Starring:
Date: April 8, 2013
Summary:
Satomi meets with the Hokage to discuss business, turns out to be a fun meeting!
"Girl time: Shadow under the Hokage"
Hokage's lookout
An unusual request. Satomi, a Nara chuunin who happened to be dating the Hokage her nephew has asked for an audiance. And suggested tea, having heard that Hashiramako shares Satomi her love for tea. Satomi was nervous about seeing the Hokage for a heart to heart like this, they were supposed to meet earlier over dinner but something must have gotten in the way of the Hokage. Does she even know about her and Daisuke? Just relax… Satomi sighs while knocking on the door to the lookout.
So on that note, Satomi requested tea with the Hokage to discuss a hobby of hers. It didn't tie in directly with Daisuke, she had so many things she wanted to discuss but always was too nervous to approach the Hokage, who only seemed to be present during official things. She decided not to overwhelm her with criticisms Satomi came up with, instead start simple. She has taken to writing a book in her spare time and is making headway. And that's whatever detail Hashi has, Satomi is writing a book and wanted to discuss its contents with Hashi, mainly because some of it might be sensetive information.
Hashi was in her office as usual, much as she disliked the place. She couldn't really stand being in here, but as duty so called her to be within it at certain times, she had to be. Most of her time was taken up going over meetings with visiting officials sent by the Fire Daimyo as a means to try and work out a way to contain the threat. She'd been corresponding often and trying to convince him not to be rash, but she hasn't made a great deal of progress yet. Fear seems to have set in of what may come from these uprisings and he only wants to see the perpetrators gone. Sigh.
At least she'll be able to enjoy a nice, soothing cup of tea in business that didn't have anything to do with official matters. So, when Satomi comes knocking on the door, Hashi raises up from her seat to go and answer herself. "Hello there and welcome. Go ahead and make yourself comfortable," she offered to the Nara girl as she held the door open. "So, you had some things you wanted to discuss with me, right? Good thing you brought some tea, then. I've been needing some for a while. Perfect timing, if I do say so myself."
Woah.. who is this nice lady and what did she do to the Hokage? Satomi smiles politely while sitting down, careful not to spill the pot of tea she had prepared, some of the famed nara herbs in the mixture, making it not only smell but also taste delicious. "Thank you." She says calmly while already put at ease. Well, at least now she knows where Daisuke has the sweet side from… in a way.
Satomi calmly places down a cup of her own, before filling one for Hashi and one for herself. "Thank you for having me." She says, utterly selfconsious now. She did her best to dress up decently, still in her chuunin outfit with lots of skin showing, but well groomed overall. "Yes thats the gist of it." She says, while her scumbag mind now decides to remind her on how she so uncannily handled her discussion with Naru earlier… and Atsuro… and Hinotori. Each of them friends now, but recalling how she stepped on each of their toes doesn't make things any easier on her. Satomi smiles while going for an icebreaker that she prepared hours earlier.
"For someone who works tirelessly you always manage to look young, we could start by sharing your secret to the fountain of youth." She says with a cute, innocent smile on her face… Hoping that breaks the ice a little, having to keep her tongue from rolling and rambling on, deciding to instead pick up her tea and sip at it. Sighing, her shoulders dropping, also showing her relaxing significantly. It wasn't hard to tell that she was really nervous. The evasive eyes, crack in her voice, submissive posture. It's all there.
Hashiramako nodded as she closed the door behind her and took her seat. She waited while Satomi began preparing the tea before them, speaking only when she felt it alright to do so. "You're welcome. Always nice to have a visitor. It gets so dull and boring here, sometimes," she admits with a sigh. She went silent for a few moments and upon remarks about her youthful looking face, she beams saying, "The fountain of youth is my own secret. Can't just willingly pass that sort of thing away, but I can bring you some of its water for a fee," she chuckles. "Stuff like that doesn't come cheap." A wag of her finger follows after this statement. She began to lean back and grow more comfortable saying, "You seem tense. I can use my jutsu to get you all untangled…" She paused. "For a fee. It'll cost about…tree fiddy," she burst out laughing at her own joke. "Because I use trees and stuff! Ah, that cracks me up," she shook her head and puffed. "No, that was completely lame. Don't quote that joke to anyone. Really, that material can burn in a fire."
