[D2 EE] Perfectly Proper

[Shiba Jiro]

It was a good one. He wasn't surprised it was known even in Mantis lands.

He was surprised he kept himself from finishing the bottle during the singing.

"A good one, no?" he asks with a wide smile.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"One'a the best. Y'know 'I Don't Hurt Anymore'?"

Whether he did or not, she did.

"It don't hurt anymore, all my teardrops are dry
No more walkin' the floor, with that burnin' inside
Just to think it could be, time has opened the door
And at last I am free, I don't hurt anymore
No use to deny I wanted to die, the day you said we were through
But now that I find you're out of my mind, I can't believe that it's true
I've forgotten somehow that I cared so before
And it's wonderful now, I don't hurt anymore
No use to deny I wanted to die, the day you said we were through
But now that I find you're out of my mind, I can't believe that it's true
I've forgotten somehow that I cared so before
And it's wonderful now, I don't hurt anymore"

[Shiba Jiro]

He listens along with her singing. He gives a quiet clap when she finishes.

"Heard it a few times, though not enough to have it memorized," he says. "Though if I had my koto I could have played the rhythm with how simple it is. Maybe next time."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"We keep comin' up with stuff for next time, seems like."

Both of us. Working real hard to insure there IS a next time.

[Shiba Jiro]

"That's probably because if we have something planned and thought out, it means I won't miss you so much that I'll come visit you in private, asking after you," he admits.

"Would you prefer an impromptu visit in private when I am missing seeing you all day? I would, even if ill advised."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"I think we both know what I'd prefer."

She sighed.

"But it's a good notion, all 'round."

And allows for chaperones. Which we need. Hoo BOY do we need 'em.

[Shiba Jiro]

His gaze is locked on hers. ​"If we both prefer that, you know we're likely to make it happen."

"Smoky quartz looking,
Amber returning the gaze,
Finding each other."

"Only so long that they can stay so far apart. Eventually something will give way."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

That's as may be. I just don't wanna hurt anyone hasn't got it coming."

[Shiba Jiro]

"If you starve yourself to feed another, who will help them when you are gone? Sometimes it's important to be concerned for yourself first."

It was an excuse, and he knew it. But he said it anyway.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

She cocked her head to the side.

"Which of us is the Mantis here, Shiba-san?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"Well, I don't advocate taking something that someone isn't sharing. But if it's offered, then there's no harm in treating yourself right?" He says with a chuckle.

"Just saying, if you don't look out for yourself in battle, you can't take care of others when you fall. Not that I am a fan of battle metaphors, but they get baked into the Shiba."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Aye, but anyone on the crew fails t'try an' save their shipmates ain't much of a sailor."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Absolutely, we should do what we can to look out for others. But if we hurt ourselves in the process then someone has to help us in turn. It's a balancing act, but the things you want and need are no less important that the things others want and need."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Want 'n' need are... distinct, though."

[Shiba Jiro]

"All I'm trying to say is that you should be in a position to help if you want to be selfless, but being selfish isn't always bad. Because it usually makes our life better and it's good for someone to have a better life," he replied with a shrug. "Not that we need to only think of ourselves, but that we should not ignore ourselves for others to our own detriment."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Yeah, but I tend t'have the opposite problem."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Yeah. I tend to be in a position where it doesn't hurt me to provide what help I can," he says with a nod. "But you are the type to push yourself and dive into the ocean for others, aren't you?"

He certainly wasn't selfish by any means, but Jiro's support and help tended to be mundane rather than heroic.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"No. I meant that I usually find a way to do what I want, so I have to work very hard at denying myself."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Ah. Well, I will make sure to apply token resistance then," he replies with a smile.

"But I certainly think that you don't give yourself enough credit."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Reckon we'll see."

She downed her cup, wincing a bit. The stuff wasn't the strongest booze she'd ever sampled, but it was potent enough.

"I'll have t'figure out poetry so I c'n return fire properly."