Kyuden Shika

"Nesshin-san has a strong personality, and I felt that by working with him I may be able to bring something out. I was honestly taken aback by what he displayed, since he has had no formal training," he explained.

"Really? Seems like he has an innate talent then" Emiko said with a nod and a smile "what were you hoping he would bring out in you though?"

"Perhaps a bit more confidence rather than bravado. I can confuse the two at times," he says with a smile.

There was a tilt of the head.

"I didn't think Kitsu-sama thought that way of himself" Emiko commented quietly.

"I can recognize my own faults," he says with a smirk. "Doesn't make me great at fixing them, but I am aware. It's just a part of my personality. Not that I lack confidence, but there tends to be an excess of bravado that overshadows at times."

"Interesting" Emiko said with a nod, picking up her tea "so putting it off until you have someone to work on it with?"

"Not so much waiting for someone as much as I am looking for how to be better. I've always felt the journey and the path are two different things. I don't know how answers will come, but I am trying to pay attention at least. But we can't improve everything overnight. It takes our whole life to become who we want to be."

Emiko looked down at her cup for a few moment at that, something about it hitting her more personally.

"Hai, you're right there. Although not all of us have our whole lives" she finally said quietly, before sipping her drink.

He smiled at her, and asked pretty bluntly, "A lot of pressure?"

"Don't we all?" Emiko replied slightly evasively, looking back up at the man with a small smile "our clans expect much of us. Even small ones like the Otter."