The New Winds

Kenji had planned everything carefully, a small niche in which one could be a little bit more private, organized the most popular tea that, according to his information, was currently poured in the Crab Lands and sent out invitations in advance.

He sat at the small table in a simple kimono and tried not to look too brushed, while he brooded in a book about taxes until his guests would arrive.

Kazuko arrives early to ensure a moment of privacy with Kenji before his other guests arrived. She could never get enough of those it seemed.

"Kenji, what are you reading that is making you look so sad?"

She's only teasing, but she does want to see his ladykiller smile. Another thing she can't get enough of.

His eyes lit up and a smile appeared on his face when he saw Kazuko. "Taxes, being a Gokenin will be hard work," he said before he got up. He looked around to see if anyone was looking before quickly taking Kazuko in his arms and stealing a kiss from her.

He pulled the shoji a little closer together before he sat down again.

"I am so excited! I've missed Aiichiro-kun and Ginkarasu-kun so much!" he said to take the subject of money off the table. However, the book was still open on the table.

It contained numbers, formulas and laws.

Scratch scratch says the door.

Tired from the afternoon on the forge and running around in markets, he let the door stratch Ginkarasu.

Kakita Kenji wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 01, 2020 7:33 pm

His eyes lit up and a smile appeared on his face when he saw Kazuko. "Taxes, being a Gokenin will be hard work," he said before he got up. He looked around to see if anyone was looking before quickly taking Kazuko in his arms and stealing a kiss from her.

He pulled the shoji a little closer together before he sat down again.

"I am so excited! I've missed Aiichiro-kun and Ginkarasu-kun so much!" he said to take the subject of money off the table. However, the book was still open on the table.

It contained numbers, formulas and laws.

She should be used to kissing by now but she still blushes and grows quiet every time. Definitely a sign that they should kiss more so she gets used to it. Well, maybe another time. It wouldn't do if Ginkarasu and Aiichiro's saw her so unseemly in their first meeting in over a year. She looks over herself once to make sure she still looks presentable or at least not too flustered and holds Kenji's hand, content to enjoy his presence until the others arrive. She wouldn't mind if they ran a bit late either.

scratch, scratch

Ah, it looks like one of them has arrived already. She lingers by Kenji's side a moment longer before opening the shoji.

"Oh, Aiichiro-k ahem-san and Ginkarasu-san! It is so good to see you two again! Come on in, the tea is still hot."

She refrains from being too personal with them, at least when others can see, opting for only a bow. However, once they are inside she extends her arms for a hug.

They were alone again. This meant the romance continued, he remembers well how Kazuko said it was indecent for opposite genders to be in private, but how she was uncomplaining of that when she was around her lover.
Once he felt the hug approaching, he stepped back like if Kazuko had the plague. It was not a common costume on Crab lands, only of it meant romance! And she was in front of Kenji! What could she be insinuating?
When you think too hard about the intentions between something as a Wall Crab, not your first thought (which is based on shock) nor your second (which is based on confusion) is jade. Your third, however, normally is.
But now he couldn't test her with the finger, as he refused the hug. He just unmade the tie the collar made around his arm and held the jade piece on his hand.
"Kazuko-san, Kenji-kun! Could we leave the shoji open, for fresh air to come?"

"Oh hi friends! Are we learning Unicorn customs?" He grins a bit, not really understanding what else is happening. "Do they have a double hand clasp thing? I admit, I haven't been learning enough, but I should try and be kind to Utaku Nesrin when I see her next."

Trying to save Kazuko's face, Kenji tried to relax the situation a bit. "Of course, of course, leave the shoji a little open, you must have had a long journey, sit down."

He pointed to the seats. "It's good to see you both again," he said and bowed.

Kenji knew that Kazuko sometimes approached things like a unicorn, sometimes he wondered if she had a unicorn ancestor somewhere in her bloodline. It was sweet, but not exactly helpful in every situation.

Kenji sat down, the book was still open on the table, but his attention was on his guests.

Surely life on the wall hasn't changed the friendly and warmhearted Aiichiro that much, right? While Kauzko might not have endured it herself, she has heard many stories about it... but perhaps the stories were censored in ways to not scare her when she was little. Nevertheless, she knows to not take affection for granted, perhaps better than anyone and wishes to cherish her friends and loved ones while she still can. Everyone should. Just another one of the many small tidbits of wisdom she's inherited from her mother after countless anecdotes. Well, if they're not comfortable, then she can find other ways to bond.

"Ginkarasu-san, you are so funny! I've missed your humor so much. How have you two been?"

