[D4, EM] Reflections (Expecting/Open)

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Well I don't know what hangover feels like just yet but I imagine that under the right circumstances the pain could be worth it, if the night before was memorable enough. Beyond the gempukku this event is all about making memories isn't it. What do you want to think of when you remember this trip?"

An origami octopus.

A letter with a poem in it that I'm not sure how to place...

Looking across a table in a sake bar and realizing...

"A bit of this'n'that. Conversations, like this one."

[Shiba Haru]

An origami octopus.

A letter with a poem in it that I'm not sure how to place...

Looking across a table in a sake bar and realizing...

"A bit of this'n'that. Conversations, like this one."

"And where do you go from here? Is there a miai in your future or are you already betrothed like my brother? Marriage is after all the next big step in our lives."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"And where do you go from here? Is there a miai in your future or are you already betrothed like my brother? Marriage is after all the next big step in our lives."

She laughed.

"M'folks talk about once a year, tops, an' they never talk about that, s'far as I know. Might be Lord Yoritomo's sifted m'name into some pile'a young samurai t'marry off an' has a match in mind, but if so, I've heard nothin' about it."

[Shiba Haru]

She laughed.

"M'folks talk about once a year, tops, an' they never talk about that, s'far as I know. Might be Lord Yoritomo's sifted m'name into some pile'a young samurai t'marry off an' has a match in mind, but if so, I've heard nothin' about it."

"You don't seem the least bit concerned though."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"You don't seem the least bit concerned though."

"Why worry? S'not like we get a real choice. Nothin' t'do about it, so gettin' fussed makes no sense."

[Shiba Haru]

"Why worry? S'not like we get a real choice. Nothin' t'do about it, so gettin' fussed makes no sense."

"Some people like to take matters into their own hands. I imagine you would want to stay a Mantis though? Not many ships in Dragon lands after all."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Some people like to take matters into their own hands. I imagine you would want to stay a Mantis though? Not many ships in Dragon lands after all."

"Well, y'have t'think that'd be considered. Th'Mantis have been trainin' me t'be a ship's officer, an' that means they likely plan t'hang on t'me. But ya never know. Could be someone thinks I'd make a good Yasuki."

[Shiba Haru]

"Well, y'have t'think that'd be considered. Th'Mantis have been trainin' me t'be a ship's officer, an' that means they likely plan t'hang on t'me. But ya never know. Could be someone thinks I'd make a good Yasuki."

"It is a specialized skillset to be sure, Crab, Crane and Phoenix all could benefit from your skills and aptitude. Far less common than a duelist or yojimbo."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"It is a specialized skillset to be sure, Crab, Crane and Phoenix all could benefit from your skills and aptitude. Far less common than a duelist or yojimbo."

"Less respected by most of th'Empire, too."

[Shiba Haru]

"Less respected by most of th'Empire, too."

"Well I cannot speak for the empire as whole, I am not the Emperor, but I think it is more misunderstood than disrespect; at least I hope it is. The Mantis are the most talked about minor clan in the empire despite being newer than others. You are difficult to visit and most of us have never set foot on a ship, the deepest water most of us even encounter is an onsen.

That isolation means your traditions are slightly different and that frightens some people who don't realize that many of them are born of practicality much like the "divergent" traditions of the Crab. The difference is that the Crab are easy to reach and they have been around since the beginning, many will speak ill of the Crab in private but hold their tongues when they are nearby or if someone speaks up in their defense because the Crab's duty is so vital. We don't know you like we know the Crab and your history is...not the most pristine. History, tradition, the actions of our ancestors, these are all important things but I think some over-value them and ignore the now.

We need to do better in getting to know you and you need to share yourselves more with us."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"We need to do better in getting to know you and you need to share yourselves more with us."

"Y'mean like th'Sparrow, or th'Fox, or th'Deer, or th'Hare, or th'Moth, an' so on? Seems t'me most Minor Clans're lucky if a Great Clanner can recognize their mon."

[Shiba Haru]

"We need to do better in getting to know you and you need to share yourselves more with us."

"Y'mean like th'Sparrow, or th'Fox, or th'Deer, or th'Hare, or th'Moth, an' so on? Seems t'me most Minor Clans're lucky if a Great Clanner can recognize their mon."

"Don't forget the Badger and Dragonfly, the two nearest to my home. Yes the great clans need to do better, much better so how can I be better for you?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Don't forget the Badger and Dragonfly, the two nearest to my home. Yes the great clans need to do better, much better so how can I be better for you?"

"Dunno. But I'm sure I'll think of somethin'."

[Shiba Haru]

"Dunno. But I'm sure I'll think of somethin'."

"I hope you do." he said with a slight wink that he didn't realize he made.

"Well if you aren't interested in that swim how about we continue your jog? I could use the warm up."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"I hope you do." he said with a slight wink that he didn't realize he made.

"Well if you aren't interested in that swim how about we continue your jog? I could use the warm up."

"Can't hurt! Seein'as I interrupted... whatever you were up to."

[Shiba Haru]

"Can't hurt! Seein'as I interrupted... whatever you were up to."

Haru began to stretch and adjusted his clothes.

"Oh, I was trying to meditate a bit. I have found my surroundings here quite distracting, so many wonderful sights to behold, and I think it has affected my performance in the tests. Natsuko-san was kind enough to provide me with a mantra and suggested I reflect upon the nature of water. Lucky for me all of that meant I finally got to meet you." he said with a smile.

"Would you care to set the pace?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

Haru began to stretch and adjusted his clothes.

"Oh, I was trying to meditate a bit. I have found my surroundings here quite distracting, so many wonderful sights to behold, and I think it has affected my performance in the tests. Natsuko-san was kind enough to provide me with a mantra and suggested I reflect upon the nature of water. Lucky for me all of that meant I finally got to meet you." he said with a smile.

"Would you care to set the pace?"

"Oh, sure thing!"

And without more preamble, she took off at a sort of measured trot.

[Shiba Haru]

"Oh, sure thing!"

And without more preamble, she took off at a sort of measured trot.

He kept pace with her quite easily.

"So you've seen lots of the mainland, how does it compare to your islands? What is it like there? I've read stories but I would love to hear about it first hand."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

He kept pace with her quite easily.

"So you've seen lots of the mainland, how does it compare to your islands? What is it like there? I've read stories but I would love to hear about it first hand."

"Much warmer. An' s'far as I can tell, rainier. But I've never been too far inland, so M'not sure just how different it gets."