[Moon 16, Mid Morning, Open] Taking Stock

[Asahina Narumi]

"Ahh, just that I likely won't see him again. He would often joke that he was getting on in years and before I left he said goodbye with some finality. I think he might have... dreamt..." the priestess kind of trails off, and it's clear she stopped to maintain her On.

It's obvious her life was turned upside down and she is taking it all in stride, as best she can.

"...but he didn't say anything to me so, I suppose I may see him again someday."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"Hai, I'm sure of it." Rinzuki smiles reassuringly, then turns her head to stare up at the ceiling. "Everything in place?"

[Asahina Narumi]

"Yes," the Asahina replies. She focuses once more on her training, getting the number and size of steps down perfectly, reaching for tools blindly yet carefully.

"Do you smoke?" she asks Rinzuki, changing the subject once more.

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"Hmm? Oh, no, not anymore." She sighs softly. "After the last war, the prospect of inhaling smoke no longer appeals to me in the slightest."

[Asahina Narumi]

Her reply comes softly, "I see." Just how much has she lost? But she's probably well trained at disguising such things.

"What do you do for enjoyment? Do you play go or anything like that?" Narumi questions.

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"I prefer shogi, to be honest." Rinzuki turns her head to look at the Crane woman. "Other than that, I have a few small enjoyments. Reading, mostly, though I have been attempting to teach myself how to dance."

[Asahina Narumi]

"I've never played shougi, and I'm not much of a dancer either," Narumi says with a slight smile. "I imagine Iuchi-san being quite graceful. Not like me, who stomps around trying to force the waves into submission." She has a small grin at the comment.

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"No, that's actually a fairly accurate description of my technique." She chuckles quietly. "I tried practicing a couple days ago, and the response was less than enthusiastic."

[Asahina Narumi]

"Well, we can blame it on bad critics and continue practicing," Narumi says with a bright smile. She bounces back quickly from poor moods. She either has a really short memory or is thicker skinned than her gentle Crane appearance would imply.

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"Perhaps tomorrow, if we do not have any patients?" She lifts one leg in the air, holds it there for a moment, and then drops it back to the operating table. "I enjoy conversing with you, Asahina-sama, but if we do not find some way to keep ourselves distracted, this shift will be the death of us."

[Asahina Narumi]

"Perhaps we could have one of the craftsman come over and teach us how to mend tears? I'm sure the rest of the crew wouldn't mind if we could close holes left by arrows in themselves or their shirts," the Asahina suggests.

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

Rinzuki raises an eyebrow at that.

"Asahina-sama, I understand the intent behind your proposal, and I appreciate it. However, we are both women of noble birth, blessed by the Heavens themselves with the ability to speak with the very fabric that holds the universe together."

A pause.

"Don't you think that mending shirts might be just a bit beneath our station?"

[Asahina Narumi]

The Asahina just smiles softly, "I believe that nobility and humility are two sides of the same coin. But then again I had Arata-sensei as a mentor, and I suppose the humility of a monk's way of life has had a strong impact on me. But I understand what you are saying." She nods her agreement. "Do you have any suggestions?"

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"What do you usually do in your free time?"

[Asahina Narumi]

"I smoke, pray, read the stars at night, read coins..." she thinks for a moment. "But other than that, back at the temple I would go out and visit folks when I wasn't minding the temple or performing other duties for the Governor. I really just enjoyed engaging with people and so I did that during my free time. I haven't painted in a long time, but I don't think we have the materials for that on board. Plus I am likely very out of practice."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"I've some charcoal and parchment, if you'd like to practice some drawing...?"

She smiles at the Crane and gives a faint shrug. "It's not the same, but it's probably good to kill a few hours.

[Asahina Narumi]

"Oh, I have some as well, I just hadn't thought of that possibility," she says with a smile. "That sounds like it might be fun. I'll have to bring it with tomorrow and give it a try. Do you draw?"

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"Not really," she admits. "But I'm perfectly happy modeling! Especially for a Crane."

[Asahina Narumi]

"Well, I can try my best, but early drawings will likely not be too flattering," Narumi admits. It was, after all, a new art. Improving takes practice.

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"I promise not to hold that against you," she chuckles. "So long as you don't make me competely round."