Moving quickly across the room, Tatsuki quickly scoops up the dishes closest to the sisters. As soon as he's far enough away he slows down. He keeps one ear turned in the direction of them as an early warning system should they try and corner him, but a faint smile crosses his lips as he hears the voice of the young innkeeper from their general direction. [i]'I owe that boy From his tone I can tell he's running interfearance for me'[/i] Glancing over to the small groups he smirks as he watches the skillful blocking move of the kimono clad youth. [i]'He's a good lad'[/i] Almost without thinking he balences all the dishes on one hand, stacking them rather high. 

By the time he notices that he's doing something rather odd the room is clear of all but he and Shigetoshi. Looking over at the young man he catches his eye and smiles. Scooping up the last of the dishes he weaves through the room, the high stack looking unusually steady for being held the way he's holding it. Stopping a few paces short of the young man he gives him a little bow with a grateful smile. “Thank you Shigetoshi-san. You didn't have to got out of your way like that, and I am in your debt.” Glancing over at the stack he inquires, “Where should I bring these? I would very much like to see the kitchen before I try my hand at cooking in it.” He chuckles slightly and follows the innkeeper.

As they walk Tatsuki keeps a step behind Shigetoshi but he shifts the stack to his other hand so there nothing between them. “I was thinking of heading into town tonight and picking up some ingredients. I'll need to check the cooler to see how much room there is for my meats and such.” Once they reach the kitchen Tatsuki wanders over to the sink and carefully breaks the stack into smaller ones and puts them next to it. The kitchen has a few modern touches, like a refrigerator and an overhead light, but much of the cookware is traditional. The bamboo utensils make Tatsuki smile. [i]'After spending so much time in the modern world of metals and plastics, this is a comforting change to what I once knew. Turning to Shigetoshi he smiles warmly.

“This place takes me back. I was in a kitchen like this once, maybe a touch bigger, in a palace several years ago. He was a minor lord, but it still felt so grand.” Looking around his eyes soften. “This place feels warmer however. More inviting.” He rolls his eyes at his own sentimentality and grins sheepishly at the young innkeeper. “Forgive me if I ramble.” The smells from breakfast still permeate the room, and Tatsuki takes a deep breath, letting them sink into his mind. He wants to keep this place in his memory, and smell is the best for that. Leaning against the counter beside the sink he examines everything in view, calculating what he can make with what he has access to.