That Don't Impress Me Much (Otosan Uchi - Hito District)

[Utaku Ichiro]

"Uh... yeah... sure." It's pretty clear theology was not a major concern to his previous sensei.

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

Sasaiko looks curiously at Ichiro.

"What, exactly, do you hope to get out of this experience?"

[Utaku Ichiro]

"To prove that, no matter where they might ship me off to, I will be a warrior of renown. Doesn't matter where, doesn't matter what the training, I'll not just succeed I'll surpass it."

A look of prideful determination.

I'll surpass her.

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

This kid has issues, she thinks.

"I'll look forward to seeing it, then," Sasaiko says. "I imagine I'll have the chance to see some of it in the coming days."

[Utaku Ichiro]

The return of the shrug, "I suppose so. That's the idea, right? To have us all mingle and see what rubs off?"

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"It might be. Or it could be that we will be made privy to some insight that would not otherwise be available, even from intermingling."

[Utaku Ichiro]

"The optimistic type aren't ya. Not saying you're wrong, mind, maybe we will."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Fate ever goes as it must, but it will spare a brave person who faces it."

Sasaiko nods.

"Have you met any of our other fellow students yet?"

[Utaku Ichiro]

"You make the first. Honestly even that is a surprise. I mean how many people are there in the Capital that paths of a small group might cross unintentionally."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"There are a lot of people here, yes. But that makes sense; people should want to be close to the Son of Heaven."

[Utaku Ichiro]

"Never really saw why one would want to live in a city, let alone a big one, but as far as reasons go I guess that's a good one at least."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"I guess you're a country boy, then."

[Utaku Ichiro]

"I suppose you could say that. I reckon you won't find many Unicorn who aren't. A Unicorn without a place to ride and a wide open sky to sleep under is like a Crane without a fan. Sure they exist, and some probably even enjoy it, but it sure isn't most."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

Twice now, he's made comments about the Crane, she thinks.

"Admittedly, Toritaka lands aren't exactly urbanized."

[Utaku Ichiro]

"Well glad to hear your folks have some taste then."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

Sasaiko chuckles, again covering her mouth with her free hand.

"Aren't you charming?"

[Utaku Ichiro]

No matter the true intent young women laughing had, to this point, never proven well for Ichiro. The Unicorn bristles as his eyes narrow, "What's that supposed to mean?"

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

The laughing stops, and Sasaiko looks at the Utaku boy for a moment.

What do you mean, "What's that supposed to mean?" she thinks. Never heard the word "charming" before?

Her eyebrows quirk as she takes on a quizzical expression. "What could it mean except that you're charming?"

[Utaku Ichiro]

He frowns a little but seems to accept it, relaxing a little, "Well 'look at this cute frog' can mean 'look at this cute frog' or it can mean 'I'm about to shove you in this river and our parents will yell at you for getting your nice hakama covered in mud'."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

Never heard the word before she thinks, and nods.

"Well, I won't tell your parents about your muddy hakama, at least."