Shoma's wait results in a woman revealing herself to him. After a formal introduction, the male simply nods as the woman leads the two into a room. As they walk, Shoma reflects on the woman's choice of words. She assumes that ?Shoma? is here to request help? He thought for a little while on it before deciding that he might have been feeling prideful. He decides not to think about it much looks about to take in his surrounding, in order to distract himself from... himself mostly. Among the things he views, of course, Amaya would be one. Although some would see her as attractive and look upon her beauty, the swordsman watches her body language and demeanor and decides to interpret these as signs of a highly formal, authoritative figure, wondering if she would take charge of him as if he were under her command. But the more important question to him is, 'If she is figure of authority, would it be wise to let her have authority over me?'
He is brought to an office in which sits a table, some chairs, and a tea set. The man accepts the offer to a seat and does so with his back straight, not touching the part of the chair meant for rest. 'Risk Assessment...' are the words he repeats in his mind once more, yet his mouth states "Ah, I see." She gives a brief description of the issue at hand, and the Fire Country Native rests his forearms on his thighs in waiting. To the mention of the details of the mystery woman, he nods. He lifts an eyebrow at her description of him. Then comes the question that matters most to her, or so she says, the question of loyalty... trustworthiness. He looks down for a moment to search his thought, for just like his strokes in combat, his chooses his words with care. He lifts his face in her direct for a period to tell her, "Hmm, well I believe it would be silly to tell you something like 'Iwagakure has my upmost loyalty,' especially with the trial at hand, for it would pointless as well as a lie. I could tell you that... 'I don't have unfulfilled,' desire despite the lack of the companionship you mentioned, but would you really believe me? And, however much I would like to believe that I can still be viewed as a 'young man,' could I, or should I accept it as a compliment?
Shoma reflects a bit more, looking down has he does. Then smiles as he speaks, "I have a Young Master whom I have known from birth, and she reminds me every day, verbally of course, that I equal the age of ancient calligraphy in a tomb... Still, I get the feeling that she adores me, in a romantic sense I fear, as if I'm worthy to place myself in the great Masuda Bloodline. Is it strange, how one can devote their life to the protection of a name, a person, and a code, and desire something that no one else can award you? He looks up at the woman and sighs, wondering if she truly had listened to him. But he continue, "*sigh* Forgive my rambling. I'm sure your job is stressful enough. I know you have much to be concerned about. I'm sure you may see me as, an ill-fit being that I'm not among your brethren, furthermore a man trained as samurai. I am sure there are many lined up, ready to lay down their vengeance and their lives if need be, to bring in this mystery woman who has... fell your fellow Andu." Shoma then hopes that she sees or hears what she needs to be convinced to consider him a little more of an option. He had opened up to the woman, not a terribly hard thing to do for someone who is a little more at peace with himself. Although he had answered in a round about way with words, he knows all too well the use of reading the eyes of another and can tell when another does so. For that is the method he was taught to do battle with blades, to read an opponents attack through their eyes, and even play upon their sight and or will. But, Shoma had concerns of his own, concerns about this woman, about those she commanded in the past, and about the villain they are charged to pursue. Looking at his cup, he reaches to retrieve it, blows, and drinks.
{Marked for Training}
