[D4 EE] A Little Spicy

[Shiba Jiro]

"Oh... I, uhh. I don't do so well with that stuff most of the time. I have a habit of getting took even when trying not to. But I'll remember that next time I am buying you supplies."

Then, as though he could read her mind, but mostly because being near her without opportunity to share a touch was driving him slightly crazy, he made a small but intentional move.

"Perhaps you can hold onto the silks until we can size?"

He he holds them out for her to reach for them, but his hands are hidden under the cloth. They could certainly steal a few moments of handholding if she thought about it.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

And since she wasn't thinking about much else, she did what the Mantis Clan always did, and capitalized on her opportunity.

Her hands were rough and callused- a sailor's hands.

Her quick smile, on the other hand, was just like any other sixteen-year old romantic's would have been under the circumstances.

[Shiba Jiro]

His were rough as well. Not from years working a deck, but plenty of time handling axes, saws and hammers. And they spend a few seconds pointedly not letting go. Asking a few pointedly pointless questions so that they can maintain the contact a bit longer.

"Do you have someplace dry to keep them?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Oh, aye, our hosts didn't stick me in a leaky room. They'll go by my tea set."

Oh Kasumi, you IDIOT.

"Y'just lemme know when it's needed."

[Shiba Jiro]

"That is good. Perhaps I can come by in a couple days. And..."

His hand squeezed hers.

Such a bad idea. Such a great idea. Don't come up with an alternative.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"... an' we'll sort it out."

A pause.

"Th'way we do."

[Shiba Jiro]

He bites his lower lip for a moment. "That we will." His hands slip from hers running the length until fingertip leaves fingertip.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

Over so soon.

Too soon.
Too late?

Kasumi managed a nod, suddenly feeling a bit... overwrought beneath a composed surface.

"Well then. It's, ah... been fun, Shiba-san, but I'm sure we both have... duties to attend to..."

[Shiba Jiro]

"I don't," he says. "Walk with me?"

"I want more time with you, Kasumi-san. This evening has not been long enough."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Well, as a bushi in trainin', s'pose I can run escort for ya."

"I know the feeling."

[Shiba Jiro]

He nods to her and begins a leisurely stroll toward the exit. "I think this color will suit you. I can't wait to see you wrapped in it."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"All kiddin' aside... it'll be nice t'have something wasn't picked out by some courtier back in Kyuden Gotei who's never laid eyes on me..."

[Shiba Jiro]

"There is no kidding from me," he says with a smile. "I have laid eyes on you and you are beautiful. And I would wrap you in something, if not my arms."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"I suppose we'll have to take what we can get."

Which, given her background, potentially had some other... connotations.

[Shiba Jiro]

"You take, I give. Sounds like a fair trade to me," he says with a smirk. "Since I think we both enjoy our individual roles in such an exchange."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"It certainly sounds like fun t'me... but if y'want anything, y'shouldn't be shy 'bout askin'."

[Shiba Jiro]

"I don't think I'm shy about asking you. I think I'm shy about asking out here," he says with a nod. "So I think what I'll ask, is for you to do something for me. Invite me somewhere quieter, more private, where we can talk more freely and openly with one another?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"When y'got in mind?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"Right now would be nice," he says with a smirk. "But honestly, any time. One of these days after the topaz test of the day. So I can maybe help you find some calm. The tests sometimes stress me out a bit."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"They drive me up th'damn wall."

Knowing that the next day would be booked differently, Kasumi's player didn't have her suggest "tomorrow."

"Maybe in a couple'a days?"

Giving them time to at least pretend they weren't so clearly interested in one another.