[Hikaru can be rude and offputting...if he doesn't feel the need to do otherwise. Right now is one of those times and he comes in, bowing his neck. Usually when it came to royalty, he would have bowed more deeply but he wasn't in Japan. He'd done his research on proper etiquette with royalty but the source had been a little fuzzy. Good thing he had his natural charm to help him float.]
Your Majesty, thank you for granting me an audience. [He takes a seat and notices the yubari king melon balls and laughs.] I see that your memory is impeccable, Sir.
[ It helps that Arthur, too, has had to come to terms with so many people being from other worlds and other times than his own. The treatment of kings is not as it once was. But he knows how to at least play his own role, even if their previous conversations weren't ideal. ]
It goes a long way in making friends to remember a man's taste. It is melon on fresh, hand-made ricotta with milk from the crodh sith, said to have the best and rarest milk in all realms. I have a small pasture of them gifted from Queen Elphame.
[ Once he figured out what a yubari king was, he was able to bring that up to his chef, who told him the nature of the ingredients as a means to impress since someone expectant of such a food was likely from an upper-class family at minimum-- or at least able to pose as such. ]
But as you have said, I am much better in person than in the modern world's unending eyes.
[Many people here could say that their first conversations with Hikaru were never ideal. Not being in his own world means there's much less expectations. But now, here with King Arthur, there is a certain expectation that is not hard for Hikaru to meet. By default, Hikaru is ill-tempered but he can play charming with the best of them.]
That is some gift. My grandmother has always said that women have a way of providing the most thoughtful of gifts. Usually I would agree with her. [No, it made Hikaru eyeroll but it looks good if he shows respect towards his elders.] But you have done well in proving that notion wrong. You are clearly very considerate despite what some might think. [Like Hikaru. But he's here to make a good impression and so he's going to. He frowns and does bow to the king, an act of apology.]
I was very rude to you when we first spoke and that was wrong of me. Before this world, I was in another world where I had been taken from my home but apparently, we were being brought home. Yet I arrived here and with all of the changes and so much else, my manners were lacking. I have wanted to apologize for my behavior and I am sorry I have never done so before. With all that's happened, it felt selfish to unload what must have felt like such a small meeting to you. But it's been on my mind since.
Homesickness and what I've come to understand is called "culture shock" can make anyone ornery. I appreciate you apologizing. I apologize for my ignorance when I had first awoken here as well.
[ He didn't even know what a melon was. He still doesn't understand the hype, honestly, but he understands it was meaningful to the young lad. He doesn't know that he's great at thoughtful gifts, but he's got a good memory for people. ]
Let us forget the past and move forward. You had some ideas you wanted to discuss.
[Hikaru nods, bowing his head once more.] Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty. [If it's that simple then he's happy to just move on.
And never really tell anybody that he doesn't even care about the melon so much. It's more about the meaning behind the melon.]
From our past experiences and how I have seen others talk, I am sure that you have seen people can be...impatient if I had to choose a word. [And Hikaru had been one of those until he saw a potential gain from this.] It can be hard to have the public understand sometimes. I know firsthand. I did send you my resume along with my request. I am young but I have grown up in the public eye due to my mother's fame in the fashion world. Not here, but in my world, Hitachiin is a household name. For centuries, our family has been held up to certain standards. Not on the same level as you but I understand it to a certain extent.
[ Look the gesture is the important part. Politics is all gestures. ]
A single quest in my day could take years because of unexplored lands, lack of resources and means of distant communication, and the obstacles along the way. That all the world expects instantaneous results because of the developments made and such a task is still taking such time speaks to the difficulty of the mission, but my patience seems to be still adjusted to the expectations of olden days and it is as you say: people grow impatient and weary of the looming danger. I did read your resume. Your experience would speak to your being able to handle this, and in my day, we did not turn down the talent and zealousness of the young as so many seem to now.
[ A brief pause, and he takes a drink. ] Tell me, Hitachiin, what is your first move in this if I choose to hire you.
[Hikaru had already thought about this long before he came here. He had known that Arthur would ask him something like this. It was a basic interview question.]
My first move is to stage an event where you apologize. [He holds his hands up because he knows how that sounds.] I know, you did nothing wrong. You haven't done anything wrong. But it humbles you, it brings you to people's level because not many can understand where you are now. From there, we have an event where you take in the suggestions of the public. Where you encourage it. Maybe you don't have the answers, some will say, but those that do can provide them. It's an event showing goodwill and your trust in the people who have come here.
You do not think it will show weakness or inspire a lack of faith to admit this?
