Kasumi's opinion on Tsuma was getting less and less positive as the days passed and the slights- intended and otherwise- piled up.

She'd arrived with some faint hope that maybe she'd learn more about not being a wharf rat.

But the fact of the matter was, the docks of Tsuma were about the only place where she felt like she actually knew the rules.

She missed her duties aboard ship more than she would have dreamed possible, and she had taken to looking at the river with longing.

Get me the fuck out of here.

She'd miss Jiro, but Tsuma wasn't where he lived.

In fact, the only actual local she'd try to keep track of was Asahina Sakura, and, well... she kinda hoped that she'd be Seppun Sakura/Whatever Her New Name Was Going to be, because then she could really properly turn her back on the whole miserable self-satisfied pile of smug horseshit.

"It's an honor just to be invited."

Right.

What a crock of shit.

She perched on a pier and watched the water flow by. Back to the sea.

I'm not coming back without a crew of extremely unpleasant people with knives in each hand.

To say her mood was less than happy was understating the case by quite a bit.

Yukikaze no Kasumi wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 02, 2021 7:44 am

Snip

There's the sound of someone walking behind Kasumi on the docks, then they pause. A squeak of wooden planking as they approach.

"Umm... Mantis-sama?"

The figure appears to be some skinny girl in baggy brown clothing. Stranger still, she appears to be offering something to Kasumi with her outstretched right hand.

"Can I offer you an egg in this trying time?"

Suzume Rin wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 02, 2021 7:53 am

There's the sound of someone walking behind Kasumi on the docks, then they pause. A squeak of wooden planking as they approach.

"Umm... Mantis-sama?"

The figure appears to be some skinny girl in baggy brown clothing. Stranger still, she appears to be offering something to Kasumi with her outstretched right hand.

"Can I offer you an egg in this trying time?"

Kasumi glanced back to see just who in the name of sanity was calling her "sama."

Oh, it's that Sparrow Mitsuko likes...

"No 'sama' here, Suzume-san. An' y'can offer an egg, but I ain't playing any damn game o' refusals, so if that'd offend, y'might wanna reconsider..."

Yukikaze no Kasumi wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 02, 2021 7:57 am

Kasumi glanced back to see just who in the name of sanity was calling her "sama."

Oh, it's that Sparrow Mitsuko likes...

"No 'sama' here, Suzume-san. An' y'can offer an egg, but I ain't playing any damn game o' refusals, so if that'd offend, y'might wanna reconsider..."

"Oh, ain't a need for a bunch a refusals, not when folks are hungry."
Rin smiles happily and points to her kimono, revealing an obi absolutely stuffed with all sorts of snacks
"I got lots! You can just take it, 'bout this time of day is when I get a little peckish myself."

The sparrow continues to approach
"Oh wait, I haven't even gone and introduced myself. I'm Rin of the Suzume, it's an honour to meet you!."
She bows and a few bean curd buns escape her clothing and thud down onto the dock.

Suzume Rin wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 02, 2021 8:03 am

"Oh, ain't a need for a bunch a refusals, not when folks are hungry."
Rin smiles happily and points to her kimono, revealing an obi absolutely stuffed with all sorts of snacks
"I got lots! You can just take it, 'bout this time of day is when I get a little peckish myself."

The sparrow continues to approach
"Oh wait, I haven't even gone and introduced myself. I'm Rin of the Suzume, it's an honour to meet you!."
She bows and a few bean curd buns escape her clothing and thud down onto the dock.

Kasumi arched an eyebrow and grinned, motioning for the Sparrow to have a seat.

"Then I'll take an honest egg, honestly offered. Yukikaze no Kasumi of the Mantis Clan. Think we got 'least one mutual friend, an' she's pretty great, so th'honor's mine."

Yukikaze no Kasumi wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 02, 2021 8:08 am

Kasumi arched an eyebrow and grinned, motioning for the Sparrow to have a seat.

"Then I'll take an honest egg, honestly offered. Yukikaze no Kasumi of the Mantis Clan. Think we got 'least one mutual friend, an' she's pretty great, so th'honor's mine."

Rin hands over one honest boiled egg and sits herself down next to Kasumi, kicking her legs a little and admiring the Mantis' perch to watch the world go by.

"It's real nice to meet you Kasumi-sama.... Kasumi-san...sorry."
Cocking her head
"Mutual friends?...Oh! Mitsuko-ch-san. She's swell ain't she?"
Hurriedly looking out to the water
"Real nice..."

Suzume Rin wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 02, 2021 8:13 am

"It's real nice to meet you Kasumi-sama.... Kasumi-san...sorry."
Cocking her head
"Mutual friends?...Oh! Mitsuko-ch-san. She's swell ain't she?"
Hurriedly looking out to the water
"Real nice..."

Kasumi smiled and started peeling the egg.

