After his first visit to the Benikage, Nishida had learned and was waiting for the lady he would be dining with this time outside the restaurant before going into the establishment with her.

Dressed in the finest silk, with hakama, gi and haori in the green and gold colors of the Imperial Family, he awaited the little spider and looked forward to the evening with the one he thought was similar to him but also so foreign.

His bodyguards stood near him and were already thrilled by the thought of being permitted to wait outside the restaurant without their master.

With how badly it had rained in the morning, and having bad memories of being soaked once already, Sumiko made sure to bring an umbrella with her even as the rain was trailing off in the afternoon. Having picked out her favourite and best kimono and tied her hair up - even though it wasn't as long as it used to be - she approached the agreed destination with the umbrella open.

The Imperial surrounded by bodyguards confirmed she had found the right place. With a smile, she approached and bowed.

"Miya-sama, good afternoon. I hope you are well?"

"For a moment I thought the cloudy rain would never give way to the sun," he gave her as a compliment. "Too bad we're disappearing into the shade again."

Nishdia had made sure he was under a shelter beforehand, not wanting to get wet.

Sumiko smiled warmly at the compliment.

"Not even the rain could keep me away. I've been looking forward to this, it's such a unique experience!"

She looked to the entranceway, then back at the man.

"Shall we go in?"

"Of course" he replied, leading Sumiko through the entrance hall to the elevator that would eventually take her in front of the Benikage's doors. There, the two were met by the servants who took them through the darkness to their table.

"I hope you can find your way around," he finally said as the two sat at the table. "Your eyes should slowly get used to the dark, it's not pitch black here."

Sumiko had to resist reaching out ahead of her to find where the Miya was, the darkness very difficult to navigate through even with a servant guide. Thankfully she managed to not bump the table, and was able to sit down without too much difficulty.

"I wonder how they came up with this concept? It places so much trust in those who work here, you're almost placing your life into their hands."

She put her arms on the table, trying to focus. Her eyesight was quite good so she was starting to adapt to the darkness. From the Miyas side, the green of Sumiko's Jade tattoo would likely be easier to focus on than the small shape of the woman.

"Do you have any food recommendations?"

Since he was already here, the whole thing wasn't quite as outrageous to him as it had been on his first visit. "The darkness is supposed to stimulate the other senses, at least that's what they say," he said, and thanks to the tattoo he could better make out where Sumiko's head must be.

"That's the second fascinating thing here, the food has only vague names and there's hardly any way to figure out what's really in it. It's all plant-based though, don't worry."

"Oh, hmm...I can understand that. It's a known fact with blindness that your sense of hearing and smell increases. I wonder then, do the chefs also work in darkness?"

Sumiko tried to squint to see any lights further out.

"Plant based? I suppose that is safer than meat" she nodded "are the menus illumined then or are the meals read out to us? I would like to see a tea ceremony performed in this level of light! Well, I suppose I wouldn't see it, but you know what i mean" she chuckled.

"That would be quaint indeed, but I think only the guest room is in shadow. As for the menu: the only thing you do here is to reserve the table, after that you are at the mercy of the cooks' art," he explained, and as if summoned, a servant already began to prepare chopsticks.

The ghostly presence of the servants was a bit creepy, but at least Nishdia was not aware that anyone had ever gone missing here.

"Oh, so we don't actually pick the food. It's picked for us?"

Now Sumiko was even more curious, although she was made jump by someone repairing chopsticks.

"I suppose anyone with allergies would say ahead of time, or just not attend at all?"

"From what I can tell, the food here is special, my last guest said it was very personal," he explained, probably convinced that when making a reservation, the staff first collects the most important data of their guests in order to cook the best food.

One of the servants already brought the appetizers, with a smoky voice he announced: "The kitchen sends you its best regards: the spirit of the old worries".

As soon as he arrived, the waiter disappeared. The dish, in turn, seemed to have a somewhat more fluid consistency, as it was served in a bowl. Probably a miso soup? Nishida didn't know for sure, but hopefully would not be disappointed.

"Personal? Hmm..."

Sumiko went quiet and thoughtful for a moment, which was exactly when the first course arrived.

"Oh, good timing. I suppose we will find out if they've researched us well enough then" she said thoughtfully, taking a few moments to feel around for utensils and finding a soup spoon.

"Hm, spirit would imply something not altogether whole as a spirit is not wholly within this world, so a soup perhaps? Old worries would hint towards something warm and relaxing, or something to boost...ah, forgive me, I'm analysing too much" she chuckled "the scholar in me trying to work out the meaning. Let's enjoy it!"

"No problem Sumiko-san, I was thinking the same thing. I think one of the appeals of this restaurant is to find out what was served and why." He picked up a spoon and began to eat the soup. It was a little spicier than he expected, but had a milder finish. Probably something with ginger?

"But like so many things in this world, one can only speculate."

"The mystery of a Scorpion world can be very exciting. It almost feels like it's done on purpose to help promote the mystique of the clan" Sumiko chuckled as she picked up her spoon "still, I don't find it frustrating. Rather, I find it exciting. I love a challenge, and even these meals are part of a challenge!"

After a quiet silent prayer of thanks for the food, she dipped the spoon in to try some.

"Hm...spices but not too hot. I'm not much of a chef, but I feel like I recognise the ingredients. How it links to spirits though...hmm...."

"Sometimes artists get arty.... or the soup has a cloudy color,... of which one sees little in the dark" he said with amusement.

"This world is quite a challenge, many factions wanting to achieve many goals and all wanting to be at the top in the end, it's an endless race I find" and spooned his soup leisurely.

Sumiko considered the comments as she sipped a bit more of the soup.

"Hmm...I don't know if that's just a winter court situation or a general in this world, although I can imagine it being quite mysterious all year round. It is a very Scorpion thing to do if you look at their legacy, although it's the first time I've been on a Scorpion world so I can only go by what I've read on the rest of the system which is...not a lot. Very secretive! How much of the galaxy has Miya-sama seen?"

"More than enough, I suppose," he replied with amusement, "I told you about my past, as a businessman I was on all worlds, well many worlds. Once upon a time I was here for a long time," he replied.

A waiter came to the table, "Are you all right, Samurai-sama?"

"Hai, but when you say all worlds with the technology we have now I wondered if it was really visiting all worlds. What was your favourite place to visit in your time out in the stars? Or was it here, as you've been multiple times?"

Sumiko luckily heard the approach before the waiter spoke, otherwise soup would have flown.

"It's all very lovely, thank you!" she offered a bow in the direction.

"Hmm, I think the Green Carp is still the closest to my heart, probably because it was my home" he said chuckling a bit, "Isora's Nest of the Kakita is also a very fabulous planet, as well as New Forge of the Dragons" he replied, "Unfortunately I've only seen a few corners of many planets, slaving away business appointments is no vacation".

he finished his soup and handed the bowl to the ghostly waiter, "What worlds have you seen so far?"

"Other than my home planet, I've been to New Kalani, as well as the Firefly home world of Amanoseki more recently. Beyond that and a few minor courts I've not really travelled. New Kalani is the most memorable before here."

She passed the bowl over before speaking more.

"There is one thing I remember at New Kalani that I'll never forget is the Tower of Storms. Being inside those as the waves crash against the unmoving tower is an incredible sight. Have you ever visited?"