(Expecting)

The Golden Wok. It wasn't the nicest place, but it wasn't run-down, either. It was also the place that Rei had dinner with his colleague and friend Susumu Yuji. Exchange of pleasantries and information at the same time.

As such, the server showed Rei to their usual room, handing him an iced glass as she did so; Rei smiled, murmuring thanks. The room itself was small, of course, as was just about everywhere on the planet, but the low round table was comfortable, anyway, with four cushions around. Handy for those times when Yuji brought his wife along.

Rei never brought anyone, of course.

Sometimes he showed up first. Other times he showed up second. Today he arrived just as Rei was being shown into the room. He strode along to the room, bowing slightly to the server as they noticed the gaunt Spider drawing near.

The man almost slithered in, the softness of his steps just a practiced movement from court. While perfumed, his face was bare, showing just the man beneath.

"Usagi-san. Good evening. I hope I haven't kept you waiting long."

Rei smiled. "Hey, Yuji-sama, good evening to you, too." The Hare's return greeting was decidedly less formal; it was his way. "No, not at all. I haven't had time to put in our usual order yet. Unless you're wanting something different this evening." Indeed, a server hovered just outside the door. And another server; the Susumu's status drew extra attention.

Friends they might be, and casual he might be, but there still was a difference in rank. Rei stepped aside with a bow, giving Yuji the first choice of seat. "Just us, tonight?" He asked politely.

"We shall see. The invitation is always offered. But for now, it's just us, old friend." The smile to Rei was always genuine. The Susumu moved to take the furthest from the entrance to the pivate room, sitting down on the cushion. Looking up to the Usagi, he extended a hand to indicate the seat across, always the formalities when the servers were present.

"The usual is always fine. The company is more important than the meal." Yuji beamed, relaxing his posture slightly. "I'm glad we can make time."

"Very good. Give her my best, will you?" Rei and Kimurahime only knew each other through Yuji, but were friendly with each other.

Smiling, Rei sat as indicated. "Yeah, me too. The festival put us a bit behind, and I think that's only going to get worse this season. Are things similar over at the Spider embassy?"

He started to lean over to the server, a young woman who was eyeing the two handsome samurai just a little, very polite, bit. "The usual?" Rei asked, raising eyebrows back towards Yuji.

"I shall pass them along, Rei-san." Hisbhead tilted slightly, before continuing. "As always, a flutter of business. I believe things are on schedule, with no hiccups so far. Some of the junior courtiers are likely scrambling, but that is always the way at the beginning of a career." He chuckled, pushing his glasses up slightly on the bridge of his nose.

Nodding at the question, he then added a complementary smile and glance to the server, his hands resting on the table now. "The excitement of Winter Court always adds an extra touch of panache. The work wil be magnified, but you know how that is." His red eyes focused intently on Rei's own.

"Any expectations for this season?"

Another nod and murmur, and the slightly blushing server bowed and left the room. Rei turned his full attention back to Yuji. "Sounds like things are going well, then. That's good."

"Expectations? Hmmm." Rei frowned. "Some difficulties to navigate. Clans are looking to secure Hare contracts, and we're trying to make sure we engage as many as we can without making anyone unhappy. It's a bit of a challenge."

He smiled. "Or did you mean personally? No expectations, there. I'll just have to wait and see."

"I did mean personal, though it is always good to know what professional expectations are." He chuckled softly, just as a server brought a bottle of amber colored liquor. Yuji reached over, opening the bottle, and poured a glass for Rei first, before pouring one for himself.

"Seeing guests from offworld isn't unusual. But there's a certain excitement at seeing who arrives specifically for winter court. A chance to be gracious hosts."

"Thank you." Rei murmured, smiling and inclining his head. They were friends, but it was still an honor.

"Quite." Rei said. He considered that a moment, then smiled, looking at Yuji with raised eyebrows. "And given your position, I expect you're quite aware of the guest you received. I ran into Susumo Yakumo at the festival yesterday. That was quite a surprise."

"A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one." He nodded. "Ichiko was very excited to hear that our Galactic Idol would be on world." The smile on his face was much more relaxed, thinking on the day he wsd able to tell her that Kumohime would be visitng the World of Dreams.

"I was able to formally meet her this afternoon. We're lucky she's here." The Susumu continued, raising his glass. "What should we drink to tonight, Rei-san?" Now that they were seated, and more or less left alone, the rigors of station could be dropped.

"I imagine so." Rei said, his lips curling up in amusement. "Lots of excitement all around, I imagine."

He lifted his glass, then hesitated a moment. Smiling ruefully, he shook his head. "I'm afraid I find myself out of inspiration. Unless you're okay with something plain, like 'friendship', or 'possibilities'."

