Takahashi stared curiously at the brightly attired man as he strode away, with a small shrug of curiosity she made toward the serving-counter.
Momentarily wrinkling her nose at the coffee aroma which rose across her path, she removed her gloves and bowed discreetly to the staff. She was soon met by a traditionally attired waitress, who ushered her to a table near a corner.
As she walked, she noted the discarded robes and book: Takahashi picked up the book and distractedly inspected the open pages as she commented '*Oh! Someone must have lost this, did you see who miss?'
The waitress bowed needlessly '*Yes, a man who just left: a Gaijin I think.'
'He had some interesting reading for an outsider don't you think?'
'Uhm, Hai. May I bring you some refreshments officer?'
Seating herself at the low table, Mikako surveyed the uniformed bodies distantly stationed around the Perfect blossom before replying 'Hai I will have a pot of green tea and some mochi please.'
'Very good madam' the waitress bowed again before daintily hurrying away.
Takahashi sat surrounded by the memorabilia of past engagements placed at intervals against the traditional panelling: the commemorative depictions of Celine squadron, the siege of Aomori, and panels of heroes fallen in the line of duty. The almost antiquated setting reminded her of home and safety, as if the ancestors looked on in gentle repose here.
She regarded the book once more and mused upon the meanings of the wanderer. There were many visitors to Kusari, and many lessons they could learn from the text. The significant legal activity she had seen recently could also probably have benefited from application of the Hexagrams philosophy.
The waitress arrived with a laden tray and poured for the Shosho, takahashi nodded her thanks 'arigatou' and settled back to review the latest reports on a small hand-held, ready to make her recommendations to the new Taisho.
![[Image: bakamono.gif]](http://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/bakamono.gif)