[D10, LE, common room] Consolation prize

[Kuni Mitsuko]

Mitsuko had toned down her original idea for an actual party after the final duel - either because of concern for Rin, or because she knew that she didn't want to see anyone else.

Not unlike a few days before, the Kuni put fear of the kami into anyone she saw around the Crab lodgings to make it as quiet of a space as possible for the almost-Topaz Champion. A soothing, healing tea was piping hot on a small table with cups, and on the floor right beside the table was Mitsuko's small satchel of medical supplies. She'd felt a little silly bringing it, but perhaps it was a touch of destiny that she had.

On another table nearby was a humble looking bottle of shochu, but the Kuni girl looked at it and smiled. Uncle Daisuke had told her it was important: a strong drink for celebrating success or consoling something less than success. Mitsuko didn't really want to share it with anyone but Rin anyway, even though the two slim girls wouldn't need much of the stuff to feel its effects strongly. Just a bit, for the sting in her arm and in my pride, she thinks.

[Suzume Rin]

Mitsuko had toned down her original idea for an actual party after the final duel - either because of concern for Rin, or because she knew that she didn't want to see anyone else.

Not unlike a few days before, the Kuni put fear of the kami into anyone she saw around the Crab lodgings to make it as quiet of a space as possible for the almost-Topaz Champion. A soothing, healing tea was piping hot on a small table with cups, and on the floor right beside the table was Mitsuko's small satchel of medical supplies. She'd felt a little silly bringing it, but perhaps it was a touch of destiny that she had.

On another table nearby was a humble looking bottle of shochu, but the Kuni girl looked at it and smiled. Uncle Daisuke had told her it was important: a strong drink for celebrating success or consoling something less than success. Mitsuko didn't really want to share it with anyone but Rin anyway, even though the two slim girls wouldn't need much of the stuff to feel its effects strongly. Just a bit, for the sting in her arm and in my pride, she thinks.

A few moments later there's a scratch from the other side of the sliding door, which was probably easier than a clap.

"Mitsuko-chan? Finally got away from all goings on. Hope I ain't too late."
Rin sounds tired but content.

[Kuni Mitsuko]

A few moments later there's a scratch from the other side of the sliding door, which was probably easier than a clap.

"Mitsuko-chan? Finally got away from all goings on. Hope I ain't too late."
Rin sounds tired but content.

Mitsuko bounces to greet the Sparrow, gently drawing her inside without delay.

"Rin-chan," she says gently, but a little chiding. "You are always the right time for me," she says, realizing belatedly that the words don't quite make sense but also not caring. Gently holding onto the arm that hadn't been thumped earlier, Mitsuko asks, "How is the arm? I have my supplies if it's bothering you at all?" The Kuni looks worried, almost like a doting mother.

[Suzume Rin]

Mitsuko bounces to greet the Sparrow, gently drawing her inside without delay.

"Rin-chan," she says gently, but a little chiding. "You are always the right time for me," she says, realizing belatedly that the words don't quite make sense but also not caring. Gently holding onto the arm that hadn't been thumped earlier, Mitsuko asks, "How is the arm? I have my supplies if it's bothering you at all?" The Kuni looks worried, almost like a doting mother.

Rin's nose turns a bright red but she lets herself be bustled in and her arm checked.

"Oh it's nothing really, not the first time I've taken a whacking. Just part of being a bushi right. No need to fuss over me, not that I don't appreciate it. It's sweet of you."

Looking at the bottle on the table
"Gosh, what's this?"

[Kuni Mitsuko]

Rin's nose turns a bright red but she lets herself be bustled in and her arm checked.

"Oh it's nothing really, not the first time I've taken a whacking. Just part of being a bushi right. No need to fuss over me, not that I don't appreciate it. It's sweet of you."

Looking at the bottle on the table
"Gosh, what's this?"

Mitsuko grumbles softly, "Are you sure, Rin-chan?" The Crab gently slides the Sparrow's sleeve up to inspect the arm, forgetting propriety entirely in her concern.

After seeing the arm isn't so bad off - and then noting both her hands holding Rin's thin arm - Mitsuko bites her lip and lowers her eyes as well as letting go of the arm.

