Sapphire Ambassadors

"Another."

Akatupo provides another bottle, and Tomodachi provides another coin, and the bottle starts to empty.

There's at least one empty place near him.

Dutiful Tatsuya lurked nearby, happy to join his lord but loathe to take the seat beside him unless it was requested. He tucked his hands into his kimono sleeves and looked solemn, quietly assuring himself by touch that his knife and fan were secure and ready for responding to their different sorts of enemies.

Tatsuya glances around the bar again, contemplating how much is acceptable for him to drink tonight.

"Relax, Moshi-san," Tomodachi says, pouring a cup. "Think of it like a ship; the vessel that flexes rides out the storm, while the stiff one is broken by the waves."

He smiles slightly.

"You've been places I've not. What're your thoughts?"

"Well, that could have gone better" Hamada grouses. "I don't think they appreciated my vision"

A drink is poured and offered.

"It is often thus," Tomodachi says. "Yoritomo himself provides an example. So does Tsuruchi."

"I know." Hamada takes the cup and downs the sake, motioning to pour another cup. "But it's a shame, had I pulled it off, I think it could have been beautiful." She turns to look at the newcomer. "I don't think I had the pleasure. Tsi Hamada."

"Yoritomo Tomodachi," comes the reply from a man who's been at the bar longer.

So does a pour.

"Sometimes, the medium doesn't want to agree with our plans. I've cracked any number of stones thinking I knew better than they did."

He pulls from his own drink.

"Hubris gets us all."