Shizuku slipped into the cabinet, feeling completely exhausted. It was a long day, and much more stressful than she had expected. The outcry against Akihiko had been fierce, and she would admit to herself, she'd been feeling like there were glares on her back all day. She was used to being rejected, but the response had been on a whole new level.

She slipped into her spot and waited for the rest of the Clan after putting down her koku for the reservation, breaking out her own finer tea for her clanmates. As it steeped in the hot water she order, she rested her head on the table.

-1 koku for a cabinet

Fusako was next, still wearing her peacock dress from earlier. Slipping into the room, she bowed and gave Shizuku an easy smile. "Good evening, Shizuku-san. And congratulations."

She gracefully took a seat, ordering in some sake.

Shizuku, herself dressed much more casually in shorts and a set of layered tank tops, bowed in return. She looked... mostly just tired, but manages a warm smile for her superior. "Thank you, Asahina-sama. And congratulations to you, as well. I can't help but feel like, from how you seemed together, you and Susumu-san will make quite the power couple."

She gestured to the pot. "Would you like some tea while we wait for the sake?"

That brought a soft chuckle. "Thank you, but tea at this hour would keep me up all night long. And thank you for your words as well. Nara-san is quite talented, and I can only imagine we will feed each other's creativity."

There was a pause, but only a moment. "I had not met your betrothed before, but I will only say this; Benten is not in the habit of making mistakes. Whatever may come, I trust you will both do your ancestors proud. Look to the future, and make it your own."

"I met him on the first day," she replied, a smile crossing her face. "I won't say it was love at first sight... but that's also not entirely wrong. I genuinely wasn't expecting her to actually bless us in this way. Despite everything, I'm happy. We'll get through the rest of it together. Thank you, Asahina-sama."

"I'm looking forward to seeing how your shared creativity comes to fruition."

Ishiyo arrived, still in her dress uniform. She pulled off her kepi and dropped it on the table. "Cousins." The Crane's own expression was an unreadable neutral. Whatever thoughts she possessed were hidden behind a placid On.

"I cannot wait either."

She looked up at Ishiyo as she entered, her own On her more open mask of a slightly playful smile. "Ishiyo-san. Congratulations on your duty done, and a new started."

"So it seems," The Crane pilot responded with a forced smile, "I suppose I should speak with my tailor while I still have easy access to them. Seems my wardrobe will be needing updating."

She waved away the thought easily. "I will, of course, help you with that. It's the least I could do for all of you that I got to know here. Something lighter perhaps. You will, of course, visit for a fitting and talk, hm?"

"Of course," Ishiyo held her smile, "I suppose it would be fitting to ask you-eh assistance in designing a wedding dress as well."

"I would most gladly do so. Visit as much or as little as you need to for design sessions. My place on Isora's Rest is always open." She glanced toward Shizuku. "The same for you Shizuku-san. You both have new experiences ahead of you, and that can be much easier with a bit of travel.

Fusako was still all easy, casual smiles, but her tone was sharp enough to show it was more advice than sympathy.

Shizuku smiled. "I'd be honored to visit and get your expert advice in the next months, Asahina-sama."

Ichika arrived, stepping in with the very kimono she first came to this planet wearing. "Good evening!" she said with a happy little note, offering the gathered group a bow. Rising from it she glanced around and tried her best to get a sense of the set-up, who to sit beside, who's talking about what, you know the important things.

Giving Shizuku a nod, Fusako looked up with an easy grin as Ichika came in. "Evening Ichika-san, and congratulations. Please have a seat. Shizuku-san has tea if you're tired, and I've ordered a bit of celebratory sake."

"Ichika-san," Ishiyo nodded to the arriving Doji.

Shizuku bobbed her head to Ichika. "Welcome, Doji-san."

Kamui walks in, still in his nicest suit. "Hello, Fusako-san, Icjika-san, and cousins. Nice to see you all again. It's been an eventful day. Sorry, I'm a bit late."