Entering Rokugan

[quarim]

"Your current state is fine. You are a military officer your mindset should be such. We are all made of parts that form the whole. You can be no less a military officer than you can be a woman."

Quarim poured himself a cup of tea and sipped it gently. "I was born and raised in Medinaat al-Salaam. It is a large city with many factions always fighting for control. I of course am a merchant representing on of those factions, the Houses of Dahab. We are all merchants who use our considerable wealth to grant us power. I chose to come here to increase the profits for myself of course and to see more than just my homeland. So many are content to live in their luxury, but I wish to see the world and have adventure. What better place to do that than Rokugan?"

[Utaku Mai]

"Indeed, I don't think you could find a better place in the world if you tried." Mai said honestly. While the words may have seemed trite coming from any other samurai, from Mai they carried the weight of sincerity.

Internally her mind tried to put a connection to the man. She never followed much of the merchant families who came from the burning sands, but Dahab...the name rang the faintest bell in her consciousness. She could not place exactly where, but she recognized its importance and prestige.

"Your grasp of the Rokugani language is very impressive, Quarim-san. Did you have a tutor in Medinaat al-Salaam? I've heard the language is very tricky for those not raised in it, but I could say the same for the Mekhem tongue as well."

[quarim]

Quarim nodded at the compliment.

"Thank you. I have a very sharp mind and take to learning quite easily. Languages are actually quite easy to learn once you understand how they work. It is customs that are the problem. I speak five languages but knowing the customs of those who speak them natively is quite difficult. For example I am only allowed to refer to my own lord as such so how do I address others who hold those titles? I must use other terms and hope they accept them. Flattery gets me through more conversations than I can count." he laughed at himself. "But yes I have many tutors one of which was for your tongue. We learned it well from the Unicorn and Scorpion's time spent among us. We've merely had to keep up with the subtle changes.
We've had difficulty keeping up admittedly due to your laws. But we are looking forward to a bright future for both of our lands." Quarim hesitated a moment. For the first time it seemed he was uncomfortable. "I am obliged to ask. Amidst our stay my superiors would like it if I were to find a Rokuganee bride. Obviously I would prefer a Unicorn who is more accustomed to foreign...delicacies. Would you perhaps be willing to help in that area?"

[Utaku Mai]

"Was that a proposal?" Mai asked, on the edge of laughter despite her best efforts to stay polite. Trying hard to compose herself, she tries to continue. "At your age, do you not already have a wife tending your household in Medinaat?" Realizing her implied insult, she attempted to backtrack, "not that you are *that* old, of course..." Mai bit her lip, realizing that she had made the situation even worse, and a bit of red was starting to form in her face. She hurriedly changed the subject back to something in a direction that she could avoid dishonoring herself further.

"A Rokugan marriage isn't something to be entered in lightly, Quarim. Since it is a joining of two families, the heads of those families typically arrange them on behalf of their children. If you are serious about finding a bride, you would need an intermediary to speak on your behalf to your hopeful's family, perhaps a parent or close friend. Even then, you may face many difficulties as a gaijin, but I would not say it is impossible."

[quarim]

Quarim broke out in laughter. After a moment he was able to compose himself. "I am sorry. I mean no insult but you are quite amusing. No that was not a proposal I am sorry if it seemed so. What I am asking is help in finding one. Not all samurai are created equal as I understand it. Some people are more important than others. Obviously I am seeking someone of some importance but as you said I am gaijin and that will limit who will be able to marry. I need to find someone honorable and recognized while not grasping beyond my means. I need help in finding that balance. If I start proposing to every woman samurai I meet I will not be taken serious by any. Can you help in this area?"

[Utaku Mai]

"I don't have the skills necessary to handle your particular case, but there are sometimes Nakodo -- matchmakers -- in the larger cities, willing to act in such capacity. They may need to be courted as much as any prospective bride, but your wealth may be able to sway one to take your suit."

"Even so, a nakodo can only do so much without knowing the prospective groom's family. Are your parents still living, or do you have any siblings in the Burning Sands?" Mai asked, giving him a curiously penetrating look. The man was something of an enigma, and Mai was studying him much as she had any puzzle.

[quarim]

"I see. Thank you. I will seek one of these people out." Quarim paused as he chose his words carefully.

"I have no family. They died when I was only a child. I was raised by my tutors to be what I am today. A man learning and power. I have wealth and influence but no history. Is such a thing so horrible?"

[Utaku Mai]

Mai set down her chopsticks and contemplated the question for a long moment. When she finally spoke again, her voice was quiet and even a bit unsure.

"Perhaps not so horrible. Having a family means having someone who always requires something of you. Often they instill in you from birth a desire to fulfill that obligation, but if not..." Mai thought of her own dysfunctional family, of the competing interests of her parents over the future of their daughter, of her behavior toward her own daimyo and champion. "...you are very fortunate to have that much freedom.

She blushed slightly, feeling that she gave away some secret. "This is not a thing I would have ever told any of the samurai caste. I am honored to have been born a Rokugani, and I know the value of my name and clan, in part because I was nurtured on the stories of my ancestors. The best I can do with my life is to live by their example, even if it is...confining, at times."

[quarim]

Quarim thought of his own obligations laid onto him by his birth. Though he did not admit it to Mai his family had determined his entire destiny. Even being here now was just a ruse to start a war. It seemed he shared so much with this young woman to sat across from him.

His smile faded slightly as he thought to himself, I hope she doesn't die. Then just as quickly it returned.

What is a cell but a room? And are we not in a room now? Is it any more or less confining than a prison? Sometimes what we think confines us is just a shelter against the storm outside our knowledge. You obviously love you land and you family. There is no shame in feeling confined. That means they are doing their job in protecting you.

[Utaku Mai]

"I had never thought of it like that. Your words are very wise, even to one who considers every room a potential cell."

Mai looked around for the first time, and noticed that they had talked well into the evening. The common room was nearly empty, and the owner kept the appearance of work while casting secretive sidelong glances in their direction, hoping perhaps for a chance to clean up and rest.

"It has been an enlightening evening to be sure, Quarim-san, but I must take my leave, lest I become a burden on the proprietor. I hope I managed to hold up my end of our bargain."