Satomi ends up with a grin, glancing at the Hokage. Seems she's quite alright. "I won't, might quote it during comedy night at the Sake-den after a few drinks!" She leans back, now with the warm smile that usually coats her face up. Genuinly feeling more comfortable. "I never imagined being the Hokage could get so boring." She says while glancing around the office, attibuting it to a lack of company no doubt.
"If you want, should join us during girls night sometimes!" She says, while trying to figure out who she might include in said girlsnight. She has a few ideas. "That should be fun!" She takes another sip of tea before crossing her legs, glancing out of the window. "I'm eh, writing a book. I don't know a title yet, and it's just loose pages now. But it's coming along really well." She explains, while clearing her throat for a moment. "I mean, it's one of the thing I wanted to discuss anyways. I think we'll need to do the rest some other time." She concludes, while pausing for a moment, clearly looking for words. "I'm eh, a little obsessed by Shogi, tactics and strategy. I guess it started when I worked in teams more and just developped. It's something I'm good at and am cultivating." She explains, while relaxing her arms in her lap, the steaming tea held between her hands.
"It's a book on war, the history of it. But mostly strategy. And meta-strategy. Ethics and morals.. philosophy. It's all in there. I don't know how I started writing… well I do know, my father urged me to write down my feelings, and eh… I don't know how to do that. So I decided to write down everything else, which… helps." She smiles softly, now daring to even give Hashi a full on gaze. "I started by writing simple things. Terrain, composition. Missions… strength, determination… discpline. Those are well developped at the moment." She explains, before taking another sip.
"The things on moral and philosophy, not so much. I guess it'll be a while before I finish the book. The reason I wanted to talk to you is because of its contents. I truely believe I have some ground breaking theories in my mind. And ehm… hence I decided not to publish my book. Instead I'll make it available to you when it's done. And in conjunction with you perhaps distribute it among the Jounin if it turns out to be worth reading." She explains, while smiling. "I was a little worried because it includes both my own thoughts, but also knowledge I gathered in the village, and I know how pragmatic we all can be about putting things to paper, especially knowledge."
Hashiramako nodded as she closed the door behind her and took her seat. She waited while Satomi began preparing the tea before them, speaking only when she felt it alright to do so. "You're welcome. Always nice to have a visitor. It gets so dull and boring here, sometimes," she admits with a sigh. She went silent for a few moments and upon remarks about her youthful looking face, she beams saying, "The fountain of youth is my own secret. Can't just willingly pass that sort of thing around, but I can bring you some of its water for a fee," she chuckles. "Stuff like that doesn't come cheap." A wag of her finger follows after this statement. She began to lean back and grow more comfortable saying, "You seem tense. I can use my jutsu to get you all untangled…" She paused. "For a fee. It'll cost about…tree fiddy," she burst out laughing at her own joke. "Because I use trees and stuff! Ah, that cracks me up," she shook her head and puffed. "No, that was completely lame. Don't quote that joke to anyone. Really, that material can burn in a fire."
Satomi ends up with a grin, glancing at the Hokage. Seems she's quite alright. "I won't, might quote it during comedy night at the Sake-den after a few drinks!" She leans back, now with the warm smile that usually coats her face up. Genuinly feeling more comfortable. "I never imagined being the Hokage could get so boring." She says while glancing around the office, attibuting it to a lack of company no doubt.
"If you want, should join us during girls night sometimes!" She says, while trying to figure out who she might include in said girlsnight. She has a few ideas. "That should be fun!" She takes another sip of tea before crossing her legs, glancing out of the window. "I'm eh, writing a book. I don't know a title yet, and it's just loose pages now. But it's coming along really well." She explains, while clearing her throat for a moment. "I mean, it's one of the thing I wanted to discuss anyways. I think we'll need to do the rest some other time." She concludes, while pausing for a moment, clearly looking for words. "I'm eh, a little obsessed by Shogi, tactics and strategy. I guess it started when I worked in teams more and just developped. It's something I'm good at and am cultivating." She explains, while relaxing her arms in her lap, the steaming tea held between her hands.
