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Post by Shosuro Saito on Mar 27, 2018 21:12:03 GMT -5
"None, because players don't have any cards to show before even they're dealt," Saito nitpicks her metaphor. "How serendipitously appropriate was your botched attempt at turning a phrase, as it serves to illustrate that you are attempting to play an empty hand close to your chest." He half-grins and sips his tea.
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Post by Kuni Hinata on Mar 27, 2018 21:20:33 GMT -5
Hinata shrugged.
"Believe what you wish. I have nothing to prove to you."
She set her tea down, finished with it.
"Besides, it is a fool's game to plan so much that you leave no room for adaptation. Life is never static, no matter the context."
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Post by Shosuro Saito on Mar 27, 2018 21:51:02 GMT -5
"You have quite a bit to prove to a number of people, Kuni-san," Saito retorts. With a shrug, he asks, "Why not start with me? Contrary to what you might think, I'm far more forgiving than many."
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Post by Kuni Hinata on Mar 27, 2018 22:52:00 GMT -5
Yes, quite forgiving. No doubt so her could use what she said later. If she just got up and walked out, however, that could also be used against her. No, she had to answer his question, and answer it truthfully. She just had to do so in such a way that it sounded convincing without revealing too much.
"And how am I to impress you, exactly? Do I tell you of the contacts I have made throughout the clans and Imperial Families? Do I tell you of the negotiations I am in? Do I tell you of the favors I am owed and the connections I have made?"
She shrugged.
"All of that is just words; promises that mean nothing until acted upon. All I can say is that I have not been idle, and I doubt you have either. I am also not going to pretend I can contend with a seasoned courtier such as yourself; you doubtless have more resources to work with than me just by virtue of having been around longer."
She shook her head.
"I am not going to upsell myself and pretend I am something I am not. That is just dishonest, and setting myself up for failure besides."
Pretending to upsell herself, then downselling herself? An unorthodox tactic to be sure. Also inadvisable on the surface. That was the point; to get him to underestimate her.
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Post by Shosuro Saito on Mar 28, 2018 14:39:58 GMT -5
"And how am I to impress you, exactly? Do I tell you of the contacts I have made throughout the clans and Imperial Families? Do I tell you of the negotiations I am in? Do I tell you of the favors I am owed and the connections I have made?" “It would be a start,” Saito replies, smiling sweetly. "All of that is just words; promises that mean nothing until acted upon. All I can say is that I have not been idle, and I doubt you have either. I am also not going to pretend I can contend with a seasoned courtier such as yourself; you doubtless have more resources to work with than me just by virtue of having been around longer." “Careful now,” he warns. “I wouldn’t say such a thing in front of any samurai who might have made you such promises, or you could find yourself challenged very swiftly to a duel. You do know that, according to Bushido, if a samurai says he will do a thing, it should not be questioned. If not, perhaps you should take a refresher class on the subject.” His smile turns a bit wicked as he suggests this. “Also, if you consider age such a benchmark of power and success, what does that say of your opinion of our Prince, eh?” he asks. She shook her head. "I am not going to upsell myself and pretend I am something I am not. That is just dishonest, and setting myself up for failure besides." “Speaking of the Prince,” Saito says, as he had been doing so, “Iweko-sama cannot continue to protect you as he did today. Unless you wish to become a burden upon his limited and valuable time, you shall have to quickly rise to the task of defeating your own enemies, no matter how powerful they are or how low is your true opinion of yourself. That said, I should stress again at this point that I am not one of them.” |
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Post by Kuni Hinata on Mar 28, 2018 14:55:34 GMT -5
"Oh, believe me, I know. I never said I would run from a challenge, I just said I am aware of the limits of my own abilities. It is better to be aware of them than to deny it."
She made a conceding gesture with her hand.
"And I believe you when you say you are not my enemy. Enemy would imply there is some animosity between us, but there is not. I certainly harbor no ill will towards you, even if we are opposed in our goals."
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Post by Shosuro Saito on Mar 28, 2018 21:58:33 GMT -5
"Now that, I believe," Saito tells her. "An enemy would hardly be leading me in such a delightful dance as we've enjoyed this morning." His tone doesn't sound quite as complimentary as his words or his smile might have Hinata otherwise believe.
"I am still interested in hearing specifically what connections and contingencies you've actually made," he says, reminding her of his previous inquiries on the topics. "Or did you only ask how you might impress me rhetorically, with no intention to actually attempt to do so?"
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Post by Kuni Hinata on Mar 29, 2018 0:05:45 GMT -5
Hinata mulled over the request for a bit, then nodded as she came up with a solution.
"Very well. I will tell you, but on one condition: for every connection or contingency I reveal to you, you must reveal one to me. Each one revealed must be related to the topic of who will be Empress. Can you agree to that?"
If she was going to give him information, she was going to get some in return. It was only fair.
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Post by Shosuro Saito on Mar 29, 2018 8:02:30 GMT -5
"I thought you already found me suitably impressive?" Saito says, comically feigning hurt feelings. "The position you seek means selflessly giving everything of yourself in service to the Empire, Kuni-san, but you can't even give me enough to impress without expecting immediate and comparable reciprocation?" He shakes his head and clicks his tongue in disappointment.
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Post by Kuni Hinata on Mar 29, 2018 11:57:00 GMT -5
"My, Shosuro-sensei, I did not take you for an idealist" Hinata said with a smirk.
"Even the most selfless of political positions must remember it is just that. Politics oft requires getting your hands dirty; I would expect a Scorpion would know this."
She took a moment to refill her tea.
"It also requires not doing anything so stupid as to offer up information you have freely to someone who has every reason to use them against you."
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