"I, um. I apologize, Rin-chan," she mutters softly. "I... I am getting carried away and haven't even, um, answered your question," she says, still looking down as she gestures toward the bottle.

[Suzume Rin]

Mitsuko grumbles softly, "Are you sure, Rin-chan?" The Crab gently slides the Sparrow's sleeve up to inspect the arm, forgetting propriety entirely in her concern.

After seeing the arm isn't so bad off - and then noting both her hands holding Rin's thin arm - Mitsuko bites her lip and lowers her eyes as well as letting go of the arm.

"I, um. I apologize, Rin-chan," she mutters softly. "I... I am getting carried away and haven't even, um, answered your question," she says, still looking down as she gestures toward the bottle.

"Hey now."
Rin's good hand finds one of Mitsuko's and she squeezes gently
"No need to apologise for caring. Makes me feel all warm that your first instinct is to see I'm alright. But you know, if it'll make you feel better I could use a proper sling for it? Just so I don't go bumping it. Then Ikoma-sama's said she's gonna take a look at it tomorrow and I won't be saying no to that either."

Following Mitsuko's look to the bottles
"If that's what I think it is...well, folks drink that to help with aches and pains right? Or to celebrate. For me with you, reckon that counts as both."

[Kuni Mitsuko]

"Hey now."
Rin's good hand finds one of Mitsuko's and she squeezes gently
"No need to apologise for caring. Makes me feel all warm that your first instinct is to see I'm alright. But you know, if it'll make you feel better I could use a proper sling for it? Just so I don't go bumping it. Then Ikoma-sama's said she's gonna take a look at it tomorrow and I won't be saying no to that either."

Following Mitsuko's look to the bottles
"If that's what I think it is...well, folks drink that to help with aches and pains right? Or to celebrate. For me with you, reckon that counts as both."

Jealousy flares briefly about the Ikoma seeing to Rin the next day, but there's a blaze all through the slim Crab's body that she might count as a celebration.

"I... It..." She mumbles as she flushes in happiness.

"So, um, that... That bottle of shochu is strong. Uncle Daisuke said, ah, it's for celebrating success or consoling something less than success. And, uh..."

She pulls a simple linen sling from her medical kit, eyeballs getting the length right for the Sparrow, and starts setting it in place. As she raises it over Rin's head, her sleeves sliding back so her wrists brush the Sparrow's hair, she loses her words. Nothing interrupts the proper application of the sling, but it takes a free moments of silence to finish that and then Mitsuko says, a little breathless, "I, um. I didn't succeed in the competition, but..." She takes a deep breath and looks in Rin's eyes. "I, uh... I think I've been very , um, successful here."

[Suzume Rin]

Jealousy flares briefly about the Ikoma seeing to Rin the next day, but there's a blaze all through the slim Crab's body that she might count as a celebration.

"I... It..." She mumbles as she flushes in happiness.

"So, um, that... That bottle of shochu is strong. Uncle Daisuke said, ah, it's for celebrating success or consoling something less than success. And, uh..."

She pulls a simple linen sling from her medical kit, eyeballs getting the length right for the Sparrow, and starts setting it in place. As she raises it over Rin's head, her sleeves sliding back so her wrists brush the Sparrow's hair, she loses her words. Nothing interrupts the proper application of the sling, but it takes a free moments of silence to finish that and then Mitsuko says, a little breathless, "I, um. I didn't succeed in the competition, but..." She takes a deep breath and looks in Rin's eyes. "I, uh... I think I've been very , um, successful here."

"Hmmm? Well it's a pretty nice sli-...Ohhhh."
Rin blinks furiously in embarrassment, her brown eyes very warm as she meets Mitsuko's gaze.

"Yeah you have."
Rin's face splits into a wide grin
"Not as lucky as me though. Started this tournament scrounging for yams and now I've find this wonderful Kuni girl. She's smart and fierce and knows everything. She treats me better than I deserve, even brings her uncle's special drink out for little old me who'd be spoiled with just water."

Devilishly
"And she's cute too, no denying that."

[Kuni Mitsuko]

"Hmmm? Well it's a pretty nice sli-...Ohhhh."
Rin blinks furiously in embarrassment, her brown eyes very warm as she meets Mitsuko's gaze.

