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[meteorrains]

[It seemed as if the world was spinning impossibly fast, twirling rapidly around it's axis in such a way that made time seem to move much quicker than average. Somehow, without truly realizing it as he had lived it, the entirely day had passed within the blink of an eye. Party after party, all which absolutely required his attendance. Each with a multitude of people who had not seen in years, all welcoming him home, all congratulating him on leading their army to victory. All praising him for managing to make it through a nasty war which had claimed many lives unscathed.

Learning that he was being gifted his own household located in the city as a present from his father had come just as dinner was about to begin, everyone raising a glass and cheering as the news was announced. He had nodded in acceptance, had thanked his father profusely for this grace and generosity, had listened to endless speeches of how lucky he was to have such a noble and wealthy family.

All he wanted in the entire world was a soft place to lay his head, to sleep knowing that peace had fallen over the land, that despite the previous years of suffering, he was finally safe.

Slipping his shoes off, he placed them upon the mat directly inside the door, closing it behind him and moving further into the house his father had chosen. It was well decorated, tasteful and bright, perfect for someone who would soon be searching for a wife. His chamber was easy enough to locate, the door slide back into place carefully. Each garment was peeled from his body slowly, until nothing the pants remained. Something cracked along his spine as he moved, muscled sore and stiff and for once, he wished he had stayed at his fathers estate. At least there he would be able to take a warm bath, or have one of his fathers servants message the area for him.

Sighing softly, he lifted a hand to rub gently at his neck, stretching slightly, before resuming the motion, trying to ease away the ache.]

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[lostheart]

[She thought... it would be nice to hear him laugh. A real laugh, not the cultivated one they all trained in for polite society. A man that could truly laugh was a man that was comfortable where he was and she thought it might be some time before he would feel comfortable here, far from his lifetime of tents and burned plains and companions that knew him. She would set it as one of her goals then. To make his house here feel like a safe and welcoming home for him.

Once he started eating it signaled a transition and so she let herself as well. She would need her energy. This upcoming month until the party was going to be very challenging. It would be her first real test - but even more than that, it would reflect on him and she would not let that be anything less than perfect.

Soft hums of sound answered his instructions, showing she had heard and understood and would see his instructions followed. Some would tell him that offering a reward to his servants for doing their duty was spoiling them but she thought it showed kindness and care.

She would weed out anyone that would take advantage of his generosity. His father had no doubt picked very carefully when he'd set up the household for his son but there was never harm in evaluating for herself. One mismatched servant could throw off the wa of the entire household.

Her eyes did light up, just a little, at the acknowledgement that he would need new clothes. The ones he wore were - attractive but he did not move in them the way she thought a man comfortable with his body as a soldier must be would. And - she thought - with the right clothes he could easily move from compellingly attractive to dangerously so without being aware of it. That was a good thing. Dangerously attractive men were given a bit more time to exist outside of marriage. It intimidated the fathers of some and made the fathers of others more willing to stretch the political and social dance that led up to an opening offer.]

I have two tailors in mind. I can arrange interviews with them for you here if you will tell me a time that is pleasing to you this week.

[She did not have to worry that they would be too busy or refuse. A new arrival on her danna's level to the capital, with his mysteriousness and history would have them jumping at the chance to be sponsored by him. Especially when it would be such a profitable connection as well as a politically powerful one. If they pleased him and dressed him well, they would not lack for clients in a hurry to follow whatever trends his new clothing set.

Another small bow of her head to show her gratitude for his giving her her freedom for the rest of the day - and she would need all the free time she could hoard and more if she was going to present him with something worthy at the end of the month.

And then her eyes slipped sideways to look at him and the whisper of the smile touched the edges of her red painted lips.]

If I may offer a suggestion to my lord... when people begin to ask what you are doing for your father's birthday, please say 'something simple' and nothing more. [The light danced in her dark eyes, mischief, but something swam, deeper and quieter, under that.] No one will believe you and they will be so busy guessing what you truly have planned that they will forget to guess at anything else about your life for a month.

[meteorrains]

[It was at once entirely surprising and utterly pleasing to hear that she already had two particular candidates in mind. Not only would it save quite a bit of time, but it would also expedite the process. The sooner he was no longer forced to endure the stiff, harsh fabrics of the clothes he father had chosen and could instead slip into the soft, light cottons he was accustom to, the better.

His father, at least, had chosen one thing incredibly well.]

Please, choose which is your favorite, and ask if they would be available mid morning tomorrow. [While it may have been incredibly short notice, it was one of those few things he would not mind having his name used for.] If it should turn out that they are not suitable, then we will pursue the other.

[There were no thought of producing the latest sought after fashions, of becoming a trendsetter who everyone would set out to emulate. Only the knowledge that he would never be able to perform hours of rigorous practice in the thick woolen linens his father had provided.

According to his father, to his family, all need for training, for exercising years of accumulated muscle memory had ended with the war. Worn sets of katana now sworn proudly, decorating the wooden walls of his home. Broken blades displayed in cases littered among his father's most prized possessions, so each time an important businessman or politician came to call, he could show them off and speak of his son's sacrifices ad if they were his own. All having seen war, all stained red with the blood of countless enemies, now relegated to nothing more than relics of the past.