"I made some people hurt their hands, and made it here! So good enough! Did you know that your former clan champion's servant was coming into town today, bringing some of Doji Satsume-shiryo's belongings to Kakita Toshimoko-sama?"

"Pretty fine. A lot of work to do, still. I got to travel quite some around the Crab lands. Doing the things officers do other than battling." He replies, going over to Kenji and looking at his paperwork with a feline interest.

Yasuki Ginkarasu wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 04, 2020 11:34 am

"I made some people hurt their hands, and made it here! So good enough! Did you know that your former clan champion's servant was coming into town today, bringing some of Doji Satsume-shiryo's belongings to Kakita Toshimoko-sama?"

Kenji turned to Ginkarasu with interest: "No, but how did you come to this knowledge? Did you meet him on the street?" he asked.

Kaiu Aiichiro wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 04, 2020 11:46 am

"Pretty fine. A lot of work to do, still. I got to travel quite some around the Crab lands. Doing the things officers do other than battling." He replies, going over to Kenji and looking at his paperwork with a feline interest.

"It is good that you are already being entrusted with your task in this way. I will have to wait until after the topaz before I can officially accept my post." Kenji noticed Aiichiro's look and remembered something, he had to giggle for a moment. "I have studied the 'number art' many evenings," he said jokingly. "I'm still no expert, and probably won't get anywhere near you, but most formulas don't give me headaches anymore."

Yasuki Ginkarasu wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 04, 2020 11:34 am

"I made some people hurt their hands, and made it here! So good enough! Did you know that your former clan champion's servant was coming into town today, bringing some of Doji Satsume-shiryo's belongings to Kakita Toshimoko-sama?"

"Oh? I was not aware of that, did you happen to see what he was bringing?"

Kakita Kenji wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 04, 2020 2:34 pm

Yasuki Ginkarasu wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 04, 2020 11:34 am

"I made some people hurt their hands, and made it here! So good enough! Did you know that your former clan champion's servant was coming into town today, bringing some of Doji Satsume-shiryo's belongings to Kakita Toshimoko-sama?"

Kenji turned to Ginkarasu with interest: "No, but how did you come to this knowledge? Did you meet him on the street?" he asked.

Kaiu Aiichiro wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 04, 2020 11:46 am

"Pretty fine. A lot of work to do, still. I got to travel quite some around the Crab lands. Doing the things officers do other than battling." He replies, going over to Kenji and looking at his paperwork with a feline interest.

"It is good that you are already being entrusted with your task in this way. I will have to wait until after the topaz before I can officially accept my post." Kenji noticed Aiichiro's look and remembered something, he had to giggle for a moment. "I have studied the 'number art' many evenings," he said jokingly. "I'm still no expert, and probably won't get anywhere near you, but most formulas don't give me headaches anymore."

"It is because I already finished my gempukku. This cerimony is all nice, but the chance of the abilities the Crab rely on coming up is nill. So they always run us through the official thing, too. Not in Ginkarasu's case as far I know, though." He says, analyzing the papers with interest.
"So you learned to multiply and divide as far I can see, good. Did you run yourself across percentages yet? It's pretty important for management."

A nod. "Aiichiro-sama and I both got it put upright with Kaito Haruki-sama's help! Ryu was sent all alone with your Clan Champions belongings. I admit, I am very surprised at that security decision. His papers and personal things were there."

Yasuki Ginkarasu wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 04, 2020 10:19 pm

A nod. "Aiichiro-sama and I both got it put upright with Kaito Haruki-sama's help! Ryu was sent all alone with your Clan Champions belongings. I admit, I am very surprised at that security decision. His papers and personal things were there."

"Oh, Haruki-san was also there? I am glad that you guys helped him but how did a wagon with his belongings happen to fall over? The road is very well traveled."

"It was pretty windy! And there was some kind of spirit on the water I think?" Ginkarasu nods. "Plus he had it loaded so high for one old man."

Kaiu Aiichiro wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 04, 2020 9:33 pm

....

"I do my best to understand, after all I'm supposed to collect taxes with it later," Kenji admitted smiling, "How are your duties? Do you have a permanent group of Hohei? Or are they just assigned to you as your Lord sees fit?"

Kakita Kenji wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 05, 2020 7:35 am

Kaiu Aiichiro wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 04, 2020 9:33 pm

....

"I do my best to understand, after all I'm supposed to collect taxes with it later," Kenji admitted smiling, "How are your duties? Do you have a permanent group of Hohei? Or are they just assigned to you as your Lord sees fit?"

"They don't want to throw me in battle as I'm a child technically, with all implications that come with it, like all I got for inheritance going into the hands of the Phoenix. I would first need to be an adult on my own to get an unit properly, although I have been doing most other officer tasks."