[D1 MM] Back "Home"

[Miya Akari]

"Not any that take training. I'm a fan of drinking tea and sake, and appreciating music. Sitting by a fire and eating sashimi," she says, lifting another piece with chopsticks and dipping it in soy sauce. "But for actual skills, I mostly just focus on my swordsmanship."

She eats the latest piece of fish and a slight smile appears.

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"I imagine both sake and tea are in short supply here aren't they? A stiff drink is a favorite of mine when I come back from a long patrol."

[Miya Akari]

"The good stuff is, but the bar is decently stocked with drinkable sake. Same with tea. Most of what is available here is inexpensive bulk purchased goods. They don't want us to be without, but it is not a high enough priority to see to more discerning tastes. But on the recent visit to the mainland, I stocked a trunk with some higher quality options of my own selection. Koku doesn't exactly have a great deal of value here as much of what is available is basically requisitioned supplies that are rationed to those stationed on the island."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

Smart of you to have stocked up like that when you had the chance. I wonder how many favors it would take to get some shochu sent from the mainland, if that is even possible. Good to know I can just leave my coin in my room I hate the extra bulk in my kimono. Where do people usually train and spar around here I didn't see a dojo."

[Miya Akari]

"The beach called tiny sands is popular for training. I'll be visiting there this afternoon I imagine, to deliver letters to our local Akodo commander. He takes his people out there regularly," she explains.

"Though I also go to the cove sometimes to practice iai. It's a bit more peaceful depending on time of day. Large salamanders call that place home and they are quite the sight."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"That does sound interesting, How big is a "giant" salamander exactly? Of more interest to me is this Akodo commander, are there a lot of Lion on the island or does he drill all the forces here?"

[Miya Akari]

"Large enough to feed several people. Asako Qi warns against doing so to frequently to avoid upsetting the balance of the island. I have not partaken though. It is not the same as red meat, but it feels a bit off to me," she says, her tone seeming like she has been in contention with others that have enjoyed it.

"And Akodo Karatsu is the military advisor here and brought troops with. He'd likely welcome anyone wishing to train with his bushi, I have before, but he certainly does not expect it of those not under his command."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"Is a giant salamander tastes anything like a regular salamander feels I don't know why anyone would want to eat one unless they were desperate." he shuddered a little at the thought, it's useful to know they are edible but not something I want to try myself. I should probably take my time in meeting any Lion here, we are all here in the Emperor's service but I just left a difficult situation with some Lion, no need to jump into another. I know an Iron Warrior is posted here, I'm sure he can keep me in shape. Do you know anything of Daidoji Kasai, where he spends his time so I can introduce myself to him?"

[Miya Akari]

"Kasai? That one likes to not sit still. Fire's strong with him, and he has a lot of energy because of that. I think Hiruka-sama is concerned he may burn the island down. I don't speak a lot with him, and I tend to favor Asako Qi-san for spiritual concerns. But he is a competent Shugenja, and one I prefer not to be on the bad side of."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"Oh he is a shugenja? Interesting, that is uncommon for our family though if he is strong with Fire that could be very interesting. I wonder when a temple will be built, looking at the one building that I think is a bar it seems you have been hesitant in cutting down trees for lumber."

[Miya Akari]

"It's more a question of practicality and manpower. Our resident Kaiu is capable, but one person can't build a cit by themselves," he replied. "Living space and storage for foodstuffs has been the priority thus far."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"Well I can swing an axe if that's what's needed of me. There is probably a lot I could learn from a Kaiu engineer, I will have to make a point to introduce myself."

[Miya Akari]

She nods at that. "I appreciate her company. She's definitely worth getting to know. After all, if you need something built, better to be on her good side."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"More valuable advice, I was lucky to meet you first I think. This is probably too mundane a question to trouble you with but where are the baths? I am getting tired of smelling like salt water. I should have all my clothes washed or just do it myself if there aren't enough heimin to go around." he looked at his puppets. "While not as preening as some of my cousins smelling like mildew won't help me out in the brush."

[Miya Akari]

"Ah. Bad news. Salt is the best water you can expect for bathing probably" she replied.

[Daidoji Kenzo]

His smile waivered for the first time but wasn't gone for long. "Is the fresh water that scarce here? I guess that becomes mission number one, find more water because I do enjoy a long soak in a hot bath."

[Miya Akari]

"It's not so scarce as much as there simply is not infrastructure for baths," she clarified.

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"Well hopefully that is only temporary. I will have to ask Kaiu-sama if there is anything I can do to help with that."

[Miya Akari]

She nods. "I am sure she'll appreciate any assistance you will offer."

She looks at the puppets he had pulled out. "Are all the shows you do focused on the Crane?"

[Daidoji Kenzo]

His smile widened. "No, I have puppets for every clan and I want to make one for every family. This one..." He picked up the courtier. "Is a bit of a good luck charm. The other two are her friends...according the a little girl named Ayo at least. Most of them look like these, really just scraps of silk and cotton I have stitched together. I have four though that are much nicer and they have a few different costumes I can put them in. My favorite story to tell is of Shiba-kami's last battle. it has everything you need to capture a child's attention."