While certainly dressed for clubbing, Chiyoko certainly had feelings about this situation. The music was louder than she is used to. They expect you to dress up way fancier than she prefers. All the drinks are stupid expensive (not that she has money for drinks). And yet, according to the Ikoma who was walking her through everything, it was important to be seen.

She made a note to let him see her fist across his face if s she ever saw him again.

But she was here. And there was no avoiding it. She strut into the club, looking around and quietly hoping for a familiar face to focus to.

"Oh, Daigotsu Katsuo-aan. Don't worry, if he tries.to talk to you, tell me. I'll handle him."

He leaned in the bar, addressing the subject of Crab and Spider.

"She's nice, I don't see the problem. Have you two met?"

The drink was placed down in front of Ishiyo by the bartender.

She let out a nervous laugh, "I take it this Daigotsu Katsuo-san is the nakodo?" Shokomaru's words didn't leave much confidence the the Spider's matchmaker.

"Yes...not too long before I came here, we had lunch togetheh." Ishiyo sipped her drink, "So then Daigotsu-sama, purely the business of the miai tonight oh are you more interested in a relaxing evening?"

“Never underestimate a Fox.” She grinned in return. And then Hide eyed his drink. “That looks good. What is it called? I might get one, too.”

At Eriko’s suggestion, Hide perked up. An actual compliment! “Ah, you think so? I’m not used to being told so.”

"We... We might have been bad at meeting and coordinating so far. I know Nishida and Tetsu have found a bar they deemed agreeable, but I haven't visited it yet. We also appear to have vastly different schedules. Guess it comes from each of us coming from a different background.

Might ask Nishida to organize something actually. Would be a great idea. Could I have your com' ID so I can notice you of when and where it'll happen?"

The spirit was what mattered, the technique less so, so the Poneh sent to the Foxeh fraternal signs of approval.

Late is forgivable if one is fashionably late, at least that is what Hakka's favorite sensei used to say during the lessons that involved how one must present themselves, even in more esoteric situations. Like, say, nightclubs.

The thrum and wub of the speakers and bass together caused goosepimples to raise on her arms and she moved her way through the crowd, shifting to the side here and there to avoid the more excitable patrons, with an amused smirk playing at the corners of her mouth.

Late is forgivable if one is fashionably late, at least that is what Hakka's favorite sensei used to say during the lessons that involved how one must present themselves, even in more esoteric situations. Like, say, nightclubs.

The thrum and wub of the speakers and bass together caused goosepimples to raise on her arms and she moved her way through the crowd, shifting to the side here and there to avoid the more excitable patrons, with an amused smirk playing at the corners of her mouth.

Even in a club full of people dressing to impress Hakka would be hard to miss. Satoru pushed off the bar and made his way toward the ever fashionable Crane and gave as much of a bow as the crowd would allow "Doji-san good to see you again, not sure if you remember, we met last night at the mixer."

It wasn't that Chiyoko hadn't noticed Jin. More that a certain white haired crane got her attention more aptly. She smiled and nodded to the Hare, then slipped into the crowd on a direct intercept course. She might have tried to play it off as an accidental bump, if she were clever enough to think of it. As it was, she simply maneuvered her way in front of Hakka. "Hey!" She raised her voice to be heard over the music. "Come here often?!"

...Smooth, Chiyoko. Even she realized that was lame as hell.

He siddled up slightly more to the Crane woman, but didn't get in her face.

"I like the business of this miai so far", he said quietly. "But if you want my honest opinion, I can place no fault on you if you want to make this a party or even if you want to leave and play a board games. Even if say you and I don't get married, I'd like it if I had some friends made when this is all over. What do you say to that?" and he leaned on his elbow on the bar.

Ishiyo's eyes widened a bit and she leaned back a little, "I meant more is this a pleasant evening oh still all business."

"If my earlier words implied...more then my apologies." She blushed a little at that. "I am not particularly used to these sorts of parties, been on a carrieh for past yeah." A nervous chuckle escaped her lips as the curled into an apologetic smile.

"Kuchiki-sama, well met this evening," she says, after straightening from her own bow. "Our conversation on courtiers being where courtiers was certainly about to lead us down an interesting road, so, yes, this one remembers you well." A flick of a grin appeared on Hakka's face at that, as her fan appeared. Though, where she had it stowed was a bit of a mystery considering the outfit choice. Had it been tucked in the stylized wing motif?


"Oh! Greetings to you as well, Matsu-san!" She bows to the taller Lion. "I do not, in fact, come here often, but this place certainly warrants a second appearance perhaps later one during these festivities! It's quite a showing of-" she gives a pointed look at the various dancers "-enthusiasm and dexterity." That smirk makes an appearance once more before it settles to something a little more appropriate.

"No, I suppose you wouldn't," she let out a laugh, only mildly awkward. Recovery time. "It is quite the thing, yeah. I can't remember when I've seen anything like it." She takes a moment watching one of the dancers, before her attention returns to Hakka.

Did i say something wrong already? I said I'd like to be friends even if she isn't interested in marrying me. Is blushing just a trained Crane response when they miss what you say due to noise? Maybe that's it.

He didn't quit the smiling.

"Right, the Golden Heron was it? I've been an office, or ditches, or in the middle of screaming and shooting. I seem to have found my zen in it and the people around me are loyal enough. We still party, you know. Living as a Spider isn't all dark music and feeling angsty."

He was clearly teasing a bit now, to let her know he wasn't offended. He took up his class again and polished off the sake.

"Though what I don't have many of is friends. Not sure where you thought I was going with it, but I meant that. If Daidoji Ishiyo-san is for it. Though if we do get married, don't let the friendship complicate things."

Wink.

She blinked then her blush deepened, and she took a long drink to hide it. "My apologies...I thought....neveh mind what I thought."

Ishiyo's cheeks lightened, "And...I meant more, I was stuck on a carrieh for a solid yeah. Not many social functions on a long patrol, yes even on a Crane ship."

She sighed, "...I guess to be fully open, most of my social life before the Crane Fleet was fatheh's parties. There was a different sort of vibe then here."

"By few friends do you mean outside of the Spider...or at all?" Her empathy was beginning to kick in and her naivety.