Despair and Wisdom: Imperial March

Hana nods.

"It is clear, too, that the Shireikan's commands during the battle were expertly coordinated with those of the Rikugunshokan, almost as if the two of them were playing shogi as a team."

"Demonstration of the superiority of technique, I think," Hana says. "And it was done well."

Hana glances up and down, then gives a slight nod.

"Some of them appear true, at least, Daidoji-san."

Hana takes the cue. "Maybe Kasuga-san could find the words of some honorable person to corroborate his ideas," she says. "After all, such is the standard for truth. "Unless he thinks to duel upon the matter?" Her gaze sharpens. "For while I do not take offense, there are some who might well chafe at...

Hana grins.

"Well, if one can do for three, that's not the least useful of things," she quips.

Hana smiles tightly.

"Virtuous, even."

Hana shakes her head.

"Maybe you're looking to add pillow books to your repertoire?" she says. "It'd be a good plot for one."

Hana says nothing, still chewing as she continues to look...coolly at the Tortoise.

She swallows, then takes another bite of her meal.

Lunchtime is lunchtime, after all.

"I'm sure you've got a lot to say," Hana says.

Hana takes a large bite and chews slowly, staring at the Tortoise.

Hana's eyes flicker over him, assessing him coldly.

Hana swallows.

"There's more to that, though," she says. "I've seen them spar. The ronin's better--not much, but enough. Similar techniques, too, though the ronin has an edge, there."

Hana blushes at being caught out.

Rather than open her mouth, she fills it.

Hana looks behind her.

"Gah!"

"It's better than what that one person was offering," Hana says, shuddering. "And that's saying something."

Beside her, Kakita Hana does much the same thing, although her eyes linger on the horizon longer and her prayer is shorter.

Still, "Itadakimasu" must be said, and so it is said.

There is a slight smile on Hana's lips as she returns the bow.

"Carry the Fortunes, Agasha-san," she says as she makes her /exit from the /scene, with thanks.

The Scorpion blinks at the tone, but continues to look at her expectantly. "With this patient. With, ah, assisting her. I won't call attention to any possible, uh, condition, but it wouldn't be proper to examine or treat her unchaperoned, hm? Propriety, right? It's a very honorable thing, assuring ...

"Ahh, you must have come here with Otomo-sama, then," Nobu said, nodding thoughtfully. "I had the honor of meeting her yesterday, and she mentioned coming from Pale Oak as well. Is she a friend of yours?" Hana nods. "We were girls together," she says, "and have often been assigned in parallel. It h...

"Hai. Excellent. Thankyou very much. Kakita-sama. Ah, Yogo Osamu, this one is. And... Yes, Shiba-sama, yes, this way... Kakita-sama, yes, we'll just borrow this tent right here." With a long arm, the Scorpion raised the flap of a nearby tent, letting the hesitant Phoenix gather herself a moment bef...