[Day 3, Mid-Morning] Deja Vu All Over Again (Expecting)

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

She had her hand against the wall, catching her breath after retching. She rested one hand against a wall and was still bent over nearly in half. She looked up and to the side a little, smiling slightly as she saw the edge of Choudai's kimono come into view. "My apologies... I didn't intend to run out on you."

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Nonsense! I'm sure the proprietor appreciates your efforts at discretion."

He smiled, and maintained a polite distance.

"I feel responsible, after all." He cleared his throat. "We've got a blend in the works that ought to help- unless Shosuro-san would prefer to depart?"

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

"I'll accept any amountof sickness for the fact that you feel correctly," she murmured softly before continuing, "The blend is fine. We had something we were here for, after all."

She straightened up, brushing out her hair and kimono with her hands. "I could use a bit of water first, though."

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Water can be arranged. Akijin is nothing if not accommodating."

Choudai went to retrieve it, then shadowed Hatsuki back to the table, as fretfully attentive as any yojimbo could have been.

His grandmother and mother had both told him more than once that pregnant women were working harder and enduring more than most frontline bushi would ever do in the course of duty, and Choudai had internalized that good and early.

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

She smiled gratefully as she sat, drinking the water. She raised her fan so it wasn't completely obvious that she was rinsing her mouth with it before swallowing, then took another drink, finally letting out a long sigh. "Thank you both, you and Akijin, Bayushi-san. You've both been very helpful."

[Bayushi Choudai]

"I could do no less."

No coy efforts at obfuscation here.

[Akijin]

Akijin simply bows and ensures that the brew is left to steep.

[Bayushi Choudai]

"A moment, Akijin... I believe you and I can assist Shosuro-san one step further..."

It was so hard to broach commercial subjects with even a shred of decorum, but... well.

Decorum had never been his strongest suit.

But he waited for Hatsuki to broach the subject.

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

"Yes... I haven't properly introduced myself. I am Shosuro Hatsuki. A pleasure, " she greeted with a short bow, managing to marshal herself into being all dignity despite earlier. "I was curious if you feel your teahouse might benefit from further support? Assuming this is acceptable to whatever current patron you might have."

That should be vague enough to satisfy the general distaste for direct discussion of commerce.

[Akijin]

"We're always happy to have added support, of course," Akijin says. "Shosuro-sama's patronage is certainly most welcome."

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

"Excellent to hear. I hope I have the opportunity to visit frequently while I'm here, and your teahouse reaches new heights of popularity," she said with a nod.

"I'll have someone be in touch about the arrangements before mid-day."

With that, she settles back down at the table.

<Investing 7 koku for 21 points>
Commerce/Int, Void for skill, 1 raise | 4k3 ⇒ 37 (TN: 20) +2 points

[Bayushi Choudai]

Choudai quirked and eyebrow and grinned.

Fortunes, she's magnificent. A very samurai way to approach the issue- committing and finishing in one fell swoop.

Had he not known for a fact that her husband was around (and possibly pretending to be the table) he wouldn't have been able to stop himself from taking her hand.

As it was, he could barely keep his beaming socially appropriate.

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

She met Choudai's eyes and smiled as Akijin went about her business and she herself sat down in her former seat. "A passable showing, I hope, Bayushi-sensei?" She asked, referencing the previous day's conversation.

[Bayushi Choudai]

He replied in a passable imitation of his own sensei's voice.

"Adequate, Shosuro-san, adequate."

He grinned, and resisted the urge to lean over and kiss her only by reminding himself that if he wasn't the table, her husband might, perhaps, be the teapot, and that the heimin present wouldn't exactly be discrete in any case.

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

She broke into a small grin herself in return. Truth was, after earlier she was actively ready to pounce on him, despite her sickness earlier, but she maintained some level of decorum.

For now, anyway. She would find a way. She had an idea of his schedule now.

The grin turned to relief when the tea arrived, sipping it carefully. "That... is so much better, thank you. Your foresight in ordering this is much appreciated, Bayushi-san."

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Credit where it's due, I explained the situation, Akijin prepared the blend."

Also as a way of reassuring Akijin and anyone in earshot that the issue wasn't with the fare.

"Still, I'm glad it's suitable."

Every moment I steal with her is worth a year of the rest.

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

"Very wise of her," she observed with a smile. "It makes me confident."

She took a deep breath and let it out, enjoying the air and Choudai's presence. "Thank you for inviting me today, Bayushi-san. I'm pleased we encountered one another at this event."

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Likewise, I was gratified to see you here, although I cannot claim to be surprised that you received an invitation to an artistic event."

He raised his teacup in salute.

"The omission would have been glaring, after all."

The love of my life is also my best friend. I wonder if that's normal?

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

She raised her cup as well, giving him a small smirk. "I agree, it would have." She was never one to downplay it. She'd worked too hard to be where she was.

"Of course, them overlooking your talents would have been equally patently ridiculous, so I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that they were recognized. What do you have in mind for today's display, by the way?"

Even without anything else, things just flowed so naturally and comfortably between them.

[Akijin]

Akijin withdraws.

Best to let the samurai have their time.