The New Winds

For some reason, Kokyou rushed up to complete his shores after the combat training and, instead of getting pumped up with more kata, decided to chill out just like yesterday.

Hoping to see Doji-sensei once again, he sits at the area which Sasaiko had prepared some rather delicious tea yesterday. A wishful smile clearly visible crossing his face.

Knowing that she will be making use of the room later, Sasaiko makes a point of visiting the tea room to ensure all is in order. When she sees the Mantis child within, she is surprised and says "Oh, my apologies; I did not know the room was in use already."

She bows and makes to withdraw.

"But ye're part o' th' cabin's usage, lass. I be here admire more o' yer skill 'n enjoy th' simple –– yet rich –– freshness o' that ye produce." Kokyou bows to her elegantly.

Of course, he was expecting Doji-sensei to appear. But that did not need mentioning.

I am not at all sure what he just said, she thinks, but he seems to be trying to be polite.

"I'll join you, then. Doji-sensei will be meeting with me here later, so I wanted to be sure the room was ready for her."

Kokyou nods to himself. How could he be so good at foreseeing things?

With a proud smug on his face, he raises a suggestive eyebrow to Sasaiko, and says, "I be sure she'll be proud o' ye, lass. Ye're mighty diligent. I 'ave t' say I felt extremely refreshed yesterday aft th' tea, 'n, well, I thought o' ye today."

"Oh?"

Her eyebrows rise, and it is a moment before she adds "I am glad you liked the tea."

"Ye best be. I can be mighty picky, sometimes. Nah easily pleased."

He sucks his teeth and shakes his head. "Nah. Scrap that. I be quite easygoin' actually. I would drink jus' water if ye served."

Sasaiko carefully maintains a neutral expression.

"Contentment is good, but I am not certain that's why you make the comment. Would you care to elaborate?"

“Elaborate on wha', specifically?” He asks, tilting his head. “That I enjoy watchin' ye prepare tea. Well. 'tis quite true.”

"Mantis-san, are you trying to flirt with me?"

Sasaiko raises an eyebrow as she says it.

"Me, tryin' t' flirt? Lass. Thar's no try. Ye do, or ye do nah." He raises both eyebrows to her.

I'm sure that's some kind of cliche, she thinks before she replies "Why, though?"

"Well, I don't wants t' embarrass ye, now." He says.

"Oh?"

The eyebrow raises again.

He wiggles his eyebrows and grins. Then, with a deep inhale, Kokyou puts hands at his waist and waits patiently in silence for any additional buffet of interesting reactions fro Sasaiko.

She matches his silence with her own--though her posture is much less affected than his, so that she can likely hold it longer.

But she does give a slight smile.

Kokyou gets amuses with the game and puts his tongue out making an ugly face. Then, he returns to his previous serene, patient position.

Impatient boy she thinks. How's he ever going to make it in the world?

Sasaiko's face remains quirked in its small little smile. Perhaps she tilts her head just a tiny bit to the side. Perhaps.

Haruki approaches the room he was scheduled to do courtier training with Doji Murashige sensei, noticing the stalemate between minor clansmen.

Kokyou raises an eyebrow to Sasaiko and looks to the new arrival, giving her courtesy of greeting first, if she wanted.

After all, she seemed no to be so keen on putting a real smile on her face.