[D13, EM](Hikimasu's Room) Skullduggery (Closed)

[Asahina Soyokaze]

"I do not think the Shika invited me here, I believe my father arranged for me to be here. I am only a few seasons past my gempukku after all, he can't wait to be rid of me."

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

"A troubling thing to hear, though not so troubling as to be living through", he said with understanding. "There are many among the Scorpion who face the same, those who lack the proper amount of courage for vice some feel is needed to serve the clan." He shrugged. "A pity your father does not see your worth, he is a fool."

He played with his tea cup slightly before placing his hands in his lap.

"So would you like to play the game now?" he asked. "Whom should I be paired with, and what choices of mine might be in error in seeking others?"

[Asahina Soyokaze]

"I would love to but there are too many unknowns. I do not know most of the women here well enough, do not know you well enough and I am a bad judge of character most of the time so anything I said would only be the wildest of speculation. I think you would do well with someone with some fire in them though, someone playful like Unsei-sama or Inoshishi-sama I think though I don't know her well at all, just what I have seen of her around here."

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

"Both of those women are devious creatures, and I prefer to be the devious one when the need for it arises", he said. "Seppun-sama does not not take the initiative, they simply don't allow it to be played for, and Agasha-san...well...", he soured. "I would not put my faith in her, not unless there was something gained for losing what I give her by granting that trust."

[Asahina Soyokaze]

"Well as I said I am a poor judge of character and do not know many well. I've never even met some, such as Emiko-sama."

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

"She is kind, attentive, of good humor... but doesn't hide her worry so deeply you can't see it if you notice her. Talented, beautiful, knows her position and wants to succeed." He tried to make his admiration of her clear.

[Asahina Soyokaze]

"She sounds wonderful I wish I had gotten the opportunity to meet her, did she like the fans?"

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

Hikimasu answered that question without actual knowledge, but at this point he could easily assume without worry.

"Very, though she gave me a proper rough time in the refusals because of how I presented them", he seemed quite pleased at the memory, either by it's distance and how things had progressed to now, or simply because it was quite a good memory.

[Asahina Soyokaze]

"I am pleased to hear that. What of the other, what is she like? I don't think you have mentioned anyone else to me before and you certainly did not seek a second gift so I am left with my curiosity."

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

"She is...", he looked sideways a moment, putting the complex thoughts together. "She is something special, for certain. In a lot of ways, I think she is afraid of offending or hurting me, and that compassion goes a long way in my mind. Not some dainty maiden, but also someone I would have to protect in other ways...I am sorry but it is hard to explain the specifics. Truly I think she is someone I could grant a lot of wishes for, and that feels like a good thing, but we are currently...seeing how we feel, I suppose."