"You c'n go on'n call her whatcha please with me, Suzume-san. I'm, ah.... somewhat in th'know."

Yukikaze no Kasumi wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 02, 2021 1:35 pm

Kasumi smiled and started peeling the egg.

"You c'n go on'n call her whatcha please with me, Suzume-san. I'm, ah.... somewhat in th'know."

Rin's eyes widen, her mouth falling open slightly
"Y-you know? But I ain't even told anyone....Oh gosh, did yah not know and now I've just told you? Swear this keeps happening to me."
Sadly eating her own egg

"I just don't want to be gossipin' 'bout her. Doesn't seem right doing it behind someone's back if they don't know."

Suzume Rin wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 02, 2021 9:22 pm

Rin's eyes widen, her mouth falling open slightly
"Y-you know? But I ain't even told anyone....Oh gosh, did yah not know and now I've just told you? Swear this keeps happening to me."
Sadly eating her own egg

"I just don't want to be gossipin' 'bout her. Doesn't seem right doing it behind someone's back if they don't know."

"I knew. She... came t'me for advice, which just shows she used up all of her good sense findin' you. Y'haven't let anything slip, Suzume-san."

A pause.

"An' it ain't gossip t'call her what she is in yer heart. So. You got nothin' t'feel th'slightest bit bad about."

Yukikaze no Kasumi wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 02, 2021 9:24 pm

"I knew. She... came t'me for advice, which just shows she used up all of her good sense findin' you. Y'haven't let anything slip, Suzume-san."

A pause.

"An' it ain't gossip t'call her what she is in yer heart. So. You got nothin' t'feel th'slightest bit bad about."

"She came to you for advice? Oh that makes sense!"
Looking Kasumi up and down

"I'm sure you're an expert in this sort of stuff! Hirame-sama knew a lot too, are all Mantis so good at matters of the heart?..."
Rin rubs her wrist, resisting the urge to ask what specifically they'd talked about

"I know I've been asking folk for advice...funny she was doing the same. We...we got some things in common I guess."

Suzume Rin wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 02, 2021 9:27 pm

"She came to you for advice? Oh that makes sense!"
Looking Kasumi up and down

"I'm sure you're an expert in this sort of stuff! Hirame-sama knew a lot too, are all Mantis so good at matters of the heart?..."
Rin rubs her wrist, resisting the urge to ask what specifically they'd talked about

"I know I've been asking folk for advice...funny she was doing the same. We...we got some things in common I guess."

She sighed ruefully.

"'M'an exert on makin' bad choices, so I figure I'm pretty good as a mirror t'what th'right thing t'do often is. But I say this much- Mitsuko-san's got a good heart. A true one. So if she's trusted you with it, an' you treat it as seriously as y'seem t'be doin'? She did right. An' so did you."

Yukikaze no Kasumi wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 02, 2021 9:32 pm

She sighed ruefully.

"'M'an exert on makin' bad choices, so I figure I'm pretty good as a mirror t'what th'right thing t'do often is. But I say this much- Mitsuko-san's got a good heart. A true one. So if she's trusted you with it, an' you treat it as seriously as y'seem t'be doin'? She did right. An' so did you."

"Well...we're gonna keep trying to do it right, best we can at least."
Looking over curiously

"Maybe an egg won't be enough? Ain't my place to pry Kasumi-san but...maybe I can listen? If you've been helping Mitsuko-san then I reckon you've been helping me, so it seems only fair to help back."

Suzume Rin wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 02, 2021 9:43 pm

"Well...we're gonna keep trying to do it right, best we can at least."
Looking over curiously

"Maybe an egg won't be enough? Ain't my place to pry Kasumi-san but...maybe I can listen? If you've been helping Mitsuko-san then I reckon you've been helping me, so it seems only fair to help back."

"Not sure anyone's ear is gonna do much good."

She sighed.

"Just... not gonna be too sorry t'see th'back of this place."

Yukikaze no Kasumi wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 02, 2021 9:57 pm

"Not sure anyone's ear is gonna do much good."

She sighed.

"Just... not gonna be too sorry t'see th'back of this place."

Rin nods sympathetically
"Well, ain't long left then, is there? I can't wait to get home myself, no idea how they're all managing without me. I mean, I gave 'em all instructions but who knows if they're being followed."
Rin frowns and then shrugs, they'd be managing, her people always do.

"Umm...don't mean to pry since it's not my place. But maybe, if yah can plan for another happy memory or two in the next couple of days, maybe then you could take that back with you? I know you can't just look yourself in the mirror and say "I'm gonna be happy 'bout today!" but maybe you could spend some time with a friend and just...let that be your memory of Tsuma?"

