Tetsu is in plainer clothes than many but have been scrupulously cleaned, excited for his dinner out. "It's a tiny bit fancier than the Starcade, but it's nice if you like that sort of thing"

He's trying to appear nonchalant

"It will be interesting." Hoshiko nodded. "I've never been here. Usually I just go to a food cart."

"A lady after my own heart." Tetsu's confidence becomes a bit less forced. "Some of the best meals of my life have been in little run down stalls whenever we made port. I am looking forward though. Best use of arcade tickets ever!"

"Agreed!" she smiled. "Thank you for suggesting this."

"So, I know this is the dumbest line ever but...first miai?" Tetsu shakes his head. "Look, I know it's a dumb question, but I really sometimes still have to wonder what I'm doing here"

"I think most of us do." she shrugged. "I doubt many of us were actively seeking to be matched. I wasn't expecting to be selected for the miai either. But, here we are."

"Well, it's a duty." Tetsu takes a sip of his sake and lets out a sigh. "I don't think I realized the reality that I might have to leave my Clan for another really sunk in until a day or two ago. Honestly though, it was a bit of a relief. I'm on active duty at the moment, which makes courting someone...well, complicated."

Tetsu seems to think. "Oh right! I never mentioned, I'm serving in the Crab fleet as an Engineering Officer. Mostly running around belowdecks to make sure that things don't break down and making sure the big guns go "pew pew" What about yourself?"

"I'm training to be a navigator." she explained. "My initial training has been with the Osprey, to learn their techniques for communing with the kami. Soon, though, I'll be leaving Asakaze, regardless of who I'm matched with."

"Really?" Tetsu blinks a little. "I didn't know they took students. But that's...that could really be amazing. I mean, the reputation the Phoenix have that trickled over to us is that you are hands down the greatest magical engineers in the Empire. Kami assisted navigation might make your fleet the most mobile in space"

"The Phoenix and the Osprey both inhabit Asakaze." she shrugged. "I had the opportunity to learn from the Nakauchi and it seemed like the best way to reach the stars."

"Still, that's a really unique way to learn." Tetsu pauses. "But why are you leaving no matter what?"

"I can't really serve as a navigator here." she explained. "I'd like to be able to return often for visits. But, that will depend on where I'm assigned."

"I guess that makes sense. After all, you can't navigate and never travel. Still, there are benefits to travel, right? You get to see all sorts of places...I'm amazed at how different even Crab worlds can be whenever we make port." Something seems to register. "Have you...left Asakaze then?"

"No." she admitted. "But, I've always dreamed of it. My father served in the Phoenix fleet before coming to Asakaze. He told me many stories."

Tetsu grins. "Well, let me tell you, you're in for a treat. Not that Asakaze is bad...it's a beautiful place. But there's just...so much. It's all just so, well, different. We all went out and looked for different worlds, and we all did different things. Nothing makes you appreciate coming home like being away from a while"

He appraises the woman for a while. "If you had a choice, what would you do? Where would you go?"

"Hmmm.... I've always wanted to visit Ujimitsu."she mused. "I've met a few Phoenix who have been there. It sounds amazing. What about you?"

"A bit of everywhere I guess. The Imperial Court might be a dream come true. In the end though, I think I'm always going to be a kid from the Fundai shipdocks. It's where my parents meer. What about yours? They were lucky enough to have a shugenja! "

"My mother is a researcher. She studies the flora and fauna of the fungal forests." she explained. "Father oversees the ranch hands at one of the otori ranches. It's not the same as his military service, but he seems to enjoy it."

"You mean like Drumstick?" Tetsu realizes what he has said and covered his lips. "Sorry, I named the Otori I tamed. He's... interesting. They're useful birds, I just personally prefer my rides more mechanical in nature. Though..."

Tetsu presses a thumb against his chin. "Does he buy them? I have no way to take Drumstick with me when I leave"

"I'm sure arrangements will be made for those leaving otori behind." she said. "They're very useful to us here on Asakaze, but I can't imagine them being as useful on ships or other worlds."