[D1, Mid Eve] Red Calling Blue, Over

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Journeys are better with boon companions," she replies. "And it'd be lovely to see what kind of dishes we can sample together."

Yuuwaku's closed fan rises to rest with its tip on her right cheek. "I've been fortunate enough to develop a broad palate. So many are so restricted in their tastes, hardly daring with their tongues at all."

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"A shame to live such a way", Shitoru commented. "As for my own appetites I find myself eating down to the last morsel if not stopped. A samurai must be thorough and follow through, even dining on what some might not consider if they are to truly complete the task."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Have there been many who would push you away from their table? I cannot imagine that so refined a man handles his dishes poorly. Though I cannot think that a gracious host would serve less than the best to be had to such a man, either."

The fan opens a few folds--not all the way, but enough to show some of the design. The effect suggests peeking out past it.

"I gather that Bayushi-san is a man who appreciates the oyster as a meal."

[Bayushi Shitoru]

So we've come to it, then.

He had been enjoying the banter, very much so, but did not expect such quickness in the explicit asking.

Not as if a man is one to complain.

"If the serving is up to standard", he answered, head tilting just to the side to catch her peeking eyes. "Does Kakita-san have such a dish prepared?"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

A fun one, indeed, and eager, she thinks. It will be a fun trip, after all.

"Ah, but oysters are an evening dish, are they not? And, like most delectable things, there is the choice of what to pair them with."

The fan opens a bit more, and Yuuwaku's eyes peer over the edge of it.

"What would so experienced a man as Bayushi-san recommend? First, perhaps, which course? Is the oyster the entree or the appetizer?"

[Bayushi Shitoru]

He found perhaps he needed his own fan now, as was proper when having such a polite discussion about food.

Giving it a few waves just to make sure he was only imagining the heat in his face beneath the mask he then snapped it shut and answered more condifently.

"I find appetizers are best when enjoyed before the meal, but when paired properly with a bit sweet, it is this one's pleasure to save some for later in the meal. While dining it is proper to clear all of one's dishes, and so to take one's time and savor things both separately and together can produce exciting results."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Is that the front of his fan, or the back? Yuuwaku wonders idly.

"I've had similar experience with certain root dishes. They do well as appetizers, though they can certainly make for a meal in themselves at times. I've known many men who get their fill on them, though, so perhaps that would be something that would wait until later in the meal."

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"Fools rush in, and accept too much too greedily", Shitoru answered with a shake of his head, as if lamenting such behavior. "Taking one's time is key to eating a full course meal, one must also leave room for a treat afterward, neh?"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Bayushi-san is a wise man. Pacing is key, in dining and in anything good. Or so experience has taught me, and I have heard it said often, by many, and in many things, that experience is the best teacher."

The fan opens yet more, covering the whole bottom of Yuuwaku's face.

"I flatter myself that I have studied diligently."

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"It would be an honor to determine if that is self-flattery of perhaps a rightful claim", he made an inviting gesture with his fan. "As I stay at the inn, perhaps the obasan who runs it will have a shrimp dish to serve there, and perhaps Kakita-san will allow this one to treat her hence."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Bayushi-san has been such an excellent guest, I would be overjoyed to accept his invitation, as duties permit. And perhaps we can dine together on such salty things as oysters and shrimp.

"Has Bayushi-san a preference in drink against such a meal?"

Her fan slides closed, brushes up against her right cheek again, more fully.

"Perhaps the dining room has a sunset view?"

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"All compliments will be sent directly to this one's ego and will be devoured hungrily by said beast", Shitoru warned her playfully.

"But as it is my duty to be such a good guest, I will merely hold Kakita-san to the same said standard and let it be my pleasure see her outperform this one", this said easily, despite it being a bit to chew on word wise. "And should we have a sunset view in the common room? It may be a case of..." he acted as if thinking, but really waved his fan in a slight circle under his left eye. A shrug. "...besides, I know of a higher place among the inn's environs of where one might see a sunset."

The place did not greatly impress, but a room above the common area would do better, he thought.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"I could scarcely match Bayushi-san in chado, but I think I can find something he will appreciate. And it will be a pleasure to see the sunset over a fine meal."

She nods.

"I shall look forward to it, indeed."

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"This one is certain Kakita-san's elegance would serve her well in learning", Shitoru contended. "And anything she brings to the table will be well looked after by this hungry one. That is to say I will share in the thoughts of looking forward."

He bowed and offered the tea again.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku sets her fan aside and takes the cup again.

As she lifts it to drink, she thinks So many opportunities here. I think I'm going to enjoy this assignment very much.

Putting the cup down, she says "Is there any other news from your travels, Bayushi-san? I am sure you have done much and seen more."

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"Quite the opposite", he explained with some sadness. "Though this one dwells in the fortress...battles, bandits and far travels are not this one's game. My lord tells me my sword is not meant for such things and so I keep to the dojo and my quarters largely when not summoned to court."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

She nods. "It is a commendable thing to do a difficult duty. One hopes your quarters are comfortable, at least. And court is not without its entertainments."

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"I have been in a fight of life and death, more than once", he shrugged. "They are boring tales, a simple but excruciating thing to end a man's life. Some seek to brag but I find myself more private on these matters."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku bows her head to him.

"I will not pry, then, though I will share my hope that you have helped others address their karma.

"And discretion is an admirable quality."

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"I have often wondered if men are not only victims, but also instruments of Kharma", the Scorpion noted. "Has Kakita-san ever wondered if her part to play in the wheel is one of service, or of disruption?"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku stops at that.

"That is," she replies after a few moments, "quite a question, and not one I'd considered, no."

She lapses into silence.

"I've not known that what I've done has been particularly disruptive, but then, consequences can range far, can't they?"

She cradles her cheek in her hand.

"Huh. It's a lot to consider all of a sudden."

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"Perhaps so", Shitoru allowed. "I find myself being thoughtful from time to time, training as I do it leaves much for the mind to wander. Though forgive my turning of serious matters upon our pleasant talk, Kakita-san. I did not mean to bring concern to such a pleasant face as yours."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku waves off the apology.

"Nothing to forgive, Bayushi-san. Nothing at all. Perhaps I have neglected contemplation to an unseemly extent."

She smiles again, her eyes cheery.

"And even the sweetest dishes do well with a balance of flavor, neh?"

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"Oh, quite so", he agreed pleasantly. "I oft do however enjoy an unbearable amount of spice, just the same. Having been warned of such does not seem to stop this one. Can Kakita-san relate?"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"I've worked to develop a broad palate, and I know that I cannot find new flavors to enjoy without taking the risk of some that are, perhaps, not to my own taste."

She shrugs eloquently.

"But, again, with the right companion, any meal is a feast."