She broke into a grin. "Exactly! Our Clans gain more if the matches we make here are happy and cooperative, as well as politically beneficial. That's something we can all think about. Making a match like that... Since it does help everyone, I think of that as part of my duty here." The gruff military demeanor didn't seem to dampen her spirits in the slightest, and the correction brings out a small chuckle, fond rather than mocking. "I... haven't fully decided on specifics yet. Obviously, there's what I've already said, but I think a spouse with complementary duties would be ideal in my particular case, who I can be at least somewhat near, and one who can help keep me focused. I intended on trying to strengthen our current alliances, but after a lot of conversations today, I think the first part is more important, since a spouse of any Clan can help us in one way or another politically."

"What about you, Akodo-san? How do you see your duty here?"

...

Akihiko smiles, covering a brief look of awkwardness, like he somehow hadn't expected the question to come right back to him. When he speaks his voice is softer, introspective: "I think my duty is to think more of the future than I have. Marriage, having a family--until I was directed to take leave to come here, I probably would have forgotten to list those among my duties to the clan. My childhood was very comfortable, and it helped me to do my duty well, so I hope I can do that for children of my own." Akihiko grimaces as he pauses. There's a hint he wants to say more, but no more words come.

There's a hint of concern in her eyes, but she doesn't pursue it further... for now, anyway. Digging into people's personal business could wait until at least the second meeting. "Maybe it's easy to get wrapped up in day to day duty until you're confronted with it. I didn't have exactly that sort of upbringing, but it would be nice if my children could have something like you're describing, as well," she mused, becoming a little more thoughtful herself.

Akihiko looks at the ground for a moment as Shizuku speaks, but then looks at her with a warm smile, head still slightly bowed as he lets her into his thoughts just a bit: "I think it can be dangerous for a soldier to think too much about the future. When any battle could be the last... Making plans can be dangerous." The last words come out very quiet, but with conviction. Akihiko's eyes are steady, like he has been told something is dangerous, but he has decided to do it anyway.

She listened quietly as he spoke, nodding a little. "I can imagine how one might come to that idea. I know how close at hand death always is," she admitted. It was the tone of someone who might be more familiar with that feeling than most. "Doing dangerous but necessary things is a soldier's life, I suppose. So, here we are."

Akihiko looks into Shizuku's eyes with a beaming smile. "Yes." There's a moment. A hand slowly starts to reach toward the Crane, but then the Lion catches himself. "Ahhh," he runs his fingers through his hair, his eyes flashing to the ground before returning to Shizuku. "Daidoji Shizuku-san, ahem, I'm sorry. We are perhaps having a more personal conversation than is appropriate fora welcoming banquet." His words are quiet but urgent. Akihiko forces some composure, though his eyes betray that he wants to continue the conversation.

Akihiko smiles and nods, clearly relieved. "Yes, definitely," he said, voice still a little husky. He clears his throat. "I'd like that."

"I'm really happy to hear that," she replied, trying to control the level of smile to her usual level of brightness and almost succeeding. Yes, she was always always honest, but decorum was still a thing.

You're a Crane, find small talk, quick! Wait, maybe he wants to talk to someone else? Her thoughts flurried for a moment until she finally said, "Ah, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time, Akodo-sama?"

Akihiko smiles a little blankly, as though he missed the question, but recovers quickly: "I'm... not very good at making spare time. I typically tag along with whatever my squadron mates are doing when I don't have somewhere to be. Or I'll play some Fantasy Fight, to keep my mind sharp for combat by giving it a different kind of challenge. Console, cards, whatever's available..." Akihiko trails off a little, sensing this isn't a great answer.

"Hm, oh, of course. Thank you," Chiruha took the offered holo slate offered by the Yasuki with a dip of her head like it was a business card and pocketed it in her many jumpsuit pockets when it was offered. "I'm sure there won't be any issues before our meeting but I'll let you know if anything comes up."

If he was expecting that to me the wrong answer, he was likely shocked by the turn of events that followed. Shizuku's eyes lit up and practically sparkled at his answer. "You like games, too? I mean, I make them more than playing them much, but still! I really want to learn Fantasy Fight better... I'd like to study the mechanics."