Kyuden Shika

She smiles, happily.

"I grew up among the Agasha. The smell of sulfur and chemicals was in my nose from the moment I was born. It's a lovely place, if stark and smokey often. The altitude provides such a clear view of the world. I often think you low-landers need to visit to see the world as we do. I grew to love the colors you can make with the various powdered metals and Earths. Truly amazing fireworks can be made from them."

"I didn't know you make fireworks. That's something I'd like to see. Though I imagine they wouldn't work so well with all this rain?" he says, assuming that the word fire in fireworks meant that the water would put them out.

She tilts her hand back and forth in a 'kinda' gesture.

"Well, once they catch fire, they're fine, they burn bright and fast enough that unless they're hit directly with a drop of water, they won't fizzle. And I haven't made any in awhile, but they are so fun! You grind down metal ores and other things to very very very tiny particles and place some things in to help them stick together and then sparks and then BAM, colored light show! It's how I feel closest to my heritage, since I didn't follow my parents into the Sacred Arts of the Agasha."

"Maybe someday I can get to see some you've made on display," he says with a slight smile, more authentic than the previous ones, if still touched by sadness. It seems that there is magic in fireworks for just about everyone. Even if just discussing them.

She nods.

"I'm hoping it'll be alright to set off a display once we're all done with this choosing that's going to happen. Then we'll all be more relaxed and able to have fun." She smiles widely, clearly looking forward to everything from here on out.

"That would be nice. I haven't seen a fireworks display in a couple years. They're not so big on them in Kitsu lands, but the Ikoma don't mind some more excitement with their celebrations."

Inoshishi cocks an eyebrow. “Not big because people don’t make them bug there or because the Kitsu just aren’t into them? The Ikoma family has always gotten along best with me anyway! But perhaps we need to bring fireworks to the Kitsu in the future.”

"The Kitsu are very reserved compared to the Ikoma. But I got my training from Ikoma, like Moshu, so we tend to be a bit more outgoing than others of our family."

Inoshishi nods. “Hai, I’m well familiar with the Ikoma! Ever since I spent some less-wise nights fresh off the mountains drinking with the Ikoma, I’ve been well-loved by the bards. I look forward to joining your ranks when I enter your clan.”

He nods at that. "Assuming that we're both Lion after the Deer announce their pairings. But I do hope to call you cousin some day," he says with a smile.