Kyuden Shika

She laughs a bit. "I'm eldest and will have my parents' estate to manage someday, most likely. Your castle is rather far from my research and other duties as well. But I'll send you recommendations if you want them, just send me word."

"A Lion who doesn't want war?" There's a slight tone of teasing, but her expression is mostly serious. "You know I find most of the fighting between clans to be a waste of resources the Empire could throw to the real threat. But you're not going to be popular most places with that opinion."

Ishioka nods his head thoughtfully.

"The war with the Crane is never really over, and a war with the Unicorn all too possible. If others take sides..." He shakes his head. "As you know, duty comes first, and my sword is always at Matsu Tsuko-dono's command," he says, a little discomfort evident but controlled. "I just hope to focus my heart and mind on putting my family to rights, as that's... Well, you understand." He takes a longer drink this time, looking thoughtful still.

"At least you're unlikely to face your new wife's family on the battlefield, assuming the Deer chose as you have. They don't come down from the mountains in that sort of force much." Or ever that Yasu can recall.

"Settling your family?" Yasu pauses a moment. "Is that your responsibility though?" she asks quietly. "You're going to have a household to organize for you and your wife. Plenty to do."

"It... In light of circumstances," Ishioka says, sounding perhaps too weary of thinking about it to fully explain, "I would not be surprised if my parents wanted me and my wife at the estate, to step back themselves, and... My older sisters may be quite content to remain focused on their own households. It..." He looks at the table. "Hachiko's death changed a lot of things, and it's not clear how much or how far in all matters." He seems to be alluding to comments like he'd made before, about suddenly becoming his parents' most favored child as they grieved unhealthily the loss of their youngest daughter.