“Perhaps the mood will be well for sake, Kaera-san,” he agreed.  Once they were settled and comfortable, Gentatsu spoke at length about a great many trivial issues and courtesies.  Despite his modest demeanour, there was no mistaking the lascivious nature beneath, though he probably had better control over it then most men.  Nearly an hour later^^, between the two of them they had emptied several servings though he had been drinking the most.  He finally took her by the waist pulling her close, though he did not molest or aim for further.<br/><br/>“Listen well Kaera-dono, I have a curious tale to tell you!” His merry tone betraying his tipsiness.  “Have you heard of Nebachi Akito?  There are many of the Nebachi family in my province, but I know of only one here in this region; a man who was once a greatly renowned swordsman who fled because he had sold certain secrets.  He had but a single heir, a son as I understood it, but when he finally died, he left behind a massive debt that was not repaid and everything he owned was seized.  Nothing is known of what happened to his son, and perhaps he died.  Would you happen to know anything about this?”<br/><br/>He gave Kaera’s chin a light tap, laughing heartily, and went on without waiting for an answer: “But of course a beauty such as yourself would not know of such things!  Aiee!  The curse of sake to make men speak of such foolish things!”<br/><br/>With a smile he leaned in as if to kiss her, but suddenly stumbled, catching himself before he could fall.  “Would you look at that – I appear to have over indulged,” he gave a drunken chortle.  “I will go and refresh myself with a walk in the night air for I am in no condition to be received by the empress of this house!  Please, await me here, and prepare for my return!”<br/><br/>Motioning for her to remain in her place with a caress upon her exposed leg, Gentatsu stumbled out, lurching slightly, but not quite falling.  Pulling the door closed, he waved enthusiastically at a pair of girls who passed by who giggled upon seeing him.  Through winding passages he passed, but by the time he had entered his fourth corridor, his manner of was straight and his eyes were clear.  There was that music that seemed to call to him, and he had no trouble in finding its source.  He waited in the shadow of the doorway that led to the courtyard, watching the silver haired girl ply the strings of her instrument.<br/><br/>When she noticed his presence, he gave soft applause as was her due.  “Beautiful music, I have only ever heard it one other time.”<br/><br/>He came to sit beside her, though he kept a respectable distance.  “Must you remain here alone, when everyone is indoors?  But then again the night is beautiful as is the full moon, which has done justice to you Lady Kohaku – never before have I seen such a one as yourself and so my trip here has been of some worth just that I might have seen you.”<br/><br/>Reaching up, pausing for a moment, he brushed aside the hair from her face with a gentle gesture, holding her coiffure aside like a curtain to look at her revealed face.  With a smile, he allowed the silver curtain fall back.