Quoted By:
"You might call him persevering, but if his business deals fall through he'll cut his losses and attempt to fortress things. These are common pitfalls for kitsune, but he tends to typify the worst aspects."
"Which pitfalls are that?"
"A lack of action. It's good to build up your defenses, but many kitsune tend to miss the chance to go on the offense. Eisho is like that; impulsively defensive, often letting the moment slip away from his grasp. I've seen him turn down multiple opportunities back in the day, for better or worse."
"You knew him pretty well."
"I used to have an unrequited crush on him, Master." She shook her head. "Stubborn kit that I was, I didn't know how to handle his constant rejections. So I made myself a constant annoyance and petty bully, justly suffering because of my own folly."
"Hey, none of that." You gave her a soft rebuke.
"I'm not disparaging myself, my love. Happiness is an easy thing to embrace nowadays— I have you to thank for that." She closed her eyes and smiled, her face brightening. "Thank you for wanting me, Master."
"I'd be crazy if I didn't snatch such a mature beauty like you." You explained. "Doesn't matter if you used to be a huge troublemaker or not." You smirked. "Bet you used to be a real terror, eh?"
"Fufufu~" She giggled. "I can almost commiserate with Yumi, as she and I used to be much alike in rudeness. Although I'll always have her beat in terms of sheer intimidation."
"Don't let her hear that." You replied, and a chuckle was shared between you both. "But seriously, don't you think Eisho might've changed through the years?"
"I doubt it. We kitsune tend to be set in our ways, and change comes to us slowly. It's nothing as extreme as elvish culture, if the rumors of their more traditional societies have any merit to them, but kitsune tend to only consider the past."
And so the two of you talked and talked some more.
You considered Ayane; Whatever drama happened in her past was nothing more than a dark memory, with the hatchet had long been buried. It wasn't like you didn't know what type of person Ayane was, since even to this day she would speak of how harsh and ruthless she used to be. Out of curiosity you asked what it was that happened between her, Ai, and Eisho exactly.
"You don't have to answer me now, love." You said upon seeing her pained expression.
"Thank you, my dear." She said. "May I request that I be allowed more time before answering that?"
"Take all the time you need." You replied.
"Master," She said.
"Hm?"
"Thank you."
"What for?"
"For existing." She gifted you a smile that was filled with gratitude. "And Master..."
"Yeah?"
"If you ever want to talk about anything, know that I'm willing to listen." She offered.
"... thanks. I might take that offer one day." You returned her smile with your own, feeling the warmth of joy as both you and Ayane bonded and understood each other more.
