His expression really does become quite pained when the prince replies, however Akito does not have long to think about anything as a moment later the prince is scrambling backwards sending Akito's panic to a whole new level. [i]'Oh this is just perfect! Exactly that I want our first meeting to be like! Hoko, you furry hell bringer, I should have left you with father. That's it, I am the greatest fool ever. I should just commit sepuku right now and pray that it will be enough to keep me from going to the hell for dishonorable warriors'[/i] The youth does his best to control his breathing while the woman to his left continues laughing.

Hoko lets out a mix between a yowl and a yelp as he is pushed off the prince, giving him a dirty look before racing back under the table and to Akito's lap. Without thinking Aki grabs the beast by the ruff and pulls him up above the edge of the table. He's not being mean to it, and Hoko makes no protest, however as the human glares at him he begins to sag a little bit. “Don't go wandering around, got it?” Akito says in a low hiss. Hoko begins purring loudly and after batting at his owner's face playfully Aki lets him go and like a snake he slithers inside Aki's kimono. After a little shifting Hoko ends with his head poking out, waiting to be fed.

Still to embarrassed to relax Aki scratches the little guys head as he looks slowly around to assess the damage. [i]'They don't seem too upset. The prince looks embarrassed. . . .'[/i] Glancing over at his father his stomach drops at the same expression he knows he must be wearing on the man's face. [i]'Forgive me father, I did not think. Such a gross miscalculation. . .'[/i] Looking back to the prince he spots the smile. As kind a gesture as it is, it does little to ease Aki's guilt. Hoko nips at the nearest digit, not wanting to be left out. Aki poke him in the nose and hands him something that won't filthy his clothes and finally gets his breathing under control.

When he is addressed again Aki looks slowly the speaker and gives her a half smile. “Th-this is Hoko. He was a gift some years ago. He's actually very well trained, he just. . .The table, and the food, he just thought it was a normal meal. . . .”

The kind eyed woman smiles at the poor soldier and holds out a hand carefully to the beast. Hoko finishes what it was handed and looks to the hand. Slipping half way out of his hiding place he settles his paws on the empress's fingers and begins sniffing them enthusiastically. [i]'Be good Hoko. No nibbling. She's the empress for goodness sake, an biting her could get you killed, and me along with you!'[/i] Aki does his best to remain calm as the woman giggles, withdrawing her hand to reach for something on her plate. She hesitates however.

Looking up at Aki she asks, “May I feed him?” Aki nods silently. “Is fish okay?” He hesitates at this, however after a second he nods again, focuses the best he can on his own meal as to not embarrass himself again.

[i]'Even if he gets fish oil on my kimono, I can at least point out that I wasn't the one responsible for not being presentable. . .'[/i] He surmises. The emperor looks over as his wife hands Hoko a small bit of fish. He chuckles along with her giggling as Hoko slips all the way out and sits on his owner's bent knee to eat. Sitting back on his haunches he holds the fish between his paws and eats it quickly, his high metabolism making him hungry most of the time. The emperor click his tongue, trying to call Hoko over to give him more fish, however the critter stays put, looking at the fish longingly.

Looking up at the noise Akito says softly, “Sorry. I ordered him not to wander around. He won't leave my person until I say.” He hesitates for a moment in which the emperor expresses his amazement that the beast listens so well. He nods and smiles, still very uncomfortable. Hoko looks back and him and he says softly. “Go ahead, but come right back.” Hoko clicks happily before racing over to take the proffered fish. Once he has it properly in his mouth he races back to Aki and slips inside his kimono, popping his head out to eat. Aki normally wouldn't notice the press of food against his skin as the beast turned, however this time he has to hold back a grimace at the thought of the stain it's going to leave on his clothing. Akito eats carefully, almost afraid of what will happen next.