"It's a book on war, the history of it. But mostly strategy. And meta-strategy. Ethics and morals.. philosophy. It's all in there. I don't know how I started writing… well I do know, my father urged me to write down my feelings, and eh… I don't know how to do that. So I decided to write down everything else, which… helps." She smiles softly, now daring to even give Hashi a full on gaze. "I started by writing simple things. Terrain, composition. Missions… strength, determination… discpline. Those are well developped at the moment." She explains, before taking another sip.
"The things on moral and philosophy, not so much. I guess it'll be a while before I finish the book. The reason I wanted to talk to you is because of its contents. I truely believe I have some ground breaking theories in my mind. And ehm… hence I decided not to publish my book. Instead I'll make it available to you when it's done. And in conjunction with you perhaps distribute it among the Jounin if it turns out to be worth reading." She explains, while smiling. "I was a little worried because it includes both my own thoughts, but also knowledge I gathered in the village, and I know how pragmatic we all can be about putting things to paper, especially knowledge."
"That's the only time it should be mentioned, really," Hashiramako chuckled. Her lame joke is not one that should be repeated with seriousness in mind. "But oh yeah, the Hokage? Yep. All I do is sit here in the office, have meetings and do paperwork. Dish out missions. Nothing fulfilling. I don't like being trapped in the office because it means I'm unable to see the progess that's been made since Madara and I established this village a short while ago," she admitted with a sigh. "It's a bit hard not being able to see what I worked so hard to achieve…" She went silent for a few moments, but as the conversation picked up she recovered from her small bout of melancholy.
"I think a girls night would be nice, actually. It'll get me out of this place, at least. I'm all for fun and games!" She paused and immediately grew depressed. "That makes me sound so terribly old," she lowered her head and looked as if a dark cloud was hanging over her. "And I'm not even that old to begin with…" She muttered softly. "But a book, you say?" She shot back up and smiled. "It's nice that you're writing some literature. I imagine it's something I could give a read if I have the chance." She leaned back in her seat while taking up the cup of tea and sipping at it. As Satomi began to explain the origins of the book, she nodded at the explanation while also considering what could come of such a text. It sounds great, but she has some uncertanties about it.
She lifted her cup to sip at her tea once more and set it back down before she spoke. "I love what you're speaking of. Many of the things you mention are also the very things that Konoha prides itself in. So much so that other villages modeled themselves after us. I can't say our systems are the same however, as it's clear that the other villages may not necessarily have all our same values, but the structure is basically the same." Her cup was lifted to her lips once more, but she maintained her sight on Satomi.
"I do have some concerns about the information that you've gathered from the village. As a book of general information and strategy, I believe it can go far, but if there's too many specifics, it may come at a cost to us and how this village operates. It's a bit of a tough call, but can't really fault you for writing down observations," she shrugged.
Satomi sighs, more of a relief than anything else, gazing at the Hokage. "A good general finds himself amongst his soldiers during both the bliss of victory, and the distress of a possible defeat. Maybe you should forfeit or distribute some of that work. Being there is also part of being a leader, if we'd want someone that only sits behind a desk all day we would have hired an accountant to run the village." Satomi smiles, calmly holding her cup. She nods slowly while Hashiramako shares her thoughts. "You don't strike me as old… Not in your ways nor your looks. Slightly… classic in thought though with a young spirit. Something worth cherrishing really, you should meet my father. Now - he - is OLD!" She chuckles, while she lets Hashi finish. nodding in appreciation. "Thank you I-eh… Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to write down any jutsu's I observe. It's more of a grand strategem than a specific if a then b instruction booklet you'd find in the academy."
Satomi smiles while placing her tea cup down, grabbing the pot she prepared and filling it back up, offering Hashi the same. "You probably realized, but the theories on war are quite different in our village. Up to a worrying extend." Satomi pauses, softly leaning back. "They Hyuuga, Nara… Uchiha and Senju have very different views on war, its conduct. Morals and even diplomacy. It's cause for tension, though it's subdued now in a time of peace. I am however… worried that if that peace doesn't last, that possible domestic tensions might arrise. Internal conflict is the last thing we would need if we were forced into a war. And I say forced because you don't strike me as a person who would needlessly start a war."
