The mood around the table goes from a little nervous and light to rather tense in the matter of moments as the prince's offhanded comment seems to rouse a bit of irritation in the lord and lady of the palace. Akito feels a little twinge at the way the man before him put it, but at the same time he knows the prince's stance on the war and all things related to it so he's not shocked to hear him say such things. [i]'Still, they are the only people who are coming for me and you see fit to just cast them off as faceless killers in a bare five seconds. You were so sweet until a moment ago, why. . . .?'[/i] He lets out a soft sigh, focusing on Hoko the best he can, once more unable to taste his meal even as he continues consuming the sweet, soft meat.

The conversation quickly turns once more towards the soldier and with a start he does his best to answer the emperor's and empress' questions. The things they ask are fairly vague and related to the wedding itself so nothing of real consequence is revealed in the exchange and before long the prince bores of the prattle and excuses himself. Aki feels a bit abandoned at the sudden departure however it is clear form the young man's tone and quick exit that he is nos invited. [i]'Where did that kind youth go from this afternoon?'[/i] he muses, still rather upset at the sudden change but resigned tot he fact that he, as a soldier, is unwelcome around the prince when it does not suit him.

Aki has nothing to say to the pregnant woman's assessment of her step son and rather than offering up his own thoughts focuses on finishing his meal. The two rulers talk amongst themselves for a time, recalling a few times from the prince's younger years where he'd gotten into mischief or had a row with his father over various things. Akito listens intently despite keeping his eyes firmly on his food, and makes several notes on the prince's perceived character based on the parent's assessments and observations. He knows better than to make judgments without knowing the full truths, or at least both sides of a situation, however with the prince's current mood he knows there is no way he will be getting any civil conversation out of him any time soon.

[i]'I don't know what suddenly turned him, but I have the feeling it was my fault'[/i] That depressing thought takes root in his mind as Hoko slips back beneath his obi to get a head start on his evening nap before his nightly prowl. As soon as he's finishes the rulers depart with a smile and wave, summoning a servant to show Akito around should he need someone to wait on him. The soldier looks nervously at the servant, a comely middle aged woman who’s smile doesn't quite reach her eyes. After several long silent moments he murmurs softly, “Um, could you point me towards where I may rest?” He's not quite got the confidence to call it “my room” so that's the best he can do.

The woman bows and begins leading the way. He'd much prefer if sh simply pointed at the right hallway but does not complain, his shyness returning in full force now that he does not have the young prince to back him up. [i]'As I recall, he's only a few doors down, so if anything. . . .'[/i] That thought cuts off half way as he realizes that no matter what, he will not be visiting the young man's room in the night. He can't even begin to let himself consider such a thing, even if it's for something as simply as he's unable to sleep and would like someone to talk to.

Instead he resigns himself to sleepless nights on a comfy bed never meant for people like him, in a place where his kind had not been housed in many long decades. True, the king had been a soldier like him, but unlike the panicked youth - now bowing to the servant as she hurries off to continues with other duties after showing him to his room – the king had quickly taken his place and had the poise and confidence that made the transition almost flawless, as if he'd never been a soldier.

With a soft sigh Akito closes the doors to the room silently before impulsively checking it over for any possible threats. In the back of his mind he knows he's being ridiculous, but that does not stop him from following through til ever corner is searched thoroughly. Once that is doe he allows himself to relax slightly, and glance at the bed. No, he's not ready yet. He can still feel his energy far to high to even consider laying down. With slow precision he removes his outer clothing, setting it carefully on the end of his bed so it does not wrinkle, then follows with his inner clothing. Hoko, who had plopped to the floor when the obi was removed, begins examining the room thoroughly and Aki can't help but smile as the critter mimics his own actions not minutes earlier.

Once he's down to his unders, his tabi and sandals settling just under the edge of his bed, the soldier falls into some basic warm-up poses, his sheathed sword arcing gracefully through the air as he loosens up before bed. As soon as his inspection is over Hoko climbs up a bed post and crawls on to the bed, making sure it's good and comfortable for his owner by rolling over and over the covers, getting his soft little hairs all over the place. Akito is too focused on what he's doing to notice until at least he gets through his exercise and looks over at the now still critter.

“Hokooooo!” he whines, looking at all the fur, a fear setting up in his stomach that the servants will grow tired of having to defur his bedding whenever it gets changed. However after a moment he realizes that the whole room will be eventually quite furry due to the fact that an animal now lives in it and allows himself to relax ever so slightly. “I'll just have to try and do my own part in the cleaning. He's mine after all. . .” At the sound of his name Hoko had sat up quite cutely and now is at the edge of the bed, demanding attention. With another sigh Aki takes a seat beside the rodent, obliging him by petting him just the way he likes it for several minutes.

Finally he feels relaxed enough to at least try sleeping and with a stern face he picks up his partner and looks him in the eye. Hoko looks back at the man intently, paying close attention. “Now listen up Hoko. We're still sorta guests here, so no exploring too far, stay inside, and stay out of sight. I don't need you scaring the servants or getting yourself chased if they think you some sort of pest, got it?” The rodent feline chitters in response and Akito huffs softly before setting him on the ground and blowing out the single lamp lit on his bedside table. In the darkness the moon's glow from through the large windows running along one wall of his room makes to room look almost like it's underwater and Aki can't help but smile at the image. Quickly slipping between the covers he tosses and turns for almost and hour before giving up and dragging half the covers on to the floor along with a pillow. On the hard surface he's able to get comfortable rather quickly and in no time, he falls into an uneasy sleep.