[D7 EA] Another Go

[Shiba Jiro]

Trying a second time to bring his crane Phoenix statue vision to life, Jiro sat with his tools and a nice, fresh cut of wood. He stares at the piece for a long minute or two.

[Suzume Rin]

Trying a second time to bring his crane Phoenix statue vision to life, Jiro sat with his tools and a nice, fresh cut of wood. He stares at the piece for a long minute or two.

"Jiro-sama"
Rin pops up behind the Phoenix.
"I'm here to help again!...If you'll have me."

The Phoenix seems utterly determined to get Jiro's creation finished to his satisfaction.

[Shiba Jiro]

"I would appreciate it, Suzume-san."

He looks to the wood, hands a small wood chisel to the Sparrow, and smiles.

...

A while later there is a gorgeously crafted pair of intertwined birds taking flight from their base. A base that is about 10% the size of the entire pieces width, but it's still perfectly balanced.

Throughout the entire process, he was gentle, appreciative and understanding of his assistants relative inexperience, but used the untrained eyes to find things he did not see because he was hyper focused. For each moment that he seemed to grow in stress at his work, there seemed to be a moment that he showed what he was doing for Rin, easing any concern she might have about his hyper vigilance.

In the end, he has a beautiful piece, a throbbing headache, and likely a much more relaxed Sparrow assistant. He even added in a small carving of a sparrow that is cleverly hidden in the mess of intertwined wings.

D7 EA, Crafting host gift, going for Resplendent, Assistance from Suzume Rin, VP | TN: 3 | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 3

Succeed, resplendent gift, 1 opp to perform with flashiness, +3 strife

Shiba technique, heal 3 strife from Rin
Strife: 7/8

[Suzume Rin]

Snip

Rin is nearly awestruck as she peer intently at the piece

"It's....it's perfect Jiro-sama. Yah know, I couldn't even see it when we were halfway there. But you had it pictured in your head this whole time."
Rocking back on her heals

"It was an honour to be a part of it, you're gonna make a real impression!"

[Shiba Jiro]

He nods at her words, squeezing his eyes shut and pinching the bridge of his nose for a few seconds. "I appreciate your support and help Suzume Rin-san."

Opening his eyes he looks back to her with a gentle smile that is definitely hiding his stress. "I hope that it will be appreciated. It definitely took long enough to bring it into being."

"How have you been doing outside the competition Suzume-san? Enjoying the city and people here?"

[Suzume Rin]

He nods at her words, squeezing his eyes shut and pinching the bridge of his nose for a few seconds. "I appreciate your support and help Suzume Rin-san."

Opening his eyes he looks back to her with a gentle smile that is definitely hiding his stress. "I hope that it will be appreciated. It definitely took long enough to bring it into being."

"How have you been doing outside the competition Suzume-san? Enjoying the city and people here?"

"Oh yes! Honestly I've met so many interesting samurai. Lotsa time with your brother and your fiance, ain't they both grand? Think you're lucky there."
Seeing Jiro looking worn from the process Rin flags down a waiter to bring water to the table.

"Oh! That reminds me, had a sort of...personal question. Isn't really my business but it did come up and the fortunes got me here with you now."

[Shiba Jiro]

He nods in thanks at the ordered water. "I'm glad that you have been enjoying your time here, and I have been blessed. Of course Suzume-san. I am glad to speak with you about whatever you are curious to know."

Despite the easy way he talked, there was definitely more strain than usual in his voice.

[Suzume Rin]

He nods in thanks at the ordered water. "I'm glad that you have been enjoying your time here, and I have been blessed. Of course Suzume-san. I am glad to speak with you about whatever you are curious to know."

Despite the easy way he talked, there was definitely more strain than usual in his voice.

"Gosh...well I don't mean to be rude but... and if it ain't my business you can just tell me."
Rin rubs the back of her neck

"It's just Isawa-sama, is really looking forward to your wedding. But I know her family position is a bit complicated. And weddings should be joyous, right? So I was just wondering who she was gonna have on her side there on the day. She's umm..invited me, and if that's okay with you and my duties permit I'd really like to be there. But I was wondering who else was invited to attend?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"As far as I know, there have been no plans for the wedding itself, just the betrothal. But I would not object to anyone attending personally, and if she has extended an invitation then I hope you will be there. I fully support her having as many people as possible attending that she is comfortable with."

