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Post by Shosuro Saito on Mar 29, 2018 20:46:52 GMT -5
"Why do you think I would use what you tell me against you?" Saito says, cocking his head to the side quizzically. "Offering the information at all implies that you trust me not to do so. On top of that, you've already trusted me with your very life. So, how much greater a leap of faith is it to provide me with the tools I'd need to give you some honest, and dare I say, helpful advice?"
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Post by Kuni Hinata on Mar 30, 2018 5:33:18 GMT -5
"Entrusted you with my life? How so, by coming into your office?"
Hinata clucked her tongue in disapproval.
"Sure, I suppose you could just do away with me now. However, if a candidate for empress, crown prince's girlfriend no less, were to suddenly go missing after meeting with you in your office I doubt that would be the smoothest way to do it. Besides, I am not vomiting my lungs out, so I am going to say the tea was probably not poisoned. ...well that and the fact we are both drinking from the same pot."
As if the emphasize this, she took another sip of her tea.
"Aside from veiled threats, though, you have just given me another reason not to trust you. You are so eager for me to give information, but so reluctant to give it in turn."
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Post by Shosuro Saito on Mar 30, 2018 7:41:52 GMT -5
"How insultingly direct of you," Saito says, frowning. "Poison? Really? I'm not one to discourage a healthy dose of caution, but you must divest yourself of such paranoid stereotypes if you ever hope to make allies out of potential rivals. Should you meet next with a Crane, will you accuse them of trying to provoke a duel with every inevitably backhanded compliment? Will you consider a Phoenix with parchment or his phone in hand a threat of imminent immolation?" He shakes his head yet again.
"You call me reluctant to share, yet I've offered you advice at nearly every turn," he notes with a sigh.
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Post by Kuni Hinata on Mar 30, 2018 7:59:25 GMT -5
Hinata pursed her lips at that, thinking. It was true, he had done nothing but offer advice the entire time. So either he was playing this game very well...
...or she was just being paranoid, as he said. She blew out a sigh.
"...fine, you have a point. I am a Kuni, paranoia comes with the territory" she said, her tone only half joking.
"Alright then. I will tell you what you want to know. In the interest of fairness, however, I do still insist that I get to ask you a few questions in return. So...what is your first question?"
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Post by Shosuro Saito on Mar 30, 2018 21:45:25 GMT -5
"Thank you, Kuni-san," Saito says, smiling with something approaching genuine gratitude. "I am still curious what plans you have, in the event that yours is not the hand that Iweko-sama selects to take in matrimony?"
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Post by Kuni Hinata on Mar 30, 2018 21:53:48 GMT -5
"In a case that final? I am not sure. I know him well, I highly doubt I could change his mind. He is quite committed to doing what he feels is best for the Empire. A good quality in an Emperor."
She shrugged.
"Not that I would not try. I would try talking to the Nakodo, I know her as well. I would also try talking to him. Beyond that there is not much I could do."
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Post by Shosuro Saito on Mar 30, 2018 22:33:53 GMT -5
"Both determined and tenacious," Saito observes, though whether he approves or disapproves of these traits in Hinata remains something of a mystery. "I actually rather meant what you might do after such a decision is finalized. Where does Kuni Hinata-san see herself in a near potential future where another woman is Iweko Yoshinobu-sama's betrothed? Just being considered will have earned you a great deal of social capital. Have you thought about how you might invest it should you fall short of your ultimate goal?"
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Post by Kuni Hinata on Mar 30, 2018 23:17:37 GMT -5
Hinata drummed her fingers on her lap, thinking.
"Well, my initial goal coming here was to study medicine. I suppose I would go back to that. Granted, I would have a lot more resources to work with than I did before. I could likely devote them to opening my own practice."
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Post by Shosuro Saito on Mar 31, 2018 6:10:06 GMT -5
"A noble endeavor," the Scorpion says, nodding. "It's not many who would parlay their good fortune into an opportunity to help others. You'd have have your pick of investors, eager to associate their names with a medical practice fronted by one of Iweko-sama's most favored." Feeling quite satisfied with Hinata's candor, Saito gives her an expectant look.
"You had a question for me now?" he asks.
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Post by Kuni Hinata on Mar 31, 2018 6:47:26 GMT -5
"Well, since we are on the topic of what-ifs, I suppose I should ask you what you would do if I did become empress. I know the Scorpion have their own candidate to back."
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