Hikaru browses the wares, doing his best appear casual as possible. He isn't the best deal finder, but the patter in tradertalk in potentially surprisinly a comfort to him. He is likely transpartent to his target, but they stick out, wearing the colors of the Tortoise, it's delegate Kasuga Genjiko.

"My, there is quite a selection of wares. I wonder if they have what I need" He muses aloud, not a direct address but perhaps the opening of a conversation.

It's not the kizoku herself, but her niece, Kasuga Izumi, who responds.

"Doji-san is correct," she says from behind him and to his left. "There is quite a selection, indeed, and many things can be found here to suit most tastes."

She smiles tightly. "Other tastes...will have to be sated in other places."

"Good evening Kasuga-sama, I agree " Hikaru nods with you to himself, a bit of theater to sell the point. "But those tastes are things we will go so far to find. One never quite knows what path will lead you there." He turns slowly to face the woman behind him, doing his best to keep warm but even tempered expression "But I have heard of a few paths from those who wash ashore near the port. There is a wide world out there"

"More than Doji-san is apt to know," Izumi replies.

"But he might find a dish whose flavor is to his liking, even here," she continues. "Although cooking the next would take ingredients of its own."

Her eyes flicker up and down him. And they flicker to the side, where a hulking man seems to be perusing pillow books.

Hikaru's eyes do the same, taking in the delegate up close. There had been a distance at Court and it's a strange feeling being this close to someone of notable influence outside his own clan all on his own.

"That would only be fair. It would be quite rude to not repay the kindness in kind. It would be helpful to know what flavors you enjoy Kasuga-sama, to bring a sufficient recompense." Hikaru offers a light, but emotionless smile. "I do not know about you, but I was surprised how much I miss the taste of the sea."

"So you've spent some time afloat, then?" Izumi asks. "If so, I'm sure you've got a fair hand with ropes and knots.

"But you're not alone in missing the tang of brine in the air," she continues, letting a hand trail on one bundle of silk that stands nearby. "Although I do find myself amply supplied with such a flavor, even here. Of course, the taste of rice complements that brininess well."

She looks him in the eyes. "There may be other savory combinations to try, too."

"I have spent enough time to learn the thorough depths of my ignorance. I like ton think I gained an appreciation for those who have mastered it."

Hikaru bows. "I would very much like to see more of it. I am sure rice tastes well at sea." He pauses a beat. "It would be lovely if it was a colorful as well. There are all sorts of strange items that washed up on our shores as well, perhaps you'd know their source and would appreciate them?"

Izumi's eyes narrow slightly.

"There's a danger in looking too closely on what washes ashore," she says. "Some might look at such things...askance."

"Caution is well earned" Hikaru concedes. "But I am quite curious, what were some of the other flavors you spoke of?"

Izumi picks up a piece of rope near to hand and begins to knot it--idly, but with astonishing complexity--as she answers.

"Well, while it might be the case that a colorful dish pleases the palate, and that it and brininess do well for rice, it can take strong arms to bring all of it in," she says. "And what strong armed folk love neither fish nor sake to go along with the rest of the meal?"

She lays the knot-work aside. "Even besides that," she continues, "it's always good to share a meal with another, isn't it? You never know what you'll learn in talk at the table, and a good mess-mate is devoutly to be desired."

"Alas, those strong armed men are rare indeed. You are not the first I've heard to speak of them." Hikaru does his best to surpress a wince at that. "Truly, a shame, for conversation is such a lovely thing. I have heard legends of those who craft high tables and seats of wood and serve with chopsticks made of silver. Would that not be a sight to behold?"

Hikaru pauses "I have not been to the dining hall much, what have you heard?"

"It is a common enough sight in the East Hub," Izumi replies. "But, so close to the capital, such might be expected.

"A shame," she continues, "about strong arms. Sometimes, a person just longs to be enfolded in them.

"Still," she presses onward, running a hand along another bolt of cloth, "a solid meal is a worthwhile thing. Wouldn't you agree, Doji-san?"

"Very much so. I shall confer with my superiors to confirm our meal." Hikaru bows "By your leave"

"Carry the Fortunes, Doji-san," Izumi says, dismissing the Crane.