[LM3] - Test of the Mind observation thread

[Shiba Jiro]

"Oh, she's a warship."

She grinned.

"I mean, she's a warship th'way I'm a samurai- been in a couple'a fights, might almost be ready for it, but nobody'd send her into a major battle on purpose yet. Not unless we were truly screwed."

"Ah. A new ship or an older ship with a new crew?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Ah. A new ship or an older ship with a new crew?"

"A new ship with an old cap'n, skilled officers, an experienced crew, an' a few trainees like me in th'mix."

She shrugged.

"Not that many Mantis, y'know? So they try'n keep us- the trainees- as safe as they can while still havin' us do sea duty."

A pause.

"Doesn't always work. Been in three close scrums an' about five ship t'ship arrow swaps. But they try'n keep us outta the worst of it."

[Shiba Kuroneko]

"That is why samurai do not stand alone," Urusai replies. "The Lion have the right of it; we are stronger surrounded by our kin and peers."

"We are never alone. My sensei always told me but sometimes... it is just... I don't know. I hope my plea is heard and that we can make the temple grounds better." He smiled. "Have I asked you what are you going to be doing after this tournament?"

[Seppun Urusai]

"We are never alone. My sensei always told me but sometimes... it is just... I don't know. I hope my plea is heard and that we can make the temple grounds better." He smiled. "Have I asked you what are you going to be doing after this tournament?"

"I shall work to that end," Urusai says in answer to the first question before saying "Most likely going into the Imperial Legions" in response to the second. "My father is convinced that I will serve the Family better there than among the Bodyguard."

[Shiba Jiro]

"A new ship with an old cap'n, skilled officers, an experienced crew, an' a few trainees like me in th'mix."

She shrugged.

"Not that many Mantis, y'know? So they try'n keep us- the trainees- as safe as they can while still havin' us do sea duty."

A pause.

"Doesn't always work. Been in three close scrums an' about five ship t'ship arrow swaps. But they try'n keep us outta the worst of it."

He nods at that. "I hadn't considered that really Kasumi-ch...san. It's painful to consider the danger that those you like and care for may face when there is no way to prevent it. It may not do much, but I will make sure to start offering prayers to Suitengu-no-kami and Bishamon-no-kami, in hopes that you see your way safely through your battles. Not a whole lot more that I can really do, unless you can think of something? Maybe a Mantis tradition?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

He nods at that. "I hadn't considered that really Kasumi-ch...san. It's painful to consider the danger that those you like and care for may face when there is no way to prevent it. It may not do much, but I will make sure to start offering prayers to Suitengu-no-kami and Bishamon-no-kami, in hopes that you see your way safely through your battles. Not a whole lot more that I can really do, unless you can think of something? Maybe a Mantis tradition?"

She actually grinned at that.

"Mantis make our own luck, but we never turn down well-wishes. 'Sides. Regular correspondence gives e an edge f'r my own superstition. Any time I go into a scrap, I try'n have somethin' I need t'get back an' finish. Figure a half-written letter'll do nicely."

[Shiba Kuroneko]

"I shall work to that end," Urusai says in answer to the first question before saying "Most likely going into the Imperial Legions" in response to the second. "My father is convinced that I will serve the Family better there than among the Bodyguard."

"Soooo, back to Seppun lands? I will be heading to Kitsune lands. To aid in finding youngling with the gift." He chuckled nervously.

[Shiba Jiro]

She actually grinned at that.

"Mantis make our own luck, but we never turn down well-wishes. 'Sides. Regular correspondence gives e an edge f'r my own superstition. Any time I go into a scrap, I try'n have somethin' I need t'get back an' finish. Figure a half-written letter'll do nicely."

He smiles at that, a bit sadly. "Well, I hope that all of the letters I get from you are complete then." Because a shipmate sending her half written letter to him would certainly be heartbreaking.

[Seppun Urusai]

"Soooo, back to Seppun lands? I will be heading to Kitsune lands. To aid in finding youngling with the gift." He chuckled nervously.

"That would depend on which of the Legions it is," Urusai replies. "But being in the House Guard would be a different and distinct honor. Perhaps after my expected tour in the Legions, especially if I am placed in either the Seventh or the Nineteenth."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

He smiles at that, a bit sadly. "Well, I hope that all of the letters I get from you are complete then." Because a shipmate sending her half written letter to him would certainly be heartbreaking.

"Told you, we make our own luck, so I intend t'make sure of it."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Told you, we make our own luck, so I intend t'make sure of it."

He nods at that. "Then I'll assume the best."

"And what's the food like on the ship while at sea. You said that you preserve a lot of your catch. I'm guessing a good amount of cured and smoked fish? Any cooking done out on the ocean?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

He nods at that. "Then I'll assume the best."

"And what's the food like on the ship while at sea. You said that you preserve a lot of your catch. I'm guessing a good amount of cured and smoked fish? Any cooking done out on the ocean?"

"Oh, aye. Plenty of cookin'. Mostly soups an' gruels, stuff it's easy t'serve out in bulk. Great big kettles, actually. An' we try'n keep fresh fruit on hand when we can."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Lots of fish bone broths, eh?" He says with a smirk. "Boil ups some vegetables in it."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Lots of fish bone broths, eh?" He says with a smirk. "Boil ups some vegetables in it."

"I've learned that the menu is generally the same uniform heading: Shut Up And Eat it."

[Shiba Jiro]

"I've only had that a few times. I've found that it's best to show appreciate to the cook," he says, smiling.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Shipboard cooks settle fer not hearin' any bellyachin'. Praise ain't expected. They'd probably take it fer sarcasm."

[Shiba Kuroneko]

"Soooo, back to Seppun lands? I will be heading to Kitsune lands. To aid in finding youngling with the gift." He chuckled nervously.

"That would depend on which of the Legions it is," Urusai replies. "But being in the House Guard would be a different and distinct honor. Perhaps after my expected tour in the Legions, especially if I am placed in either the Seventh or the Nineteenth."

"Well, I am a Legion of three... Kiba and Tori are my brothers in arms... not that they can fight but certainly great companions." He chuckled lightly. "Eventhough silly Kiba ask for food all the time."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Shipboard cooks settle fer not hearin' any bellyachin'. Praise ain't expected. They'd probably take it fer sarcasm."

"Their gruel isn't gourmet?" he asks, grinning.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Their gruel isn't gourmet?" he asks, grinning.

"Th'best I can say for it is it's filling."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Th'best I can say for it is it's filling."

"One of the farmers I worked with for a while told me he was glad he worked so hard every day. Meant his appetite was big enough to cover the taste of his son's cooking. Hunger is the best spice."