[D3, EM] Head count (Open)

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"There were many wonderful performances last night, I couldn't help but notice that the Fox's music seemed to particularly touch you. Have you met Asashi-san? I think he would really appreciate you talents and maybe have some context on your blessing. Plus he isn't hard on the eyes is he?"

He gave her a curious but playful look as he awaited her response.

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"I ..." The Doji covered her blush with the pillow book. "I wish to visit Kitsune Mori and hear the forest." She had to stop painting. "We are yet to meet. I don't think Kitsune san would be interested in someone like me... I think he was looking more towards Shiba san."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

His smile widened. I would be happy to introduce you two, I think he's been mostly hold up in his room though; I haven't seen him in a bit. I think you two would get a long very well." He said with a playful hint in his voice at the end.

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"I see..." The Doji lowered her book. "Are trying to play nakodo with me?" She giggled. "Are you a hopeless romantic? "

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"I am a romantic yes and many have called me hopeless." he grinned. "But mostly I like to make people happy. I often have to do terrible things so when I can I like to balance that with good. The rules are a lot more relaxed here then we are used to, fewer prying eyes and scolding tones so I think we should enjoy it. Sometimes that enjoyment comes with the companionship of others."

He paused to let the implication hang there before adding a bit of propriety.

"Be that in a walk in the woods or playing in the waves or just good conversation."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"Un" The girl resumed her painting. "I guess... yet rumors still run around." Probably that Crane rumors was about her encounter with the Daidoji. "I am glad you are enjoying your time here."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"Rumors are for the bored and jealous, ignore them even when they are correct. Eventually someone will spread one about me and I will simply laugh because the things people don't know about me are far worse then anything they could make up. Someone could start a rumor about us being here right now, would that bother you?"

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"No... part of my life is to hear these and pay little attention." The Doji mixed another color to make the color of the sand. "I don't really understand why people assume they know what happened and why certain behaviors are frowned upon... well I guess it is tradition."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"Like I said it's people that are bored, that's why they always add a bunch of lies to them, to make the rumor more juicy. Our first day here I ended up sparring in the woods with Ikoma-san and he trounced me, people could have said all manner of things that would have made me look foolish or a coward or failure as a bushi but no one happened to see us out in the woods. A rumor was spread about Yukari and Akari and they continue to let it bother them when it was clearly spread by someone who is lonely and jealous."

He stretched as he sat up and watched her work. "I say that until swords are drawn or Miya-sama says something we should all just do what brings us joy."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"Thus... I paint." The Doji nodded. "Ah... Miya Akari sama and me are sparing later today." She shrugged. "I doubt Swords will be drawn for enmity."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"I have plans to spar with her as well." he grinned "But I didn't know you were a student of the blade as well, that is surprising. Is there any end to your talents?"

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"Not the blade Kenzo san, the fan. I have basic training in defense and the fan as a weapon. I had had to defend myself in my travels around the lands." She continued her painting. "I don't know why you are surprised. I have a basic knowledge in hunting as well." The girl shrugged.

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"That doesn't surprise me given your love of the forest. People think that hunting is just about killing animals but it's no shock to me that you already know different. I suppose the surprise isn't that you know how to defend yourself but the form that it takes, I would have guessed Kaze-do."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"Ah..." She chuckled. "I don't think that is my style. I use my fan more as a shield than a weapon. The edges are still sharp and if I needed I can use it to cut some foliage."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"Well you're ahead of the game compared to most of the courtiers and artisans I have met. My apologies if I've treated you like one of your delicate flowers. We are trained that anyone who doesn't carry a katana needs protecting because you, not I are the real power of the clan. Between that, my need to care for people and your episode the other day I may have been handling you like you were fragile." He sat up properly and offered her an apologetic bow.

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"It is fine Kenzo san. You need not apologize for what you are trained for. I am somewhat frail but that doesn't mean that I will not put up a fight. We are samurai that need to represent our caste." The Doji put aside the open book and let it dry for a while. "Would you like help moving the debris? I need the colors to dry for me to continue."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"Why yes, thank you your help will make it a lot faster." He stood up and then offered the Doji a hand rising. "It's a real shame that I have to take it down already, it did it's job very well yesterday but in the end I will need to find a more permanent and less obtrusive solution."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"Why not use the local flora? There might be some seaweed that can be grown." She took the offered hand and stood up. "Nature is sometimes amazing you know."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

Once to her feet he flipped his hand over and offered her a knife he had pulled from somewhere. "Would the seaweed not shrivel up and die in the sun? I like the idea of a living lean-to though. Is there anything that I can water with sea water but doesn't need constant water? Something broad like lily pads would be best. Or maybe something like vines or sprawling shrubbery would be better to cover it with and I just deal with having to carry water down here every day."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

The Doji blinked as she remembered. "Mangroves... I should check my notes if there is some type of watercress that can live in these conditions... it would be interesting to have a Mangroves or a source of food. Both provide food in their own ways."