"I believe there must be some over-the-counter remedies for that," Nozomi suggested. She closed her eyes and sighed. "But, if I must during the duration of this miai, I will be there the morning after if you were to message me."

"That's truly sweet on you, Kitsu-san." Hayato offered with a soft smile. "It takes a kind heart to be so helpful to a rascal like me." His smile turned into a smirk as he continued. "Still, I'll endeavor to not to get so intoxicated that I will have to call on your aide the next morning."

Nozomi rolled her eyes, though there was an embarrassed smile on her lips. "Ah, well, it's a priestess' duty to help when she can, right?"

"I suppose it is." Hayato replied flashing a grin at the young woman. "Though i should likely add i find that helpful nature of yours charming."

"It's not what I was expecting when we first met."

The priestess blinked and then she nodded enthusiastically. "Ah! You probably thought I'd be a no-nonsense sort who would scold you for a single misstep, yes?"

"Something like that." He admitted with a soft chuckle. "Though I don't think your lips are meant for disapproving frowns, so it's a bit better this way."

"I suppose i thought I'd be looked down on quite a bit more. Where instead you and your clan proved quite refreshing."

"Truth be told, I don't know where I got these smiling lips from. My parents weren't exactly the happy-go-lucky types."

Nozomi chuckled awkwardly. "There's some touchy politics, of course. But, if you want my opinion, there is far worse company here than the Mantis ever could be." She pushed her glasses up. "Besides, war is in the nature of the Lion. We're not like some prissy courtiers who can't believe someone would dare oppose us."

"Touchy politics indeed." He agreed with a wry smile. "I supoose though I didn't really know what to expect. You and Ikoma-san are the first Lions I've really come to know."

"Though i suppose on the surface she does come off as quite thecdour type."

"She can be rather dour," Nozomi admitted, giggling at the unpresent Lion's expense. "But I appreciate that about her. It's at least more respectable among my clan than my own behavior."

She tilted her head. "You seem rather personable. I expected many of the Mantis to be like you, actually."

"Oh? I'm not quite sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing, Kitsu-san." He teased. "Considering politics."

"Either way Ikoma-san is quite funny ilunder that dour exterior, I take it you like her?"

"You surprised me in your own way. Maybe we were friends in another life," Nozomi said with a faint smile.

"As for Shoan, of course I like her. She's a member of my clan, after all."

"I don't think you're required to like every member of your clan, Kitsu-san." He replied with a teasing smile.

"Still I'll take that as acknowledging that you're friends."

"It's a good assumption to make. She's the first Lion among the ones here that I got to know. Other than myself, of course."

He paused for a moment and gave Nozomi a curious look. "....Do you talk to yourself often then Kitsu-san?"

"Or is it new to Asakaze." The mantis was probably teasing.

Nozomi shrugged. "It might seem like I'm talking to myself during prayers, at least. But... I think a lot of people sometimes say a short sentence alone."

"As long as you're not having full conversations." Hayato replied with a chuckle. He was a bit surprised that the lion had taken him seriously though.

"I guees you are right though, we all talk to ourselves from time to time."

"No, no full conversations to myself," Nozomi said with a soft smile. "Though sometimes it's easy to talk to the wind. Let it carry the words to the intended recipient, be they alive or dead."

He nodded at that. "There is some truth to that." It wasn't particularly something he did himself though.

"I suppose whether they hear it or not depends on if they are listening though."

Nozomi shrugged. "You never say anything like 'Ancestors guide me?' "

"Not often." He replied with a shrug.

"Not that I don't want them to. I just don't like asking."