[Day 4 Early Night] To Jigoku with Yume-Do

[Matsu Nintoku]

Nintoku was drenched head to toes. While his stroll had been fortunate and had genuinely soothe him, the clammy touch of his wet clothes was proving to be extremely uncomfortable.

He quickly kindled a fire to warm himself, taking off his clothes and leaving them to dry. He searched his travel trunk for a suitable change finding only his training gi. The dry clothes plus the warmth of the fire were working marvels for him.

He opened his yurt and peaked outside noticing that the downpour still went as strong as before. He went to retrieve a warm towel from his travel pack in preparation for the arrival of his guest.

[Ide Amaya]

Fortunately, it was a short journey. Her kimono was still quite wet from the earlier drenching it had taken, and here she was, getting wet all over again. Her hair was pulled up in a maiden's tail to keep the rain from tangling it.

She scratched at the side of the yurt, "Matsu-Sama? It is Amaya."

[Matsu Nintoku]

"I'm awake" the Lion beaconed from inside, a warm towel waited for the woman atop one of the dressers. "I apologize for not having anything better but between that and the fire it will have to suffice."

The Lion being wet himself was a good indicator that he'd have been outside.

[Ide Amaya]

She entered and accepted the towel greatfully, "thank you, Matsu-Sama, you are most gracious, though I see you have also been out in the downpour."

[Matsu Nintoku]

"Yes I have," he replied throwing more kindling into the fire "I always found an evening stroll quite soothing. Regardless of weather conditions."

[Ide Amaya]

"I'm not so bothered by the rain," she had dried her face and neck, and roughly towelled the worst of the wetness from her hair. "Wet clothing is less pleasant, however." She moved nearer the fire, sitting, studying the Lion in the firelight.

[Matsu Nintoku]

The Lion seemed to be less tense than the previous encounter. He caught her glancing at him and offered her a small smile before returning to tending the fire, making sure that the yurt is warm enough.

"I have to make sure there isn't smoke." he commented "Last thing we want is opening the upper hatch and letting the rain flood the yurutu."

[Ide Amaya]

She smiles at that, "prudent indeed, Matsu-Sama. But, if I might, it is so late, everyone else is a-bed. Does this burden also trouble your sleep?"

[Matsu Nintoku]

His mood grew a bit more somber at her question. He gave her a slow nod as an answer before reaching for a small bottle from his trunk.

"All I have to drink is some sake from the Matsu lands," he eyes the bottle before placing it between them "It is pretty decent and it will warm you up if you so wish."

[Ide Amaya]

She had only had sake once and it had been a most pleasant experience, peaches... she thought. "I would enjoy some sake, I was about the offer my regrets that I had none to offer. I had a feeling it might help smooth the way."

[Matsu Nintoku]

"Trying to get me drunk eh?" he teased her as he opened the bottle. A small whiff of the contents was enough to know that the drink promised to be like a Matsu crime; strong and bitter. He poured two cups raising his own for a toast "Kampai"

Downing it was a test all in itself as the draught was as bitter as they came. "At least the burning sensation warms you up" he said cringing at the bitterness.

[Ide Amaya]

She sniffed at the raw drink experimentally. This was not going to be like the sweet, peach-laced libations of the other night. She takes a generous swallow and coughs, the sake burning all the way down.

[Matsu Nintoku]

He kept an eye on the woman as she downed her cup "There is a reason Matsu lands are not renowned for their sake houses," he met a low chuckle "this sake is to build character rather than to be enjoyed."

[Ide Amaya]

"It's strong, and rough. Like you," she observed with clear sincerity.

[Matsu Nintoku]

"You forgot that it also warms you during the night," he motioned to the fire and threw one last kindling before cleaning his hands and looking at the Ide.

"The rain fits you," he refilled his cup "you look stunning."