Well, it wasn't really on fire, but it could be if they didn't stomp out the embers.

It's an opportunity boy, not a good one but it's there.

Daichi nodded to himself at that, it would be hard to put it to use, but if he could manage it that would be interesting. Settling into the common area Daichi called a servant for some sake and rice crackers. He'd mentioned a meeting to some of his peers and needed to prepare a bit for their arrival.

Table, Sake, Snacks. That should do.

Having kept mostly quiet during the previous meeting due to an unexpected sore throat (that's a good an excuse for RL as any, I figure ), Masaki was there early today, her face somehow still seeming almost serene as she bowed deep to Daichi.

"Hiruma-sama.", was all she said for now.

Quite the contrast to the apparently peaceful exterior, her eyes couldn't quite stop moving, reaching from one part of the room to the other, from Daichi to the ground and the cat, then outside and back.

Shiori would usher herself in in short order as well. She got the sense that this would be less of a meet and greet where she could derail the conversation with a concept of a sport. There was a lot that happened and it would be great to find some solid ground in this tidal wave of uncertainty.

"Good evening, Yasuki-san and Hiruma-sama," she would bow and greet them in quick order.

"Yasuki-san, Kuni-san." He greeted both with a smile and waved for them to take a seat. Nyoko for the moment was not present, but then maybe she was just sleeping somewhere or playing in Ryoichi's room since the man wasn't present to protest.

"Thought we could all use a drink and perhaps a chat about today's news." He offered as they sat.

"Kuni-san", Masaki would greet with a bow as she arrived as well. "....Some sake might help, I suppose", she adds after a while.

A long silence would follow.

"So..."

More silence. She looked pensive, a couple times it looked as if she would start saying something, but doesn't.

"I'll fetch some cups" is all she manages for now.

Admittedly, Shiori did find herself glancing about for Nyoko when she entered. Part of her could only imagine that she was perhaps doing a good job of hiding. She soon switched her attention to Masaki and watched her every word, perhaps hanging on to see if she had something to share first.

"...Thank you, Yasuki-san," she said on the matter as she quietly put away the personal cup she kept on her. She figured that if Masaki wanted to do something productive, she wasn't going to turn down that honour. It can be therapeutic in some way, no matter how small of a gesture.

"I imagine that the next few days will find themselves uncertain in many ways. It seems almost too soon to say much about it," she said with a shake of her head, although she seemed cooly collected about it.

"Seems to. Is probably the best way to put it." Daichi replied, a battle didn't stop just because one Woman feel. Even if that woman were the Empress herself. "I wouldn't be surprised if some were trying to make the most out of these circumstances even now."

He sighed and shook his head. "If we stand still, I figure we risk being left behind. As loathsome as it seems we likely need to be making plans for how we all intend to proceed."