Kyuden Shika

Knowing that retiring immediately after drinking is an invitation to disaster, Shika Nesshin takes a walk. Who knows what he'll find?

Koi had found herself enjoying exploring the castle now that the day has become to cool even with the omnious storm clouds over head as the night drew on. Still, the cool air and the light breeze was a blessing in disguise as she found herself inspecting the garden by herself, amused by the arrangement of the flowers and the old cedars.

"Oh Kami, what I would give to have some of that cedar to carve something with." She mused to herself, looking up high into the branches and imagined herself as a squirrel darting from branch to branch.

"What all do you see?" Nesshin asks as he happens upon her looking upward. And, with a bow, he adds, "Shika Nesshin. A pleasure."

He smiles broadly.

Koi returned the bow with a respectfully lower bow, and glanced back at the trees. "Cedars do not grow in the Mountain of the Dragonlands especially near my village, I could not resist imagining animals enjoying living within the harmony of nature. It is almost a shame they do not grow there, they are wonderful to see in their natural habitat and to work with."

She returned the smile, it suited her rich as honey that make the jade of her eyes sparkle with curiousity. "Kaikoga Koi, the pleasure is all mine Shika-sama."

She took a deep, and smiled. "Kami are balanced here, it is very beautiful."

"We're fortunate to live in such a place," Nesshin replies. "And there're plenty of animals living in harmony with this place, as well. I should know," he adds. "I'm often out among them, although duties have me closer to the kyuden for a while."

Koi mused having that responsibility for a Lord, a groundskeeper of sort set with the duty to maintain wildlife, work the gardens, walk the forests and for a moment legitimately could not think of anything else she wanted to do more.

"You are then blessed with a wonderful role, Shika-sama." She said, with a little awe in her voice. Envy is unbecoming of a lady, Koi She heard her mother smap sourly in her head.

"How long have you been maintain the gardens if I might ask?" She said curiously looking down now and making an arm gesture to see if Shika-sama would walk with her further.

Nesshin accepts the invitation. How not? And as he comes closer to her, he says "I do not so much maintain the gardens as occasionally patrol them--and more often the woods." He looks up, face turning to where the trees can still just be seen over the walls. "I am, in the main, out there, ensuring that those who visit are kept safe and that others do not attempt to take game without leave. But it lets me see many beautiful things."

He looks at her. "Something to be sought every day, truly."

"I quite agree, I enjoy being outside in the forest and this Great land of Rokugan. I mean, I got to see a great portion of it on my way to Shika lands." She said applicable even as it made her remember that her feet hurt something awful but appearances must go on. "I see, well you honour me by doing your duty so vigilantly and that my safety is within your clans hands."

"It does bring two questions to mind if you would humor me so, Shika-sama?" She said curiously, her hands held before her as she seemed at ease.

I mean he's pretty cute in a 'better than nothing' kind of way.. She thought with an amused smile.

Cute smile, Nesshin thinks, and he inclines his head and say "Ask away, although I may not answer."

Koi observed the garden passively, allowing the light of the early lanterns being lit to illuminate her vitiligo giving her an element of mystery as some children dash by in the distance. "Simpler question first, do you know any good fishing spots within or near the castle? I quite enjoy it after a long day of dealing with Great Clans, and Imperials." She said with a cheeky smile that suited her.

"Second one is a bit harder." She said, and bent down to smell a blossoming flower pensively allowing her feminine form to be inspected more unintentionally than expected. "Do you know anything about my clan, Shika-sama?"