[Moon 15, Galley, E Afternoon, Open] Preservatives for Lunch

[Tsuruchi Kiyo]

"When it's available," she replies without flinching, her mismatched eyes staring right back at the Crab, "You never know when you'll have time for another quiet meal on a ship."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi managed a small smile and shook her head, "Not at all, as Kaiu-san mentioned. She was contemplating the mysteries of preserved fish. With so much of it in the stocks, I imagine she must wonder if there's ever going to be a point in time we find ourselves seeing it as a luxury..."

She smile evaporated when she ate another morsel. "Mm...Personally, I hope not for many reason..."

[Tsuruchi Kiyo]

"I stick to the vegetables while they're still fresh, the fish'll still be there when the vegetables are gone. You could try soaking it in your tea, but that's an acquired taste," she shrugs and takes another bite of her carrot.

[Shiba Nozomi]

"Makes g-good stew..." Nozomi mumbles before taking another bite.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi smirked at that, "Stew is far more livelier than raw or salted food. I could really go for a hot bowl."

[Kaiu Seiko]

"And now I am hungry for fish stew," Seiko said, a little dreamily. "Would that make it an indulgence?"

She finally selected a bowl and sat down to eat along with Hoshi and Nozomi.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi glanced to the Kaiu at her question, getting the feeling that it wasn't directed to her exactly. If it was, hopefully the other samurai in the room would want to jump into the philosophical dance instead of her. Her silence was an implied shrug.

[Shiba Nozomi]

"It c-could. Not overm-much so." She feels a little guilty for putting the idea in everyone's minds, when there was none to be had.

Dried fish really wasn't her favorite, but she hardly noticed the taste at the moment.

[Kaiu Seiko]

Keiko nodded, as if satisfied with Nozomi's answer.

"Then I should be glad I am not indulging."

With that, as if the answer was the very thing she sought, she began to quietly eat, apparently just as satisfied with the food.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi blinked once when Seiko started eating after Nozomi's answer. Was that because she needed reassurance on her little quest with the mystery of eating? "I suppose Kaiu-san owes Shiba-san some thanks too." She said before taking a gulp from her tea.

[Kaiu Seiko]

Seiko stopped in her eating and blinked. Then she stood up.

"Hai, Bayushi-sama. Arigato for reminding me."

Turning towards Nozomi, she bowed low.

"Domo arigato, Shiba-sama, for your wise words."

She paused, waiting for the Phoenix to give an appropriate response.

[Shiba Nozomi]

"Iie, K-Kaiu-san. Wisdom c-comes from w-within. I only said wh-what you already k-know."

This woman reminded her of at least one of the monks in the high shrine on the small cape near her hometown. Nobody much visited, it was so out of the way, but Nozomi had gone just once to give her thanks for their tireless work in keeping the lights burning every night. All three monks living there had been a little... touched, but Nozomi had found them very sweet.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi frowned a little behind her cup, she didn't think the Kaiu was actually going to go for it. That only made the Scorpion believe further that Crab women had a tendency to be a little...short. And this wasn't about height. She placed her cup back on the table and smirked a touch. "-Ah...Shiba-san must be humble with her compliments, your opinion was of great help with Kaiu-san's predicament. I doubt she would have joined us for a long had you not helped her."

[Kaiu Seiko]

"Shiba-sama is kind to say so," Seiko replied.

She looked at Hoshi for a moment. Then she nodded, as if in agreement.

With that, the Kaiu went back to her food.

[Tsuruchi Kiyo]

Kiyo watches the life-altering discussion about indulgence of dried fish in confused disbelief.

Was she hit in the head with a tetsubo once too many? I'd think Crab skull'd be used to that sort of thing by now...

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi returned the nod in kind to the Kaiu, if she managed to rope herself in some sort of secret agreement with the Crab, then she wasn't entirely sure as to what exactly.

After a moment, she turned to look at the Tsuruchi and not allowing her the chance to escape association. "Maybe Tsuruchi-san can be of aid with Kaiu-san should she wish an opinion on vegetables, ne?" She smiled faintly.

[Shiba Nozomi]

Nozomi simply shrugs at the Bayushi's initial suggestion, but glances at the Mantis when the suggestion of vegetables comes up. This was proving to be a somewhat more interesting meal than she was expecting.

[Kaiu Seiko]

Seiko pauses, then looks back at Hoshi, then towards Kiyo.

She looked back at Hoshi.

Slowly, once, she shook her head.

Then she went back to her meal.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

No? Mm...maybe I was pushing it anyway... Hoshi wordlessly glanced to the Tsuruchi anyway, should she wish to speak up with her contribution.

[Tsuruchi Kiyo]

Kiyo blinks not sure what's expected of her, she shrugs, "I think Kaiu-san prefers fish over vegetables today."