D9LA, Hot Lunch (Expecting)

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2020 10:29 pm

Seitouna, having made arrangements previously, finds a table at an out of the way yakitoriya. He waits for his guest to arrive, with tea already on order.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Using the directions she'd been given, Poemu finally found the lunch stand that she'd been directed to join her host at. It was a pleasant little yakitori place, and it didn't take her long to find Seitouna. She was dressed in a pink kimono that had the mon of the dragon on the back, along with the a few others on her sleeves. Her hair, which had been down yesterday for the bath, was done up nearly into a ringed style with a small topknot.

"Kasuga-san, konnichi-wa. What a lovely place you've found. May I join you?" She smiled politely, a very faint allowance of excitement in her smile.

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2020 11:24 pm

Seitouna stands and bows deeply.

"Agasha-sama pays honor by doing so. Please do sit."

And before he resumes his own seat, he will ask, "Will tea or sake be preferred?"

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

As Poemu moved to sit, she softly nibbled at her lower lip in thought a moment. Finally she gave a faint, shy smile. "Hot sake will do, but only a little. It would go well with the yakisoba, hai?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2020 11:34 pm

Seitouna gestures to the server, who has heard Poemu and rushes off to oblige.

He resumes his seat and says "Agasha-sama is a vision of loveliness today, certainly. It is hoped that the weather has not discommoded her."

The sake is evidently kept ready, because the server returns with the bottle and two cups, and Seitouna makes to pour for them both.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

She gave a soft sigh, though her smile remained faintly. "Ah, well, one cannot do anything about the rain, hai? A hat and cloak help, and geta of course, but one does begin to miss Lady Sun quite strongly after nearly a week of this. At least it is not TOO chilly."

She thanked the server for the sake, lifting her cup and holding it up for a toast of sorts, waiting for the cups to touch. "Kampai, Kasuga-san."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 12:07 am

"Kampai!" comes the reply with a tap of the glasses together, and he tastes the drink.

This is not the setting to gulp it down. That will be later.

"One trusts that Agasha-sama has been well today."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Poemu wasn't one for drinking, so she took a small sip of her own cup. Thankfully, it didn't seem too strong a sake, and the warmth was pleasant. "Mm. Hai, I have been well enough other than, again, the rain."

She paused, a touch hesitant before asking curiously. "How... was court today? I trust nothing too... untoward happened?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 12:24 am

"Agasha-sama was missed, certainly. Some spoke out in favor of the eldest of the claimants, of whom some seemed to be doing so not from their own convictions, but on explicit orders. And that is to be expected, though it is curious that such orders will have arrived."

He wets his lips with the sake again before continuing. "Perhaps less expected was the support voiced for the more recent claimant. This one is given to understand a shisha arrived with a rather pointed proclamation from one of the Mighty in Toshi Ranbo, which occasioned some to align thereto--including someone this one understands Agasha-sama also knows.

"No few continue to assert support for the bereaved and her child, though with present news, some may have to reevaluate that position."

He gives a wry smile before concluding with "So not atypical courtly proceedings, all told."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

She nodded, a troubled look on her face a moment, before she let a weak smile return. "Hai, as you say, not unexpected, especially in these days. I take it you mean the late Emperor's younger brother? I should not be surprised that he has added himself into the discussion. Among the Dragon, there has been some talk of the elder brother instead, but I did not think even Seppun Kato would be so bold as to muddy the already dark waters."

Taking another small sip of sake, she was slightly apologetic. "And I am sorry I was not there. I could not, in good conscious, attend after the events at the Crane Embassy yesterday. It was the least I could do in protest."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 1:38 am

"Agasha-sama is not to be faulted. It is simply that her presence graces the room, and it was missed."

He matches her sip.

"And their sister, it is recalled, spoke for her late brother's wife. And that is of moment."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

She nodded softly, then lowered her tone. The stand was busy enough with surrounding tables that it was noisy, especially with the rain, so Poemu didn't need to be too quite. "Hai. I had also heard of people promoting their champions to take the throne. Alas, even some among the Dragon speak of Togashi-dono ruling well. Between the two brothers, the Steel Chrysanthemum, the Empress, and all the other proposed candidates, it is quite a mess."

To say that her look showed disappointment would be an understatement.

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 2:07 am

Equally sotto voce, Seitouna replies "The others are news, and dangerous tidings. The siblings, at least, can point to Hantei VI, whom the Kasuga recall. The others..."

He trails off. Even quietly, some words do not belong in public.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

She gave a soft nod. "At the least, I have heard no such talk in the courts of the cities we have needed to flee to. Perhaps such things have faded away to more reasonable matters."

Shaking her head, Poemu gave a smile and straightened up a bit as the food arrived. "Ah, but this isn't the court, and I would not have us go over such troubling matters over a meal. Arigato, Kasuga-san. It smells quite delicious."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 2:16 am

"This one made sure, especially, that several sauces were available. Some are sweeter, some spicier, and the one combines the two admirably.

"Do please enjoy."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Poemu decided to try a little of the yakitori on its own first. The chicken was still hot as she picked up the skewer, and she had to breath on it and take a delicate bite. It was quite good on its own, and she smiled at the taste. A moment later, looking over the sauces, she flushed softly and glanced over at Seitouna.

"Eto... I am familiar with some of these Kasuga-san, but some are new. I expected no less from your words yesterday. Perhaps you could tell me of them? I am in your care."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 2:31 am

"Ah. This one must apologize, for the preparation of these is with dried and stored ingredients, and fresher is usually better. But the one sweet sauce is based on a citrus fruit, thorny of skin, that grows on a tall tree. The spicier works from some of the peppers noted to Agasha-sama yesterday. The combined is from other peppers, blistered in oil before their preparation along with the juice of a particular kind of cane. Each has other herbs in it that vary as much as the ramen from shop to shop.

"It is hoped Agasha-sama will enjoy the variety."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

She let her smile brighten just a bit. "If I did not enjoy variety, I would not have asked Kasuga-san for it." She almost gave a laugh, but had enough On to keep that in check, even if it showed all the same.

Picking up the one Seitouna had said was 'spicy', she put some on her chicken. She wasn't certain how much to put on, so Poemu went light on it. She gave a nervous glance to her host. "Ano... i-is that plenty? I confess, I am a tad worried. This is a real first for me..."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 2:41 am

"Agasha-sama proceeds wisely. Some do take to it, however."

So saying, he paints a healthy dollop of the spicier sauce on his own chicken and waits for her to take her bite before indulging his own.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Watching Seitouna put more on his own chicken, she wondered if the man was brave, used to it, or showing off. It didn't change her own trepidation. All the same, she took a bite without too much preamble. She had wasabi before of course, but this was a different sort of spice. She lifted a hand to her mouth, but no more than that. After a moment, she nodded and smiled.

"Oishi! It is hot indeed, but a pleasant heat... and a very nice flavor. I can imagine even more would be even better, but it would be even hotter!" She looked to his skewer anew, worry on her face for him.

D9LA, Hot Lunch (Expecting)

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