"Color me surprised. The monks couldn't have been too happy about that." Unless the eggs were a metaphor of some sort for ninja business, but Ashiko didn't think he'd start in on head games until at least a few cups in. And even that was unlikely; he was a very careful man, from what she knew of him.

She plucked up the bottle and poured his share, using fluid, graceful movements that were probably more at home in a tea ceremony, but she couldn't help it. They were second nature by now, drilled in through years of careful practice. She set the bottle down and took up her cup, glancing at the alcohol thoughtfully. "People are supposed to make toasts for the first drink, aren't they...?"