[Day 8 - EN] Patches in the Light (Expecting)

[Asahina Sanaharu]

Descending from the small stage, there was quite the party. A crude party, but a party indeed.

Sanaharu was conflicted. He was very, very happy, but yet somewhat angry. And then he started with the worries of the next day — how would they travel back, especially with the Kuni? Would he bring the kitsune together? How was his sister — and as well his other sister — and oh, even his two other sisters — doing right now?

Talking with Yuuwaku was necessary. Not that he even really cared about enjoying this party. It would be more like work for him, he knew. He looked to the Empress, knowing his choice to protect, and saw the monster magistrate near. Good.

So he went around the tables, and then outside the tables, were just small circles of Hida did Hida stuff, searching for the Kakita.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Even as small as Yuuwaku is, she is not hard to find. A few of the locals sit with her, drinking and joking, and she excuses herself from them with some grace, saying "I have to talk with my fellow performer, friends. Thank you, though; I hope to be back soon!"

She goes over to Sanaharu, bows, says "The performance seemed to draw approval."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He bows back, walking away from the table, luring Yuuwaku with him. "The Empress aproved us... I could not be prouder. Even if this week here was one much more of suffering, today made it even worth it. Today seems so surreal it almost feels like a dream."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku follows. Why would she not?

She also nods her agreement. "Indeed so. The wedding happened; peace seems secured. And, as you say, the Throne noted and approved of us. It is a time to celebrate, surely; will you drink with me?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"You know that I get tipsy easily, I don't have much going on me." He replies. "I may also need to play later or maintain order, but..." He stops for a moment. "Ah, you know what? I'm finally a guest at a party for such a long time. Let's do it."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Sake and cups are easy enough to find, and Yuuwaku pours with a fine, steady hand. She hands Sanaharu his cup, waits for him to fill hers in turn--because he will, of course. And when they are both provided for, she lifts her cup and says "To more fine performances!"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He replies with a toast, taking the first sip before putting the cup down, planning only to drink half of it still. "This place has good sake." He says then. The entirety of today was so surreal... Oh, I believe I should explain to you about Kojimasu-san."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku is not so temperate, draining her cup at one go and holding it out for a refill.

"I was curious about your pale and handsome friend, yes."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He serves her again with haste. "So... Hard to explain, he is some kind of animal spirit. Yesterday I went to select flowers for an ikebana and a fox talked with me. Today I returned to where I found him and invited him to the Blue Bird House. Then, out of nowhere, this man appears, and he has the same name as the fox. Kojimasu-san."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"You..." Yuuwaku takes a moment to process it. "You let...him...near Her? Without checking...oh, Sana--Asahina-san!" She shakes her head and downs her drink. "Perilous, that, very perilous."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"I was quite desperate, the thought did not even cross my mind. As well, I did not know the man was the fox until he presented himself, and then he had shown himself a good guest."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Just...be careful, please," she says to him. "Consider whom you risk--and those who care for them."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"How would I guess that the man was not a man until he presented himself, Yuuwaku-chan?"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"I don't know," Yuuwaku concedes. "But I do know we are not far from the southwest, and it may not have been only a fox you saw."

She shivers slightly. "We've had enough strangeness that I cannot think there's no more out there."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Oh... I believe our hosts would keep us safe, Yuuwaku-chan. Even that spirit thing... Nothing came from there. It was all a problem from inside this region." He replies. "Should it be anything evil, it could have killed me in the field."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku sighs.

"Just...be careful. Promise me."

She looks up at him, pleadingly.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Careful... Careful with what, Yuuwaku-chan?" He asks, taking another sip from the cup.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Yourself," she replies without hesitation.

"You're important to me, you know."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"I... I will, Yuu-chan." He takes a sip. "I will."
He smiles slightly.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku nods sharply, then looks at her cup.

"I could use another drink" she says, and winks at him.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He serves her again. "Oh, sorry."
He looks at her cup. "Aren't you getting too much too fast?"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku laughs.

"About that, Sana-kun," she says, "worry not."

Taking a sip from it, she adds "Thank you for the umbrella. It is lovely."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Oh, it could not be anything less knowing it will be displayed alongside you. On that worry not... Have you made friends with a shugenja?"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku shakes her head.

"I've not had occasion, unfortunately," she says. "Why do you ask?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"There are spells that can keep disease at bay. They also work on this type of intoxication."