[D1 ME] This Beach is Fire

[Miya Akari]

"I am glad they sent you," Akari reassured with a pleasant smile. "I think we are going to have some wonderful times together, Yukari-san."

[Shiba Yukari]

Yukari surprised herself a bit by.... not blushing.

"So do I, Akari-sama. So do I."

[Miya Akari]

It was true. Akari was hoping to enjoy painting, sharing local flowers, having tea and meals. These were all things she pictured enjoying with Yukari as they spoke.

But she wanted more than that and looked forre ward to the impending meeting more than anything right now.

She set another log on the fire causing it to shift again.

"Where were you at before coming here?"

[Shiba Yukari]

"Nikesake. I was there with four other Tejina. It was, i think, an exercise in letting us be a novelty in a Phoenix court. So any... scandal our abilities caused could be handled internally."

She chuckled as a thought struck her.

"Just imagine, if some Inquisitor decided to take issue with us... what would we be accused of?"

[Miya Akari]

"I would not even be able to imagine," Akari replied. "I've never even seen what a tejina can do. Only heard about your group through rumors and letters."

[Shiba Yukari]

Yukari smiled at that... and then whispered something under her breath.

A mass of butterflies seemingly made of flame emerged from the fire to gently float about- casting no real light- or producing any heat- but the flickering of the fire helped the illusion more than a bit.

[Miya Akari]

Akari looked on with surprise and wonder. She tried touching on of the butterflies but smiled when it didn't burn her. "You..."

"You have so much beauty to share with the world.
I cannot even begin to approach. You make me feel like the fortunes have granted a wish I didn't know I made."

[Shiba Yukari]

"I'm glad you like it."

She was only refraining from beaming through an act of will- this was what her School existed for, perfectly encapsulated.

[Miya Akari]

"Like is not strong enough a word Yukari-san. Amazed, enthralled and enamored. Inspired..."

She caught her hand reaching for the Shiba's and stopped herself.

"I hope that later I can at least help you feel near to what I do right now. I'm certainly going to give my best effort."

[Shiba Yukari]

That got another shy smile, but no words.

Yukari did her best to like- even love- everyone she met. But Akari made it easy in so many unexpected ways.

None of which changed her nervousness about their later plans, but...

But it makes it a more pleasant nervousness.

[Miya Akari]

She sat in the moment with Yukari for a bit, watching firelight shadows dancing on the Phoenix and the butterflies play in the air.

Eventually she speaks. "What is Nikesake like? I have not been in so long and only really remember my mother saying we were there."

[Shiba Yukari]

"Like this island, it's beautiful- but that's about all they have in common."

She gave a soft laugh.

"Very serene, very... orderly. Traditional. A place for everything, and everything in its place. Even the unexpected seems... expected there."

[Miya Akari]

"Not much different from the Imperial city in that regard," she says with a nod. "I'll have to get back there someday to truly appreciate it now that I am old enough to."

[Shiba Yukari]

"I would love to see the gardens and the galleries in Otosan Uchi, though... so much history of the Empire's artistic traditions, all in one place..."

[Miya Akari]

"They are quite amazing. I would encourage you to enjoy them as much as you can if you are ever in the city. But I suspect you don't need any encouragement for that."

[Shiba Yukari]

"Encouragement, no... advice, though... al;most certainly."

[Miya Akari]

"Well, I would suggest the Imperial Water Gardens if you ever get the chance to visit the Forbidden City within the capital. Essentially, anything that isn't a building is part of the gardens there. Expansive and beautiful. Other than that, the Crane embassy has a pretty magnificent garden of it's own."

[Shiba Yukari]

"I can imagine..."

She sighed.

"But the Forbidden City is likely to remain precisely that, at least for me. The Seppun could hardly just let any random artist passing by to pop in for a looksee..."

[Miya Akari]

"Well, there are those that are needed to maintain the gardens. It might be possible to see about learning from one of them, all the techniques and skills they use. Though I'm not certain what all would go into that."

[Shiba Yukari]

"I'm certain they know things both secret... and less so."

She glanced at Akari.

"Maybe I should start writing some letters. Start a correspondence..."