Takashi had been peacefully reading a book about insects while eating an orange. He was in a little hidden alcove in the gardens. Well. Not really hidden, people just knew he would go there to relax and they weren't supposed to be there when he was, unless it was an emergency. He barely even looked up when his advisor came over to talk about something or other. Admittedly, he wasn't listening all that hard. He was more interested in his book. Whatever Giyuu was talking about wasn't all that important. His advisor knew how to get his attention when it was.

"Hidone Takashi."

And there it was. Those two words were quick to get his attention, as they had meant when he was younger, that he was in trouble. Choking a bit on the juice from the orange slice he had accidentally inhaled, he shot a look at Haga Giyuu, his advisor, who simply held up his hands. He had dealt with Takashi since the young man himself was a prince. This had also been one of the reasons why Takashi felt more at ease ignoring him, and not putting up a mask like around the others in the court.

"We need to discuss the preparations for the Sea Festival."Giyuu said looking at the papers in his hands, "It's now only a week and a half away." Granted, Giyuu had been taking care of the biggest part of the preparations that they at the castle needed to do, now all that was left was a few important things that only Takashi could do.

Takashi beat his chest a bit to stop the coughing. He had honestly forgotten all about the Sea Festival. Goodness. If it wasn't for Giyuu, nothing important would get done in this place. This also reminded Takashi to send off for Giyu's favorite wine as a thanks for keeping up with everything else that Takashi struggled with when the Lord didn't make himself keep up with them.

"I.. Right. Thank you, Giyuu." Takashi said, since they were alone, he could be informal. Then again, it wouldn't have surprised anyone in the castle if Takashi did refer to Giyuu, as Giyuu. The man basically stepped in place of Takashi's own father to help raise him while his parents were ruling. Some would argue that is what made Takashi a better ruler. But none would admit that with Takashi's mother still being alive. "What needs to be done?"

"Your opening and closing words, and the royal gift. I am assuming the gift will be the same as last year with the people able to come forward and eat or take food from the same table as the royals."Which was a better gift than it sounded as this allowed the villagers to have food that would be leagues better than food they would normally be able to afford. This was a common 'gift' from Takashi since he came into power. It was almost always a gift during the festivals, except for the winter ones where Takashi would make sure that each villager would have a way to stay warm throughout the cold.

Takashi nodded, setting down his book after making sure his place was marked. "That sounds good for the gift. But.. Ah.. The words... I always hate giving those speeches. I feel like I stutter and stumble over my words." Takashi said, popping another slice of orange into his mouth. It was true, ever since he was a kid, he detested public speaking. He hated the feeling of all eyes on him. But, as Lord, he had to deal with it. But that didn't mean he wasn't going to complain in private.

"If I may, "Giyuu passed him a sheet of paper, "I prepared a list of possible talking points for both the opening and closing."

Takashi gratefully took the list looking over it, "What would I do without you, Giyuu?"

"I would assume you would stay in the garden sketching any insect you see."

"I grew out of that.."

"We don't have to leave everything in our childhood sir. But I will go to the kitchens and tell them that the royal gift will remain the same."And with that, Giyuu took his leave before Takashi could speak again.

Takashi watched him leave and sighed. Giyuu really still treated him like a kid. He wasn't the weird kid anymore that drew bugs. Sure, he had been reading a book about them, but that was different than being a little kid and trying to talk about bugs to every person that you saw. It was a childish thing that he didn't have the luxury of taking into adulthood.

He paused as he realized he was basically making his son follow that same path. Takashi knew he didn't want his son to be unhappy, but being a Noble Lord ultimately led to that. "...." He scribbled down a reminder to try with another of the concubines.

"Gah.... I should probably get those speeches written down so they're ready." At least he didn't have to memorize them. They would always be there in front of him. He gathered his items and went to leave to write these speeches in the comfort of his study. He was a bit surprised to see Cassidy and Nao in the gardens. But then he remembered it was in the middle of the day, so no lessons. He had to quickly put the 'mask' back up. It is easy to let down when alone, but always tiring to put back on.

".....Good afternoon." And returning their small bow, he walked off. He wanted to get to his study and just get this all done.

----

"Sooo... What's happening again?" Cassidy asked as she and Nao sat in the garden, watching servants scurrying to and fro with items or lists. The castle was abuzz with life, so obviously something was happening. Nao had explained it once, but Cassidy kinda... Forgot. It didn't help that her mind was on the easy Japanese book she had gotten from the library.

"The Sea festival. It's to thank the Gods and celebrate the bounty we have received from the sea. The village will have all sorts of games and food! Not to mention the Royal Gift. It'll probably be the same as it has been since Lord Hidone came into power. A mass banquet where the people can come and get food if they so wish." Nao said as she picked up the apple she had been snacking on. "It'll be a lot of fun~. I'll drag you to my favorite games."

"Sounds like a deal to me." Cassidy laughed. "So it'll be in a week in a half. I'm assuming lessons won't be then... Maybe I'll get some pretty fabric and make myself a cat plushie."

"... If I get you fabric, can you make me a bird?" Nao asked, trying to seem nonchalant.

"I'll make you the best damn bird you've seen." Cassidy said with a smile and that only made Nao laugh.

"I'm holding that to you."

"Switch you and that. It's 'I'm holding you to that'."

"Ohhhh yes Teacher~!" Nao laughed, nudging her playfully. But she stopped as she watched the Lord's Advisor appear from behind some bushes and go to leave the gardens. He saw them and gave a slight bow which they returned and he left. "I guess Lord Hidone is nearby. Haga must have been needing to talk about the festival."

Just as she finished that, Takashi came out from behind the bushes as well. He stared at them for a moment before the air about him changed and he was that stern looking Lord again. "Good Afternoon." He said.

The two women gave a small bow which he returned before striding off.

Once he was out of earshot, Cassidy said, "Seems he's a bit on edge about it."

"Rumors say he doesn't like public speaking." Nao said as she pulled over another book to start to flip through it and get to the place she was at before she had snacked on the apple.

"I know that feeling.." Cassidy said, making a bit of a face, recalling a time in college when she had been asked a question by the professor and she had answered it, 'yes mom?'... To her male professor. At least he had been a good sport about it, but boy did that slip up follow her throughout college. "You were right about this book though, it's great! And I can understand, so that's a big plus."

"Just like my older brothers, you will find that I am often right!" Nao laughed, rubbing her nose, puffing out her chest playfully. She laughed as Cassidy nudged her playfully. "Come on, let's go see if we can some sweet snack from the kitchens before the cooks can yell at us~"