(D2, LA) Crane on the Hoof

[Shiba Haru]

"Commanders have the means to reduce casualties I imagine. Though I don't know of course. War will happen, as much as I don't want it to."

Haru idly kicked a rock.

"I think we may need to cut something down for you to use, can we do that?"

He stopped and faced his twin.

"I'm sorry to trouble you with my burdens, you have enough to concern yourself with. Hopefully I can properly meet Natsuko-san soon but I don't want to interfere with you two getting to know each other but you will have a lifetime to get to know each other and I may only ever see her a handful of times."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Don't be daft Haru," he says with a smile, shaking his head. "It's never your burdens and my burdens, it's always our burdens."

He shakes his head. "We'll find something, I'm sure. I'm not cutting something down. It's all patience. And talk to her as you like. I suspect that she'll appreciate getting to know you honestly. To seeing you as a brother. I don't think she is overly familiar with the idea of family. Let her know how great a brother you are."

[Shiba Haru]

"What do you mean she isn't overly familiar with the idea of family, is she an only child?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"She's... not originally an Isawa. Which means that she's lived at the dojo where she learns without her parents for most of her life," he says.

"I don't want to overwhelm her, but I do want her to know that we will be/are family. To kind of ease her into the idea that I am going to be around all the time and that I am bringing more family into her life."

[Shiba Haru]

"She's... not originally an Isawa. Which means that she's lived at the dojo where she learns without her parents for most of her life," he says.

"I don't want to overwhelm her, but I do want her to know that we will be/are family. To kind of ease her into the idea that I am going to be around all the time and that I am bringing more family into her life."

"I see. I will temper my excitement and not overwhelm her then." He let out breath as if to expel some energy. "Is there anything else I should know before we meet?

...

Her hand?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"I didn't ask her specifically about it yet. I figured I would wait until I feel comfortable enough to... hold it. For all I know it could be a traumatic thing. I would prefer her to be more comfortable with me before I start prying into things that are potentially upsetting."

[Shiba Haru]

"I didn't ask her specifically about it yet. I figured I would wait until I feel comfortable enough to... hold it. For all I know it could be a traumatic thing. I would prefer her to be more comfortable with me before I start prying into things that are potentially upsetting."

"As I expected but it is good to know for sure, I will not ask about it. Now if only I knew what I was going to ask her, I want to welcome her into the family but I don't know the words to use. I'm starting to think I'm no good around women. When I meet my future match I will probably just stare blankly at her for the first hour." he chuckled.

[Shiba Jiro]

"Ask about and compare hobbies, but probably try not to talk about your sword too much," he teases. "Offer a game. Play some music. Ask about friends. Not so hard." As though he actually found it that easy. In certain ways he did, but others he didn't.

[Shiba Haru]

Right, friends and hobbies. You know, I really need to find more of those I think...hobbies I mean. So how many pieces of origami did you make during your first meeting? More than five?" he said in a teasing tone. "Is that what you need this wood for, to make her something? Are you trying to buy her affection with gifts?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"The wood will be because I want to make several netsuke," he replied. "For multiple people. I only made the one origami for her. But, I got her to agree that the game of refusals would not be necessary for the thousands I will probably give her. I think many will end up as offerings, both left and burnt at shrines and temples."

"And I wouldn't try to buy anything from her. Why spoil the possibility of Benten-no-kami's favor with the potential of Daikoku-no-kami's displeasure."

He shakes his head at that.

"But yes, you do need more hobbies. Maybe you could take up some sort of craft? You know you have a willing teacher."

[Shiba Haru]

It always seemed...improper, the idea of me learning the arts. You have no interest in the blade so it I always felt I should let you shine in YOUR field. We share a soul so your successes always felt like mine. I can ride and hunt but those have always felt like extensions of my martial training rather than proper hobbies."

He pondered for a moment, searching his heart for something besides dueling that could call to him.

"I think I would like painting."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Painting is nice. To capture what you see on canvas and present the world as you understand it to others. It is a very communicative art, not unlike writing," he nods. "We will paint together sometime."

Picking up a stick with some bend to it he nods. "Like this but thicker. Not much I can do with this."

[Shiba Haru]

"And who knows maybe we WILL see an end to war in our lifetime, I will need something to do with my hands if they aren't wielding a sword."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Well, even if there were an end to war in our lifetimes, everyone would probably still be too nervous to stand down their warriors in one generation. And there'd likely still be duels to resolve disputes so you'd have your specialty still. But it still doesn't hurt to have a creative and expressive outlet, Haru. I support you taking it up, even if you don't practice regularly."

[Shiba Haru]

"Well neither of us are known for doing something half-heartedly, I may not be good at it but I will give it as much time and effort as everything I do. What about you, ready to learn how to defend your family?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"I already know how," he says with a smirk. "Dig a trench and build a wall around my home. Quite good at those already."

[Shiba Haru]

"I already know how," he says with a smirk. "Dig a trench and build a wall around my home. Quite good at those already."

"That may work against attackers coming in to your home, what are you going to do when Natsuko beats you senseless for your bad jokes though? Seriously I want to know more about you two, forget all the propriety and don't give me an answer about hoping for a prosperous future; what do you think? Initial thoughts and feelings about HER."

[Shiba Jiro]

"She is distant... detached seeming. I can work with that if we don't ever become closer. I think she is pretty, sure. But I don't know if there is a natural connection. It's likely something that may require time and effort. But I don't dislike her at all."

[Shiba Haru]

"She is distant... detached seeming. I can work with that if we don't ever become closer. I think she is pretty, sure. But I don't know if there is a natural connection. It's likely something that may require time and effort. But I don't dislike her at all."

"That all sounds promising enough, when you say distant I'm assuming you mean Void distant and not annoyed and uninterested distant. They say love at first sight is for pillow books and needy children so I think it's healthy you two aren't there yet. I know you have a great potential for love and I have confidence that you will be able to share it with your new family."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Love at first sight is nothing. I loved my brother before I could even see," he says with a smile.

"And I am not sure about the distance with her. Still have to get to know her a bit more to understand it all."