(Expecting)

Masaru had sent word to Sakura to come to the Lion wing of the Laughing Carp. He lounged near the stairs that lead to the Lion's area and awaited his guest. The Kitsu wore a much more intricate affair than he had been wearing when they last spoke.

He sported a layered kimono with the inner layers being a light bluetransitioning to a white that then shifted to a warm sunny yellow that brought out more of the gold color in his eyes.

He isn't kept waiting long before this particular Crane finds her way in.
She wears a simple powder blue kimono with a midnight shade obi, her white hair tied in a basic knot at the nape of her neck, makeup subtle and barely worth noticing in comparison to most Crane... like the Asahina, herself. Slightly disheveled from the wind outside, she takes a moment to smooth her hair before she spots the Lion... in the Lion quarters... The one particular Lion she's here to see, that is, and makes her way over. Bowing at a respectable distance.
"Kitsu-san," she greets him!

"Asahina-san." He replies with a smile and a bow to match her own "It is good to see you again, I hope all has been well." He says meeting her eyes and then motioning toward the stairs "shall we?" It is part question but he assumes her answer, logic dictates she did not come all the way here simply to tell him she didn't want to hang out on the balcony.

When the arrive on the balcony that over looks the carp and much of Tsuma there is a table with a tea pot and cups already set up and a beautifully made Koto sitting on the table.

"It has, it has indeed, Kitsu-san; you're looking, um, well, also?" she flusters, and follows him up the stairs to the balcony. Looking over the view and the set table, she smiles widely. "You've set quite the stage!"

Masaru smiles "Well thank you Asahina-san, it is not only the Crane who can be experts in hospitality." He said slightly teasing as he sat in the spot next to the Koto.

"Has the time since our last talk been eventful for you Asahina-san?" He asked pouring himself a cup of tea and then giving her a look that implied the question if she would also like some, and he cup would be filled if she agreed.

"Yes please," she nodded to his offer of tea.
"Uh! I would never um deign to suggest the Lion were not capable of, well, anything!" She seemed distraught for a moment until she caught on to the humour ...and broke into a wide smile.

"I've been well, Kitsu-san; and everything is eventful here, don't you think! Tsuma has a different air when the Topaz Championship comes around!"

He returned her smile and added a small chuckle as he filled her cup. The steam rising from the liquid would have a strong herbal scent with earthy hints of nuttiness to it a stronger blend then at their previous meeting.

"Yes this is quite the city, just yesterday myself and a few other competitors stopped a thief in Little Khanbulak. They seemed to have something to do with this opium problem in the city. At least according to the local magistrate." He said as he sat back and enjoyed a sip of his tea smiling softly after he drank.

Sakura looked surprised for a moment, "Oh! Yes! I heard about that, you were involved? Are you alright? One of the other competitors told me, was it the Scorpion? Shosuro-san? It might've been her who told me? I meant to bring it up to Tenshin when I catch him for breakfast soon," she said quickly, and then lifted her cup, breathing in the aroma before taking a small sip.

Masaru waved away the concern with a smooth motion "no no I'm quite fine Asahina-san. I didn't do much 2xcept observe the incident and provide testimony. The other competitors took a much more direct hand in dealing with the thief. I am just a performer after all, I doubt I could have gotten him to surrender with a song." He said with a light airy laugh.

He took another drink and set down his cup "Well as much as I'd like to think you came here just for charming conversation, perhaps I should begin to play." He said as he reached for the expertly crafted instrument and moved it in front of him, placing the finger picks on his first three fingers on his right hand and one on his thumb. The koto itself had around 27 strings, 10 more than your average one if Sakura knew of such things.

Masaru began playing softly and building into a light rhythm. The famous sound springing forth from the strings the many pics and deft fingers about able to grant the illusion of multiple instruments as he continued to build the song. The sound began to swell and become more complex as he approached the climax his fingers dancing across the strings before finally calming letting out a few final clear notes before coming to a rest.

"This one enjoys spending time with you, Kitsu-san, and moreso to witness you doing what you love."