Satomi shrugs. "I guess my clan has always been flexible. I feel like more of an outcast really. Many of the Nara don't share my enthusiasm on some things, or my quarrel over others. Right or wrong stops playing a roll when you have a utilistic look on things. For them things are simple and they like it that way." Satomi stops talking for a moment, giving herself a moment to ponder. Smiling at Hashi while concluding she's happy with how this went. "I was a little worried my sometimes controversial thoughts would get me snatched by Anbu one day… you hear stories! I doubt any of them are true, but if they are… I'd be worried." Satomi giggles, being quite naive as for Anbu operations. She knows close to nothing about them. Other than it being a prestigious goal for a lot of nin.
"So something else entirely, you eh… spoken to your nephew recently?" She asks curiously, a slight hesitation in her voice though she speaks with the curiosity you'd find in the girls locker rooms rather than in the Hokage's office.
Hashi lofts a brow. That's good stuff, but she can't abandon her post all that easily, unfortunately. Though, she does think she should look into having someone take her place after her. Then again, that may be thinking to far ahead. "I'm not old to you?" Hashiramako grinned. "Classic in thought and a young spirit…" She takes stock in this up until Satomi's dad is brought up. "but if he's that old how old does that make me in comparison?" She goes instantly depressed once more.
"But, I understand. That kind of book might not be so bad, after all. Besides, it's something we can use just as much as any other shinobi or average person," she replied in a chipper manner. So much for that depression, but that's the way it goes. "You're right when you say that our views on war are different. This village started when Madara and I called a treuce between our clans and put an end to the fighting. We then set about building this village together…but things changed after that…" She frowned as she recounted the memories. "The Uchiha and Senju may still have some tensions, but not all that much. It arises between elders like myself, but less with the younger generation…" She waited until her cup was refilled before taking another drink of its contents.
"I don't believe there will be much tension between us. In fighting and the like. Despite our history, we wish to promote peace first and foremost and that means we have to set ourselves up as the example of that to be followed. I worry for the threats that lie outside the village. Those that may not have found this peace yet. That isn't to say that I'm ignoring what may or may not take place here, but I trust that we don't have much to worry about for now. Still, it is something that should be addressed in your book." She set her cup down and looked towards the window momentarily where a plant was blossoming. Others may not have known what it was, but it was a shrine of sorts in remembrance of Uchiha Fuyu. She worked very closely with her and now she's gone. She focuses back on Satomi then and smiles. "Nara have always been thinkers. Tacticians and strategists, but even they can fall to human folly. They're great to have on teams, however. Turning out plans and placing it into action immediately. It's something to be feared and admired," she offered as compliments about the clan.
"Your thoughts are advanced, that much is true, but I don't think the ANBU would take all that much interest. I don't know, guess it depends on how they feel sometimes," she chuckles. "Don't worry, though. If you don't do anything wrong, they won't have an reason to get you. Plain and simple, I think. As for my nephew…no, I haven't spoken with him lately," she hummed.
"Is there any reason why I'd need to? Furthermore, there any reason why you would need to know why I spoke with him?"
No no he's … quite old, must be nearly double your age." She lies… it's probably less. But no hurt to score some points here. "I have always been interested in history, I know the broad strokes, but it's interesting to get a personal account of it. I guess you're right, I mean… you're highly likely to know better." Satomi smiles while lying yet again, though she doesn't show, she thinks Hashi naive as for the village inner diplomacy. Oh well, best not to cause a stir for now. Satomi smiles and nods when she compliments the Nara. While there's some things in her own clan she despises she's proud to be one.
She flinches while she notices Hashi her tone when she asks about Daisuke. "I eh… thought you knew." She says softly, gazing off to admire the view. "Daisuke arranged dinner for the three of us a week back but you couldn't make it. Maybe he was planning on tell you then." Satomi says, shaking her head. "I'll let him handle that then, pretend I didn't mention it." She says, luckily now comfortable with the Hokage, otherwise it was far more likely to be blushing so harder than hinata facing a multi-shadow clown of Naruto.
"Oh yeah…that's right. He did arrange for a dinner, but I wasn't able to go. Village matters took precedence. I'd have loved to go, but events didn't turn out in my favor," Hashi tsked as she shook her head. "But now that all of this has been brought up, what's this information he was intending on telling me about? I cann't pretend it wasn't mentioned now that something has been…well, mentioned!" She chimed. "So, what's this all about?"
