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Post by Shibatsu Eito on Jan 16, 2018 17:14:56 GMT -5
Eito thinks a moment, tapping his finger to his lips. "None taken. Honestly I have to be honest. I am a Spider. When I was young it was my job to convince everyone we were trustworthy when they all believed we weren't. Now it is my job to convince everyone we are trustworthy when we have proven we were not. Everyone is going to check my statements for lies at every opportunity so I figure there is no real reason to make it easy." he says with a small smirk.
His warm if clever gaze falls back on her. "Also I grew up playing with the peasants. Spiders are taught that it is not only our name or status that makes us who we are, but our inner strength. It is...a bit heretical to say but they say a powerful but wicked man might be reborn as a peasant as punishment? If the soul is the same, the value the same, why does he not rise in station? Because he can't. Being a peasant, or Gajin, or Ronin does not make one inferior. But being born one, or becoming one through circumstance makes gaining strength far more difficulty. That's why I try to treat my workers well, pay them fairly and keep them safe. In my next life or my past life that could very well have been me."
He pauses a bit thinking. "Besides, I had to work for my fortune. Twice. It may be a different kind of hard work then most people think but such a thing makes it hard to look down on those doing the same."
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Umeko
Ronin/Other
Posts: 295 Likes: 0 
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Post by Umeko on Jan 16, 2018 23:02:46 GMT -5
Umeko smiled kindly, nodding to his words. She chuckled softly as she absently watched the streets rush by. "In my youth, I might have felt your words to be an impossibility. I might have condemned you for them..." She paused, lost in which ever memory. "But more then twenty years as something barely more then a peasant does help one adjust their view of the world. In the past, I have eaten with peasants, I have shared their homes, helped them repair their roof. I have fought side by side with people considered only slightly more important than cattle... And I have rarely found them wanting."
She looked like she was about to continue, before her eyes widened and she snapped her mouth shut, hand covering her mouth. She cleared her throat, blushing and quickly looking away. "Well, as it may be, I am glad to see we see eye to eye on this matter. I believe the peasant cast will be essential to retaking the islands when the time come, and I wouldn't want them to be treated unfairly."
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Post by Shibatsu Eito on Jan 16, 2018 23:08:21 GMT -5
Eito nods slightly. "One of the gifts of the Spider, is we see things from a perspective others don't. When you don't need honor to make a man, you can value strength and will instead. They have their place in the order, but they have my respect as well." he says before he notices something and chuckles. "Found wanting eh? I admit neither have I."
Poor things. If a Samurai couldn't resist him. Still he was at least always kind. "Retake the islands hmm? I wish I had known you were going about it that way. That's something I can get the spider behind. You know how bloodthirsty our Bushi are. If I try to do anything without a fight they get cranky."
"I am glad you found me different then imagined. My turn. You know a bit of my nature now, does it bother you?"
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Umeko
Ronin/Other
Posts: 295 Likes: 0
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Post by Umeko on Jan 17, 2018 20:05:33 GMT -5
"I am a bushi, Eito-san... I cannot hope to impress the emperor enough for him to give us back our name with flowery words. This seems like the most likely way for me to succeed."
She was about to quickly deny that anything about him could possibly bother her when she paused, giving the question the time it deserved. A small frown crossed over her features as she considered what she knew of him. "There is very little about you that bothers me, Eito-san, save perhaps the fact that you shouldn't be allowed to be so good looking at your age." Umako said with faux-pain in her voice, smirking playfully. Her expression darkened quickly after that.
"However." She turned to face him, and there was no trace of mirth on her face. "I am running out of time. I tire of games, and have little experience in courting. I approach my forties rather quickly, and while I might have the birthright and the name to rebuild the Yoritomo, I can hardly do it alone. I need children. I need an husband. We spoke of this yesterday, but I think it might be best to make myself clear."
"I see ourselves faced with two options. Option one, you agree to a political alliance with myself. In which case I will expect loyalty, devotion and trust, which I of course will offer as well. I do not want an husband that will never be a part of my children's life, as they will most likely have a difficult one. I don't know if we can learn to love each other, as it is much to early for that, but I know I can respect you enough to make an union work."
