The noodle lunch is both delicious and relaxing. Even Umeko ended up ordering a meal only hers also included some seared fish. Even with the eating some meat, the kiriga was considerate of the Lapis and made sure it wasn't visible when she was eating. The meal itself came to a delightful close about half an hour later. The stall owners were thanked along with being paid double what they would have normally charged. Why? Well, Umeko always feels that she should show respect to everyone, even those deemed 'lower class' than her usual social circle. Soon they are back to walking along the main road of the small seaside town as they wait for their guard to return with word on if the Lord is present as well as the small matter of putting their ride in a stable for the duration of their visit.
"You seem far more relaxed than I expected," Umeko remarks to Xander in perfect Imperial. It's probably to help him practice ... or maybe to educate Nawar, because she translates what she just said to Xander into Standard for the young doe.
"What were you expecting?" Xander asks, a bit surprised. "I do know how to swim, after all.."
"Well, you are around a species with sharp claws, teeth, and a desire for meat," Umeko points out. Her tone suggests she's mildly amused. Her gait has remained quite proper and that sinewy tail of hers doesn't dare touch the ground as she walks along. "I suppose your time with me has made Kiriga less terrifying."
"Desire for fish," the Lapi points out. "They probably don't get mammal-flesh.. and in any case, you're here to protect me, and they seem impressed by my status as a mage."
Nawar sticks her tongue halfway out, for whatever reason. Maybe it was the mention of fish.
The local Kiriga are doing their best to try not to obviously stare as the odd group walks down the dirt road. Still, every now and then a young one tends to point and chatter at its parents. This is usually short lived as the parents immediately stop the child from pointing and try to make it appear as if nothing at all had happened. "I bet I could teach you both to enjoy raw fish," Umeko suggests. "It doesn't require sharp teeth to eat."
"Mother says chewing food just for flavor and then spitting it out is bad manners," Nawar explains.
"I've had fried centipede once.." Xander mutters. "Once was enough.."
"That is why you swallow it," Umeko explains to Nawar.
"I get sick though," the coney claims. "I got really sick when I had fish before. All over everything!"
"It was pretty amusing, actually," Xander notes with a grin. "At least she's not allergic to Xocholatl.."
"Ah. Well, perhaps you are over that problem now that you are older," Umeko suggests, though her tone doesn't sound quite like she believes it ... or willing to try it. Her head cranes a bit as she looks about. "Ah. Yes. Now, seeing as you are not nervous around us, you will be fine if I leave you here alone for a few minutes," she says as she seems to have spotted something, though what is hard to say. All the signs are in written Imperial. "I wish to enter this shop and the sign states that it is for Kirigai only. That is ... not uncommon. There is still quite a bit of prejudice towards those who are not of us."
"Wait.. what are you going to be doing in there?" Xander asks quickly, looking at the shop.
"Buying some rare tea. It is just a tea shop," Umeko explains and gestures towards a weather-worn shop with a small external stall that is currently empty. The windows are packed full with drying tea leaves and the door is covered by a small scrap of cloth that flaps in the light breeze When the wind shifts slightly and brings the scent of the leaves towards the group, the smell is almost overwhelming. "Are you worried that I may try to sell you?" she asks.
"Well.. not to a tea shop, no," Xander admits, his ears drooping a moment before perking back up to scan the street. "But you won't be long, right?"
"At most ten minutes," Umeko claims, "You are not worried, are you?" She also glances over to Nawar and asks her, "You're not afraid like your brother, right?"
"Yes ma'am," the girl admits, smiling. "I'll scream if something happens though, so you will hear me."
"Mm, then that is something I will have to work on with both of you," Umeko says as she taps her chin lightly. "A few weeks living with Master Longtooth should fix that..."
"We'd starve to death around that bag of leather," Xander mutters.
Umeko lightly flicks Xander's nose. "You need to be more respectful of your elders," she chides.
"I think he goes a bit beyond elder," Xander notes, but grins. "I promise not to burn down the town while you're getting your tea."
"If you really behave, perhaps I will buy you something later," Umeko offers as she slinks off, then into, the small tea shop. With Umeko gone the locals seem a bit braver at staring at the Lapi. It also doesn't help that every now and then one of the locals licks its lips. Surely it's just due to the dry air and not any instinctive appetite for Lapi.
