Nakahama

"Well, I'm..." Kisha fumbles around for words, too.

"Let's say I've been pretty sheltered in a lot of ways," she manages to figure out how to say. "There are a lot of things I'm not experienced with, and I'm not sure why. It's not because I'm a Miya, or not only that; there were a few people in the dormitories that managed things, I'm certain."

The shisha shrugs. "Like I said, I'm not used to people looking at me that way, not really. Especially not when there are so many beautiful and handsome people about. So I do what I can to reach out and understand other people, and while I'm, ah, curious about some things, I've also seen how they can go really, really wrong."

Hinata nods along, a subtle flush to his features as the Shisha explains. His lips remain pursed as he seems to retreat into himself a little bit, what happened to the outgoing, brazen shirtless man from hours ago?

As she mentions the possibility of things going wrong though. He perks up, eyebrow raised and a conspiratorial expression paints itself on his face as he leans forward onto the table.

"What do you mean 'really, really Wrong'?

Kisha smiles, and it is not a pleasant expression.

"Oh, all manner of scandal," she says, leaning in in what she clearly thinks is a conspiratorial manner. "Sudden departures for the countryside and extended visits to family abroad, medical mischances of all kinds, unexpected withdrawals from schools and duty stations, reassignments to peacock tending, that sort of thing."

The Miya sits back a bit. "The medical events are the sad ones, truly. Unless it's the occasional sudden appearance of a new ronin on the homeworld, of course."

Hinata's eyes go wild as his lips purse, tilting his head to have his ear to her. He flushes further with each possible mishap. Once she's done he returns to his seat, patting something in his pocket a couple times with a concerned face before letting go of a breath he wasn't aware he was holding in.

"Iam... I like to think most people are taught to be more careful..."

"At least I am... You... You were taught about protection right?"

"There was some talk of it," Kisha says. "But not a lot, at least not at Kyuden Miya. I think they thought we were, I don't know, above that kind of thing. That or they thought so much horseback riding would address a whole lot of it. Which is weird, because the Unicorn are right there and all.

"But nothing's certain, of course. Even protective measures fail. You fight; you know that."

Miya Kisha wrote: Mon Nov 24, 2025 10:03 pm "There was some talk of it," Kisha says. "But not a lot, at least not at Kyuden Miya. I think they thought we were, I don't know, above that kind of thing. That or they thought so much horseback riding would address a whole lot of it. Which is weird, because the Unicorn are right there and all.

"But nothing's certain, of course. Even protective measures fail. You fight; you know that."

He chokes on a sip of tea as Kisha compares personal protection to prophylactics.

"*Cough* That's... quite honestly a WILD comparison Miya-sama. I don't think I need to have bulletproof-" He stops himself, raising his hands.

"Iam... Iam not finishing that thought, I've behaved imporperly enough for a few years I believe." He chuckles. Returning his attention to the Shisha.

"I will remark that I have zero idea what you meant by horseback riding addressing ANY of that. But will refrain from requesting elaboration." He taps his chest a few times trying to loosen his throat after his coughing fit, gesturing to the attendants to not worry.

"It's... honestly quite refreshing being able to broach these subjects with someone. Thank you for opening up to me Kisha-sama."

Bayushi Hinata wrote: Mon Nov 24, 2025 10:18 pm Thank you for opening up to me Kisha-sama."

Kisha's brow furrows.

"Was that a euphemism, Bayushi-san?" she asks, no hint of levity in her voice at all. Just honest inquiry. Somehow.

"No!" He says, offended.

"Look if I ever use a euphemism or innuendo I'll make a face like this." He puts on a clearly well practiced smirk, a raised eyebrow, his torso shifting in a way that one can peek down his shirt, his fingers delicately fidgeting, he looks straight out of a pillowbooks cover.

"If I'm not making something resembling that look, I mean what I say in a purely innocent matter."

Kisha holds up her hands, palms out, nodding.

"I believe you," she says. "I just wasn't sure, is all."

Then she takes a sip of her coffee. "Mm. That's good."

Then the Miya looks at the Bayushi again. "So...has that worked for you? The thing you do, I mean."

Again, the tone is of sincere inquiry.

"It's... A mixed bag?" His expression turns sheepish.

"Most of the time I do it because... Well it's fun playing this seductive, charming act. Some women quite like the confidence, some like to play along to a degree, some even want to see it privately..."

He seems to deflate slightly. Taking a deep breath.

"It's... Well, a mask. It works, but it's a tool it's- it's what people expect of the smirking, distractingly handsome scorpion hovering at the edge of their vision working security."

Kisha nods.

"I can understand that," she says. "It's not a whole lot different from how I talk in Comments, I guess. I mean, you've been talking to me for a while, and do I really sound like I do on video?"

She looks at him more intensely, leans forward. "Do you watch the Comments?"

"Only when I'm in the mood for a real life horror movie." He says with a grimace.

"I've been objectified on occasion, thrown brazen comments in passing, but you face that on a daily basis!"

"Wait, you think my program's a horror show?"

Kisha's face falls.

"N- No! I mean the comments! Some of them are creepy. Makes you wonder if they should start monitoring people's social media."

"I don't know about that," Kisha says. "That seems like it could go real bad real quick.

"And, really, even as icky as some of the comments sections get," the Miya continues, "it's just words. Hurtful ones, maybe, but words. If that's the worst they can do..."

The shisha shrugs. "I try not to read them, really. Not at length, anyway."

"Yeah, I can't much stomach them myself. I don't think I've developed thick enough skin for social media." *Sip*

"Have you considered your next destination? At least, anywhere you hope to visit?"

"That's really going to depend on the needs of the Family," Kisha says. "I've got enough status that I get some influence over where I go, some choice, but what choices are available will depend on what all the Family has going on. They haven't told me yet, so I'm not sure where things will fall out. I'll hope I've got something temperate available, though, and with some good riding. I don't really do well with cold worlds.

"And what about you, Bayushi-san?" the Miya asks. "I've been going on and on and on about myself, and I've hardly asked about you!"

"I guess it's to be expected. Duty demands, samurai obey."

"I- well, I was curious about you. You're a very interesting, travelled, wordly person. I'm just a kid from the World of Dreams on his first trip outside his homeworld" he puts on an apologetic expression as he deflects slightly.

"That's really sweet of you to say," Kisha replies. "But I don't know about 'worldly,' really.

"You've got to have some hope of things, though. Don't you?"

"Oh I do, don't worry about that Miya-sama. It's just, I don't find myself that interesting!"