Rescue Hero (Day 3, EA, closed)

[Doji Misaki]

Misaki blushes harder and looks down a bit as Kinsen escaped with her egg, nodding a little, "I understand, of course. So long as Hantei-sama understands that there's only so much she needs to feel like she needs to reign herself in. I am sure there are many people who like you for exactly who you are, sharp edges and all."

[Hantei Kinsen]

"Oh, I appreciate such offer greatly. There are indeed some sharp edges that need polishing, yet one must be treat carefully not to get hurt." Kinsen recomposes herself from the laughter, readjusts her comb, and tightens the kimono neck hem from the sudden movement. A few batted eyelashes and she returns her golden gaze back to Misaki. "Doji-san may call me by my chosen name, if she wishes to do in private."

The woman gave a pursed lip smile to the young girl, saying curiously. "I wonder, though, is the female presence her preference, or it is not related?"

[Doji Misaki]

"It... is a preference, Kinsen-sama."

She picks up her other egg half, happy to have something to concentrate on.

"I actually feel more shy around men, at least once they get to a certain age. Women... I am just more comfortable around them. I feel more like I don't need to be on edge, at attention. If I were to tell you you could also call me by my chosen name in private, for instance, I would trust you to take that to heart and use that permission with a degree of tact and on its face value. But I would be worried a man would expect more if I did the same, that they would feel owed something on my account, with... w-with my body, or such."

[Hantei Kinsen]

Kinsen tilts her head and takes a warm deep breath as an appreciation sign to Misaki's openness. "Misaki-chan is very, very sweet. No man in sane consciousness should mistreat or require that which was not offered. I dare say three times, at least, now that is the rule." Kinsen giggles to break the seriousness of the topic, and says, "Many talk about the Crane's wealth in their vast coast and fertile lands, but I now see its treasure is hidden elsewhere."

[Doji Misaki]

Misaki bowed her head in thanks and acknowledgement of the complement. All things considered, perhaps she had said too much, but perhaps not at the same time. Still, no need to go further with her past with men.

"I thank Lady Doji-sama for gathering together such a group of selfless and talented followers. Not to mention Lord Nanzi-sama; A lot of this wedding and what it means to the Empire is thanks to both of their ideas and ideals I think, after all, no?"

[Hantei Kinsen]

Kinsen nods and mentions, "Indeed, it is. There are the Imperial Consort's view of how things should be, nonetheless."

[Doji Misaki]

"True."

Finishing off the half of egg she had still, Misaki followed it up with some sake, the stuff still steaming.

"What about you? Is there anything you're looking forward to personally this winter? Any goals that you'd like help with or things you'd be interested in seeing in our time here?"

[Hantei Kinsen]

Kinsen makes sure that Misaki's cup gets refilled, and then takes a sip herself with a sigh of joy. "Well..." She takes another sip, "I had planned to return to start preparations for my daughter's gempukku ceremony. Now, though, considering the longer stay, it looks like it is a very good moment to get to know eligible maidens and perhaps put a good word about them to Genji-kun."

Putting the cup back, she adds on, "Of course, there's the matter with the Crab. The Imperial decree has put us in a very delicate situation with our brothers and sisters in arms."

The lady of the Stag sighs is anxiety, "Sometimes I do wonder if we could provide better context and insights to our Wise Emperor. The cadre of Jyio samurai around him seems too complex and distant from the needs of the Clans."

[Doji Misaki]

"All the more reason to gather together in winter like this, rather than heading off on our own things at the first opportunity. Or perhaps a reason to improve communication across the Empire."

She delicately dipped some noodles in the broth as she replied before slurping them up.

[Hantei Kinsen]

Kinsen moves to the meaty part of the meal and takes a crunchy bite. Chewing is well appreciate, as her next question, perhaps. "I can't deny this winter has come at a good timing. What are Misaki-chan's plans, instead?"

[Doji Misaki]

"My plans? Well... I was sent to help collaborate with those from other Clans in regards to their agricultural output and forecasts for the coming year. That way others could better tune trade agreements for needed food at winter's end."

A sip of sake.

"Personally, I'm more excited about comparing innovations, learning new things, and testing out some of the prototypes I brought along with me. Even if not all of my inventions find proper testing environments, even only some of them doing so would be a great help."

[Hantei Kinsen]

Kinsen takes mental note, once again, of the value Misaki could provide to a Clan. "I am unsure we have a mind as keen as yours within our delegation to share such views. Genji-kun, my dear son, is very knowledgeable of the land and martial affairs –– perhaps he could share the Stag perspective. If not him, then Otomo Gusai-san would certainly fill you in the trade agreements."

[Doji Misaki]

"Doji Tsubaki-sama, one of our delegation, might be better suited to talking Otomo-sama then, since she is much more experienced with agreements and such than myself, both inside and outside the Clan. As to Hantei Genji-sama... I know little about martial things myself, but if he could help with the state of Stag lands, that could be a most welcome talk indeed."

A bit of color was starting to show on Misaki's cheeks as she finished her second small cup of sake; Apparently, the young woman was a bit of a lightweight when it came to these things.

[Hantei Kinsen]

Kinsen smirks for a heartbeat and fetches her own sake cup to finish it. Wouldn't be proper to stay behind or move too fast. She doesn't refill Misaki's cup, though, checking if the host would be satisfied, or would enjoy more of the conversation.

"I'll keep the name in mind, and perhaps pay a visit. I heard that the Camellia House is a very interesting place to visit."

[Doji Misaki]

"Oh, it is a wonderful place indeed, if that is one's sort of thing. Very cozy and well run, and as pretty inside and out as Doji Tsubaki-san is. I was afraid it might be a bit too noisy or fancy for my tastes, but it was nicely subdued and I was made to feel very comfortable on my visits there. If I had not brought my own tea or if I traveled with more on me, I might have been sorely tempted to make it a quite regular thing really."

If Misaki noticed she was out of sake, it didn't show. She kept the warm up in her hands on her lap, just holding it in thin elegant hands.

[Hantei Kinsen]

"Sort of thing?" Kinsen blinks and tilts her head, "I thought that a tea house would be calm and serene. Instead Misaki-chan portrays it as... well... a Stag party."

[Doji Misaki]

"Precisely. It is most calm and serene. I know that's not everyone's thing, and I will not begrudge people that if it's the sort of thing they don't get much out of. Still, there are private rooms, so I suppose one could have at least somewhat of a party atmosphere if one wanted."

[Hantei Kinsen]

“A private room and music?” Kinsen beams up a potentially devious smile, “Does Misaki-chan like to sing?”

[Doji Misaki]

Misaki nodded, "I do. Though I rarely do so in front of others."

She was tipsy enough not to realize the danger in admitting that.

"I'm only about aas good as I am at dancing though~"

[Hantei Kinsen]

"Then Misaki-chan is way better than me." Kinsen starts to giggle. "Some in my close family have compared me singing as the sounds made by the creature from the pits trying to escape after the Kami sealed them down there."