"Don't worry, I'm sure nobody is starving or anything to tempt them to attack us," Xander tells his sister, and hides the bag of noodles behind his back. Still.. he starts chanting a quick Hotfoot spell to hold onto, just in case.
A couple minutes pass and no one seems to be inclined to come up to them or otherwise make any sort of threatening gesture. The looks seem more of curiosity now than anything.
"They're sure a pretty people here," the buck comments to his younger sibling.
Nawar nods, and admits, "I like all the colors."
Xander suddenly feels something tug on his robe from behind!
"What is it, Na-" he starts to say, looking back with the notion that his sister is doing the tugging.
And Xander finds himself staring down at a young Kiriga boy. At least it's probably a boy since its hips are narrower, it's wearing a heavy leather apron and covered in soot. Girls are rarely that dirty. "Excuse me?" the Kiriga asks in heavily accented standard. "You servant?"
"Yes," Xander replies in.. well, heavily accented Imperial. "To Lady Tsuguri."
"Then that is Lady Umeko Tsuguri?" the kiriga asks in Imperial, seemingly relieved he doesn't have to try to speak in standard. "I have a message for her, and only her."
"Is it from the local Lord?" Xander asks. "She will be a few more minutes buying her tea," he explains.
"No, not from the Lord," the young Kiriga says as he thrusts a ratty-looking piece of paper in Xander's face. "Just give this to her? Please?" he asks as he fidgets nervously.
"Alright," Xander says, taking the paper. "Who is it from?" he asks, trying to look harmless and fluffy to put the boy at ease.
"I don't know. I was just asked to deliver the note," the boy claims as he backs away. "Thank you weird fuzzy person!" he says as he bows awkwardly, spins on his tail, and runs down the street!
"But who.." Xander starts to ask, until the boy dashes off. "Hmm," he goes, and looks at the note to see if he can decipher any of it.
The paper is dirty and apparently hastily written. It's also in Imperial. The style is far different from Umeko's own fluid writing. so much so that it almost looks like a different language. Xander can only manage to make out a few words and unfortunately that doesn't help matters since they are ... 'Dishonorable' ... 'Ugly' ... and 'Short'.
"This could mean anything," the Lapi mutters, and shows it to Nawar. "We've hardly been here an hour, and already Umeko is getting mail."
"No, I am getting tea," Umeko corrects as she exists the shop carrying a small gourd. "I have not seen a shop that sells mail. I don't expect this town has an armorer."
"I mean.. messages," Xander explains, and holds out the note. "A somewhat grubby boy in an apron brought this to us a moment ago, saying it was just for you. He left before I could ask who gave it to him to deliver."
"That is odd, Umeko says as she takes the note from him ... and gives him the gourd of crushed tea leaves in trade. She lightly snaps her right hand to fully unfurl the note, then reads. Or tries to. She seems to have difficulty making out the glyphs too. It's apparent the meaning is coming through as her ear fins splay and flick, her eyes narrow, and she frowns. "This is a rude note. I have been called an dishonorable kiriga, devoid of any virtue. Also, that I am ugly, short, and lacking of any feminine charm," she translates. "And that if I wished to dispute any of these charges, to come to one of the small rice fields outside of town. It gives rough directions."
"I don't suppose that could be from a childhood friend trying to razz you?" Xander asks, ears perked.
"I do not have many childhood friends," Umeko points out as she folds up the note, "But it is possible, I suppose. Honor dictates that I answer this message." She also eyes Xander and asks him, "Am I really that short?"
"You're young still," Xander points out. "Don't Kiriga keep growing as they mature?"
"It varies," Umeko says as she tucks the note away. "Come, let us find the author of this so that I may teach him or her the errors of their ways."
"Umm.. is this a duel?" Xander asks, clutching the gourd and bag of noodles. "Is there some rule that says I can't blast your opponent?"
"It was my honor that was questioned, not yours. It is my matter to deal with. Can you control your urges, or do I need to leave you here?" Umeko asks and arches her brow ridge at Xander.
"Well.. uh.." the buck waffles. "I don't see how anyone with such poor brushmanship can be a serious threat. So I'll try my best not to dishonor you," the Lapi says. At least, not unless it looks like you might get hurt..
