Expected guests (Day 4 Late Evenng)

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Shouji was expecting a guest this evening, well kind of. He had no idea if Kitsiki Naida would arrive on the scene which was who he had promised this evenign too. Or Kakita yuuwaku, who he had promised the sunset of the fourth day here too. Whatever was happening with time it was certainly hard to keep track of, in fact ot gave him a headache.

Rubbing the bridge of his nose, he cast his eyes towards the dock. whoever his guest was they should be arriving sometime soon. If anyoen arrived at all.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku makes her way to the ship. There are enough comings and goings that a small woman, dressed in a seemingly subdued kimono, occasions no comment as she arrives. Seeing Shouji watching the docks, she smiles and bows. "Zeni for your thoughts?" she calls up.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"What if they cost two?: He asked a warm smile brushing across his lips as he spotted the Crane woman.

"Why don't you come up though?" He continued as he beckoned her on board, moving towards the gangplank as she came up to meet her.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Then they'd still be, what do you call it, a bargain?" Yuuwaku responds as she moves to do so.

Ascending to the deck, she continues. "I've not been aboard such a craft as this. Is there some ritual or thing I should do?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Then I'd gave to say that I was wondering if I'd have a guest this evening." He replied watching as the young woman ascended. "I should also say that such a lovely one can have that for free."

At her question he shook his head. "No, though if I was a clever man I'd make one up." He paused a moment. "Like it's tradition for a guest to join the Captain in his cabin for sake the first time they set foot on a sailing vessel."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"That sounds like a fine tradition," Yuuwaku replies, "and I could hardly fail to observe the customs of so gracious a host. But I confess I do not know the way."

She breathes deeply, taking in the smells of timber and tar, of old sweat and smoke, and adds "So, this is your ship, then? Fine vessel, surely, for a man who knows fine vessels."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Then it is my duty to guide you." The Captain offered, waiting for the woman to make her way to the deck before heading that direction.

"It is certainly is, and you're right she is a fine vessel." His gaze moved across the ship as he paused in his steps for a moment. "She always gave me the feeling that she can take me anywhere i may desire."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku follows, her trained grace keeping her steps steady on a deck that stirs even when the ship is moored.

"You call the ship 'she,' Tsuruchi-sama. Is it always so? Or is it this ship alone for you?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"You almost walk like a sailor." Shouji offered as the woman walks across the deck with little issue. It was probably something like a compliment.

"It's what I think of this ship as, though it's not always so. She or he depends mostly on the Captain and those that sail on the ship. I suppose I've never given it much thought past that though."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"The floor moving is a new thing to me," Yuuwaku says, "but balance is a dancer's friend."

She pauses at what she assumes is the door to his cabin. "I imagine many sailors are of a height with me." And she laughs lightly.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

He nodded at her explanation, smiling warmly as she laughed.
"Some of them. Being short on a ship can be an advantage after all, as long as you aren't doing too much climbing into the rigging."

He opened the door to his cabin, revealing the sparsely decorated cabin within. A small table, a futon rolled into a corner and several cabinets and chests containing everything Shouji might need. There was a few tapestries as well, hung to make the room a bit warmer, and plenty of cushions to use with the table. "It's not much, but please do make yourself comfortable.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Thank you," Yuuwaku says, and finds one of the said cushions upon which to kneel gracefully.

"You seem not to have held this position long, Tsuruchi-sama," she adds. "One would think someone long in service would have mementos of his journeys."

Her fan slips out of her obi and into her hand. "Unless he has other things to preserve the memories of his travels?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"I've been the Captain of this vessel for a little over six months." He conceded as he went to one of the cabinets to fetch a bottle and a pair of cups.

He glanced around the Cabin. "I admit that hanging some of the momentos of my journeys i have taken would make this room feel a bit more like home though." It just hadn't felt right yet.

Taking a seat across from the Crane woman he placed the cups on the table and opened the bottle, pouring a measure into each. "In the mean time I just trust my memory."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku takes the cup and raises it.

"To pleasant memories, and making them."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Pleasant memories." He echoed as he raised the glass and joined the toast.

"Kampai." He added before taking a drink of the clear liquid.

His lips spread into a warm smile as he placed the cup back on the table. "Pleasant memories is what we aim for tonight then?" He asked as he studied her for a few moments. "I suppose that will be esy enough considering the company."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Is that not always the target, my captain?" Yuuwaku purrs in return. "But I did promise a performance, did I not? And I am many things, but not a liar.

"But, first, tell me more of the dashing young captain, so I may know what dance will best suit."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"I suppose it is, I guess the question more depends on just how pleasant." He offered something of a mischevious glint in his eye. "Though from what I say yesterday your dance will most certainly provide a truly pleasant experience."

"As for me." He paused thoughtfully. "Anyuthing in particular you are looking for? My past, my present, what I wish for in the future?"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Well," and Yuuwaku looks at him with a sudden sharpness in her eyes, "I might wonder why you did not think to ask me to dance earlier." Something in her tone and phrasing mimics high court language, which is not entirely her normal speech. Though how Shouji might know that is anyone's guess.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Earlier in our meeting here?" He asked raising an eyebrow. "Or why I didn't seek out such an enticing woman before our meeting and ask a dance of her?"

"If it's the latter I'd admit that it's because I think some things are worth waiting for."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Where did that come from? Yuuwaku wonders as she considers Shouji's words. Seemed to be out of nowhere.

She blinks a couple of times, realizing. The Otomo. Of course.

But knowing it, knowing that she has been subjected to Seiyaku technique, hearing his deft compliments, does not make her less argumentative at the moment, and she says "For the party today. I'd have thought, knowing what I can do, you would have reached out. Unless you think others do better here?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Ah." Shouji's lips curled into a small smile. "You are certainly the best dancer here, I've witnessed such myself. Though I'm unsure if you recall... It's been an interesting day or two after all."

"I didn't ask, because I thought I shouldn't ask, and because I admit I was being a bit selfish." He glanced towards his cup on the table. "It may be little consolation but you talked of showing me your art in a more intimate setting, and that was how I wanted to first experience it."

"I should of considered your feelings in the matter though, and remembered your offer of help."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Hm. Well," Yuuwaku quips, somewhat mollified by the words. And, to save her own face somewhat, she adds "I should perhaps not indulge more than this cup. Spirits seem to be taking me oddly today."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"It's an odd day." Shouji agreed, though his mood was less excited then before. He had hoped for a bit of fun to release some of the tension though it appeared such was not to be.

"We can switch to a soothing tea instead if you prefer."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku breathes deeply, mastering herself.

"That would be good, thank you, or water. One does have to remain hydrated to retain the suppleness needed by a dancer."

I remember wanting this to be different, even with the day being as it is: again.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Water would be easier, but you are my guest and a woman that deserves some of my effort at the very least." With that he rose from his seat and moved to start setting everything up.

A small brazier, coals to light, a small bucket of sand to douse the flames if needed, and of course the kettle and everything else needed for tea. It took a while to set up, every piece had it's specific place in the cabin and was packed away to not jostle it too much in rough seas.