[D2LE] The night is cold (Expecting)

[Shosuro Kaoru]

"It's interesting how our professions determine how we see the world.

When a warrior looks at another warrior, even in a peaceful context, their attention is on the strengths and weaknesses that their body and body language show.

When you look at something, you see the primal lines that would allow you to convey its essence in a few more folds.

When I look at, let's say, this tea cup, I can't help but ask myself about where the herbs in it come from and the whole logistical chain that allowed them to end up in it."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Well, there is a similarity there between us. I do often look at an artistic piece and wonder about the process that brought it from nature to it's present form. That is why I learned to perform all the steps involved from collecting raw materials to turning them into useful materials, then making an item before finally stylizing it. The source of a thing can help define it."

[Shosuro Kaoru]

"There's much to be learn for sure. Do you experiment with various plants in attempt to have paper with unusual qualities?

Such process must to be extremely time consuming however. How do you manage to fit that into your samurai schedule? Maybe you delegate some of the repetitive tasks to an assistant?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"For the most part, I only practice them a bit. But it allows me to speak with others craftsmen and identify a superior quality item. But my schedule has really mostly been education up until now, so it has worked out. I imagine I will have less time to visit and work in mills after gempukku," he admits with a shrug.

"Will still try, but it will likely be harder. Perhaps I will try to put together a workshop when I have my own home. With specialized tools."

[Shosuro Kaoru]

"I would indeed be surprised if you were to have more time after gempukku than before. Especially as entrance to adulthood means not only new duties but also marriage and parenthood. All of which takes quite a bit of time I've heard."

[Shiba Jiro]

He nods at that. "I suppose the loss of time has already technically begun in a sense. Since I have met my betrothed here. But then again, it's also an opportunity to learn as well. To come to know and understand the life experiences of another."

[Shosuro Kaoru]

"Congratulations then. I hope this turns out for the best for the both of you.

Out of curiosity, were both of you already selected for this tournament when the betrothal was arranged, or is the story more chaotic than that?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"I could not even begin to guess at the order of the events. Definitely a bit chaotic. I received a letter notifying me of the arrangement shortly before leaving to come here, a good two months after I learned I would be participating. So... it may have been arranged with a slow notification, might be that I was picked for the match when my name was seen on the list of attendees. It's something I'll probably poke into later, but it's not like it particularly matters how the selection was made, even if I'm curious about it. Do you know if there are plans or negotiations for yourself or have you already had an arrangement set?"

[Shosuro Kaoru]

"Negotiations are undergoing. My own participation in the Topaz ironically put a temporary stop to the process, nakodos on all sides now waiting for the championship's result before proceeding further, in case my showing is remarkable enough for my value on the wedding market to go up."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Well, I hope that you end up in a good match blessed by Benten-no-kami and Musubi-no-kami," he offers with a nod.