[D8 LE] Alcohol Is the Best Disinfectant

[Doji Hikaru]

"That's more like it." Hikaru isn't smug so much as pleased. "The fire is back in your eyes. We've seen further up the summit. We have our next goal."

He pauses, realizing that his hand is still on her chin. "Should we postpone the drinking contest? Or find something else?"

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Perhaps getting drunk in the middle of winter court wouldn't be the best plan" Honoka agreed with a small grin "just stack them up on the next competition. What is it anyway?"

There was a pause before she moved back slightly so he wasn't holding her chin anymore.

"Doesn't mean we can't enjoy a little now at least."

[Doji Hikaru]

"I am more than happy to while away the hours with your company. That enough is time well spent." Hikaru removes his hand and lounges on a cushion.

"I'm not sure what to do next. What's on the docket?"

He pauses "It's a shame you werent at Noriko-sama's fishing trip. We could have had a fishing competiton. And a drinking one on top of that"

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Of course it is, my company is wonderful even when I'm not at my best" Honoka replied with a small laugh "as for other avenues...we are two days away from the Floating Banquet although I'm not sure what form of competition this would have and three days from the beginning of the Bowmans Wager."

There was a pause and a small surprised look.

"Hikaru-san fishes? Doji Noriko-sama also?"

[Doji Hikaru]

"Oh she does. I do too...just, well, poorly." He chuckles. "Plenty of those my age would sneak out to the shore but the son of the House leader, even one not set to inherit, has expectations. I'd be better off casting a net off of a ship and explaining how we sell fish than catching them. Not much better, mind you, but better"

Hikaru takes another sip, his gaze far away for a moment. "That we'd meet at the Bowman's wager seemed a given. Perhaps we settle on the banquet the day of?"

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Interesting" Honoka commented with a curious look "I haven't had much interest in fishing before. I'd always spend more time in the library, or the dojo. I was an overfocused child it seems."

There was a thoughtful expression as she sipped her sake.

"We could see what the banquet is. Floating banquet makes me think of making small vessels for food perhaps?"

[Doji Hikaru]

"Heh. Two high achievers. Are you set to inherit?" It was curiosity , surely

[Ikoma Honoka]

"I'm the only child in my direct family, but my uncle is the Lord Kamoshita and he has two living sons. So not set to inherit, however I'll be the biggest and most famous member of the Kamoshita by far" Honoka grinned.

[Doji Hikaru]

"So..." Hikaru thinks. "You'd likely be someone of value to have join another Clan. Or have you join another?"

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Someone of my talents? I'd be an asset for sure" Honoka said without hesitation "uncle certainly believes that of me at least. I just hope to find someone that can challenge me, sometimes a match might look good on paper but if one doesn't push the other then neither ever reaches their potential."

[Doji Hikaru]

"Oh?" Hikaru finishes drink his and pours them a next round. "And who have you found that comes anywhere near to your potential?"

[Ikoma Honoka]

"So far? The list is very tiny" Honoka picked up her cup "I haven't had a chance to see how good Tatsuya-san or his son are, nor how good Otomo Gorobei-sama is, but they're both children of the heavens so they must have some talent. Then there's you of course."

She sipped her cup before adding "you're almost my equal."

[Doji Hikaru]

"Almost? Considering that we've established that I'm a better actor than you?" Hikaru Jibes. "And my Court actions didn't get me into an honor duel?

He pauses "I promised I wouldn't get too into that but the point stands. You're brilliant Honoka. It does seem like you need someone to watch your back. "

"It's a very nice back" he mutters into his drink.

[Ikoma Honoka]

"You mean my court actions required a clan champion to have to answer them" Honoka challenged "and I think you've misunderstood. I don't need someone to watch my back, I just want to be with someone that challenges me. Keeps me pushing to be greater than I already am. Not someone that is content in their way of life."

[Doji Hikaru]

"And did you break up the trade deal you spoke of when you made your challenge?" Hikaru asks, trying very hard to not be smug about it. "Watching your back to doesn't need to mean lacking ambition. Kami know I have my blind spots. But if you want to make the next round about Court proposals I am happy to compare what we've done so far" Hikaru leans to playfully nudge her

"Honoka, perhaps this is a surprise to you but you can support and challenge someone at the same time. Come on, isn't that what I'm doing tonight?"

Hikaru cuts off his words abruptly, studying Honoka for a response.

[Ikoma Honoka]

There was a small narrowed look at that.

"I think you didn't listen to the reasoning for the challenge well enough then if you feel that way. However the heavens have decided the answer to that, and the Dragon will propose it again."

There was a small shrug and she leaned back.

"I would say my words and impact mean plenty, but this is a matter of debate that likely won't reach agreement. Not suitable for an evening drinking."

[Doji Hikaru]

"That's fair enough." Hikaru muses "I think our difference in views might be in where and how we were prepared." He seems to realize something. "I don't know much about your dojo, so maybe there are similarities, but I can say that House Ikehara is young. As in, Doji Ikehara is my father. And he was so far outside the line of succession that when his niece inherited the family line he was closer in age to a cousin than an uncle...so he did everything he could to make something with his own hands and wits. That's my challenge: that if I want any kind of future other than a retainer for my older sister, I make it now."

Hikaru sips. "You might be right about the end point of your approach. But I stand by the second part: you can have someone challenging you and still looking out for you. I'd like to think you'd do it for me as well...within reason"

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Pushing for your own achievements is a good thing, it'll keep you motivated" Honoka smiled finally "the Kamoshita, my house, date back to the kami themselves. They formed when Akodo himself arrived in our lands in fact, and have learnt to adapt for survival over the centuries. I'm sure I get some of my way from how my ancestors were."

There was a sip of her sake before she added "I do look out for you also, you're a friend Hikaru-san. And sometimes competition also" there was a teasing grin at that "I should hope that we can continue in such a way. While the Crane and Lion have rarely been friends, we are in very different times now. Anything is possible."

[Doji Hikaru]

"Well, it looks like there will be weddings aplenty, so who knows. Maybe there's a new house from all the intertwined families" Hikary shrugs. "To new beginnings!"

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Winter court seems to be wedding court doesn't it" Honoka said with a chuckle "everything tied up with a nice little marriage bow."

Honoka raised her cup.

"New beginnings!"