Susumu is absolutely to be delighted to be invited to, what he expects, is a courtier ambush. In spite of what his father would say, it was better than the real thing. The battlefield of politics was very different by the ones that most of the Spider focused on, but it was the one he has chosen for himself.

He waits patiently for Bayushi Sasori to arrive.

Sasori made her way to the tea house in the colors of the clan but instead of scorpion motive it was cats. She bowed to the Spider with an apropiate deference. "Good evening Spider sama. I hope Inari has blessed you today."

"May all the Fortunes bless you and keep you Bayushi-san. I took the privilege of ordering a pot of tea for us. If it is not to your taste, feel free to choose another. But anyway, Bayushi-san" Susumu inclines his head. "What makes me the target of your interest? Please feel free to be blunt, I find it typically makes things easier"

Sasori smiled. "Tea will be fine, thank you." She took out her fan and placed it on her heart. "You wound me Spider san. I am just looking for friends to play games with." She opened her fan. "As for my interest in you... is just pure amusement on how you managed the situation with your clanmate and my new Lion friend."

Susumu moves his hand to his lips to hide a quirk of a smile. "I will say that I have been called worse things than amusing, and that this doesn't seem like the first time I've heard those words. And" he continues with a bone dry tone "I believe that half of those times the use wasn't sarcastic or dismissive. Well, perhaps more. I'm an optimist."

Susumu pours the tea for both. " So, is it the game you've come for then? "

"Maybe" She winked. "I have been taught that one can learn much from a person that plays a game with you. I never learned a real game so the 5 or 10 questions game should come in handy, neh?" She opened her fan. "Which do you prefer?"

"I'm not exactly sure of this game. Is it one where we ask questions, and we must answer honestly, if only by a technicality?" Susumu leans forward. "Is so, more questions are better."

"Ah 20 it is then. And they are yes or no questions if one ask a question that is not answered with a yes or a no then the person loses." Sasori explained with a bright smiled covered by her fan but her eyes could betray her joy. "Shall we start?"

"Yes." Susumu holds up a single finger with a smile, wagging his eyebrows.

"Have you been given instructions to speak to the Spider during your journey?"

"No..." She smiled. "Was your delegation chosen by your Kami?" She tapped her fan twice.

Susumu takes a long time to think about it, and his lips quiver, as if he needs to fight back words but instead nods and replies. "Yes"

"Is part of your objectives to form alliances with other Clans?"

Sasori gave it some though. "No and yes." She tapped her fan trice. "Are you willing to form such alliance with our clan?"

"Yes." Susumu responds. "Are you willing to form such alliance with our clan?"

"Yes" She smiled as she tapped the fan four times. "Are you married, Hisomu san?"

"No." Susumu replies with a smile of his own. "Are you married Bayushi-san?"

"No" She gave a side nod with a smile. She tapped her fan 5 times "Is there a lady in your sights?"

There is a very long pause this time, before Susumu responds with a "Yes", this time taking a longer sip of his tea.

"Are you flirting with me?"

Sasori gave it some thought. She blinked a few times and sighed. "No" She shook her head. "Do you want me to flirt with you?" She said seriously.

Susumu studies the girl and responds "No"

"Is it at least interesting to see someone else of a similar profession?"

Sasori smiled. "Yes..." She gave it some thought. "Do you like animals?" This was a very important question for her.