[ Well. He hadn't meant for that to happen! His face twists into a grimace on Sano's behalf because he can't imagine (okay maybe he could) how painful shooting liquor out of your nose must be. He reaches over to clap his hand over Sano's back, only to hear the disbelief in his best friend's voice.

Instead, his hand drops and he looks both sheepish and like a kicked puppy. ]

You don't think I can do it? Sano...

[ It was only half an act, really. Shinpachi wasn't entirely sure he had the temperament for it himself, but as a representative for the Ministry he kind of had to since he was given the job. ]

You're probably right about the money though. [ He chuckles. ] Y'know. If I don't actually try to save it.

[ He takes a sip of his whiskey and turns around to look at the rest of the patrons. None of them looked like the woman Sano had described in his letters. Then again, he'd stopped saying anything about her months ago. ]

So when do I get to meet this woman of your dreams, anyway? I'll only be around for a few months. Until Apparition class is done. Then again, if she's half as great as you said she was I don't want her falling for me instead. I'm not that kinda guy.