Shokomaru read the weather report. He'd been various places under the rain curtain, he still had an umbrella he snatched from the hotel. It seemed the rain would clear up by evening, so now, before hitting the bath, he could go scouting. There had to be a decent place to pick for a meal. Something a little rustic, something that would have a nice feel with the scent of the rain still hanging in the air.

Of course, the smell out here itself wasn't that nice, but the rain itself had helped a little. If the heat stayed down, it might have be a little more fresh, which would be nice. So he walked through the rain, stopping from time to time at an overhang to have a smoke and talk to locals about where to get the best noodles in the area was.

There were many things around the residential district, and it all seemed to flow together into one smell, one look, one loud cacophony of sound.

In that, Fusako stuck out like a sore thumb. She wore a white dress today, and carried a matching white parasol in case it rained. She didn't seem bothered by the smell, or didn't notice it, or at the very least was polite enough not to say anything about it.

A samurai dressed like she was clearly got looks and space, but she gave none of it any mind as she just seemed to be walking lost in a bit of inner thought, glancing around, not having noticed Shokomaru to her side.

Shokomaru however did notice the Crane beauty.

He cleared his throat.

"Nice day we're having", he offered. "I was hoping it'd rain and here we are."

Pausing to glance over, her bright blue eyes looked Shokomaru over carefully with a quick glance before she gave a bow. "Daigotsu-sama certainly got his wish indeed, though as a guess, most around here would prefer things a bit drier. I find it reminds me of home, though a bit less... well, Crane. Asahina Fusako."

"Daigotsu Shokomaru", he answered with a nod. "Rain reminds you of home, huh? I felt the same. Though the hot humid spells I could do without."

"True enough, though a bit of heat is better than a bit of cold," she noted, though she seemed to be studying him differently now. "The commander... I was curious if I would run into you Daigotsu-sama. Out here on the crowded streets was hardly what I suspected."

"Well, as I didn't bring my goons with me, I have to do recon myself", he said easily. "I didn't think I'd run across a classy bird like you out here, either."

He blew smoke.

"But here we are. Having fun?"

She allowed herself the faintest of smirks at that. "I always make certain to enjoy myself Daigotsu-sama, though I admit I usually find more fun to be had in classier places than this. What of yourself? Finding the miai thought provoking I hope?"

"I'd say so", he told her.

In truth, it was the best time of his life in a way. In others it was...

"Beautiful people, games, challenges, a foreign world with lots to see. I imagine we'll find an excuse for swimwear after this rain clears", he smirked. "Though as you'd expect, meeting new faces has been the best part."

He took a drag off his cig.

"You can only marry one, but this is a rare chance to make friends from all different parts of the empire."

"Does your role not see you travel much Daigotsu-sama? I confess, I read only a little about your file record, so I am uncertain what it entailed for you. This is my first time here, but I have traveled a good bit for business." She looked sidelong at him, keeping just a bit of distance between them.

"I go where I'm shipped out to", he said, leaning on the wall to look at her directly instead of sidelong. He folded his arms and puffed his cig. "Only been serving for two years really, so it hasn't been that exciting yet."

Except all the screaming and death.

"I imagine I'll be allowed to travel a bit after my wedding, but after that it's back on campaign. My Legion is fairly busy", he concluded. "Though for yourself, you travel a bit, huh? Business is it? Ah, i read you were a fashion guru or something?"

She gave a light chuckle at that. "Fashion guru, hm? I'm a designer, and like to think I have some talent, but I am hardly a prodigy or teacher, not yet. Still, wherever you read that was quite kind to me. Traveling for business talks and research for the product line is quite important, though most of my time's been spent in shuttles and hotels I confess."

He gave a slightly wistful look, watching smoke drift into the air. "Sounds tough."

And it did. He hated travel. Hated flying especially. Duty, though. Maybe this Asahina saw it the same way, but it doesn't change that it sounded tough to him.

"Oh, it had its moment for certain. Still, it's a part of the job, and I thrive on a bit of change and adversity. It certainly can't be any more difficult than a life on the front of the battlelines." She meant that no less than he had his.

He nodded his head in appreciation.

"I suppose there are things you get used to as your situation develops", he admitted. "I always knew what I'd be getting into though... so believe me when i say even that can't fully spell it out. Though I can see your point, Asahina-san."

He took another drag. "Feel like some coffee? Saw a place back the other way a bit and I'm thinking we can continue discussing with a better setting."

"I'm not a huge coffee drinker, but something hot would be nice all the same. Maybe they'll have some tea or hot sake?" It was her way of saying yes,

"Might be the case", he said and popped his umbrella open again, then lead the way down the street. "You a sake drinker, huh?"

Fusako followed with an easy going pace. "Mmm, in moderation, hai. Many a business meeting is sealed with a drink after all. I confess I'm a bit of a snob about quality though. You?"

"I admit I'm not picky, and when it comes down to it the boss has to make his goons try hard or I'll look bad", he shrugged, but seemed as if it pleased him. They got to a large parasol with a table beneath it. He took out a handkerchief and wiped down one of the seats, then waved to a servant lazily staring at thr sky from a window.

They all but dashed over.

"Black coffee, tea for the lady", he ordered, then held out the chair for Fusako.

She smirked faintly at the gesture but took the seat all the same with a bow of her head. "Arigato, Daigotsu-sama. I may be a courtier and business woman, but I'm hardly a wilting flower you know. Not like some others from the Doji Academy."