[Day 4, Early Morning] Desperately Seeking Salamanders (Expecting)

[Shiba Yukari]

Yukari headed down to the cove as early as she was able- which, thanks to the previous night's activities getting started sooner rather than later, meant that she was actually quite timely.

The young Phoenix was dressed reasonably formally, although not quite to the extent she had been the night before- only about two layers, for example- and she moved as quietly as she was able in hopes of spotting a salamander to maybe have a word with.

[Daidoji Kenzo]

Kenzo wasn't looking where he was going, wasn't really paying attention to his surroundings at all, a rarity for him but he was still on an emotional high. When his instincts took hold and he noticed the Shiba he was already within arms reach of her and he had to resist several urges at once, mostly the urge to scare her.

He whispered. "Good Morning Yukari-chan." A smile beaming on his face.

[Shiba Yukari]

Yukari blushed, quickly, and actually pulled a fan out of her obi to briefly hide her face, as if she were at court.

"Kenzo-kun. Your... devotion to your self-assigned duty is commendable..."

Her blush having subsided, she snapped her fan closed and surveyed her surroundings.

"What a surprise to see you here. Not really. I trust nobody has walked off with any of the local amphibians?"

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"We shall see shortly if anyone took advantage of things in the night. Have you come here to check up on me and make sure U was keeping my word to you or did you just fancy a walk in the rain?"

[Shiba Yukari]

"Checking up on you? Does that sound like me?"

She smiled.

"No, I've been... tasked with a ceremony involving the salamanders, so I thought i ought to come see if I could speak to one of them."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"A ceremony? Qi-sama must think as highly of you as I do." He said with adoration. "I'm glad she is entrusting things to you but I hope she isn't putting all of her duties on you. But don't let me get in your way, I'm just here to count the salamanders and check for signs of poachers." He gestured towards the cave.

[Shiba Yukari]

"I believe her exact words on the subject were that she had other things she needed to be doing."

Yukari sighed, and headed for the cave.

[Daidoji Kenzo]

Though they were alone he kept his voice low, trusting that the rising wind would carry it to her ears alone. "Last night was amazing, I feel like I'm floating. I hope we can spend more time together in the future either with Akari or without, I would like to give you my full attention."

He turned his focus to the sand, searching meticulously for footprints or blood.

[Shiba Yukari]

"I think that might be arranged... once I'm certain that nobody's feelings would get hurt. I wouldn't mind seeing about improving my own, er... technique."

Yukari was still pretty new to the whole relationship landscape, but things on this island moved fast. She'd arrived having never gone farther than a quick kiss with an interested party and now...

Well.

Again. Things moved fast.

"No signs of trouble, Daidoji-san?"

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"None that I can see so far but I still need to count them. I cannot say for sure that I have the full count of them yet a few more days will give me a better grasp of their numbers. My real concern isn't for them right now but what may happen once I get sent away from here and into the forest. I hope that my absence doesn't encourage others to resume the hunt."

He focused on a particular swath of sand and slowly moved down to the water's edge.

"At least one has already gone into the water, when the weather improves I will have to see where it is they are going. I did not think before coming here that salamanders took to salt water but perhaps these are just special. I want to find out what they are feeding on, we don't want to starve them by over-fishing."

"I hope to spend more time with Akari-chan as well, you can be assured of no hurt feelings from me. The idea that either of you even talk to me is more than I could have hoped for or likely deserve."

[Shiba Yukari]

"I'm still very new to all of this, so I hope you'll bear with me."

Handy, how some phrases could suit all manners under discussion.

"I haven't even gotten a good look at one yet..."

And others less so.

"You sell yourself short, Kenzo. Don't."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"That one over there is looking at you quite intently, how close do you need to get to commune with them?"

[Shiba Yukari]

"About ten feet? I can work at longer range if I have to, but it makes the magic more complex..."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"They seem very docile but if one of them has young and they feel threatened..." He stopped what he was doing and moved to the Shiba side, one hand casually resting on his sword.

[Shiba Yukari]

Yukari took a breath and approached cautiously.

[Daidoji Kenzo]

Kenzo stayed a step behind her to left, not wanting to interfere or make the animal feel trapped by their presence. He believed they were harmless but he would not hesitate if it lunged at her and while his left hand rested on his saya his right was prepared to pull her back behind him.

"I am right here with you, take your time."

He tired to center himself, not wanting to pollute the area with negative emotions.

[Shiba Yukari]

Yukari spoke a quick prayer under her breath, and felt the Air Kami get to work.

She called out to the salamander.

"We're not here to eat you. If I may approach closer, give me a sign."

After all, the spell didn't let her understand animals in their turn.

[Koumori]

The large salamander looked blankly at Yukari for a moment, but then it backed up by about a foot. All the humans it had met had been here to harvest them, so it wasn't taking any chances.

[Shiba Yukari]

"Then I will stay where I am. We wish to change how my species interacts with yours."

She carefully knelt on the ground, and motioned for Kenzo to do the same.

"We know you were here before we came to this island. What has been done to your kind is... not right."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

Kenzo followed the instruction, going so far as to remove his katana and placing it on his right side before placing his hands in his lap.