(D14, LE) Thank you, MCA

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji smiled a bit.

"While it's tempting to believe we are beings of pure honor unaffected by the mortal world about us, it IS alot easier to get people to talk to each other when they've had a good night's sleep and a good hot meal." he agreed.

[Kasuga Izumi]

"Speaking of," Izumi says, "would you care for a bit to eat or something to drink?"

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji smiles.

"It HAS been a long day with little time to see to such needs. I would be happy to end it with a little food, drink and a lot of good company." he agrees.

[Kasuga Izumi]

Izumi smiles.

"Come this way, then, please," she says, and escorts him along to her suite. Servants run on ahead, so there is a bowl of rice, some pickles, and grilled river eel awaiting each, along with tea and sake.

Izumi gestures for him to sit.

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji sits.

"Arigato, Kasuga-sama. I will admit, despite all the struggles of Winter, I think I will truly miss these small moments where we can come together." he offered.

[Kasuga Izumi]

"There is something to be said for them," she agrees, nodding.

She makes to pour.

"Will you have tea or sake, Soshi-san?"

[Soshi Eiji]

"Sake for certain." he agreed. "Tea may rule the day, but at night sake is king, wouldn't you say Kasuga-sama?"

[Kasuga Izumi]

"That depends on what needs doing," Izumi replies, but she pours sake for them both.

Taking up her cup, she adds "There is much for which to remain wakeful."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nods.

"This isn't the floating banquet. A cup to steady the hand, not a bottle to seek oblivion in." he offered.

He lifted his cup to the Tortoise.

"To clearer skies and steady hands."

[Kasuga Izumi]

"And fair following winds," Izumi adds, and she drains her cup.

"There were some interesting performances at the Banquet, weren't there?"

[Soshi Eiji]

Ugh, why did I bring up the banquet?

"Perhaps, Kasuga-sama, though most are perhaps lost upon the river that has rejoined the ocean by this point." he said. "Was there a particular performance that particularly moved Kasuga-sama?"

[Kasuga Izumi]

"I did find Seppun Tomaru's uniquely impressive," Izumi replies, "although the exact text he recited eludes me. Doubtlessly something that will be lost to history.

"But it was interesting to see that scarred Dragon wax eloquent about the Lady Bayushi," she continues. "A woman wonders if such things moved her as he said."

[Soshi Eiji]

Move her to consider killing him, perhaps.

"Saying whether or not it had the effect or not that Mirumoto-san intended is like tossing a coin in the air...over the side of a boat at sea. The correct answer is out there, but no one will ever know it save the coin." he said with a shake of the head.

"I do think that romance as winter court is a welcome distraction for some and and unwelcome distraction for others, and Lady Bayushi falls into the latter camp."

"And it's important to recognize when you've targetted the latter. I remember a story about a certain Scorpion courtier who was just convinced that if he could find the right words, the right clever turn of phrase, that a clearly uniterested Kakita would fall for him. As a consequence, it was nearly him who fell...to her blade. He was spared her wrath by a kindly Otomo of all things, but the lesson was still made quite clear to him."

[Kasuga Izumi]

Izumi has the audacity to laugh.

"I think I've heard that story," she says. "One sometimes has to wonder what messages are being sent by the selections of delegates. Not always, of course; a Bard-trained courtier is an ideal visitor to Kyuden Ikoma, of course. But sometimes..."

She shrugs.

"For all that the Tortoise emerged from the Dragon, we do not understand them any better than most."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji grinned.

"Perhaps it's a statement upon balance? Agasha Yuna has shown herself to be full of grace and charm, and has certainly found someone to reciprocate her feelings in full. Set the two side by side and well...." he suggested.

[Kasuga Izumi]

"She is remarkably forthright and easy to understand," Izumi replies. "I can hope for her that it does not come to her harm."

She eats a bit, snacking rather than taking a meal, as such.

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji takes a bit of the excellent food as well.

"Ah there is that. I assume you heard her proposal in court as regards to currency? I told her that it was too sweeping a change for the court, especially one on the eve of attempting to fill the vacancy upon the throne. That she should instead seek an imperial appointment for her scholar so others might consider the idea more throughly. Instead she charged forward, and as predicted the court stood against her." he explained.

[Kasuga Izumi]

"I'd given her the same advice, or near enough," Izumi replies. "But then, we also don't know if she was told to press ahead by someone who could say as much to her. There, I think we can agree there's nothing to do but to do it."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nods.

"True enough. Perhaps there was some greater reason to make the proposal, even knowing full well it would be rejected. Hmm, if nothing else, perhaps there was some knowledge to be gained in seeing who exactly would stand up to lend their voice against it. Not for use in this court, but in the year to come." he suggested.

[Kasuga Izumi]

"Speaking of the future, Soshi-san," Izumi says, "I don't recall that I've asked if you have children, either born or on the way."