Iron Hearts: Kameyama Jima
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Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
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Author:  Agasha Utsusemi [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 1:50 am ]
Post subject:  Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
The meeting with Odorihime done, Utsusemi was finally done with all the socialising she had to do today.

Oh well, not quite. There was still one more awaiting her back at The Wheel. Entering the genkan, she slipped out of her zori as she looked around for tell-tale signs that Sanjuro was still awake. "Tadaima."
Author:  Agasha Sanjuro [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 2:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
"Okaeri!"

The stronger than usual voice came somewhere from the kitchen, along the smell and sound of frying.
Author:  Agasha Utsusemi [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 2:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
The clearer and stronger tone was a little surprising, and then she noticed the smell of something cooking coming from the kitchen.

Taking off the the outermost layer of her attire, as there was no need to maintain the formal air, the dressed down outfit looked decidedly less important and impressive apart from the very formal black obi.

"Ah, you're still up, and cooking?" she said as she headed towards the kitchen, keeping her own tone light and relaxed for now. "Anything I can help with?"
Author:  Agasha Sanjuro [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 2:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
"The table, then enjoying a dinner with me." He said causally, using pincers to douse coated tiger prawns in hot oil amid much sizzling. "I wouldn't get anywhere close if I were you if you want your clothes intact. It sprinkles all around." He looked at her briefly, with composed expression but without prior tension. "How was your day?"
Author:  Agasha Utsusemi [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 2:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
"That I can do," she nodded, allowing the smile to be heard in her voice. As he looked at her, she took the moment to smile in return as their gaze met for the brief time. She too was not showing any signs of the unpleasant tension that had lingered before.

"Hectic, but nothing to complain about, really. And... thank you, the bowl of fruit this morning was a wonderful way to start the day. I enjoyed it very much. How was the day to you?"
Author:  Agasha Sanjuro [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 2:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
At her smiling tone he smirked under his nose and exhaled sharply through the nose, as if too much held-back air prevented him from relaxing more. "Glad to hear that. I may make it a habit then for whatever time there is before departure that may let me cultivate it." He put another fried prawn on a cloth for defatting, then onto the plate. Beside it, there was a ready plate with various tsukemono. Sanjuro maintained a small larder with jars full of seasonal pickles.

Image

"Catching up in on smithing. Many Explorers are coming with their last-minute requests, as they are not sure when I close. I've made three bayonets today, and some crafting tools." He doomed another prawn to deep-frying. "Tempura is a Merenaese idea, but you probably have had it before."
Author:  Agasha Utsusemi [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 2:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
She considered her reply thoughtfully as she busied her hands with the chopsticks and bowls. "If it's not too much trouble for you, then I would be delighted. Thank you."

"Ah, I did not know it was a Merenaese idea... It is quite popular in the south, I recall. And it smells quite good." Fat, greasy, fried food... now that was a comfort-meal on a chilly autumn evening. A fond smile settled in place as she recalled the craving she had for deep-fried foods when she was expecting Yoshi-kun. Something that had passed on to the young boy, she suspected, as he always seemed to want it too.
Author:  Agasha Sanjuro [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 2:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
Sanjuro chuckled. "This is how it works, the most successful cultural influences are those nobody really notices. It comes from their word, temperos. While we have accommodated the method to fry seafood, they probably stick to their vegetable version, peixinhos da horta, which means something like 'vegetable garden fishies', popular around this time of the year."

He looked at her again, also having some memories from the time of her cravings. He had cooked before for her, he liked doing it. "I forgot how I like cooking. There is no point when I am here alone, and there are enough good bar here in the market. But cooking is a fantastic metaphor of inventing. Just whether I succeed or not is not dictated by calculations and cross-referencing, but by palate, right away. Tonight, yours."
Author:  Agasha Utsusemi [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 3:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
Utsusemi listened carefully to the foreign words, trying to memorize the pronounciation and meaning. Other languages had never really been something she had a great proficiency with, perhaps from all the time time spent mastering the flowerful prose of Rokugani so that she could weave it into beautiful poems. "I didn't know you had learned so much about their language and culture. You surprise me a little," she chuckled with some warmth, finding some of that easy-going relationship they had had before.

"... I appriciate it very much, Sanjuro... thank you. I... should probably apologise as well, for my behaviour the other day. It was callous of me, to act the way I did. To act the way I have lately."
Author:  Agasha Sanjuro [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 3:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
"It's all on me, Utsu. I was an idiot. Hopefully I can be one no more." He bowed his head in a curt but very honest apology. "During my time living here I picked up many things. It's funny what men occupy themselves with when they don't want to think about some things." He chuckled. "I've assembled a small library over the past two years. But back when Feitoria was not Imperial Naval College, Merenaese was the second language around here. It was easy to pick it up. And once you pick up the alphabet, many other languages become easier. Thranish, Sheel, Yodotai. I can't say I speak well with them, but I can figure out most of the written meaning when given enough time."

