Courtyards and Walkways

Setoku slowly helped guide her a nearby spot against a tree within the courtyard. The night was going, and people were really getting rowdy, but it was moving more toward the center, which made their walk slightly easier.

"Are your sure, Akiyama-dono? I've heard good things about my fingers!"

He finally chimed in, as he angled himself for easy grabbing should she need it when she sat down. It was clear from his tone he was joking, but his facial features were that of only concern. 

"Should I just escort you to your quarters, Akiyama-dono? The people I know aren't going anywhere, you can always meet them later. Oh... Maybe this will help some..."

Setoku reached into his haori, pulling out a small, brown paper square. Offering it too her. 

"It's a mixture of three medical herbs, and helps reduce aching and bubbling in the stomach, fantastic thing for stomach aches, just one of the many things I made earlier for medical uses."

Again, he smiled, and shrugged off his haori, offering that too, for her.

"And throw this on, it'll keep ya warm."

It wasn't cold, but it was obvious he was concerned about more than her stomach. His eyes kept darting to the side, and he even looked over his shoulder a few times. It was weird... He just felt like he was being watched.

"Please, Akiyama-dono"

He added about the garment, looking again over his shoulder.

Ketsueki couldn't help a small bit of a smile as he jested, and eased down into sitting easily with his help. Her head came up but she struggled to keep her gaze somewhere other than him for the moment.

The herbs packed and wrapped were offered and she accepted them just in case, nodding in thanks. But when the haori was pulled off, her hand came up as she was prepared to decline - unsure about taking so much from him even if it was at his own request. But he insisted before she could say anything, and with hesitance she accepted the material around her shoulders and tugged it into place.

At least the gesture in itself, feeling the weight of the article of clothing, gave her a small sense of safety. She wasn't quite sure why, but it helped.

"Thank you... Thank you very much," she murmurs, her voice something a mix of relief and appreciation - much like a happy sadness over an overly kind gesture. But she couldn't help but notice he was acting a touch twitching with looking over his shoulder. "... are you all right?"

After serving many guests in the inner circle of the party, Nakatani decided to pay a visit to lord Genji. She would find him sitting together with Anzen and Kojuro. The sight of Kojuro made her smile. His green wear making him more mature looking then she had expected him.

"My lord." She would bow before attending them. If she were to get permission to come nearer she would refill Genji's cup with freshly warmed sake. She would not speak a word as she knew a confersation was taking place. She would offer Kojuro the same thing after his Uncle. Then to Anzen, who she expected wouldnt take any but would be rude to not offer.

If she found a moment to speak she would speak to them. "I trust you all are enjoying the party. If there is anything I could do to be of service, please don't hesitate to call on me." She would bow again.

"As a man who's survived under the threat of death his whole life... It's... Unnerving... But.. "

Her eyes were finally with his - And he just stopped. There was no need for words right now. His eyes suddenly grew wide, and his face felt hot, as her fingers brushed against one of his hands - causing it twitch, while simultaneously his own fingers wrapped around her own - basically taking her hand in his own.

"I understand, Akiyama-dono. I would be more than happy to just keep you company... For as long as you need.."

He smiled slowly, and, keeping her fingers with his, he slowly sat down before her, his eyes taking in all they could of her own. All he saw, beyond the slight brightness of comfort, was sadness, perhaps. And he didn't know why... But he felt he could ease it.. if only a little.

"I'm sure they'd understand, Akiyama-dono. Forgive me, but may I ask... About that person you were?"

He asked softly, hoping against hope his warm face wasn't because he was blushing. Bit considering the fact he was holding her fingers in his, he was almost sure he was.

Setoku merely lowered his head at first, letting his fingers slowly slide along her own from time to time, and his own memory slightly came back, a snippet from long ago. He frowned, before biting his bottom lip. He already saw their similarities... And he didn't talk about the past. So what right did he have to ask her? She begun anyway, speaking of her home briefly, then of her father... But then she stopped. Setoku quickly looked up, watching the sadness grow on her features. He reached up with his free hand, as if to brush back a stray hair, but stopped himself - Thinking better of it.

"Akiyama-dono... Wait. I had no right."

Setoku looked away from her, not moving either his hand, or lowering his arm from her.

"I should attempt that again. I'm not... Good with girls, forgive me. What I had meant was... I want to know the beautiful woman Akiyama-dono of now - What her plans and dreams are."

He looked back to her, knowing how he was coming off, and to him, it was not pleasant. Or respectful.

"You don't need to tell me what you do not wish too - I... I can tell this discomforts you."

His other arm finally begun to pull away from its reach, and come back down, where the hand came to rest atop the one he was holding.

"Please, Akiyama-dono. Don't burden yourself with painful memories on my account. I am hardly worth it."

Again, he smiled, and lowered his head. Gazing at the ground. This is the part where he wanted to scream at himself for his lack of respect.

Setoku tilted his head to the side, frowning slightly. She was speaking of herself in the third person, no doubt to avoid the pain. He'd done that a few times. He listened though, and once she finished, he looked away a moment. He understood, he really did.

"Well from where this humble samurai stands... You are not alone."

He murmured, looking back to her.

"As for anything being asked of her... If it is too much, I don't know... Perhaps this one can shoulder some of the weight, if she would allow it."

He looked to the ground again, smiling sadly.

"This one understands what it's like to lose everything. It is a hell one should never go through alone. So do not."

A finger raised from her hand, pointing toward the haori on her shoulders.

"That is proof enough you are no longer alone Akiyama-dono, for what it's worth."

He kept his eyes too the ground her comforting grasp on his hand, hearing her as if from a great distance.

"It was a long time ago... A warriors life, do not waste time on it."

He finally looked back to her, watching her hold the haori tightly, and he could only smile. No one ever seen to project this type of safety in one of his garments.

"I may not always be able to save you from grief, but at the very least, I can shoulder what I can. I wish I could do more, Akiyama-dono."

He bowed his head, gazing at the ground. His words were sincere, but it felt strange to hear himself say such.

Setoku was still trying to figure out a few things, as he felt his arm raise up - Looking up, he watched as Akiyama rose to her feet, and naturally, he did the same.

"Akiyama-dono...?"

His question wasn't answered though, as she tugged him along, making her way quickly through the crowd and back to the guest rooms. Setoku gave the views they had a once over, noting they were alone. He. But he didn't say anything. Just held her hand tightly.