The younger Shiba twin stood near the entrance of he sake house, electing to wait for Kasumi to join him and enter together. Whether that was meant as a statement, a courtesy or simply a choice he made while waiting... who knows. He certainly doesn't. Regardless, he looks pleased and has a soft smile on his face while he waits.

And Kasumi- who had, after all, gotten to spend most of the day in her familiar milieu- arrived rather dressed up. Oh, not the best kimono, the one she'd worn to the welcoming feast- but her second-best, which was something she was trying to get used to.

She looked far less self-assured than she had aboard the Winter Wind earlier in the day, but also a fair bit more excited.

"Shiba-san. Been waitin' long?"

"I don't know. I was waiting for you, so I wasn't really thinking about the time," he replied with a warm smile and a bow. He was wearing the same kimono he wore during that meal. He had a few choices himself, but the others were for travel and ceremonial.

"Shall we?" he asks as he gestures to the door.

"By all means."

She offered a half-bow and a smile.

"Let's see what all the fuss is!"

He nods, leading the way in and looks around at the different available tables. He asks one of the folks working the sake house for a nice spot to sit, a bottle, and cups. Jiro offers a seat to Kasumi and sits across from her with a smile. "I've been looking forward to catching up with you today. You did so great on the ship today. You really looked like you were enjoying yourself Kasumi-san."

"Well, helps t'know what I'm doin'!"

She grinned.

"Frankly, I probably coulda done better, but I was so caught up in bein' back aboard ship... an' you! Lookin' for work t'turn your hand to. What would your sensei say?"

"Same response as when she heard I was learning from lumberjacks, farmers, chefs and carpenters. A heavy sigh and eventual acceptance that I will go out of my way to learn what I want to, propriety be damned," he says with a smirk. "One of the things I made during my art exchange, I got permission to head into the local forest to cut down a tree. I harvested a maple, turned it into lumber, and crafted a chest from it before detailing it with carvings depicting phoenixes and cranes in flight all over it. Start to finish, all from the raw materials. I love to understand how things work."

"Well, as I may have mentioned, bein' an officer's a bit like that- gotta know every duty on the vessel t'know it's bein' done right."

"You're a natural on a ship. I enjoyed watching you, during the test and going about sailing work," he says... apparently not afraid of admitting to watching. "The whole crew works together so well, and I did my best to help out without getting in the way too much. I could tell I was bugging them from time to time, but they were gracious to let me try my hand."

"Well, a cruise full'a press-ganged lubbers is gonna demand a certain patience."

She grinned.

"They were prob'ly just glad y'weren't sickin' up on 'em."

"Honestly, I felt it a little. I'm guessing bigger waves out on the ocean would have spelled disaster for my morning meal," he replied with a chuckle.

He set the cups in front of each of them and then poured from the black bottle before setting it aside.

"Do the honors?" he asks, giving her the opportunity to raise a toast and set the pace.

Kasumi raised her cup, and, having gotten a whiff, and having no desire to be caught facedown in the gardens singing a song about goblins, decided to pace herself.

"Here's t'new friends."

A good, safe toast.

One she sipped to- while pointedly keeping eye contact with Jiro.

He nods his agreement with the toast. "New friends."

Her eyes locked on his, he doesn't break contact either as he sips at the same conservative pace. He then sets the cup down and leans on his elbow watching her from across the table.

"I imagine you have likely made quite a few friends since arriving. Can't imagine you aren't one of the more popular competitors."

"Well, yes'n no. Early days yet. But I've made a couple- got Kuni Mitsuko-san up in the rigging this morning. Think she was gettin' th' hang of it..."

"I met her yesterday evening. Just in here actually," he replied with a chuckle. "She is not exactly what one expects, having never met a Crab samurai before."

"Well, it may be early, and many might not have been fortunate enough to meet you. So I will apologize now for my attempts to monopolize your time. I love sharing art with others, but I don't think I would mind being selfish and keeping as much time with you as you'll allow."

"Well, I figure there's only one person in Tsuma allowed t'object... an' until she does, not a problem, is it?"

"I am glad to hear it. And until she does object, I will continue to find opportunities to share time with her, get closer to her, and appreciate her company. Because she is definitely worth getting to know much better," he says, offering a smile.

"I did bring some paper with me. I wanted to make something for you, but I wanted it to be something inspired by you in the moment. May I?"

"Uh... y'sure?"

Ohwowohwowohwowohneatohplease!

He smiles his confirmation and draws a pair of sheet from within the folds of his kimono. There are some minor creases from that storage method, but he's about to fold it 100 times, so he really doesn't seem worried.

He sets the paper down then looks her in the eyes for a very long moment, a playful smile emerging as he thinks back on their conversations. "This one is slightly more involved, but I think I would like to make a little friend for you. Since you could use more friends here and I don't want them to be friends that can take up time I could spend with you."

He winks at her as he begins his work, though it will be a few minutes before he finishes. Though the movements of his hands and the ease with which he seems to work is quite calming.

D2 EE, Origami | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 2

Success, +2 strife
-3 strife from Kasumi

Playfulness Passion? -3 strife
Strife: 4/8

She rested her chin on her hand and watched his face, rather than the paper he was folding.

"So possessive, Shiba-san."