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There came a point in the evening for some entertainment, and so Tori retreated, as she was confident her lord was safe from that woman. Musicians began a soft interlude. The sounds were sublime, and Noriyuki noticed they had calmed the congregation, including Hane. She did not turn to watch the musicians, but neither did she look at anyone else. Hane was transfixed on the window and the night sky beyond. She wanted to escape from the mundane distractions of humanity. Their pleasures were scant comfort for a god. She had lost with the little lord; the man was exceptional but not worth the effort to be pressured further. He would resist. And that resistance may cause her to push harder than she dared. Hane had to laugh, which was loud enough for several people around her to take exception to, as it was such a rude gesture. Again the platitudes of humanity grated upon her so much. Then she felt it. She turned to Yasuhira and found his countenance harsh and terrifying. Did he know of the exchange she and Noriyuki had? If so, why didn't he assist in aiding his host? Perhaps he did. That cursed little maid displayed such confidence that she had to have been aided by a third party. How else could a waif defy a god? Yasuhira suddenly smiled. Which set Hane's back up. Wretched halfling, what game was he playing? Would he defy even the gods? Was he that powerful? His full range had yet to be tested. The man was after all an experiment. Akako was the next stage. Hane moved to the girl, who was enraptured by the playing; she noticed the girl tap the time with her finger on her knee. Hane felt a second gaze. Tomoe had turned a sideways glance in her direction; her contempt was palpable and her hand hovered over her hilt. That produced another laugh, albeit quieter than before. Hane was amazed at how much was being said without a word being spoken.
After the interlude, the musicians paused to adjust their instruments and allow the congregation to do the same.
"Lord Yasuhira..."
He looked up from his cup, "My lord Noriyuki."
"I am reliably informed that you play many instruments."
"I have some skills in music, my lord."
"Perhaps you would do us the honour of playing."
That was perhaps the boldest request Tomoe had ever heard her lord ask of anyone, especially of a guest. Even Yasuhira was taken aback and had to pause to consider his options. Was he playing a stratagem? Tomoe didn't know what to make of it. Yasuhira slowly put down his cup and then he bowed to his host.
"I'm afraid I must decline such a request, my lord. For if I play and I am better than your musicians I have dishonoured my host. But if I play below my skills, so as not to embarrass my host, I have dishonoured myself. And if my skills are below that of your musicians I have dishonoured my family," He sat up straight, and looked at the congregation, "Of course my declining a request of my host also opens me to dishonour," He actually smiled, "But in my estimation it is the lesser of all four."
Noriyuki fidgeted in place, "Ah, and all I wanted was for you to play."
Yasuhira shrugged, "Social convention in this country is a prison for which there is little hope of escape."
