br/><br/>She gives another nod of greeting as Liang approaches, not quite as grudgingly, eyeing the daisho at his side approvingly, marking the tessen curiously.  Her forehead creases lightly, her lips curling down into the smallest of frowns, however, as he mentions his familiarity with merchants.  Perhaps such a thing was more done, and admitted, in the Kaeru.  Would it become so in the Reijiro?  Shiori shudders to imagine it.  But, for now, practical matters came first.  "Perhaps that would be best."  She finally says, her expression and tone neutral.