The woman shifted, slipping closer to him, her tone lowering slightly. "Or... We get what ever this is out of our system." She motioned between the two of them. "And move on to a more professional relationship as we try to get both of our families back on their feet, and I'll bring my offer to Asahina-sensei."
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Post by Shibatsu Eito on Jan 17, 2018 20:44:13 GMT -5
Elio nods. "Impressing the Emperor's son is already something I have asked the other Spider to do."
"I work hard on my looks but I understand that you need a husband. I know what my duties would be then. Now I can give loyalty and trust. But I need you to understand I have never been with only one person. I don't know how much a problem that is for you. If you don't mind a pan sexual and polyamourous husband, then the rest I can do. Especially the kids. I hope I can be a better parent then those who raised me. If you think we could be happy then I would consider that form of alliance. However, I also need to ask you a question with full honesty first. Worst come to worse you and I have a romp and I still help you. Informal alliance without marriage. So my question, is there someone you love and who?"
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Umeko
Ronin/Other
Posts: 295 Likes: 0
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Post by Umeko on Jan 17, 2018 20:55:59 GMT -5
Umeko sat back, sighing. "I accepted the fact I most likely wouldn't marry for love years ago." She shook a hand dismissively. "In any case, while I have someone I might like I wouldn't say it is anywhere near love. I wouldn't be crying myself to sleep every night if I had to leave now."
She frowned as she considered the question of a wandering husband, right hand absently moving to roll the empty finger of her glove between her fingers. "It is a difficult question, Eito-san." The woman finally admitted. "As you ask me right now, I would probably say I do not care. However, should our relationship develop further, would I become jealous perhaps?" She tilted her head at the thought. "I truly cannot say..."
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Post by Shibatsu Eito on Jan 17, 2018 21:09:56 GMT -5
"Huh pity. I'm quite fond of the concept of love. Who is the one you like? Honestly I am fond enough of you I would be willing to work to see you actually find hapiness. Also you would be free to go as well. It's anyone. In fact I could hire someone as your bodyguard if you wish them." He says softly. "I find myself burdened between love and conscience."
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Umeko
Ronin/Other
Posts: 295 Likes: 0
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Post by Umeko on Jan 17, 2018 22:14:00 GMT -5
She looked sideways at him with an enigmatic smile. "Perhaps you just have not found the right person that would truly complete you. Maybe one day you will find that person, and then never ever feel the need to look elsewhere." She chuckled. "But I am most likely the worst person to ask about matters of the hearts. I have never had the chance before to have anything remotely close to a stable relation. At most, adrenaline fueled one night stands after a battle."
Her eyes flickered down to her covered hand, and she absently scratched the back of it. "As for the person I *might* like..." She shot him an amused smile. "Well, you seem like a very perceptive man, I'm sure you can figure it out."
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Post by Shibatsu Eito on Jan 17, 2018 22:26:02 GMT -5
Eito shakes his head. "I met her. She was willing to share me and let me share her. But the war cost many of us many things. I think I know. I might want you two to end up gtogether. I wish he and I could share you but, we will think on it then unless Asahina San works better. For now though I hope you can enjoy the evening and my company."
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Umeko
Ronin/Other
Posts: 295 Likes: 0
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Post by Umeko on Jan 18, 2018 11:36:06 GMT -5
She smiled sadly. "Indeed, it has..." She bowed her head slightly. "I am sorry for your loss, Eito-san." She sighed, shaking her head slightly. "While I appreciate your concern for my own love life, I'm afraid Genji-san might not have the qualities I am looking for." She smiled slightly. "Please, do not get me wrong. He is a wonderful man, but much too similar to myself. I seek an husband that can fill in my own shortcomings in the etiquette and courtier departments, not one that can keep up with me in a fight."
Umeko gave a resigned sigh. "I am truly sorry there seem to be a few points we disagree on concerning a potential marriage." She shot him a smile. "I do think you would be the best candidate." Her right hand moved to her heart and she gave a small bow. "Perhaps my opinion on the matter will change by the end of the evening."
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