(D1 EE common room) tea for one or two?

[Usogawa Emiko]

Emiko bowed when the man returned, putting her cup down as well.

"Oh, you've started to make it your own! I didn't know Shosuro-san had skill in carving" she leaned in to examine it "seems like a nice flute. You've tried it you said? Well tuned, that's good. Have you named it?" She looked up at him with an amused smile

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

"it's not quite the storm lightning katana of the waves...but perhaps I will", he said. Who names their instruments they buy from a vendor? Is that a thing? An otter thing? Did she name her violin? "What is your uh...secret weapon named?"

[Usogawa Emiko]

Emiko tried to cover up a laugh.

"Storm..lightning katana of the waves? I was more thinking like simple names! My flute is called Keshi" she took her flute out. There was nothing fancy or flowery about it, it looked like a simple flute.

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

What's wrong with such an epic name? It's not like i'm naming something else that.

He gulped down thoughts about that.

Does she not have friends and needs to name her instruments or is this really just an Otter thing?

"I see, as I said", he told her quietly. "Maybe I will." He left the flute on the table for a moment, considering it. Mostly he was just avoiding eye contact. "Do you, that is...well, are you looking forward to perhaps performing more publicly sometime?"

[Usogawa Emiko]

"The story is always more important than the name anyway" Emiko said with a few nods as if that explained everything, before picking up her cup to sip her tea.

"Mm, hai I'd like to perform more publicly. I've considered a few ideas but nothing set in stone yet. Maybe putting on a play, or just finding somewhere t perform a musical set."

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

Well a daimyo's daughter should have more going for her than that...

He also sipped tea.

"I think people want to see you perform", he said. "They just aren't aware of it. Having people bring it up helps them realize what they already knew."

[Usogawa Emiko]

"Is this Shosuro-sans way of asking for me to perform again?" Emiko chuckled "maybe you're right though. Perhaps not with the vi-o-lin though, it may be some time before that is acceptable. It'd be lonely performing on my own though."

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

"A Shosuro doesn't ask for something that shouldn't be done", he said with s shrug. "Though I think everyone would enjoy Usogawa-san's talent. You've been up and down the river of gold, I'm sure many agree with me."

[Usogawa Emiko]

"This is true, I've fallen into many parts of that river too" Emiko said, covering up a giggle "thank the kami I can swim! I'll take it under consideration though and see if I can find a good place and time to perform. Everyone is very focused right now, and I wouldn't wish to be a distraction."

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

"Well there are plays for distraction at night, but I think an evening of music afterward would be welcome, maybe do it later in the miai when people are trying to establish proper romance?" He suggested.