[D1, LM] Steaming off (Open)

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"Hopefully the imperfection is meant for the place and not the actions." She replies and waves to the Crane to follow as she walks towards the establishment. "I am certainly not perfect myself but my careful planning worked miracles apparently."

"So! Your first ride. What did you think of it?"

[Kakita Haruhi]

"Oh, yes, I meant the restaurant that you were describing in such honest terms. I anticipate we will have fun nonetheless!"

"You have eaten here before? Or are guessing from the exterior?"

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"Oh no. It's just my second day in this planet. It's just..." she points towards the restaurant. "Like that. How good can it be? Still it's a risk I'm willing to take with you!"

[Kakita Haruhi]

"Let's try it!" She replied enthusiastically.

"We newcomers can learn together. And you never know. Perhaps there is a talent here waiting to be discovered."

She would be kind, if not.

One lesson from Sadane classes that she had not forgotten was that you defined yourself by who you mocked. Be brave and criticize 'up', and make yourself an apparent peer to your better, Criticize up, not down.

"I imagine Crab have an instinct for simple hearty body-strengthening food."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"Okay, okay." She waves a hand to draw the other woman's attention. "How about this. It's a game. One that might come true if the fortunes favor us. How about dreaming? High! We get in there and whatever happens not only we keep our hopes up, but we dream higher and higher each time. Like..."

She seems playfully thoughtful for a moment. "I wish that there is Kitsuki's Favor tea in the menu. My favorite! It will be served in the perfect temperature after the leaves have been soaked for exactly 7 minutes."

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi smiled.

"What a clever game!"

"Hmmm... I hope there is tamagoyaki, and it is cooked so perfectly, light as a cloud, and the color of sunshine, on this rainy day. That's one of my favorites for a late morning treat!"

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"I think that I can almost feel the taste in my mouth and the aroma in my nostrils!" She opens the door to the restaurant and allows Haruhi to be the first to get inside.

"How about the music? I wish that the next song is a long samisen solo. Orchestral. No lyrics. With the performer improvising loud crescendos and play lightly as a feather for the rest of the song."

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi smiled.

She looked at the Scorpion appreciatively.

"Ah, that is my kind of music for background. Traditional instrument. Emotive expression. Plenty of sections that are light so conversation flows over."

"Perhaps there is a second musician who occasionally adds a flute. Delicate and airy. Almost like bird song."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"An excellent choice! I am only a novice in music, but it is as if I can hear the combination."

"Do you wish to pick a table while I wish that.... Ah yes, I wish that there are fresh mochi, as well. Soft, almost creamy on the inside. Small silken clouds made from human hands. The chef's way to bring Ningendo closer to Heavens."

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi took that to mean picking an actual table.

She identified a small table in a corner that was only set for two. Plenty of places to choose from. It wasn't crowded inside.

"Oooh, I do like mochi."

"But yes, let's start with tea. Whatever the server recommends, perhaps."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

Senshu gestures to a servant nearby and does as suggested regarding their options for tea. Then she takes her mask off and smiles broadly.

"Same game or perhaps a new one?"

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi smiled. Looking forward to the tea.

She took a moment to study the Scorpion's unmasked face. It felt like an honor to see it.

"Hmmm... another game. Maybe ... never have I ever?"

"I'll say something I haven't done, and if you've done it, you tell a relevant story. Or at least admit you have done it without the detail."

"For example... never I have ever..." She paused thinking. It was hard to pick. "... had a brother."

Did that even count? It wasn't really something you do.

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"I do have a brother. 15 years older. We are four. 3 sisters and 1 brother. I am the last, an afterthought." She looks at her and smirks.

"You kind of cheated in this, no?" She waves her hand. "Let me think. Never have I ever... played this game in a non date setting."

[Kakita Haruhi]

It was nice to hear about her family, until she realized maybe it was not a happy memory, and frowned. An afterthought?

"Oh I have. We played at school. Just for fun. There was a bit of upmanship in it. I've never let a bansai tree die, when you knew a friend had just done that very thing."

"I've ... uh ... never received a love letter."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"Ah yeah, yeah." She smirks. "I haven't either. I am usually the one having all the little surprises for a partner. Love letters or just emails, little gifts and so on."

"Let me see.. Never have I ever been courted. Hit on, sure. But courted." She rolls her eyes. "Perhaps times have changed."

In the meanwhile the servant brings their tea and the Bayushi pours in both their cups.

[Kakita Haruhi]

"Ah, now we are finding what we have in common! I haven't been courted either."

"Never have I ever been in love." She said, and then quickly added with remorse, not wishing to be anything less than perfectly truthful: "Oh! I did have a crush. I should admit that. Yu-kun of Usagi Drop! Their choreographer."

"But not with someone who has ever met me or knows my name."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"In love..." She seems thoughtful. "Neither have I, believe, but I have had crushes. Both with celebrities when I was younger and with people I've dated."

She reaches for her cup of tea and sips. "In my previous assignment I had briefly met with one of the Usagi Drop. The Asahina. He was very cute."

"But! Never have I ever..." Thoughtful again. She looks at the Kakita. "Ah yeah. Never have I ever played games with a lovely Crane. Or any Crane for that matter."

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi grins at the compliment.

"In truth, I have played games and dined with many many Crane, and most of them characteristically attractive. Intimidatingly so, really."

"But the spirit of the game might be better met to answer that I have met Scorpion for the first time only since arriving in Nakahama. I have spoken to Bayushi Kazushi-sama and Bayushi Hinata-san. I have danced with Bayushi Kazuhi-sama. Though it is important to note that he is happily married with a child, so while exceedingly charming and elegant, that is a pleasant memory only. I drank with them both. And a Miya."

"But you are the first Scorpion I have dined with!"

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"What an honor!" She exclaims cheerfully and offers a careful seated bow.

"Bayushi sama is, indeed, quite handsome. But yes. Married with a child and a man. Not my favorite cup of tea so to speak."

"I believe that it is your turn?"

[Kakita Haruhi]

"His wife is a junior ambassador to Kyuden Doji. She must be a very skilled diplomat to be assigned there."

"His man with him is his guard. Not a romantic partner. At least, I don't think so."

"Oh! But you are right! I am so busy gossiping I forgot to say a never."

She takes a sip of tea and a bite of the diner food. Thinking.

"Never have I ... fought a dragon!"