D0EA, Tea Time (Open)

[Shika Nesshin]

"A pleasure, indeed," Nesshin replies. Though it's strange a matchmaker is coming to a miai, he thinks. Perhaps to observe?

"And, yes, intrigue and infiltration," he resumes the earlier conversation. "Many have sought to learn the secrets of the Clan, and some come more directly than tangentially."

[Kakita Akihiro]

"A matchmaker getting matched? I wish you Benten's blessings upon your match. A matchmaker with a loveless marriage is a special kind of stigma." Akihiro points out before tapping his mask. Really what hope did he have of a good match with this thing on. Stop poking the weird minor clans.

"Ahem," he coughs to collect himself. His blue eyes cut between the two others as he struggles for time. "So you find a lot 'lost' travelers with suspicious amounts of weapons? That has been my only real interaction with Scorpions outside of a court setting actually."

[Shika Nesshin]

"I don't know I'd say 'a lot,'" Nesshin replies, "but 'enough,' to be sure. And, as you say, some find themselves...circling and need some...redirection."

He shrugs as the Crane's order is delivered and the Otter's taken.

[Usogawa Narumi]

"It's been decided I have enjoyed enough time without a match of my own," she said quietly, and nodded, before regarding the Crane again, letting warmth touch her expression then when he tapped his mask curiously, meeting his gaze momentarily with interest before dropping her sight. "I'm sure you'll find blessings, as well, Kakita-san, may the matchmakers be kind."
Then she listened further.
"There is much worth protecting here and it is a noble path Shika-san walks, guarding his home from the untowards. An influx of visitors, miai or not, must be reason to be on alert?"

[Shika Nesshin]

"We're happy to have guests, of course," Nesshin replies, "but the more we have, the more we must work to ensure their safety. And there are always some who will stray from the paths, or find themselves in the wrong hallways as they seek to answer certain necessities, or somesuch thing."

[Kakita Akihiro]

Akihiro nods. "Some are innocently led astray by unfamiliar surroundings. I have never gotten lost in the forest myself but if one was to ask me where to find the nearest shrine in the city I might be less certain."

"Is Shika-san unattached as well?" The Kakita inquires with polite curiosity. "I have just discovered a young matchmaker they might speak with." He turns his half face to the Usogawa with a tug of a smile playing at his lips.

[Shika Nesshin]

"Oh, no, I'll be joining in the miai," Nesshin replies. "If nothing else, since we're hosting it, we can hardly act as though we're too good for our own services, eh?

"But it's already been good to meet people today--a great many, in fact, from Imperials and several Clans."

[Usogawa Narumi]

Narumi feels her cheeks redden a touch as she meets the Crane's smile. "Your words are kind, Kakita-san.
And yes! I look forward to meeting many here, expanding the reach of the Otter's company beyond the river, and perhaps making a few life-long friends as well, if the kami are kind... So far, luck seems to be in my favour. I wish you both good fortunes.
If this one can be bold, what sort of matches might you entertain? Perhaps this one can be another set of ears in your search?" she inquires with an interested smirk to her lips.

[Shika Nesshin]

Nesshin looks to the Crane. This'll be good, he thinks.

[Kakita Akihiro]

Akihiro doesn't know what to say to that. "...I had not considered that I had a choice. My immediate thoughts are someone who isn't mean. An honorable sort would be good."

He couldn't come out and say 'someone who doesn't think I am ugly'. Could he? No. Akhiro clears his throat uncomfortablely.

The Kakita decides that deflecting is the best course here. "And yourself Usogawa-san? I am not a trained matchmaker but my eyes are not so terrible as to miss personalities and their compliments. What would you wish in a match?"