He put the last shrimp on the cloth to defat, then on the table. He then slowly doused the hearth and tossed off the apron, having just hakama and gi beneath. "I could show you some of those books after dinner."
Author:  Agasha Utsusemi [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 3:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
"Both of us then, shall try to be fools no more," she offered with an encouraging smile in his direction, putting down bowls and chopsticks on the table. Perhaps it was possible to dispel some of the awkwardness of late... she pitied Sanjuro for what his brother, her husband, had put him through. What he had put both of them through. But it was in the past, right? It couldn't be helped, but they could at least make sure they could still get along.

"Hm, I have seen this alphabet of the foreign languages. They always seemed a little lacking in elegance, in my eyes, but if it is as you say that they make understanding easier, I suppose it is a fair trade."

As everything seemed to be settling on the table, she slipped herself easily down into seiza on her side of the table. "That sounds like a good idea... I should acquaint myself a little more with this, before the journey. Make sure you youngsters aren't slipping improper notes to eachother written in something foreign on the voyage, now that Miya-sama has tasked me with the duty of chaperoning on her behalf." Utsusemi let out a small chuckle at that, clearly teasing Sanjuro a little with that jest.
Author:  Agasha Sanjuro [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 3:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
"Sound. I will pack some, they may come useful. If we end up on the same vessel you may be able to dig in them deeper during sea travel. Which is bound to be monotonous, at least in some parts." He sat before her, having no firm considerations about them both. It was part of the deal he had made with himself to let normalcy return - not to define it. "Itadakimasu."

At her tease, he arched a brow and smirked. "I really don't know what you're talking about but talk more like that and I'll have thoughts." Then he registered. "I guess congratulations are in order."
Author:  Agasha Utsusemi [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 3:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
"Itadakimasu," she followed suit. "And thank you. I hope to bring honor to the task."

Picking up one prawn to add to her own plate, she looked up at him. "And come now, I have noticed that Doji Koharu-san seems to have a liking to you. She seems like a very nice girl." It seemed Utsusemi at least liked the girl a lot, but being a Doji, it was probably not too surprising.
Author:  Agasha Sanjuro [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 3:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
"Umm. So you want to get in the role and talk about it?" He paused to take a bite. "We've had a thing for each other going since last year. She was a part of College Retreat that ended up with establishment of the Explorers. At that time we both thought to be a good idea to pledge. But then she got caught up in other duties. She sometimes was around and sometimes wasn't. Not that I did anything other than working when she wasn't. But right now I don't exactly know where we are at. She's a Doji, right? A lot of complications with that." He shook his head semi-humorously.
Author:  Agasha Utsusemi [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 4:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
"Think of it more as wanting to talk about it, as family and as a friend... I am no nakodo, yet." She was, after all, more than willing to help him have a shot at happiness. And in her eyes, a happy marriage would probably keep him safe and sound.

She had to enjoy the food a little while it was still hot, before giving an answer.

"It can make things a little difficult, yes, though it is not without possibility. After all, I married out... my eldest sister married into the Shosuro, and the younger married into the Daidoji." All in all, it had been good political moves for her family, giving them good connections. "You both seem like you would get along well, at least. Perhaps the journey will let you reconnect after some time apart? If you both feel that you would wish for it, I would be happy to speak with Odorihime on your behalf."
Author:  Agasha Sanjuro [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 4:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
He sighed. "Part of it is that things had been better before politics came knocking. More genuine, less filled with considerations you speak of. At least on my part. I thought about sailing away in part because I didn't want that to catch up with us. But it looks like it will anyway, and through you no less. I honestly don't know how to feel about it." He answered honestly, then helped himself to a bite.
Author:  Agasha Utsusemi [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 7:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
Lips pursed together as she considered how to reply. Good thing eating provided natural pauses, making the silence less awkward.

"Sad to say it, but you will never escape such when it comes to marriage between the clans... but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing, Sanjuro. Why should the considerations to duty and family lessen the genuine feelings you have for one another?"
Author:  Agasha Sanjuro [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 6:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
"Sounded way too carefree for you, right?" He sighed. "Then let me put it this way: I don't want to be a Doji. Not with the horrible, abusive daimyo they now have, who persecutes any opposition and free thought. And I can't see it going any other way with you already married into the Agasha."
Author:  Agasha Utsusemi [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 7:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
"Perhaps a little?" she offered in a light-hearted tone, trying to dispel the feeling of hopelesness over the matter.

Listening to his concerns, she could understand them, and nodded in agreement. Sometimes there were small blessings in having married out of a clan with so many internal problems. "Well, it is not impossible, that Koharu-san could join the Agasha. Difficult, but not impossible. I'm not sure how much my own marriage would impact it, to be honest, considering it has been some years since I left the Doji."

Utsusemi stopped herself from picking at the food as her mind began to think of possibilities to angle it in favour for Sanjuro, if he and Koharu did wish for it. The thought had occurred to her, earlier that evening with the Matchmaker, and a few other times before, that her children might marry back into the Crane... but not wanting to ruin the peace they had found today, she let the subject rest for now.

"But don't worry too much about it for now, right? Regardless of where you go with this in the future, today you at least have a good friend in Koharu-san, yes? That in itself is a blessing."
Author:  Agasha Sanjuro [ Wed Oct 18, 2017 8:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Turn Of The Wheel (D1, LE, The Wheel)
"It is." He agreed, but did not elaborate. After a quieter moment of some tsukemono bites, he looked up at her. "How do you like the city?"
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