Thread: Kaminoyama {Zella and Alan23}

It was something that Zomozo had suspected ever since he had first met his sister face to face, but which now he could confirm beyond any shade of doubt. That despite her advantage in rank and power, she was far more nervous than he. He knew of course that she was shy, lacked confidence, and was performing in a role beyond her experience. But this was something more. Even a young child should not have been so hesitant, so tongue-tied, as Momoko was at this moment. And then, what he had known inside struck him, and he could no longer deny it, even if he had wished. It all made sense. Her shyness was not due to her lack of experience at court functions, or even the awe natural for one who has led a sheltered life in the presence of one who has lived life and seen warfare and blood. That she would be embarrassed about the collapse of her hair and the inadvertent revelation of her breasts was natural, but that she was demonstrating this emotion to such a high degree removed the last vestige of doubt. Her main worry was not that it had happened during an official function - but that it had happened in front of a man to whom she was attracted. Once he had managed to accept this, everything fell into place. Her tight kimono, the care she or rather Ling-We had taken over her make up, her shy downwards glance, her blush - all these things were further evidence. That she had now placed her hand upon his leg removed what little ambiguity might have lingered. This might have been both amusing and flattering, save for one fact - that her helplessness and beauty were transfixing him as much as he had, it seemed, transfixed her. What he should have done was gently remove her hand from his leg and preserve the niceties. What he longed to do was take her in his arms, kiss away her fears, tell her she was his and he was hers. Yet he dared not do the latter, and could not bring himself to do the former. It doesn't matter what you say, he smiled. Since your voice is so beautiful, every word you say is poetry. This was, indeed, risky, since it was the kind of compliment one might pay a lover, a social equal. He could not help notice Ling-We give a small gasp at his daring as the words echoed away. Your highness, it is an honour to demonstrate understanding for you. And... he felt he should make some attempt to make her feel better, you need not be upset about your hair. One sees it happen in the street all the time. Women among the higher classes are forever having to retire and make some such adjustment. And your hair is so like silk, is it any wonder that the combs slipped? LIng-We bit her lip in excitement and concern. That a mere soldier should say such things to his empress... and, she realised, she still held her mistress' fan, making it impossible for Momoko to cover her face and hide her shyness. The empress was already having trouble with blushing, and things seemed to be getting worse. If her face went any redder it would be so noticeable it could not be hidden at all. The heaving of her breasts was another thing that was making her consternation obvious. She desperately hoped that none of the other officials would return, and catch her mistress in such a compromising situation!