[D0 LE] Remaining Behind

[Shiba Jiro]

The meal finished and the servants cleaning up, Jiro stood from the table he had been at during the feast to give room for those that had duties. He didn't wish to be in their way. Retrieving a pack that he had traveled with he moved to a clean table and sat, not ordering or asking for anything right now.

He pulled out a piece of paper from his pack. A sturdy piece of origami paper from the looks of it. Staring at it for a moment, he seemed to be considering what it should become.

[Chiaki]

It had been a productive way. Sort of. Chiaki had been exploring the town surroundings, and she had already visited so many places. She still had not explored the main 'inn', or rather the complex that was going to be the home for the honorable participants from the Clans.

Unlike what she thought when she arrived here the first time, Chiaki was staying with the imperial delegation at the Academy. An honor that she didn't knew how to repay.

But in the meantime she lurks around, looking for interesting things...

[Shiba Jiro]

The ronin is noticed and receives a small friendly smile. He makes a gesture to offer her a seat with him. He seems to have finally found something to shape the paper into and begins folding.

[Chiaki]

Chiaki noticed that a young man was smiling at her. Her obvious reaction was to cover half her face with her fan, while keeping her On impeccable. She waited for a while, wondering if approaching would be the correct and proper procedure, after all she was just exploring.

Nonetheless, she bowed low from afar first, recognizing the gesture from the young man. Then after a few moments she approached slowly. The ronin noticed that the young man, which appeared to be from the Phoenix clan, was practicing origami, which caught her gaze, with interest.

'' Hmmm, this one didn't want to disturb you, eh, Phoenix-sama '' She said with respect as she bowed again. '' This one is known as Chiaki.'' No adding a family name made it clear that she was lower than him on the celestial hierarchy. '' This one hopes that Phoenix-sama had been blessed by Inari-no-kami today? '' She added.

The ronin did had a barely noticeable 'southern' accent to her tone.

[Shiba Jiro]

The humble and measured approach of the ronin was met with the patience. People did things in their own time, and he was not one to rush others. He continues to work with his hands, but changes his focus to Chiaki once she was closer, apparently feeling out where the next fold would be, using only fingertips. "It is a pleasure to have you join me Chiaki-san. You are not a disturbance in the least. I am Shiba Jiro, and I have been so blessed. I hope you have as well."

He bowed his head from his seated position, but didn't make any large moves that would interrupt his work. His hands... they moved if a way that seemed to draw the eye and tell a pleasant story about the art they made. But they were also covered in small scars and callouses. Hands that have seen far more labor than one might expect of an artisan. They are matched by the work gloves dangling from his obi.

He peeks at his origami to make sure he hasn't made any mistakes thus far and then looks back up at the ronin, his hands continuing to tell the story of the creature emerging from the paper. "Are you looking forward to the tournament? Or are you nervous about it like I am?" he asks, in a completely calm manner, not betraying any nervousness.

[Chiaki]

'' It is an honor to meet you Shiba Jiro-sama.'' The ronin bowed to the Phoenix young man. From his comments Chiaki came to realization that he must be another participant on the tournament. She also noticed the scars on his hands, though she didn't make any comment about them. She was most interested in the art that he was performing.

'' Hmmm, nervous? excited? this one doesn't truly know Shiba Jiro-sama.'' She shrugged. '' Expecting could be the right word? This one has been honored with such degree that she only wants to perform well in order to pay the most gracious favour that was bestowed upon me'' She replied to his question while still observing his art.

[Shiba Jiro]

"And who has granted the honor to you, Chiaki-san?" he asked with curiosity, the small smile never dissipating.

From the paper, something started to form. Was it a snout?

[Chiaki]

'' The Miya family, Shiba Jiro-sama.'' She replied to him. '' I was granted the honor by them, as my otokodate served them in some occasions.''


'' What about you, Shiba Jiro-sama?'' She asked. '' Are you here representing your own family? or are you representing another family of your honorable Clan? You don't need to reply if you don't wish to of course.'' She added politely, as she didn't knew if it would be appropriate to ask about his own past.

[Shiba Jiro]

With the mention of her sponsors being Imperial, Jiro nodded. His eyes looked off for a few moments, as he visualized some changes to the design of his origami, though he never pauses the conversation.

"I have been trained at the Shiba Artists school, so I represent family in both name and training," he replied. "My twin brother is here representing our family's bushi school."

His hands continued their steady work. The origami slowly starts taking more shape, and yes it was a snout as previously suspected.

"What is your otokodate called?" he asksed.

