Kyuden Shika

Yasu was pretty sure her traveling clothes weren't good enough for whatever social events they were going to attend. And her last set of 'good' clothes had been prepared for the Kuni Solstice gathering, where her sister's clever embroidery received many appreciative comments. But she suspected that not everyone had an eye for protective symbols worked into geometric designs. Besides, the hems were getting ragged after months of use.

Still in dusty traveling clothing--simple robes of deep blue with practical sleeves and sandals that were nowhere near new--she started browsing her way through the market.

Already in the market this morning was Narumi, eyeing fabrics and things she could not afford, with a thoughtful expression upon her lips. Still, she found a certain happiness in shopping, as she enjoyed when the Otter's riverboats made port and she would venture out to take in what was available. Here was no different, Narumi found there were always interesting things to see in the markets, and for sure! Here was... a Kuni!
She made an approach over to the other woman.
"Good morning, Kuni-san, have you had your rice today? Find anything to your liking?" Narumi asked with a friendly tone and a light bow of her head in greeting, before brushing stray locks of brown hair back from her face to regard the painted woman.

Yasu looks over, and down, the edge of a summer kimono sleeve still caught between her fingers. There's a quick, appraising glance, down, then up--check first for weapons, then intent. With no immediately nefarious intent apparent, the tall Crab offers a nod and a smile that makes the fearsome mask of paint into something almost charming.

"Actual rice even. Yesterday's onigiri were a decent fuel for the last leg of the journey through the woods." Dropping the kimono sleeve she was examining, she adds, "I hope you've also had something to eat as well by this time of the morning. 'Fraid you've got me at a disadvantage for names." She offers a grin that says this is pretty common. Since it is. On account of the face paint. "Kuni Yasu, apprentice to Kuni Mari, and here for the miai of course."

She offers a smile in return! "This one is called Usogawa Narumi, blessings to you, and we are well met! I am also called here to attend the miai, it should be quite the event, and I am intrigued... I suppose I should get used to being in attendance, though in the future as a matchmaker myself, fortune hopes this will be the one and only time as a candidate," Narumi offers a light smirk and then her gaze drifts.
"That's a lovely fabric, perfect for this sort of weather. It would look beautiful on you, Kuni-san."

A momentary pause--catching the joke?--is followed by a small chuckle. "Oh...yes. I don't want to get married more than once!"

"Would it? I usually get something new for the winter gathering, but that's really not a fancy event. I suppose I'm expected to...find colors and patterns that don't look ghastly with this," she gestures up toward her face. One sandal digs at the dirt, not that her socks can get any dustier after all the days of travel. "You're training for the job they're doing over this festival? How important is," she turns to run a hand along the pile of folded robes, "all this then?"

A true smile touched the Otter's lips, and she enjoyed the exchange very much.
"The package is just as important as what hides inside," she said thoughtfully, nodding once as she let her gaze roam over the plethora of fabrics to which the Crab motioned.
"But that does not discount the intention behind what is offered, ne? They say first impressions are worth everything, but I don't know if that's always true. It's been in my experience that even the most disastrous meeting can blossom into true love, given the right circumstance and being allowed its chance at success."

She nods along, listening with a serious expression. "So...almost exactly the opposite of my training then? We have to look past all the pretty skins to spot the rotten things hiding inside," she explains.

Yasu smiles in serene understanding, rolling her shoulders back to face the pile of highly decorated fabrics with determination. "Very well, is it better to work with things like this," she lifts the edge of something with an overall pattern of fans spread upside down, the handles resembling eyes all over, "that echo the eye up here," she gestures to her forehead. "Or should I find something that...I don't know, downplays it? LIke kittens playing with kemari balls or something?"

"I mean, it's not like I'm expecting love in a match. My mothers were a solid political match, but obviously care for one another. One of the consorts gets along well enough with them both, but was obviously kind of chosen for...um...fathering ability's a polite way to put it, I think." The last comes out with a hint of a question to it. It's certainly more polite than talking about rot inside of someone's skin.

"It is the Crab way to play to your strengths, is it not?" she asked with an upturn to her lips, regarding the intriguing Kuni with new light, taking in her appearance, following where Yasu motioned. "Were I your matchmaker, I would suggest hiding nothing, instead presenting yourself exactly as you are, exactly how you want to be seen. And you are a sight to behold, Kuni-san, one should be so lucky as to be matched with you..." she drifts off for a moment, before smirking wider.
"Somehow, I feel a kimono depicting playful kittens would only serve to cause dissonance and confusion."
Narumi listened. "My parents were a solid love match, though I lost them when I was very young. The memory of the love they had for one another though... I would like to find such a thing for myself, if the kami be kind, and our matchmakers agree. Caring deeply for your partner, rather than accepting one assigned to you... That's the best our hearts can ask for, ne?"

Yasu nods along with the recommendations, picking up the simple yukata with the fan pattern. "I like kittens too, and all. I mean, I tend to be kind of suspicious of anyone who doesn't. Because there's something wrong with your soul if you can't laugh at a kitten." She shakes the fabric out, holding it up. It'll be a bit short, as almost everything is that's not sent in trade to the Crab. They make them with a standard, and usually generous, length...and then there's the Crab. Yasu doesn't seem at all phased by that.

"Be nice, I suppose. Finding a love match, that is. Just not sure how well someone can trust a heart to find that kind of thing in a couple of weeks. Need to work and fight next to someone to see all that deeply, you know?.

"Wearing armor all day and keeping ones face can be tiresome; if one can not go home, relax with the one they love and laugh at the antics of kittens, then they might have some soul searching to do, indeed. I like how you think, Kuni-san," Narumi admitted freely.
"I suppose part of trusting the matchmakers choice is in understanding they have the best intentions at work as well. I know when I suss out a match, it's a variety of factors at play worth considering - both political and following what I think their heart wants.
There's something to be said for finding ones match at an event such as these. Your heart knows if it's found someone it belongs with. It knows quickly, and soundly. That's not to discount the slow burn of growing to love someone over time. But that's a different sort all together. Both are valid... Just different."
Her hands drifted to a table of hair pins and ribbons, and Narumi looked them over. Her eyes drawn to the more simple designs, not the outlandish and loud pieces.