Kyuden Shika

Reina nodded. "In brief they are: Sharpens the senses, purifies the body and spirit; eliminates pollutants; awakens the spirit; heals loneliness; calms in turbulent times; is not unpleasant even in abundance; even in small amounts is sufficient; does not break down even after a very long time; a com...

Reina smiled.

"It's the art of incense, Shiba-san." she explained. "It has ten virtues which I find rather nice when shared between people."

She looked down a little bit.

"Ah, but you probably don't want to hear about them."

"Oh well, you know how it is. Kakita trained, Topaz champion. clearly I enjoy and am a master of all the arts, both cultural and martial." she says with a mock serious tone before shattering the illusion with a laugh.

"But to be honest, of all the arts, I particularly enjoy Kōdō."

A small shrug.

"Or perhaps they'd offer you calligraphy lessons." she suggested. "But out of respect for your trials, I will not ask you where you like to travel. Might I ask why you like to travel?"

Reina considered that with some measure of mirth.

"Perhaps you should have 'I like Travel' put on a back banner, Shiba-san. It would save people having to ask you the question." she suggested with an amused smile.

Reina smiled a bit.

"Aren't you supposed to be starring in your own pillowbook, Shiba-san? Every day is a chance for you to meet your future spouse and bond over a shared love for...some activity or another. Hm, what do you love, Shiba-san?" she asked.

Reina nodded.

"Hai, our hosts have been most accommodating," she says agreeably. "And many of the guests have been quite interesting to talk to. It's a good chance for people from across the Empire to not only find their spouse, but to make connections outside of a Winter Court, neh?"

Kakita Reina walked into the dojo bright eyed and bushi-tailed. But doing well in miai events and not drinking yourself silly tend to have that effect. She bowed to the dojo and took up a bokken. \She even gave Raizo a smile that was unlikely to ever be returned. "Good morning, Shiba-san. Have you h...

The boy observes the rope and knot for a couple of moment and then looks back to Reina, providing a good, solid bow. He adds, "Kakita-sama's wisdom is welcomed. Thank you. I won't forget this lesson." Then, he looks to the sun setting and takes a deep breath, "Could I... could I walk with Kakita-sa...

Reina favored him with a smile. "To be fair, Seppun-sama, that is a very important duty. The person you are paired with can be your greatest ally or your greatest enemy for the rest of your life. Depending on whether they're working with you in harmony, or working against you in anger." She motions ...