[EE0] - Gathering of Future Heroes - Table 1

[Nekoma Seto]

Her eyes drop to her plate at Seto's words. "Hmm. Too young. But what's it like, growing up on an island so far from most everyone else?" The words make the question apparent, so the quiet monotone doesn't need to shift at the end.

He looked at her levelly for a moment before replying, after figuring out that the monotone didn't change even for questions.

"Windy mostly, and wet. Surprisingly not that lonely. We get plenty of visitors from your clan, what with all the shrines we have and plenty of us go out all over the Empire for our entertainment contracts. I've even got to tag along on a couple of those as part of my training. I guess it could be a quiet life if you wanted, but that isn't the Cat way."

He glanced around, choosing to ignore the staring contest. "Anyone know where they're gonna be assigned? I've been promised a position on my ship. Unless, well, destiny intervenes." Hirame made a face, and then fiercely snatched up an overlarge piece of fish.

"Heh, Cats learn early that they might end up anywhere depending on which courts want us to perform."

[Funegao no Hirame]

"Perform, eh?" Hirame looked at Seto with friendly curiosity. "What is it that you perform, Nekoma-san?"

He took another bite, swallowing quickly; speed eating seemed to be one of Hirame's talents. "Mantis parties are pretty fun. Lots of performing. Everyone who can joins in. I play the drums, myself." He shrugged. "But that's just for my own entertainment, and the entertainment of the rest of the crew. I wouldn't be assigned anywhere because of it, I'm sure. Maybe if I really put my mind to it..."

[Nekoma Seto]

"Oh not much. A little biwa, shamisen, maybe the koto or the flute. Drums as well. Then there's poetry recitals, storytelling and song. Dancing is probably the most of it for me though. Oh and I dabble a bit in designing clothes and costumes as well."

Yes . . . not much. He took another mouthful of fish and rice before asking.

"Anyone else perform a little?"

[Isawa Natsuko]

There's a pause in the careful dining to nod. "Yes, the Phoenix visit the Cat regularly." Maybe even more regularly since she was found, as if a place might simply create more ishiken, or to see if it runs in a family line. "The Cat way is not quiet ./?" There's a silence after that, listening to the conversation a moment or waiting for an answer to what didn't sound like a question.

Though she does, sort of, answer the question of the table with a tilt of her head. "I perform rituals."

[Akodo Michi]

By the time Michi sat down, she realized that perhaps she had chosen the wrong table. Though sensei and her father would say there were no wrong choices, only success and failure within your circumstances.

She sat at the end, facing all the others and kept her back quite straight, head tilted back slightly, giving off a sense of pride. Despite her more lady-like garments, it wasn't difficult to see her training as a soldier come through in her baring.

Before reaching for her chopsticks and accepting any tea from a servant she bowed to everyone present. When it was clear she had their attention, at least for a short moment, she introduced herself.

"Greetings fellow competitors, I am Akodo Michi, daughter of Toranaga and Reiko. I am here to bring glory to my clan, may we have an honorable contest."

Was she talking about clearing the table of all food or the championship? Even her player wasn't sure, honestly.

[Kaeru Kaori]

"Not much for performing, frankly. Know some about laws, and such. And city stuff. Not much performing or artsing." She spoke after eating a heap of veggies.

"Greetings Akodo-sama. An honorable competition for all to be had." She concurred, though her demeanour was...a bit frosty, perhaps?"

[Funegao no Hirame]

Hirame chuckled. "I don't think that's quite the same thing, Isawa-san." After a moment, he gave her a curious look. "Or maybe it is. I don't know." He smiled, giving another casual shrug. Rituals weren't really his thing.

He gave a polite nod to the newcomer. "Sounds good to me, Akodo-san." He said cheerfully, passing over a plate. "Here, have some fish before Nekoma-san here eats it all." He flashed a quick sidelong smile at the Cat. "Oh, and I'm Hirame of the kobune Funegao."

[Akodo Michi]

Taking a piece of fish with her chopsticks she left it on her plate, then continued on, gathering vegetables and rice in an orderly fashion.

"Take care on indulgence of the meal", she advised at the mention of the Nekoma's eating habits. "A heavy dinner can slow tomorrow's mind and body."

[Nekoma Seto]

Oh . . . one of those Lions. thought the Cat, while stuffing his face with fish.

"Conversely, one can make mistakes while distracted by hunger."

He smiled as sweetly as he could . . . which was sweet enough for an entire candy store.

[Akodo Michi]

"One so stuffed with food they cannot offer an introduction alongside their opinion should concern themselves with their own mistakes before regarding the dangers of hunger", Michi advised and ate a small piece of fish, taking their time while chewing.

[Funegao no Hirame]

Hirame frowned. Were they talking about each other? Just punch already! Being among other clans certainly was different. "Huh." Was all he said aloud.

