[EE0] - Gathering of Future Heroes - Table 2

[Shiba Jiro]

"I would be happy to use your tea set, Kasumi-san, if that is your wish," he says with a nod, the implication being that he has his own and doesn't mind one way or the other.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"I'll be sure to bring it."

[Shiba Jiro]

Since he had chosen to sit near the Mantis, it was easy for him to lower volume and turn slightly so that they could maintain a conversation that wasn't shouted over a table. And so while it wasn't difficulty for others to listen, Jiro was clearly more focused on her than others at this point.

"So, what does serving on the Yukikaze entail? I imagine that life at sea must be as interesting and exciting as it is dangerous."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Oh, we have our duties. I've got good eyes, so I'm lookout pretty often. Spend a lot of time running the ratlines, too, and since I'm being trained for an officer's posting, I have to do a bit of everything. Even did a brief hitch cooking."

She rubbed her hands somewhat absently, and the calluses on her palms made an audible rasping noise.

"No good giving an order t'see to something if y'don't know how it should be done. A lot of it is keeping a weather eye out, and snapping to orders promptly, though. A hand that's slow to mind is a hand that can get the whole crew in trouble."

[Shiba Haru]

Jingyi sat there quietly as the others talked. Her gaze was focused on the monkey sitting in her lap, waiting for him to reach towards the table or try to scamper away, then gently nudging him back into place.

"Your companion is very well behaved Shinjo-san, what do you call it?"

[Shiba Jiro]

He listens attentively, and nods at the explanation. The sight and sound of calloused hands gets a soft smile.

"Sounds like a lot of work. I've also heard it said that you shouldn't ask someone to do something you wouldn't do yourself. Seems a fair way to earn the respect of those that will serve you later."

[Shinjo Jingyi]

"Your companion is very well behaved Shinjo-san, what do you call it?"

"This is Odoruhonō." She gave the monkey a smile. "We've been practicing for this. No throwing things, Odoru-kun. Not here."

[Shiba Haru]

"This is Odoruhonō." She gave the monkey a smile. "We've been practicing for this. No throwing things, Odoru-kun. Not here."

"Well it is a pleasure to meet you both. Does it get along well with other animals?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Sounds like a lot of work. I've also heard it said that you shouldn't ask someone to do something you wouldn't do yourself. Seems a fair way to earn the respect of those that will serve you later."

Kasumi nodded.

"Cap'n rules a ship like a Champion rules their Clan. Best way t'do that is to know what you're about."

[Shinjo Jingyi]

"Well it is a pleasure to meet you both. Does it get along well with other animals?"

"Usually." she nodded. "He likes to play, even if others don't. And, he can be a bit jealous at times."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Shiba-san." She dipped her head. "I am Shinjo Jingyi."

[Shiba Haru]

"Usually." she nodded. "He likes to play, even if others don't. And, he can be a bit jealous at times."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Shiba-san." She dipped her head. "I am Shinjo Jingyi."

"Shiba Haru" he said, returning the nod. "Should should really meet our cousin Shiba Kuroneko, he has a strong connection to animals and has brought a few companions with him."

[Shinjo Jingyi]

"I came across him in the forest, actually." she smiled. "The animals who accompany him are adorable."

[Shiba Haru]

"I came across him in the forest, actually." she smiled. "The animals who accompany him are adorable."

They are as is your little friend. Where does he come from?"

[Shinjo Jingyi]

"The western Seikitsu mountains." she explained. "In the lower valleys. I was fortunate enough to come across him while exploring with my father."

[Shiba Haru]

"The western Seikitsu mountains." she explained. "In the lower valleys. I was fortunate enough to come across him while exploring with my father."

"Interesting, and he just decided to join you or did you have to coax him?" Haru couldn't stop staring at the little creature.

[Shinjo Jingyi]

"He followed me." She laughed. "Crawled into my tent in the middle of the night."

[Shiba Haru]

"He followed me." She laughed. "Crawled into my tent in the middle of the night."

"Lucky for you he was friendly." the Shiba joked. "I'm curious how long everyone's journey here took."

[Shiba Jiro]

Kasumi nodded.

"Cap'n rules a ship like a Champion rules their Clan. Best way t'do that is to know what you're about."

"Do you enjoy it, being on the ocean? I can't even imagine what that is like to know if I would like it."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Do you enjoy it, being on the ocean? I can't even imagine what that is like to know if I would like it."

"D'you enjoy being on the land?"

She chuckled.

"It's... you're askin' me to describe it, but it'd be like me asking you how it feels to breathe. It's... different from, well..."

She gestured to their surroundings.

"Alla this. Some ways it's real simple, the difference- like how our bushi don't use their katanas much, 'cause any weapon you carry aboard a ship is exposed to salt spray and the danger of goin' over the side. It's... different."

[Kaiu Taura]

Thank the fortunes, another Crab! she thought. Yes, I remember now, the Hida sent a . . . Kuni to represent their school?

She slowly approached the table, bowed and took an open space. "This one is Kaiu Taura. It is an honor to be in such august company for this noble competition."