"Why not both?" Lifting his glass to meet his friend's. "To friends and possibilities, both old and new." The glasses clinked, the smooth burn of the liquid quickly followed as he drank from it. He closed his eyes as he savored the whisky, the sensation of the burn trailing down his throat as he focused on the flavor. "Exquisite."

Rei chuckled softly before he too took a sip of the fine alcohol, sitting back, savoring the flavor. "Excellent taste as always, Yuji-san."

A brief pause as a server brought in some bowls of rice, quickly departing with a bow. "So, what about you? Rei asked, smiling. "Possibilities? Personal or professional? I'm always interested in both."

Usagi Rei wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 04, 2022 10:33 pm

Rei chuckled softly before he too took a sip of the fine alcohol, sitting back, savoring the flavor. "Excellent taste as always, Yuji-san."

A brief pause as a server brought in some bowls of rice, quickly departing with a bow. "So, what about you? Rei asked, smiling. "Possibilities? Personal or professional? I'm always interested in both."

"Professional?" He pondered for a moment. "Honestly, old friend, my main goal there is to be a welcoming hand to the allies of my clan, and to strengthen those bonds. If I can win friends elsewhere... that will be a personal boon." The chopsticks that were set with the table were of extremely high craftsmanship, painted black but with intricate vinework filigree.

"Though that is a struggle, as always, given the reputation of my Clan. But having friends like you shows that can be overcome." He chuckled at the self depreciating humor.

"Yes... well." Rei gave a wave of his hand and a tiny grimace. "I suppose there's no sense in denying that your Clan does suffer some image problems. Despite your best efforts, and those of some others." Smiling, Rei raised his glass, before taking another slow sip.

Opening his eyes again, Rei looked at his friend. "I wonder if there's perhaps some possibilities for partnership, there?"

"I would say so. I cannot speak for my Lord, or the ambassador. But a mutually beneficial partnership could indeed be a boon for all involved." He pondered the question. "What did you have in mind, Rei-san?"

Susumu Yuji wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 07, 2022 9:42 pm

"I would say so. I cannot speak for my Lord, or the ambassador. But a mutually beneficial partnership could indeed be a boon for all involved." He pondered the question. "What did you have in mind, Rei-san?"

"A contract." Rei's mouth was open to explain more, but the door slid open. Bowing, a pair of servers whisked in a number of dishes, setting them around the table. It was, as always, too much food. But that was part of the fun of Guy's Night, wasn't it?

After the servers left, Rei passed a dish over to Yuji, one he knew the other man liked. "I know the Spider have their own forces, obviously, and fierce ones too. But Hare troops certainly look good, don't we?" He flashed a quick grin.

Usagi Rei wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 09, 2022 1:54 pm

"A contract." Rei's mouth was open to explain more, but the door slid open. Bowing, a pair of servers whisked in a number of dishes, setting them around the table. It was, as always, too much food. But that was part of the fun of Guy's Night, wasn't it?

After the servers left, Rei passed a dish over to Yuji, one he knew the other man liked. "I know the Spider have their own forces, obviously, and fierce ones too. But Hare troops certainly look good, don't we?" He flashed a quick grin.

He pondered for a moment. "Hare Drop troops are quite famed. And it would make sense, with the continued and blessed alliance between the Crane and the Spider, and the Crane's strong relationship with the Hare." He pressed a finger to his painted lips, thinking.

"Granted, assignments with Spider troops could be quite different than what your Drop Troops are used to. Hell blasted landscapes being what they are." The smile returned, looking to his old friend.

But with the current... setbacks, replenishing the Navy and military forces is of a top priority. "How would your superiors feel of joining hands with the Dark Mirror?"

"Yes..." Rei said, idly fiddling with his whiskey glass. "There's certainly sorts of assignments that would cause problems. But others that wouldn't. I mean, we're used to fighting scary stuff." He took a sip as he considered. "We'd probably have to be deployed judiciously. But hey, there's a lot of space, and the Spider do a lot of fighting."

He set his cup down, then lifted a dumpling, putting it on Yuji's plate. "If Kimurahime-sama was here, she'd be making sure you eat enough." Rei chuckled.

He went on. "As far as how my superiors would feel..." Rei shrugged. "I'd rather bring them a preliminary proposal before I dig into that too much. But you think it's worth considering, anyway?"

"Absolutely. I think we could find a path the benefits both parties, Rei-san." He nodded, grinning at his old friend. "And you're right. I get to talking, and forget what I should be doing. How many meals have I taken during negotiations where I absolutely don't eat." He chuckled, thinking on it.

"We have plenty of time for those discussions during this season, but I'm glad we both see eye to eye on this."