[D1 EA, Expecting] Too Windy Outside

[Shiba Jiro]

"That is... I have an entire Empire to potentially explore in my lifetime. But another land entirely sounds exciting. I've barely been anywhere, just a handful of cities. And not for long at most of them. But a life of travel sounds exciting. Not that I will get the opportunity. Perhaps... maybe you would be interested in exchanging letters with me in the future? I'd love to hear about the places you will get to visit." He smiles warmly at her with the suggestion.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Hell, don' see why not."

She paused.

"What's the farthest you've ever traveled, then?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"To a city called Tsuma. It's pretty nice, but I didn't see that much of it. I did meet a great Mantis samurai there though. We had tea, had a lovely conversation for a bit, so I asked her if she was interested in exploring some more of the city with me," he says playfully.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

She arched an eyebrow and grinned.

"Well, if I see her, I'll have to let her know she oughtta get a move on 'fore I cut in on her."

[Shiba Jiro]

He smirks at that. "Well, I certainly hope that we'll get the chance to see more of Tsuma together. I hear there is a famous sake made here. Do you think she'd be interested in having a drink tomorrow evening?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Could be persuaded, s'long as it doesn't interfere with anybody's duties..."

She cocked her head to the side.

"Not the type t'overdo things, are ya?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"Not for most stuff. Though I can get carried away on projects. Have a whole shrine to Benten-no-kami that can attest to that." He shrugs and lifts his hands as if to say It happens.

"But moderation is good in most things. I'm not trying to have a hangover for the competition. Bad look when representing the clan."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"An' the hangover cures in circulation are as gross as they are useless!"

[Shiba Jiro]

"That is true. Raw eggs are never fun. Leaves such a bad feeling in the mouth," he agrees with a chuckle.

"I've only been hungover twice. And the raw egg was a solution suggested both times. I only made that mistake the first time."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Well, I've had the experience four times. Raw egg's not s'bad. Not like Capn' Kaito's 'Rise'n'shine Tea,' anyway. Dunno everything he puts in it, but some of it tastes like caulking tar..."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Well, I don't know how good it is for a hangover, but I love to wake up and make a pot of strong, dark tea. Didn't have a lot of fancy teas growing up, but a slightly oversteeped black tea opens my eyes right up."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Nothin' against tea... er, obviously..."

She nodded to the tea set they were using.

"But I think 'Rise'n'shine Tea; works as a hangover cure by makin' y'feel worse than th' hangover does."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Ah, the broken nose technique," he says with a nod. "An interesting way to go about it."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Cap'n Kaito swears by it. The rest of us swear at it."

[Shiba Jiro]

He laughs at that. "Knew a smith that swore by dunking his head in water he used for quenching. Said something about the iron being good for it. Never even tried."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"My brother Ichiki says anything but water, exercise, and time is a failure. I've yet t'see him proven wrong."

[Shiba Jiro]

"I will have to keep that in mind," he smirks. "But not tomorrow of course. Because we'll be more conservative."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Oh yes. Very much so. Wouldn' want any accusations of tryin' t'get other competitors in a bad state."

Sip.

"Or take advantage of 'em."

[Shiba Jiro]

"I'm not worried. You seem like a proper lady that would never take advantage of someone, especially not without their permission," he says with a nod.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Trusting of you, Shiba-san..."

She finished her cup of tea and cocked her head to the side.

"Which means I oughtta be careful."

A statement she followed with a wink.