The New Winds

Zashi draws a few looks, but does a decent job of weaving through sections of crowds. Even if there was someone looking too hard, what did it matter? There was too much to see! Zashi's nose twitches at the smell of something sweet, spiced and frying and starts to chase it until, eyes wide, they come to a fried dough stand, with the dough dipped in honey and spices.

There is a low rumble, and Zashi looks down with a bit of surprise.

"Huh...

There is a quick pat on the stomach

"I guess we can get something for you."

The world was pain.

Pain came from an empty stomach.

Filling one's self up was a pain as well.

Fried dough was vexacious... but it would do.

She shuffled up to the stand beside the boy.

"One."

Zashi's ears almost seem to flick at the sound of a gurgle behind him. The redhead sneaks over to the counter, leaving a few coppers and sliding back the freshest pastries from the pot. Zashi slides one back to the (girl?) behind him, offering a mischievous smile that lasts for only a moment before it is filled with dough, leaving lips ringed with crumbs and sugary glaze.

"Mmmmm....try for yourself."

The girl (though it was hard to tell from the voluminous robes she wore, not to mention the demon mask) stood over a foot taller than Zashi. Her gaze went down, though it was hard to see her eyes in the mask. Finally a sleeve reached out, and a think, delicate looking hand reached out and took the pastry. She lifted it up in front of her mask and stared at it a moment before the mask's gaze went down again.

"...For me?"

"Of course! You look like a starving pup, how can I resist a face like that?" Zashi beams a luminous smile upwards, shaking off the extra oil and sugar, licking them off a set of slender fingers.

"Are you here for the school as well?"

That head tilted a bit, long black hair brushing over her pack. Reaching up with a hand, she pushed her mask up enough to expose her mouth, taking a delicate bite. She chewed a long moment before speaking up again, her eyes now completely covered by her mask.

"...Argiato." A pause. "...Though I am not a wolf or a dog. I am a Yogo."

Taking another small bite, it seemed she might be done before she spoke up again. "I am here to eat. After, I will be going to a school, hai."

"Aww, you take things so literal." Zashi lets out a chuckle that shakes strands of hair down from the braid. "If you're here to eat, then you should go at it. You won't get your stomach settled that way." Zashi starts tapping a foot. "If you're still hungry, I hear there's Abura-age down the next block!" Zashi grabs at the girl's hand, trying to lead her excitedly away.

"...This will do... for now," the girl said, taking another bite. She was silent a long moment to take more small nibbles at the pastry before she spoke up again. "...Otoko. You are... very... enthusiastic."

"Oooh, I am? And that makes you...opposite of enthusiastic? No." Zashi snaps both sets of fingers between their both of their faces. "No, the fire is there...somewhere. It's just quieter. Subdued." Zashi tilts to the side, head craning, eyes studying the gap in the mask.

"...I am a Yogo," she said simply, as if that alone explained everything. Finishing the pastry, she pulled her mask back down so her eyes could be seen looking out from the demon's eyes once more, looking down at Zashi. "...And... you are...?"

"Zashi! I'm Zashi!" The words are said with the kind of sureness that Otoko had used for Yogo.

"You know, I much prefer what I saw without that thing in front of your face." Zashi's eyes regain a twinkle. "I find the way a human face lies to be far more interesting."

Otoko was silent a moment before she gave a slow nod. "Ronin... or perhaps a minor clan. The mask stays. Scorpion tradition. Would dishonor my ancestor."

Zashi sighs audibly. "You're going to be a tough nut to crack. I just know it." The diminutive redhead brightens though. "Fortunately for you, I like a challenge. Fine, you're full. What else do you want to see? They are supposed to have things from all over the Empire in this district!"

The tall girl's head tilted to the side again slowly. "...Are you... offering to be... a tour guide?"

She looked around, then back to Zashi. "I am not really... one for sight seeing. I will follow though, if that is what you wish." Her hands folded into her sleeves in front of her.

"Ha! Sure. We can get equally lost together!" Zashi offers a twirl, dancing out ahead, eyes alight as she scans the crowds and stalls. "What made you think I know where I was going?"

Otoko did not move for a long moment. "...General understanding. I was mistaken. I do not seek to get... lost... as you say. If we do so, I will stop to ask directions."

"Come on, it's a lot more fun this way. We know where to go at the end of the day, and we are supposed to shut ourselves in once we arrive? This might be the last time we have the chance to see things. Who knows when the next time we'll be here so fancy free."

Zashi looks back, expanding his arms to the signs. "The next time we are nearby, we could be here on a mission, or as part of an invasion or a brutal defense. Truly peaceful days are a rare thing for the samurai, a luxury that cannot ever be expected once adults. Watch out, they might all pass you by."

"I fail to see what is enjoyable about getting lost. If anything, your proposal of shutting myself in sounds nice," Otoko murmured quietly. "We will all die eventually, so I do not understand the... joy... of peaceful days. They are quite tedious and boring."

Even as the Scorpion girl spoke, she followed Zashi with small steps all the same, her robes barely seeming to ripple, as if she was just hovering after him.

"Tedious? You've never seen it with me." Zashi reaches for her hand again. "Let's make our own fun, right?"

Otoko's hands remained in her sleeves, and she looked to the hand with a small tilt of her head before looking into Zashi's eyes again. "...What a strange boy. I will follow you, for now, but I will not take your hand... and I am as yet uncertain if there will be 'fun'."