"Ah, a simple matter of applying a protective layer to the painting and taking delicate care of it when moving it." Hadananzi fished around for a small block of wax, and began applying it to the painting. "Simple, but very effective."

"It wouldn't do to look the fool before the heavens due to a lack of practice." He chuckled, then sighed.

"Righteousness will guide my blade to victory."

"A simple enough matter. I will be devoting myself to practicing the art every day until the duel, as I am certain he does as well."

"If my wife truly wishes so, then I can but only oblige her." He leaned in to gently kiss her lips, reaching over to ensure the door was firmly shut.

/fade to black

Hadananzi smiled, letting his fingers work through the tender muscles at the base of Ananzihime's neck. "It isn't the only thing I'm good at, dearest wife..." He let the implication hang in the air with a smirk.

Hadananzi returns the small bow, his smile as bright as ever. "You honor me with your words. I am certain this will soon be a simple goal for you to achieve, with time and practice of course."


=========

Makime Ayano gains two points of..........Glory!

Hadananzi looked to his wife, then rose and sat behind her, gently massaging her shoulders with his hands. "My dear wife needs to relax, then. Take a moment to get this unruly weight off of her shoulders."

"I would liken it to the actions of but one, yet it does speak to the kind of soul they keep amongst themselves. Regardless, this matter will be settled in two days time. I intend to make Kakita bleed for this."

"All the more reason it should go with you, Makime-san, to add its beauty to your home and life. I insist that you keep it." Hadananzi didn't seem put off by the refusal game, and smiled reassuringly at Ayano as he waited for her next response.

"I could not stand by and let the slight against my beloved wife's honor go unanswered. So I challenged him immediately and he accepted. I expect the terms shall be set accordingly, he requested first blood." Hadananzi put the fan away, to give to Ananzihime later.

Hadananzi carefully read the letter, then nodded slowly. "Ah, this. Yes, I know what this is about." He produced a blue fan, decorated with a white bird, and showed it to Dojihime. "This was found in Kakita's room today. He claims no knowledge of it's presence there, and I disagreed. We are set to s...

"Hmm..." Hadananzi inspected the poetry with a critical eye, not just looking for the flaws, but trying to discern a reason for them. "The brushwork seems a little stiff, not relaxed like it should be. Tell me, dearest, are you tense right now?"

"Ever the one for details, eh sister?" He chuckled softly, amused as much by Dojihime as by the distress of her servants. "So tell me, dear sister, what is it that brings me before you today?"

"Of course. You know how I love the pursuit of the arts, and your art in particular stands to move me more than anyone else's." He smiled genuinely, eager to see what his wife had accomplished so far.

Hadananzi inclined his head as he entered. "Having difficulties deciding on a proper outfit dear sister?" There was a hint of amusement in his voice a he asked this question.

Hadananzi approached his sister's chambers quietly, wondering what it was she wanted to discuss. Today was turning out to be very busy indeed, and he smiled to himself over the results of this morning. When he arrived at the door, he gave a gentle scratch to announce his presence, then waited to be ...

Hadananzi nodded his agreement. "I accept these terms as well. In two days' time all shall be settled as is appropriate."

With a gesture, Hadananzi brought the guards to his side again, then turned and marched off with them in tow.

/exit

Hadananzi met Kakita's steely gaze with his own. "I am, and I am prepared to uphold my and my wife's honor in the way Lord Nanzi would most respect." He exhaled through his nose, closed his eyes, then inhaled and straightened, as if he were about to taste something unpleasant. "Kakita of the Bat, I ...

Hadananzi stifled a chuckle. "So you refute any prior knowledge of this fan's presence in your room? I find that hard to believe, Bat-san. I think you took it from my dear wife intentionally, for what purpose I can only guess at."

https://orokos.com/roll/897891 The guards spend several minutes searching the room high and low, until one turns up a scroll on the wall and finds a blue fan with a white bird on it carefully concealed behind it. This is brought immediately to Hadananzi, who smiled wickedly. "Ah, here it is. And you...