Red Sword

[Ailena]

Hearing a response, Ailena nodded slightly and returned to the room, happy to hear that noting was the matter. They were all free to think, although she hoped that whatever it was that had taken hold of Hitoshi was not bad. Yet that did not seem to be the case as he commented on the smells. It was nothing special, but she remembered what it was like to smell fresh bread after a long journey.

"You're welcome, but please eat," she told him as he approached the table. She was about to head around to her own place when she noticed the peculiar way that Hitoshi had seated himself on the chair. He was from a different land, after all, but Ailena had never heard of such meal traditions.

Don't offend him, she thought, stopping herself from staring at him for too long. Walking around, Ailena was about to seat herself properly on the chair to show him how to do so, when a better idea struck her. Why did she assume her way was right and his was wrong.

Pulling up her skirts slightly, but not far enough to show skin, Ailena sat with her feet bent underneath her on the chair instead of on the ground. It was slightly uncomfortable, but her dress did cushion her somewhat. Hearing clapping, Ailena looked up too quickly and wobbled in her seat, almost losing her balance. She regained it by clutching at the table, and making a fool of herself, but did finally look up as Hitoshi said Arigatou gozaimasu, his eyes already closed.

What that meant, Ailena was not sure of. She hoped it was some sort of way of thanking for food or wishing a good appetite, for some people did that. In any case, she hoped she had not offended him for sitting like she did. Letting her blue eyes fall on him, Ailena watched his open and settle into a soft look. This sent an odd shiver down her spine, but she suppressed it.

Reaching up, Ailena took her cup of tea and drank some of the hot liquid. The smell of mint filled her nose and she was happy to have added it. She liked mint with her tea, and all of it's calming properties. Looking up once more, Ailena hoped that Hitoshi didn't mind.

"Sir Hitoshi," she began, but instead of instructing him to eat, she decided to instead ask a question. "Tell me, what does Arigatou gozaimasu mean?"

[Hitoshi Akanoken]

"Is... is 'Thank you.' You... is first time you sit seiza, right? Is uncomfortable first time. I... just... sit seiza much. I used to sitting on floor. Thank you for food." He nodded and smiled, acknowledging Ailena's kindness. He reached down, and picked up his knife, and looking at it strangely. He quickly decided that it was used for cutting the bread, and set about doing so. He looked about for a pair of chopsticks, and not finding them, was dismayed. He wasn't sure if he was supposed to use his hands, or some other form of tools. He looked at the table, unsure of what to do, and finally noticed the tea. Upon seeing something so obviously normal to him, he smiled broadly. He picked up the cup and sipped the tea, trying to remember what he was told was good manners.

"Is good!" He exclaimed, still smiling, "But how you eat food? Nani... Nani desu ka? AH! Sorry, is... What is this?" He picked up a fork and spoon, holding them up for Ailena to see. He wondered how two cultures could be so different that people didn't even know how to eat politely in the other culture...

[Ailena]

Ailena fought to stifle a laugh at the other's reaction to the cutlery. She had placed the fork with the jam that she found, and the spoon was for the tea, which really was there out of habit. Placing her own cup on the table, the dark haired girl reached for the spoon and fork by her plate and held each in one hand. As she did, she wondered how best to explain something that she had known sense birth. Still, she wasn't about to make the young man feel uncomfortable with his question.

"Don't apologize, Hitoshi. Really, there's nothing wrong with speaking in your native tough, or asking such questions. I'm happy to help you. Now, this," she raised her spoon so he could see," is used when eating liquids, soup for example. Then this one, " now she raised the fork, "is used when eating something hard. The knife is used for cutting food, as you've done. That's why it is small, and slightly dull."

Placing the cutlery down, Ailena picked up a piece of bread and cheese holding them in her hands. "Usually though, people eat with their hands. Manners are hard to observe in a place like this, although one can try."

Smiling, she set the food down on the plate before her. It was metal, and roughly made, but served it's purpose. "Tell me, Hitoshi, what do people eat at your home, and how, for I take it you do not use forks or spoons?" she asked curiously. She also wanted to make him feel more comfortable, for he was going to live with them for a while.

Ailena was also happy to note that her feet did not hurt as much anymore, and she kept at her position with ease. A part of her wondered how people could eat on the floor without chairs, but then she also figured it was probably more comfortable. Again, she raised her blue eyes to look at the young man before her, happy to see that it was easy to enjoy his company and stories which now she waited to hear eagerly.

(ooc: Just on a historical note, in the medieval times, or the Dark Ages, people actually did not use forks or spoons. They ate with knives or with their hands. Although I know that we're hardly writing about that time, I just couldn't help but point it out.)