Kyuden Shika

Was the room large enough to entertain well? No. Was it large enough for a few Lion samurai to gather and feel confident they were being appropriately spartan, consistent with the teachings of Akodo? Yes.

So that was what was laid out: a medium-sized table that would give each samurai space but not too much, cushions sufficient to comfort but not excess, a pot of unassuming green tea, and water and very light snacks should they be required. The inn staff had thought this a fine arrangement for tea with one other miai participant. When told it would accommodate most of the Lion present, their face looked as stony as Ishioka's.

And then the Matsu waited patiently for the time of his cousins' arrival. Which, fortunately, was something he was well suited for.

He did not have to wait long before there was a tenative tapping at his door.

"Er, Matsu-san? It's Kitsu-san. Tsugumasa. I got a note saying you wished to speak to me? I can come back later if you're busy...." said the voice on the other side of the door.

Sliding behind the Kitsu at the other side of the door... was another Kitsu. He nodded at Tsugumasa, as if to say he knew what was occurring and had also been informed.

It was like an episode of the three stooges as Murato slipped on a rag someone had been using to clean the floors. He fell with a loud thump behind the others, half expecting them to call him an idiot. He was used to that back home. But then again, back home they had grown board with his occasional clumsiness.

"Kitsu-samas!" Ishioka musters up an impressive if obviously faked amount of warmth as he welcomes the party with a proper bow. "Do please come in and sit, make yourselves comfortable. This is just an informal gathering to meet our kin that are here for the miai." His smile is genuinely welcoming.

"Does, um, our cousin need assistance there?" He asks a little anxiously, though he preserves the smile. "Come sit, come sit," he insists with repeated waves from them to the table.

Raising a hand to wave off any assistance, he makes his way to his feet. He then picks up the offending rag and puts it somewhere safer before rubbing his elbow.

"No, no. It's nothing. Just a bit of bad luck to make up for the good fortune of the day," he says with a chuckle that revealed his annoyance at the slip up.

He joined the Matsu in the room and finds a seat.

Tsugumasa made a warding gesture to ward away his fellow Kitsu's bad luck, offered a quick prayer to the ancestors, and then took his place at the table. He seemed intently interested in his simple tea cup.

Average Kitsu-level social skills, Ishioka observes behind the smile that looks like it's been carved into stone. Oh Kami.

"Welcome," the Matsu says as they enter and sit. "I am Matsu Ishioka, nikutai in the security detail at our clan's embassy at Kyuden Hida," he says simply, trying to get past this part of the gathering. "Very pleased to be participating in the miai with all of you," he adds, the smile looking more genuine as he does so.

"Oh? Had some travel then," Murato says with a smile. "I am Kitsu Murato, bureaucrat at Shiro sano Ken Hayai." He gives a respectful bow from his seat.

Giving his own bow, the Kitsu reported in before finding a seat.

"Kitsu Moshumaru, writer for the records of the Fallen, stationed near the Ikoma Libraries."

With that he took a seat, waiting for the meeting to begin proper.