[D9, ME] Closed and... (Closed)

[Bayushi Senshuken]

She stops and sits tight herself. "What changed then? If she's older, she should inherit. Your father must have had some pretty serious reasons to make such a change. Wasn't she... disappointed after such a decision? Frustrated even?"

She lets silence calm both of them down for a few heartbeats. "I am not in a hurry. I have lots of years in front of me to find the right alliance and seal it with a marriage. I like this place and I most certainly like you and the way life promises to be for us. So let's talk. In two days so there's more time to make a better assessment of the situation. Officially. The two of you and two of us. If we find common ground, we proceed. If not," she shrugs. "We move on with our lives. I will certainly remember you fondly, but I will not linger on what cannot be done. How does this sound?"

[Yasuki Ayame]

Ayame frowned in thought at this, trying to get serious about this. This was like what, the second time a visitor brought up something like that? Was it such a blind spot that she never considered? "Well, I have an idea...but it's not something I've talked to her about, considering that it could be something of a...you know, sore spot. Anyway, that's between me and her, family stuff."

She pushed some hair back and let out a sigh. "Yeah, let's deal with this later...I think I have quite a bit on my mind already. Sorry, but I think I might just have to call it an early night here..."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

Senshuken’s smile doesn’t falter. Not even a millimeter. Only someone trained to read microexpressions would be able to notice the brief tightening at the corner of her mouth, the quick blink that says damn it louder than any sigh could.

But she smooths it all away with that practiced, elegant Scorpion ease. "Of course,” she says quietly and nods once. “An early night sounds wise.” She rises without drama, slipping back into her jacket, her movements efficient, almost too precise for how casual she pretends to be. She checks her pockets, adjusts a strap, slots her phone away. All those small rituals of someone retreating to professionalism to keep disappointment, even perhaps sadness, from leaking out.

Her backpack slung over one shoulder, she steps toward the window, the same one she climbed in from and opens it. The cool air rushes in. She braces a hand on the sill, one leg already lifted to step out.

Then she pauses. Looks back. Her expression is soft, but under it there's regret she refuses to voice. “I’m sorry for spoiling the mood. That… genuinely wasn’t my intention.” A beat. A breath. “If you decide you want to see me before I leave, you have my number. I won’t pursue the... matter unless you decide that you want me to. I won’t press anything.” She gives a tiny, almost self deprecating smirk. "Scorpion honor.”

She shifts her weight, preparing to vault out, but adds one last thing. It's lighter, teasing, a final note to soften the edges. “Oh. And tomorrow morning. It doesn't count.” She winks, just a glint of her old swagger returning." There's something prepared and it’s already paid for. It’d be a shame to waste the rehearsal.”

With that said she slips out the window with smooth Scorpion grace.

(thank you for the scene!)

[Yasuki Ayame]

Ayame would give her a wave on the way out before she moved to lie back on the bed, letting a sigh as she found herself staring up at the high ceiling in thought.

/scene

(Most welcome!)