"Let them have it," Ieyasu says. "The sword was a gift from the gods. If they deem it so, then it shall return. I had given it to you, my niece, because I was done fighting. If fate should have me pick up another blade, then it shall be one that is free from the darkness of my past."
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Mitsuko frowns. "Father was right, you are much like a river."
Ieyasu laughs. "Better a river than a field."
Mitsuko cocks her head. "Sometimes, it's alright to be a field. I better go. I have guard duty."
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As Jin takes in the older mans appearance her hand comes to her mouth as she makes a muffled sound, "By the Gods....he's really real. I heard so many stories...but I thought they were just stories." Her voice is full of awe as she takes a few hesitant steps towards the legendary hero from her lands, "Ieyasu? Ieyasu Uchida?"
Ieyasu hands her a rice ball. "Go well, my niece. I am glad to see you once again. You have grown into a fine woman."
Mitsuko takes the rice ball, raising an eyebrow at Jin. "I see you have a fan, Uncle. Good day."
Ieyasu turns to Jin. "I am. Who might you be?"
She just shakes her head in disbelief. Never in her life did she ever imagine she would be standing face to face with such a legend. Trying to compose herself she gives him a deep respectful bow, "I...I am Jin Kobayashi of...well...it didn't really have a name...I lived outside a little fishing village with Yamamoto-Sensei since I was very little and he told me so many stories....but....but I just thought they were stories...they were just so...fantastic." She says before standing back up to look at him, "It is an honor to meet you."
"The honor is mine," Ieyasu says, giving Jin a polite bow. "I see my tales have yet to fade from memory. But, please, I am a humble old man now who lives to brew, cook and serve."
She nods and gives him a kind smile, "I understand....I am glad that you have been able to find peace and at least some kind of happiness here. I have to say....getting off that boat was one of my greatest pleasures....but getting off of it and smelling the fish from this place...it just...it reminded me of home and made me happy...and that was before I even knew you owned it. Maybe being so far from home won't be so bad after all." She says before looking at Toni, "I mean no disrespect...I'm sure you have a lovely city here and that it's a nice place and everyone seems so nice so far...it's just...it's new and a lot...just a lot to take in. I'm sorry I'm rambling so...okay, I'll be quiet now." She says as she tries to force herself to be quiet. She still had some trouble in social situations, but she had to work on that so the sooner she started learning how to talk to people, the easier things would become.
Toni chuckles as she pushes two tables together. "Like I said, it's okay."
"Then I shall look forward to seeing you often," Ieyasu says.
Konstantyná walks into the Old Fish. "Good morning, Toni. I didn't know...there'd be so many people."
"Yeah," Toni says. "Take a seat anywhere."
"Perhaps retaking Blackcrown might be our first priority," Laenid jokes, sitting down.
"In due time," Konstantyná responds, dead serious.
Looking around as she takes a seat she asks, "What's a Blackcrown?"
"Something we'll talk about later," Toni says. "But it's the home of the Summoners."
She just nods, "OOohhhh...okay." She says before looking at Hitome and shrugging slightly.
Silently taking in everything around her and observing as the Szef makes introductions withering the newly arrived summoners, Hitome notes the exchanges, giving Jin an encouraging smile.
She gives Hitome a nod and takes a breath as she sits next to Hitome and gets quiet while waiting for the others to have a seat and see what he has available to order. She wonders to herself if he still made the sake that she had heard so much about as a child, along with all the other stories he told while she was young. Not wanting to appear as some star struck teenager, enamored by her homelands hero she remains quiet and looks down at her hands.
Gyrthr sits next to Svanna. "There is much about the Summoners that I do not know."
"I'll try to explain as much as I can," Toni says as Ieyasu comes around the table.
Ieyasu sets out plates for everyone, bringing chopsticks and forks. He then brings out a large bowl of rice, a plate of grilled salmon and bowls of soup. "What can I get you to drink?"
Svanna signs to Gyrthr.
"We would both like water," Gyrthr says.
"I'll have some green tea," Konstantyná orders.
Laenid thinks for a minute. "Tea, please."
"Coffee."
Eyeing the dishes that he sets in front of them she almost misses the question. Looking up at him she asks, "Could I please have tea and water?"
"Green tea please." Hitome says giving Ieyasu a respectful bow.
Ieyasu bows and goes to get the drinks.
Her stomach still feeling a little queasy, she decides to start with the soup.
"Are you alright?" Hitome asks quietly.
She nods after taking a sip of the soup, "Yeah....I guess between being on the ship and my nerves....my tummy is just a little sensitive still, so I'm getting it used to food slowly. The soup is a good start. Don't worry, I'll have a little fish and rice once I know this Will settle alright. Thanks for looking out for me, I'll be okay though." She says a little quietly herself.
"Alright." Hitome replies with a smile.
Giving Hitome a smile she goes back to her soup, sipping on it slowly helps to calm her stomach while waiting for her tea.
Toni takes a good helping of everything and starts eating.
Ieyasu returns with everyone's drinks.
Svanna takes a piece of fish and some rice.
When her tea comes she sips on it slowly, enjoying the flavor and the reminder of home. Once she finishes the soup she takes a piece of fish and a large scoop of rice and slowly starts eating, savoring the flavors of the fish and rice together while allowing her stomach time to get used to the idea of having food in it again.
Gyrthr looks over the food and decides to go with some soup.
Toni wipes her mouth. "So I guess I better explain the basics. There are regular summoners out in the world, but we're kinda...special. The first summoner, Styrkur, built Blackcrown and the people who followed him were leaders of Zahvroma. Not like kings and queens, but people who fought for justice. The Five Houses were looked up to for their wisdom and impartiality. Evil dragons wiped that out and the Houses were scattered."
She takes a sip of her coffee. "We are called to the Houses by the talents we possess, not the blood of our ancestors...in case you were wondering. I...umm...any questions?"
"So...the marks of the houses......they chose who would restore this Blackcrown, or carry on its legacy.....and there were so few unfit on Zahvroma that they called Summoners from other lands?" Hitome asks, reasoning through things.
Toni nods. "Even other worlds. Styrkur made his covenant with the eidolons not only for Zahvroma, but for Vesaria. But even the mightiest of empires falls and guarded secrets become common knowledge."
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Jin sits quietly trying to absorb what the Szef was saying, but it was just a little much. She nibbles on her rice and fish, trying to think if there was something that she should ask about...but her mind just seemed to be blank at the moment.
She sits for a few more seconds as she ponders things silently. After a couple more sips of the soothing tea she finally looks up at the Szef, "Soooo...I was just wondering...I...that is..." Taking a deep breath she tries again, "Gyo and I have been together for....a while now and I was just wondering...I never really understood how that happened. Did I choose her? Did she choose me? When you say "talents" are you speaking of skills, magic....both? I don't know...I'm sorry...I'm just trying to understand what's happening because...even though I was trained to be this...I wasn't trained at all about being this." She says with a somewhat general frustrated gesture that encompasses all of herself. "Sorry...I don't mean to...sorry." She gets quiet as she looks into her tea cup.