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Sachiko was certainly not trying to be pathetic. She didn't think of herself as pathetic at all. After all, she'd been born well, and she would be trained, one of these days. She was just out of her element. She'd never been quite this cornered, and she really wasn't sure whether she should let her guard down or assume it was a test.

She hesiated again before she claimed the space Reizei indicated. "I'm not afraid," she blurted, then blushed and amended, "I can speak, ue-sama. I only mean that the things I speak about most often would most certainly not interest you. Shizuka-sama," she pointed out with a little bow toward the other woman. Yes, she knew who she was, of course, by name and reputation and, all right, gossip too. "She is far more entertaining when it comes to words and songs and such."

Reizei smiled graciously to the young maid as she explained herself, nodding absently. "Yes, she is, but that is something you will learn in time." He glanced to Shizuka and nodded to the woman, looking pleased with the progress she was making. "Yes," He murmured. "You may not think you have anything to talk about, but I'm sure you do... What is your name?" He brought his sake cup to his lips, sipping it as he watched the maid.

He didn't understand why his behavior seemed to be so perplexing and so ignored this. It wasn't worth acting reserved; his attendant's name could hardly be soiled by all of this. The reputation of the emperor's attendant was hardly a big deal...

Shizuka smiled wanly to the man she was unaware was the emperor, glancing to the maid as she told the noble her name. She mulled it over momentarily, and, once she had made sure she was unable to place it, gave up. She was rather good with names if she could say so herself, and would keep this one in mind. She had no particular reason to; it was more of an automatic thing that the Shirabyoshi was wont to do.

"Yes, Mikado-san. I cannot recall having to say anything of worth as a maid." Shizuka chimed in, brushing her long dark hair behind her ear, her maroon lips forming into a rueful smile directed at both the maid and the emperor.

Being a maid was boring to say the least, and also very strenuous and grueling. It was hard to believe many maids could be turned into gorgeous, well-cultured women who danced to the Gods and the men of the court. Still, it was a way of survival. Starting from the beginning was perhaps the hardest thing you could do. All you needed was decent endurance, really. Low rank passed over time.

Not only had she been noticed, but she'd been complimented. Twice! Since he'd called her Sachiko-san. Days like these didn't happen often at all, and Sachiko couldn't help but be a little pleased, though that, at least, she could hide. She bowed again, instead, low over her knees. "Thank you very much, ue-sama. Mikado-sama," she amended when the man gave his name.

She tried not to look surprised at his response to Shizuka. She tried not to look embarrassed, as well, as she straightened slowly. It sounded like a slight reprimand to her ears, and no one wanted those in front of others, particularly their lessers.

"I suppose," she allowed, to try to alleviate the moment, "that a maid helps things to run, a little, yes, ue-sama."

Reizei noted his mistake all too soon after he had made it. He nodded quickly to the little maid, smiling briefly before standing abruptly. "I have enjoyed your companies, Shizuka-san, Sachiko-san, but I'm afraid I must excuse myself. I have business to attend to." Besides that, it was indeed getting late, and his nitpick attendant Mikado would be just about ripping his hair out waiting for the emperor.

He smiled slightly, hoping he hadn't completely offended the Shirabyoshi before turning lightly on his heel, walking with an elegant step out of the performance hall. ...Women. They were much too accomplished when it came to ruining some things, he thought, exasperated.

Shizuka glanced to the maid, looking distracted. "I'm fine." The woman murmured with some dignity, watching Reizei leave. He confused her, and this was probably clear by her lightly furrowed brow underneath the drawn-on brows. She pursed her lips and let out a tiny huff of a sigh, folding her hands carefully in her lap and smoothing her robes as she glanced to the closest noble, who appeared to be engaged in a drinking game.

Men such as that were not interested in the company of a Shirabyoshi when the woman served her actual purpose. Shizuka was now gazing haphazardly into space, having forgotten about the presence of Sachiko, clearly in a sort of puzzled reverie.

Not too far away, a few seats over a young gentleman can be seen busily jotting down notes of some sort with a brush in his hand. His expression seems to be a bit preoccupied. He looks around the hall, as if seeking for something. Few words are mumbled, yet not clear "your eyes are like the stars...no that won't do". It is not easy being a poet for some days inspiration is easy one day, yet harder on others.

Hearing some voices nearby, he can not but help to listen; especially when two of the voices are coming from such dazzling stars. Looking over their persons with such admiration, he loses track of the poem he was writing. "Mhhmmm..... The night's life livens with the passing minutes" saying to himself as if he should dare to make his way over. Placing his finger tips gently through his hair as a smirk crosses his face, trying to make himself look as appealing as can be. Watching them more closely he spies their conversation, eager to find his way in.