[D3, EM] Head count (Open)

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"I'm guessing you aren't talking about a forest full of men; though you could be this cove does seem to have an effect on people." He chuckled lightly.

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"Un..." She tried to chuckle at the joke but she couldn't. "Ah... a mangrove is a kind of shrub that lives near coasts..." She looked for her pillow book and showed what she had painted on one of the coasts of the Crane lands. "These are pretty nice their music is soothing but the smell... well... if it sick it is bad."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"They smell bad when they are sick? How does a tea get sick? Otherwise they look and sound perfect, I could plant a couple along the edge of the cliff there and...I don't know bonsai them I guess into a sheltering canopy."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"The soil don't give them what they need. I hear ver sad songs when they are sick." She shook her head. "Nature will take the course that will allow the plants grow to the size needed."Hana chuckled. "You don't need to worry about it.

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"So this is something I will need to get brought over from the mainland then I guess. Do they grow fast like bamboo or do I need to find a way to transplant mature trees?"

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"It depends on the nutrients... they can be fast... transplanting them. would be very difficult since the roots at basically mixed on air and the sand. They tend to intertwine with others." She started to explain. "That is what makes them strong against the storms and winds."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"Well if you think they would work here I will move heaven and earth to get some here. Would you be willing to help me tend them?"

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"Yes... is there a way around the island that is not through the forest or on boat? Can we walk around the beach without any encounter of some rock formation?" She wondered if they could walk around the island by the beachfront and maybe the could find what she wanted.

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"I'm not sure, I don't even know how big the island is and that is really starting to bother me. I keep telling myself I am going to go talk to Miya-sama but I worry about overstepping my station; I've been reprimanded for doing that in the past and I don't expect an Imperial to be more forgiving then my fellow Daidoji are. I'm honestly tempted to just pack a bag of supplies and going out on a mapping survey myself."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"Well we have at least Akari sama on our side. She may help convince her to do the mapping." She smiled

[Daidoji Kenzo]

Kenzo cut down a burlap sheet that had served as a divider and began to fold it.

"She is a great ally to have here not to mention a good person but I don't want to put her in an...awkward position though you are certainly welcome to approach her on it. I think I will talk to Kasai-sama, he is our superior here, I don't really expect him to be of much use to us really but I will give him a chance."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"It may not have to come to it." Hanatsuko nodded. "Ah... if we bear gifts maybe the tides will turn to our favor." The Doji gave a sly smile. "Don't you think something to invoke the feelings to our favors."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

He grew a mischievous grin. "What do you have in mind Hana-san?"

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"I should show you how my Ikebana can provoke the nicest emotions." She smiled. "Flowers that their song...aroma... and beauty would change the heart of anyone."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

For all the good in him Kenzo could be incredibly thickheaded at time as this was one of them as he got the sense that the Doji was perhaps flirting with him but at the same time knew that couldn't be possible. His confusion was evidenced by the long pause before he spoke.

"I would enjoy that very much but who's heart are you looking to change? Aside from possibly Kasai-sama everyone here likes or adores you. I suppose there is the matter of our duty to the Crane but I didn't think that was a priority for you and finding a way to claim this place for the Crane seems rather daunting to me."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

She shook her head. "I doubt I can change Kansai sama"s heart. But a nice gift can help to get what you want." She sighed because she knows that the Daidoji wouldn't understand.

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"Well I would certainly welcome any aid you can offer, what do you need of me?"

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"To keep eye on me... I... you know my condition it may turn for the worse when I do these things." She lowered her head. "That is why I garden. It is slow paced and keep me distracted."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

Kenzo thought eye contact was important but rather than lift her head up he crouched down so she could see him.

"Hana-san now that I know about your condition there is no reason for you to hold back. I am prepared to aid you if it is ever needed, I was caught off guard last time but I am trained in first aid, so don't let something that may happen hold you back in life. If you want to do something more intense or stressful I am here and we can do it together. If you want to go exploring we can go together, if you want to try cliff diving we can do that, in fact...what's something you always wanted to do but haven't because of what might happen? We should do it, whatever it may be."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

The girl was abashed. "I... I always wanted to go horseback ridding..."She averted his eyes. "It is silly you know."