Nom (D7, MA, Open)

[Otomo Saisei]

Healthier than the previous days, Saisei goes once again to the docks to try another round of the delicious southern noodles. This time, no rain.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

She has not been unlocked from a sandstorm in the desert, and her knees bend forward, but still, Yuuwaku appears, coming again to the docks where the food is freshest and best. Seeing Saisei, she bows and says "Otomo-san, may I join you?"

[Otomo Saisei]

"Kakita-sama. What a surprise! Of course, please, join me for this delicious meal once more." He waves toward the same spot they shared before, adding, "I think I'll try the extra spicy today. I've recovered quite a bit, and it would be good to make sure I am protected from any potential cold wind."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku goes to the indicated place, saying "I am glad you are recovered--very much so." Her mind flashes back to their conversation at the Shrine the day before, and she adds "And more so that you are feeling so...adventurous. It makes me wonder what else you will have a mind to explore."

[Otomo Saisei]

He opens a smirk and asks the vendor to prepare two bowls of noodles, one mild to spicy and another extra. Then, he turns to Yuuwaku, "It also makes me wonder what new adventures there'll be in the future."

The young man coughs a bit to clear his throat and provides an apologetic nod, "I wonder if I acted too... well... enthusiastic earlier today, in Kakita-sama's perspective."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Extra spicy, as well, please," Yuuwaku says to the vendor. Then, to Saisei, she says "Enthusiasm is not undesirable in a young man. And attracting the eyes of the mighty...well, as an Otomo, you should be accustomed to such a thing, yes?"

[Otomo Saisei]

He cocks his head back a bit, to both the extra spicy and the assumed popularity. Saisei chuckles and replies, "I am not accustomed... to both. I've always been in the background. Yet, I will not cower away if the opportunity to honor my family and Empire presents itself. Extra spicy!"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Who would expect less?" Yuuwaku asks. "Certainly not I."

She lets the conversation flag for a moment before adding "But I wonder what Otomo-san has thought of our earlier conversations, now that he has had more time to reflect upon matters." She smiles across the table at him. "Should I invite him to a later meal, or perhaps dessert?"

[Otomo Saisei]

He takes a deep breath to explain. "I do wonder in thoughts of our earlier conversations. In fact, I would like for Kakita-sama to share her own about the matter, were she in a similar situation."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Were I being invited to dine with someone who clearly wanted the pleasure of my company?" Yuuwaku asks. "I would accept, myself, the more so were I certain to enjoy the meal..."

She trails off, something suddenly occurring to her. "But I perhaps do not set the kind of table that might be preferred? Perhaps, rather than supping from the bowl, a guest might like to enjoy a...firmer snack?"

[Otomo Saisei]

The Otomo provides a laugh or two and shakes his head to say, "Who wouldn't like such an exquisite, delicate, perfumed and extremely well prepared three course. I mean, one could pass first course, but all three. Even a firmer snack admirer would think twice."

He pours some warm tea for both, and then sips, "It wasn't about the meal I was mentioning. Or the invitation. I would be honored to dine with Kakita-sama. The later meal, finishing tea or dessert would be something is that I wonder about."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Oh?" Yuuwaku says as she takes her cup. "Thank you. But color me intrigued--or ready to answer as I can, if you have questions."

[Otomo Saisei]

He nods again, with matters potentially clarified, and explains, "The suggestion made in court today. It is actually something I mentioned Kakita-sama herself would be in the position of having been graced with. Where the heir another sibling. How would she proceed, if she had such been raised?"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Ah." Yuuwaku nods, understanding. "The short answer is, of course, 'carefully.' But the briefest answer is rarely the best one."

She takes a sip of tea. "I might go one of two ways. In one, I would keep myself as far away from, shall we say, indiscreet influences as possible, and be seen to do so. In the other, I would be sure to learn somewhat to be able to address...customary parts of such a relationship, and to do so adroitly and well."

She sets the cup down and looks at him intently. "Were I particularly clever, I might find a way to do both at once. Particularly before certain words are spoken that would foreclose many opportunities."

[Otomo Saisei]

He smirks, enjoying listening to her explanations, and then sighs, saying, "I am not particularly clever as Kakita-sama, or as she mentions. The first path she describes is the one I see clearly."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku nods. She is about to speak, but is interrupted by the arrival of the noodles. True to the order, they smell to be spicy, indeed.

"I receive it humbly," she says, then takes a bite. "Not bad."

[Otomo Saisei]

"Itadakimasu!" He says, clapping his hands together and taking chopsticks in hand to dig in. After a few bites, he nods in agreement to her and starts breathing heavier than usual to refresh his lips from the stinging sensation.

"I might have to try more of these to get used. Not quite prepared for all of this." The young man nods to himself again to regain morale, and even if one of his eyes begin to water up, he keeps on.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Breathe through your nose," she says. "Air across the tongue makes it all the hotter."

[Otomo Saisei]

He nods again, sharply, and tries to revert the breathing technique.

The Otomo starts to laugh a bit and takes a sip of the warm tea out of pure instinct. He says, potentially worsening the burn, "I thought Kakita-sama didn't eat this spicy. How does she know?"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Sometimes, one adventures. Other times, one listens to one's seniors," she replies. "But something tells me your schooling was not so congenial."

[Otomo Saisei]

He starts to regulate the breathing through his nose and takes the moment to wipe an unshed tear off his left eye. Then, Saisei mentions, "The initial plan was for me to become bushi. Yet, a decision was made for me to serve fully as an Otomo, and not into a martial school."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"And what of your senpai? Your kohai? Your classmates?" Yuuwaku asks. "Do you remain in contact with them? Do they regard you fondly?"

[Otomo Saisei]

He takes another slurp of noodles sucks his teeth in at the continuous burning. With a negative shake of the head, he says, "I was accepted, but never embraced. We Otomo aren't that many. My lineage, as recounted, ensured some didn't want to have their children so close. Many of my study break childhood friends are from the Lion, then some distant Crane cousins."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"And do you remain in contact with them? Exchange letters? That sort of thing?"

[Otomo Saisei]

He nods positively, adding, "More with the prior than the latter. My Crane relatives seem to have other duties to attend to than their unworthy distant cousin."