D9EN, It's the Pits (Expecting, but Open)

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2020 7:54 pm

"That is...quite a bit to take in. Given that we have confirmed spirit infiltrators into the city...an attack is coming. And it will not be a good one for us, I think."

He considers.

"Between that and the cord-pulling, that's all I've been able to find thus far. But I'll keep an ear out, as you note."

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

"I dip my fingers in many wells and dance in many courts. Few ever truly see what lies beneath the mask, or even my true mask." Degarashi rolled his neck to stretch the muscles. "As a matter of interest, I'm now yoriki to Soshi Tameaki. Should you need a magistrate pointed at a particularly irksome problem, merely say the word."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:04 pm

"Ah. Always good to have such support, Bayushi-yoriki."

He tops off the cups, leans back.

"To your promotion."

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

"To more reasons to drink." He raised his cup, then winced, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Ie, not nearly so much as last night, though. I think I tried to wedge myself between two Yogo and a Sparrow."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:13 pm

"That could be either a very good time, or a very, very bad one," replies Seitouna, who is beginning to feel the effects of the drink. A writer, using "very" in such a way? Some might think it shameful.

"Wait, is there another Sparrow than Suzume-shoi in town?"

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

"There is not." Degarashi didn't look at Seitouna as he answered.

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:21 pm

"Ah."

Seitouna stops. Any number of platitudes creep into his mind, but he is not yet drunk enough to voice them. And part of him realizes he probably should not get that drunk. Not tonight. Possibly never again.

The thing is, nothing does come to him that seems worth saying at the moment. And that's a damned shame, because talking with a friend is a rare pleasure.

After a few moments, though, he lights on an idea.

"Bayushi-san, have you any rope or cord with you?"

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

There went that eyebrow again.

"Not precisely on me currently, but I'm never without some
Why do you ask?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:39 pm

"I was reminded of an earlier conversation today, is all. And a sailor has to know his knots."

He waves a hand.

"But it's not a worry, really. There'll be time for that kind of thing later, I'm sure."

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

"Another time then. A question, if I may ask?"

Degarashi continued regardless. "How drunk would you have to be to proposition the Sparrow without fear for your... wholeness?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:45 pm

Seitouna blinks a couple of times.

"Hm. Part of that would depend on how far into her cups she was. But she is far from undesirable, certainly."

He sways ever so slightly. "Not very, I think. Maybe not at all, if circumstances were apt."

He fixes the bland man with a single-eyed gaze, having shut the other as the sake continues to creep up on him.

"Why?"

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

Degarashi shrugged. "I was about... six bottles in at the time and she was quite sober. Everything is still attached. Just wondering at my own sanity in the matter."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:53 pm

"No crazier than any of the rest of us here, I think."

Another little sway.

"Six, though, is impressive. Did you happen to mark the brand?"

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

"There was no specific brand involved, we moved from location to location, picking up stronger drinks as we went. Aya and I stopped drinking right before the bath house..." Degarashi trailed off.

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2020 9:09 pm

"Oh?"

Seitouna opens the other eye.

"I don't need sordid details--at least not without being able to write them down; you wouldn't believe the market for that kind of thing--but it seems there's a story there."

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

"Here's the story; wait until they change the bath waters." This time he smirked knowingly. "As for sordid details, I suppose if I ever require discreet funding I could speak on my... experiences."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2020 9:24 pm

"I shall keep that in mind. Both thats, in fact."

He nods.

"I've bathed in salt water often enough, but...well, I suppose it can't be worse than a scrub on the deck, really."

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

"That's probably fair, and I can't imagine it getting as bad as a ship. There was a giggle fueled retreat to the embassy not long after." He scratched at his cheek with one finger. "Life is strange, neh?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2020 9:30 pm

"Indeed. And the strangeness changes, such that it is hard to believe that of earlier days, and difficult to imagine the strangeness to come.

"But you, giggling? Or was that another?"

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

"Both." Degarashi covered his blush with more drink. "Six bottles, my friend, six bottles." He strategically left out the costume he'd been wearing.

D9EN, It's the Pits (Expecting, but Open)

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