That Don't Impress Me Much (Otosan Uchi - Hito District)

[Utaku Ichiro]

"I should hope not."

He pondered briefly whether his family would believe her over him. She was from a minor clan but she was a girl too.

"So you're going to be a priest and a magistrate?"

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

Sasaiko nods, says "Care to walk while we talk more?"

She turns to do so, the invitation for company clear.

"It's no big sky country, but it's something, neh?"

[Utaku Ichiro]

"Sure."

He fell into pace beside her. Still somewhat cautious of potential trickery but so far so good.

"It's big that's for sure. It could do with more variety though."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Oh? You must not have spent much time in the outer city, then; the inner is carefully curated, as much as any garden, but that is as His Majesty--long may He reign--desires it."

She shrugs. "It must be. This is His home, after all; it boggles the mind to think that His own home would not be to His liking."

[Utaku Ichiro]

"It's a bit better out there but still far too similar. Where are the minarets and windcatchers? The skywalks and mashrabiya? Just so much of the same as far as the eye can see." He shakes his head, "Even the Unicorn embassy was so much duller than it should be."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Mashu rabiya?" she asks, stumbling over the unfamiliar term. "What are those?"

[Utaku Ichiro]

His gait slows a little as he best thinks how to describe it, "Like a window on an upper floor but it projects outward - giving a place to stand or sit and enjoy the view. Looks kind of like a fancy shrine box I guess but for a person to relax in."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Oh, a balcony!" She nods, understanding. "There are balconies on some of the taller buildings, of course."

[Utaku Ichiro]

He shakes his head a little, frustrated he can't explain better, "Not quite. It's fully enclosed but fine worked with latticework or glass so that you can see out of it. So I guess like a balcony but still inside?" That really didn't help much, did it?

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Isn't the point of a balcony to get into the outside air, though? Why not just have a window, then?"

[Utaku Ichiro]

"It's artistically designed... I guess I'm really not doing it justice."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

Sasaiko nods.

"Things to learn, then. Good that we're going to school."

[Utaku Ichiro]

A slight laugh, "I suppose but I reckon 'Unicorn architecture from the Ki-Rin Questing' is not a likely lesson they have planned."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Maybe they'll ask for presentations."

[Utaku Ichiro]

"I think we've just proven that, if they do, I shouldn't be the one leading it."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"I'm certain you'd prove illuminating. And, well, it'd be practice for leading battles, wouldn't it?"

[Utaku Ichiro]

A raised eyebrow, "Or for falling on one's sword."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

Sasaiko shrugs.

"I'm not the one who said it."

[Utaku Ichiro]

"A warrior that does not know their limitations is a danger to themselves and their comrades in arms. I'll leave that type of teaching to the scholars."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

Sasaiko says nothing for a bit. Then she asks "So, have your parents arranged for you to be married after your gempukku yet?"