The Midnight Prince

[Rokag]

"....okay, but why? I mean, I don't mind, but you why are you doing it?" Rokag sighed. "I probably shouldn't ask, but...well, other than Tsuki, Seiya, and Shisou, no one's gone out of their way to help without needing something."

[GamesMaster]

"I want someone to take care of my little boy when I'm gone," she says quietly. "I wouldn't have picked you, but beggars can't be choosers, and you seem to honestly enjoy his company."

[Rokag]

Rokag looked about to say something, but paused, thinking a moment. "I...guess that makes sense. You don't know me, either. But...I do like him. He's been nicer than I would have thought possible." Rokag smiled a little as she looked down at her tea. "So I Get why you're worried about him."

[GamesMaster]

"My son is kind," she agrees. "Possibly too kind for this world. I have the gift of foresight, sometimes. I foresaw great hardship for him when he was born. I tried to prevent it, but I was stopped. For the best, I think. Great hardship does not preclude great joy, though I wish it would be easier for him."

[Rokag]

...She can't know about him, right? "I...mean he's a bit tougher than he looks, but he...does seem more trusting than I'd have thought a noble house person would be. I mean, you hear all sorts of stories about secret murders and then there's all the weird 'lying without lying' sort of thing. I'm still pretty sure that the only reason I haven't had more problems is because of what happened at the festival. Espeically with people wispering that I must have taken whoever actually killed that demon's place." Or that she wasn't 'graceful enough for the spirit's blessing' or some shit.

[GamesMaster]

She arches an eyebrow. "Lying without lying?"

[Rokag]

"Well, what else do you call talking for almost a full day about how happy you are about getting engaged and married without talking about how you wish someone that didn't fit the whole 'silent beauty' wasn't there."

[GamesMaster]

"Etiquette? Politeness?" 

[Rokag]

"Doesn't mean they don't think it." She took a sip of her tea. "And it doesn't mean they won't try to do something to me if they have the chance. At least if they just hated me, I'd know where they stood."

[GamesMaster]

"You must learn to read what people aren't saying as well as what they are saying. No-one will speak insults to your face; that would lower their status, as they would have proven themselves to be unable to hold their tongue."

[Rokag]

Well, I got the not-speaking part down, at least. "That..." Rokag sighs. "I've mostly made it by assuming everyone's got it out for me till I'm sure they either don't care or, weird as it sounds, actually likes me." Rokag put the tea cup down. "He wouldn't...hurt you. For distracting him, would he?" Meaning that if I let you do it, it'd be on me?

[GamesMaster]

She sips her tea for a moment. When she sets down the teacup, she changes the subject: "Have you met with the baker yet for the wedding?"

[Rokag]

W.ha...um, no." Rokag wstarts to rub at her temple. "I still have to do that. It was supposed to be between the dress and trying to do seating and apparently trying to figure out who's supposed to 'defend my honor' or something like that."

[GamesMaster]

She gives a dangerous grin. "I will defend you. I have missed swordplay."

[Rokag]

Rokag looked suddenly nervous. Is...she serious? "I'd be...honored. I thought about trying to defend myself, but I don't think that would be a good idea."