[x] Appear nonplussed for a moment. *Be* nonplussed for a moment. This did kind of come out of left field.
- [x] "So far as I am aware, she is not betrothed to anyone. Why do you ask?"
You blink. Then you blink again. You say nothing for a few moments, trying to understand what you just heard. You are overtaken with a sense of bemusement, and you're not entirely sure how to handle it. You set down your chopsticks and look Mataru in the eye, honestly confused as to why he's asking this. The question came out of nowhere.
The Scorpion Samurai, for his part, seems to have recovered from his earlier hesitation. That regular, cocksure grin is back on his face, and he takes another bite of chicken as he observes you. He, at least, seems completely at ease. You wish you could say the same.
Honestly, the question is rather prying. Mataru must know this too, for he mentioned he might be asking something rude. As you figure things, the young man's inquiry doesn't quite reach that point yet. And Mataru has also fought by your side this evening, bleeding for your sake, so you'd likely grant him a little leeway in any case.
Still, it's damned odd.
"So far as I am aware, she is not betrothed to anyone," you say, finally overcoming your bewilderment over the question. "Why do you ask?"
Mataru smiles. "Curiosity, Hiruma Sosuke-san. I figured a woman with her skills and beauty
must have someone at this point in her life."
"To my knowledge, she does not," you respond with a shrug. "It's not the strangest thing for arranged marriages to take longer for the Crab than elsewhere in the Empire." You pick up your chopsticks again and resume eating. "More time is focused on other things, like our duty holding back the Shadowlands. I myself am not betrothed either."
"Oh?" Shirou asks, setting his empty bowl down. "I must admit that surprises me. A man with your skills and reputation would no doubt find himself set with a worthy match, Sosuke-sama."
"There was something back when I was about eight," you say before taking a bite of fish. "Talks were being had, but then the girl's brother said some disparaging things about my Clan." You smack your free hand on your uninjured bicep. "I decided he was in need of vigorous correction, and after we were pulled apart the negotiations pretty much ended."
You're leaving out some details… Well, a lot of details, but you remember the event pretty clearly. The Scorpion boy, a few months older than you but several inches shorter, saying how it would be a shame for his sister to live amongst the 'dumb brutes of the Crab Clan.' He looked so surprised when you decked him, his mask flying off into the grass.
A pleasant memory, all told. That skinny Scorpion boy actually put up a decent enough fight for all that he was smaller than you. Not that you're going to say anything about that here, of course. That would be rude.
"That sounds familiar," Mataru mutters, playing with a sweet bean pastry idly while he thinks. "For the life of me can't think of why, though."
"I wouldn't know," you say before setting down your chopsticks once more. You stand up. "I think I'm going to go to bed as well. Best be ready for the morning."
"As you wish," Mataru says. "I think I'll enjoy the food a bit more."
"I will retire as well," Shirou says, rising. "Not that I mean our hosts any disrespect, but the food really is far too rich for my tastes."
"You need to learn to live a little, Shirou-san!" Mataru says before biting into his pastry. "Enjoy some of the finer things in life."
"Your concern is appreciated," Shirou responds with a gentle smile. "You need not fear. I shall endeavor to expand my palate in order to relieve you of your worry. No feast will go unchallenged on my journey."
"Hah!" Mataru barks, slapping a hand on the floor. "Oh, you're an interesting one, monk."
You make your bows and well wishes for the evening, and follow one of the servants to the quarters set aside for you. The room is as well furnished as everything else in this place, with fine carpets and decorations on the door inlaid with gold scorpions. The bed is made of polished wood, and the weapon rack and armor stand set with silver.
You shake your head at just how much gone into all this decoration and slip out of your armor. You set every piece gently on the stand, concerned such a flashy thing might not hold all the weight. But it seems to take it with little trouble. The weapon rack, as well, manages to handle your swords and tetsubo. You look over everything and nod. All is where it needs to be.
That finished, you head into bed and under the covers. You feel the tiredness seep into your bones as your rest your head on the pillow. Today has been a long day of traveling, topped off with a fight for your life. That takes a lot out of a person, even one as fit as you.
You close your eyes, and soon enough you are fast asleep.
o\O/o
A knock on the wall by the door wakes you suddenly, and you nearly leap out of bed. It takes you a few seconds to realize where you are, and you slow your reaching grasp for your tetsubo. You stop entirely once you reach the weapons rack.
You almost smack your forehead in irritation, looking about the room in the light of the new morning. The noise, and the unfamiliar surroundings, startled you and you fell back on ingrained instincts. Grab a weapon, and get ready to hit things. Normally a good thing, considering what you Clan does day in and day out, but problematic here.
After all, it would be a poor way to return hospitality by accidently killing one of the servants. It is a good thing whoever came for you this morning decided to make their presence known outside. Waking a Crab Samurai is best done at a distance.
"My lord," comes a voice from outside. The door slides open, and a young woman bows deeply such that her head touches the floor. "I have been instructed to inform you that the prisoner has been interrogated and information has been collected. Bayushi Asami-sama awaits you at your convenience. Shall I lead you to her, or would you prefer a bath and a meal first?"
[] Bathe and eat.
[] Go straight to Asami.
[] Write in.
Sosuke has gotten a full night's sleep. He has recovered 9 Wounds and is back to full health.
