(D9 LE) Dinner with the Wrong Soshi

[Soshi Yuuru]

He smiled and took a bite of his own food, "They are well made. Much better than a lot of what I get to eat while on duty."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"Hai. It is the same for me, Soshi-san." She tilted her head. "Oh no. I may not eat so well after the miai. What an unfortunate turn of events." She pouted for a moment and then sighed. "Shikataganai."

[Soshi Yuuru]

"What will your duties be once the miai ends Shinjo-san?" He asked with interest.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"I am to help resettle our lands. It may be difficult for me to scout. However, sometimes I am able to intuitively find my way." She inhaled another spring roll, her eyes communicating her happiness. "Afterward, it depends on who I am to marry. I am sure it is the same for you, Soshi-san."

[Soshi Yuuru]

He nodded, "I'm currently assigned to the Shinomen forest, but do not plan on being there all my life. I aspire to be a Magistrate for my clan one day."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"Hai. I hear that the Soshi Magistrates are excellent at their work." Yue then took a small bite of her food. Her eyes stayed lowered as she tried to make her followup question casual as possible. "Soshi-san, have you ever worked alongside Soshi Taira? He told me that he served as a yoriki."

[Soshi Yuuru]

He shook his head, "Taira-san and my assignments are in very distant locations. His are a bit more standard, and mine are a bit exceptional. He seems to be a decent enough man, I seem to remember him describing a potential spouse who may well have fit your description..."

He smiled.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue tilted her head. Still, she held a warm smile. "If he spoke of a woman with one arm or burn scars then that would only be me." She let out a sigh. "Hai, Soshi Taira is a potential suitor for me." Her eyes lowered. "If I may be honest, Soshi-san, I am unsure of the efficacy of the marriage. It may be cruel for him to marry me."

She looked up to him. Heck, he doesn't know Taira very well. Why am I talking to him so much? Despite her reservations, she continued. "Do you remember my song a couple nights ago, Soshi-san?"

[Soshi Yuuru]

He smiled, "I do."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"It was honest and sincere," she mused with a tinge of red on her cheeks. She shook away the feeling and looked back to him. "The song has put doubts in both of our minds." Yue tapped her fingers on the table. "Soshi-san, do you have a suitor in mind? Do you love her? What would you think if she sang to another woman?"

[Soshi Yuuru]

He smiled, "I do... and she may not have sung to another woman... but she has interest in another man."

Yuuru smiled faintly, trying to suppress his knowledge of where she probably was at this moment.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"Sou desu ka." Yue straightened up and knew better not to press the issue more. "I will have to think on what to do with Soshi Taira's emotions. However, would you blame me if I thought it best to not wed him and allow him to move on?"

[Soshi Yuuru]

He tilted his head, "From what I could tell... Taira really cared for you. If that has changed, then I wouldn't bind him to you, no... but if he still cares, despite the obstacles of your attraction to women... then why not? He seems to be the dedicated and consistent type. You could end up with much worse than him."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"I am certain that he still cares for me." Yue gave a faint smile and nodded. "That much I am certain. However, he spoke of how it might wound him. He was unsure if I truly wished to not consort with another woman during our potential marriage." She turned a bit pink. "And now I am unsure of that myself."

[Soshi Yuuru]

Yuuru nodded, "I'm not sure I have the clairvoyance necessary to see into that future... But I'd seem to think you'd have some control on how you'd treat your husband."