Bed Intruder (D4, EE)

[Moto Butaj]

He brightens at the comment. "Butaj is learning. Whenever differences confuse or exasperate Butaj he tries to calm down and think how to go about it. Butaj is attracting some attention of the eastern maidens so maybe it's not a bad thing to do." He smiles, taking another bite of the lamb.

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

Kitakuhime rips some meat out of the bone, too. She chews a bit more than Butaj before speaking, though, "I am sure Butaj-san is attracting some attention form the ladies. Attracting too much attention could be troublesome, though. Have you laid eyes on any specific maiden?"

[Moto Butaj]

"Butaj has become a bit closer with Tonbo Misa of the Dragon and Asako Yuki of the Phoenix. The latter wants to join the Unicorn though." He replies, drinking from the cup.

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

Kitakuhime winces a bit in pain, covering her mouth with her hand, while explaining, "Shitsurei, ne! I bit my tongue."

Tonbo Misa... I... I should talk with her, and Yuki, too.

She sips some water and shakes her head to dismiss improper thoughts, "What you would like?"

[Moto Butaj]

Butaj does not understand what has just happened. He looks at Kitakuhime with a bit of concern. "Is everything all right? Has Butaj said something odd?"

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

She shakes her head, "No... You have not. I..."

The Otaku changes subject, carving the meat out of the bone, "I would like to know if you prefer staying or leaving, Butaj-san. I am surely going to miss your songs and tales if you go, but my heart will become so proud if I hear tales of the heroic Butaj esewhere in Rokugan, saving the day."

[Moto Butaj]

He sighs, watching her. Something is going on with her and he begins to worry. "Butaj's soul says stay, Butaj's mind says go, and Butaj's heart doesn't know. Butaj knows his family would like to see him go, and Butaj wants the best for the Unicorn, so if Butaj is sent into the eastern world, he will go and make a name for himself, as would please Sayyeda Kitakuhime. But when Butaj is now asking himself about his place under the endless blue sky, there is no place he feels he belongs more than here and now, dining and talking with you." He replies honestly. He puts the plate away for now and rises to pick up topshur. The fur slips a bit from his shoulders so he pulls it back.

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"Whichever the Fortunes put in your path, Butaj-san, please know that you'll always have a special place in my hea-- t--" Kitakuhime gags a bit, blushing heavily, but finally declares herself to her childhood crush.

"Yurt!"

[Moto Butaj]

Butaj didn't know until know, but on some level he has always sensed the connection in his own way, caring deeply for the well-being of Princess Kitaku. Her words, however, change a bit. As their gazes connect his turns fond, and approaches her in quick steps, his topshur in hand, then kneels right beside her and leans over to take in the scent of her hair with his nose, his lips brushing on her forehead ever so gently.



"The only special place in your yurt is by your side, my princess." And he sits close by, laying the head of the topshur in her hand and the box on his lap. Simultaneously he tosses the other rim of the fur she has given him onto her shoulders so it covers them both now. "What shall we play?" He asks quietly, looking at her with big, almond eyes that radiate warmth.

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

The young girl becomes paralyzed for a moment with such a daring attitude. She closes her eyes when he leans forward, allowing herself to feel the heat.

Kitakuhime opens her lips finding some air, and is once again surprised by being lassoed with the blanked. She blinks, looking to down to instrument he laid over her hands.

"We..."

The Otaku princess jade green eyes lock with his, "We should behave!"

[Moto Butaj]

Butaj nods in understanding. "So nothing too loud and passionate. Hmmm..." His finger strum on the strings, searching for the right melody. He makes no further advance. He just is, literally by her side, warm and safe.

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

She presses her lips not to give him the satisfaction of a charming smile. "Hai. Something joyful and heartwarming."

The red cheeks remains, probably due the temperature rising up.

[Moto Butaj]

Butaj seeks no easy satisfaction. He's already very happy, and ways of being more happy with Kitakuhime so close don't take center stage of his mind. It is occupied by seeking something heartwarming and joyful, and he finally settles on the ode to the beard! Smirking joyfully to her thinned smile, he begins slowly, letting her fingers on the other end adjust.

(Ode to the Beard!)

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

Kitakuhime smirks to his unspoken request. Both hands turn and twist the instrument knobs without the slightest idea of what she was doing. Miraculously Butaj manages to focus on the song, finding the right notes.

"Unfair. The Shiotome have no beard."

[Moto Butaj]

"Kitakuhime can always borrow Butaj's." He chuckles. It is a unique moment, somehow making up a little for those years of their youth spent during the Dark Ride. He doesn't mind her trial and error approach to playing topshur, her joy of trying is worth every occasional false note. He fixes the melody with his voice anyway, remaining happy and playful. His heart beats faster but her smile and gaze and warmth are all that he needs to keep it in rhythm. The next song is about learning to ride horses!

(Chu, Chu, Chu)