Among the Nobility [Hyosuke/Hitoshi]

Sadly it seemed that though Hyosuke had once more put himself out into a more active role among Soul Society at large the trappings of house, family and nobility were not something he could ever escape entirely. Not that he even wanted to but he had been so mired in them for so long it was like returning to work after a particularly long and exciting weekend. Even so, it was not quite so dull as to be truly comparable to a work day. Indeed, far from it if still in the same area of operation. To receive a letter addressed to him from another noble family asking, rather bluntly when it came to the rather esoteric nobility of his peers, for an audience for the purposes of seeking power and advancement.

That was quite a bold, dare he say, brash proclamation to ask for though from what he understood of the individual he was to meet, a cold and spoiled son who would look down on Hyosuke, perhaps, for his adopted status. Which, to be fair, was not a completely unheard of critic of him amongst the nobility but far rarer was any willing to say it to his face. He idly wondered if this Hitoshi would be one such individual?

Idly walking up to the gate and, with a gentle motion, waved away the attendants and guards who had come with him. Giving himself space to observed the diamond-enshrined boars head and Hyosuke hummed, now recalling what he had heard of the family itself as he was escorted into the Kurata compound. A much small number of his own clan went with him, more personal attendants and only a duo of guards there more for show than efficacy. They were nobility, after all, to be protected and dance this time-honored dance was their lot.

But yes, the Kurata, very few spoke of their past and for good reason. The truth passes through sieves of deception and coin alike, after all, and the Kurata possessed both of those sieves in abundance. No doubt the number of people who knew about the clan's torrid past was much, much greater than those willing to even discuss it. On some level Hyosuke could appreciate the efficacy, the strength, on another he found it cowardly but.... best not think ill thoughts of his host before having met him, at least.

When Hyosuke was brought to where Hitoshi resided, and all save he declined to enter further, Hyosuke strode into the room only after being announced by the Kurata staff. Formalities of his position as head of the Niyagata clan were read, his title as Ex-Captain of the Ninth Division, successor of his father Usui, and so on. Only the mention of his father elicited anything from Hyosuke in the moment, though he made no outward show of it, as he did still miss the man. Once all this was done Hyosuke entered the room, Benicho Kogo resting against one shoulder, the Wagasa open even indoors as Hyosuke had not cared for the glances given by such an... eccentric action.

He had, after all, done it for a specific reason.

One did not need to be a scholar on the Kurata to know this Hitoshi individual enjoyed a similar... aesthetic to Hyosuke and, frankly speaking, the idea of both of them standing beneath umbrellas while discussing heated Rukongai politics struck him as distinctly amusing. Granted, Hyosuke had taken the liberty of dressing up quite a bit in darker, black clothing, though still with enough red to fit his tastes. Perhaps, in some odd way, his dressing up only made the situation more serious seeming, despite being a simple meeting between two people.

Once he stood a comfortable distance from Hitoshi Hyosuke would incline his head, a subtle display of respect, his eye closing briefly before he gave an easy, charming smile.

"Kurata Hitoshi, it is an unexpected honor to be invited here. Promises of power and opportunity are not light things to throw around Soul Society and while I am sure there was some attempt to make the offer seem more appealing on paper, you don't strike me as a man for bluster."

Hitoshi sat idly, a long wooden table spread before him. A window to his left poured in low light, the room otherwise a short and dimly lit place. A smoking hall that had been repurposed, the smell still lingering with the choking aroma of spirits long ago consumed. Yet silently the man sat, eyes slowly flicking across a variety of pages spread in front of him, a free hand idly caressing the zanpakuto within the confine of his kimono.

Across from him, a door opened with an expected arrival. Announcement and flourish followed, a measured stare from Hitoshi in turn - thoughts swirling in emerald pools. Boorish words, fool-hearty titles. Station of the Gotei is no merit to impress, not that a bag of bones would agree. Thankfully that's not what we need.

A hand reached up, beckoning his elder to take a seat; sweeping wide across the table as he did.

"Welcome, and be rested. Travels are not always pleasant among the Seireitei, we find. Any seat is welcome for you, aside ours. Do you have any preference for drink?" Statement and question alike were spoke plainly, authoritatively.

A servant would shuffle by his side, a small tray held underarm as they leaned next to the willow of a man. Whatever the Niyagata replied, Hitoshi then whispered to the serf, causing them to shuffle out of the room momentarily. Quickly, his gaze returned to the man and his choice of seat - or lack thereof - and continued to speak.

"We hope the summons to have found you in good humors. Unexpected as you may have found them, you strike us as someone resourceful. Someone that would make a capable ally in a particular campaign we are developing. By no means do I doubt you haven't heard of it by now, whisper or otherwise."

Or you're a tottering waste we don't need.

