[D4 MA Open] Outside the Sake

[Doji Hanatsuko]

Hanatsuko sat on a mat with her pillow book and colors making her image of the current sake house before the storm. The structure seemed that it might not be sturdy enough to bear the winds the storm would bring but who knows. The fortunes may be merciful to such house.

[Ide Mokoro]

"You are wise to preserve this place while it still stands," came a voice from what passed for the road leading up to the Sake. High upon his horse, the Unicorn seemed much taller than he really was, and though his face was Rokugani in nature, the fellow's garb certainly alluded to more quixotic tastes and customs. Clad in an odd raiment of impeccable purple silk emblazoned with the Unicorn mon, fine brown furs, and rough leather boots, he looked to the young woman poised before Furihumu's premier alehouse, surveying her armaments of artistic expression with approval and curiosity in equal aplomb. Trotting up beside the ramshackle hut of a bar, the Unicorn dismounted onto the loamy earth, whispering a few foreign words to his trusty steed before leaving it where it stood to more appropriately speak with the samurai-ko.

"I hope you'll forgive me for not making a proper introduction sooner. Like these winds, my duty has seen me blown all over the island since my arrival," continued the oddly dressed samurai. "I am Ide Mokoro. A pleasure to make your acquaintance," he said, first extending a hand, then quickly retracting it in favor of a more traditional bow.

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"Un..." The Doji looked up to who was addressing her and nodded. "Ah... I am Doji Hanatsuko." She looked at the odd hand gesture then the retracted hand. "It is an honor to meet you." Her sweet voice was leveled and had the air of respect she always gave to those she meet.

"My log of places is incomplete sadly but I have some of the more interesting ones. The Cove, the beach and the Docks... I know it is no map and structures will change but memory should remain."

[Ide Mokoro]

"The honor is mine, Doji-san," responded the Unicorn, returning the woman's sweet voice with an earnest smile in exchange. "You've certainly got your work cut out for you. Seems there's something new and exciting that needs documenting every day."

The Unicorn sighed, turning away from Hanatsuko to face the Sake wistfully for a moment and soaking in the crude architecture with an odd fondness. "It may have been a short while, but I'll miss the Sake if she doesn't survive the winds. She may be a run-down, poor excuse of a place, but she's our little oasis amidst all the drudgery and hard work."

Mokoro's attention returned to the young artist. "Truthfully, I wouldn't have thought anyone would even bother to capture the Sake in her shoddy splendor, but I'm glad we'll at least have something to remember her by if fate is cruel enough to steal her from us. If you don't mind me asking, Doji-san, but what will you do once your masterpiece is complete?"

[Doji Hanatsuko]

The Doji tilted her head. "I don't think there is too much to log right now... I am guessing I am the only one doing this paintings." Hana continued her painting. "As after a drink might be refreshing. Will you join me."

[Ide Mokoro]

"I would be most honored to to share your company, Doji-san," Mokoro replied earnestly. Admittedly, he was a little surprised by the sudden invitation, but who was he to turn down some companionship in these dark and stormy days? Besides, it wasn't as if he weren't about to wile away the rest of his evening gambling and drinking anyway. One last hurrah before what might be the Sake's final stand.

"However, I do have terms," he said in a jovially wry tone. "In the spirit of cooperation, my poor manners for not greeting you sooner, and to new friends, I insist that it be my treat. Does that seem agreeable to you, Doji-san?"

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"As you wish Ide sama." The girl nodded. "What is the name of your horse?" She asked while watching the details of the rustic shack. It was a way to start small talk. The Unicorn like to talk about them... even if she herself hasn't ridden one.

[Ide Mokoro]

Arching an eyebrow at Hanatsuko's question, Mokoro felt a sense of pride well up in his chest, pleased as punch for a chance to talk about his faithful steed. It was a grand opportunity educate the young Crane on one of the most important aspects of Unicorn life, and given that it was a subject both near and dear to the Ide's heart, he was more than happy to oblige.

"Ah. We've been through a lot, she and I," the Unicorn said, his face full of mirth as his eyes drifted to his gilded mount, her colorful saddle and adornments an odd juxtoposition against the less-than-artisinal Driftwood Sake and the brooding clouds rolling in. "Years ago across the sea we met in a distant land, and we've been together ever since. In the tongue of the Ivory Kingdoms where she hails, she is named Mutasabiq Alshams -- loosely, it means One Who Races the Sun. Here in the Empire, I find it's simpler to just call her by Sanresa."

Almost as if on cue, Sanresa gave a short bray, tossing her mane with a stout shake.

"She's a smart one. I think she favors that name, too."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

Hanatsuko nodded. "I see... Ivory Kingdom... The one who races the sun... Most interesting name Sanresa... and Mokoro sama..." The young lady looked at the ornate horse. "You have a lovely travel friend then... with a lovely name." She had finished her painting and had to wait for it to dry. "I had a Sunflower once who followed the sun... and I named it... " She looked at the drying picture then to the Ide. "I know it is silly... to name a flower that won't last long."

[Ide Mokoro]

"Nonsense." Ide Mokoro's tone was calm, but full of conviction as he turned his attention back to Hanatsuko.

"You may think it's silly, Doji-san, but that couldn't be further from the truth. To name a thing is to give it meaning. Purpose. Identity. It's by that name that you will remember it always, and the ways in which it touched your soul, even if it was only for the most fleeting of moments," he explained, taking a seat cross-legged next to the Crane.

"I mean, surely you name your paintings, yes?" he asked, taking a look at the exquisite rendition of the Driftwood Sake, nodding towards it emphatically. "What would you call this one?"

[Doji Hanatsuko]

She wasn't one of much imagination "Rustic Sakehouse." Hanatsuko looked at the Ide. "Not all the times though. And the flower name was Kakio."