...Yarr?

[Doji Sakura]

In her total confusion, she missed the group meditation starting, and she just kind of stood there watching.

He smiles to the little girl waving a hand and saying, "Avast ye. They call me Kokyou."

There was a hand waving in Sakuras direction as she looked completely confused at the people sitting around together. She blinked a few times, then looked at the waving hand.

"Huh?"

She quickly followed it with a bow. She knew etiquette well at least!

[Kokyou]

Kokyou copied what she did and bowed, too. Then, with a bright grin and hands at his waist, he comments, "Ye 'ave really shined, poppet. Actually, we all did. Specially me, 'n ye, too. These sensei look so proud. 'tis th' best crew ever. So, tell me, wha' be ye name?"

[Doji Sakura]

Sakura remembered an important lessons from her mother at this moment; if you can't understand what someone said twice, you just have to guess.

So she did. She understood at least the last part!

"I'm Doji Sakura. Who are you? I think I did well, although I don't understand what they're doing now. Also there is a distinct lack of art in all of this."

[Kokyou]

He nods, and raises his hand up with a clenched fist to announce himself, "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."

After a dramatic pause, he adds, "Ye did great. Trust me. 'tis a pleasure t' meet yer acquaintance, lass. Aye, this galleon be rather simple, but I guess this th' lanblubbers' charm."

[Doji Sakura]

Why does he talk like that? Is he ill?

Sakura felt sorry for the poor boy.

"I'm sure you did great as well Kokyou-san. You've come to a fine place for um...discovery and glory!" She tried to sound excited instead of confused "I don't know what family the Kokyou is though."

[Kokyou]

"The... Kokyou" He narrows his eyes in thought of having a preposition before his name. It sounded odd, yet cool. After inhaling, the boy explains, "I be from th' Mantis Islands. That's where me family be."

[Doji Sakura]

"Oh!"

The Mantis have no family name! That's why It made no sense!

She bowed in apology.

"My apology, I was um...confused, as you only said Kokyou. I'm not really one for heraldries and lore, I'm an artist you see."

[Kokyou]

He shrugs at her apology, not really understanding why. "I be still fourteen winters, so 'tis only natural some here in th' land dunno th' tales they tell about me."

With a nod, he asks, "An artist. That's interestin'. Me mother also says that I be quite an artist meself. Often when she's mad at me. Which kind o' art ye do?"

[Doji Sakura]

Art transcended all languages, no matter if they spoke Rokugani or Mantis. Sakura seemed to brighten up at the topic.

"I'll try anything, but my training is more focused around weapons and jewelry. I've even started to experiment with more gems, although they're really hard to do, so only an expert like me can pick it up so easily" Sakura nodded knowingly "what is your art?"

[Kokyou]

The talk aways weapons and gems make Kokyou's eye sparkle. He mentions, "Gems 'n weapons are th' foundation o' th' Mantis along wit' silk 'n spices. That's be mighty interestin' indeed, poppet."

Plundering, he would potentially have answered. But that wasn't it. He cackles playfully, and adds, "Happiness be me art."

[Doji Sakura]

"They are?" Sakura looked surprised. She'd never heard of any other family being as devoted to the art as the Kakita "that's cool! So you have like...weaponsmiths in Mantis islands? I'd love to see how they do it. I'm actually working on a project while we're here, although it's not an easy one."

She giggled at the art comment, smiling brightly "happiness is the best art. I'm happiest at my forge."

[Kokyou]

"I can say we 'ave many more weapons than smiths, aye. Th' best o' them. All sorts. Heaven's Bank Hold there in Gotei Island be known t' 'ave plenty o' booty from th' best artisans 'n craftsmen. I be sure one day 'twill hold somethin' fancy of yers, too."

He narrows an eye of curiosity and leans closer, while putting a hand over his cheek to muffle the sound so others wouldn't hear, "If I be nah intrudin': Wha' project... be this?"

[Doji Sakura]

She wasn't sure why her crafts would end up with the Mantis, but she smiled and said "well if it holds the best crafts, or at least the best outside the Crane, then maybe mine will be there. I'll be the best jewelsmith in the lands one day."

Then he started whispering, as if it was a conspiracy, and she thought a moment. Was it bad?

"I took on a special project. I'm making a Tanto out of pure Jade" she decided to whisper. It might be bad!

[Kokyou]

He grins showing full teeth as she boasts about her own skills. "Yaar. Way t' go. Be proud o' wha' ye're good at, poppet."

Kokyou tones down a notch to reply about her secret project with great interest. "A tanto. Made out o' precious booty. How wonderful. It happens t' be that I be th' most skilled knife jugglin', cut-throatin' 'n kimono slicin' fourteen year ole lad in all th' seven seas."

[Doji Sakura]

There was a few blinks. "Huh? It's not a gift. Well, not yet. Also Jade wouldn't be a great material for a proper weapon, it's not as strong as steel or diamonds. It's just easier to work with than other gems, so I decided to work my way up as the sensei provided the Jade for it. I could work with anything though!"

[Kokyou]

He sucks his teeth for a moment, and then nods. "We gentleman o' fortune must use whatever be available t' us as a weapon. That be th' proper thin'. Blades, roars, hands 'n tongue are jus' tools."

[Doji Sakura]

"Oh, that must be quite hard" Sakura frowned "I'm sorry. I'm going to learn how to use the swords I make, but I'm quite good with my hands anyway."

[Kokyou]

"If it were too easy, it wouldna be fun." Kokyou cracks a laugh and draws some attention from the sensei watching over them. "I be happy t' hear ye're good wit' yer hands 'n ye wants t' learn more. Perhaps I can be yer sparrin' partner t' teach ye a move or two."

[Doji Sakura]

"Oh! That would be great! Thank you" Sakura beamed a smile at that "the Crane focus heavily on the sword which is great but I want to make other weapons, not just swords!"

[Kokyou]

His eyes glint again, and he leans back down to whisper, "It jus' happen t' be that I be a connoisseur..."

Kokyou stops dramatically to kidexplain it to her, "...that's a word I learned from gaijin, it means ridiculously expert..."

Then, the boy continues, "I know th' format o' th' best 'n mightiest weapons in th' whole seven seas. Only th' best craftsman, or crafts... lass could be able t' make it. 'tis double th' complex since it ain't a weapon samurai are keen t' use. 'tis exotic. 'n... it comes in a pair o' blades."