"Yeah you have."
Rin's face splits into a wide grin
"Not as lucky as me though. Started this tournament scrounging for yams and now I've find this wonderful Kuni girl. She's smart and fierce and knows everything. She treats me better than I deserve, even brings her uncle's special drink out for little old me who'd be spoiled with just water."

Devilishly
"And she's cute too, no denying that."

Mitsuko blushes red as a beet and her eyes look to the ground, but only for a moment before she's looking in Rin's eyes and grinning wide herself.

"I think," she says happily, tracing a finger along the edge of the sling. "That between us, we know just about everything. And the rest..." Her finger tip gently slides along the Sparrow's hand where it sticks out from the sling. "We're gone ta find out," the Crab says, in a slightly devilish accent.

With a deep breath, the Kuni forces herself to step back and go pour cups of the shochu. It's not fancy, especially since Mitsuko has to slow herself to make sure her hands aren't shaking. There's another noticeable deep breath before She lifts the cups and returns to Rin.

[Suzume Rin]

Mitsuko blushes red as a beet and her eyes look to the ground, but only for a moment before she's looking in Rin's eyes and grinning wide herself.

"I think," she says happily, tracing a finger along the edge of the sling. "That between us, we know just about everything. And the rest..." Her finger tip gently slides along the Sparrow's hand where it sticks out from the sling. "We're gone ta find out," the Crab says, in a slightly devilish accent.

With a deep breath, the Kuni forces herself to step back and go pour cups of the shochu. It's not fancy, especially since Mitsuko has to slow herself to make sure her hands aren't shaking. There's another noticeable deep breath before She lifts the cups and returns to Rin.

It's probably good there are some nearby deep cushions from Rin to sink into at that. It neatly approximates a puddle as she covers her face with her sling and extends her other hand to accept the sochu cup and sniff it curiously.

Eyes watering a little
"Wow! It's uhh...it smells very strong. That's good I'm pretty sure."

[Kuni Mitsuko]

It's probably good there are some nearby deep cushions from Rin to sink into at that. It neatly approximates a puddle as she covers her face with her sling and extends her other hand to accept the sochu cup and sniff it curiously.

Eyes watering a little
"Wow! It's uhh...it smells very strong. That's good I'm pretty sure."

Mitsuko had grinned at the Sparrow finding a seat, and rather shamelessly moves another cushion right next to it. Sitting about as close as humanly possible to Rin's non-sling side, the Crab pauses for a happy sigh before responding.

"Uncle Daisuke-san sometimes says 'I don't drink often, but when I do I'm serious about it.' I'm not sure about the first part, but yes, definitely good and strong if he picked it," she says, nodding emphatically.

The Kuni girl shifts onto her knees so she's facing Rin's side. Holding her cup in two hands, she suggests, "To your glorious almost-championship?" Mitsuko's eyes shine with pride in the Sparrow.

[Suzume Rin]

Mitsuko had grinned at the Sparrow finding a seat, and rather shamelessly moves another cushion right next to it. Sitting about as close as humanly possible to Rin's non-sling side, the Crab pauses for a happy sigh before responding.

"Uncle Daisuke-san sometimes says 'I don't drink often, but when I do I'm serious about it.' I'm not sure about the first part, but yes, definitely good and strong if he picked it," she says, nodding emphatically.

The Kuni girl shifts onto her knees so she's facing Rin's side. Holding her cup in two hands, she suggests, "To your glorious almost-championship?" Mitsuko's eyes shine with pride in the Sparrow.

Rin nods seriously. About as seriously as Mitsuko's uncle must be when he drinks.

"Oh...to me? Umm."
Rin blushes furiously under Mitsuko's gaze but nods.
"Well, it wasn't too bad, was it? Here's to it, and to everything that's happened here in Tsuma. What's an almost-championship without definite-companionship?"

She raises her cup high in toast to Mitsuko in return before tipping back half the cup in one smooth motion.

A pause.

Rin's eyes go bug wide and she coughs once, then twice, then some of the sochu appears to come out of her nose.

"It's....gosh."
A hiccup
"Definitely good and strong."

