Amiko Kobayashi (hotlittlehands) wrote,
@ 2011-12-13 17:37:00

AU: A Real Lady
Many called Clan Yashida's holdings a corporate empire with multiple security contracts with the Japanese government. Others called it the closest contemporary Japan could get to a shogunate. Everyone, however, knew about the young daimyo's... fixations. Living fairly austerely for one so wealthy, Amiko Kobayashi used her financial savvy to direct all clan resources to two things. The first was the protection and well being of people throughout the clan. The second was the devastation of every Hand operation they could track down.

Some months ago, she had interfered in an incident in the middle of the street out of concern for the safety of the arresting officers.

It had proven quite lucky, although at times she felt like a dirty old woman for enjoying the view.
Tonight, Amiko asked Hajime to see her in her office.

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	get_medieval 2011-12-14 04:23 am UTC (link)
	"In time, they will be rooted out and destroyed." he replies. "And I will take all of this into account... but will not abandon my current duties, of course." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hotlittlehands 2011-12-14 04:31 am UTC (link)
	"Of course you won't. But know that they're capable of being rearranged when you need it, and you'll have plenty of resources at your disposal when you feel the time is right." She looks at him intently. "If this is what it looks like, then I know how important it is, believe me." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2011-12-14 04:37 am UTC (link)
	He nods. "I would suggest that the resources be allocated soon... not... out of selfish intent, but because this would suggest the Hand has some amount of time travel capabilities. I would suggest we need to know to what degree as soon as possible." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hotlittlehands 2011-12-14 04:42 am UTC (link)
	She nods. "I have some people coming together ready to go tomorrow afternoon. Is there anything you need taken care of tonight?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2011-12-14 04:44 am UTC (link)
	He nods. "I should spend at least a couple of hours in prayer... let my father know that he may be able to rest soon. Is there anything you wish of me in the meanwhile?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hotlittlehands 2011-12-14 04:48 am UTC (link)
	There's a very brief pause before she shakes her head. "No. That will be all." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2011-12-14 10:03 am UTC (link)
	He notes the pause. "Amiko-sama... if there is something I can help with, please do not hesitate to say so. This news does not change my duty or commitment to you." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hotlittlehands 2011-12-14 12:02 pm UTC (link)
	A thin smile. "I know." And I adore you for it. "But we are dealing with important matters, and a passing fancy for conversation is not among those." 'I'm lonely' was not a legitimate request. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2011-12-14 02:06 pm UTC (link)
	He considers that. "In the midst of important matters is the most important time to find balance. Check your reports, let me pray... and then perhaps you will join me for tea?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hotlittlehands 2011-12-14 02:26 pm UTC (link)
	"...A very good point, thank you. And I would like that." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2011-12-14 02:30 pm UTC (link)
	He smiles just slightly, then bows. "I will see you there, then. I will have tea prepared properly... it would be a good omen." he adds, waiting for official dismissal before leaving. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hotlittlehands 2011-12-14 02:35 pm UTC (link)
	"Thank you, Hajime-san. You may go." And Amiko will get back to work for a while. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

get_medieval
2011-12-14 02:42 pm UTC (link)

He disappears for the two hours promised, kneeling, totally still before the small shrine he's built.
After the time is up, feeling somewhat more at peace, he heads into the main break room, where he figures she'd usually expect tea... and rearranges it, dropping the legs of the folding table to provide a surface near the floor, and bringing in mats. Then he sets about laying out the ingredients for tea. He has a set... it doesn't see a lot of use, since there's no one trained to prepare it for him, but he appreciates the chance to do this properly, even if he's not as good at the ceremony as he might like. The water is boiling, the matcha powders set out, along with the stirring whisk.
He's as quick and efficient about it as he can be, trying to have everything laid out by the time she arrives.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hotlittlehands 2011-12-14 02:51 pm UTC (link)
	And she comes in to find everything so ... fairly properly done. "I must admit," she says, smiling, ready to take her place on one of the mats. "I have never been as good at it as I wanted to be." She knew she had her strengths, but she was never going to be her Lady-Mother. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2011-12-14 03:06 pm UTC (link)
	He smiles, quirking a brow. "I was taught, but not very well. I was not aware you knew the ceremony. Would you do me the honor of serving, then?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hotlittlehands 2011-12-14 03:17 pm UTC (link)
	"I learned as a child, but never improved." Yukio had certainly had no time for such things, and combat training, higher education, and her own private war had gotten in the way. "It would be my pleasure." And she does her best to do so with adequate propriety. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2011-12-14 04:15 pm UTC (link)
	Regardless of the errors, he makes no attempt to correct her. That would be rude, and as odd as it is to have his daimyo in that role, its a pleasure being served tea again. He conducts his portions of the ritual, if not perfectly, at least rather well, having had more training, long ago, on being on the side of the ceremony of receiving. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hotlittlehands 2011-12-14 04:47 pm UTC (link)
	And Amiko forces herself to ignore all the sudden worries that she's making said mistakes. Because she probably is, but she can't fix that now, so perfectionism isn't going to help anything right this moment. But while she may, in fact, be more nervous serving tea than in combat, it's still... nice. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2011-12-14 04:53 pm UTC (link)
	He compliments her service at the appropriate points, and seems to quite enjoy the experience. "Your teachers did very well." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hotlittlehands 2011-12-14 05:10 pm UTC (link)
	She smiles, just slightly flushed. "Thank you." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2011-12-14 05:15 pm UTC (link)
	"Of course, Amiko-sama. Had I known you had been trained for this, I would have asked you to tea long ago, I am sorry." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hotlittlehands 2011-12-14 05:42 pm UTC (link)
	"Difficult to know when we'd never discussed it, but I will be happy to join you in future, when we have the time. My training in this, like my training in several things, was... incomplete -- the fault merely of circumstances, not instruction. They did it perfectly, my Lady Mother especially." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2011-12-14 05:51 pm UTC (link)
	"We can make the time. As for your training... circumstances will do that. My training was reasonable, when young... but only from one side of the table." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hotlittlehands 2011-12-14 06:00 pm UTC (link)
	"Understandable. I've always tried to learn a lot of things from more than one angle." A bit of an understatement, really. "Sometimes have worked better than others." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2011-12-14 06:04 pm UTC (link)
	"You have a lot of different faces you must wear, so it is understandable." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)