Ryusei's day was finally winding down... and with it, some tension.

Sure, everything was still up in the air, the throne was in contention, and possible disaster loomed, but that was out of his hands.

What he could do... was recognize the help his friends gave him.

And to that end, he'd sent an invitation to Yasuki Ryoichi to join him at a more... relaxed establishment than Court usually afforded.

"Ahh, Shiba-san," Ryoichi said, as he arrived at the sake house and approached Ryusei's table with a polite bow. The Crab wore a more informal, sturdy-looking kimono than he had worn in Court. "It was a good day in Court, was it not?"

"In no small part thanks to you, Yasuki-sama."

Ryusei- likewise dressed down a bit- rose and bowed.

"I should have known better than to talk about cordage and hull types in front of Court, but... well. Anyway. Thanks for the save. The Crab were our first partners this season, and have remained good friends to the Phoenix ever since."

"You've been a good friend to the Crab as well," Ryoichi returned, as he took a seat at Ryusei's table. "I was glad to help out. Having trustworthy friends has been vital at Court so far. Perhaps it will be important afterwards, as well."

"No kidding!"

Ryusei's informal language came to him as easily as more courtly speech.

"And I won't lie, the thought of having a few Crab ships at anchor near my ancestral home is... reassuring."

He chuckled.

"Plus Yuna- er, Agasha-sama- is already aglow with ideas about the port. Anyway. Point is."

He signaled for more sake.

"I like to think the Crab and Phoenix have a solid basis to move forward on, whatever the coming year brings. We might see a year where the seas are calmer than the land, actually... but either way, I'm glad to have come to this Court, in so many ways."

"Yes, I know my clan will be happy to have access to a safe harbor along the Phoenix coast," Ryoichi agreed. "And I have high hopes for our network of naval agreements. Safe sea trade will help bring prosperity to us all."

"I'm sure Agasha-san's ideas for the port will be good ones," he added. "She had mentioned some quite innovative ideas for economic development to myself and the other Crab."

"Ah, yeah... that."

He nodded.

"We're cautiously on board. But it's a major move and I'm not sure how it'll go when put in front of the Court. Those the present system favors are likely to fight it tooth and nail. And even some who it makes no difference to will wonder why a disruptive change like that is being brought up now of all times."

Then he shrugged.

"But we'll see how it goes. Oh, speaking of our naval arrangements... would the Crab be amenable to Mantis access to the new port? Given your agreement with them and our agreement with them, it seems to me like we could make it work. At the same time, if the Crab would rather not, we'll say no more of it."

"I'm pretty certain that Mantis access to the new port in Shigi prefecture would be acceptable, considering our own agreement with the Mantis," Ryoichi replied. "Assuming they were involved in legitimate activities, of course. It may be best to confirm that with the naval commanders though, to avoid misunderstanding."

"I do think these naval cooperation agreements will be good for both our clans, though," he continued. "I know we all hope for a new Son (or Daughter) of Heaven to be named soon. But if there is ... uncertainty ... about the succession, it'll be especially important to have friends that we can count on."

Dangerous waters there, but...

But the Shigi have been playing it safe and secure as they can ever since we fell on our collectives backsides and look where it's gotten us.

"If sailing into the unknown, best to do it with staunch allies, yes. Might be we're all glad of good ties with the Mantis, too, if it comes to that. OIf course..."

He shrugged.

"Shiba-ue is justly determined to insure that the matter is resolved according to the law- and much of law is precedent."

Ryoichi nodded. "Lady Shiba is precisely correct as always, of course. Law and tradition are of paramount importance. I thought the debate event she held proved .... very instructive. I'm afraid my arguments were not very persuasive, unfortunately."

"By the end of the discussion, it was agreed that Lady Bian had the best claim," the Yasuki recalled. "That wasn't the way you argued at the time, though. Have you changed your mind since then?"

"No, but I'll admit, my concern is more with who shouldn't inherit than who should. I favor Baisho Reichiro, still. But Lady Bian is perfectly acceptable in her way. Baisho Izuku would be largely at the mercy of his advisers, which would lead to an unseemly scramble, but his character is sound. I would say the same of Tomo, with the added concern that Tomo might take a harsher line with other heirs than strictly required. But I would prefer all of them to Lady Hikari."

"I think a lot of us feel similarly," Ryoichi admitted. "I would have liked Tomo to succeed, but I think any of the more worthy heirs would be acceptable, to some degree or another. I suppose we will see who succeeds Lord Baisho soon enough, though."

"On a lighter topic, when is your wedding planned for?" Ryoichi asked. "I wonder if you might have space for a friend or two to attend? I understand Crab ships will be frequent visitors to the new port in the Shigi prefecture, after all."

"Sometime in the spring, and I would be delighted if you could make it, assuming your own duties don't have you otherwise occupied... we'll be inviting a fair few people who likely won't be able to make it, so just let us know if you can't.- but otherwise, consider this an informal invitation before the formal ones go out."

He raised his cup in salute.

"And what about you, any chance of that sort of thing?"

"Ahhh, Hiruma-gunso has been talking with the Imperial Matchmaker to try to arrange something for me," Ryoichi replied. "But I don't think anything definite has been decided. It is too bad, really; it seems like countless excellent matches were made over the course of this season. But perhaps next year, if not this one."

"Well. If you make it to the wedding, you can meet my sister..."

He half-smiled.

"I think your shell might be thick enough to handle her, if it comes to that."

"Why, is your sister not as gentle and polite as yourself, Shiba-san?" Ryoichi asked with a grin.

"My sister is vivacious, lively, and... is less diplomatic than I."

Sip.

"I've heard her described as 'fiery,' and I'd say it fits."

"Mmmm," Ryoichi said, looking amused. "Well, most Hida women are not noted for being diplomatic, either. I'm sure your sister must be a wonderful person. Better to be 'fiery' than to be cold, after all."

"Oh, she's a sweetheart. When she wants to be."

He chuckled.

"But she also tends to lead with her heart, which can be... let us just say I didn't bring her name up when I was negotiating with the Crane..."

"If how things have gone so far this Winter are any indication, it looks like Crane marriages are no longer out-of-fashion," Ryoichi commented. "But if she 'leads with her heart', perhaps an arranged marriage decided as part of an inter-clan treaty wouldn't have been suitable for her anyway."