Kyuden Shika

"Absolutely necessary texts for your duty." A nod. "A solid, dependable man is enough to cheer any future mother-in-law," he said encouragingly. Then his head tilted with a hint of a smile. "Is there nothing impractical about you, Shiba-san?"

Hajime opened his fan. "You will. I will not be the only writer here, if Shika Pei-pei is equal to her reputation. Not one for literature, Shiba-san?"

Hajime tossed his head back in a theatrical gesture. "I could be a fiery, passionate sort of poet, Shiba-san! If my circumstances permitted it, of course..." A pause. "...which they do not. No, I am much as advertised. A trifle dull, if I am entirely honest. Conventional."

Hajime nodded slowly. "I suspect that there are many feeling that way, Shiba-san." Certainly not Hajime, of course, but others. "This circumstance is different than any other court a person might attend. Even those for whom this is their little pond will find strange fish swimming in its waters." He...

Hajime nodded slowly. "I imagine most are un-landed, Seppun-sama, more's the pity. I imagine many of the landed families have already conducted arrangements for their children long ago."

The Dragon blinked, then slid into the requisite return bow. "Kitsuki Hajime, Shiba-san. I am certain that you need not trouble yourself on my account. I was merely...getting my thoughts in the proper order." He smiled disarmingly, a small, private smile. "I hope that your evening finds you well." T...

The tramp of the bushi's feet left no uncertainty that someone was coming, and Hajime was startled out of his reverie to see the...disturbingly tense trained killing machine striding toward him. Needless to say, Hajime was stunned. With a soft gasp and wide eyes, he dropped his brush to the desk on ...

Kitsuki Hajime was parked on a bench, his writing board perched over his lap as he meditated on the events of the day. The very end of his brush had found its place between his teeth for a gentle nibble that spoke of deep cerebral journeys.

Hajime tilted his head slightly. "Not overmuch, Seppun-sama. They have a tendency to be a slight bit more relaxed in their conduct, with less emphasis on propriety, but I should think that most would not be overeager to cause offense to a man of your station."