[D1, LE] What a day, what a place (Open)

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"I think you underestimate the effect you will have on people here. With your charm and talents you could probably rule this place were we not all dutiful and honorable samurai." He sighed and then resumed his smile. "I'm sorry this is getting far to serious. How would you feel about dinner and puppet show tomorrow night? That will give me some time to get the puppets cleaned and for me to practice and worry. You are of course still welcome to join Akari-sama and I at the beach for some swimming tomorrow as well." He looked for a moment as though something had just clicked in his mind and despite his sun kissed face he seemed to blush slightly and then forced a cough to cover it up.

[Shiba Yukari]

Akari...

Hoooooo. What a good kisser.

"I think both sound like a good use of our time..."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"Wonderful, I should gather some things tonight, there isn't a lot of privacy on the beach and changing Fundoshi can be a bit perilous, Shosuro Yingzi almost caught me in an awkward moment this afternoon." he rubbed the back of his head again. "At least I think I was finished before he popped up, quiet one he is, have you met him yet?"

[Shiba Yukari]

"Oh yes!"

She smiled. She did that a lot.

"Shosuro-san is a bit reserved, but he seems an all right guy. He asks good questions, too- I think he'd excel as an advisor just about anywhere."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"So I've been asking the wrong questions? So what are the right ones then?" He asked in a light, playful tone.

[Shiba Yukari]

"Well..." She appeared more amused than flustered. "Let us say that your questions are less direct."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"Oh?" it clicked. "OH, yes, well." He WAS flustered. "I'm not much older than the rest of you I have met but I am a bit older, more time for age and....worry to do it's work. Despite being a hunter I've lost my taste for "the chase" as fun as that chase may be." he took a sip of water and gave himself a moment. "Plus it's hard to compete with a face like his, at least what you can see of it." He said, his smile returning.

[Shiba Yukari]

"Hm, and what would you be competing for, Kenzo-san?"

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"Me? Nothing, I used to compete but I found that in the heat of competition lying was too easy a way to a reward. Lying about my feelings, about my past, lies told with poems and gifts and good sake. I don't want to chase anymore and I don't particularly want to be chased though I admit that would be an amusingly unique situation. I just want to spend time with people who want to spend time with me. If that happens I will be overjoyed but I'm not going to get my hopes up and spend all day focused on it, like I once did." Despite all the allegory his words weren't sad or warding, he remained his cheerful self and was just being honest. "How about you?"

[Shiba Yukari]

"I find..."

She paused.

"I have both the... natural status and the training such that I have never had much cause to indulge in the chase- and indeed, given my background, since such a comparison would cast me as prey for a hunter, it's... not how I choose to regard it."

She sipped her water, appreciating the mint.

"As a gardener, I suppose I would say I prefer an easy stroll in congenial surroundings. And seeing who I meet in the process."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

He raised his hand in gesture to the Shiba. "Well said, exactly my point and far more eloquent then my clumsy words. Poems and gifts and good sake are not beyond me, but I would rather find someone who is interested in me for me. A few years ago I would envy your position, men and women must throw themselves at you and that sounds like it would make life much easier, having your choice of the lot. But I wiser now and while I do not pity you I can imagine that it must get tiring at times. You are very lovely and I don't just mean your physical beauty, I have been trying very hard not to flirt with you because we have only just met; a younger me wouldn't have been able to do that. But none of us are going anywhere any time soon, plenty of time for me to make you and everyone else here hate me." he chuckled.

[Shiba Yukari]

She spoke very quietly in reply.

"I don't hate anyone. I have the opposite problem, really."

She brightened a bit.

"So, naturally, I think you're safe when it comes to me."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

He looked disappointed with himself. "There is nothing wrong with enjoying life, I'm sorry if I have made you think that. I have just known little joy over the past eight years." For the first time a touch of anger crossed his features, anger and sadness.

[Shiba Yukari]

"Well. That was then. Now you're here. Maybe it's time you let yourself have a little, hm?"

[Daidoji Kenzo]

It didn't take much for the smile to return to Kenzo's features but when Yukari finished speaking he couldn't help but cock an eyebrow. "Perhaps, but I'm a bit out of practice and probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference between friendly conversation and interest. Thank goodness you already told me I was "safe" or I might think you were being something beyond playful."

[Shiba Yukari]

"Ah, Kenzo-san, we only just got here... who can say what the future might hold? Perhaps some lovely Matsu will sweep you off of your feet in a tale worthy of a particularly florid pillowbook..."

Also, that's not what I meant by 'safe.'

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"A Matsu eh? That truly would be an amusing twist to my life journey. But you a right, we have only just got here no point getting all worked up. We are all going to have to live and work together for who knows how long."

Perhaps Kiken-chan will have hired the Matsu to snap my neck.

[Shiba Yukari]

"What do you know about the history of the island, anyhow? I'll admit that I don't have a lot of knowledge on the subject..."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"Nothing that is likely true, probably the same rumors you have heard. I thought about starting a rumor just for giggles but decided against it. I can say with confidence that all the rumors I have heard are wrong. this isn't where Lady Doji went after she disappeared, this isn't where Blessed Shinsei came from and it certainly isn't a last refuge of the ancient Kitsu like I was going to tell people, how would they get here? What I do know is that whatever is or was here we will find it and quickly I think. I know others have failed to return from the deep forest but...well just knowing that others have gone in and not come out gives us an advantage. Even without knowing what danger claimed them we can theorize and prepare."

[Shiba Yukari]

"How do you prepare for something you've got no... idea of?"