[EE11] Roar and Web [Aohige, Closed]

[Susumu Yuji]

He had selected a restaurant which served clasical dishes in an updated interpretation, as well as some avant garde small and shareable plates. The kind of place that didn't take reservations, and had people fighting for seats to try a visionary chef's culinary delights.

But for two samurai of high status, a private room with an omakaze menu were easily granted. Yuji's suit was tailored, starkly black with charcoal spider web highlights. His hair was tied back into a very short ponytail. The Deceiver had painted his face white, and applied the darkest of his lipsticks.

Notes of jasmine, bergamot, and citrus hung around him tastefully, more feminine scents than what one would expect on a man. Yet they were distinctly Yuji. As the pair were led to the room, Yuji looked to his companion for the night.

"Perhaps loose tongues will speak plenty tomorrow." He chuckled.

[Akodo Reki]

Reki expected a higher standard from the Susumu, so she dressed herself to match. She wore a dark brown evening dress that transitioned to a golden brown as it hung to her ankles. It hugged her form reasonably well, though tame by the Scorpion's standards. It was sleeveless, held up by a pair of split straps that drew attention to her shoulders. Completing the outfit was a pair of high heels.

Reki detested high heels but we all make sacrifices. She had picked them up after finding herself embarrassed about the height difference between her and Naomi. And had regretted the decision ever sense, Naomi had of course found Reki's initial wobbling most amusing and delighted in swooping in to catch her Lioness when she stumbled.

"Susumu Yuji." Reki told the wait staff and was soon led to the room. "My apologies if I am late, Susumu-sama." She wasn't, the Lion was in fact 5 minutes early. She bowed and smiled to the man.

[Susumu Yuji]

The Deceiver found himself stunned by the appearance of the Lioness, his head cocking slightly as he examined her upon her entrance. Remembering himself, he returned her bow, then looked upon her again, eyes dreamily half-lidded. "You have nothing to apologize for, Akodo-san." He spoke smoothly and softly, a level that invited one to draw closer.

A bottle of liquor from the Lion worlds had been selected, and already placed on the table. As if a kind of peace offering.

"Hopefully this is a more pleasant engagement than the business this morning."

[Akodo Reki]

Reki's eyebrows raised, "I would hope so...but little use pondering that which the Heavens did not seem fit to give a definitive answer on. Both parties walked away with the realization there was more to learn from each other's view. And that is that." Until the next time the two clans had an outburst.

"Though I suppose tonight might be a bit of learning each other's point of view." Her smiles was friendly, she moves over to one of the seats but waits for her host to be ready to sit as well. She takes the moment to appraise the Spider, it was as the Lioness had expected...he came dressed a cut above the normal.

Her copper colored eyes fell to the bottle and she chuckled, "Leave it to the Scorpion to have a better vintage then one could buy on the world that brewed it. How have you been since we last spoke, Susumu-san. Well...not counting the business this morning."

[Susumu Yuji]

"I've been well. Busy, as I imagine you have been." Yuji would take the seat opposite her. His eyes remained on her form, appraising her appreciatively. The gaunt Spider took his seat, and poured a glass for his date.

"Well the Scorpion like being able to show off, especially to off worlders. Lets us know they can get anything they want about any Clan... even when we're trying to keep secrets." He chuckled slightly.

"That dress suits you." His smile was truly sincere.

[Akodo Reki]

"Always have to send a message." Reki sighed, "Truthfully I prefer the map table to the courtroom. Just as much puzzling through deception with a lot less subtext."

She took her seat and smiled, "Thank you...my wife liked it as well." The smile waivered but recovered.

Another sigh, "This has been...a busier vacation then expected." Reki took the offered drink. "I assumed you noticed our time was nearly unmatched yesterday."

[Susumu Yuji]

"I had no doubts that our group would perform well. Would have liked the record score, but all things being equal, I was pleased as punch." He chuckled, nodding excitedly. "The right talents in the right places. I couldn't asked for better partners."

