winepouring | Inbox

I'm glad to hear that.

But not that! If you're going to be so rude whenever we speak, I'm not going to talk to you anymore.

[It's been a little while since the charity ball, and of course another chroma-draining attack struck Lunatia in the meantime. Well, at least it wasn't a full-on disaster this time around. They have to count their blessings. Hijikata had meant to contact Shi Qingxuan earlier, but alas... he can only hope that she doesn't think he forgot about her. He tries to make up for it with a polite private message.]

Esteemed Shi Qingxuan,

I would like to reach out to you regarding our planned flower viewing and/or moon viewing. I apologise for the delay. Hopefully the season for the former has not entirely passed yet.

Would you have a date in mind for it? Personally I would prefer to avoid the start and middle of the month. You took kindly to my moonblessing, but I would prefer not to subject you to it again.

Thank you very much in advance for your response.

Yours, Hijikata

[ Hmph! ]

Why are you glad to hear it?

[ And just ignores the comment about being rude to Windy. Whatever. ]

[ ...has mr demon not had a single polite conversation in his long life... ]

Why would I not? You're rude, but that's no reason to wish you weren't well. I'm glad that you've been well because I would be concerned if you were in bad shape all of a sudden.

Why be concerned?

[ The amount of ????????????? over his head is unreal. ]

[ Oh, it's a message from Hijikata! With how chaotic everything became again, finding someone on the network was like searching for one face on a busy street, but everything worked out in the end! The thought of the fact that they first met at an event supporting one tragedy and are meeting again after another near-tragedy comes to mind...

...But she's choosing not to look at it that way. Rather, when times have been hard, a nice respite from everything that's happened is especially important, isn't it? This is a natural time to have that bit of relaxation! ]

Dear Hijikata,

I'm happy to hear from you! I hope you've been well in the time that's passed.

For me, any date is good, but avoiding the Sanguis and Cordis moons may be for the best. Your moonblessing doesn't bother me at all, but I understand your sentiment; my moonblessing can also be unpredictable and difficult to deal with. If we can avoid dealing with those moon cycles, then we absolutely should.

Taking that into account, if it's moon viewing, that means the best time is during an Iris cycle before the other two moons begin waxing again. It will be late in the season for flower viewing, but the apple trees may still be in bloom. If they aren't, then there are the other native trees with their crystals. It's not "flower viewing," but aren't those trees also beautiful in the evening light?

Regardless of the time or the venue, enjoying good food with good company is the most essential part, so we can be flexible! So, how about sometime during the Iris moon's cycle or the new moon?

Wishing you all the best,
Shi Qingxuan

[He's happy to receive her response and completely agrees with her reasoning. He honestly didn't even realise that she was a Cordis, still not having a good overview of which animals traits correspond to which moonblessing, but he's sure she would have made the same charming impression on him without those pheromones affecting his brain (which obviously wasn't something she could control).]

Esteemed Shi Qingxuan,

Thanks you for your thoughts. I agree on the Iris moon phase being the best time for our outing. Should we mark down May 13th when it will be at its peak?

As for the location, since it has been getting warmer I would like to make it a picnic in the Greatmoon Groves, if you are comfortable with that idea. Where I am from people celebrate the flowering of the sakura trees that way, and while we missed the flower-viewing season the local fauna will indeed be worth admiring too. But otherwise please do not hesitate to suggest a restaurant or other venue.

Yours, Hijikata

Surely Mr. Sesshomaru cares for his own wellbeing as much as he cares for mine, so if you weren't well, something must have happened.

Yes, but that doesn't concern you.

That is to say, that doesn't involve you in any way.

[ ??????????????????? ]

Dear Hijikata,

May 13th is a perfect date! With the moon bright, the leaves and blossoms are sure to look dazzling from below. I can't think of a better way to enjoy the evening than a picnic in the Greatmoon Groves. Where I'm from, people do something similar when the flowers are in bloom; it's one of my favorite parts of spring, so I'm happy we share this little tradition in common. Though, speaking of your world, is there anything in particular I can bring to make the evening the best for you? Or shall I surprise you?

