Wow.

Sumiko could help but be impressed at the sheer size and variety on offer in the bathhouse. While it may be standard to most, it would be considered seriously over the top back at her home town. But hey, while away enjoy the sights right? For research purposes of course!

She managed to resist picking out drinks, and found her way to one of the hotter larger baths, feeling slightly glad she had managed to at least for now arrive at a quieter point as she slipped into the currently empty hot bath with a gasp. It was hotter than she was expecting!

Closing her eyes, she willed herself to get comfortable, determined not to leave for colder pastures at least for a short while.

After the business meeting in the garden, the Grumpy ex-Carp wanted to relax a bit and looked at the fabulous Gokuraku.

It was no comparison to what he had already seen on Showa, but it was still sufficient.
He had put on the credit bracelet, roughly cleaned himself up and was now on his way to the hot baths.

When he saw Sumiko in the bath he was about to enter, he introduced himself first. Naked, there were hardly any signs of what status and to which clan one belonged. "Myia Nishida, Imperial Revenue Service. A pleasure to meet you," he replied mechanically and slid into the hot water with a sigh.

Sumiko had heard the approach before the voice, but she kept her eyes shut. Not moving or reaction beyond just a smile on her face as she waited for the man to be settled before giving a seated bow.

"Good afternoon Miya-sama. The baths are very hot, be careful."

She finally opened her eyes and looked at him.

"I'm Susumu Sumiko, but being that this is a world without mons you can call me Sumiko if you wish. It's an honour to meet you."

Spider, great, he thought.
Nishida had a talent for finding spiders in the bathhouse. Well, it is what it is.

"An honor likewise Sumiko-san."

He closed his eyes a bit and relaxed a bit before continuing the conversation. "What drives you to the world of dreams? Are you part of a spider enterprise?" he asked her.

"An enterprise?"

Sumiko looked curious at the question, then thoughtful.

"Hmm...Well, I'm a librarian and a historian, so that's an enterprise of sorts right? However my reasons to be here are more diplomatic than historic sadly, as much as I would prefer to spend my time researching the historical and technological wonders of this place. And yourself? Does duty bring you to this lovely planet or holidays? It would be a great place for a holiday from my research."

A delegate, that is. Nishida rhymed from the subtext.

"My husband and I were sent here as part of the Imperial delegation to the Winter Court. But maybe also to celebrate our honeymoon, the wedding took place recently, so I don't rule out that our lord had this in mind as well."

"Congratulations on your marriage. Were you married on this planet, or before travelling here? I can't claim to be a tour guide of this planet being that I didn't arrive long ago, but I can recommend some places if you haven't bee here long" Sumiko offered with a smile "depending what you both enjoy doing of course. There is both relaxing and educational in equal bounds within a short travel distance."

"A few months ago, on Asakaze, maybe you've heard of it? A miai took place there." he let out a sigh. "My husband is into scale model. I guess you can find that at the mall?" he shook his head slightly, "I thank you for your offer, but I think I'm most likely to focus on the Winter Court, honeymoon can be after that,..."

He started massaging his arms a bit. "You said you had experienced academic training, do you have an area you studied in particular?"

"Asakaze? That's a Phoenix world isn't it? Forgive me for having not heard of it, I spent a long time with the Firefly recently and news doesn't reach that far often it seems" Sumiko lowered her head in apology "scale model? Hm, hai there should be some stores with that. Is it for more tactical or recreational activities? I take it that Miya-sama finds something else more interesting than scale models?""

Sumiko took a moment to pour some water over her face before answering the last question.

"I like to study everything, something I'm blessed to having access to serving in a library although I'm more versed in technology. I've spent a long time working with computers and other such technological gadgets. "

"If you don't know Asakaze, you haven't missed anything. Except for mushrooms and murderous beasts, there's not much there," he said with a somewhat sad undertone.

"As for my interests: I play Go, read a lot and deal with all parts of the economy. You could add bot programming and designing to the list, but I really only do that amateurishly. But if you have many areas of knowledge, we can exchange our knowledge and opinions, there is also almost no area that I have not acquired somehow," he explained.

"Mushrooms?" There was a look of confusion, but she didn't push the topic more as the man spoke on his interests.

"Oh, programming? How interesting, I've done a little of that myself but never for a bot. More to make processes run more smoothly. We have many similar interests it seems, although I've not studied into economical as much as it's not been something I've needed to research. Have you brought a bot to program with you to this court?"

He nodded. "It gives me peace and strength to work on the little automaton. Admittedly, its functions are quite limited so far. It was created during a competition, which it won. Maybe I'll manage to move the bot to a new chassis, even if it's a lot of work."

"Do you mean moving the program? I would expect that to require changes in the code to compensate for its new design, and potentially extra subprograms for any extra new inclusions. Like a car, you can't just put one engine into another, there's always extra changes that are needed."

Sumiko looked curious, before she added "would I be able to see your current work? Not now of course unless your bot works underwater. I'd like to offer my assistance as I think I could help and it sounds like a very worthy cause."

"Of course, some adjustments have to be made, but a larger chassis obviously allows more room for improvement. The goal would be to be able to use it as a small companion one day. The heuristic unit is running well so far, well enough to respond to commands, make simple decisions and serve tea, but I would like something more. If Susumu-san knows about it, it would be a pleasure to invite you to the embassy for tea and programming," he says happily.

His goal to improve the bot was indeed one of the few things that drove him forward and his enthusiasm was obvious.

"I think I could certainly help with that" Sumiko nodded with a smile "perhaps we could look into it a little tomorrow? As long as it wouldn't take some of Miya-samas time, I understand Miya-sama has very important duties. Other than my morning prayers I don't believe my schedule is too busy."

"You can go to the embassy, you should be able to ask for me at the front desk. Except for the sake tasting tomorrow, I should not have any major appointments." he replied.

"Of course" Sumiko agreed "it wouldn't be good to avoid a gathering for some programming. As part of my morning prayers I often travel through the city, if the morning would be a suitable time then I will make sure to arrive at the Imperial embassy promptly in the morning."

He thought for a moment.

"Sounds like a reasonable plan. Starting in the morning is a good way to stimulate the mind, don't you think?"

"I agree completely. Stimulate the mind, prepare for the day ahead. It's a lesson my senseis used to insist on teaching when students were woken up very early in the morning" Sumiko said with a chuckle "although some of my classmates certainly didn't agree with stimulating the mind that early."

"My comrades back then were similar, although my training had a different focus. Many were envious of my economic talent, but I always felt it was a game to turn numbers, connect them, move them around and make something out of them. Add to that a good cup of tea and the morning is perfect."