And so she sat, cup of tea held between both hands, and paid rapt attention to the Lion as he played. Her gaze ticked from his fingers and analyzing the technical aspects of playing the modified koto, up to his expression, to try to get a read on his thoughts and emotions, to flickering around the Kitsu to read the change in spiritual activity as the lovely playing filled the air.

When he's done, "You truly have a gift, thank you for sharing it with me," she gives a shy smile, then sipping from her cup.

While the Kitsu played his expression was one of focus at first looking for the song, trying to grab hold of it and hold it. As he hit the stride of the song he relaxed and his instincts took over like his fingers moved on their own. More than once the young Lion would meet her eyes his smile soft. In his eyes though she might notice a lack of passion, there was enjoyment to be sure but the passion an artist usually has while practicing their craft wasn't there.

He smiled at her as his hands began to softly play. Not a song persay but more background noise soft sounds that filled the silence but did not demand attention "Thank you Asahina-san, I appreciate you taking the time to listen." A pause "I...enjoy spending time with you as well." One may notice a slight darkening of his cheeks as he said the words but he retained his Composure.

"You seemed rather focused while I played. Your attention is not usually so...sharp?" He said half statement half question and the last with the feel of someone looking for the right words.

She watched him curiously, noting his expression and moreover what his eyes did not say.
Though each time their gaze met, he was met with a reassuring smile.
"Thank you, Kitsu-san," Sakura nodded lightly. She sipped from her tea, then her nose wrinkled playfully, "You noticed that? I don't know, I um, enjoy music? But more... how each instrument is played? than what said instrument can evoke? Maybe I should try to build something, to understand it better?" she considers this.
She smiles again, "Is everything alright? You seem as if the act of playing... is rote? Something you feel you have to do?"

At this the Kitsu's eyebrows raise a bit and it is one of those rare times he seems off balance "Oh um yes everything is fine Asahina-san." A missed cord causes him to wince "I um maybe was just distracted, I," he took a breath centering himself "I think maybe just an off day Asahina-san, even if one enjoys something perhaps passion cannot always be mustered." His smile was half assured

"you certainly have a sharper eye than I would have credited you with." His voice grew a little softer "not many others have ever noticed that before." He shook his head and gave a fuller smile "but please rest assured Asahina-san, I would rather be nowhere else but here." He said with a more earnest smile, the soft background music filling the air again.

"But I absolutely think you should try your hand at building an instrument. Is that what you train for? I knew you were a priestess but I guess never delved into what your exact training was in.

She gives a tender smile and a small self-depreciating shrug, "I see what I see..."

She watched him gently, "I'm glad to hear it. Hm? Oh! My training? Well, technically, um, Artificers are... we try to improve harmony in the Empire through the creation of beautiful things that inspire peace. Very simply, of course," she speaks softly.

his smile back to her was small and had complex emotions with it "Well you see quite a lot i'd say."

He had a somewhat amused but also at ease air about him as he continued "But yes that sounds like a quite exciting duty. Getting to build new and fun beautiful things. Do you have a particular specialty of things you like to build?"

His attention is met with a shy smile.
"I don't um. Specialize? In anything? I try all kinds of methods to make art... i haven't necessarily found my calling?"

"There is something freeing in that I would say, just experimenting and finding your purpose. Much potiential in that could be a sculptor, or a armorsmith or perhaps even a crafter of instruments." He said with a wide smile

"perhaps one day I will play in the Imperial court on a beautiful instrument crafted by your skilled hands." He said with a sincere chuckle, a sound with hope for the future and the dreaminess of a child on the cusp of adulthood.

She blushes a little, "Kitsu-san is too kind with his words, and perhaps thinks too highly of me..."

Masaru smiled as he gently plucked the strings on his instrument "Perhaps. But you would not be here if you were not special Asahina-san, your sensei obviously believe you are capable of great things why should I think anything different?" He asked with a raised eyebrow smile still playing across his lips.

"Maybe I will, um, see what I can do, uh, about building an instrument, um, putting one together? It'd be an interesting project... And who knows, maybe I'll have found my calling? Besides, um, working with spirits, which is what, um, what's expected of me?"