[D2 EE] Perfectly Proper

[Shiba Jiro]

"Just a forewarning," he says with a smirk. "I'll definitely answer... but you know what happens after I've given my answers right?"

"I regret not taking the time to learn how to survive in the wild. It's something that I can potentially fix in the future, but it is a skill that I could use to explore the world I am a part of. I want to see unspoiled nature and experience the untamed places. But I can't without a guide or guardian because I don't know how myself."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Hrm. Seems like somethin' I could help with... at least on sea an' shore. Not much good at inland stuff m'self."

She paused.

"And, uh, number three?"

[Shiba Jiro]

He smiles at her. "Lucky person I am, it's currently happening. Spending time with you. And it grows with each word we exchange."

He takes another sip from his cup.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

I was afraid of that.

'Cause DAMN IT.

OFF.
LIMITS.

"Flattery'll get ya nowhere, Shiba-san, but don' stop tryin'."

Sip.

[Shiba Jiro]

He laughs at that, smiling widely. "I certainly won't. And so now we get to the part oft referred to as turnabout. Fear?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Failure. But a special kinda failure. Plenty'a samurai worry about failin' their lord, or failin' their ancestors. I worry about failin' the people who depend on me in th' here an'now. Lettin' down some ancestor? I'd be shocked if I hadn't failed at least one or two of 'em just by bein' me. But lettin' downa friend or a shipmate? That scares th'hell outta me."

[Shiba Jiro]

He nods at that. "I can see that in you. I think it's common in folks with ambition and drive. But I think you will be great no matter what you put your mind to," he says with a reassuring smile.

"And Regret?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Th'way I talk. No two ways 'bout it, y'can dress me up however y'like, y'can hand me the fanciest damn fan, but I open m'mouth, an'there it is. Deck and docks. An' here I am in Tsuma, of all th'damn places..."

[Shiba Jiro]

"See, I like the way you talk. You stand out. I can understand why you would not like it, and if it's something you want to work on I'll assist. But your voice is yours, part of you, and I like who you are."

He smiles warmly. "And... finally..."

He inclines his head.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Well. This is a start, but I'd be lyin' if I said it went s'far as I'd be inclined."

She sighed. Sipped. Shrugged.

"But again, not sure how much is... me, and how much is me bein' shown somethin' I want an' can't have."

[Shiba Jiro]

He nodded at that. "I'd like to point out that I have an ancestor that was involved with a romantically complex situation and my name after gempukku will be to honor him. He died for his love, so I've got something of a family history of hopeless romantics. But consider for a moment that he died for love of a woman that another man loved... even though he clearly had descendants if I am here. A thing need not be simple or standard to be beautiful and worth pursuing. Not that I know what that looks like, or how one goes about it, or what to do about complexities and complications..."

He smiles.

"But I don't intend to give up on my feelings so easily, even if they're confusing and difficult."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

Kasumi... grinned.

"Oh, if we gave up on th' confusing or difficult, nothin' would ever get done."

[Shiba Jiro]

"I'm glad you feel the same and look forward to figuring out... things... with you Kasumi-san," he takes a sip, which finally empties that first cup.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Just... have a care fer your intended. She's innocent in alla this."

[Shiba Jiro]

"I... yes, I know," he says with a nod, and a look to the table. Though it seems more thoughtful than ashamed or regretful. "This will undoubtedly consume my thoughts. And I welcome it. This is what life is," he looks up at her again. "It's complex, not simple. And I'm going to live it."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"I'll have t'meet her myself. Only polite."

[Shiba Jiro]

He nods at that but his feelings flutter a bit. "I... suppose. Though it feels odd. I mean, I don't know if this will actually upset her. I don't want that, even if I don't have the same feelings for her that I have for you."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Shiba-san, if I'm going to carry th' feelings I feel, and spend time with you knowin' what I do, I owe it to the woman t'meet her face t'face."

She paused.

"Not that I intend t'bring it up, but... I owe her."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Can you do me a favor and give it a couple days? I... owe even more. Honesty is important to me," he says. "Uncomfortable as it may be. Unless you'd prefer to meet her when she isn't aware."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"S'between th'two of you. You're the ones gotta make a life. So. I'll give you your days before I go lookin' t'meet her. But I'm also not gonna take any pains to steer shy of 'er."