Kyuden Shika

Looking at stars and trying to figure out what they mean wasn't Ishioka's strong point. He didn't remember much of anything that he actually knew about stars and their established meanings or significance... But he sort of sounded like he knew what he was saying, or maybe just some sappy guy talking...

Ishioka shakes his head. "Soyokaze-san, you are kind to offer. And I assure you, you haven't burdened me. I had hoped to see you in better circumstances than this on the eve of the announcement, but I failed you. To offer my ear, and a few words that I hope are helpful, is really the least I can do ...

The Lion chuckles, sounding a little sad but mostly just patient. "Oh, it would work out fine for some. Your one true love, with no one to keep you apart." He's smiling as he says it, but his voice carries at least a little scorn. "But use your situation. What is Kaito-san to do? Break your heart or...

Ishioka smiles, looking a little incredulous at his Crane friend. "Soyokaze-san, you have covered many topics just now... Let me share just a couple of thoughts, if I may." He purposefully takes a drink of tea and adjusts his seat slightly before beginning. "Kaito-san is probably the finest samurai ...

"I imagine you're right," he says, unsure but unconcerned on this particular question. "It... I think I'll be on leave, at least for a time, to set up a household. Maybe take over my parents' estate even." He shakes his head, a little concern showing now that he considers it more. "They... I think t...

The Lion's eyes aren't shy about going where Inoshishi clearly intended, and there's a moment of distraction before he picks back up on what she'd been saying. "Utaku Kheree-san? I hope she's well. Last we had spoken, she was... concerned who she might be matched with," he says, slightly distracted....

"Kaito-san, if you believe you are just a humble monk then you are as foolish as good Murato-san," he says with a fond smile. He sighs, looking off toward some random part of the market. "I think all of us have had our moments of foolishness here, moments of doing what we probably knew we should not...

The Lion doesn't flinch from the question, though he nods that it's a difficult one. "I don't know if it's the same for Kaito-san," he prefaces, careful not to speak for her. "But for me, it was a matter of feeling two halves of your heart, both on fire, but kindled by different fuel. It... I can te...

"Hai," he agrees, and then nods at mention of the Agasha. "Only the Deer know if she's the one in my future, but... I don't know if I could believe at this point that it's anyone else." He takes a small drink of sake. "I haven't... forgotten... everything else," he admits quietly, "but at least I am...

The Lion, familiar with at least some of the chaos, chuckles and nods. "You are a paragon of bushido, Kaito-san. I could see it the first day we met. I do not believe there is a nobler, kinder or otherwise better samurai-ko at this miai, and the man you are matched with truly has the blessing of hea...