Suzume Rin wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 02, 2021 10:07 pm

Rin nods sympathetically
"Well, ain't long left then, is there? I can't wait to get home myself, no idea how they're all managing without me. I mean, I gave 'em all instructions but who knows if they're being followed."
Rin frowns and then shrugs, they'd be managing, her people always do.

"Umm...don't mean to pry since it's not my place. But maybe, if yah can plan for another happy memory or two in the next couple of days, maybe then you could take that back with you? I know you can't just look yourself in the mirror and say "I'm gonna be happy 'bout today!" but maybe you could spend some time with a friend and just...let that be your memory of Tsuma?"

"Don't lack for friends, but none of 'em seem likely t'be stayin' here long."

She sighed.

"Crab lands, Dragon lands, Lion lands... Phoenix lands."

She glanced at the Sparrow.

"An' anyhow, most of th'happier moments I've had here have either involved helpin' other people who don't really need me 'round, or are, well... stolen."

Yukikaze no Kasumi wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 02, 2021 11:20 pm

"Don't lack for friends, but none of 'em seem likely t'be stayin' here long."

She sighed.

"Crab lands, Dragon lands, Lion lands... Phoenix lands."

She glanced at the Sparrow.

"An' anyhow, most of th'happier moments I've had here have either involved helpin' other people who don't really need me 'round, or are, well... stolen."

"Oh I know! It's terrible thinking we make all these friends...then they go back to their homes."
Brightly
"But you have a boat, right? Much easier for you to visit them. When you're a captain..might take longer if you don't have a flashy jacket. But when you are you can sale over and catchup with folk?"

Rin clearly understands the helping people moments much more than the stolen moments.
"Stolen? It's time ain't it...how'd you steal it? Like you grab someone and make them play Go? Stealing their time?"

Suzume Rin wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 02, 2021 11:26 pm

"Oh I know! It's terrible thinking we make all these friends...then they go back to their homes."
Brightly
"But you have a boat, right? Much easier for you to visit them. When you're a captain..might take longer if you don't have a flashy jacket. But when you are you can sale over and catchup with folk?"

"Sometimes. Th'ones near th'coast, anyhow. Trackin' down anyone else is a mite more involved."

Rin clearly understands the helping people moments much more than the stolen moments.
"Stolen? It's time ain't it...how'd you steal it? Like you grab someone and make them play Go? Stealing their time?"

"Stealin' it against how it oughtta be used, Suzume-san."

Yukikaze no Kasumi wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 03, 2021 2:38 am

"Sometimes. Th'ones near th'coast, anyhow. Trackin' down anyone else is a mite more involved."

"Stealin' it against how it oughtta be used, Suzume-san."

"It won't be easy. I don't even know how anyone gets to the Dragon lands. But if it can be done I reckon you can do it. After all, your Clan..."
Rin searches for the politest words

"Transports...gifts around? I'm sure the Dragon have something worth gifting, could be a good reason to go."

She does nod sadly at the stealing part, cocking her head

"Well...that's a right shame. I'm sorry you had to steal the time to have good memories."
She appears utterly serious

"I know it's not easy. Some people...well, they give folk from out of town a hard time... but a lot of them have given me a chance! Maybe there's some way I can help?"

Suzume Rin wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 03, 2021 2:50 am

"It won't be easy. I don't even know how anyone gets to the Dragon lands. But if it can be done I reckon you can do it. After all, your Clan..."
Rin searches for the politest words

"Transports...gifts around? I'm sure the Dragon have something worth gifting, could be a good reason to go."

"Only clans with much coast t'speak of are th'Crane, th'Crab, an' th'Phoenix. Well, an th'Tortoise, but, uh..."

But I just helped run one of them in for opium smuggling, so...

She does nod sadly at the stealing part, cocking her head

"Well...that's a right shame. I'm sorry you had to steal the time to have good memories."
She appears utterly serious

"I know it's not easy. Some people...well, they give folk from out of town a hard time... but a lot of them have given me a chance! Maybe there's some way I can help?"

"Not your problem t'fix, Suzume-san, but I 'preciate th'thought."

She sighed.

"An' anyhow, it's more 'bout whose company I enjoy than any particular nastiness."

Although beating Shiba Haru about the face with an oar would be satisfying.

Yukikaze no Kasumi wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 03, 2021 3:22 am

"Not your problem t'fix, Suzume-san, but I 'preciate th'thought."

She sighed.

"An' anyhow, it's more 'bout whose company I enjoy than any particular nastiness."

Although beating Shiba Haru about the face with an oar would be satisfying.

"Oh, relationship stuff?"

Now, Rin didn't know much about that kind of thing. But she knew a whole lot more after the past week then she did before.
"That can be hard. Gosh, if it's complicated for you I'd never be able to manage it."

Smiling self-consciously
"Umm, all the advice I got is just to treat folks right, don't wait but don't rush, and find time to talk...supposing that sorta basic stuff won't do the trick here though?"