"Ah, well, alright," she said laughing the bad poem off, "Kampai!" she announced perkily before downing one and then, "Kampai~pai!" before the other followed by a string of giggles.

"If I didn't know better Shosuro-kun I'd say you were trying to get me drunk," she said with a grin.

"Tsk, Otsuka-chan." Propriety left, he leaned against the table, resting his head upon his hand. Eyes narrowed, yet the arrogant smirk remained. "It would hardly be fair if I got you drunk." His voice was low, directed only towards her.

"Besides, I'm drinking too."

"Ah! True enough," she said happily, "Um, What were we talking about?"

He paused for a moment, before laughing quietly. "Just catching up." Maybe wishing that Duty allowed us a bit more freedom... He poured the two glasses, finishing the bottle, passing one to her before taking his. "Seems we've finished this vessel. Do we get another?" She might not see the raised eyebrow beneath the mask, but his tone spoke volumes.

"Slowing down a little might not be a bad idea," she said with a nervous laugh, "Otherwise we need to start looking for a nice place to take a nap."

"Agreed." He sat up a bit straighter, remembering his place. Her place. Why he disliked drinking in excess. Yet she mentioned we when looking for a place to nap.

"Tea then. Or strolling?" Cursing inwardly. It was Shining Light all over again. Seeming too eager. Yet his face belied none of the internal struggle. Only a calm, reassuring smile.

"Strolling to tea?" she asked with a silly grin.

He stood first, offering his hand to her, if she wanted to take it. He'd make sure the sake was paid for, before leaving.

"I'd like the stroll to tea with you quite a bit." He was still feeling the effects of the drink, making their way out of the seedy sake house. The air cool and crisp.

"What do you hope to find with the expedition?"

She took his hand to help stand. Initially she was a little unsure on her feet from the drink. Tea, good idea that. "Thank you Shosuro-kun," she gave a little bow before they began to leave.

The night air was refreshing and sobering and she took in a few deep breaths. "Oh, hmmm, that is a deep question," she pondered the proper words, "A way forward? ...Or hot springs. Hot springs would be nice."

"A way forward? What do you mean?" He was reluctant to let go of her hand. If she didn't object, he'd hold it as they walked. Probably closer than what most considered proper.

It was the drink. Probably the drink.

He would keep his head turned to her as they walked. Anticipating each word. "And I think we all hope for hot springs..."

"There is something I am in need of thinking over. Some distance should help with sorting out what to do," she shrugged not yet letting go, "Perhaps it will resolve itself by the time I return."

Anzai remained quiet as he listened to her. His training, his instinct, was to press on, to ask her for the details, in a slithering, innocuous way. But not with her. Not like this. He just enjoyed the closeness, the brief glimpse she gave as she spoke. "Or at least, the travel time could give you some clarity as to what that is." He spoke softly, not really looking to give advice. More the acknowledgement that yes, he was listening. Truly listening.

Instead, he focused on relishing the touch of hand to hand. The adjustment of fingers to account for the other. Crimson and Blue. It was foolish for him to do so, but sometimes, he was but a fool.

"If you ever need to discuss it..."

"Mmm, that is my hope. I only have so many options I am just uncertain which is best. So I have decided to wait out a bit of it at sea," she paused to sort things out in her head, "What is the worst that could happen?"

"The absolute worst is that you come back, and the problem is worse than when you left." He look onwards as he spoke, keeping a leisurely pace with her as they walked. There was a small pause as he pondered for a moment, considering her.

"But given time, I hope the best option presented to you ia made clear." Anzai understood options. He had seen what happened when it was only horrible optiond.

A flickering glance of his 'evil eye' to her. "How did your family feel about you joining the expedition?"

She shrugged, "That in and of itself would force a decision and I am fine with that." Although it is not what I want. Then again what I want is dishonourable.

"They liked the word Imperial enough to be fine with it," she said in rather jaded tones, "I think my father at least seemed to recognize my issue and was glad I picked a graceful and prestigious out."

Anzai watched her with focused intent. How she spoke, the tenor and tone of it. He could pick up the jadedness in her voice. How different it was from his own. His was a mutual decision to join the expedition, between himself, his family, and his daimyo.

But he didn't pity her or worry about her. He knew she was much stronger than that. If she wasn't, she wouldn't have been his worthy opponent. Or...

"And an opportunity for you to move upwards. Your clan and family should be honored by your actions." Though honor was of little value to him or the Scorpion. This was pragmatic, opportunist.

With now a very personal reason for wanting to be aboard. A slight squeeze of her hand, reassuring. Longing, really. Something that shouldn't be. While no harm in it now, who knew what Duty would have him do.

And what conflicts could arise.

"I picked the sake house. You should pick the tea."

Will they? Hmmm.

"A bit of notoriety would not hurt my chances," she admitted, "Tomorrow will see what luck I have."

She approached a nicer looking tea stand. "A silver needle I think. Something out of the ordinary and refreshing, ne? Maybe a little snack to help soothe the drink, too."

"For what it's worth, I'll wish you all the luck in the world." Though that was something he sometimes lacked. It's why he had the cricket. Maybe I should give her my cricket...

He nodded to her as they approached the tea house. It was interesting how the Pan went from seedy to well respected so seemlessly.

"I believe you're right. Settling the drink with a snack sounds like an excellent idea."

"Domo," she said with a solemn bow before relaxing to look at the snack options. "Hmmm... Ah! Perfect! Some mochi, please," she said picking out the ideal little snack, "There is a snack to have while enjoying the moonlight."

And the right company for moonlight, too...

Anzai found himself enjoying the way she selected the tea and snacks. The haze around his thoughts slowly starting to dissipate, between the aroma of the teahouse, the sounds of the Pan. He looked between her at the shopowner, as the decisions were made.

"An excellent choice..." the briefest of pauses. They were more out in the open. But at the same time, was anyone paying much attention? "... Otsuka-chan."