She nodded in thanks and poured the Scorpion's cup in return. "Hmmm, to new beginnings?" she asked tentatively holding up her cup.

"To new beginnings." He nodded, accepting his cup and raising it. "Kampai." It was quiet, loud enough for her, but not boisterous like the rest of the sake house.

"Kampai," she joined in happily tilting back her cup, "Mmm, that is quite nice. They must be bringing out the good stuff for the launch."

Anzai took his back, enjoying the sensation of the liquid rolling down his tongue. Feeling the warmth emanating from his core slowly to his extremities. It may have been more the company than the drink.

"That does not surprise me, Otsu... Kakita-san." Even in seedier places, the rules still applied. "They would not want to disappoint even the lowest ranked sailor of the grand Imperial fleet." He spoke softly as he refilled her glass, nodding in agreement. "Makes you wonder what they normally serve."

"Hopefully just the okay stuff. This is still an Imperial city," she chuckled, "Settling for what is readily available is not exactly their way." She patted the cushion she was sitting on, "The cushions are nicer than you'd find in say Mura Sabishii toshi. Given that it will be sometime before we get this sort of comfort it is likely a good idea to enjoy it."

His eyes drawn to the cushion as she patted it. Or was it the cushion she intended to draw his eyes to? He slowly brought them back up to her face, before nodding. "Might be the best advice of the day. Enjoy the creature comforts before we're afloat and have only the most utilitarian amenities."

He at least had brought metal strong box to keep his things safe aboard the ship. Which ever one he ended up on.

"The cushions at home are rather nice, as well."

"I meant at a sake house. Having nice cushions at your home is just courteous," she sips her drink, "Maybe I should get some for the journey? Hmmm, or would they just get wet and ruined..."

"I think I am overthinking things," she laughed, "What comfort of the city are you going to miss most Shosuro-san?"

"Of course." He chuckled lightly, finally finishing his cup. "I would check with a ship's captain first. Space may be at a premium. Who knows what all we will be alotted." His laugh grew with hers, easing into that sense of familiarity.

"Comforts of the city?" He paused for a moment. Would it be simple things like tea houses? Geisha? The danger of court?

"I don't know, Kakita-san. Maybe I'll be able to tell you once we're at sea."

"Well, I suspect it will be warm baths for me," she sighed, "All the wood required to heat it all would take up too much space. Oh,well, I will make do with dreams of finding uninhabited island hot springs where I am the first person to enjoy it as a reward for my sacrifice." She said in melodramatic fashion before letting out a chuckle.

"You know we are part of the same expedition. Would you expect it to be secluded for long?" There was a smirk with a direct look from him to her. "Be careful of gaijin scouting the hot baths, Kakita-san."

Again, more laughter, as he topped her cup of sake, then his own.

"Those clever scouts! Hmmm, a good thing to consider. A string of bells maybe?" she chuckled, "Or scouting as a group. I think that second is much more likely."

"If they're worth anything, they'd avoid the bells!" He nodded in faux-seriousness, before taking a drink from his cup.

"If you're wanting a scouting for hot springs partner..." he wickedly grinned behind his cup, before downing it. He hadn't changed much since Shining Light.

She nodded. "Mmm-mmm! It won't do to assume they are clumsy oafs. I'll have to look for some others to join in this endeavor. There should be some of Crane ladies about..."

"I'm sure there are." He shrugged, the effects of the sake slowly starting to show. Relaxed, feeling warm from the inside out. The Scorpion would turn on his cushion, facing the Crane more directly.

"I want to apologize. We didn't get to speak much at Court."

"That is part of the problem with me being a yojimbo. I don't get to speak that much," she said turning towards him, "but I am here now." She offered a coy smile.

Anzai didn't say anything for a moment. If he weren't in public, he'd remove the mask he wore. But even with it on, she'd easily see he was studying her facial features. The color of her eyes, the way her lips curled as she smiled.

Then he, his own lips curled. "Yes. You are." And I don't know what I want to say... "And you still challenge me to come up with the right words."

"Oh~ho!" she giggles, "With flattery like that maybe I deserve a poem?" She moves to sit in a fashion that draws the eye, "Or is that too direct a challenge?"

"Here, now? How scandalous, Kakita-san." Yet she succeeded in drawing his eye. He tilted his head, admiring her for a long moment. Poems were hardly the thing that came to mind.

Yet he also couldn't deny the challenge.

"The Crane perches now
Her eyes focused on the night
Vibrant as autumn ..."

He was tempted to leave it at that, the impropriety of it lingering in the air. Then, he flashed a grin.

"Tonight she shines bright.
Departing for new shorelines."

He raised his cup to her. "Your poem, Kakita-san."

"Oh, not bad, not bad," she smiled, "Hmmm, one in return..."

"A Scorpion on the shore,
A crow cries overhead,
Pincers mince the air.

Waves splash and, ano..."

A blush started to form as she realized the structure had fallen apart and the narrative collapsed.

(OOC: sadly this is the timing of my faceplant event roll)

Anzai watched her blush, then smirked. "Red looks good on you, Kakita-san." He let the comment linger, before pouring her another cup of sake. "But that means two kampai before we can even keep going." Both cups now in front of her.

"College rules, after all."