Re: Mission 0: The Emperor's Winter Court
Despite the big splash the Twins made with their genpukku and sudden appointment to an unknown Championship (and the back room dealings that followed), Hoshi is low key for the first day of court. She has never actually seen court before, not this one, and only briefly in her own clan (which was an emergency session that involved showing her mother's dirk, an assertion of their ancestry and not a little grumbling from stern-faced courtiers).
There are plenty of things to watch. There are plenty of people to meet, entreaties to hear and conversations to eavesdrop, and the occasional interruption. It reminds her of when she was only a pilgrim (are as it was called at the time: streetrat), and peeked in on samurai life--how strange it all looked. Especially the Lion's Pride.
Eiichiro gains no sympathy from Hoshi during the meeting. If they are to play badger and bunny, then Hoshi has her role of simmeringly violent bodyguard down--and it may even be more farcical when the giant Akio is the bunny. This business will be like grit under the clothing, Hoshi is certain.
Yumiko is free to spend her time as she must. She has ties here, her own business, the business Hoshi employs her to handle and what all. She is totally trusted with her task.
Yuki likewise is free to run off, meet other children, scamper and whatever she gaily fancies. She might even find hands on her shoulders gently ushering her to it.
Then, Hoshi finds herself with something on her mind, and someone to talk to about it. The Unicorn is a bit of a tall weed in court. The foreigners are a curious sight, awkward, strangely dressed, but with some pride in bearing. Hoshi finds herself investigating. "Tell me something about marriage," she says to the Otaku without further introduction.