[Day 7, Early Morning- Choudai's Room] Scribbles (Ask)

[Bayushi Choudai]

With the kitchen of the Jinabori re-opened, Choudai had made himself a bit of soup before most of the guests had woken, and now he sat in his room, catching up on some... correspondence.

The first- and by far the longest- was a lengthy collection of the recipes he had pioneered at the Crazy Hare, with a few omissions and edits- less in the name of trade secrecy than in the name of covering his tracks. It was literally the least he could do for Akijin after the inconvenience he had caused. He added some marginalia about local ingredients, and added a few lines about which dishes had been particularly well-received during the Imperial Winter Court.

One down.

The second note was for Kakita Mikan.

Kakita-San.

Assuming you have not torn this letter up unread, I wish you to know that whatever else is between us, I was saddened to see you forced to resort to an alternate expedient at yesterday's demonstrations. Your art is not to my taste, but it is your art. To be deprived of it is a cruelty too far, even for me.

I should have begun by writing you. I feel that less damage would have been done, to our relations, and to your heart.

You looked well beside her.

[Personal Chop of Bayushi Choudai]

She'll likely burn it unread, but I have to try. And speaking of which...

Horiuchi-san.

You said to apologize when I knew what to apologize for. I knew then, in the tea house, and offered to do so at your request.

I apologize for both my presumption about the culture of the Unicorn Clan, and for putting you and those close to you into a compromising position in a public setting. I most keenly regret that Doji Nadeshiko-san was caught up in my folly, as she has rapidly become a dear friend of mine, albeit far too trusting, and far too forgiving.

I apologize for my arrant stupidity in assuming that the circumstances would lessen any issues the presentation created, and for the distress it caused you, as well as any reflection it cast upon your Clan and your ancestors.

If you require anything further, you know where I may be found. I will not disturb you further unless asked.

[Personal Chop of Bayushi Choudai]

He'd been apologizing an awful lot of late.

Better than Zoido got. Or Agasha Mine. Or any of the Crane in Naishou. Or anyone else I've fucked over in the name of Duty.

He sighed, and then started prepping the missives to go out.

Somehow, it was the lesser offenses that he was able to unburden himself of. It didn't seem right.