The New Winds

He had spent almost a month in Dragon lands following the gempukku ceremonies and naadam back home. While a wanderer at heart, and thus not given to homesickness, Ichiro would be lying if he said there were not things he missed of his homeland. As such, once he had unpacked his meager belongings and taken a late lunch the young Utaku found himself wandering through the closest facsimile. It did not hold a candle to the real thing, of course, but he could find some enjoyment in familiar sights, sounds, and smells.

Considering that the markets here sell gaijin things but are ran by Rokugani, this would be one of the rare chances to get foreign wares with no clan having an excuse to accuse Haruki of wrong doing (hopefully). As such, he goes to Little Khanbulak after setting his things away, meeting with old friends ,and saying his prayers at the temples. A servant of the Phoenix clan follows him closely, a little book and quill in hand, taking notes about what all can be found here for official business later.

Spotting the Phoenix Ichiro raised a hand in greeting then offered a polite bow. His manners would still be rough by courtly standards but he had learned much in their time at the Ruby Champion's dojo.

"Hail and well met Kaito-san!"

"Well met indeed, I assume you are going to Little Khanbulak? It's been too long since we last met. I assume your clan has kept you busy as well?"

"Indeed they have, hence my desire to spend some time in Little Khanbulak. Most of the past month I have been in Dragon lands and a touch of home would feel welcome even if only a small one."

"Great, then could you show me around? It's not every day you get to find material you've never worked with."

"It is my first visit as well so I can't be much of a guide I fear but perhaps I can spot things that might go unobserved. What sort of materials do you normally work with?"

"I personally work with food mostly, but I'm certain Isao-san can keep track of whatever we find just in case I want to dabble in other arts later." He looks around a find a cart showing off various dried fruit and nuts. "How about we start with that vendor?"

Ichiro nods and moves to examine the wares.

He gestures to some dried fruit, "These may be of interest. They mainly grow around the Pillar of the Sky, before the Sands begin proper, though I believe the Ide have found some success at growing them within the empire. They are called figs - very sweet and somewhat earthy."

Haruki takes a bite, not expecting all the juices. "For something so earthy, it still has a lot of juice. I assume this is more of a summer fruit?"

Ichiro rubs his chin before nodding, "I suppose one could say that. Though the Pillar of the Sky sees normal, if extreme, seasons, the Sands suffer under eternal heat. They are quite popular there from what I understand along with dates."

"I presume those nuts are organized by kinds? They all have different shapes and seem so small compared to the fruit."

"I am not as well acquainted with nuts." He looks over those on display, "I know many have been brought by the Mantis from the islands."

He skips over hazel nuts as those most Rokugani would know. Gesturing to some small, oblong seeds, "These I know - they come from a type of pine. Rich and oily, sometimes a little bitter though."

"Are they edible raw, or do they need to be processed first?"

"They can be used either way though the bitterness seems more common with raw than with cooked."

(OOC, we talking walnuts here?)

"I've been looking for ways to add a little bitterness to things. Did you know just like there are five elements, there are five basic tastes: salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and umami?"

(Pine nuts)

Ichiro's head cocked slightly to the side, "I never thought about it like that but I suppose it makes sense. The balance of the elements is in all things after all."

"Is this typically incorporated into a sauce?"

"They have many uses. I have seen them in a sauce, as a snack on their own, baked into bread, and used to top sweets."

"And in what environment do the trees grow?"