Guest room

Unlike the two women, Setoku showed literally no outward signs of betrayal, fear, or even distaste for Nakatani, instead, he came off as more content. He had mentioned his same goals to Akiyama, but with slightly more further detail. Detail that couldn't be covered with the girl still in the room. He merely nodded at Nakatani'S response, but his eyes were focused on Akiyama. A slight frown creasing his lips.

"Like what...? Akiyama-dono, I believe I mentioned earlier... You are... Exactly like me. To lose so much, and still function. That kind of strength..."

He finally looked away from her, staring at his hands. Was that entirely true? We're they so similar? To a point... But she had something over him, and secretly... He cursed himself for that.

"Is something even I lacked. You are not only amazing in that sense alone, but the fact you still claim you would do what you could for a Lord... Is beyond me. The least I can do, perhaps to atone for my own past failings, or out of a misguided sense of desire, is make sure you can reach whatever it is you desire."

Setoku kept his eyes on his hands, still unsure of why he admitted this, especially in the company of someone close to Genji, but what was done is done.

Once she was done setting things down she figured she had no more reason to hang around. She looked at Ketsueki once more before starting to get up. "I will leave you two to drink your tea. If there is anything you need don't be scare to call on me once more." she said politely and bowed to them both before she got up to leave the room.

In the end she was just a servent. She did not have rights to stay in the room if she was not needed to serve.

Without a second thought, a glimmer of hope sprung forth - a swift, sharp lash of her hand towards Nakatani but her only move was to take her wrist in a gesture to call for her to stay. When the motion was made Ketsueki froze for a moment or two, trying to contemplate on what she had done. But it was clear - Nakatani was someone she could trust and lean on. The woman had tended to her in a dire moment of need rather than look down her nose at her.

If the woman wasn't alarmed and was seized, Ketsueki would plead with just a glance of her eyes for her to stay by her side before letting go. The more she thought on it, the more she realized it would be necessary. Setoku was prodding all the right buttons to urge her to speak, but it wasn't going to be easy.

Her attention would carefully shift back to the man, watching his hands as they fidgeted. Something about seeing the man in a position similar to her own was a little relieving. "I... I can appreciate that. But I do not know how anyone can help me, after what I've endured. I'm not even sure... how to cope. And I fear that what I've been dealt wasn't quite the trials you faced, Setoku-san."

Setoku finally brought his hands up, placing them under his chin, no doubt in contemplation. The slave of Genji was clearly meant to stay. But that actually fit into his plans even more. The distrust was almost palpable, yet, it was common for men of his upbringing and standing. So in reality, the vacation he had with Akiyama was only that. A vacation into a dream he would always wake from. His eyes followed Nakatani's every move. She couldn't be trusted, not to him, anyway.

"It's funny you agree with me, Nakatani-san. And Akiyama-dono, you are correct. Our circumstances are vastly different. Yet similar as well, but as I said, when it comes to something you feel is beyond you, it's what I'm for. Nothing more, nothing less."

Setoku finally reached down to take a sip of his own tea. He would have to take his leave soon, either way. But first, he needed to find out one more thing.

"Coping and surviving are wholly different things, Akiyama-dono. When it comes to such loss beyond something minor, coping is no longer an option. You survived, you show strength in just that minor feat alone."

Setoku set his tea down, and his eyes moved back to Nakatani. A self deprecating smile crossing his lips.

"Isn't that right, Nakatani-san?"

"I agree Setoku-san. Ketsueki-san has come a long way since I first saw her in the meeting room of Lord Genji. She is a strong woman, but even strong woman can struggle and lose their way. All we can do is lend her strength till she can find her own." again she squeezed the hand she was holding. She did not meant to talk Ketsueki down and hoped she understood her meaning in the words she spoke. Nakatani meant to carry some of her weight and helping her regain herself, to become confident again. The men in front of her seemed to voice his intentions as being the same, but still seemed of to her and trust was far to the sought after their first meeting. Why had he looked for her specifically?

She looked at Ketsueki upon the question, the pain still clear in her eyes. If only the night was over and she could take her to the shrine she had invited her too, she was sure it would help her in one way or another.

She went very, very quiet with his words, her gaze shifting down to the tea that had been set before her. Without a word, she took the cup in both hands and brought it up for a sip - remaining eerily quiet. At least the tea was helping keep her from wanting to vomit again.

The truth of the world... yeah, she already knew it. The truth was, nine shinobi to one kunoichi was a grim reality. The truth was, she was shown the way of the world like he said - at their hands. It was a hard truth she never should have known, and wished she hadn't been taught.

Setoku lowered his head, and literally smiled. Her reaction said enough. Now it was a matter of resolve, or a different matter entirely. Setoku nodded to them in equal measure, before rising to his feet.

"Well it's been eye opening, Akiyama-dono, Nakatani-san. And Akiyama, keep that haori - Until the time is prudent."

Setoku took a step toward the door, before stopping.

"As you know, Akiyama-dono, you have no worries here. Whether it be Genji, or myself, nothing will reach you here, despite how your features say otherwise."

Once he left Nakatani was free to focus her attention on Ketsueki. She did not know what had brought them both to this very room. She even felt slightly guilty she had not thought to check up on the woman during the party.

"Are you alright Ketsueki-san?" she touched her leg softly, looking at her with worry in her eyes.

Nakatani... how could she explain this to her? She wanted to talk to someone, badly - but she was so scared. Her hand moved from the cup sitting on its saucer to grasp at Nakatani's - and the woman would be able to feel the quiver in her grasp.

"Yes... yes, I'm all right," she murmurs.