Satomi shakes her head. "Oh no I shouldn't be the one telling you." She says, figuring out how awkward - that - will become. Not to mention, who knows… maybe the Hokage has a whole network of ladies she gossips with. "Just pretend I didn't say a thing." She urges but with a smile, showing the light heart in the whole conversation. Quickly grabbing her tea before her trecherous tongue continues its covert affairs.
"Nope."
Hashi replied with a devious smile. "What should I know? I'll keep it secret. It'll just be between the two of us. We can consider this our girl talk," she lifted her tea and downed it all as it was cool. Seems like she was really interested. She'd set her cup down and gesture for another pour. They might keep up at this all day. "What's this information? I'd really like to know. This could be important for Konoha, you know," she nodded. Very important. "If I don't know it, it could mean bad things. Inner turmoil, people will turn against people, dogs and cats will fight harder than ever before!"
Satomi chuckles innocently, fixing her hair while listening to the Hokage ramble about dogs and cats, pouring her some more tea. Who knew this could actually be fun. "Just… don't mention it untill he does." She says, smiling while leaning back. "Daisuke and I have been dating for… little over three weeks now. Well I guess you can even say we're sort of together… as in, boy-and-girlfriend together." She blushes a little, looking away to avoid Hashi, half afraid and half curious for her responds. "I eh, was curious to know if you knew, since I… had a question. Which I find difficult to ask him directly."
"No worries. Everything will be kept between you and me," Hashi held up her hand. Scout's honor. So, as the dirt was thrown and she proceeded to catch it, she had all manner of ideas began to fill her mind. "Dating. Ah, yes. The springtime of youth…" She remarked, though inwardly grumped. Daisuke was always poking fun at her lack of a boyfriend, but now she could turn the tables on him. "Well, I know now! Looks like he chose nicely. What's this question you had for me?"
"Well it's not exactly something easily discussed… but I'll give it a shot." She sighs, while gazing at the Hokage. "We're really connecting you know, emotionally… physically. It just feels right. And he even tells me he wants nothing more than to be with me and make those special moments last forever. But when I'm with him.. sometimes… there's this reluctancy. But it's not directed at me. Or… related to me even. I wouldn't know. How do you ask someone why it feels like their completely open heart has a door closed?" She shrugs, fiddling with her hands.
"He told me he had a difficult youth but wouldn't talk more on that either. I just find it so odd that we can talk so well and there's barely a secret between us, yet still there's this… wall. Is it just him or is it something he just needs to get over? Or maybe something I'm imagining? I don't know… I didn't really know anyone to talk to about it."
"He did have a difficult youth, that much is true," Hashi began, "But I think that's…something that I can't share. Not because I can't, but because it's not really for me to share, unfortunately. I think in order for him to overcome these concerns and fears, he'll have to muster up the courage to tell you himself. Your relationship will probably grow by leaps and bounds then," she answered with all joking aside. "But don't think he doesn't care. In truth, he's frightened. So, if anything, all I can do is ask that you do your best to support him in this time. Much like I tried to allow you to grow comfortable, the same will have to happen to him. If I say anything, he won't be able to grow himself. I can't take that away from him."
Satomi nods a few times. "I understand… and thank you. I think it would only hurt our relationship if you did tell me then. Even though I have absolutely no clue what you're on about." She chuckles, yawning, bringing her hand up to cover it. "You made me miss my daily nap!" She says jokingly, running her hand along her empty cup of tea, before putting it down.
"Thank you for the tea, I eh… won't keep you any longer. And… You mind if I come knocking for.. some more girl time sometimes? I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy this conversation a lot. I can truely see why Konoha is so prosperous." She smiles warmly while standing up, giving Hashi a small bow. "Good day Hashiramako-sama" She smiles, opening the door. "Oh and if you ever need help around the office, I'm but a small walk away!" She waits neatly for the Hokage to respond before walking off.
"Your daily nap? Haha, good one. At least you get to nap. I have to sneak them in to maintain all this beauty I have. I must be doing something right," Hashi chuckled. "But I wouldn't mind that at all. Anything to brighten this place up. It gets boring sitting here all the time. If you don't find me here, it more than likely means I'm out in the village," she nods. "I enjoyed this conversation and thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the rest of your day oh and thanks for the tea as well! If I ever need you, I'll be sure to give you a holler!" She called as Satomi left.
