Sanae decided to empty her glass in one last go before speaking calmly.
"Two days then, Saph. This is about your own safety, there's no connections drawn towards my involvement and it is in fact quite neglible. I didn't forget its importance but you'll have to pursue other methods. If you wound up dead, it's been all for nothing anyway. Don't worry too much, Aya. My official stance on the Jump Drive already became Kusari's stance and seeing as I'm a strong advocate of recent plans as how to deal with the leak myself.. I'm in no danger from that angle. Everyone is quite jumpy though, I admit that. You might be under stricter surveillance yourself, Aya."
She curled her lips slightly, her eyes jumping around between the two.
"The investigation is unavoidable, it's just the Shogunate wanted to declare it a military affair. The KOI got their hands full right now though and they'd conveniently avoid any Samura executives from bearing responsibility. As for.. the Hanazono.. it'll not be easy but necessary to contain them. They're prone to leash out but their nearly religious loyalty to the Emperor is an advantage - seeing as they interpret my office as the extension of the Emperor's will. Appeasing them whilst keeping them on distance will be rough.. especially since they already caused bloodshed..ugh, I need another glass.."
Ayakashi glanced briefly toward the grand piano, and let out a short laugh tinged with mild irony, before turning her gaze back to the two women. There was no regret in her voice, nor any suggestion of weakness -- it came across instead as a cold, cynical assessment of the situation, "I am already being watched."
She then moved to stand with her straight-backed posture against the wall, perhaps to lean against it with her arms folded across her chest, but remained acutely aware of the weapon secured to her back, "Everyone is. Politicians and foreign guests especially."
Sanae smirked, leaning a bit forward in her seat. She unbuttoned the suit dresses jacket and neatly placed it next to her.
"Of course, yet you're the first pair of KOI eyes to see this room.. and the first one in nearly a year to be within the estate's borders. Surveillance has its limits and given the circumstances, I'd not be surprised if you're to be approached after tonight and asked about the estates security measures. Want me to spare you the trouble and have a list be arranged?"
Ayakashi held her gaze for a long moment, then shook her head. "I didn't mean that as a cheap threat from a KOI agent."
Another pointed pause followed as she visibly shaped her thoughts into as few words as possible. She seemed to have a longer monologue in mind, but, in the end, she only added quietly, "The last election changed everything."
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A faint smirk crossed her lips as she drew the mask back into place, sealing the lower half of her face once more. Her glass sat empty.
"Oh, I’m well aware of the danger it represents. My concern lies elsewhere... though I believe I’ve made that clear. The mathematics are still incomplete, and I have little interest in... certain politics."
A slight pause, her tone smoothing into something almost lightly amused.
"As you may already know with these things, you should be familiar with the inevitably of certain... curiosity on my part. A certain intrigue for snooping around backyards. I do prefer to ensure things are proceeding as they should."
Their paranoia barely registered to her... surveillance, suspicion, quiet watching. It was all familiar, almost mundane. Old habits, old systems.
Maintaining her composed, measured posture, she tilted her head slightly inquisitively.
Sanae sighed and for a brief moment seemed to want to get up, just to remain seated then.
"Ohh, Aya-chan. I didn't mean it this way, I'm trusting you and just want to keep you out of trouble. Meeting me is a hassle every time, it feels like and I'm sorry for it. Just don't want to add additional burdens to you." She side eyed Raven whilst saying this, curious for eithers reaction to her just dumping her mind. She took a deep breath before turning her attention back to her old friend.
"Yep, you'll always snoop around no matter what anyone tells you. Once you've decided something's important to you, you're trying never to lose sight of it.. my little stalker." She couldn't help but chuckle. "I'm keeping you two uninvolved when it comes to the exact details regarding Samura.. so that's it about this topic. Doesn't mean I wouldn't appreciate you two sticking around for the rest of the evening. No politics, no world ripping apart issues, just relaxing?"
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A soft chuckle was invoked. She really couldn't resist trespassing and snooping, it was her nature to try and find answers. In the meanwhile, silence fell, a quiet ponder took place upon hearing her offer. Contemplating whether she was interested in staying or not.
"Mmm... Maybe later. I have to make the best of these remaining two days."
Ultimately, she decided against it. It was awkward enough being with a stranger, one that had their own little schemes.
Sanae's expression showed no surprise. Raven was too focused on it the past days already, so this sudden deadline clearly messes with her plans. She couldn't help but overplay the slight disappointment that lingered by getting up and briefly hugging Raven. She smirked, knowing how Raven would react.
"No, I won't stop you then. Just glad you've taken the time to come around in the first place. I'll keep the bottle though! Ayame will lead you back outside then, knowing her she's standing behind the door since we've entered anyway." She looked over at Aya, wondering whether at least she'd keep her company for the evening. The alternative was emptying that bottle on her own.
Ayakashi gave a slight shrug, "My schedule is somewhat more flexible." With that, she slowly pushed off from the wall she had been leaning against and settled into one of the empty chairs. She crossed one leg over the other and gave a small wave to the departing Sapphire Raven. "Good luck, Sapphire-san."
She turned her gaze back to the Kusari Prime Minister, and asked with a sly smirk, "Can you even live without politics and crises?"
"Lately? Doesn't feel like I could. So this should be a nice change of pace.." She shifted around in her seat, getting more comfy. "Especially if I can get your tongue to loosen up a little, huh?" She reached for the bottle, pouring herself a little more wine and then a little more into the so far untouched wine glass for Aya.
She took a sip of her wine, this time keeping the glass. Wondering whether she would manage to ask Aya private questions this time around or if her attempts would just be dismissed as usual..
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