When No One is Looking (Day 4, Late Afternoon, Open)

[Volsung]

With all the others out on duty or exploring the city, Furaito has some time to herself in the hold. After peeking up the stairs to make certain no one is coming down, she pulls the curtain shut and rushes over to her cot, lifting it up carefully and pulling out a small book. Glancing back to make certain the curtain is still closed, she plops down in the cot and lays the book on it. She begins flipping through the pages with an eager gleam in her eye.

[Akodo Amuro]

Unfortunately for her she was interrupted by an elderly Lion who had just entered a cargo hold not too much after. He muttered a bit under his breath...something about 'polishing' as he made his way toward the back.

[Volsung]

Hearing movement behind her, Furaito lets out an extremely undignified "Eep!" and turns like a snake to face the encroaching Lion, sitting up now, squarely on top of the book she had been reading. The woman does her best to remain quiet and small as the Akodo moved through the hold. Maybe he wouldn't see her. Maybe he wouldn't ask questions.

[Akodo Amuro]

No such luck was to be had. The Akodo pauses a moment as his eyes pick out the movement from the sound of the girl. "Who is that behind the curtain." he says sternly, for as far as he knew it might be some gaijin stowaway or spy.

[Volsung]

Furaito swallows loudly. But he hadn't seen her yet. There was still a chance.

"Oh... Samurai-sama. Just one of the ashigaru. Furaito. Tha's my name." She gets to her feet, grabbing the book quickly and lifting her mattress. But before she can return the book to safety it slips from her hands and lands on the floor with a heavy thud.

"Kuso. Uh. Just... gettin' ready fer bed... after duty." She wasn't a very good liar.

[Akodo Amuro]

Thuds were generally troublesome. The Akodo moved the curtain slightly to verify the words. He looked over the area where the peasants slept with a trained eye less registering of the girl and more of the enviroment, including whatever made that thumping noise."You are called Furaito?"

[Volsung]

The only object that Amuro could see on the floor was what looked like a small book. Furaito quickly turned, letting her mattress fall back into place with another louder thump. She bowed very low to the Akodo. "Hai, Samurai-sama."

[Akodo Amuro]

The samurai reached down and carefully picked up the fallen book gingerly turning it over in his hand and reading the title. His eyes went toward the peasant girl.

[Volsung]

When Amuro turned the book over to the cover he saw that the title read Winter of Poise. As the Akodo picked up the book, Furaito's face turned beet red and she stared hard at the floor boards. But she dared not flee, nor say a word.

[Akodo Amuro]

The Lion's face softened, a bit. "How old are you?"

[Volsung]

"20. Akodo-sama." She answers very briefly. The woman manages to keep from fidgeting under the gaze of the Lion. Her eyes occasionally flit to the book before returning to the floor.

[Akodo Amuro]

The man nods. Someone saw fit to teach you to read. I have met few non-samurai, and fewer ashigaru that have been taught. So who taught you? his tone is more inquisitive than anything else\ as he speaks.

[Volsung]

Furaito looks back at the ground. "Not really, Akodo-sama. I mean, I know a little, but mostly I just look at the pictures..."

[Akodo Amuro]

A pity then. the Lion held the book out toward the young girl. I believe this is yours then.

[Volsung]

Furaito carefully stretched out a hand, taking the book while being very careful not to touch the Akodo's fingers. "Arigato, Akodo-sama." She manages, as she pulls the book back towards herself, still red-faced from embarrassment.

[Akodo Amuro]

"I do not wish to be rude." the Lion began. "but if you wish to learn to read better I will be happy to teach you. It is a skill that could put you in a better place after ... He wanted to say 'your brother is killed but held off. you leave the fleet. It could help to find you a key role of employ in some samurai's household.

The man offered sincerely."Perhaps such a gesture and offer to your well being may ease the burden on your brother's soul. The lion said softly.

[Volsung]

"Hai, of course Samurai-sama. Of course. Though... probably with diff'rent books. If you don't mind." The blush crept back into her face. "But, I ain't planning on leavin' the fleet for awhile, Akodo-sama. Got plenty of years left in me for service. I mean... I hope I do."

[Akodo Amuro]

Of course. he nods. "Just an offer take it as you will. I only ask one small thing in return. "

[Volsung]

"Hai, what's that, Samurai-sama?" Like she was going to say no to a samurai.

[Akodo Amuro]

Can you tell me where the material to help polish my blades are? I am running short on my supply and hoped to restock.