[Kuni Mitsuko]

Rin nods seriously. About as seriously as Mitsuko's uncle must be when he drinks.

"Oh...to me? Umm."
Rin blushes furiously under Mitsuko's gaze but nods.
"Well, it wasn't too bad, was it? Here's to it, and to everything that's happened here in Tsuma. What's an almost-championship without definite-companionship?"

She raises her cup high in toast to Mitsuko in return before tipping back half the cup in one smooth motion.

A pause.

Rin's eyes go bug wide and she coughs once, then twice, then some of the sochu appears to come out of her nose.

"It's....gosh."
A hiccup
"Definitely good and strong."

Mitsuko's eyes shine with adoration as she blushes crimson from her chest to her ears. "Definite," she whispers with marvel as she joins the Sparrow's raised cup and drinks. Maybe not quite as much as poor Rin, since she knows Crab-grade alcohol and Uncle Daisuke well enough. When she meets him, she'll understand, she thinks. And after a pause, excitement flashes over her face. When...

That internal excitement is covered by the poor Sparrow's strong reaction to the shochu, which draws a giggle from Mitsuko, a tiny hiccup of her own, and then more giggling as looks at Rin with concern.

"Oh, Rin-chan," the Crab says, simultaneously worried and giggling at the other girl's reaction. Her right hand goes to Rin's cheek, cupping her jaw gently. "Are you ok? It is good and strong." She gives a little brush of the Suzume's cheek with her thumb. "Kinda like you," she says softly, smiling.

[Suzume Rin]

Mitsuko's eyes shine with adoration as she blushes crimson from her chest to her ears. "Definite," she whispers with marvel as she joins the Sparrow's raised cup and drinks. Maybe not quite as much as poor Rin, since she knows Crab-grade alcohol and Uncle Daisuke well enough. When she meets him, she'll understand, she thinks. And after a pause, excitement flashes over her face. When...

That internal excitement is covered by the poor Sparrow's strong reaction to the shochu, which draws a giggle from Mitsuko, a tiny hiccup of her own, and then more giggling as looks at Rin with concern.

"Oh, Rin-chan," the Crab says, simultaneously worried and giggling at the other girl's reaction. Her right hand goes to Rin's cheek, cupping her jaw gently. "Are you ok? It is good and strong." She gives a little brush of the Suzume's cheek with her thumb. "Kinda like you," she says softly, smiling.

Rin's cheek radiates heat from the combination of rapidly spreading alcohol and embarrassment. At Mitsuko's words the Sparrow almost tries to bury her face in the Crab's hand.

"Oh I'm, I'm real fine. Just wasn't expecting all that fire is all, it kinda burned on the way down...and up a bit. I'll get the hang of it I'm sure."
Between all the day's excitement Rin finds herself more than a little sleepy, especially with such nice cushions and company, and there's the tinniest suppressed yawn that Mitsuko can feel.

"I'm good, this is...this is so nice. Can feel myself relaxing. Turns out this sochu is all good and fiery, but it helps out...kinda like you."
Hah, two could play at that game!

Rin takes a much more delicate sip of their drink and definitely still winces a bit as it trickles down.

[Kuni Mitsuko]

Rin's cheek radiates heat from the combination of rapidly spreading alcohol and embarrassment. At Mitsuko's words the Sparrow almost tries to bury her face in the Crab's hand.

"Oh I'm, I'm real fine. Just wasn't expecting all that fire is all, it kinda burned on the way down...and up a bit. I'll get the hang of it I'm sure."
Between all the day's excitement Rin finds herself more than a little sleepy, especially with such nice cushions and company, and there's the tinniest suppressed yawn that Mitsuko can feel.

"I'm good, this is...this is so nice. Can feel myself relaxing. Turns out this sochu is all good and fiery, but it helps out...kinda like you."
Hah, two could play at that game!

Rin takes a much more delicate sip of their drink and definitely still winces a bit as it trickles down.

Mitsuko lowered her hand at the compliment, taking in a little breath but also feeling her eyes flash at Rin with a little more fire than usual. She can't grin any wider than she already is. Supportively, she takes another drink of shochu, continuing to look at Rin adoringly.

