Emberwood Old Rhythm, New Beats

Takeshi must have grown out of his old ways. It had been so long since the clan, they all had grown up individually, in their own ways, on their own paths - her parents, the previous king and queen of the clan must have chosen him out of good faith with Takeshi's parents. He was young then, brash, bold and full of himself - it made Reiko uncomfortable; but maybe that was then, this was now.

She looked at him with mild hope filling her gaze, he did grow into such a handsome young man too, growing into his prime. Maybe she could over look the past and honor her parent's wishes to marry the man they had hand picked out for her - but no. Hope faded to dread as her posture slumped just enough to make her feel small under his gaze. That cold fire that bore into her, even to this day she couldn't shake that chill that ran down her spine. 

Of course I'm glad. My apologies... What was she saying? She didn't mean any of that! He should go, he wasn't right for the group. Nothing's changed! In fact, she didn't have her mother to hide behind and listen to in times like these so perhaps things have gotten worse now. It's been difficult here the past few months, I haven't felt like myself for a while. Excuses, find something to sooth his anger - to distract Takeshi somehow from the truth. 

The truth was, she wanted him anywhere but here.