Crane Crossing (D4, LA, Closed)

[Doji Nadeshiko]

"How fortuitous."

"Indeed!" And the little bird raised by the scorpion just smiles.

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

"Though she has made an impressive show of disappearing as needed," she noted.

the food finally calls her name too much and she picks up her chopsticks. "Itadakimasu."

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Appearance seems rarer than disappearance, as a matter of fact..."

[Doji Nadeshiko]

"Though she has made an impressive show of disappearing as needed," she noted.

the food finally calls her name too much and she picks up her chopsticks. "Itadakimasu."

Nadeshiko, realizing her blunder as a hostess, answers with her own "Itadakimasu!" before chomping into her own food. Poor Hatsuki, waiting on her... but if she apologizes she'll make it worse... etiquette just makes Nadeshiko's head spin. In the quiet of their eating, though, she has a sudden thought, and a moment after swallowing she blurts out -- "Where did you two meet?"

[Bayushi Choudai]

"The Painted City."

Was it love at first sight? Possibly, but not like it is in the pillow books. We just... fit.

"I was guarding gates and looking after my Uncle Koga. Shosuro-san and her brother arrived preparatory to her wedding, and..."

He glanced to Hatsuki. He'd let her tell it.

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

She smiled to herself as she reflected back on how they met.

"Yes... Didn't we meet in the garden there? By chance."

I remember because I think that's part of the reason why we went there to have that talk...

"I forget all the details about the conversation now, but it definitely meandered into art and cooking and whatnot. I remember that I was very hesitant about the Scorpion at that time, so it was very reassuring to finally meet someone with whom conversation came so naturally. It was the first time I thought, 'This whole thing might not be as bad as I thought.'"

She took a small bite and swallowed before continuing.

"It was especially meaningful because I remember it feeling at the time like the Clan was trying to get rid of me, so there was no place I really belonged. Bayushi-san helped a great deal with making me feel at home."

Anywhere with him is home.

[Doji Nadeshiko]

Was it love at first sight? Possibly, but not like it is in the pillow books. We just... fit.

Anywhere with him is home.

The Crane woman doesn't see the glances, but she hears the ease with which they speak, the flow they have growing more apparent; they're closer than she thought.

Meaningful. Home.

Yes, Nadeshiko remembers feeling like that, once. She doesn't let those thoughts linger (she's listening to them speak, after all) but her body still relaxes without her realizing it. The moment's comfortable, easy, good -- the kind of thing you don't want to leave.

Her gaze turns to Choudai. "Thank you for the kindness you showed Hatsuki-san." Her eyes then turn to Hatsuki for a brief look of apology before closing. "In times of loneliness, when one feels unsure about their place in the world, finding a kindred spirit can truly make all the difference. I'm glad you found each other. Though I wish she'd told me more about you, Choudai-san!" And she giggles.

[Bayushi Choudai]

"In times of loneliness, when one feels unsure about their place in the world, finding a kindred spirit can truly make all the difference. I'm glad you found each other. Though I wish she'd told me more about you, Choudai-san!" And she giggles.

"Ah, but what sort of Scorpion keeps no secrets, eh Doji-san? Besides..."

He half-smiled.

"There's so little to tell, hm?"

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

"I mean, you haven't told me about all of your correspondence partners," she noted with a smile.

[Doji Nadeshiko]

"Ah, but what sort of Scorpion keeps no secrets, eh Doji-san? Besides..."

He half-smiled.

"There's so little to tell, hm?"

"I mean, you haven't told me about all of your correspondence partners," she noted with a smile.

"That's true," Nadeshiko mumbles shyly. She's not unused to it. In fact, Choudai's words remind her a little of her father, and for a moment she misses home. "All the same... I'm glad we're all here, so I could meet you, Choudai-san, and you both could meet again. Letters can only give so much."

[Bayushi Choudai]

"It has likewise been my pleasure to get to know you, Nadeshiko-san. I confess, aside from Shosuro-san's brother, I have met none of her relatives prior to this."

[Doji Nadeshiko]

"It has likewise been my pleasure to get to know you, Nadeshiko-san. I confess, aside from Shosuro-san's brother, I have met none of her relatives prior to this."

It takes every ounce of composure she has to not answer 'you're not missing much', but Nadeshiko still can't help but giggle at the thought. "Hatsuki-san's a much better representative of the gifts our families are renowned for, I must say. I hope you Scorpion are cherishing her properly." There's a brief pause, though -- strange, he calls her by Nadeshiko, and Hatsuki by Shosuro. Perhaps it is a formality between clan mates..?

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

"I should introduce you to my parents someday, Bayushi-san. I'm sure you'd get along swimmingly," she said with a bit of audible snark. "They were partly responsible for my joining the Clan, after all."

In the sense that you might want to drown them.

"Don't underestimate yourself, Nadeshiko-san. Your writing is truly exceptional."

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Well."

He sounded amused.

"Your brother impressed me favorably..."