[Day 2 - Late Afternoon] The Off Hours (Open)

[Kuni Shiori]

"I should be thanking you for your kind offer, Daidoji-san," she showed a small amused smile. "I would have thought your schedule this winter would have already been filled with either your Clan member's demands or merely just attending to your social circle. Perhaps this invitation is more generous than it looks?" She would raise a brow at her inquiry.

"I don't recall any being reported for this reason, in rumours or superstition. The Lion lands are more likely to have incursions from their ancestors if exaggerations in hearsay are to be believed here. I wouldn't worry too much. My apologies for raising concerns earlier. We are taught to exercise some vigilance when it comes to the unusual but often things are more mundane than they appear. I wouldn't put too much weight in any of those thoughts," she said reassuringly.

"I hear the Crane are quite thorough when it comes to their arrangement when it comes to finding a compatible pair both in personality and politically. I'm sure it will be a good match and will strengthen the ties between both families. Have you attended many weddings in your career, Daidoji-san?" She asked before taking a light sip.

[Daidoji Ryu]

"Oh, I wouldn't read too much generosity into my offer." Ryu said, still dry. He looked at her, his expression serious. "You coming in here has been a pleasant surprise. I've been enjoying this conversation, and your insights. Wanting to continue it later is as much self-interest as kindness." Again, the corners of his lips just curled up; it seemed he wasn't much for smiles, so any expression in that direction was probably good.

He gave a gentle shake of his head. "Vigilance is good. I approve of vigilance. I don't mind little surprises, but I'm not fond of big ones." Another tiny smile. "Still, I'm reassured that we're not expecting an attack by some sort of spice-wielding spirit."

"Yes." Nodding, Ryu agreed. "Both sides were very thorough. Hrm." He paused a moment, sipping at his own cup. "More lately. Part of that is shifting duties; more court, less war. The other is I suppose I'm reaching an age where my comrades are all getting married." That made his lips twist wryly.

He nodded. "What about you, Kuni-sama? I suppose you might have even performed a few?"

[Kuni Shiori]

Shiori's smile and warmth came more easily, although it was in smaller and subdued ways. "Ah, so you say, Daidoji-san. In that case, I'm a bit more relieved by your offer. That said, it's never wrong to have some self-interests here and there. It's not like we have all the time in this world, both for either Winter Court or are during in this realm."

"I do suspect that vigilance is something of an innate trait in your Family too, Daidoji-san," she nodded. "I think the Empire would be in a better place if it did focus itself more on marriages than war, so it doesn't surprise me that the Crane have the foresight to start that trend for the rest of the Empire."

She couldn't help but chuckle at the question, however. "My apologies, Daidoji-san...I found myself a bit amused by the idea of that. My Family is in a peculiar position when it comes to such rites. Preferably, that honour is left to the elder monks of the Fortunes and maybe to the Kuni when necessary. In fact, my brother's ceremony was officiated by a monk from Koten, which I attended. And one for Yasuki Yusuke, only two thus far."

[Daidoji Ryu]

"Or in any particular day, it often seems to me." Ryu said, sighing. "But then a new day comes, with a fresh gift of hours. So I cannot complain." He gave Shiori a little nod, grey eyes glinting. "And I quite agree, about self-interest. A little from time to time is fine. Good, even."

Another nod. "Something we have in common? The Kuni are also known for their vigilance." The rest of her words made Ryu frown thoughtfully. "Hmph. The Crane has done war, and even when we've won, I'm not sure we can say we've come out better for it. Well, perhaps my cousin will be the first of many fashionable marriages." He smiled. "Hers will be fashionable at least, if I have anything to say about that."

As she went on, Ryu tilted his head, regarding her. "Oh? I see. In Crane lands, a shugenja often performs the ceremony. I suppose the Kuni have other duties." He frowned thoughtfully. "Hmmm. I hadn't considered the theological optics of having my cousin marry an Asahina. That does feel rather like our house making a declaration for peace." He sighed ruefully. "Wish I had though of it, so I could take credit for the idea."

[Kuni Shiori]

"Good, I'm glad you see it my way, Daidoji-san. I wouldn't want to bore you with the particulars of my House's findings to convince you," she said with a slightly coy tone before taking a sip from her cup with an eye on him.

"Not all victories are sweet. While it may do wonders to assuage the burning ego, there's always a toll to be paid. Peace is often far less risky. Something that's been told me is that it's easier to foster a pond full of fish when the waters aren't so turbulent. Maybe the same could be said about Crane marriages if they catch on as a trend. I'm sure you'll have a good share of them to attend. Of course, ultimately, one to host as well." She nodded in his direction.

