Despair and Wisdom: Imperial March

"Quite, we even get lunch with officers", Hikimasu nodded. "I hope Tenjin spares you from an undue amount of paperwork, for what it's worth."

"I find your guess to be well thought out and proper", the Shosuro said with a polite nod, certainly taking no particular note of who looked at what or who was listening to who. "After all, what could a samurai possibly consider aside Bushido?"

"Perhaps so, if not for their mystery I would be of a different clan right now", Hikimasu said with a shrug. "Who can say what those above us are really thinking? Can you guess, chui?"

"The marriage is harmonious so far, better so than other matches I had considered", he said. "Yourself?"

"Normally, Fuwanan-chui, I would remark on how one doesn't attain position through poor performance..." he fiddled with the flute in his hand, then stashed it back into his sleeve. "Yet here I am serving in the legion after having done little if anything. I understand your last posting was at least ...

Holding up a hand, finger and thumb spaced so as if showing the size of a small rock, the Shosuro nodded. "A man might trip on a small rock and become entangled in a situation he is not prepared for, or it simply might make a ripple in water, revealing what is beneath as it disturbs the surface."

"Interesting", Hikimasu said thoughtfully. "What did you learn from his assessment, if I may ask?"

Hikimasu was still mounted on Yudaina. Lunch would be coming in a few hours and he'd allow his mount to rest at that point, find Kheree and share some rice. Guarding the supplies was all well and good, it kept Hikimasu out of scouting duties and the job was relatively easy. He wondered though, if ha...

Ah.

He'd heard about this man. It seemed there was no exaggerating.

"We are Shosuro", Hikimasu replied. "I'm certain you know your way around the arts we're famous for as well."

"Including Kheree-san is not good operational security at this point", Hikimase said evenly. Though he really wasn't terribly against the idea for multiple reasons. "If it becomes necessary or I feel she could get close to the mark in a more natural way, I will speak to her."

Oh, that one.

"Well, I see." Hikimasu thought maybe he should politely decline after all. Not that he was against surveillance or wasn't interested in why it could be important...but the woman seemed like a frustrating mark from all accounts. "Would I be looking for anything specific?"

Hikimasu shrugged. "We don't know one another, we are both Scorpion though", he said thoughtfully. "If you need assistance you can call on me. As for what's in exchange." He looked into his cup for a moment. "I'll have a think about it, but I won't ask for anything outside of your ability."

"Good, we should rely on one another", he agreed. "I won't leave you be, loyalty is highly valued among our people, you know."

When he finished, Hikimasu, with every bit of trepidation that could be felt when greeting a new commander and fellow Scorpion, approached Fuwanan and bowed. "Good afternoon, Fuwanan-chui", he bowed, knowing the man by recognition. "I am Shosuro Hikimasu, transferred here recently like so many other...

Hikimasu didn't need to tell the Yogo he wasn't born under a rock.

"Yes, we watch and we wait for orders", the Shosuro agreed. "You say you've been sent to watch someone, are you asking for help?"

Mid Afternoon, a late lunch with music: viewtopic.php?f=73&t=188

Hikimasu's day had been spent prepping for departure yet again, though at least he had taken time to train earlier. He had been pondering Kheree's issues, and he understood it was difficult for her, but he wanted to try and help her understand she wasn't dealing with it alone without simply telling ...

"Well, it's certainly not easy going from one new place to another, but you do come from a people of travelers", Hikimasu offered, still holding Kheree. "The unfamiliar here I think is quite different from your home, as no one here has a home advantage, so to speak."

"Swimming is what we do when the ship is sinking, Yogo-san", Hikimasu said tiredly. "Is there something you know about the path ahead that requires careful planning to survive?"

"Mitsuki-sama is...well, a completely different sort", he said after a a moment and pulled the woman in closer, rubbing her back. "That's quite a ways away right now." Still, he understood. Though he had to admit he was happier to be where they were and not in that situation anymore. He sighed gave ...