The noodle lunch is both delicious and relaxing. Even Umeko ended up ordering a meal only hers also included some seared fish. Even with the eating some meat, the kiriga was considerate of the Lapis and made sure it wasn't visible when she was eating. The meal itself came to a delightful close about half an hour later. The stall owners were thanked along with being paid double what they would have normally charged. Why? Well, Umeko always feels that she should show respect to everyone, even those deemed 'lower class' than her usual social circle. Soon they are back to walking along the main road of the small seaside town as they wait for their guard to return with word on if the Lord is present as well as the small matter of putting their ride in a stable for the duration of their visit.
"You seem far more relaxed than I expected," Umeko remarks to Xander in perfect Imperial. It's probably to help him practice ... or maybe to educate Nawar, because she translates what she just said to Xander into Standard for the young doe.
"What were you expecting?" Xander asks, a bit surprised. "I do know how to swim, after all.."
"Well, you are around a species with sharp claws, teeth, and a desire for meat," Umeko points out. Her tone suggests she's mildly amused. Her gait has remained quite proper and that sinewy tail of hers doesn't dare touch the ground as she walks along. "I suppose your time with me has made Kiriga less terrifying."
"Desire for fish," the Lapi points out. "They probably don't get mammal-flesh.. and in any case, you're here to protect me, and they seem impressed by my status as a mage."
Nawar sticks her tongue halfway out, for whatever reason. Maybe it was the mention of fish.
The local Kiriga are doing their best to try not to obviously stare as the odd group walks down the dirt road. Still, every now and then a young one tends to point and chatter at its parents. This is usually short lived as the parents immediately stop the child from pointing and try to make it appear as if nothing at all had happened. "I bet I could teach you both to enjoy raw fish," Umeko suggests. "It doesn't require sharp teeth to eat."
"Mother says chewing food just for flavor and then spitting it out is bad manners," Nawar explains.
"I've had fried centipede once.." Xander mutters. "Once was enough.."
"That is why you swallow it," Umeko explains to Nawar.
"I get sick though," the coney claims. "I got really sick when I had fish before. All over everything!"
"It was pretty amusing, actually," Xander notes with a grin. "At least she's not allergic to Xocholatl.."
"Ah. Well, perhaps you are over that problem now that you are older," Umeko suggests, though her tone doesn't sound quite like she believes it ... or willing to try it. Her head cranes a bit as she looks about. "Ah. Yes. Now, seeing as you are not nervous around us, you will be fine if I leave you here alone for a few minutes," she says as she seems to have spotted something, though what is hard to say. All the signs are in written Imperial. "I wish to enter this shop and the sign states that it is for Kirigai only. That is ... not uncommon. There is still quite a bit of prejudice towards those who are not of us."
"Wait.. what are you going to be doing in there?" Xander asks quickly, looking at the shop.
"Buying some rare tea. It is just a tea shop," Umeko explains and gestures towards a weather-worn shop with a small external stall that is currently empty. The windows are packed full with drying tea leaves and the door is covered by a small scrap of cloth that flaps in the light breeze When the wind shifts slightly and brings the scent of the leaves towards the group, the smell is almost overwhelming. "Are you worried that I may try to sell you?" she asks.
"Well.. not to a tea shop, no," Xander admits, his ears drooping a moment before perking back up to scan the street. "But you won't be long, right?"
"At most ten minutes," Umeko claims, "You are not worried, are you?" She also glances over to Nawar and asks her, "You're not afraid like your brother, right?"
"Yes ma'am," the girl admits, smiling. "I'll scream if something happens though, so you will hear me."
"Mm, then that is something I will have to work on with both of you," Umeko says as she taps her chin lightly. "A few weeks living with Master Longtooth should fix that..."
"We'd starve to death around that bag of leather," Xander mutters.
Umeko lightly flicks Xander's nose. "You need to be more respectful of your elders," she chides.
"I think he goes a bit beyond elder," Xander notes, but grins. "I promise not to burn down the town while you're getting your tea."
"If you really behave, perhaps I will buy you something later," Umeko offers as she slinks off, then into, the small tea shop. With Umeko gone the locals seem a bit braver at staring at the Lapi. It also doesn't help that every now and then one of the locals licks its lips. Surely it's just due to the dry air and not any instinctive appetite for Lapi.