As he was welcome into the room Hyosuke settled into his usual mindset when dealing with the traditions of nobility. It was much like a form of combat, though where one tested the other with words instead of the positioning of a blade, and subtle actions those not ingrained into the culture would find eldritch and indecipherable. While Hitoshi may have found Hyosuke's words boorish Hyosuke found Hitoshi's refusal to rise in greeting, to one older than himself even, to be as telling an inaction.

Hyosuke would let his eyes wander across the table as Hitoshi motioned to it, a pleasant smile never leaving his features, though Hyosuke wore the mask as well as any other he did let his eyelids flutter in a soft squint at just how.... odd.. Hitoshi's need to point out the obvious fact his seat was his own was. It would be the absolute height of disrespect, worth of a duel between the two, to demand your host relinquish their seat. A nearly unforgivable act of usurping and disrespecting the authority of your host and Hitoshi acted as if Hyosuke was seeking to make that claim. Whether or true or not Hyosuke could not help but see this as a sign of insecurity from the young Kurata.

At the offer of drink Hyosuke would gently raise a hand, the one not holding his Wagasa, and his smile would deepen a bit in placation.

"That is a generous offer to make, any drink I desire, but I would like to keep my focus on your rather brave goals."

The statement was made for two reasons, the first being an expected bit of flattery towards his host and levity towards his goals. Hyosuke did not, in fact, expect to butter up Hitoshi but as far as he was concerned it was part of the game of being a noble. The second was to gauge the young Kurata's reaction to the mention of bravery, in relation to his earlier observation of Hitoshi almost seeming worried about a form of disrespect Hyosuke would not dream of without a damn good reason.

As Hitoshi whispered to his servant Hyosuke would decline sitting, but would make a show of claiming a seat and relinquishing himself of Benicho Kogo by gently leaning it against the chair to Hitoshi's right hand, as Hyosuke himself stood a more respectful distance away. making it a bit inconvenient to reach his weapon and as an expected gesture that he was no threat to his host or, at least, he did not plan to be one.

Nonetheless as Hitoshi continued speaking Hyosuke made another observation, one he knew to be true already in truth, but one did not need to be particularly astute in noble politics to understand what Hitoshi was saying about their summons was rehearsed. Truthfully it would have sounded MORE lively if Hitoshi had simply been reading the scroll it was written on in front of him. Ah well, nothing for it but to play the game, as it were. Rather than nod and confirm he did in fact know what Hitoshi was on about like some servant Hyosuke decided to take the Kurata's statement in stride as if it were the most natural, and obvious, thing in the world.

"Naturally the position of the nobility has been compromised as of late."

The next thing Hyosuke said he did not need to hide behind niceties, or feign his disgust, as his single crimson eye narrowed down on Hitoshi though did not direct the disgust AT the Kurata as he stated.

"In more recent years it is accurate to say the judgement of the Gotei, particularly in the occupation of Soul Society, has been sorely lacking."

Though Hyosuke was not a noble to claw, scrape and whine for power and influence, he did not feel in this moment he needed to be one to express the sentiment that the Gotei was not what he would like it to be by any stretch of the imagination.

"Though I trust you have your own counsel on such things."

The urge for the man's face to twist and squint in despondence was held for the moment, a statue instead watching, listening to the other's reply. The servant would return as Hyosuke finished speaking, a small saucer and container placed at the Kurata's side. With barely even a glance, he would cup it underhand, taking a small sip from their personal reserve of sake. The liquid mulled behind closed lips as he considered how to speak, Hitoshi's stare tracing the NIyagata's features.

'Do not trust a man with nothing but joy, be it dimwitted or a guise'. We do believe he has some truth. Having faith would be a mistake - his language is smart, no doubt he has his own goals to achieve from this. If its the same as ours, advantage could be seized. This kindness is not to be recognized, be careful in approach. Slowly, this one.

Swallowing, he'd draw an arm back towards himself before speaking, vaguely maneuvering some of the paperwork in front of him.

"Counsel, yes. A few voices here and there that tell us how weak outreach has become, issues of influence. Something we can assuredly find common ground in." A page catching on his finger, Hitoshi pulled it upwards to absentmindedly look it over. "Brave, however? An overreach, if we may be so blunt. We are of Nobility, even if your upbringing may try and cast you aside for such things."

Turning his gaze back to Hyosuke, Hitoshi's voice took on the rare hint of bravado, the page falling back towards the table. "Nobility is that of which to rule. Of power. Something that the Gotei have tried to strip us of. Something we seek to regain - something, we hope, for your family to join in."

Hyosuke turned as Hitoshi sipped his sake and swallowed it down, whether both of them did these avoidance tactics to think or if Hitoshi was simply gathering himself for the next stage of their game was revealed quickly, and when Hotishi spoke again Hyosuke obligingly looked to his host. His expression, naturally, the perfectly correct amount of inquisitive at the mention of council and information freely given. He would not seem a rummor monger, stooping and snorting for any speck like a pig for a truffle, but nor would he try to seem overly stoic and uninterested so that it might offend Hitoshi.

