"Oi, what did I just say? Be quiet. Or do the doshin have to split your heads so that our doctors can find out what's wrong with your ears? We have all the pieces for torture and study right here, we might not even have to wait until we leave the restaurant."

They were Spider, after all. Sometimes you had to put it in terms they couldn't ignore.

The second warning got a raised eyebrow out of Tsugiharu. A single warning was prudent if someone was potentially useful to you. But two warnings? One started to wonder if Shokomaru was a lot weaker or Katsuo was a lot stronger than originally assessed.

He sipped his sake.

But at least the man had good taste in sake. That couldn't be denied.

Satoru for his part sighed inwardly as he sipped his sake. The Nakodo was insufferable but how had Nara not learned that sometimes those above you just going to shit on you and you either actually do something about it or just take it. Hopefully Shokomaru's threat dealt with it, he had brought his medical kit but he really didn't want to work instead of eat lunch. He was actually pretty hungry.

The intense stare was focused on Shokomaru, then to Nara. The cup was held in his hand, barely moving. Assessing the situation. He had thoughts, and the thoughts of his spectral rider in his ear. He was certain that she could attract a fine Crane, or even Scorpion, who enjoyed the arts and worked in entertainment.

It would take effort though. "Daigotsu Katsuo-sama. What should we be doing to make ourselves more enticing to our allies? Should we prioritize marrying others in, or ourselves marrying out?"

While the situation escalated and then de-escalated, she simply kept to the side and listened to the conversation unfold. She knew the pecking order and, having made enough of a contribution to the group writ large, knew it was time to listen to her superiors and kohai.

Shokomaru gave nothing away.

He was a foot on the table, then over it, hand grabbing Ryuu's neck and slamming him down on his back before anyone had a mind to react.

"Daigotsu-san, perhaps you didn't hear me before, but since I haven't explained fully in every last detail possible, I suppose I will now. Susumu Nara-san and Daigotsu Katsuo-san are going to let us now without any shadow of a doubt that their squabbling is finished for the remainder of this meal, and we are all going to eat. If you have matters to be of aid to either of them", he squeezed Ryuu's neck harder. "then you can kindly fucking wait until after. Is that understood?" he waited for the Obsidian magistrate to nod yes.

Were he not wary, it would be likely he wouldn't have been able to put anhand against the wrist of the higher status Daigotsu. His eyes widened, as his back slammed against the ground. His own grip tightened on the wrist of Shokomaru. Neck muscles tensed, a slight sneer forming on his lips.

He had the Strength to fight back.

This was the display of Control that was needed. Even as the pressure on his neck threatened to cut off his air, anger burned in those Doji eyes of his.

But the nod was given.

...Or not, sure, it could wait. They had time, presuming none of the staff decided to intervene. It was obvious that the competition for the best web was on, and it was one she was not too interested in.

The tea was nice, at least.

"Good", he said and let go, then walked back over the table, settling down to sit again. He drank his fucking sake.

Servants came with dishes soon after. He seemed expectant that people would stop fucking around now.

Watching the ensuing struggle and the words exchanged, Geppu was simply silent as he was commanded to be. Once the food arrived however, he gestured to a nearby sauce bottle.

"Pass the ginger sauce, please."

Satoru passed the sauce to the Susumu his expression unreadable as he shifted to a neutral On. He struggled enough with big gatherings without the added complication of negative emotions.

Ryuu stood, adjusting his collar, then pulling the hem of his jacket to readjust the uniform back to propriety. Sitting down, he cleared his throat, before taking a long drink from the sake.

In time, Shokomaru would pay for that. Ryuu was nothing if not patient.

"Lunch selections are excellent. Our hosts have wonderful amenities." He responded, taking a selection of pickled veg with his rice. "Is there hot sauce anywhere?"

The request for ginger sauce was a banal one. The request for hot sauce...especially after being violently choked...was an interesting test of strength.

Given the different culinary traditions of the guests, a small server of a selection of hot sauces was available and near Tsugiharu. They ranged in strength from, 'This tomato was in the same room as a pinch of black pepper.' to "Oh kami, why have you forsaken me?!?'

Wordlessly, Tsugiharu slid the server over to Ryuu, curious to see just how strong Ryuu thought he was.

"Thank you." He nodded to the scientist taking the server. He grabbed the one with the warning label. He splashed some on his meal, the aroma of peppers, vinegar, and heat. Taking his chopsticks, he took a bite with a heavy dab of the sauce. His eyes narrowed, savoring the bite.

"They used too much artificial capcasin in this. Drowns out the natural flavor of the pepper for just heat." He didn't reach for his sake. Another bite. "The heimin on Shiragiku would sell that as a soft drink."

"Your reputations says otherwise, Darling." Katsuo offered Nara one of his disarming smiles. "And try brag about your shooting skills. I don't think that the Crane want a bride who smells like gun oil." he paused, waving his hand under his nose. "Unless you find a Daidoji who smells like gun oil."



"Of course, Daigotsu-sama." Katsuo bobbed his head at the commander.



"Ah, I believe that is easy." the older man quipped. "Excel. Outdo everyone else. Show them what we are made of. As for marrying in or our, it's much like fornicating. It doesn't matter if you are top or bottom as long as everyone involved are reaping benefits from the transaction." He chuckled. "Marry out and we might win an ally, a sympathetic ear. Marry someone into Spider and well, we get extra pair of hands, extra set of balls or a womb. A win-win, if you may."

Shokomaru ending the talking abruptly by trying to slam Ryuu down got a slight jump of surprise from Nara, who looked at the man for a bit before nodding and starting on her food.

After a few moments she couldn't help but let a small giggle escape. The situation was funny.

I'm gonna make you look like a dumbass Katsuo she thought to herself with a smirk.

This was turning out to be shit.

Shokomaru wasn't the type to demand obedience through violence. It was just how Spider did things sometimes. He thought it was stupid. He recalled his first day with the 5th, the advice his father gave him was to kill someone, anyone, for any reason he could find just to show them all he was a proper leader.

Stupidly, he did. He'd never been so unnerved. Even more sad, it had worked. It didn't mean he should have been in the clear, but fortunately for him his gunso was also new and supported him instead of looking for weakness. He didn't feel like he'd be so lucky again.

Tama really was one of a kind. More unfortunate, if he was successful here at the miai, he'd be losing that support. Losing her.

He ate, actually pissed off for the first time in a long time.

Taking Shokomaru's sit down as a sign of the storm having passed, Shirokiku decided to risk changing the subject.

Taking out her brush and some paper, she wrote down her communicator details, before sliding it into the middle of the table.

"If you need to contact me, minna-sama, here are my communicator numbers."

It was her hope that a welcome, useful change of subject could help settle the atmosphere.

"Here..." Katsuo pushed his communicator on the middle of the table, showing his number. "Don't hesitate to contact me. I am here to help."

____

OOC: Please PM Tassu if you message Katsuo.

The chuui likewise shared his contract info after taking down the others given so far.

"Don't hesitate if there's something I can help with."