"Don't worry, I'm sure nobody is starving or anything to tempt them to attack us," Xander tells his sister, and hides the bag of noodles behind his back. Still.. he starts chanting a quick Hotfoot spell to hold onto, just in case.
A couple minutes pass and no one seems to be inclined to come up to them or otherwise make any sort of threatening gesture. The looks seem more of curiosity now than anything.
"They're sure a pretty people here," the buck comments to his younger sibling.
Nawar nods, and admits, "I like all the colors."
Xander suddenly feels something tug on his robe from behind!
"What is it, Na-" he starts to say, looking back with the notion that his sister is doing the tugging.
And Xander finds himself staring down at a young Kiriga boy. At least it's probably a boy since its hips are narrower, it's wearing a heavy leather apron and covered in soot. Girls are rarely that dirty. "Excuse me?" the Kiriga asks in heavily accented standard. "You servant?"
"Yes," Xander replies in.. well, heavily accented Imperial. "To Lady Tsuguri."
"Then that is Lady Umeko Tsuguri?" the kiriga asks in Imperial, seemingly relieved he doesn't have to try to speak in standard. "I have a message for her, and only her."
"Is it from the local Lord?" Xander asks. "She will be a few more minutes buying her tea," he explains.
"No, not from the Lord," the young Kiriga says as he thrusts a ratty-looking piece of paper in Xander's face. "Just give this to her? Please?" he asks as he fidgets nervously.
"Alright," Xander says, taking the paper. "Who is it from?" he asks, trying to look harmless and fluffy to put the boy at ease.
"I don't know. I was just asked to deliver the note," the boy claims as he backs away. "Thank you weird fuzzy person!" he says as he bows awkwardly, spins on his tail, and runs down the street!
"But who.." Xander starts to ask, until the boy dashes off. "Hmm," he goes, and looks at the note to see if he can decipher any of it.
The paper is dirty and apparently hastily written. It's also in Imperial. The style is far different from Umeko's own fluid writing. so much so that it almost looks like a different language. Xander can only manage to make out a few words and unfortunately that doesn't help matters since they are ... 'Dishonorable' ... 'Ugly' ... and 'Short'.
"This could mean anything," the Lapi mutters, and shows it to Nawar. "We've hardly been here an hour, and already Umeko is getting mail."
"No, I am getting tea," Umeko corrects as she exists the shop carrying a small gourd. "I have not seen a shop that sells mail. I don't expect this town has an armorer."
"I mean.. messages," Xander explains, and holds out the note. "A somewhat grubby boy in an apron brought this to us a moment ago, saying it was just for you. He left before I could ask who gave it to him to deliver."
"That is odd, Umeko says as she takes the note from him ... and gives him the gourd of crushed tea leaves in trade. She lightly snaps her right hand to fully unfurl the note, then reads. Or tries to. She seems to have difficulty making out the glyphs too. It's apparent the meaning is coming through as her ear fins splay and flick, her eyes narrow, and she frowns. "This is a rude note. I have been called an dishonorable kiriga, devoid of any virtue. Also, that I am ugly, short, and lacking of any feminine charm," she translates. "And that if I wished to dispute any of these charges, to come to one of the small rice fields outside of town. It gives rough directions."
"I don't suppose that could be from a childhood friend trying to razz you?" Xander asks, ears perked.
"I do not have many childhood friends," Umeko points out as she folds up the note, "But it is possible, I suppose. Honor dictates that I answer this message." She also eyes Xander and asks him, "Am I really that short?"
"You're young still," Xander points out. "Don't Kiriga keep growing as they mature?"
"It varies," Umeko says as she tucks the note away. "Come, let us find the author of this so that I may teach him or her the errors of their ways."
"Umm.. is this a duel?" Xander asks, clutching the gourd and bag of noodles. "Is there some rule that says I can't blast your opponent?"
"It was my honor that was questioned, not yours. It is my matter to deal with. Can you control your urges, or do I need to leave you here?" Umeko asks and arches her brow ridge at Xander.
"Well.. uh.." the buck waffles. "I don't see how anyone with such poor brushmanship can be a serious threat. So I'll try my best not to dishonor you," the Lapi says. At least, not unless it looks like you might get hurt..
