D1 LA - An old friend (Expecting)

[Kitsu Moshumaru]

In the garden, at one of the garden's seating areas, Moshumaru waited for his guest to arrive. It was strange to think of one of the hosts as a guest, but then again there was more pressing matters to think about.

Placing the tray of tea down, he stretched and looked out to the river.

It was a beautiful place here, in some ways, but home would always have his heart.

[Shika Katsuteru]

The first days of a miai were always the busiest. You'd have people complaining about their quarters (Well, no, the Deer only had so many Yashiki so...), people with previous grudges running into on another and demanding satsifaction, and over-sexed young adults away from home for the first time looking to get some loving, damn the consequences.

But such was the life of a Karo. Still, one could not simply order demands into a single file line to be addressed at leisure. So some tea with a familiar Lion would be welcome indeed.

"Kitsu-san. I see you've found your favorite place in the gardens." the karo said with a bow.

[Kitsu Moshumaru]

Returning a deeper bow, the Kitsu's expression softened.

"Shika-sama, it is good to see you. How has everyone been?"

Everyone was a term as vague or as broad as Katsuteru desired - let him open about Soboku if he wished, let him not if he didn't.

He gestured to the piping hot teapot and cups that he had prepared.

"I would be honoured if you could join me for a cup or two."

[Shika Katsuteru]

Katsuteru was happy to keep things in the realm of small talk.

"Well and busy." he replies. "A miai is always a busy time, and it is pleasing to have an abundance of duties to tend to, and to tend to them well."

He nodded.

"And yourself Kitsu-san? Have you been well as well sine we last spoke?"

[Kitsu Moshumaru]

"And yourself Kitsu-san? Have you been well as well sine we last spoke?"

The grave author nodded in return.

"Rather so, although my invite to this miai did take me by surprise. Not just in my invite, but the variance of guests here. An Emerald Magistrate in particular - I imagine many are honoured by the simple presence of such a prestigious guest here."

He was hinting towards something, that much was obvious.

[Shika Katsuteru]

Katsuteru considered the hint.

"Ah well, an emerald magistrate is a necessity when all the clans gather in such a fashion." he replied. "One needs an impartial, neutral party to be able to adjudicate things."

Katsuteru's tone indicated he didn't particularly believe Oharu was a neutral party by any stretch of the imagination.

[Kitsu Moshumaru]

"Neutral."

Moshumaru's own tone indicated that he agreed with the Shika senior. He offered to pour Katsuteru a cup of tea before turning to serious matters.

"I remember in our writings to each other you mentioned that you mentioned a 'crashing tide' a number of times - I assume it was code of some sort. Does this... 'tide' still concern you, Shika-sama?"

[Shika Katsuteru]

Katsuteru accepted the tea.

"Somewhat," he agreed. "This coming summer promises to be a stormy one if the sailors of the capital are to be believed." he said, speaking not of actual sailors. "It seems to me a poor time to take small craft out upon waters that threaten to seriously damage larger craft."

[Kitsu Moshumaru]

And there it was. His suspicions were affirmed - and so, he would act upon them. He offered a reassuring look to the senior Deer.

"I know these waters well - if it would help, I will assist in reigning in these errant sailors. I believe I can make them see reason, and understand there will be better times to fish. Who should I speak to to turn the tide, so to speak?"

[Shika Katsuteru]

Katsuteru nodded.

"Ultimately, it is the decision of the captain as to whether the vessel sails or not. But a wise captain listens to those aboard his ship, crew and passenger alike. If enough people voice their concerns, then a wise captain would not set out." he says.