Even after working so had to control his flush Akito is slave to his shyness, or so it seems as all it takes is a suggestive tone to make it flare up again. He coughs, dropping his gaze to his hands which are holding tight to his hakama. [i]'He is as brazen as most of my unit. They were all talking like this before I left. It's like the only thing most soldiers think about is. . . .[b]that[/b]. . .'[/i] He breaths slowly, looking to the empress with a strained smile when she addresses him. She gives him a rather understanding and sympathetic look, though it is clear that she would be delighted if they were already “getting along that well”.

With a soft cough he nods. “I am fine highness, really. I've just. . .It's a lot to take in and I'm still getting use to things, and. . .Truthfully I am not quite sure how to speak above my station. . .Even if that will be my own station soon.” His eyes drop and she smiles wider. She's always been a member of royalty so she can't understand, but she prays that he'll one day find his way into the right mindset like her dear husband has. He wasn't around to see him at this awkward phase in his life, but she's sure he had problems all his won with learning how to “be royalty”. He looks to the servant for several seconds before nodding. “Yes, thank you, that is, if it's alright. . .?” He looks to the empress.

“Yes, of course!” she says with delight, wanting very much to see the little guy again. With the okay from both the soon-to-be prince and the empress he sets out a plate and fills it with little bits of food he thinks Hoko might like.

Akito doesn't miss the continued innuendo about intimacy but does his best to focus on other things as to not exacerbate his condition. Rubbing a hand over the lump in his Obi he says softly, “Hoko. Time to eat.” The lump moves a little, settles, then with an almost snake like motion the little creature slithers out and settles on Aki's knee. Following Akito's finger he watches as it taps the smaller plate. Without hesitation it begins pawing through the food, pulling out what really appeals to him first and begins munching happily. The empress coos at the sight, beginning to eat slowly as well.

When he hears the exchange about magic, the tone of the emperor's voice making it clear what he thinks of his son's hobby, the soldier begins understanding why Hiro was so shocked at how much he enjoyed the display. He waits until the empress is done reprimanding him and him simply grunting in reply to actually speak up on the matter. “Actually highness I really enjoyed watch him magic display. It was very beautiful and had nothing to do with why I fled.” He knows that is not completely true as the flame had lead to Hiro's hand on his leg which prompted his response, but in his own mind , the magic had no real fault and there's no point in fudging around with minor details.

The emperor gives him a dubious look, obviously not believing him, but more for how much he enjoyed the magic rather than the dismissal about the part it took in his mad dash. Hoko chatters happily, rubbing against Aki's cheek before curling up to chew on a hunk of dried fruit. Akito drags his eyes up to the ruler, a set look in his gaze he's never shown the man before which gives him pause. “I have always found magic beautiful and fascinating and only wish I could share in his gift in some capacity beyond observer.” His gaze drops as he adds, “I fled because of my own shy foolishness. He did nothing wrong.”

The captain smiles slightly, proud to see Akito showing such courage and determination despite his obvious discomfort with all of this new input. The empress smiles, impressed and pleased to no end that now her son at least has someone to share his gift with who has some real, true interest in it. The emperor on the other hand isn't sure what to make of the youth. [i]'Of all things to suddenly grow bolder over, defending such a silly past time like that. Hironori won't even have any practical use for the skills as he's never going to fight'[/i] Having never had any real interest in magic, he seriously believes there is no use for it outside the battlefield.