"Perhaps a one-time shugenja might perform the ceremony but you've guessed right that we often have other activities to perform. I don't think a Crab would turn down one done by someone of my Family but there are easily better alternatives," she shrugged at that, hardly offended by that fact, more that she accepted it. "Did you have a hand in the negotiations?"

[Daidoji Ryu]

That got another smile from the frowny Crane. "Of course." Ryo said. "Although so far, I haven't been bored. I might even describe myself as interested. Or, at least, intrigued." He kept that slight smile, meeting her gaze as she sipped.

But then he grimaced again. "I know those who risked much and won much in that last war. And, of course, those who risked and lost it all. I was neither. I suppose it's fortunate enough that I wasn't one of the latter." He sipped sake, his gaze going distant a moment, then he looked at Shiori again. "I wonder. Winter Court might not be turbulent waters, but I find them to be murky. Perhaps that's better." It was half a question; his eyebrows went up, inviting her opinion.

"I understand that. We all have our roles" Ryu nodded acknowledgement. And indeed, as a Daidoji, he did understand that. "I did, in much the same role as I do here. My cousin handled much of the negotiation, especially the broad strokes. I saw to the little details." He shrugged. "I've done my best to find my place. That is it."

[Kuni Shiori]

Shiori presented a modest smile, looking a touch surprised that the Crane would even bring up an interest in the matter. "It doesn't seem proper to go at length about here and now, especially at such a casual drinking establishment. Even if we are two cups in already, let's just say that my House has a vested interest in the habits and routines of people. We are human, far more complicated than just a mere tool. Even then, if you keep performing the same duties non-stop without pause, you're more likely to break. It's often best that people break up their routines with either leisure or some small self-interest before continuing on. Of course, everyone is born different. Some people can just work forever, at least on the surface."

"Surely, only murky to the initiated," she gave a shrug on the matter, even if she was unsure about those words. "I don't think we have quite a courtier's perspective, am I right? The water is entirely different from those who swim in it. I don't think wading in from the shore provides us with the necessary optical organs or whatever to see best in those waters. At least, I'm sure that's something I've been told. But it seems that you have some experience. Working out little details in a marriage is just another deal, is it not?"

[Daidoji Ryu]

"Hmmm." Ryu looked at her, eyes narrowed curiously. "Perhaps this is something we can discuss another time, then. Regardless, I am finding this encounter to be full of pleasant surprises. Small ones, fortunately, so far." His humor was quite dry indeed, but it was definitely there.

"Some, yes." Ryu made a vague gesture with his left hand, still holding his cup with his right. "Enough to recognize just how murky things are. I fear I am... what's that phrase? A big fish in a small pond, now moved to a big pond? Some of those at this court have been immersed in politics their entire lives. For myself, it's only been the last few years."

"So I do my best to simply observe." He paused there, taking a sip of his sake, looking at Shiori again.

[Kuni Shiori]

"Good thing I kept my pouch of surprise spices in my other satchel," she said as an obvious joke with a low chuckle as she placed her hand momentarily on her satchel. "We're only a few or so days into the season and I'm sure that many things will unfold for us and the other guests. I have read tales of some exceptionally routine and dreary winter courts before my arrival but I suspect that this one won't fall into that category, given the circumstances on the throne. If any changes go procedurally and without full, it would surprise me more so than overloading on peppers."

"I have to admit that I have little idea of how court in the Crane lands are but considering your Clan is known to excel in it, I would have thought that you would be more at ease in these waters that we find ourselves in. Then again, it's not like court finds itself squeezed into all aspects of your duties, unless we broaden the definition to court not being in an actual court with a presiding official." She gave a curious glance at the room. "Let me ask you, would a dojo be considered a court? Would a sake house like this one be considered a court? It does keep a schedule and it does have its regulars, we are merely guests here."

[Daidoji Ryu]

A dry chuckle, but a chuckle nonetheless, came as a response to the joke. "Good thing indeed. But yes. A tense beginning, and no doubt something will occur soon enough to shake things up a bit."

Tomorrow, Ryu might look back on his prophetic word choice there and smile.

At the suggestion that he might be more at ease, Ryu's expression turned a touch more sour, but only for a moment. Then it became more interested. "A good question." He looked around. "This may, in fact, be a court. More investigation would be required to know for certain."