By the way, while I'm happy to continue writing like this, there's no need to be so formal with me. We can talk casually.

Wishing you well,
Shi Qingxuan

[He can't help but smile at how accommodating and friendly she is. As far as unplanned auction dates go he really couldn't have gotten luckier. Since the suggestion of the flower viewing came from her he already suspected that a similar custom exists in her culture. Now he actually wonders about the traditional picnic food of her people... but first it's his turn to treat her to a hanami meal.]

Dear Shi Qingxuan,

Thank you for your graciousness. I have no particular requirements. Would you have any, especially in terms of your diet?

Yours, Hijikata

[He's already planning to bring the food, a picnic blanket, a lantern or two... and, of course, a present for her. He found something unusual in a curious shop just the other day.]

And my wellbeing does? If you're going to worry over me, then I'll worry over you, too.

I merely don't want you to die foolishly.

There is no worry to be had.

[ ...Letters it is, then! It's a different kind of comforting to write in this style compared to the way she's gotten used to here. Maybe they can do handwritten letters! Or write poems? Well, writing poems while flower viewing is just customary, isn't it? ]

Dear Hijikata,

Not at all, I don't have any sort of restrictive diet. I'm not a picky eater, and there hasn't been a style of food here that I've disliked. [ Aside from some sweets being too sweet, but that doesn't feel worth mentioning. ] I think trying new things is refreshing!

How about you? Is there a certain kind of tea or wine you like?

Wishing you well,
Shi Qingxuan

[ No restrictions isn't the same as no preferences, after all! She appointed herself in charge of drinks, and while that's a rather small part, she needs to make the most of it because of that. That, and what kind of wine shop owner can fail at this part? It would bring her shame!

...Hopefully he's not the sort who's forbidden from drinking for some reason, but that's another reason to ask now before things become awkward... ]

[HE THOUGHT SHE MEANT HE COULD ADDRESS HER LESS FORMALLY... well, no matter; they can clear this up when they meet and probably just call each other in the future.]

Dear Shi Qingxuan,

Beyond liking dry wine over sweet wine I have no preferences, all the more since I am not yet familiar with the local flavours. I would be honoured to try your favourite.

If there is nothing left to discuss I will be looking forward to seeing you in the Greatmoon Groves - perhaps we can meet at the pond with the bridge by the crystal tree trail? - at dusk on May 13th. Should additional ideas cross your mind or should we need to amend our plans never hesitate to contact me.

Yours, Hijikata

[ Dry wine, got it—that's a very important distinction. And since she's now overly familiar with the local wines, she can pick out what's best. ]

Dear Hijikata,

I shall meet you there on the thirteenth! I offer the same to you: If anything should come up that changes things, you can write to me any time.

Until then,
Shi Qingxuan

[ Some time later when the bees have started coming out in full swing: ]

Things gotten a little messy lately, so I bought some parasols and blankets for us to share. ☆

[ No salutation, no postscript, just that. ]

[Well, now he can't respond more formally, can he? It would be like he's implicitly calling her out for not doing it!]

Thank you very much, that's too thoughtful of you! Will you need help transporting them? I will gladly meet up wherever is most convenient for you.

[ She was just planning to shove them all into a qiankun pouch along with the wine, but now she wonders if that's strange... But parasols and blankets are cumbersome to carry by hand with even two people, and it isn't as though ordinary cultivators don't also use devices like this.

So— ]

Thank you for offering, but I have a bag I can carry them in to make things easier. You must have your hands full already as it is!

So, shall we meet by the bridge?

[Honestly, she's not wrong.]

Alright. I will see you there, then. I am looking forward to it!

I won't die foolishly. I'm much stronger than I look. There's no worry to be had on your part either.

Good, because you look quite weak.

[ THIS GUY IS DELIBERATELY RUDE!!! Thankfully, he can curb his annoyance through writing... ]

Then now you can rest assured that I'm not as weak as I look!

And one day you will prove it and I will not feel like I need to save you.

Didn't I tell you before? I will absolutely prove it to you. Though I can't say I look forward to that opportunity presenting itself.

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Backdated to late April (a few days after the April Event)

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