Kyuden Shika

The Kitsu nodded.

Conspirationally, his fingers rabbed against their shared table.

"Let me ask you, Shika-san. Do you know much about the traditions of the Shika Miai? Of loopholes, in particular?"

"That depends," Nesshin says. "The agreements that go into them are usually quite sound, but there are always...exceptions.

"Why might a person ask?"

This was a risk.

"Suppose two people fall in love, believe they want to spend the rest of their life with each other, and wished to be wed. Would it be possible to, say, ask our gracious hosts to consider granting the couple their blessing without causing insult?"

"Ah."

Nesshin nods.

"Well, there are always ways, yes. Securing the blessings of Musubi would help, if it could be done."

Nesshin ponders.

A sigh of relief comes from the Kitsu.

But when it does...

Why isn't his immediate thought to go through with it?

What held him back from rushing her to the temple to see their blessing and getting married there and then?

What darkness lured in the back of his heart that prevented him from embracing her?

"That is good to know, Shika-san."

"If I may ask," Nesshin says, "who's lucky enough to have your love?"

The answer falters in his mouth.

"...Seppun Unsei-sama. But, there are things I must understand first... when I thought of just asking, a part of my heart pulled back, like it was reeling in hesitation. Once I understand that feeling, perhaps I may seek Musubi-no-kami's blessing."

"Love's a powerful thing," Nesshin says. "Marriage, too, and to an Imperial even more so. Natural to be wary of it, even apprehensive."

He sips at his tea.

"Think on it, maybe, as a sign that you value them highly--but that's a good thing."

He considers for a moment. "Do they feel the same for you?"

"From what I understand, yes - she hangs on my every word, is always excited to see me, and when we-"

He stops himself.

"But, perhaps I am only seeing what I want to see - perhaps I doubt myself so much that I am ignoring the truth in front of me."

"From what I know of Seppun Unsei," Nesshin says, "they appreciate plain, direct speech. It might be worth simply asking."