He gave the tiniest of shrugs, closer to a bob of the head. "A court is a place where many come to call on one. But one can do the business of court in all those places you mention, and more. An eatery. A bathhouse. A ferry. Anywhere that people can meet and come to some sort of understanding." Another tiny shrug. "Or so I see it."

[Kuni Shiori]

Shiori nodded soundly a few times during Ryu's response, taking a moment to take a sip from her cup of sake without her gaze leaving him. "Those are fair assessments, Daidoji-san. So you're more amenable to the potential concept of what could be considered a court. In many ways, unless someone is truly a recluse, we could say that we have had some experience with a court in some form. Either in the barracks or when sharing a meal with our peers."

She raised a hand for a moment to indicate she was going to add further to the thought before conclusions were made. "Of course, it would be foolish to say that we have equal experience to how things are run in a large and more official winter court with so many parties present. I'd like to think there are some transferable skills or if not that, some catalyst that we are just missing before things just seem more natural or familiar."

[Daidoji Ryu]

Ryu frowned thoughtfully, but as Shiori raised her hand, he waited.

By the end, he nodded. "Indeed. Just about everyone knows how to make a friend. And, as a gross simplification, alliances are networks of such friendships. A skilled courtier weaves quite a web..." He gestured around. "I wonder if there's a regular here that could call upon half the neighborhood for help if he needed it."

He took another sip; he was nearing the end of his cup, but he didn't want any more. "What do you think about your own skills, Kuni-sama? Your own experiences?" Again, his eyes narrowed slightly, studying her.

[Kuni Shiori]

"I'm sure there's someone like that here," she chuckled softly as she turned to gaze about the room. "As guests here, it would be all too difficult for us to guess who would be this particular character. Would it be the bartender who serves everyone's drinks here? The cooks in the back making the small dishes but who has been here forever? Or maybe even the drunkard who never pays a zeni because everyone pays for their drink?"

"My own experiences? My House, by obligation and duty, do find themselves in two separate settings. As mentioned before, we manage the mines and the production of iron ore for our family. Naturally, we spend most of our time in the earth and it's hardly a place for much socializing. The work is hard and dreary, the labourers don't exactly make for a good conversation." She stated that as a matter of fact, hardly seemingly bothered by it. "Thankfully, Kuni are often solitary creatures."

"However, in my generation, we're trying to make something of a change in ourselves. We've found ourselves more involved with others by necessity, especially when it comes to our talents in raw material procurement. While it's all too easy to let the Yasuki do our duties, it would be beneficial to speak for ourselves and grow as a House. Being a small House has made us vulnerable and far too easy to be under the sway of hapless winds, as we've learned in recent history. That said, it's a slow process where we're finding many lessons and a lot of weight has sat on my shoulders because of that," she smiled ruefully on that note. "I've dealt with a share of people and attended the courts, mostly local. As we've both found, it seems, there's still much to learn."

[Daidoji Ryu]

Again, a hint of smile. "Perhaps each of them. The charming drunk is a good possibility. The bartender may even be doing it on purpose. People like a good listener. And the person who gets them what they want."

"Hmmm. Are they?" His grey eyes glinted at her a moment; one Kuni was sharing a drink with him, after all. "Although, I wouldn't underestimate a shared experience. Sometimes close bonds can be formed despite few words being shared."

And again, Ryu's lips quirked sympathetically. "That does sound like quite the learning experience. I've had my own. Experience is a rough teacher, but a good one."

He sighed, glancing down at his cup. "I should go. I do have other things I must see to." He looked at Shiori, his expression serious. "Thank you for joining me, Kuni-sama. You've quite improved my afternoon."

[Kuni Shiori]

Shiori merely nodded once with a small smile regarding the traditional nature of Kuni being solitary creatures. It was a bit of a survival necessity but not something she was going to delve into with polite company on first acquaintance.

"I think I'll likely stay here a little longer and see the ebb and flow of this place. Don't let me keep you from your obligations, Daidoji-san. Thank you for sharing your table and I'm glad that I've made our time together worthwhile. It has been enlightening," she said before setting her cup on the table and bowing as they drew the conversation to a close. "Have a good evening."

[Daidoji Ryu]

"Enlightening indeed." Ryu said.

For a few moments, it seemed as though he was about to say more. Then he bowed, crisp and precise, and departed.

/exit, and thank you!

[Kuni Shiori]

Shiori raised her brows slightly at him when she sensed the pause in Ryu and awaited him to speak. However, it seemed to have not materialized. She didn't try to read too much into it, at least by her appearance as she returned to nurse on her dwindling cup of sake.

/scene, and thank you!