[D5 MM] Everything Is Terrible [Hatsuki's Room, Closed]

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

Her breathing grows heavier; Nadeshiko shouldn't say it. She knows she shouldn't. To put it into words acknowledges it as truth, and she's already faced despair once this morning.

It takes time for her to speak again.

"It's -- it's nothing. I'd only seen her once, that's all."

"Nadeshiko... Whatever response she may have had isn't your fault," she said gently. "I promise. If you know anything, it might help."

[Doji Nadeshiko]

"Nadeshiko... Whatever response she may have had isn't your fault," she said gently. "I promise. If you know anything, it might help."

"It's not -- I really did only see her a few times, and I barely even remember that... we never even spoke..." It's so hard composing herself in this moment. "I just... bring bad luck to the people I care about," She finally admits in a barely-there whisper to Hatsuki. "That's all I meant."

[Bayushi Choudai]

Wait.

"Nadeshiko-san, is... do you care for Mikan?"

[Doji Nadeshiko]

"Nadeshiko-san, is... do you care for Mikan?"

"I've never even spoken to her until today..." She mumbles from behind her hands. "It's..." Nadeshiko finally pulls her hands back. She looks like she might cry. "I'm just... being histronic. It's... easy to blame myself. Better than thinking... bad things just happen without reason. I'm sorry. This is... very unbecoming for a Doji. And ignoring ... how much trouble this is causing you. I'm sorry."

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

"Nadeshiko, it's all right. It's just us here," she murmured. "I think everyone is upset by this situation. Something bad happened to all of us. So just think of it as not being alone in this difficult situation."

[Bayushi Choudai]

"If we can help you, we will. You're family to Shosuro-san. That carries plenty of weight for me."

[Doji Nadeshiko]

It helps. This is the antidote to despair, for her -- connection. She nods slowly, suddenly tired. "Thank you both. You know I'll do the same for you, don't you?"

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

"Of course," she agreed with a small smile.

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Without doubt."

Choudai... smiled.

"After all, we've been through so much together..."

[Doji Nadeshiko]

"After all, we've been through so much together..."

There's a brief moment of consideration -- this frog's been stung once before. But... for all the trouble she's put him through, Nadeshiko doesn't mind. Especially not if it will help Hatsuki. Whatever their relationship, this man means something to her, or he's important in some way, and that's all she needs to know.

"Should I leave the letter with you, Choudai-san?"

[Bayushi Choudai]

There's a brief moment of consideration -- this frog's been stung once before. But... for all the trouble she's put him through, Nadeshiko doesn't mind. Especially not if it will help Hatsuki. Whatever their relationship, this man means something to her, or he's important in some way, and that's all she needs to know.

"Should I leave the letter with you, Choudai-san?"

"Better that you keep it, Nadeshiko-san. I may mention that you have a letter in your possession, but I wouldn't dream of making you answer awkward questions about why I have it."

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

Hatsuki gave her an encouraging smile and nodded. "Yes... That's for the best."

"We'll make it through all this."

And a true daughter of Doji who throws herself into the ocean at the first hurdle like Mikan stands no chance.

"I think it might be time to organize what we know, though. "

[Doji Nadeshiko]

"I think it might be time to organize what we know, though. "

"Ah... is there anything I can do to help with that?" Nadeshiko pipes up. Like with the gallery just before, she has enough sense to know she might need to leave.

[Bayushi Choudai]

Choudai arched an eyebrow.

He liked Nadeshiko a great deal. In fact, had he been told THEY were marrying, he would have taken it with reasonable grace. Possibly even gratitude.

And that meant he was inclined to protect her as best he could.

"Do you have any further information on your prior meeting with her? If not, I think we need not burden you unduly, Nadeshiko-san."

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

She nodded in agreement. "Hai. Right now, I'm just trying to figure out everything we know about her and her situation besides that she's Crane, she's weird, and she's in love with you."

[Doji Nadeshiko]

"Do you have any further information on your prior meeting with her? If not, I think we need not burden you unduly, Nadeshiko-san."

"Hai. Right now, I'm just trying to figure out everything we know about her and her situation besides that she's Crane, she's weird, and she's in love with you."

Nadeshiko listens and nods dutifully in understanding; it was just as she'd thought. Only the mention of Mikan being in love with her breaks the respectful mask she put on into a grimace, but that's shaken off quickly: "As I said before, I have only the barest memories of seeing Kakita-san at the Academy. I have nothing else to offer, sadly." With a bow, she stands. "I'll take my leave. Again, thank you both for your kindness and comfort. And good luck with today's contest." If a friend wins two days in a row, well, Nadeshiko will be the happiest woman in the world, she thinks.

She then sees herself out, letting her footsteps fall heavy so they know when she's truly gone.

/exit

[Bayushi Choudai]

Choudai sighed.

"It's really too bad that she's caught up in this."

As opposed to someone I could ruthlessly exploit.

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

"I hope the rest of your day goes well, Nadeshiko-san," she said with a bow as she left.

Then her attention turned to Choudai. "Kakita Mikan's crime is all the worse for hurting Nadeshiko-san. Someone must be protecting her."

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Or waiting for one of us to make a fuss in some official capacity. Possibly in an effort to get me to issue a challenge so some Kakita duelist can show me my innards."

He frowned.

"It might need to come from Nadeshiko."

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

"Equally possible. I was already thinking the same thing," she agreed with a nod and a frown. "Though if it is a setup, they'll have a duelist ready."

"Most things are politics, but this smells especially political to me. They might be looking for an opportunity to shame the Clan. There's a magistrate here, and if he's any good at his job, death may not be an option for now."

"Though I have to wonder why they hid who she was to you until you got the letter. There's definitely some kind of game being played."