After leaving a message for their guard that they had a matter to attend to outside of town, Umeko, Xander, and Nawar follow the dirt road out of the small seaside town. The pace is slow and leisurely; why race after all and miss out on the beautiful countryside? "Goro will not be pleased," Umeko remarks as they walk and while Xander preps his magic. "I will, of course, explain that it was your idea to answer the challenge."
The buck can't retort while he's working on his spells. Finally, he finishes.. and has two ethereal candle-flames burning at the tips of his ears to indicate the held spells. "I doubt he'd believe such a thing, Umeko," he finally says.
"As your attendant, what will be my duties, Lady Tsuguri?" Nawar asks a bit more respectfully.
"Why not? You are rather hot-headed," Umeko points out. The younger doe gets a polite smile from Nawar as she asks, "In what sense? As part of this question of my honor, or in general?"
"Well.. do I need to hold your weapons, or your kimono, or.. provide first aid?" the younger Lapi asks. "What if you get killed? Do I have to die with you, or just carry your body back to your family? If you lose but survive, does your opponent claim me as a prize?"
Umeko's brow ridge arches at the barrage of questions. "I will not lose," she claims, "So all those questions do not require answers. "But, to try and answer them anyway, you will be expected to hold my obi and outer portion or my kimono. No, you do not have to die with me if I die and no you cannot be claimed as a prize; you are not my property. "And if I die, I suppose it would be your duty to ensure my remains are returned to my family estate for proper burial with my ancestors. You also have to help your brother find a new girlfriend."
"Wait.. you mean you really are my girlfriend then?" Xander asks, looking pleased. He even puffs out his chest a bit.
"Thank you, Mistress," Nawar says. "But will there really be a duel at all? The letter made it sound like a case of mistaken identity."
"Well, if you don't know," Umeko remarks rather dryly. The road upon which they walk gets a little rougher now, lined with deep ruts from the wagons carrying the outlying farm goods to town. Up ahead are the waving stalks sticking out of the rice patties. "I suppose we will find out the answer to that soon enough. I believe we are close to the requested meeting point," she answers Nawar.
Both of the Lapis become more alert, ears perked and listening intently for any suspicious noises.
The problem with rice fields is that there is a lit of noise just from the jostling of the stalks and the squish of mud from the farmers that work the fields. None are close to the road and while they do afford the odd group a glance now and then, none seem inclined to come over. Umeko draws to a stop and undoes the elaborate bow that makes up part of her obi. Once it is loose she eases her twin blades from it and slips it the rest of the way off. The obi is offered to Nawar.
As the doe folds and obi, Xander frowns a bit at the terrain. Lots of water, and crops. Not good for exploding if necessary.
Umeko holds her swords out to Xander while Nawar is busy with the obi. "Hold these for a moment," she says.
The buck very carefully holds the weapons, as if they were made of glass or spun sugar and would shatter if mishandled. "I thought they'd feel heavier," he comments.
"If they were heavier, they would be harder to use," Umeko points out as she's undressing in the road. Well, removing her outer, delicate, layer of her kimono and leaving just the plain undergarments clothing her. The outer layer is handed over to Nawar to fold as she explains, "The blades are made from a complex layer of metals, some hard, some softer, to keep an edge while remaining flexible and thin."
"And all done without magic, right?" Xander asks, watching with interest until her remembers to pay more attention to their surroundings.
"Those blades are of far too fine a quality for a Jadaian traitor to wield," hisses a raspy voice in Imperial. There's a sudden rustle as the stalks on the side of the road part and a Kiriga swathed in green and brown fabric, some sort of camouflage, bursts out and surges towards Umeko. Umeko's hand flows out as she clasps the hilt of Sunlight-Through-Storm and draws it from its scabbard while Xander still holds it. It's a split second and her blade catches that of their assailant's, stoping it mere inches from Umeko's own face! Umeko's brow arches at this odd, masked and clothed Kiriga. "And you called me dishonorable in that letter? You who attacks from hiding?" she asks him calmly.
"Hey!" Xander yelps, not having caught all what was said. "If this jerk's just a bandit, then I can fry him right?" Nawar has quietly retreated back a bit - to give her mistress room to fight, of course.
