Utsusemi laughed softly. Probably the sake doing its work on the woman. "There is a lack of theaters in the mountains, sadly. Not that I spend that much time there myself these days, as I serve my new clan much better by representing them in more urban areas. Though I have seen travelling troupes around on occassion, especially around the times of festivals."

"That is not too bad, I suppose. So you travel the courts for the Dragon?" she paused, "I suppose that makes sense they do not have a courtier school up there if I recall. Most Dragon ambassadors I have seen are duelists or holy men."

A nod of confirmation. "They do not have any dedicated schools for courtiers, sadly, so yes I have done some work in the courts on behalf of the Dragon." Most specifically my husband, but that's just semantics.

"The Agasha are quite talented crafters though... as an artisan, I feel I've been able to expand my knowledge and repertoire much more by learning more of how to create my own paint or incense, not to mention the lovely artworks one can create with such aids."

"Ah, I understand," she nods, "I had a sensei that believed that the only way to truly understand the soul of a sword was to be intimately involved in each step of its crafting. Most of the other sensei considered him a bit of a kook but I saw him disarm a kenshinzen in a duel so perhaps there is something to it."

She made a show of counting, "So poetry and painting. Any other arts you have cultivated?"

"Quite so. It is seeing all these little steps involved in creating a work of beauty that makes one truly appriciate all the effort that goes into it," Utsusemi nodded as well.

"Oh, quite a few," she chuckled. "I always had an artistic streak, but I have turned my free time to practising the tea ceremony, ikebana, making incense, and calligraphy, as well as learning more about my husband's field of studies. Some of it a little boring, I admit, but I find it better to understand it than not," she shot Otsuka a playful smirk at that. "And yourself? Does the study of the sword take most of your focus, or do you like to dabble in many other things as well?"

"Poetry and little study of tea ceremony beyond the the Sword. Though the study of the blade is largely my focus. I should take up some calligraphy to better preserve my poems," she said mulling it and the sake over, "I have had a few transcribed by schoolmates with the knack for it and it is much nicer than my humbler scrawl."

"Please do," she sipped her cup once more, "I would be happy to read your poetry, Kakita-san. As well as help you practice both calligraphy and poetry. It sounds nice to spend some more time with members of my former clan."

"Oh! That would be pleasant Agasha-sama," she said happily, "Hopefully we'll end up on the same ship. That would help while away the time on the ship."

"One can hope that it will be a possibility. I admit to do not yet know the details of the journey in that regard," but it wouldn't surprise her if someone wanted to confine all the 'prissy people' to one ship, for the sanity of others. "Will you be serving as someone's yojimbo for the journey, perhaps?"

"More or less. There are a few notable artisans from the clan going on the voyage I am going along to protect the clan's resources as it were," she said taking a sip, "And ensuring that any courtiers that need a sword have one at hand. If it weren't for the boats it would be a very standard assignment."

"Boats do tend to complicate matters," she snickered and emptied her cup. "It's been a couple of years since I last travelled by boat, and never as far out as we will be going now. What about you?"

"The occasional river boat or ferry. For maybe a few hours at the longest when I took the lake route around Beiden," she laughed nervously, "The Daidoji tend to deal with most of the major stuff in the Southern provinces."

"Verily," she chuckled and placed her cup down. Any more sake now and she might be entering the territory of truly embarrassing tales and actions.

"Heavens know I will be packing enough tea to restore one's balance at sea. I have heard stories that such voyages can be very upsetting."

"That sounds like a great idea. That way we can relax properly while we are out," she said an idea slowly forming in her mind, "We won't run out of tea on our journey do you think?"

"Goodness, I hope not!" she exclaimed with a flair of drama, all for the sake of humour. "I have already stocked up on more tea than I think would be needed, I would dread to have to reconsider a new shopping list."

Utsusemi broke out into a brief laughter.

She giggled. "Well it is good to hear someone is well ahead of such a horrendous tragedy," the sake was clearly catching up to her as the giggling took a moment to pass.

Utsusemi giggled quite a bit herself. "My... it seems the sake is doing a number on is both. Might be time to call it a night."

"Probably not a bad idea," she admitted, "It was fun while it lasted and at least the moon hasn't set yet." She grinned.