Hitoshi, in essence, parried Hyosuke's attempt at a revealing strike of a statement in commenting on bravery, and in the battle of words and wit Hitoshi retaliated with a potent one-two combination of both calling Hyosuke's use of emotional language an overreach and commenting directly on Hyosuke's lineage. This.... Hyosuke simply deepened his smile at, the Niyagata's eyes never leaving Hitoshi as the Kurata was enmeshed in another avoidance tactic. Was that paper he was observing so absolutely all-important he had to look at it now? No. It was not only a way to avoid having to meet Hyosuke's gaze while bandying the insult, but also by attempting to put himself under a lens of social superiority in that he did not even need to respect Hyosuke enough to look at him while speaking.

As Hitoshi continued, his gaze returning to Hyosuke and the unmistakable drip of something close to pride in his voice as he spoke on the usual thematics of nobility, and made his play rather brazenly Hyosuke had never, for a moment, let his eye do anything less but linger on Hitoshi's face in the most polite, attentive of manners. Naturally, Hyosuke at least recognized the shift in topic as a way to cement a sort of victory for this round on Hitoshi's part. He had, after all, parried Hyosuke's probing about bravery and delivered a verbal lashing about him overreaching to his host and being of..... impure blood.

Hyosuke, however, had not watched the Kurata so closely for no reason. While Hitoshi had busied himself with pretending to read papers and enjoy his sake Hyosuke hummed, as if contemplating the offer, gently running a hand along the craftsmanship of the back of one of the chairs as he took a step closer to Hitoshi. A small, very casual thing, as if he was studying the make of the chair he did not care for, and he did not leave it at such an odd acitons either. Hyosuke did pull the chair back, as if to sit, but returned his gaze to Hitoshi at the very moment it seemed the conversation would move forward and gave his own retaliation. His voice a rather genuine-sounding source of confusion as he asked:

"Weak outreach....? Hmmm, I cannot say this was an issue I was aware of, perhaps you could enlighten me? Naturally you are likely more familiar than I."

This pure, innocent observation was delivered with all the formality and politeness Hyosuke possessed, and was certainly no implication that the Kurata had let their own influence dwindle by comparison to his own. Nothing of the sort. With his expression still one of thought, but his gaze still never leaving Hitoshi, he did pointedly look down to the paperwork Hitoshi had seemed so engrossed in. That had been so very important, for only a scant second, making it clear he was not trying to brazenly read the paperwork, nothing so crude. Instead it was a subtle way to bring Hitoshi's attention back to it as he remarked.

"Oh yes, my birth, well as a great man once told me: The only thing more notable about a man than his titles are his actions. I find it best not avoid good advice when one hears it."

With that final riposte stabbing at the fact Hitoshi had conveniently avoided Hyosuke's gaze for so long Hyosuke would sit, as if allowing the conversation to move forward, and smile cordially as he motioned to Hitoshi.

"But please, Lord Kurata, continue with this idea of yours, you have our attention, if not necessarily our interest just yet. Your hospitality, on the other hand, has nothing but our appreciation."

The use of the title of lord was a placation, the rest a false salve egging Hitoshi to accept the state of the conversation, and flowed rather well into Hyosuke's insistence on getting to the meat of the matter in a way that still pulled the power of the conversation in his direction, showed that he was still not entirely invested, still not impressed with what Hitoshi had said and offered thus far and, frankly, it was the most honest he had been since setting foot in the room.

"You may jest, if you like. Such is a benefit of the position. But we know this is no strange statement for anyone of Nobility. Be it the worth of your standing or financial concern, we are all together in that we have been affected. However uniquely your family may withstand is not ours to pry." A statement born of whole truth, rare to cross Hitoshi's lips. Disdain sat at the back of his tongue, seeking to pry its way forward; quelled under the matter of impressions.

Play coy with your corner whore, not negotiation. Still, some amount of admiration could be felt - Hyosuke had to have some balls to commit how he was. It was, in essence, the correct play. Gauging how willing or not Hitoshi was to continue through jabs. Thankfully for the Kurata, he did not possess enough of the emotions to be bothered.

"We are looking to amass the political backing of several houses of Nobility. Create representation throughout the Rukongai and Seireitei with our combined influences. Then, and only then, do we believe to recapture the might that has been unjustly taken from our houses." A pause as Hitoshi watched the man, the hand inside his kimono slowly gliding along the hilt of his zanpakuto. "To guide the reigns of the Gotei, if so needed."