"And you have to get Lapi to fight your battles? You are a disgrace," the cloaked figure rasps as he glares at Umeko from across their locked blades. His is made of chitin; an old and stained blade of mottled reds and blues. Its edge shows many years of abuse and sports numerous chips along its length. He draws back and in spite of his ratty attire and battered weapon moves gracefully and draws that beaten sword up in a fluid arc to take a formal combat stance against Umeko. "No, Xander," Umeko hisses back towards the lapi as she draws her own blade up in preparation for the fight to come. "This one questions my honor and I must answer it. Keep your sister safe."
The buck frowns, and is uncertain of what to do with the sword sheaths. "Just call if you need me, okay?" he whispers to Umeko, before giving the duelists more room.
The first part of a sword duel is boring. All the combatants seem to do is slowly circle with each of their blades held before them, tips leveled at the other's heart. "Why do you claim such untruths about me," Umeko asks the unknown assailant. "You are well-known to not live up to tradition, Tsuguri. Did you not disobey your family most of your life?" the man counters, then surges forward!
"He hasn't even said who he is yet," Xander mutters to Nawar. "I'm sure that will make things awkward if Umeko kills him. He's probably doing it to spite her, or make her reluctant to strike.."
And that's when the duel turns into more of a dance from the perspective of those who watch. It is a blur of gold scales and flashing steel entwining with ratty cloth and a battered blade. For his terrible attire, this challenger is actually rather good with a blade. He strikes and Umeko counters ... and when Umeko strikes he also counters her with near equal skill. Blade flashes against blade; each deflecting the other using the flat sides of the weapon to protect their precious razor edges. "You know a lot about me, yet you have not even given your name," Umeko finally points out when the pair separate and face off again.
The Lapis gets antsy as the fight really begins. It does give them a reason to watch the road and rice stalks, however, just in case Umeko's foe has friends lurking in wait.
"If you do not already know it, it is but further proof of your dishonor," the challenger claims and waves his battered blade at Umeko's finer one. "And how dare you wield one of the fabled blades that helped unify our lands. You who betray our traditions," he adds .. and the battle begins anew! So far the rice patties remain silent and damp, no further people seem to launch from their depths! The farmers in the distance, though, are now watching this spectacle openly.
"Traditions," Xander mutters, shaking his head. "Never mind saving Jadai from a crazy megalomaniacal artist and stuff," he comments a bit louder. "Oh no, that doesn't count, because she.. braided her hair incorrectly or whatever.."
"I wouldn't expect a Lapi to understand!" the figure claims in a short break of clashing blades. His blade arcs ariound in a feint, trying to draw Umeko into a trap. Umeko doesn't fall for it, instead she rushes forward with a deft thrust, sure to skewer the head of this person! Only ... he leans to the side just in time to dodge the blade! Still, Umeko's sword does cut through the side of the cloth wrapping about the other Kiriga's head. It separates, then sloughs off, leaving Umeko staring into the rouddy-blue face of a Kiriga a few years her senior. His mane is black and roughly bladed. It also lacks the luster the upper-class Kiriga have in their manes; likely due to using lye-based soaps to clean it instead of the finer oils the nobles can afford. "You have gotten a lot better, Umeko-chan," he says to a very surprised-looking Umeko.
"Ryota! You, you ... ooo," Umeko growls at the other Kiriga and draws her sword back. "Are you trying to get me to kill you? I nearly put my blade through your head!" She stops there, then eyes him, "And what are you doing here? Your father's shop is in Jashin."
"Wait.. what just happened?" Xander demands.
"This brainless Kiriga is ... " Umeko starts to say as she waves her sword at him.
"Could we please put away the swords first?" Xander asks nervously, and holds out the wooden sheathes.
"I taught her how to wield a sword when she was eight," Ryota remarks as he sheaths his own weapon. "After I caught her breaking into my father's shop to look for some fabled 'secret scrolls of the sword'. As if anyone who works as a weapon smith has some ancient secrets no one else has."
Umeko sticks her sword back into the scabbard Xander carries while saying, "Caught me? Is that what you call dropping a thirty pound back of powdered borax on me, then sitting on my back? You were twelve; and lucky."
"And how old were you at the time?" Xander has to ask. Nawar comes forward again, holding the folded clothing for Umeko.
Umeko takes the outer layer of her kimono and slips it back around her body. "He is four years my elder and at the time the apprentice to his father in their shop in Jashin," she explains to Xander. "And the first friend I ever had out of the estate. That is, until he forbade me from coming to his shop ever again." That last bit comes with a glare at the other Kiriga.
