[Moon 17/D2, Early Afternoon, Open] A New Hobby

[Asahina Narumi]

"Thank you Moshi-sama," the Asahina replied. "I look forward to reading it and will return it as soon as I am finished." She takes it respectfully and carefully places it out of the way.

She then pulls out a piece of cloth from her obi pouch and unrolls it. it contains 4 separate piles of shredded, prepared tobacco with different shades of color, one reddish brown, one slightly orange, one a darker brown with bits of bright green mixed in and one a more usual color of greenish brown. "I pulled out a sampling from each that I brought along."

She sets the cloth down on one of the patients' berths to better point them out. "Strawberry, melon, mint and the local variety used for making all of the others."

[Moshi Chihiroko]

If Narumi had glanced at the title of the book, she'd have seen The Clans and Their Heroes: A Peasant's Perspective.

Chihiroko leaned in and inhaled the scents of the tobacco and she smiled widely. "They all truly smell divine." She reached into her satchel once again and pulled out four small vials. "I, too, brought samples of the four blends I have."

She uncorked the first vial and extended it to Narumi. "This is called Cherry Cordial and it's a bit airy with a hint of sweetness." Second vial. "Rokugani Vanilla which is more mild." Third. "Peach, which has a tangy citrus taste and smells delightful." Fourth. "And Pirate's Cove. Flavored with alcohol."

[Asahina Narumi]

She smelled each in turn as they were offered. "They are lovely," she responds. "The vanilla in particular. Are these from the islands or a mainland holding?"

She also turned to Rinzuki, "I know you said you do not smoke, but at the least you might enjoy the scents. We probably won't get to enjoy the scent of cherry too often while serving on the Half Moon."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

Rinzuki smiles as she climbs to her feet. "I think I may just take a stroll along the deck and make sure that nobody has any broken limbs."

She bows to Narumi and Chihiroko. "Thank you for the offer, however. It was a pleasure to meet you, Moshi-sama."

With that, she quickly excuses herself from the room.

/exit

[Moshi Chihiroko]

Chihiroko glanced wearily at Narumi. "Sorry if I offended her in some way. That was not my intention."

[Asahina Narumi]

"I don't believe so," Narumi replies. "I think she is just not that interested in our exchange as she is not a smoker. Likely, she is going to find some conversation more interesting to her." She smiles at the Moshi.

"But that vanilla smells amazing," she says, redirecting back to the tobacco.

[Moshi Chihiroko]

Forcing a smile, Chihiroko nodded. "The vanilla is one of my favorites. That, the Cherry Cordial, and the Peach come from the Islands and the Pirate's Cove comes from the Mainland. That was my father's favorite so it kinda stuck with me."

[Asahina Narumi]

"Well they all smell wonderful. I don't know how much of them you wish to trade, but I have a significantly larger quantity of each of mine back with my things. Is this a common product among the Mantis?" Narumi replies.

[Moshi Chihiroko]

"I brought these specifically for you in these quantities. You may take them all or decide how much you would like." She collected them together and wrapped the vials back in the cloth.

"And some Mantis trade like this. It's how we discover other varieties. Or at least how I discover them." Her smile was pleasant.

[Asahina Narumi]

"Likewise," Narumi responded. "I intended to offer all of these for trade. If you are pleased with the trade than I am." She smiles as she wraps the remainder up. She holds the small bundle out for the Moshi.

[Moshi Chihiroko]

A nod of approval was given as Chihiroko extended her own wrapped bundle to the Crane. "I only hope these taste as well as you think they smell. You'll have to let me know what you think after you've tried them."

[Asahina Narumi]

"I will," Narumi replied with a smile. "And I hope you will share your opinions as well."

[Moshi Chihiroko]

"Of course." She tucked the offered tobaccos into her satchel. "I should probably be on my way now. I need to prepare for my upcoming duties next hour."

[Asahina Narumi]

"Of course," Narumi replied with a smile and a bow. "Until we meet again...which will likely be soon."

[Moshi Chihiroko]

"I look forward to it, Asahina-san." The Crane was given a very respectful bow before Chihiroko collected her things and disappeared.

/exit

[Asahina Narumi]

An appropriately respectful bow was returned to the Moshi as she deprated. She then returned to her charcoal and parchment.