[D4, EA] Lunch to Go (Open/Expecting)

[Shiba Haru]

It was a short piece and when it was done Haru took a sip of tea and refilled both their cups.

"That was quite beautiful Kasumi-san, thank you for adding you voice. Do you practice often or is singing a natural talent of yours, you are very skilled."

He played with a few strings, checking the tightness.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Learned from my Pa, an' y'get a bit a'practice aboard ship whenever a work song comes up. Plus it's somethin' t'do for yer crew on slow nights. Mostly know work songs, a couple'a filthy tunes, an' old standards our ancestors prob'ly picked up from Lady Doji they've been 'round so long."

[Shiba Haru]

Haru continued to play, this time a more upbeat and light tune.

"You should get a koto to take with you on your ship, they weight next to nothing and take up very little space. Imagine the performances you could do for your crew, great for morale."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Most'a my personal space is taken up with that tea set'a mine, but who knows? Might be I get a cabin after my gempukku."

[Shiba Haru]

"I'm sure you will, a captain needs space after all."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Oh, that's years off, assumin' I get it at all."

[Shiba Haru]

"Should I write a letter to Lord Yoritomo-sama explaining why you deserve your own ship immediately? Of course, there is probably less competition for ships if you joined the Phoenix. We probably need someone with connections to the Mantis, you could be an Admiral in no time with us." He smirked.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"An Admiral's no better'n their fleet. Y'think th'Isawa would go for a fleet expansion?"

Because the Phoenix Clan's bathtub navy had scant appeal as it was.

[Shiba Haru]

"This Isawa are...very focused, but the Shiba control most of the ports so I don't see why we wouldn't. Of course you have to become a Shiba first."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Or conversely, I could demonstrate th'need for a better fleet by runnin' rings 'round th'one you've got..."

[Shiba Haru]

"Like our shugenja would ever let you get close, with all due respect to our Crane allies...we aren't the Crane." He grinned.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Pffft, like they'd even see us comin'!"

[Shiba Haru]

"We could sense you coming from miles away I promise you."

Haru began to play a more ethereal melody as they talked.

"Besides, you seem so hesitant to talk about your home that I thought maybe you would enjoy a new one."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

What he doesn't know won't hurt him, so maybe don't talk about the landings you made that time...

"Oh, no, no, my home, the Yukikaze, is fine. I just don't have much t'say 'bout the Isles 'cause I'm barely there."

[Shiba Haru]

"At what age did you get seconded to the Yukikaze?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"When I was seven or eight. Don't recall exactly when."

[Shiba Haru]

"Wow and you've been on the same ship the whole time? So the crew rally must feel like family then. Makes all that stuff we talked about before a bit more awkward."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"A bit. You guys go t'th'dojo... I went t'sea."

[Shiba Haru]

"Well... dojo training, riding practice, meditating under waterfalls, communing with the elements; stuff like that. So what all goes in to living and working on a ship?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Readin' th'sea. Readin' th'sky. Learnin' th' ins an' outs of how a ship runs, and what everythin's called an' what it's for. Up an' down th' riggin', learning how t'dodge a boom, learnin' every rope, every plank, every fastinin'. An' then... then y'make it dance to the cap'n's tune."