[D4, EE] Dinner with Otomo Mariko

[Shiba Ryusei]

Ryusei found himself actually relaxing a bit, and can be assumed, dayflip and posting availability being what they are, to have kept up with the conversation.

He also, when the time was right, mentioned that he had a pending arrangement with the Scorpion involving a marriage which, naturally, fell under Otomo-sama's purview, but he would understand if she preferred to defer the topic..

[Otomo Mariko]

"Oh, no, Shiba-shan," Mariko says. "Please give me a shummary."

[Shiba Ryusei]

[... That is the second post that has been eaten and I don't notice for hours afterwards]

"Ah, my younger brother Saburo is proposed to marry Shosuro-ke no kashin Maeda Bibari and join the Scorpion Clan. I gather that Maeda-sama is a gunso for the Scorpion, and Saburo is, like me, trained as a bushi, but more in line with the yojimbo tradition. Still, our mother has instructed him on the basics of running a household, and is Maeda-sama's duties take her away from home, I trust he can maintain it."

[Otomo Mariko]

"Shounds like a good husband in the making, then," Mariko affirms with a nod.

"If more people came to me with shuch good proshpects, it would be a more joyoush duty.

"I see no," hic, "no problemsh with this arrangement between you two."

[Shiba Ryusei]

Ryusei, for all of his gratitude, found himself wondering if Otomo Mariko, a nice enough woman even when sober, had a particularly happy life.

The thought that she might not perturbed him a bit.

[Otomo Mariko]

"Sho," Mariko continues, "I shuppose congtatulations are in order for you two."

She bows.

The bottle she brought is somehow empty, her servant giving an apologetic shrug.

"Now, you two shtill musht behave as befitsh shamurai," she admonishes. "Young as we all are, dishcretion mattersh."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"But of course, Otomo-sama. It would do a disservice to Agasha-sama and ill repay your gracious consideration to behave inappropriately."

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna beamed. It was all she could have hoped.

She glanced at Shiba-san adoringly.

"I promise to be a credit to you, Otomo-sama, and to my family and clan."

[Otomo Mariko]

Mariko nods and smiles.

"May your union be fruitful," she says, and she begins to rise.

"Dinner wash lovely."

[Agasha Yuna]

"Thank you so much for your time and advice and blessing. It means the world to me."

The woman was perhaps going to be unsteady on her feet.

"Shiba-san, perhaps you could walk with Otomo-sama on her way back to the imperial quarters? She might have a few last tips on harmonious marriage to share."

[Shiba Ryusei]

Ryusei also rose- also smiling.

"The meal and the conversation were both superb. If by proving Otomo-sama with an escort, I can in some small way repay both of you for the evening, it'll be time well-spent."

I am the luckiest man in the world.

Yuna, you are a marvel.

[Otomo Mariko]

"Whatever will people shay, though," Mariko says, "with Shiba-shan escotring another young woman home?"

She almost giggles.

"But maybe an eschort would be good."

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna smiled, and bowed to them both before they set out.

She was looking forward to telling the chef how well the food had been received and praising him enthusiastically.

And there would be time to celebrate with Shiba-san later. Perhaps an extremely appropriate walk through a garden? A winter picnic? Attending some event together? She would surely dream about it all night!

[Shiba Ryusei]

Ryusei's mind was racing down similar avenues, but he also had a job to do.

She saw it, she was what needed to happen and she brought it up so I didn't have to and...

Benten, please keep honoring my request of you.

Never let me forget how abundantly you have blessed me.

"Ah, Otomo-sama, surely there is nothing untoward about seeing a lady home... and as a bushi of a Great Clan, I can hardly let a member of the Imperial Families go unescorted, hm?"

[Otomo Mariko]

"Well, no," Mariko admits.

She gives a shaky bow.

"I shall thank you to walk me back, and I thank Agasha-sha for her hoshpitality."

And then she makes her /exit, though not followed by a bear.

[Shiba Ryusei]

As Ryusei made to follow Mariko out, he locked eyes with Yuna and smiled, looking every bit his nineteen years.

Then he was out the door with a notable spring in his step.

[/Exit Ryusei, making sure Mariko's dignity is protected]