There was no worry or concern present that didn't already exist from other things, and in fact he favors her with a friendly smile despite his growing headache.

[Suzume Rin]

"As far as I know, there have been no plans for the wedding itself, just the betrothal. But I would not object to anyone attending personally, and if she has extended an invitation then I hope you will be there. I fully support her having as many people as possible attending that she is comfortable with."

There was no worry or concern present that didn't already exist from other things, and in fact he favors her with a friendly smile despite his growing headache.

Rin relaxes slightly
"That's swell! I just want it to be a happy day for the both of you. Bet you and your family gotta a lot of people there, reckon she needs some too."

Cocking her head.
"Hope you don't mind me saying it Shiba-sama, but you're looking a bit tired. Everythin' alright?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"I hope as many folks as she can muster will attend," he says with a nod. "Regardless, she'll be well cared for by my family and myself."

He shakes his head. "And I'll be fine. Just a bit of a headache, likely from concentrating too much for too long. I'll be fine."

[Suzume Rin]

"I hope as many folks as she can muster will attend," he says with a nod. "Regardless, she'll be well cared for by my family and myself."

He shakes his head. "And I'll be fine. Just a bit of a headache, likely from concentrating too much for too long. I'll be fine."

"Oh yeah, I get those too. Happens everytime I train too long and look up and the sun's gone down. Doubly worse if that means I missed dinner, no leftovers in a house with 14 mouths."
Sighing

"Worth it though, right?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"If it's just a headache or missed dinner, but probably not both," he says with a playful smile.

"None of your siblings training in the same school to practice with?"

[Suzume Rin]

"If it's just a headache or missed dinner, but probably not both," he says with a playful smile.

"None of your siblings training in the same school to practice with?"

"Oh they did, but my job was to make sure they got home on time, kept clean, didn't get into any trouble. Not gonna let any of them skip dinner. 'Course, there wasn't anyone doing that for me, but you gotta make little sacrifices for family, you know?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"Well, any advice I could offer on resolving that issue likely isn't too useful with gempukku days away," he replied.

"But yes, the had work often pays off in the end."

[Suzume Rin]

"Well, any advice I could offer on resolving that issue likely isn't too useful with gempukku days away," he replied.

"But yes, the had work often pays off in the end."

"Wouldn't even change it if I could go back in time."
Rin replied, thinking about Natsuko for a moment.

"Well Jiro-sama, I shouldn't keep yah too much longer. I'm sure with the closing days of the tournament and all you're busy as!"

[Shiba Jiro]

"I would not change anything either. If I did I might not have gotten to work with you, right? I wouldn't want to miss out on this."

He chuckled, squinting a bit at the laughter.

"Well, if you have something you must attend to, feel free. But I will be hanging around here for a while yet."

[Suzume Rin]

"I would not change anything either. If I did I might not have gotten to work with you, right? I wouldn't want to miss out on this."

He chuckled, squinting a bit at the laughter.

"Well, if you have something you must attend to, feel free. But I will be hanging around here for a while yet."

Rin waves away the compliment, but is clearly flattered
"Oh...well it's not that. It's just I got a lotta questions and if you've got a headache the last thing you want me is sitting here asking 'em all afternoon...which I could do. Me being an artisan was never really something that could happen, but I just find it all so fascinating. You make beautiful things, things with meaning."

[Shiba Jiro]

"A headache is nothing. I've dealt with them before. Besides, even if you made it worse, that would make you the most pleasant headache I've ever had," he says with a smirk.

D7, EA, Playfulness Passion, Courtesy / Air | TN: 1 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1

Because we are supposed to attach a roll to passions

-3 strife

[Suzume Rin]

"A headache is nothing. I've dealt with them before. Besides, even if you made it worse, that would make you the most pleasant headache I've ever had," he says with a smirk.

D7, EA, Playfulness Passion, Courtesy / Air | TN: 1 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1

Because we are supposed to attach a roll to passions

-3 strife

Rin chuckles
"You sound like my dad saying that. I'll try not to speak too loud then, so I remain the best kinda headache."
And indeed, she does lower her volume

"So...and um, if it's a school secret you don't need to say anything. What do they teach folks studying to be artisans? Do you learn all types a' art? Do you have to pick one?"