[Chiaki]

'' Ah, i see. '' Now things did made more sense to Chiaki. The young man was a trained artist, perhaps origami was his main form of artistic expression, although one could never know for sure. '' Your family and school carry prestige and glory, i'm sure that your talents will be greatly recognized and that you will honor your ancestors with your skills, Shiba Jiro-sama.'' She commented politely.

'' It didn't really had a name, Shiba Jiro-sama. Just a group of men and women united in service and friendship. They took me under their protection since...forgive me, perhaps i'm boring you with such stories, Shiba Jiro-sama.'' Chiaki stopped right in the middle, and bowed to him.

[Shiba Jiro]

"You are not boring me at all, Chiaki-san," he replies pleasantly. "I apologize if I might seem distracted, but I enjoy hearing people's stories. They... inform my creations," he replies.

He looks down at it for a moment and nods, before turning to show her the as yet unfinished piece. It was clearly a wolf head at this point, but the top part of the mane looked like it was being shaped into a chrysanthemum. He begins working towards finishing it.

"So, please, share. I am indeed interested."

[Chiaki]

'' Well, just that they gave me protection and allowed me to learn from their techniques and experiences once this one found herself alone.'' She told him. '' This one then spent most of her time travelling around the imperial lands, mostly on the hub villages around the imperial capital. Many ronin live there looking for ways to navigate the waves of fate...'' Chiaki added.

'' This one for example, learned about the art of combat thanks to them. Even though it is not my main skillset, a person like me needs to learn it just in case.'' She explained.

[Shiba Jiro]

"They sound like an honorable group, caring for you and others like you, serving the Imperial families. I am glad that you had them to help guide your steps. And am glad to be fortunate enough that fate allowed our paths to cross. Although I do not envy the difficulty of the life you must have lead until now, I do imagine you've gotten plenty of stories and experiences as a result," he says.

All the while his hands work the paper, little by little the chrysanthemum mane forms around the wolf head.

"I would be glad to hear any of those stories that you like to share. And would offer my own company in return. I would definitely appreciate the opportunity to learn more about what life was like in the hub villages."

As he says that, he gently slides the chrysanthemum wolf across the table for her to inspect.

[Chiaki]

'' It will be an honor, Shiba Jiro-sama.'' She bows to him. '' Not as exciting as other stories that one could hear or read about tragic ronin fighting for his deceased lord, or a ronin trying to find back his honor.'' She giggles behind her fan.

Then, as the Phoenix is offering the origami, Chiaki inspected it. It was quite good, certainly better than anything that she could do. '' It is beautiful, Shiba Jiro-sama.'' Chiaki commented. '' Maybe you could gift it to the Seppun or other imperial family member...''She referred to the chrysanthemum motif around the mane. '' It could be a good gift.''

[Shiba Jiro]

"No, no," he replied with a light smile. "I prefer to give my works to those that inspire them. Any beauty you see in it is a result of your charm. It would not exist if not for you, Chiaki-san."

[Chiaki]

'' This one could simply not accept, Shiba Jiro-sama.'' She bowed. '' I'm truly honored that someone like me could inspire such creation, but you should give it to someone important to your person.'' She said behind her fan.

[Shiba Jiro]

He hid nothing behind a fan. Although he wasn't blatantly expressive to a crazy degree, it was clear he also had a natural smile that likely didn't often leave his expression.

"Who could be more important than, hopefully, a new friend? If we're fortunate, we'll get to share even more during our time here. Please accept in the spirit of a budding friendship."

[Chiaki]

'' Your kind words are indeed welcomed Shiba Jiro-sama. And friendship is something that one should truly value and nurture.'' She continued. '' This one is really moved by your appreciation, something that often is not directed towards people like me.'' Chiaki adds.

'' But i cannot accept this gift. You already gifted me with so such kindness.'' She once again bowed and rejected the origami gift.

[Shiba Jiro]

"I think it unfortunate that you should not receive the warmth and kindness of more people, Chiaki-san. I gladly offer both this work and my hope that others will come to see you as the capable, courteous and pleasant samurai that I am seeing, and that the Miya see," he offers again.

[Chiaki]

Taking a few moments Chiaki made a third and final bow. '' You are a truly kind person, Shiba Jiro-sama. This one has no other choice but then accept your kindness. Arigato.'' She said as she picked up the origami gently. '' This one truly appreciate your openness and gentleness.'' She adds.

'' Perhaps you can teach me how to create such beautiful things in the future, Shiba Jiro-sama. While i do know somethings about origami, it is just the basics.'' She added. ''And perhaps i could show you my own artistic expressions, if you would honor me.''