(D2, LA) Crane on the Hoof

[Shiba Haru]

"I'm hearing 'Yes please, let them know that Akane would be the best match' right now. Or is there another reason why you would not want that? Perhaps a someone rather than a something."

"A someone? Not really, not now. I mean, there are a few here I would like to get to know better but I am in no place to say "oh yes I've fallen madly in love with so-and-so any more than you are ready to say that about Natsuko-san. Interest exists but were talking about one or two people in a whole empire that I have just so happened to meet a few days ago."

Haru only partially realized how he was restating Jiro's own feelings.

[Shiba Jiro]

"Well, that is not surprising with so many skilled participants. Make sure you don't get your wrist broken here."

[Shiba Haru]

"Well, that is not surprising with so many skilled participants. Make sure you don't get your wrist broken here."

"I don't plan on it"

Haru dragged the tree branch behind them as they continued on.

"So netsuke huh? Who are they going to be for?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"I would like to make one for Natsuko and probably make one for each of the people I meet and get along with here."

[Shiba Haru]

"I would like to make one for Natsuko and probably make one for each of the people I meet and get along with here."

"Here is a riddle for you. They say that the best gifts are things that the person doesn't NEED. That's why we don't give gifts of koku or food or stuff like that right? So it should be something from the heart rather then practical right? So in theory it's easy to gift something to like a daimyo since they pretty much have or can get anything they want. The question is, what do you give to someone who has nothing?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"There are plenty of things. Nobody needs an origami Crane or a painting of a river. Artistic endeavors don't often find themselves in the 'needed' category."

[Shiba Haru]

"There are plenty of things. Nobody needs an origami Crane or a painting of a river. Artistic endeavors don't often find themselves in the 'needed' category."

"Okay that was the wrong question. What do you give someone who has nothing but really really needs everything? How do you bend the rule of usefulness?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"Either you are suggesting that you think that Natsuko doesn't have much, or you are asking for yourself. Perhaps regarding... The Sparrow I've seen you speaking with?"

[Shiba Haru]

"Either you are suggesting that you think that Natsuko doesn't have much, or you are asking for yourself. Perhaps regarding... The Sparrow I've seen you speaking with?"

"Yes I speak of Rin-san. I have no doubt I will find a gift for Natsuko-san but Rin is different because she is the only samurai I have ever met that has less then we do."

[Shiba Jiro]

"If you want to give her something that is both practical and not, get her seeds. See if you can find seeds for a foreign spice or herb in the market."

[Shiba Haru]

"If you want to give her something that is both practical and not, get her seeds. See if you can find seeds for a foreign spice or herb in the market."

"How are seeds not practical?"

He considered his own question.

"I mean, they sort of aren't because little grows in their lands so wouldn't that just be an insult?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"They are impractical because she would have to grow them herself, they are potentially rare and unused spices, and it's not an insult. Not much grows there on a large scale, but she likely can get a hold of a bowl to use as a flowerpot and grow it inside. Which is better than getting a rare plant and her needing to lug a flowerpot all the way home. Find an opportunity to have a meal in that part of town, talk to the chef about the seasoning with her, and get her seeds for that seasoning. Make it personal."

[Shiba Haru]

"They are impractical because she would have to grow them herself, they are potentially rare and unused spices, and it's not an insult. Not much grows there on a large scale, but she likely can get a hold of a bowl to use as a flowerpot and grow it inside. Which is better than getting a rare plant and her needing to lug a flowerpot all the way home. Find an opportunity to have a meal in that part of town, talk to the chef about the seasoning with her, and get her seeds for that seasoning. Make it personal."

"That sounds awfully... flirtatious Jiro. I don't want her to get the wrong idea about me."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Wouldn't be flirtatious with a man, why should it be with a woman. Presentation is what matters. If you don't want it to seem that way, it's not hard to be very cordial. If you are thinking that a personalized gift is flirty, then you are probably thinking about gifts in the wrong way."

[Shiba Haru]

"Wouldn't be flirtatious with a man, why should it be with a woman. Presentation is what matters. If you don't want it to seem that way, it's not hard to be very cordial. If you are thinking that a personalized gift is flirty, then you are probably thinking about gifts in the wrong way."

It could be if I was so predisposed. I'm not saying it would be flirtatious just that I want to avoid the perception that I am being flirtatious. And what do you know about flirting anyway?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"More than you," he replied. "Artistic pursuit is a social pursuit in my school. Understanding how to communicate on any level is important. Even if it is playful flirtation. Not that I run around practicing it."

[Shiba Haru]

"More than you," he replied. "Artistic pursuit is a social pursuit in my school. Understanding how to communicate on any level is important. Even if it is playful flirtation. Not that I run around practicing it."

"I certainly hope you aren't doing that here at least, I don't want to get caught up in that scandal." he said chuckling but wondered just how much his brother had done without him.

[Shiba Jiro]

He doesn't say anything on the topic of himself, focusing on a different aspect. "It's a skill like anything. Needs practice, gets better with effort, people with names that end with -aru are bad at it..."

[Shiba Haru]

"You know, I have been thinking lately that I do not want to go to a miai because it would be unfair to you but if you keep running your mouth I'm going to win this thing and then demand I go to one. I would never tell you about what happened, all you would get is a knowing smile as I introduce you to my future wife."

While his tone was playful there was aa tinge of cruelty to his words that spoke of the jealousy he felt towards his brother.

[Shiba Jiro]

"I would actually love that for you," he replied, the jealousy responded to with actual hope. "Seriously. If you had the opportunity. It would be amazing."