D7 EN - For the sake of argument (Expecting)

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Do you know such a clanmate? I have heard a rumour there is a Kuni about the Kyuden, but I have not seen them myself. But none would know more about such things."
Even if they were a little...eccentric.

Sae holds out her cup with a slight smile, now looking more flushed.

"I have not raised it with Lady Seppun yet. She would ask for testimony which we would be hard pressed to provide. And I worry our hosts would look poorly on such things without at least some support. Still." The Daidoji drums her fingers on the table for a moment. "Perhaps there is a way I can very politely let them know my concerns without it needing to rise to an official level."

"Indeed there is - Kuni Shiori-san was..." Masaki was about to mention her participation in the play earlier in the day, but in the last moment decided it might not be the best way to present her in a good light. "... is a valuable addition to our delegation. I can introduce her to Sae-sama if you want - maybe we can look into that together."

Both cups filled, she takes a first sip from the new bottle.

"Very valid worries, of course." She seems thoughtful for a moment. "Perhaps in a conversation with Seppun Sadako-dono in a less formal setting?" A warm smile covers her face, apparently unknowingly. "I trust Seppun-dono a great deal, and I believe she's one of those who most believe, or hope, a peaceful way forward may yet exist." She shakes her head slightly. "That's beside the point, isn't it? But I do believe she would be glad to know if something is happening that might be a threat. And I believe she might understand the importance of discretion, for the reasons you mentioned." She raises her hands and shrugs slightly. "The decision should be Sae-sama's, of course."

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"Oh? You know Lady Seppun well? Why am I not surprised?"
Sae allows a matching smile for a few moments.

"If that is your judge of her character and what is to be done, then I shall see about passing a message on, discretely. And yes, I would be delighted to make Kuni-san's acquaintance. What is the revered priestess like?"
Sae drains her own cup in a smooth motion, although she lowers it a bit more slowly as worried she might fumble it."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Oh? You know Lady Seppun well? Why am I not surprised?"
Sae allows a matching smile for a few moments.

"If that is your judge of her character and what is to be done, then I shall see about passing a message on, discretely. And yes, I would be delighted to make Kuni-san's acquaintance. What is the revered priestess like?"
Sae drains her own cup in a smooth motion, although she lowers it a bit more slowly as worried she might fumble it."

She answers with a bashful smile. "Oh, not well."

Not yet, at least..

"But the Fortunes blessed me with the chance to meet Seppun-dono early in our time here, and that, along with what I gather from her actions and dealing with our clan... I definitely trust her", she asserts with a nod. "In fact, I plan on meeting her for other reasons soon, probably tomorrow. If Sae-sama wishes, instead of Sae-sama passing on a message - or in addition to it - I could bring up these occurrences with her. Mentioning Sae-sama's involvement or not, as you'd rather have it."

She drains her own cup as well, similarly careful when placing it back on the table - and readily starts to fill both cups again.

"Kuni-san..." she fixates her gaze on a bottle in another table for a while. Not that it seems to have any particular traits that warrant it. "She... has some of the traits expected of her family, I suppose? But less on the eccentric side, I'd say. And very reliable, based on our shared time here. Perhaps we could all three meet for tea or a meal soon?"

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"Mmmmhm, well enough it seems. If you would let her know that a letter is coming it would be appreciated. I hope your meeting with her is blessed with understanding, she strikes me as a very dutiful and talented samurai."

Sae pauses for a moment before adding. "I have heard many samurai have something of a crush on her..." Slight eyebrow raise before continuing on.

"I think that sounds like an excellent way to meet a Kuni, please let me know the time and place and I will be there." She gestures with her hand then stares at it for a few seconds, her eyes slightly narrowed.
"We have...how many cups of sake have we drunk?"

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Mmmmhm, well enough it seems. If you would let her know that a letter is coming it would be appreciated. I hope your meeting with her is blessed with understanding, she strikes me as a very dutiful and talented samurai."

Sae pauses for a moment before adding. "I have heard many samurai have something of a crush on her..." Slight eyebrow raise before continuing on.

"I think that sounds like an excellent way to meet a Kuni, please let me know the time and place and I will be there." She gestures with her hand then stares at it for a few seconds, her eyes slightly narrowed.
"We have...how many cups of sake have we drunk?"

"A... crush?" The Yasuki's eyebrows raise as well, as if trying to meet the Daidoji's. Except more. Considerably more. There seems to be a slight flush on her cheeks as well - although whether that's because of the unexpected topic or the sake is anyone's guess.

She shakes her head slightly, takes the cup up again, stops, looks at Sae, then at the bottle.

"Cups...?" some mental maths - the Yasuki are supposed to be good at that, but this seems to be taking some effort. "... two", she finally answers. "Bottles. When this cup is done. And we still haven't moved to southern sake, ne", she adds with a small smile.

"I will let Seppun-dono know then. Do I leave the content of the letter to be addressed in the letter itself, or would you rather I mention it to her already?"

"As for Kuni-san, I'll tell Sae-sama when we can arrange something then", she adds with a nod and another warm smile.

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"Mmmmhm." Sae replied neutrally, with the good grace to certainly, probably not mean anything by it.

"Two bottles, well that is only one bottle each, which is hardly anything. But perhaps we should try some of the southern sake, just to ensure we have time to properly savour it?"
The Crane actually smiles at that, the alcohol clearly having hit.

"Please, let her know the it is just some minor investigatey....investagitory....invest....some minor matters I am looking into.

She raises her cup to salute a coming Kuni dinner (or to drink because of it) and drains it, placing it back down on the table carefully.

"I cannot recall the last time I have drunk something so strong with company, it much improves the experience."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Mmmmhm." Sae replied neutrally, with the good grace to certainly, probably not mean anything by it.

"Two bottles, well that is only one bottle each, which is hardly anything. But perhaps we should try some of the southern sake, just to ensure we have time to properly savour it?"
The Crane actually smiles at that, the alcohol clearly having hit.

"Please, let her know the it is just some minor investigatey....investagitory....invest....some minor matters I am looking into.

She raises her cup to salute a coming Kuni dinner (or to drink because of it) and drains it, placing it back down on the table carefully.

"I cannot recall the last time I have drunk something so strong with company, it much improves the experience."

The other woman raises her cup as well, a relaxed smile on her lips now. "Matters you are looking for - um, looking good" she shakes her head slightly. "Looking into. Of course, Sae-sama, will do!"

Her own cup is raised as well, a good way to finish the second bottle. "To company, and a good shared dinner. Kanpai!"

(OOC: Will we open the southern bottle on screen? Fading to drinks might work well whenever you want too XD)

[Daidoji Sae]

The other woman raises her cup as well, a relaxed smile on her lips now. "Matters you are looking for - um, looking good" she shakes her head slightly. "Looking into. Of course, Sae-sama, will do!"

Her own cup is raised as well, a good way to finish the second bottle. "To company, and a good shared dinner. Kanpai!"

(OOC: Will we open the southern bottle on screen? Fading to drinks might work well whenever you want too XD)

"Kanpai!"
The two samurai finish their second bottle with a flourish, but could not be stopped there.

((That works for me! Fade to many drinks ))