[D4, EA] Lunch to Go (Open/Expecting)

[Shiba Haru]

"So a Commander and then some it seems, which makes sense since I imagine it's a lot easier for something to wrong on the sea versus in a field. Is that what you want to do?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Every Mantis does."

She sighed.

"Or leastways, that's what everyone says. I think I'd miss goin' up th'mast, t'be honest."

[Shiba Haru]

"The view from up there must be something else. Is it really that difficult to get a ship though? I mean, most of what I hear you trade for with us is lumber. I figured it must be for building ships."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Ships wreck. Ships wear out. Ships need repair. Alla that uses lumber, either for replacement or repair. An' a ship needs a crew, too, an' that's not always easy t'round up. So."

She played another stone.

"Can't be counted on. Ya gotta earn it."

[Shiba Haru]

"Well I wish you great fortune in all your goals but I suspect you don't need my well wishes, you seem to be more than capable of controlling your own destiny."

He took his time before placing another stone, taking another sip of his drink and leaning back to relax a bit.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"'Preciate th' confidence."

She made another play. Grinned.

"I'll take it into consideration when y'lose and gotta tell me some shameful secret."

[Shiba Haru]

He looked at her and smiled.

"Oh no, were you of the belief that you are winning right now? I can't wait to hear your deepest shame or desire. I bet your have something really delicious to tell me."

Haru then made a very aggressive play and satisfied with it he leaned back and stretched his arms up over his head.

"Maybe we can play another game and you could win that one."

Akodo-kami said all tactics are valid in warfare, pity I can't just open a my kimono and try to seduce her.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Don't try t'out-bluster a Mantis. It's very much our thing."

[Shiba Haru]

"Is it? Do you mean to say that everything you have told me is a fabrication then?"

Another aggressive push and he refilled their cups with tea then ordered more.

"That sake is far too bitter for my taste, would you like to take it with you when we depart?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Expect I'll find a use for it. Maybe Hirame-san can drown his sorrows when his Crane bride t'be needles him..."

She pointedly... ignored the first question. With a grin.

[Shiba Haru]

"Oh your kinsman here is betrothed, is his future bride here as well or did you know him before coming here?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Oh, aye, she's here. Haven't met her yet. A Kakita. They have a bet of their own goin'."

[Shiba Haru]

"Oh? A bet between two people who just met but are destined to be married, sounds interesting. Lucky you for the stakes our game aren't that high."

Despite his curiosity he refrained from prying about the details of the bet.

"Unless you wanna up the stakes. How confident are you?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"I'm a Mantis, Shiba-san. That said... being a Mantis, I also know enough not to bet blindly. Whatcha got in mind?"

[Shiba Haru]

"On top of the loser having to reveal a secret the winner gets to ask one question. Just one, but there are no limits to the topic. No limits on propriety or covering things up with honor, it has to be answered truthfully and fully."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Dangerous ground there, Shiba-san. S'pose I end up askin' you 'bout some clan secret?"

[Shiba Haru]

"I'm not even a full samurai yet, what clan secrets do you think I might know? Also, I'm not trying trying to cause your seppuku with this either, I hope you don't intend to publicly shame me with whatever you learn. Now if you wanted to do some private shaming we can work something out." He grinned.

"But you haven't agreed, got something to hide?"

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Nah, just tryin' t'be considerate before I whup your ass."

[Shiba Haru]

"Are you threatening me with a good time Kasumi-san? I thought we were getting along so well." He grinned playfully and believed that his words were too quiet to hear.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Well, I mean, if you're into that sort of thing..."

She made another play, and smirked.