Natsuko's eyes flashed with a mixture of sympathy and amusement, but was aware from his tone that she was being allowed into information that was deeply personal to the Foxwood family. Not that it was entirely news to her, she had heard from both Poppy, and independently from Ida that the relationship between the brothers could, at times, be a little strained. Having not met the younger Mister Foxwood she could make no assessment of his character or why indeed the brothers might be at logger heads. Poppy sang the praises of Atticus, while Ida sang Basils, if both brothers were the paragons their respective cheering sections claimed then it could be hard to imagine two such agreeable gentlemen having anything to argue about.
But then, she was aware that there were relationships between siblings that differed to those between other society friends. It must have been a strange experience to have people with whom one could fight and argue but end up friends again, or argue but then still make arrangements to ensure they attended your party. She couldn't think of a scenario in any other part of life where that would be the case.
Natsuko was not a gossip, not even the usual fussing that was almost an expected part of the business of debutantes in the ton. Either she was keeping the business of friends to herself as seemed only appropriate for those to whom one was loyal, or it was information of value, in which case a good General knew better than to share battle plans with the enemy. This certainly fell into the former category.
'That was... she struggled for the right word in English, 'kind of you', there was a word in Japanese, but kind felt easier than a lengthy explanation of kokoro in as close to an English explanation as she could find. 'I mean,' she clarified, 'To ensure he was here and could share the day, but not to force his pride. It was kind of you' It was clumsy, but got there- or close enough.
The decision to ignore the birthday had definitely been a pointed affair and uncomfortable with the prospect of ignoring such a social elephant in the room Suki had bought the unbirthday gift for Merlin. 'I suppose I ought to wish you many Happy Returns Mister Foxwood,' she said with a small smile. 'Birthdays are not celebrated like this in Japan, it is a tradition I am still getting used to.' she laughed lightly, inspite of her remaining rook being dispatched by a lowly pawn. 'So if I have forgotten any important parts you should feel free to correct me, I'd never want to give you offense.'
But then, she was aware that there were relationships between siblings that differed to those between other society friends. It must have been a strange experience to have people with whom one could fight and argue but end up friends again, or argue but then still make arrangements to ensure they attended your party. She couldn't think of a scenario in any other part of life where that would be the case.
Natsuko was not a gossip, not even the usual fussing that was almost an expected part of the business of debutantes in the ton. Either she was keeping the business of friends to herself as seemed only appropriate for those to whom one was loyal, or it was information of value, in which case a good General knew better than to share battle plans with the enemy. This certainly fell into the former category.
'That was... she struggled for the right word in English, 'kind of you', there was a word in Japanese, but kind felt easier than a lengthy explanation of kokoro in as close to an English explanation as she could find. 'I mean,' she clarified, 'To ensure he was here and could share the day, but not to force his pride. It was kind of you' It was clumsy, but got there- or close enough.
The decision to ignore the birthday had definitely been a pointed affair and uncomfortable with the prospect of ignoring such a social elephant in the room Suki had bought the unbirthday gift for Merlin. 'I suppose I ought to wish you many Happy Returns Mister Foxwood,' she said with a small smile. 'Birthdays are not celebrated like this in Japan, it is a tradition I am still getting used to.' she laughed lightly, inspite of her remaining rook being dispatched by a lowly pawn. 'So if I have forgotten any important parts you should feel free to correct me, I'd never want to give you offense.'
![[Image: 1h84GbB.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/1h84GbB.jpg)
Gin made something stunning