(D0, LM) Reaching Out Pretty Far (Open)

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

"Proper fortune to you as well, Seppun-sama", he said with a grateful nod.

Though being born into your household it seems the fortunes might have strained their faces smiling.

[Kakita Akihiro]

"Yes, I am a candidate. I gather that Seppun-sama is also a candidate?" Akihiro asked politely though he had already guessed the answer with enough certainty that it felt pro forma. "And good fortune upon your house and home as well if so."

The Kakita remembered belatedly to wish the Shosuro the same. "Of course, Shosuro-san I will pray to the Fortunes for your success as well."

[Seppun Yuzu]

He nods to both and crosses his arms. A though occurs and he voices it out, "I would be honored if I could be of hold in your missions here at this miai, minna-san. You've provided me with insight, and I owe a debt of honor to return the courtesy."

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

We did? You will?

Hikimasu couldn't help but smirk slightly. Despite his mouth being hidden by his mask it caused his eyes to shift and made them seem almost normal for a moment, not pleasant, but normal.

"Seppun-sama is honorable and generous, and though respect can exist between rivals and epic tales tell us it is something to strive for, we are still competitors, are we not?"

[Seppun Yuzu]

"We are indeed. I am told it is wise to cherish competitors that inspire us to become even greater." He points out in an assertive an serious way, showing few if no emotion.

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

Hikimasu stayed attentive to the Seppun, he believed they made a point just as good as his own. Yet still, honor granted by one of the imperial families has to be taken seriously, so he played a second time.

"You were told well", he said in compliment of his teacher. "Yet my mind is trained to sting, does the frog have faith or naivety?"

It was a particularly Scorpion way of second refusal when the gift is trust.

[Kakita Akihiro]

Akihiro blinked a few times at the exchange but offered his silent thanks to the Fortunes that his clan wasn't required to be cagey about their motives and alliances. "Thank you Seppun-sama for the thought but it should be me who thanks you for your presence. And miai candidates are not necessarily competitors, they could be matched with each other after all."

[Seppun Yuzu]

"You were told well", he said in compliment of his teacher. "Yet my mind is trained to sting, does the frog have faith or naivety?"

"Nani?" Yuzu's eyebrow arches, completely lost about that frog topic. He wonders if that some Scorpion shady quote.

"Thank you Seppun-sama for the thought but it should be me who thanks you for your presence. And miai candidates are not necessarily competitors, they could be matched with each other after all."

"Eto... I have no idea how the Shika do this matchmaking thing at all."

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

Ah, perhaps he thinks I made some kind of peasant joke he's too honorable to understand.

Then the Kakita spoke and Hikimasu smiled under his mask slightly.

"Best fortune to your coming nuptuals, then."

[Kakita Akihiro]

Akihiro's face flushed but he nodded. "Your wish to the ears of the Fortunes, if only I could be so lucky."