Her brother answers the door, smiling. "Ah Kyouka." Heavily muscled from the gruelling training they both endured, her brother took the opposite path to Kyouka, raising a family and taking a regular job as a foreman. His wife and children live in the house with him, and she can hear children laughing behind him. "It's a bit too late for dinner, but we can find you something. Will you be staying the night?"
“Well...” Midori began as she looked her sister up and down, “you must be tired after all the work you today. How about I give you a massage and help you relax, for starters?” She suggested and licked her lips. Part of her was getting excited at the possibilities of where this conversation could go...
Jian watched the mysterious, fire-haired woman ride out of the castle, before the noble lady approached him. He returned her bow, clasping his palm and fist, 'It's an honour, Lady Yakuboo.' His continental accent was strong, but intelligable, 'I'm Jian Zhao, from the Eternal Empire. I have come to see Lord Shintaro.' He blushed a little, the prospect of the death penalty making him nervous, 'My mother claims him to be my father, though I was unaware that claiming to be a bastard son carried the penalty of death should it turn out untrue. The guards told me not to leave until the matter is resolved... one way or another.'
“Right away. But why don't you sit down first? It will be more comfortable for both of us.” Midori suggested. Once Saeki was seated Midori stood behind her and began massaging her shoulders, at first slowly and gently, then faster and with more force, trying to make the younger girl relaxed. She leaned down to whisper in her sister's ear. “Is the massage to your satisfaction so far, my lady?” Her hot breath tickled Saeki's ear.
Kyouka smiles as one of her more "normal" sibling answered the door, "Hey there, Sarutobi. I see the family's still healthy, eh?" She said in a cheeky tone, before taking a peek at her nephews. The redhead then enters her family estate, saying "Mm. Anyway, I will be imposing myself on you for a day. Tomorrow, I'll be heading to the capital. I actually just came to inform everyone that I've been chosen for the Kushan."
"This is so. Our clan will not allow commoners to sully our name with such slander. Our ways may not be like those you recognize in the Eternal Empire, but these are Hattori's laws and traditions. As for your parentage, I can not make that decision. So, until then you'll be treated as an honored guest. I would rather treat a liar better than he deserves than dishonor a brother." With those words, she held up a cautioning finger. "You will be under constant guard, and this offer may be rescinded at any time." His death could come swiftly, regardless of whether he was armed or not. Chitsukiko would see to that herself, if needed. "For now, I can have the servants offer you a meal if you are hungry." While she waited for an answer she called for one of the servants to summon aunt Midori, and to summarize this encounter. She didn't trust uncle Hattori to handle this properly. Nor her father.
'You are too kind to a vagabond like me. To be heard out is all I can ask,' Jian bowed, 'I never intended to claim any right of birth or noble station, just to meet my father at least once. I will submit to your laws and traditions of course.' He nodded to the noble lady, 'A meal would be welcome, thank you.
His eyes open wide. "The Kushan? Congratulations, sis." He opens up a door to a small guest bedroom. "It's not much, but it should suffice for one night, at least."
A beautiful, redheaded samurai walks up, dressed in fine armour. "Good evening." She states with a bow. "I am Midori Yokuboo. I shall escort you to your room, and have the servants prepare something to eat."
“Only decent? I will strive to do better.” Midori promised and pouted cutely even though her sister could not see it, then moved her hands lower a bit. “Would my lady like her whole body massaged? It is a lot more pleasurable than a simple shoulder massage. Though my lady's kimono is in the way – but that is an issue that is easily rectified...” She whispered in Saeki's voice seductively.
Jian bowed to the samurai, 'Jian Zhao, an honour to meet you, Lady Yokuboo.' @Mazoku He inclined his head to the younger noblewoman, 'We shall meet again I suspect, until then, goodbye.' Before turning back to Midori, 'Please, show the way. Did you already hear why I am in your castle?'
"Ah, yeah. Though it does strike me as odd, I've only recently returned for father's funeral. And a week later, I'm chosen for the Kushan? Hmph. This smells like one of Oichi's schemes." Kyouka growled as she entered the room, scowling as she remembered her deviant older sister. "Well, either way. What's done is done. Also, I would appreciate a meal. My hangover's still killing me, would you believe I already lost once today?"
"If it pleases, lady Midori. And Jian, please call for me should you need anything else. I promised you hospitality and protection while you're within these walls." She bowed, ready to leave. Chitsukiko hoped to grab a few hours of sleep before she took over from the guard that would surely be posted outside his room. A little intrigued by this newcomer and his connection to the Eternal Empire which her father had spent some of his time in, hopefully holding something that could let her understand some of his experiences without asking him directly.
Saeki slips off the kimono, letting it pool around her waist, and revealing that there's nothing beneath it. "That sounds like a good idea."
"I did, yes. I hope that you speak truly, I could use a new sparring partner, and I'm interested to see the way they fight in the Eternal Empire." She leads him inside the castle, sliding open a paper door to show him a small room with a futon and low table. "I hope this will be satisfactory for the night."
He chuckles. "Even for Oichi, that seems a bit much. Sure, I'll grab you some rice." He returns soon with a steaming bowl. "You know, if you keep going into fights hungover, eventually you're going to find someone good enough to beat you who isn't interested in your body."
'I will keep it in mind, thank you,' Jian nodded to Chitsukiko and then left with Midori. 'I hope so too, for my necks sake. If we can resolve this peacably, I will be happy to spar with you and show you how we fight on the mainland,' Jian said as they walked inside the castle to the room. He looked around a second, 'More than luxurious, I'm used to far worse accommodations.'
