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She nodded slowly, as if reassured by his actions. "I'm sure you're right, Ujina-san. I guess my training makes me overly paranoid. I'm sure his actions have a perfectly good explanation." she smiled quietly and sat beside him, glancing around, but not saying much else unless he approached her for quite some time. But when she did....

"So tell me, what makes such a noble Hare come on a mission such as this." A mischievous grin lit her face. "It can't be just honor and glory....Trying to impress someone back home?" A knowing smile and wink at him as she fluttered her fan.

The Hare nodded, thinking and turning things over in his head. He knew the disappearance was about the traps now. And it wasn't like Kagae hadn't already done that once... even with their decision about moving in pairs. And then, who was to say they shouldn't be at odds? They had to put their duty first, but the hadn't worked as a unit until the troubles started at the past town. If that could be called behaving as a unit.

Perhaps it was the tone of the conversation concerning him- or perhaps he was trying to focus his senses on his guard duty, distracted as he felt now. Or both. But Denbe didn't say much until she spoke, looking over to the little Scorpion and blinking.

"Impress- I- no, not as such, no." The Hare caught himself as he caught her drift, suddenly a little bit unsettled at the small Scorpions proximity and attitude. If he hadn't seen how focused she was on their duty, he might have thought her quite the dangerous little thing. "You flatter me, Shosuro-san, but I am here eager to do my duty. I was selected to represent my clan at the tournament- a rising Samurai. For a minor clansmen, to do them proud in such a thing, and to be selected by the magistrates for an important duty such as this? I am more than honored to accept the duty. And I admit, despite that my clan has... reasonable tendency to prefer not to bring attention to itself, I take some satisfaction in it."

He turned his eyes down to his lap, shifting uncomfortably and looking at her before looking away again, ever "attentive" to his guard post. Or trying to be, anyway.

"But, no. My parents have not yet chosen a match for me, but neither have I anyone in mind. I suppose I... was rather busy, travelling with my father, and catching up on my training upon my return, to think much on such."

It did make him reflect on just how competitive in nature he'd been. Still might be, perhaps, given another chance for it.

"What of you, Shosuro-san? Are you promised? I'm sure your family should have had no difficulty finding you a likely suitor."

[5k3 Awareness/Etiquette(Sincerity): 11 to not stumble over his words or generally make an a** of himself.]

A small giggle then as the fan lifted to her lips, touching them lightly to bring his attention to them, in a completely innocent way, of course. wink "I think if you were chosen to represent your clan, your family will have someone chosen for you soon. It is quite the honor."

But as he turned the attention to herself, she let a little sigh of frustration out. "My father is angling for an imperial match of a sorts and if he manages it, of which I'm sure he eventually will, I will have to accede to his wishes. But until then, he cherishes me and allows me my freedoms. My most honorable father is very gracious towards me. Would you like some tea, Ujina-san?" Thinking that perhaps a cup of tea would be a better way to pass the time, and loosen lips.

"I have some sweets that have a sort of spice swirled throughout them. It might be cumin." seeing just what sort of reaction he had to that, and to test her theory from earlier.

Miyako grinned shyly and nodded, "That sounds most pleasant, Ujina-san." And while he was gone, fussed with her clothing just enough to make sure she didn't appear rumpled or otherwise unpleasant and waited patiently for him to come back.

The Bayushi flashed a smile to the little Dragon that he hoped wasn't as all predatory. "Great! I'll see what I can find!" Kojiro left his tent immediately in search of Miya-chan. She seemed well provisioned....or at least it felt like it.

Still, Kojiro set out for the petite Scorpion. He was sure she would give him grief over this, but would acquiesce in the end. It didn't take long for Kojiro to find Miyako, apparently while Denbe was away fetching his own tea things.

"Ahm...Miyako-san. Do you happen to have any tea with you as well as a tea set I could borrow for a short period of time? Kitsuki-san has been very helpful today and I'd like to get to know her a little better."

Denbe rooted around in his tent, collecting his tea things, all the makings and two cups. Balancing those nicely, he came out of the tent starting over toward Miyako and-



Denbe stood, glancing around between the Scorpions and the nose-wrinkling Crab for a long moment, and with a sigh went back into his tent, coming out a few moments later with the entirety of his tea set and cups.

Masuyo blinked, but ultimately decided it was worth keeping her sanity to not figure out what exactly happened out there. Ah well, so much for sleep. She let out a relieved giggle and followed him to where everyone was setting up.

Explosions extra