[Day 5, Early Afternoon] The Spice Must Flow (Expecting)

[Funegao no Hirame]

"Maybe..." Hirame said doubtfully, frowning. In fact, the test this morning had instilled new doubts in him.

He shook his head. "Thank you, Shiba-san." He cleared his throat. "And how about your plans, post-championship? Got a posting lined up, or anything like that?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"No. My betrothal was a surprise and threw everything I knew into the air. So, whatever happens, I'll simply take it in stride and do my best to serve," he replied, shrugging with an expression of acceptance. "Though wherever I end up, it won't stop me from creating."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Say, that reminds me... Couldja do an origami rooster for Hirame when you're done cookin'? Much as he can crow, I think it'd suit him..."

[Funegao no Hirame]

"... oh?" This time, Hirame did give Kasumi a quick frowning glance. "That sounds a bit..." He frowned, considering words, "-difficult."

He cleared his throat. "As it happens, I believe I've met your betrothed. Isawa Natsuko, yeah? She's a bit strange, but nice, and smart."

"Say, that reminds me... Couldja do an origami rooster for Hirame when you're done cookin'? Much as he can crow, I think it'd suit him..."

Hirame flashed her a grin. "Hah, you're one to talk, Kasumi-san!" He teased.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

Hirame flashed her a grin. "Hah, you're one to talk, Kasumi-san!" He teased.

"Oi, I'm not the one made a bet on which Clan I'd be in based on performance..."

[Funegao no Hirame]

"What can I say?" Hirame said, grinning. "She made the wager. A Crane, betting! How about that. I'm not one to turn down a dare, and especially not in those circumstances."

He shrugged, still smiling. "I'll bet you'd have done the same, if you were in my place."

[Shiba Jiro]

He nods to Hirame, agreeing with his assessment of Natsuko. But he wasn't about to spend the afternoon speaking about Natsuko in front of Kasumi. That was just a recipe for awkwardness.

He chuckles at their back and forth. "I could certainly make a rooster for him. But are we sure a peacock wouldn't be more fitting. They do have a better strut."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Yeah, but Hirame-kun here doesn't have such fine plumage..."

She made a face at her fellow Mantis.

"An' we both know I'm far too nervous 'bout this damn tournament t'bet anything on it!"

[Funegao no Hirame]

"Hey!" Hirame objected, turning to Kasumi. "And what about my sharkskin jacket here? That's pretty nice plumage. You know what, I'll own up to peacock." Putting his hands on his hips, he mimed doing a little bird dance. "And as you can see, I've got the strut!"

Still grinning, he shook his head. "But hey, don't be nervous. You're doing great, Kasumi-san!" He blew out a puff of air. "Even if the test today wasn't our sort of thing."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"It was a complete fuckin' disaster is what it was."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Seriously. Like I said earlier. The bonsai you did was quite lovely. It may have been reflecting something you think is unhappy, but it did it beautifully. Sometimes the most amazing art is born from negative feelings being pushed out into the world to ease their burden on the self," he says, smiling at her.

[Funegao no Hirame]

Hirame looked at Kasumi. "What happened with your bonsai?"

He grimaced. "I tried to make a doll out of a paintbrush. It didn't go well. Maybe I'll try painting with it next time, although I'm not sure that'll go any better."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Oh, nothin' bad happened with my bonsai. They liked it."

A sigh.

"Only thing I did all mornin' they liked."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Kasumi-san," he said smiling softly. "I like everything you do. It's their failure for not seeing the charm I see."

He moves to collect bowls of curry, the food being pretty much done now. "Sit, please. Let's fill our bellies," he says.

[Funegao no Hirame]

Hirame cleared his throat at that. Just a little reminder that he was still here.

Rubbing his hands together, he sat down. "Let's! It smells great! Using some proper spices, eh? Haven't had a meal like that in weeks."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Spices from th'Kingdoms cooked by a Phoenix who'd never done 'em quite this way before."

Keeeeeeeeep chaperoning Hirame, I think we need it...

"Hopefully I didn'lead him astray."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Well, at the end of the day, it's still a curry. May taste different but at least I didn't burn it or undercook it," he says with a smirk.

Setting bowls and chopsticks in front of the two Mantis, he joins them shortly after with his own. "Kasumi is the one that guided me to the flavor. How close did we get?" He smiles, taking a bite, but not giving any judgement. It was tingly spicy, and warmed quickly. Not terribly hot, but definitely a kick. A kick he wasn't used to, so he had to take a moment.

[Funegao no Hirame]

Hirame took a small bite. Tilting his head, he considered briefly. And then, after a brief pause, began to eat with the enthusiasm of a teenager who was still filling out after his last growth spurt.

"S-good!" He said between bites. "Really, you've never done curry before, Shiba-san?" He paused a moment. "Did you get all the stuff for this with supplies from the market here?"

[Shiba Jiro]

He opens his mouth to let a bit of cool air in before swallowing. "I have made curry before, but these spices are different from what I usually use. But with a bit of guidance, it came out well apparently."

He looks to Kasumi and smiles. "Maybe we'll have to do some more experimenting with each other?" Another bite, smaller this time.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

Another wry smile.

"Might have a few more notions. They turn out s'well as this curry, though, I'll be amazed."