Except for those carefully wrapped within the clothes he had returned in, hidden away within the safety of his room. Those in which would not be displayed, those in which would be cared for and used, should the need ever arise. Settling for the heavy wooden imitations used to train young samurai's wasn't ideal, nor would sneaking out in the dead of night to the courtyard, hidden away from the street and those eyes which might try to pry.

But it would keep his father's nose firmly where it belonged.

Her suggestion was an excellent one, and would leave everyone who chose to inquire guessing, giving them something to talk about other than the state of his private affairs. A soft smile crossed his features, eyes flickering upwards to glance upon her own, fire and ice dancing with that same mischief.]

How clever of you. [There was a certain hint of amusement there as well, although it was far from the laugh she seemingly desired.] I am glad then, that you are on my side. [Such a mind would make her an formidable ally and a dangerous opponent.] It will be interesting, to see what sorts of outlandish things they come up with while they are all left wondering.

[But it would keep those who thought to make introductions to their daughters and nieces and cousins at bay for the moment, eagerly awaiting the tone which this first affair would set.

Time began to wear onward, and having had his fill, he gracefully finished the now chilled and forgotten tea which had been thoughtfully poured. If he was late in arriving at his father's offices, it would only arouse questions of why.]

It is getting late and I must meet my father. He will rather disappointed if I am not on time. [Voice laced with something close to disdain, as if his entire being fought against his coming actions.] If you will, please have a bath and night clothes prepared for me when I return. Then, if it pleases you, we can dine together once more.

[lostheart]

[When he looked at her with that light in his eyes, the darkness and mischief and pleasure, she felt a long spool of silk suddenly unrolling in front of her feet into the shadows of the future. For just a moment, they were children again, conspiring over something, heads close, entirely devoted to the moment. And they were exactly who they were, a geisha and her warlord danna, the kind of alliance that could move entire countries and, in the past, sometimes had. It was the rustle of wings rising unseen and the simple pleasure of a well played joke. She felt it catch, in her chest and against her fingertips, and for the first time

she thought she felt a bit of what she had been told their arrangement could be.

It had the light sparkling up through the cherry shadow in her eyes and the very edges of her painted lips curling upward for him. She didn't take his praise lightly either. Cleverness counted for so much more than beauty to her. Being valued for her cleverness even more than that.

She heard the war in his voice next though and knew that her previous thoughts hadn't been off the mark. He was not comfortable in his civilian life and its new shackles. Not comfortable with his new place in things. How idle did his hands feel, without his sword or a horse's reins in them? Perhaps... she could find a way to give him other weapons... other enemies to fight...

there were certainly enough in the aristocratic world.]

Yes, lord. [A bow at his request, an affirmation that everything would be ready when he returned. His desires were simple to see through but she had a great deal to begin and, some of it, she hoped, would be far reaching. Seeing him for dinner, she found, was something that gave her a light to look forward to. It was a pleasant realization. Her eyes teased as she rose.]

Though if your father thinks he did a good job in choosing me, perhaps he would not be so disappointed if I was the reason you were not on time.

[meteorrains]

[Chances were, his father wouldn't mind overly much if he were to use her as an excuse for his tardiness. Unfortunately, that acceptance would also more than likely come along with a certain set of assumptions that he'd rather not give life or credence too.

And a great deal of his fathers own special brand of purportedly good natured teasing about how he had sampled the forbidden flower and how proud he was of his sons prowess and virility. Barely home a day and already following in his fathers footsteps and partaking in the servants.

He'd rather bare the brunt of his father's disappointment.

Lifting himself from his previous position, stretching almost without thought, long arms lifting above his head, a soft sigh releasing from his lifts as the movement eased sore, aching muscles.] My father thinks that all of his choices are good ones. Usually, he does not have quite this much success. [He was completely convinced, in fact, that choosing her had been one of the only truly good decisions his father had ever made, at least where his son was concerned.

Leaving the calming, playful presence she provided was already proving difficult. Moving on from her wit and intelligence and into a world ruled by who was most talented at manipulation and word play would prove even more so. But there was nothing that could be done for it, at least until he found a placement of his own among the aristocratic society he had returned to. Perhaps, if he were lucky, he would be given an office of his own, or offered a position training the new recruits who would be drafted to replace those who had been lost. Peace may have fallen over the land for the first time in decades, but that did not mean it would remain.

It would not stop those who sought power from invading, would not stop those who wished to destroy what had been built from trying. It was important to use this respite to prepare, to ensure the next generation wouldn't have to fight such long battles, wouldn't have to see so much death and pain and horror.

Dipping his head forward into a small nod, a show of respect that he offered to everyone, even those who were, by societies standards and technicalities, thought to be below him.] Until tonight, Willow.

[Voice quiet, words accompanied by a soft smile before he swept past her, calling out for his horse to be prepared and brought around as he went.]