Another moment and he shrugged. "Anyway. This is Nekoma Seto-san. The Phoenix is Isawa Natsuko-san. That one there is Kaeru Kaori." He introduced the others confidently. "Quite the mix. This is the first time I've been around so many different Clans at the same time."

[Isawa Natsuko]

"It is not the same," she answers the long-ago comment of the Mantis. "Except when intent makes them the same." She picks carefully at her meal, despite her gaze remaining intent on those conversing. "Eating is just a state between for the elements, the amount makes no difference," she mutters before popping the last pickled burdock into her mouth to chew.

When introduced, she sets the chopsticks down, nodding once, gaze darting to Kaori, now that she has her name. "Kaeru are...a family someplace. Where?" The last clearly a question. "I did not learn of them. The tournament will be larger than my knowledge this time."

[Kaeru Kaori]

"The City of Rich Frog. We are an otokodate, serving the Miya family in governing the city. Mainly as law enforcement." She spoke with some pride, her eyes glancing towards the Lion, gears turning in her mind.

"I was honored by Miya Tetsu-sama by sponsorship to this tournament, so I hope to bring glory to his name."

[Funegao no Hirame]

"Oh, I've heard of that. River trade, right?" Hirame put in cheerfully. "I've seen goods with that mark from time to time."

He took another one of his speedy bites of food. "I've visited a lot of big cities. It's nice to visit. What's it like living in one all the time?"

[Akodo Michi]

For her part, the Lion was content to not speak of trade or add anything when not addressed. She finished her bite of fish and didn't interrupt the conversation.

[Isawa Natsuko]

"The City of Rich Frog. We are an otokodate, serving the Miya family in governing the city. Mainly as law enforcement." She spoke with some pride, her eyes glancing towards the Lion, gears turning in her mind.

"I was honored by Miya Tetsu-sama by sponsorship to this tournament, so I hope to bring glory to his name."

"You come with the Miya's hand on you, serving them, but not of them." There's an intensity to her gaze, but little indication as to what sparks it. "Will Miya-sama adopt you if you do well?" There's a definite question this time, tones rising.

Bright, blue eyes remain on Kaori as she continues, "Mantis-san has seen many cities. What size city is this, then?" Still watching the Kaeru, she plucks a careful bite from her plate while listening to the answers.

[Kaeru Kaori]

"Oh, I've heard of that. River trade, right?" Hirame put in cheerfully. "I've seen goods with that mark from time to time."

He took another one of his speedy bites of food. "I've visited a lot of big cities. It's nice to visit. What's it like living in one all the time?"

Kaori nodded. "Food and ores, mostly, though as in like any city, you can find almost anything you'd like." A smile crossed her lips. "Not that you should go looking for anything, as some items are frowned upon. With prejudice."

She titled her head in hought, eating a small mouthful of rice. "It's...vibrant. After a few years, it's a strange mix of familiar and new. Like..I am not sure what. Like the river maybe? It's the same, but every day brings a new current."

"You come with the Miya's hand on you, serving them, but not of them." There's an intensity to her gaze, but little indication as to what sparks it. "Will Miya-sama adopt you if you do well?" There's a definite question this time, tones rising.

Bright, blue eyes remain on Kaori as she continues, "Mantis-san has seen many cities. What size city is this, then?" Still watching the Kaeru, she plucks a careful bite from her plate while listening to the answers.

Kaori frowned. "Yes? That is what the Kaeru do? Serve the Governor." Was she...alright? Maybe there was something in the food. "No. Why would he adopt me? I am his servant, and my parents' child. Miya-sama's trust is more than enough reward for me." What a weirdo.

[Funegao no Hirame]

"Well, sure." Hirame said, smirking and shaking his head. "When people say anything, they don't usually mean anything." That was just common sense about how people talked to each other.

He brushed at his lips with one hand, just a little. "Tsuma? It's pretty small. I think that the Topaz it its one thing, so it doesn't have much else going for it. It's no Gotei City or Kyuden Doji, that's for sure."

[Akodo Michi]

Michi's harsh, dark eyes fixed on each speaker as they did, but again, she was not asked and finished her rice and fish.

[Kaeru Kaori]

"Well, sure." Hirame said, smirking and shaking his head. "When people say anything, they don't usually mean anything." That was just common sense about how people talked to each other.

He brushed at his lips with one hand, just a little. "Tsuma? It's pretty small. I think that the Topaz it its one thing, so it doesn't have much else going for it. It's no Gotei City or Kyuden Doji, that's for sure."

Kaori nodded. "Yeah, we can find most things." She eyed him, thoroughly. "Well..maybe not that kind of jacket. It looks...unique." She flashed him a smile.

Eating another piece of rice, she continued pointedly ignoring the Lion, turning towards the others. "It's my first time past the borders of the City of Rich Frog. Have you guys travelled at all?"