The New Winds

Taking his bowl of rice and chopsticks to upper levels, Kyokou finds a way to climb up into a tall tree that connects to the dojo ceiling, and finds spot to sit there, away from monitors and sensei.

Among the roots, the highborn Bayushi sits, absorbed in his pastime of turning an acorn over the knuckles of one hand: from index finger to pinky and back. The move ended with his index finger popping the acorn down into his palm.
Unskilled sleight of hand=14

Or rather, it was meant to. Four times out of ten, he found that he had to catch the little beast in his left. That left him with a serious frown.

"Are ye tryin' t' call squirrels wit' that trick?" Kokyou asks from the roof whole taking a bite of the rice

Jiro looked up, playing off his surprise by controlling the speed of his reaction.

"Not at all, Mantis-san," he said, palming the acorn again. "Are you trying to call pigeons with yours?"

"If I had been tryin', I would 'ave a full flock o' prettiest birds flyin' around here. Nah sure they like plain rice, though." He mentions with a serious intonation.

"I be happy t' see that ye reconigze me Clan. Thank ye."

Jiro's head tilted to the side as he digested the Mantis' response.

"The Mantis have been favorites of my father's staff for as long as I can remember." The acorn danced across his knuckles. "I see that the physicality of their training has not abated."

“Interestin'. So yer father be one o' the many we provide our outstandin' services to. We be glad to oblige to generosity an' preference.” He mentions, eating more of the rice.

Kakyou offers the bowl, “Fancy some?”

"No, thank you." Jiro smiled his rather flat refusal. "I had a nibble earlier. but a Scorpion is no less appreciative of generosity than a Mantis."

"So yer cap'n be some important scallywag, be that right?" Kokyou eats more, relieved the Scorpion boy didn't want to share. "How do they call ye?"

Jiro's smile faded back to neutrality. "Bayushi Jiro, son of Bayushi Mitsuo. He's the Karo of Kyuden Bayushi." The acorn pipped across his knuckles again, more smoothly this time. "And you?"

At the question, the young boy at the root stands up and rises up the bowl of rice towards Lady Sun. After a deep inhale, he announces himself, looking defiant to the heavens. "I be the breathin' ambition o' discovery, wealth, glory an' conquest. The seed o' the storm, soon the become the mightiest gentleman o' fortune this world an' that 'as e'er known! Kokyou is the name I be given."

Jiro took in the posturing, continuing in his even way: "Gentleman of Fortune. I take it you mean something a little more based in skill than the name would suggest?"

Kokyou resumes eating from the bowl, then finishes and takes a bow, thanking for the meal. After the respects, he replies to Jiro. "Take it as ye prefer, heartie Scorpion."

Jiro nodded. "If that is the way you prefer it, Kokyou-san. Although...perhaps surrendering your narrative like that may not have the results you prefer. If being a gentleman of fortune, whatever it is, is something you wish to take pride in, then you may wish to...educate the rest of us."

The acorn popped across the knuckles of his left hand this time, Jiro's eyes watching it intently. "I am almost certain that I have the wrong idea. That could be problematic for both us."

He chuckles. "I 'ave no intention t' become a sensei 'n educate scallywags. Th' Fortunes themselves should care o' teachin' th' questionin' lot that find issues where thar are none."

Kokyou smiles to Jiro. "Wha' be th' problematic between us, matey?"

"Between us? Nothing at all." Jiro's attention remained on the acorn. "I find your style of speech an interesting challenge. It is difficult to tell if you are being evasive, if you have taken offense at something, or if you're just having fun. It is refreshing. I think I like it."

"If I did, me fist would be in yer nose. Ye be a good lad, 'n yer cap'n be our client. Why would I be offended?" He says, reinforcing the grin with the same –– perhaps evasive –– speech.

"I haven't the slightest idea. If I did, I think I would this all very tedious." He popped the acorn into the air and caught it in his other hand. "The joy is in not knowing for sure. I think this is why my father enjoys your people so much. Everyone else is so predictable."

"We needs t' be prepared t' face mighty Osano-Wo's mood when it changes. 'tis ne'er predictable." He nods.

"And I am sure that Suitengu needs to be appeased as well, yes." A pause. "And how do you go about making sure that you stay in the favor of these mercurial Fortunes, Kokyou-san?"