The little gesture from Roa reminded Setsuko of a quieter and more intimate of the "kanpai!" that was often uttered at palace parties over wine. "Cheers," she repeated, and took a longer drink. The wine was even more refreshing the second time.

"Well," she replied. "Back in Yashima--my country--we drink tea, as I've said, but there's also wine, made from rice, usually. There's a kind we make in the summer from unripe plums, although I find that somewhat sweet for my liking. And in Huaxia, there's much of the same, although there was a dark spicy cinnamon tea that was supposed to be good for colds."

"Where I am now, in Dalriada, they mainly drink weak ale, although there are, of course, a large variety of wines made from all sorts of fruit."