[Day 4, Streets, Afternoon] So, A Lion and a Unicorn...

[Ikoma Hikaru]

It takes all of Hikaru's considerable skills to not snort and start laughing at Qulan.

"I assume your horse is safe and at home waiting for your return?"

[Shinjo Qulan]

"Yes... But still. He's been my companion, and I miss him. Not as much as my sisters, mind you."

[Ikoma Hikaru]

Hikaru strangely goes quite at the mention of sisters. His face go's blank and is replaced with a practiced courtiers mask.

[Shinjo Qulan]

"Two younger. One hasn't even passed her gempukku yet." She didn't seem to notice his expression change. "I had hoped to be there when she does, but... That probably won't happen."

[Ikoma Hikaru]

"Well I hope you get that chance." He says quietly.

[elonweis]

... and with that a small leather ball hits the Ikoma in the HE- heel. A small gaggle of children come chasing after it and stop when they see the strange people. One of the braver ones, a girl who was an inch taller then her neighbors takes a breath and steps forward, holding her hand out for the ball.

[Shinjo Qulan]

Qulan looks to Hikaru, seeing what he'd do.

[Ikoma Hikaru]

Hikaru blinks as he struck with the ball. Thinking about his dead brother seems to have distracted the young noble.

Hikaru is silent for a moment as he regards the children then the young girl. He knows how most Lion would handle the situation, however something about the girl demanded attention.

Hikaru picks up the ball and then says "I think you misplaced this little one." He looks at the child but it is clear his words are for there guide to translate.

He offers the ball back to the young child.

[elonweis]

The man's voice came, gravelly and rough, speaking the fluid language with the ease of practice. The girl hesitates a moment before stepping forward to take the ball. She smiles shyly up at the Ikoma without a hint of fear before bowing with her toy between her hands, "Dhanyawaad."

"That's thank you, Ikoma-sama," the thug translates.

[Ikoma Hikaru]

"How do you say your welcome?" Hikaru asks. He says as he smiles slightly at the girl.

[elonweis]

"Sharminda mat keejiye," he replies immediately. Musoso doesn't bother telling the Lion what the literal translation meant. He would just get confused and the Mantis hadn't said a thing about language lessons.

[Ikoma Hikaru]

"Sharminda mat Keejiye little one." Hikaru says with a bow. The Lions attempt to use the language isnt the prettiest in the word, however he gets the point across.

[elonweis]

The girl giggles and ducks her head before she turns to run back to her friends. She pauses and waves at the strange man and his funny mangling of the language.

[Ikoma Hikaru]

Hikaru thumbs his prayer beads as he smiles softly and watches the girl rejoin her friends before starting to walk again.

[Shinjo Qulan]

"What cute kids." Qulan smiled as the girl ran off.

[Ikoma Hikaru]

Hikaru shrugs and says,"Personally I cannot stand the cretins."

His words are crips and quick but something in his tone doesn't jive, almost as if he doesn't really believe what he says.

[Shinjo Qulan]

"Children?" Qulan turned towards the Ikoma with wide eyes.

[Ikoma Hikaru]

"Generally speaking, yes." Hikaru says with a slight frown on his face. He scans the streets looking for anything that could possible be a bowyer, but so far the search isnt going well.

"Noble children are better, for at least they are raised with manners but even they can become a nuisance."

[Shinjo Qulan]

"Then I take it you aren't looking forward to getting married and having children yourself." Qulan wasn't looking for anything in particular, just sating her curiosity.

[Ikoma Hikaru]

"If it is my duty to do so, then I shall perform it well." Hikaru replies coolly. "And you Shinjo-san do you hope to explore the world as a mother and wife some day?"