She knew she was going to be fed pretty soon, but Kasumi still wanted to take a test run with her new finery.

No sense screwing up right away, after all...

So the young Mantis, dressed as best she was able, ducked into the tea house out of the rain, a bit disconcerted by how she hadn't gotten wet in it.

Umbrellas were practically unheard of aboard a kobune, and any sailor looking to stay completely dry in the rain was probably touched by Pan K'u, but she wasn't on the sea any longer, and she was trying to do her best.

Her best to keep her mouth shut, her best not to feel too self-conscious about how everybody else in Tsuma seemed to be used to dressing in such finery, and her best not to let the calluses on her hands audibly rasp when she handled anything.

"Samurai-sama, welcome to the House of Red Lotus. How can we be of service?"

"Er... I was hoping for some tea?"

"But of course, samurai-sama. Is there any particular blend you would care for?"

Kasumi's eyes went a bit wide.

Blend?! I thought tea was tea!

SHIT!

Not quite the picture of elegance as the Mantis might have expected in a Crane tea house, but there was a child of a great clan present who seemed at ease in their golden furisode, deep brown cuffed sleeves arranged on the cushion she sat upon. The tea before the Lion was still steaming in the cup, a slight creaking sound came from the small silk-bound book she flipped the page of.

Seeing the equally dressed up sailor, the Lion did not make any particularly welcoming gesture, simply a note of someone else who had entered. There was a particularly strong presence about her, perhaps justice or perhaps even righteousness.

oOoOO, is that a Lion?

...

What did the Captain say about them?

...

Something about wondering if they kept their heads up their asses because they liked the smell, or if they did it to prove some point about stoicism?

Think that was it.

Right, er, best keep that one to myself.

Having selected a green tea for the sheer novelty of it, Kasumi racked her brain for some scrap of etiquette that might apply.

Hoisting the teacup and bellowing a greeting across the tea house is probably the wrong move...

She settled for a slight bow of acknowledgement, but didn't otherwise intrude upon the Lion's reading time.

Best to demonstrate restraint, after all.

With a practiced slap, quite sharp a sound in the tea house, the Akodo's book was shut. There seemed to be no trace of annoyance or to have been put upon by the presence of the Mantis, but the Lion placed their book aside and bowed to the girl regardless as they moved about the tea house.

"Child of the Isles, well met. I am Akodo Michi, daughter of Toranaga and Reiko. If it would be your pleasure, you may join me for tea."

Gah, how do people talk so pretty?

"Akodo-san, I'd like that. Yukikaze no Kasumi, daughter of Ryoko and Jin."

She paused, trying to think of something else to say that wouldn't result in some kind of blood feud.

"You, uh, ever been in Crane lands before?"

"No", she answered swiftly and picked up her tea cup to take a sip. There was a long pause of looking into the cup, perhaps in appreciation of the warmth or the aroma. Regardless, she turned the cup slightly and set it back down.

"Though members of my family have, many times as unwelcome guests. I feel it is an honor to be invited", she said in a cold, even tone. Then her head bowed slightly toward the other girl. "Yet as my clan's actions are well known beyond it's borders, I admit I know nothing of the sea and those who dwell upon the waves. Would you tell me, Yukikaze no Kasumi-san, of what circumstances brought you here to Tsuma?"

"Well. Far as it goes, I got an invitation."

She shrugged.

"And Cap'n Kaito cut me loose from the Yukikaze to accept it. It's definitely different here. Before that, seemed I'd just serve out the rest of my training aboard ship."

"Your captain must realize your worth, then", the Akodo contended firmly. "I can only imagine the nature of a ship's days at sea. Do you have any tales to share?"

"Oh, I've got stories for days. Some of them are even true!"

Kasumi grinned.

"I assume Akodo-san would like a true one- happy or sad?"

She sipped her tea as the offer was made.

"Happy."

She continued to sip.

"Well, we were three days out of port, and Osano-Wo had brewed up a real pisser of a storm- nothing we couldn't handle, but it made for rough sailing- up in the crow's nest, you could count on flying if you didn't tether yourself in, but a watch had to be kept. Anyway, the storm passed, an' we were coming about, when the lookout sang up a ship- dismasted, clearly in trouble."

Kasumi sipped at her tea. Smiled.

"A Phoenix ship, out of Shiro Shiba. Think she was called the Kirishima, don't rightly recall. They'd had a worse go of it than we had, and were taking on water. So we moved in."

She sighed.

"Now, given our, er... reputation, can't fault their cap'n for tryin' t'get his defenses in order, but Cap'n Kaito was feeling more peaceable, an' anyway, a dismasted kobune can't fight worth a damn, so we just sailed up close. An' I spotted someone in the water. Wearing too much for it- heavy silks, weighin' 'em down."

A shrug.

"Now, the sea's not as scary for us as it is for some, but it's got its share of risks. Still an' all, I took a line and went over the side. Not the hardest swim I've ever done, but it was a tricky thing, so close to two hulls An' that's how I met Asako Akari. Very... classy lady. Well. Once she'd gotten dried off and warmed up a bit, anyhow."

"To save a life at risk of your own is a courageous and honorable thing, Yukikaze no Kasumi-san", the Lion offered with a slight bow from the shoulders. She went back to holding her tea cup in her hands as it sat upon the table. "Did you make a friend of this Asako Akari-san?"

"I did! Which... well. It, ah.... Asako-san is a fair bit older than I am, but I think if I live a hundred years, I'll never be half as polished. Soaking wet, a fe minutes from being crab food, and she never once said anything improper."

A pause.

"'Least, not that I heard. I admit I missed the part where she went in the water, so I suppose she mighta lost her composure a bit there."

"A matter of what may have happened when not present to witness is no concern of another", she replied without malice, but with a certain earnest. "Even more, trust in the honor of your companions. There are many things to say of another, but if our lips move too freely, what do those words say about ourselves?" She sipped her tea. "If Asako-san's composure was admirable, then perhaps it is just so that it be admirable?" she gave the Mantis a conciliatory look.

"Oh, without doubt! I mean, it was just... impressive. Growing up around ships and the sea, I'm not impressed by skilled seamanship- I expect it. I'm not impressed by physical courage- we're the Mantis, we all do that. So Asako-san's composure? That stood out to me."

"I have only training experience", the Lion admitted. "I have not fought my first battle, many among my clan would say I have yet to learn the meaning of courage in the field." A long pause followed, where Michi's eyes did not leave Kasumi's. "Your experience seems to far outstrip my own, I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead."

"Well, I can reef a sail, and I can run the ratlines with the best of them, but I haven't had much training in..."

Proper samurai culture.

"... well, iajutsu, for one thing. I expect we'll all get a chance to shine."

"Perhaps so", she admitted again. "Though it would be in your interest to practice the art. The Crane were kind enough to invite us to their game, it would be shameful as their guests not to play it."

"The deck of a kobune's a lousy place for a katana. There's always a chance it'll go over the side, and that'd be a hell of a thing. Still."

Sip.

"You have a point, Akodo-san."

"Some make assumptions about your clan, but your tale has given me reason to see your people have honor and courage", she bowed her head slightly. "And though I am far afield from an expert on the matter, if you would like to train in the art of the quick draw, I would be grateful to offer my assistance."