A Breath Before we March (Day 3, EE, Homura/Tani's room)

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

"Flatterer," she muttered with a laugh, pushing her head against Homura's. "Now I might suspect you are simply trying to sweet talk me."

Ikoma Homura · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 1:37 pm

"I only speak the truth Tani-chan" Homura grinned, placing a kiss on the womans cheek "you are a very interesting and beautiful woman my dear. I am happy to continue repeating it until you accept it as truth as well."

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

"You might have to repeat it often," she giggled. "I am very difficult to convince."

Ikoma Homura · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 2:57 pm

"Daily reminders then" Homura grinned "I do rather like the letters part of romance. A little memento of the moment...." she sighed softly "sometimes I'm a little too like a courtier it seems."

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

"You'll have to forgive if any letters I write are crude in the best of times," she smirked in return. "When I say I have no talent for court, I am certainly not exaggerating or being modest in saying so."

Ikoma Homura · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 3:07 pm

"Would you be interested in learning? I understand it's not the most appealing of things for a bushi, but there is a gentle art to court that can be quite fascinating" Homura tilted her head "of course I could just teach you poetry."

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

"I would at least give it a try," she nodded. "I think it is wise for a bushi to have a diverse understanding of the world they defend, even if they will never master such arts. At the least, it would be nice to be able to understand when someone is flirting with me."

Ikoma Homura · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 8:33 pm

Oh...I expected you to say no.

Homura nodded, having to quickly work out what she was going to do now her offer for politeness sake was accepted, taking a sip of tea.

"Hmm, ok. I can't promise it will always be obvious, some are far more subtle than I. The main thing you need to remember about this part of the world is most things are metaphors. Let me give you an example."

She paused again, thinking on a suitable one, before speaking.

"If I mention about viewing the flowers in season, what do you think I mean?"

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

Tani considered the question. Then shrugged. "Probably that there are spring flowers and that you want to view them?" She was obviously not great at metaphors.

Ikoma Homura · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 8:39 pm

Homura shook her head.

"Think more courtly. Have you ever seen a courtier dressed up for court?"

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

"I mean, yeah. The kimono look nice and all. Are... are the Courtiers the flower?" An eyebrow raised.

Ikoma Homura · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 9:21 pm

"Looking all pretty, gathered together in seasonal bloom" Homura grinned "hai, the flowers in season."

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

"That seems an awful circumspect..." she took a breath. "No, I suppose it makes sense in it's contexts. We don't say what we mean in court, after all." That was her least favorite lesson.

Ikoma Homura · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 9:36 pm

"Hai exactly" Homura nodded "often what a courtier says, and what they mean, can be different meanings. Like for example....a suggestion of reliving you of a few layers when suggesting to help with your armour" she winked.

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

"...You've been flirting with me this entire time, haven't you." Tani flushed hard with embarrassment, more at her own lack of notice than anything.

Ikoma Homura · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 9:52 pm

"Not the entire time" Homura said with a shake of her head "I have made subtle comments for a while. However now you know to look for a second meaning if the person may be someone with obvious courtly training, ne?"

She placed a soft kiss on Tani's lips.

"Forgive me if I have embarrassed you though, that wasn't my intent."

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

Tani chuckled and pushed her lips into Homura's. "You did not embarrass me. I embarrassed myself in this case, I think."

Ikoma Homura · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 10:23 pm

"At least it won't be a mistake you make again, ne? Or at least you know what to look out for?" Homura smiled, picking up her cup again "have you ever had someone send you a haiku before? Or received an anonymous poem?"

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

"I mean, we can always hope," she grinned. "No, I've not. Matsu are a bit more... direct in their affections."

Ikoma Homura · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 10:10 am

"Do I dare ask how Tani-chan would show her affection?" Homura smirked "the traditional way is secret letters, often with poetry showing ones affections in a subtle way. Unsurprisingly, this came from the Crane, but as one should keep private things private it works well."

A Breath Before we March (Day 3, EE, Homura/Tani's room)

Who is online