[D1 EA, Expecting] Too Windy Outside

[Shiba Jiro]

He smirks at the wink.

"Never hurts to be careful. But I suspect you could definitely put me in my place if you wanted. And I certainly wouldn't argue if you did."

He drinks from his own cup, then offers a refill of hers.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

She accepted the refill and arched an eyebrow.

"Keep talkin' like that an' you'll get a panicked nakodo rushing you into a proper marriage somewhere."

[Shiba Jiro]

"That already happened," he admits. "Somewhat new and confusing situation. Still trying to figure it out but she is here at the tournament."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Oh? Whashername?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"Isawa Natsuko-san. I'll be meeting with her later, but we met yesterday. Didn't really talk though since it was a whole group thing. We'll see if we get along." He shrugs at that.

"But then, she is who the Phoenix decided I will spend time with, not who I picked to spend time with," he replied, smiling pleasantly.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Yeah, well, still'an all, makin' her antsy's prob'ly not a great start..."

Not that I care in the slightest.

[Shiba Jiro]

"I get a bit nervous thinking about it, but at the same time I feel relaxed speaking with you. Maybe I'll get to that point with her, maybe not. Won't change the fact that so far I am enjoying my time with you, and likely will continue to do so."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Good t'know."

She paused.

"What's she like, anyhow?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"Quiet, reserved, a priestess, and she speaks about some very odd concepts though I am trying to figure them out so I don't get confused in conversations with her. Beyond that, I don't know a great deal," he replies. "I suspect she's had a sheltered life."

Basically the opposite of what Kasumi was as far as he could tell.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Hm, well, I'm a long way from expert on marriage, but y'might wanna find out her hobbies an' the like. Marriage ain't about havin' fun, but can't hurt t'give it a try."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Hopefully it will be part of the conversation later," he says with a nod. "Anything on the horizon for yourself?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

Kasumi shrugged.

"M'folks barely speak t'each other. Maybe once or twice every two or three years now. If they got plans, I've heard nothing. So I figure I'll pass my gempukku here, an' then see what's next."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Well, I certainly wish you the best. And if nothing else, I have no doubt you'll have plenty of friends that think you're amazing. Your spouse is likely to feel the same from what I've seen of you," he says with a smile.

"So no doubt your match will be fortunate, even if you're not quite as lucky as they are."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Reckon I'll see, whenever it happens."

Sip.

"Meanwhile, figure I'll try'n keep reputation damage to a safe minimum."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Well, I imagine that task may not be too difficult. Despite your obvious charms that will leave young men smitten, you have the advantage of being clever enough to keep them in line," he says with a smirk.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"An if that fails, I'll just throw 'em in the river."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Teach them how to swim? Bit chilly for that this time of year. But I suppose it's on them for their poor choices," he said, chuckling.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"A cold soakin' can do wonders for manners."

Sip.

"And be funny as hell."

[Shiba Jiro]

He drinks from his own cup, finishing it off. "I've never had the pleasure. I wonder how much it might improve my manners?" he asks. "Are you a fan of swimming?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Not a thing for inclination in the Mantis. Y'swim or y'die a fair amount of the time."

She tapped a fingernail on the side of her teacup.

"Was colder'n hell when I pulled out the Asako who gave me this, can tell ya that. A'course, given my manners, might be I give it too much credit."