Takama waited until Hatsuki was well out of earshot before speaking once more, cutting his eyes sidelong to Kiya. Before he could, though, the Unicorn spoke up first.
“You never mentioned an interest in this ‘kabuki,’ Crab-san.”
“I did not feel it was relevant,” grumbled Takama, eliciting a gentle brow-arch from the woman.
“Such a major hobby, neglected to have been shared with your wife-to-be. Poor form, indeed!”
“You had asked me of pastimes, Utaku-san, and my interest in kabuki is not indulged often enough to be a proper pastime!”
Kiya snorted. “Technicalities fit you poorly, Crab-san, you make me wonder if you only sought to feed the Scorpion falsehoods.”
“And why should I not?” Takama gave a gentle frown of his mouth to go along with his words. “You believe I should pass to her a full quiver of arrows with each conversation?”
“I believe that they deserve at least one arrow,” said Kiya, lifting her chin a bit, “for having the nerve to act the way they do, at all times.”
“Oh, they certainly deserve arrows, that much is certain. They deserve them point-first.”
Kiya furrowed her brow a bit, giving Takama a bit of a disappointed look. “Why do you loathe the Scorpion so strongly, Crab-san?”
Takama privately did away with much of his disbelief. The Unicorn, after all, hadn’t the history with the Scorpion that the Crab had. Her ignorance, in this matter, could be excused. “They have sabotaged the efforts of the Crab for years. Denying us trade goods, fighting us in the courts, petitioning the Emperor to do away with us as ‘unecessary’ and ‘outdated.’“
“Such a thing would mean their own end, surely they know this.”
“Perhaps they do. But they do not seem to care. They will stab any back and support any injustice they must, and blackmail those who do not fall into step.”
“Well,” said Kiya, “why, then, do you think Hatsuki is so generously offering us tickets to a kabuki show, with no expectation of payment or recompensation?”
“To earn our favor, and to make us, or at least you, pay her back in kind as an obligation.” Takama squinted ever so slightly at his fiancee. “What did you two discuss before my arrival?”
“Idle conversation,” said Kiya, “in which she requested my impartial judgment in matters of courtly intrigue.”
“Would she not ask one of your Ide brethren?” asked Takama.
“She would,” said Kiya, “if one were here... I enjoy the opportunity to work with truth and impartiality, so I do not mind.”
“Relish such an opportunity,” said Takama, “Utaku-san, for you will find them few and far between in court.”
“And so rarely will they come with promises of tickets to a play, for myself and my fiancee.”
“She offered you tickets. Not me, and certainly not the both of us.”
“A Crab, clinging to the letter of a letter and not the spirit?” Kiya gently waved her hand beneath her chin. “If only I had a fan, for I would surely faint otherwise!”
“The ground is quite hard, Utaku-san, you would do well to avoid falling on it.”
“You would not catch me before I fell, and carry me to my room?” asked Kiya, adopting a look of gentle, polite offense.
“Being in Crane lands has withered my strength. I do not know if I could hold you.”
“How unfortunate. You will simply have to find a way to build your strength up again...”
Takama’s lip curled. “And how do you suppose I do that?”
Kiya gave the gentlest of shrugs. “I would not have the slightest idea. Is that not something for the cunning minds of Crabs to figure out?”
Takama gave a snort. “I will find something to regain my strength, yes. But you will have to find a way to build up your, apparently negligible stamina.”
“Sparring, perhaps?” offered Kiya. “Kata and exercise?”
“Mh. Such a thing may be agreeable.”
“Good. Tomorrow, then.” Kiya rose, bowing to Takama. “For now, I have people to talk with and prior engagements to keep... I shall see you soon, Crab-san.”
“Likewise,” grunted Takama. “Send a letter when you are available, and when the Scorpion so generously gives you the tickets she had promised...”
“I will be sure to do so.” Kiya turned, gliding away back into the mass of branches and barren plants. “Build up that muscle in my absence, yes?”
I can bend an ogre’s arm, thought Takama with a grimace, leaning back on the bench and gathering his hands in his lap as he peered at the clouds overhead. I need to build up nothing to do the same to you.
If she is fond of that, at least.... Is she? She is a Unicorn...
