He nodded, accepting that truth.

"You never know."

Was that dinner he smelled? He really hoped so.

It was indeed the food he smelled, mushrooms included. Ishiyo watched in silence as they were served. She let the silence drag on as they ate some of the meal.

"An often spoken phrase." She mused, "How is the food?"

"Convincingly well prepared", he allowed after chewing and not spitting it out. He smiled like he was into it. "Nothing beats mushrooms from the mushroom planet."

He took another bite. At least the rice was plain.

"Though really, the sauce has a nicer savoury flavor. Subtle. You like?:

"I find the food quite nice, better then military meals no?" Ishiyo smiled, "Or worse cold rations."

Her expression turns more apologetic, "Sorry...I was not aware of you-eh tastes, if I had been a little more inquiring perhaps you would enjoy the meal more."

"Its good, and chef choice as you said", he chewed like a trooper, eating shit with a smile. "Did you know Kashi-Wa has a sweet and sour sauce that tastes like mushrooms? Quaint."

Ishiyo sighed, "If you are trying to impress me by eating something you do not like...it is not working." She went back to eating, "Anyway...I rather like it myself. I feel the chef chose very well."

"Impress you with eating mushrooms? Ah, yes. I can defeat any fungus, Daidoji-san. I thought about having some yakisoba delivered but i don't think they'll let me back in if I do."

He ate more mushrooms.

"You are an infuriating person Sho...Daigotsu-sama." She glared at him and continued to eat...now with an exaggerated daintiness. "I do not know what possesses me to put up with you-eh shenanigans."

"Well, I don't put on shenanigans for just anybody", he said, feigning a bit of hurt.

Ishiyo glared at him as she ate. Then sighed, "This kimono is stuffy."

"Is that why it fits you so well?" He quipped. Then went back to his plate.

"Actually, it very much suits you, I truly to feel fortunate to see you in it. I know it's a long process just to meet a scoundrel like me."

"I am not stuffy." Ishiyo stuck a bite of mushroom in her mouth to give her time to calm down. Another sigh, "I suppose I do look good in it, if one wants the classic Doji maiden."

She finished her meal and drink, "Back to sniping at each otheh it seems."

He put his chopsticks down and regarded her mildly. "Is it not part of the fun? I think you've gotta good at it, but...since we're here and I'm being too entertaining, least to my self, I should be more mindful of you, I think you're right. Is there anything you feel like discussing?"

He wasn't looking at her cheekily for once, he held a hand out to her to go on.

Ishiyo looked down and sighed, "I do not know. There is a lot of uncertainty about my feelings and this miai. I think I preferred my initial assessment of just find someone I could tolerate, marry them, and we both go back to doing whateveh we had been doing before. You-eh actions have helped confuse things, though less so then some othehs."

"Daidoji-san wants to not snipe at one another, ahem...I assume she does not, but then goes on to talk about her confused feelings toward marriage instead of taking the out to start a whole new subject altogether", he seemed think it over, then shrugged and ate his mushrooms. "Sounds like you really have no idea at all what you're doing. So try me", he said after chewing. "Just be honest, if it's something I can help with then I will. I'm starting to like you that much."

Ishiyo blinks a few times, then sighs, "Faih enough...just forget I said anything." She looks to her own empty plate. "It is close to time for me to be going anyway."

He shrugged and finished his food.

"That's fine, you aren't my wife yet, can't whine at you until you break down and spill it."

Wiping his face with s napkin he smiled.

"Buuut.. you'd feel better if you did. Maybe someday."

Ishiyo frowned then her face returned to a more neutral expression. "Perhaps. But that is something foh anotheh time."

She rose and bowed, "Thank you for accepting my dinner apology for the other night." Her tone had turned friendly again.

"Well, you weren't kidding about leaving. Do i stink or something? Say something next time", he stood up as well. "I thought we were at least friends."

He smiled.

Then bowed.

"Thank you for the meal, and the spar, Daidoji-san. You are a treat for this mongrel."

Ishiyo smiles at that, "Daigotsu-sama does not encompass all of my plans foh this evening." Her expression was demure, but their was mischief in her eyes.

"You have a gift at upsetting me, in a strangely charming sort of way. Carry the fortunes favoh, Dai-got-su-sa-ma."

And she made her

/exit