Northstar Vale ( 夜明け ) fear not this light

Stay?

He was surprised and his expression was uncharacteristically candid - shocked, slack-jawed a moment.

I... no, I can't, he stammered, and shook his head, and his tail tucked immediately. His expression became worried for a moment, then masked by stoicism as best he could manage - but he was enamored too, and hopeful.

What might happen to this beautiful stranger if he was caught? Shinra doubted anyone was truly on his tail, he was nothing in the grand scheme of things. The chance that he'd be the focus of a hired bushi would also put the woman in danger.

How could he explain without inviting questions? He couldn't.

I should... I have to go, hm, m'sorry, He pulled back from the audience of one and with a few hasty glances, sought a path of egress that would keep him on the proper side of the woman's scent; he realized now it was everywhere.