Why not really?

There was nothing morally wrong with oiran houses. Any sin that could be found there were all in all solely the ones that the customers brought in. As for the rest, it wasn't a place any more devious than any restaurant, bar, sake house, or likewise building of entertainment.

And, no matter what the people loving to make a mockery of it could say, bushido had nothing against relaxation, music, or even sex. A samurai was suppose to rest their body as well as their mind properly, to be at their best for when their lord needed them.

... Okay, maybe Kanna couldn't help herself but put a bit of work in her rest, by using this as an opportunity to have a talk with a semi-important Unicorn courtier.

But at least the setting was nice? There was a table full of delicious food, a dedicated biwa player, and comfortable cushions, one of which was currently empty and waiting for her guest.

Yamako entered the Oiran house, enjoying the complexity of this moment and the venue. Clearly, the Lion she was meeting was no slouch in the diplomacy game...Either that or they really liked Oiran houses, it could go either way. She was guided by a lovely being to the location her meeting would take place and bowed to the Kitsu sitting there.

"Kitsu-san, I am glad to meet you. Thank you for arranging such a lovely meeting place."

"The pleasure is all mine Ide-sama. Please take a seat. How was your day?"

She sits down. "Busy, but pleasurable. The World of Dreams has many things to offer a visitor. What of yours, Kitsu-san?"

"Quite busy, but due to mistakes of my own, so I don't exactly get to complain. The World of Dreams is a complex place, layers over layers, and it's easy to lose track of what truly matters. I spent too much time chasing chimeras, not enough looking at what was before my eyes, and now I must pay the piper.

Not busy enough than I cannot enjoy a truly relaxing soiree however. On the contrary, me refusing to take a break is oh so likely to be the reason of my predicament. A mind not properly refreshed is the source of many ills.

So, what do you want to drink? I feel like going for some umeshu myself."

Yamako was very rarely startled by someone's honesty but today was a day of firsts it seemed. Perhaps Lion were just like this sometimes? "I agree, there are many layers and it seems like it would take a great deal of time to unravel them all. It is good to take one's time and calm the mind before leaping into things. And Umeshu sounds lovely, I haven't had any this trip."

A servant, who of course was listening to every bit of the conversation, brought and served the drink with perfect diligence as soon as both hosts had spoken their choice.

"Well, kampai!"

After the toast:

"What did you get to visit on the World of Dreams?"

"Kampai!" She said, sipping her drink. "So far, the animal sanctuary, the artificial islands, the mall and the Wicked Wasp. The fried chicken was quite delicious, I have to say. Have you tried it?"

"Not yet. I did get to eat spicy fondue in a nearby restaurant in the company of a charming Otomo however.

The reserve is a nice place, but must have felt quite small to someone used to the open wilderness of the Unicorn worlds no? A small sanctuary of nature in a planet of glass and concrete."

She shrugs. “It’s true, the size is very different. But the animals were quite lovey and a large diversity. The Scorpion have done well to make little spots of nature to help the soul.”

"From my understanding, they also make good money of selling as pets the cutest animals they've preserved in such places.

But one fact does not erase the other. If a mercantile backbone allows such oases to exist in the first place, so be it. It'll be hypocritical of someone whose salary is paid by the money shoveled in by gossip magazines to pretend some necessary financial compromises aren't needed for good things to subsist."

Yamako’s hand clenches tightly around the cup for a moment. “Yes…they are quite cute.” She gets herself under control.

She raised an inquisitive eyebrow at the second statement. “Gossip magazines? I had no idea that Kitsu-San was affiliated with such publications. I have always wondered how they get their information.”

Kanna raised a eyebrow slightly at the sudden tension but did not comment upon it.

"I am not. Not directly at least. However, Ikoma Press is a gigantic press group, that covers all kind of publications. I work for what we could call the political branch. My articles or books definitely don't pay for themselves, they're more akin to a political, educational, investment in the long run.

To compensate for that financial loss, there's another branch of the group whose focus is solely on making money, even at the cost of a certain degree of loss in quality of what they publish.

I don't know much the practice of these people in truth. I've heard they employ a lot of freelancers and occasional informants though. So I guess... They get information from anyone who sells it for cheap?"

"Ahh that makes a great deal of sense. One hand cares for the other. My husband worked for some time for the Komori News Network. Its complex work, especially when dealing with people." She sips her drink.

"Oh, I didn't know of your husband's previous occupation. Out of curiosity, what did he do for KNN? There are many roles that one can undertake when working for a network: Reporter, camera, newscaster, interviewer...

And, still because I'm endlessly curious, what is his new job nowadays?"

She nods and sips her tea. "He was primarily a reporter. When we were on New Kalani, I got to read a great deal of his work. He was a very striking investigative reporter and I think he prefers that. He's tenacious. I think the leadership is still finding the most perfect fit for his skills but he's on assignment now. We'll see how that goes."

"Understandable. For the new skills, talents, ideas, out of clan marriages bring in to bloom, a proper fertile ground needs to be found. Forcing people that are great at something to do something they're mild at instead because it has easier logistics is a waste for everyone.

Do the two of you have children or not yet? As for me, my little Maki is waiting for my return at her grandparents' on Kitsu Prime."

She nods along. “Absolutely. I am glad to see his abilities carefully considered by my Clan. He has s gift.”

She shakes her head. “No it has only been 3 months since we married. And we thought it would be best to wait until things had settled somewhat and he had found his role within the clan. Time is valuable and children I have heard require a great deal of it.”