"Are you... You've had a lot of excitement today," Mitsuko says as she thinks about Rin relaxing. "It is starting to get late, if, um. If you... want to turn in for the night, just let me know." The Crab clearly doesn't want her leaving, but taking care of the Sparrow is her first priority.

[Suzume Rin]

Mitsuko lowered her hand at the compliment, taking in a little breath but also feeling her eyes flash at Rin with a little more fire than usual. She can't grin any wider than she already is. Supportively, she takes another drink of shochu, continuing to look at Rin adoringly.

"Are you... You've had a lot of excitement today," Mitsuko says as she thinks about Rin relaxing. "It is starting to get late, if, um. If you... want to turn in for the night, just let me know." The Crab clearly doesn't want her leaving, but taking care of the Sparrow is her first priority.

"Ain't you sweet?"
Rin smiles happily

"But I didn't come all this way just to drink your sochu and leave...that'd just be a waste of good drink. We should umm, maybe talk about some stuff. If you want? Don't have to. This is very comfortable."

Another sip of sochu, this time only a slight grimace. Slowly getting used to it.

[Kuni Mitsuko]

"Ain't you sweet?"
Rin smiles happily

"But I didn't come all this way just to drink your sochu and leave...that'd just be a waste of good drink. We should umm, maybe talk about some stuff. If you want? Don't have to. This is very comfortable."

Another sip of sochu, this time only a slight grimace. Slowly getting used to it.

"Well, I didn't want to share this bottle with anyone else," Mitsuko says honestly. "It, um. Probably would have been proper to... Invite other people? I mean, you're a pretty big deal around here," the Crab says, crinkling her mouth a little as she simultaneously smiles and feels out of her league.

[Suzume Rin]

"Well, I didn't want to share this bottle with anyone else," Mitsuko says honestly. "It, um. Probably would have been proper to... Invite other people? I mean, you're a pretty big deal around here," the Crab says, crinkling her mouth a little as she simultaneously smiles and feels out of her league.

"It would've been yeah...But then it wouldn't have been proper to cuddle, so...."
Rin looks guilty for a moment
"Well, I'll see 'em all tomorrow. Lots of farewells to do and letters to plan. I umm, have been thinking about putting in a request for future duties. Hope it ain't above my station and all."

[Kuni Mitsuko]

"It would've been yeah...But then it wouldn't have been proper to cuddle, so...."
Rin looks guilty for a moment
"Well, I'll see 'em all tomorrow. Lots of farewells to do and letters to plan. I umm, have been thinking about putting in a request for future duties. Hope it ain't above my station and all."

The Crab shifts on her cushion, scooting her knees just up against the side of the Suzume's leg. "Ain't got to feel guilty 'round here," she whispers in her faux-Sparrow accent. "An' your station is purdy high now, Rin-chan. A hair's breadth from being the brightest new star in the Empire? Reckon you kin ask for an awful lot," she says, almost demurely. Mitsuko's tone and look have stayed deferential, inviting Rin to talk more for now.

[Suzume Rin]

The Crab shifts on her cushion, scooting her knees just up against the side of the Suzume's leg. "Ain't got to feel guilty 'round here," she whispers in her faux-Sparrow accent. "An' your station is purdy high now, Rin-chan. A hair's breadth from being the brightest new star in the Empire? Reckon you kin ask for an awful lot," she says, almost demurely. Mitsuko's tone and look have stayed deferential, inviting Rin to talk more for now.

"Oh gosh, you know Sparrow Mitsuko makes me feel all kinds'a things."
Unfortunately Rin has nowhere else to puddle given she has already hit comfortable cushion/Kuni level.

"I was...umm, well. Before all this I hadn't paid much attention to my future duties since I reckoned they were all pretty simple. And I could still go back and do'em I think, if I wanted."
Brow furrowing slightly in thought

"But now I've met folks from all over this empire, good folks too. And I think...maybe I can do more, you know? Part of it makes me feel terrible since I think my own family's work is important. But, well. There can be other work as well. So I was thinking of maybe asking if I could start the training to be a magistrate? Someone who travels 'round and helps people, makes sure the law is being followed. That's a real honourable duty, right?"