Kyuden Shika

"Then, as a Kitsuki, would that not mean you should focus on what you do know?" he asked. "If you have kept to yourself, and you realize the habit is a bad one, then effort is required now", he asserted. "Honestly, when I came here I felt doomed, but as soon as I arrived at the inn and saw it really was a cat at the front, and I met eyes with a particular person I never thought I'd have to chance to meet again...things suddenly seemed more improbable than ever, and that made me realize it was my time to get to work."

"You are not wrong." he admitted. ""I can't say I've had a moment like that though. I've met a few interesting women, but they didn't seem to have much interest in me."

"Well, if there is one thing my father ever said that was wise, it was to not decide how a woman feels about something", he said. "There is always something you can do to help that though."

"Oh? What would that be?" he asked.

"Observation can get you a long way", he said. "You can learn quickly what someone thinks of you from how they react to what you do. Someone who doesn't speak excitedly over their own interests when asked likely has little interest in you, coming on too strong, being too personal too quickly, these are all things that are problematic when meeting someone new. You can't rush them until they let their guard down, just like in a fight."

"Well, I don't think that has been a problem, other than your clan mate, Bayushi Luixian." he said. "I clearly shared too much with her."

He looked at the Kitsuki quite frankly.

"Saying good morning is sharing too much with her."

"I did get that impression." he nodded. "She seemed nice enough, but I have a feeling there would have been issues, regardless."

She did not seem nice to me, but I have bias from a lifetime of poor treatment by Scorpion women.

"Well, if you had a choice here and now of anyone who would it be?" he seemed curious.

"I don't think I would make a choice, really." he shrugged. "If I had to, though, I suppose it would be Kaito Oubaihime. But, I imagine there are others who would choose her. So, perhaps Moshi Shizuka."