The sigh did not go unnoticed. Coupled with how she had reacted during that first conversation.

"Tell me about her." Yuji's interest was piqued. "If it's not too intrusive."

[Akodo Reki]

Reki frowned, "She's dead. Killed in action."

Her eyes shifted to the table. "All too recently."

Her smile slowly returned, though it was more like putting on a mask then truly smiling. A long silence hung in the air.

"I...Benten smiled on our union."

[Susumu Yuji]

"Oh. Reki-san." His features softened. "I'm so sorry." There wsd sincerity in his words. "I... don't have any words."

He knew he would be inconsolable if he lost Kimurahime. He couldn't imagine that pain. "Benten knows what they were doing, when they give blessed match." The Spider offered her a smile.

Thinking quickly, he ordered a third glass from a servant, and he poured thr glass, setting it on the table. "To her honor."

[Akodo Reki]

Reki was shocked at the Spider's reaction, she took up her glass, "...to her honor." Once that had drank, she sat the glass back down and took a deep breath.

"Her name was Akodo nee Shinjo Naomi. A true child of the Shinjo, adventurous, fearless, curious, and mischievous when she had the mind to be." She actually smiled, an expression filled with a mixture of joy and sorrow. "An arranged partner...but...it was like finding a part of yourself that you didn't even know was missing."

[Susumu Yuji]

Yuji clinked his glass against the one set for Akodo nee Shinjo Naomi, before taking it back. The Lion liquor was sweeter than the whiskey he preferred, but he did enjoy the nuanced richness of it.

The Spider truly enjoyed the way Reki seemed to light up when speaking about her beloved. He leaned back in his chair, as he listened to her.

"We do our duties, and if we are earnest, joy in those duties finds us. I... know that feeling well."

[Akodo Reki]

Reki's mood darkens again at the mention of duty. "Duty is not all joy."

She squeezes the glass and then drains it...sitting the empty drink down.

"Sometimes it is as heavy as the mountains."

[Susumu Yuji]

"Such is life." He refilled her cup, as the first round of small plates came about, the servants wordlessly setting out the unctuous delicacies. Small sashimi plates, assorted pickles, skewers of yakitori.

"It's why we find diversions, seek out the moments we can that make us happy. And find solace in the things that make us grieve." His words were quiet.

"Knowing that some things are just what destiny has in mind, we have to take the time to enjoy every moment that we have as our own. Otherwise we're just crushed by those mountains."

[Akodo Reki]

Reki smiled, a bit more genuine if muted, "Yeah...bare the weight and kept moving forward. Naomi-san was good at that, rare were the times she let anything slow her down."

"My apologies if the conversation has turned...macabre. This isn't the sort of polite conversation one has over dinner." She ignored that he had began the line of questions.

"What of yourself Susumu-san...married?"

[Susumu Yuji]

"I was the one that asked, you have no need to apologize. I wanted to know about you." He offered a sincere, if subtle smile. The glass of liquor in his hand, as he watched Reki.

"I am. Kimurahime is my wife's name. An absolute paragon of perfection and I could not ask for a better partner and beloved." He beamed as he spoke of her, sitting up a bit taller. "We were an arranged match, meeting briefly before our wedding years ago." His red eyes focused on her face, to see how she'd read that information.

"To set your mind at ease, she knows about this date."

[Akodo Reki]

Reki smirked and shook her head, "I just assumed this was part of your diplomatic duties. Work and pleasure, one assumes."

Her smile waivered a fraction, "...I am happy for your match then. Benten smiles on the union it seems." She took a sip of her drink, "...I would say much the same of Naomi-chan and my union, though perhaps without the emphasis on Perfection. In truth...I believe our souls had known each other in the past. I pray we will meet again when both of us are in the kharmic wheel again."

"So then...given your assurance...I take it this is more pleasure then work." Her copper color eyes stared into his.