"Let me guess.. you snuck out of the estate, snuck into their shop.. and if you'd been found there, they would have been the ones in trouble, right?" Xander asks.
"You were growing into a woman. It was time that you focused on your future and duties instead of sneaking out to a commoner's place to practice using a sword," Ryota claims. "It was for your own good."
"And ... your long-eared friend is also correct on that point too. You didn't see the beating I got when my father discovered one of your shed-scales in the shop," Ryota adds. "If you ever returned it would be reported to your father and there would have been rumors; hints of disgrace ... and other such difficulties. And ... you may not fear your father ... but I do, and did my father. Neither of us would wish to face his wrath. Especially if he thought we were ... involved somehow."
Nawar looks skeptical about that, and pays closer attention to Umeko's interaction with her childhood.. friend?
"Who I spend time with is my choice," Umeko claims as she takes the obi from Nawar a bit gruffly and wraps it around her waist.
"And I'll be the first to admit that Umeko has good taste in friends," Xander says.
"It is now. It was not then," Ryota claims and shrugs. "And you know as well as I do that nobles and commoners do not mix except in purely business matters. I would have just been a mar on your family and I would not do that to you or them. How your association with Longtooth did not mar your family is ... hard to understand; but then there are those rumors that he is the first Kiriga and really a God in flesh. He does seem impossible to kill."
"Master Longtooth is wise," Umeko claims as she cinches the bow in her obi, then takes her sword scabbards from Xander and slips them back into the wide band of cloth.
"No, he's just insufferably old," Xander mutters. Louder he asks, "But if you're from Jashin, what brings you out here? And how did you know Lady Umeko had arrived?"
"As a Lapi, surely you know the answer to how I would know. How could anyone miss radiant beauty walking through town?" Ryota points out. "And as for why ... I have a shop to get raw materials for. Fish scales make up much of the traditional wrapping of hilts and where better to find fish scales than a seaside town? They also produce hardwood charcoal here; which is a far cleaner material to heat metal with than regular coal. Too many impurities in regular coal, it fouls and weakens metal. Also, on occasion there are collections of black sand that can be bought here. It's the raw base for making steel."
"You have a shop?" Umeko asks, earfins perking, "Then ..."
"Ah, so you are also a full swordsmith now?" Xander asks. Skill he can respect..
"My father passed away during your ... conquest," Ryota explains, "And so the shop has passed to me. There are many things to tend to as well as apprentices to instruct and manage." The blue Kiriga now looks back to Xander to answer his question. "I am ... decent. Nowhere close to the calibre that was Umeko-chan's great-uncle, but I am still young. My goal is to exceed his skill."
"Oh. Then allow me to offer my condolences for your father's passing," Umeko says and bows to the other Kiriga. "I am sure you will honor his legacy and bring even more honor to your family in the years to come."
"You must be pretty good, if you're getting materials for working with steel," Xander notes. "I know metal mages who would be hard-pressed to create something like Umeko's blades."
"It takes three or more years or work to make blades like the ones Umeko carries. They are composites of three different types of steel, layered and forge-welded together. The edge is different steel from the core, which is different steel from the cladding," Ryota explains. "It takes around five hundred pounds of black sand to get enough steel from a smelting furnace to make one of those blades. Getting metals with just the right properties is very, very, difficult."
"What does it take to maintain or repair them then?" Xander asks curiously. "And.. uh.." he starts to say, and looks to Umeko. "Should we go somewhere nicer now? There are farmers out here, after all, who might get curious about all of this.."
"The biggest risk is always rust. The blades should always be coated in a light layer of oil to keep rust at bay. Once a month they should be polished with finely ground whetstone powder to remove any beginnings of corrosion and then reoiled," Ryota says, "As for repairing them ... a bend can be fixed, or a small chip. Bit if it is cracked or broken repair is extremely difficult. I do not know if anyone alive now could repair those blades."
"Nicer? We are in the country. Where would we go? Back to town?" Umeko asks Xander.
"Well.. more private?" Xander asks. "Or.. well, I guess it doesn't matter anymore that you're seen together, does it? I'm sure Ryota here has a fine wife and precocious children and all.."
