[D2 LE, Akari's] Friendly Travelers

[Miya Akari]

Akari sat in her room with the door wide open. The day had been pleasant for her and she was enjoying some tea. Open to any visitors that may come, she hums as she practices her go game against herself.

[Koumori]

Eventually, Kyo did show up, though given how the day went for her, she didn't seem too happy, but that was to be expected when something she created had failed. Still, she bowed to Akari, standing right outside of her door.

[Miya Akari]

"Come on in Kaiu-san," she says, noting her disposition. Relaxation and unwinding it is.

She stood, gave a bow, then went to open a chest. Inside was her stash, with a ridiculous amount of tea and a small supply of actually good sake.

She looks back at the Crab, as if gauging her, then pulls two bottles. Before turning and smiling warmly.

[Koumori]

She noted the two bottles and nodded her head thankfully before walking in and sitting down. "And how has the day found you so far, Miya-san?"

[Miya Akari]

"It's been pleasant enough for me," she replied with a nod, sitting across from the Kaiu and setting the bottle in front of her. This particular Imperial had no real concern about the uncouthness of drinking from a bottle. Particular with the drinkers had their own. She unsealed the top and smelled the fresh and much, much stronger sake from what the island was used to.

"I imagine you were not quite so fortunate, but I do hope it wasn't too much work."

[Koumori]

To be given her own bottle brought a quirk to her eyebrow. She had entirely expected a cup, but was not one to pass an opportunity up when it was offered, so she took the bottle with a nod of thanks before uncorking it after Akari had done the same to hers.

"It's been... busy. Too much so, but things like this happen and no one can prevent them."

[Miya Akari]

Akari was decent at holding her liquor, and drinking from a bottle was not something she was a stranger to. "The fortunes throw challenges at us. We respond with effort. That is the back and forth of it. And as I suspected, have you been flooded with the "great ideas" of the new arrivals yet?"

[Koumori]

"Oh, many. A bathhouse. A temple. A dojo. A garden. A bar made by my hand. The list goes on and on and yet we've still got to reinforce what we've got." She shook her head and took a sip from her drink. "But, yes, the Fortunes are certainly testing me today. Don't know about everyone else though. How has your day been then?"

[Miya Akari]

"Fishing for the Kitsuki-san's resupply and collecting supplies for a ceremony Asako-san is planning, and some go with Akodo-san. Not nearly as full as yours has been."

Another small sip.

"Have any at least been useful enough to make up for the work they're trying to put on your shoulders?"

[Koumori]

She nodded a tad before having another long sip. "Sounds like it's been a good day for you then. Busy and fun, even if Go is an inferior game to the game we architects play." It was a light tease.

"As for the other thing, not really. They ask and ask, but nothing much is given back. Though... I did have that Daidoji want to become my apprentice. Tried to make it seem like learning would help out in the field. Sat him in Yoshi-san's lap. He can teach him."

[Miya Akari]

"An odd choice for a scout to try to learn about architecture," she says with a smirk. "But he seems to have relatively eclectic tastes anyway, being a puppeteer as well. I've met very few puppeteers in my life, and none that were bushi."

"But he seems earnest enough that he'll likely pick it up and not get in Yoshi-san's way too much."

[Koumori]

"I think Yoshi-san's more worried about if the Daidoji is going to kill him over something." She snorted, amused at the thought. "Doubt he will, but Yoshi-san ain't exactly had the best of run ins with Crane in his past. At least according to what he's said. But you are right, the Daidoji does seem weird enough in his choices. Can't be all that bad. Unless he's pulling a Scorpion."

[Miya Akari]

She chuckled at the thought of it. "I think he's mostly harmless, at least outside of a fight. Haven't been able to gauge his sword arm as of yet. But we've talked of sparring so I'll find out eventually. I'd offer to give you a hand if he starts to bother you too much... but you keep a wide assortment of tools in the forge to take care of that."

[Koumori]

"Heh. I'm sure there are many here who'd give him the what's what if he started too much stuff, but I doubt that it'll get to that point. He appears to want to help, but I'm always wary of those who do so. Seen it go sour way too many times." She shook her head and took a sip. "And out here it's worse. Everyone wanting to help each other, but there's no doubt things going on underneath."

[Miya Akari]

"Yes and no, half the people are probably as likely to be sent to get them out of their lords hair as much as chase clan interests. Out of sight out of mind. But it's definitely something to keep an eye on."

She looked at the bottle for a moment before taking another small drink.

"But if we can put them to work effectively and keep people from dying or doing anything dumb in the forest, it should work out."

[Koumori]

"This is true. If they're useless, get them out of our own sights, but here we are talking like we run the place or as if we aren't in the exact same position that the rest of them are in. Pawns to be used to better everything else but ourselves." She shrugged, took a swig, and then swished around the bottle, listening to what was left.

"What makes it funny is that we're essentially being led by someone who was just tossed here to be out of sight, too."

[Miya Akari]

"I think it's less to be out of sight and more to give an opportunity to do something spectacular and unexpected. At least that is what I hope, and would like to see happen," she admitted. Her star would likely rise or fall with her superior's after all.

"But regardless of reasons or opinions of people here, it doesn't change the fact that the island is mysterious and there's curiosity enough to spare. No matter why people were sent here, there's a definite what for us."

[Koumori]

"It's such an original place. Yet another supernatural forest. First the Shinomen. Second is that forest in the Isawa lands. Third is, at least what I'd consider, that Kitsune forest where they all just hang out. Then there's this one." She snorted and set down her bottle, letting herself settle before going for more. "Yet, you're right. It does give people the chance to explore it right now."

[Miya Akari]

"Well, a nice young forest needs something to look up to. Those others are better examples than plain old forests that only have squirrels and deer," she said with a chuckle at personifying the forest.

[Koumori]

"Well the forests with squirrels and deer don't usually get people killed so often. Or, rather, as Miya-sama wishes we would say, don't get people 'missing' so often, as they can't be declared dead without seeing a body."