[D7 LA] I Want You... Over for Tea

[Shiba Jiro]

"How have things been going outside of us and the competition? Liking the other competitors?"

He takes a sip of tea with the question.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Oh, there's some all right sorts. An' some I'm less sure of, but nobody I really think ill of yet. Kuni Mitsuko-san's a delight, Togashi Shinko-san's a lot of fun- Asahina Sakura-san's a bit nervous, but she's all right. Kakita Ahiru-san is suprisingly... fun."

She grinned.

"An' her intended is fun t'torment..."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Haven't really met Togashi-san, but I agree with your estimation of Asahina-san. I have not spoken much with Kuni-san, but she seemed a bit down early on. Hopefully my attempts to lift her spirits helped," he said.

"Kakita-san is pleasant but I didn't get a sense of fun or adventure. I had to explain what a lumberjack was to her. That made me think she was maybe at the height of sheltered living."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Well. She's helpin' me torment poor Hirame-san with copies of that hideous little doll he made th'other day..."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Ah. The one that Natsuko painted for some indiscernible reason. He seemed strange about seeing it."

He grinned.

"Sounds like a blast. Maybe you should see if you can't get one to his boat to be left waiting for him?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Already part'a th'plan."

She paused.

"I still have th'original, a'course. It was so... awful, I had ta. But anyhow, Kakita-san's a lotta fun if y'can get her t'play."

[Shiba Jiro]

He nods at that, and gave a mischievous smile that clearly said I would rather play with you.

Eyes remain on hers. Teacup to lips. Sip.

"Well, if I get the opportunity, I may try. But we are getting late in the tournament. And I'm definitely not giving up my Kasumi time."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Well, flattery'll get y'nowhere, but don't stop tryin'."

She grinned.

"Likewise, I've no intention of skippin' out on th' next cup of tea we could share."

[Shiba Jiro]

"I would never dream of not trying," he says with a smile. "No matter where we're at, how we're feeling, or what we're doing, I'll always want you to know that you're eyes only get more beautiful the closer they are to me."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Oh, that is a good'un."

She grinned.

"Keep talkin' like that an' I'll be tempted t'send one with ya."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Easy to come up with them when inspired by such a wonderful muse," he replies with a smile.

"But I think you will need it more than I will. And I wouldn't want you to miss out on any chance to take in the wide open views you get at sea. Or put your crew in danger because I took half of what makes you particularly suited to that."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

She laughed.

"Fair 'nough! But keep in touch, yeah? These eyes do y'good bein' seen, they do me good seein', get me?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"We get each other," he says with a knowing smile. More than most people here get each other.

"Since I am not going to know where you are heading, you will have to send the first letter and tell me where you are going to be for my next one to reach you. Or is there a port you call home that I can send them to that you visit frequently?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Well... any Mantis ship'll put in at th'Isles, although we got 'nough ports that it can be sticky."

She paused.

"Maybe send it care'a my Dad? He's a harbor pilot at Kyuden Gotei. Name of Jin."

Another pause.

"An' I think I got my name picked fer after gempukku. Gyohime."

Which loosely translated to "misfit princess."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Well then, the next time we meet after Tsuma it'll be Gyohime and Benjiro. But with a name like that I will be expecting some amazing stories. Better not slack on the troublemaking."

He thought for a moment.

"And when we meet again I will be hoping for something tasty from the islands. That curry spice mix was good, so I definitely want to try more."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Troublemaking does seem t'be a gift'a mine, don't it?"

She sighed, and made a great show of fanning herself with her hand.

"Just gifted. An' s'far as a taste of th'Isles goes? Anytime."

[Shiba Jiro]

He smiles at that. "Anytime? I'll keep that in mind."

He sipped his tea.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Seems th'least I can give in return for th'services of Shokushu-sama, eh?"

She chuckled.

"I'll try'n keep 'im dry."

[Shiba Jiro]

"I'm sure he'll appreciate that," he replies with a nod.

"He's going to get to travel a lot more than me. Probably be my most well traveled creation," he says with a chuckle. "I hope I get to see him again someday too."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"He's gonna be guardin m'tea set, so any time we have tea in future..."