"I am not married," Ryota remarks as he starts walking back in the direction of the town. "I should see to my actual business, I suppose. Still, it was worth the delay to see that look of shock on your face, Umeko-chan," he notes as he looks over his shoulder.
"You and my parents are the only people who can call me that," Umeko grumbles as she walks after Ryota.
Nawar follows along, and asks, "Without your father, is there no one to arrange a marriage for you?"
"Arranged marriages are more common in Umeko's class than in mine. I cannot consider a family right now; I have too much to manage," Ryota claims.
"And who would want you, anyway? You're a huge pain," Umeko retorts.
"You probably have an extra handmaiden you could spare," Xander notes to Umeko. "They are all exceptionally tolerant after all.." he adds with a grin.
"They could not defeat me in combat," Ryota points out and holds up one of his index fingers for emphasis.
"You're still claiming that silly oath? Really, Ryota, for being four years my elder, you're still acting like a child," Umeko huffs.
"You took the oath too," Ryota claims. "Are you now saying you will not honor it?"
"I was ten," Umeko points out. "Ten."
"What's this?" Xander asks. "I remember taking lots of oaths as a child too."
"We both swore that we would not marry anyone who could not best us in combat," Ryota explains. "It was ... out of some fable. It sounded impressive at the time."
"And is that why you lured me out here today?" Umeko asks as she reaches forward and pokes Ryota in the back. "You were hoping I would best you?"
"Don't be silly. You could never beat me when we were kids. I hardly think that has changed now," Ryota retorts as he reaches back to rub the spot he was poked.
"I think you'll need to hold out for Rin then," Xander notes. "Or was it Ren?"
"Who? Ryota asks.
"Another kiriga, similar to me in becoming a warrior," Umeko explains. "She grew up in this town."
"A warrior girl from this village," the buck explains. "Silver as the Procession on sea foam, if she's like her sister.."
"Xander ... are you worried?" Umeko asks the buck after his rather flowery description of the Minami sisters.
"That I'd have to defeat you in battle?" the buck asks. "Yes!"
"What?" Ryota asks again. "Have I missed something?"
"You're being silly, Xander," Umeko remarks. She reaches over and pinches his ear.
"My brother is addled in the head at times," Nawar explains to the blue Kiriga. "He is a fire mage."
"Be careful, pinch too hard and we'll all explode," Xander warns squeakily.
"Ah," Ryota says and nods sagely. "From the mouth of babes comes wisdom."
The town outskirts are just ahead now. "Will you be in town long?" Ryota now asks Umeko. "I will be here for another day, then heading back to Jashin. Perhaps we can share tea while you are here."
"We shall be here a day or two and I would be honored to have tea with you, Ryota," Umeko answers as she dips her head. "On one condition."
"What condition is that?" Ryota asks.
"That you do not put a baby koi in my cup this time. The last time it tried to swim up my nose," Umeko remarks rather dryly.
"Hah!" Xander barks in laughter, then covers his mouth and looks apologetic to Umeko. Nawar looks embarrassed for some reason though.
Ryota laughs. "I had forgotten about that," he admits after he composes himself. "You haven't lived until you see a woman trying to be proper ... only to end up running around and waving her arms with half a fish sticking out of her nose," he confides to Xander.
"Oh, I can imagine," Xander notes. "It was a baby gooshurm when my older brother pulled the same prank on me.. just not up my nose.."
Umeko's earfins splay. "It was not that funny," she claims.
"Actually, it was," Ryota claims.
Umeko smacks the back of Ryota's head.
While rubbing the back of his head, he remarks to Xander, "That was worth it."
"You are not being very respectful to your superior," Umeko says a bit haughtily.
"Of course I am. I have not harmed or otherwise bothered the little doe," Ryota counters ... and winks to Nawar.
"I thought skilled artists were a class of their own?" Xander remarks, still grinning stupidly.
Nawar smiles shyly and bows to the blue dragon.
Umeko throws her arms up. "I'm surrounded by crazy people," she complains as they pass into the outskirts of the bustling small town.
"Ah, having a fish up your nose couldn't be that bad," Xander notes. "Certainly not any more embarrassing than explaining to Goro that your mysterious, insulting challenger was your childhood pal that you met by sneaking out past.. well, probably past Goro.."
If looks could kill, then both Umeko and Ryota would be guilty of killing Xander right about now. It's a good thing his little sister is along!