[D2, EA, open] Retail therapy

[Matsu Ishioka]

Yuzu earns a small series of sniffs that can be interpreted as a chuckle from Ishioka, and a modest shift in his face that vaguely alludes to smiling.

"Seppun-sama honors me and I must accept," he says happily. "I should perhaps affirm what are no doubt your suspicions, that although the fare is quite tasty, I'm sure it is very humble by imperial standards."

[Seppun Yuzu]

"Anything done honorably and with care and effort is a Imperial standard." He replies, approaching the stall and taking a seat at the counter. As the cook comes to get orders, he asks the Lion, "How do you like yours?"

[Matsu Ishioka]

"The regular noodle bowl and the spiced lemon chicken is my favorite so far," he says somewhat quietly, in case the imperial wants to take the suggestion but not be seen parroting what the Lion said. Ishioka waits to order next.

[Seppun Yuzu]

He nods, satisfied with Ishioka's taste. The, making sure the vendor got the order without having to repeat, Yuzu orders his, "mildly spicy thick broth pork ramen with two soft boiled eggs and yuzu fruit zest sprinkled on top, onegaishimasu!"

Producing chopsticks from his sleeve pocket, he mentions, "Matsu-san seems to have a similar taste for citric and spice."

[Matsu Ishioka]

Ishioka did his head in recognition of what he assumes is a compliment.

"My career around Kyuden Hida has allowed me to try more diverse food than the Crab are usually given credit for. There are plenty of ways to go wrong, but starting with citrus and a medium spice profile is starting on the right path," the Lion observes as they wait. "Of course, I'm just a soldier, no master chef."

[Seppun Yuzu]

Damn boi. Yuzu flares up those caramel eyes as the Lion mentions standing at the wall. He nods to Ishioka, proud to have met a veteran. "Thank you for your service," he adds with a bow as the food arrive. "Tell me about the wall, how was it like?

He quickly adds just after that, digging in the ramen, "Eto... itadakimasu."

[Matsu Ishioka]

The Lion gives a tiny shake of his head at the thanks.

"I haven't served like the defenders of the Wall, Seppun-sama. The Crab would not hear of just any random samurai trying to aid them in their sacred duty. But I escorted a particularly inquisitive Ikoma diplomat to a brief tour of a portion of the Wall - an official trip, sanctioned by the Crab to improve relations. It was... Not exactly successful, although it was largely so," Ishioka says vaguely, seeming to hold back a dramatic story.

[Seppun Yuzu]

Slurping the ramen, he nods at the explanation –– which he not truly gets all the details –– and questions further, "Did you fight the... eto... enemies of the Empire?"

It is clear he wants to know more about the taboo topic, but doesn't want to be rude about it.

[Matsu Ishioka]

The Lion takes another bite as he considers an audience - and setting-appropriate answer. Although the young man clearly wanted to know, it wasn't really Ishioka's place to explain.

"Hai, Seppun-sama, there were enemies of the empire there, atop that almost impossibly tall wall, even near to the seat of the Crab champion. The clan does the empire a great service to keep such enemies at bay, as they are... very much a different kind of foe than we typically train to fight." The Matsu coughs politely. "Of course, as I said, the noble Crab are the experts on this. I have seen enough simply to appreciate the gravity of the threat."

[Seppun Yuzu]

He keeps digging into the bowl with great gusto. After all, he is still growing. A pause and he comments, "Did you ever cross to the... other side?"