Haru didn't actually know if they served food at the sake house but it seemed reasonable to him and he wanted to get himself the Mantis and some booze together in the same place and time. The middle of the day wasn't he preferred timing but beggars can't be choosers.

I am acting a bit like a beggar...or a dog. But she's smart enough not to let the whole story slip and I need to know just how hard to bash his skull in. i need to loosen her tongue a bit.



Heh.

Kasumi bopped in, hoping to hell that she wouldn't actually recognize any of the staff on duty.

No luck there.

Great.

She was in her second-best kimono, and carried her travel set for Go under one arm.

"Shiba-san... been waitin' long?"

Haru rose and greeted his lunch companion with a bow.

"Not at all Kasumi-san, thank you for joining me and bringing your Go set. I'm not sure if it is appropriate but I've brought my koto. Please have a seat."

Having already spoken to the staff he made a gesture at the woman at the front before retaking his seat as the Mantis did so.

"Awright, well, we're neither of us brilliant at this, so if we both fail, we can always whip up a duet an' pretend that was th'plan all along."

"If both of us fail we can just play by our own rules, it's not like anyone can stop us from doing what we want."

A moment later a servant approached with two bottles, one of sake the other tea.

"Thank you." He said as she placed the bottles down. "I hope you don't mind my having something prepared for us, the tea is of the Golden Needle blend and was grown in my home village. It seemed a good choice for a meal with one so radiant. The sake is Black Bay."

"Bit early in m'day for sake, so I reckon tea it is."

Haru was not an expert like his brother but he had been a part of enough tea ceremonies that he could at least make his motions look smooth and intentional as he poured the young Mantis a cup.

"I hope you find the tea and company enjoyable. Your performance today was marvelous, I did not think the Mantis rode much but you looked a natural."

She snorted.

"A natural fool, maybe- how th'hell d'you miss a stationary target when y'done as much shootin' as I have? Just lucky th'horse was feelin' friendly."

He smiled.

"I share your pain regarding the first target, I have been practicing my horse-archery prior to coming here just for that moment. I wanted to throw myself into the river when I missed it. But my comment from this morning stands and proven true, you are certainly one to watch in this event and i have my eye on you."

"Aye, well, I reckon it's all downhill from here. Doubt we'll be goin' back on th'ship, looks like archery's over, so... now I gotta worry about th'inevitable poetry competition."

"That will be a challenge, sometimes I wish my brother and were more nefarious and were willing to swap places but we are both too determined to succeed and too honorable to cheat. Would be amusing though, how would anyone know? I could be Jiro right now, would you be able to tell?"

"As it happens? Yeah."

She leaned forward, rested her chin on her hand.

"Jiro's more... relaxed in a social settin'. An' he hurt himself a bit this mornin', but you ain't favorin' your leg. Also, y'got a more athletic build."

Relaxed? I'm relaxed. Aren't I relaxed? RELAX!

"Those eyes are sharp aren't they well spotted. I must remember to ask him how me manages to be so relaxed in your presence, it feels like fire grows within me and I haven't even touched the sake yet."

"Might be he's a philosophical type when it comes t'livin' in th'moment. So. Who goes first?"

Haru scooped up a black piece and a white, shuffling them between his hands before placing his clenched fists before her so she could choose.

"The choice is yours."

"Your left hand. Let's see what it's got."

Haru flipped over his hand and revealed a white stone.

"Looks like you go first."

he placed the white stone down on the board and then after straightening his kimono and adjusting his posture he placed the black one back down as well.

"Awright, then..."

Kasumi made her first play without a lot of deliberation.

"How 'bout a bet on th'side?"

He leaned forward and cocked an eyebrow.

"I'm listening, what do you have in mind?"

Because you don't want to know mine.

"Loser has to buy lunch?"

She paused.

"Or is that kinda... crass or boring to ya?"