The sound of the doors opening once more draws the young soldier's attention and instinctively his hand goes to the hilt of his blade. It doesn't fall on to the cloth bound surface in the position that looks as hi he wishes to draw it, instead simply coming to rest on the butt, however he is still glad that the emperor and empress both look away as this happens giving him time to remove his hand. He's not sure how they would take his first response to a door opening being to reach for his blade. Turning so he can see who's entering he spots his husband to be and offers a light nod as he's acknowledged and for a moment he feels curious about the young man before him.

Once more he seems almost congenial. He talks calmly to his parents, apologizes for being late, and doesn't offer up any immediate complaints. [i]'It's so strange. Last night it was like he slowly devolved into a spoiled brat, and now he's back to being, well, almost sweet. . . .I wonder if he really does simply sour throughout the day. . . I suppose then I should learn that, should I actually need to interact with him, I should do it during the daylight hours. . .'[/i] While Akito is determined not to become a pest to his soon to be spouse he knows there will be times where interaction is necessary, son on the mental list of things not to talk about while the prince is around he adds a note about talking to him during the day when at all possible.

Looking around at all present he can't help his lips twitching into a faint smile at the son and mother interaction. He feels actually a little distant from the empress, all his other meals spent on the other side of the table, but as they'd talked the emperor had called him to sit closer so they could “conspire” better. Hoko's head peeks out as they finally get to “the food thing” and he slithers out, waiting for his little plate to be filled. Audrat are smart little beasts, which is why in many places they are considered pests. They ability to learn and adapt is incredible for such small animals and it makes pest proofing nearly impossible.

Is small smile falters a bit as Hironori suddenly turns his attention on to the young soldier but he recovers quickly, glancing down at his hands as he tries to think of a good response. He keeps the small smile up, despite the nervousness inside, and listens quietly to the options the youth lists, wondering if he would like to do any of those things together. He dismisses that thought however rather quickly. [i]'If not offered, I will not ask. . .At least not until I learn better how to keep his wrath from being directed my way. . .'[/i]

At the sigh of Hoko the empress lights up and turns her attention on to him, clicking her tongue softly and trying to coax him over with food. Hoko stays in place but looks very interested in what she has. It takes a minute or so for Akito to come out of his thoughts and notice the exchange and when he does he flushes with embarrassment. Giving the critter the okay he watches it vanish beneath the table before his stomach gives way to a dark hole as he watches Hoko mount his betrothed’s lap without apology and takes the offered food. While the empress looks happy at this he's not so sure the bipolar young man will be quite as delighted to have a large rodent crawling around in his lap with greasy food. He tries to apologize but his tongue suddenly feels so thick and dry that he can't even consider getting words out.