Hyosuke gave no indication one way or the other as to whether he was jesting or not but he did note how Hitoshi's reaction seemed much less pointed than his previous comments and actions. In a rather stark fashion Hyosuke was humored by the fact they seemed to be something akin to opposites in their approach to matters of politics. Hyosuke, for his part, simply allowed himself to enjoy the game that was to be played. To ride the swells and lurches of the conversation, to bend with the hurricane of emotions and whispers, like a palm tree in a hurricane. Hitoshi, though Hyosuke was not foolish enough for a moment to believe him as boring as he let on, played the part of the stoic oak. Played it rather well. An implacable face, deep roots of true opinions unseen, and consistent in it's.... woodenness.

It was not until a bit later in the conversation Hyosuke mirrored the younger Kurata in allowing that modicum of admiration. Even if it only seemed the correct play for Hitoshi to continue on productively than bandy words as he had previously. Hyosuke had simply come to see what his offer was and, thus, Hitoshi was the one under compulsions to make that offer appealing. If all Hitoshi did was sulk and squander the opportunity in barbed, hidden insults and Hyosuke simply bored of the game and left.... well... that would look rather poor for the product Hitoshi was trying to sell. But ignoring the somewhat 'difficult customer' Hyosuke had allowed himself to be up until this point and press on anyways? That the Niyagata could appreciate and so, settling back into the chair softly, Hyosuke would listen for the moment.

As Hitoshi laid out his product in full Hyosuke's singular eye narrowed only a tiny bit, his lips taking on a small smile of feigned politeness, but it was something more akin to satisfaction. Regardless of Hitoshi's thoughts on the matter, and how deserved the state of affairs he thought his plans would lead them to were, it WAS a brave plan in a manner of speaking. Well, brave or foolish, anyhow. But often the only division between such things was success versus failure anyways so... Hyosuke hummed in mild interest. He was no fool, however, and calmly waited for the true meat of the point, what Hitoshi truly wanted out of this. Surely simply elevating all of the nobility together in one big happy hurrah was NOT what the young Kurata wished, no one ambitious enough to formulate such a plan would be satisfied with that as the outcome.....

Ah. There it was.

As Hitoshi mentioned controlling the Gotei as a whole, to guide it's reigns if needed, Hyosuke did not doubt that if this plan were successful Hitoshi would just so happen to discover plenty of need for grasping those reigns. The allure of power grew no less blinding the closer one got to it, after all, and Hyosuke inhaled slowly through his nose as he met Hitoshi's gaze. His mind pondering deeply on this and he even leaned forward onto his elbows, hands laced together as his lips pressed to his fingertips, his eye moving away from Hitoshi in that moment as he considered. WAS such a thing something he wished? Was this the avenue by which he would effect change? The very politics he had grown so supremely BORED of after so long?

Truly the Gotei was not what Hyosuke would prefer to see, though from what he had seen of the students he had trained so far he could not say it was truly lost, and a damn sight better than the conditions he had left under. Was it foolhardy to think involving the nobility would fix those issues? Most certainly. I particular the quality of those he had trained and met gave Hyosuke some confidence in the Gotei's current affairs and so he would nod to himself and sit back in his chair, glancing at Hitoshi before letting out a breathe that lowered his shoulders.

"I see. I trust you have more to this proposal of yours than ideas, hope and a letter to a single nobleman. Perhaps if I saw more...... substance behind the offer presented."

Now Hyosuke even had to admit to himself he was playing intensely coy, with much less enjoyment out of it than before, but this was a far more necessary application of the mindset in his eyes.

Hitoshi's brow held stationary, wanting to scrunch and furrow in disbelief. In frustration or anger, if the opportunity had presented itself the man would have readily used his zanpakuto to rectify Hyosuke's approach. A white knuckled grip hid underneath cloth, he kept his voice steady as he responded, notably confident.

"There is always a deal to be made." The long formed family motto was alien with warmth, its non-robotic touch on Hitoshi's tongue. Whether it was well intentioned or not could be deciphered if one knew the man, but so few could call claim to such a feat it did not matter. "It may not be today. Tomorrow, or the day after. But, a caution - to presume this as a reach for a single nobleman is greatly understated."

Such self importance is to be somewhat expected. From an adopted bastard? Rabid cur? Never would've seen the day. Hitoshi's gaze did not move with the thought, a long stare at the elder. "You are amongst the many we have approached. The Kurata sit at the table with many houses. Those capable of taking our word at its value the highest, as to be expected." Looking back to his paperwork, the man waved towards a servant with his free hand.

"We are glad to have spoken with you, and will be in touch. We do not expect an immediate answer, there is much to be considered. Nobility begets power. Power to decide." As the servant approached, Hitoshi gestured towards the Niyagata. "Get our guest a parting gift. A vintage at least fifty years or more." Eyes darting back to Hyosuke, the man's hand folding back towards the door.

"Otherwise, would you prefer an escort out?"