[ Because especially if things have been out of his control, holding onto the faith of those who do continue to believe in him seems like it's important. But Hikaru does seem to be more aware of how the modern person thinks- strength is not as important as the customer believing they are always right, it seems. ]
The people who have faith in you already believe in you. They see things as they are and this wouldn't sway them. [Hikaru has seen it first hand when he tried to troll the network. Arthur's loyal fans were going to stick by him.] The people who have none are the ones we need to win over. Stroking egos can do many, many favors. Asking for their help does just this. You value the people's opinions and with such a strange experience on your plate, you want to make this easy for everybody. After all, we all come from different worlds. Maybe somebody knows something similar.
[It's his polite way of saying basically make people think they're valuable even if their input probably won't do much. ]
I see. Win the peoples' hearts by humbling your own.
[ It sounds manipulative to do it on purpose, and Arthur can't say he likes it. But if they are to work together as one and not have everone lose faith in Arthur, it may be necessary. ]
We shall try things your way. I'll be in your care, Hitachiin.
[It's not honest but very often, working to appease people is not always about being completely honest. And right now, when it comes to image, Hikaru is certain this is what Arthur would need.
And he is very, very good at looking good. He smiles and nods.]
I can write up some ideas I have. Of course, I will say nothing without your constructive input. Anything that you say to me will stay private.
I'll have one of the servants prepare an office for you. I'll give him your contact information so you can select furnishings once the space is selected.
[ ..He has a job, he needs a place to work, right? Arthur has no idea what the concept of remote employment is. Hikaru just signed up for a job serving the royal court, as far as he's concerned, he gets an office. ]
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no subject
Your Majesty, thank you for granting me an audience. [He takes a seat and notices the yubari king melon balls and laughs.] I see that your memory is impeccable, Sir.
no subject
It goes a long way in making friends to remember a man's taste. It is melon on fresh, hand-made ricotta with milk from the crodh sith, said to have the best and rarest milk in all realms. I have a small pasture of them gifted from Queen Elphame.
[ Once he figured out what a yubari king was, he was able to bring that up to his chef, who told him the nature of the ingredients as a means to impress since someone expectant of such a food was likely from an upper-class family at minimum-- or at least able to pose as such. ]
But as you have said, I am much better in person than in the modern world's unending eyes.
no subject
That is some gift. My grandmother has always said that women have a way of providing the most thoughtful of gifts. Usually I would agree with her. [No, it made Hikaru eyeroll but it looks good if he shows respect towards his elders.] But you have done well in proving that notion wrong. You are clearly very considerate despite what some might think. [Like Hikaru. But he's here to make a good impression and so he's going to. He frowns and does bow to the king, an act of apology.]
I was very rude to you when we first spoke and that was wrong of me. Before this world, I was in another world where I had been taken from my home but apparently, we were being brought home. Yet I arrived here and with all of the changes and so much else, my manners were lacking. I have wanted to apologize for my behavior and I am sorry I have never done so before. With all that's happened, it felt selfish to unload what must have felt like such a small meeting to you. But it's been on my mind since.
[Nobody can say Hikaru can't put on a good act.]
no subject
[ He didn't even know what a melon was. He still doesn't understand the hype, honestly, but he understands it was meaningful to the young lad. He doesn't know that he's great at thoughtful gifts, but he's got a good memory for people. ]
Let us forget the past and move forward. You had some ideas you wanted to discuss.
no subject
And never really tell anybody that he doesn't even care about the melon so much. It's more about the meaning behind the melon.]
From our past experiences and how I have seen others talk, I am sure that you have seen people can be...impatient if I had to choose a word. [And Hikaru had been one of those until he saw a potential gain from this.] It can be hard to have the public understand sometimes. I know firsthand. I did send you my resume along with my request. I am young but I have grown up in the public eye due to my mother's fame in the fashion world. Not here, but in my world, Hitachiin is a household name. For centuries, our family has been held up to certain standards. Not on the same level as you but I understand it to a certain extent.
no subject
A single quest in my day could take years because of unexplored lands, lack of resources and means of distant communication, and the obstacles along the way. That all the world expects instantaneous results because of the developments made and such a task is still taking such time speaks to the difficulty of the mission, but my patience seems to be still adjusted to the expectations of olden days and it is as you say: people grow impatient and weary of the looming danger. I did read your resume. Your experience would speak to your being able to handle this, and in my day, we did not turn down the talent and zealousness of the young as so many seem to now.
[ A brief pause, and he takes a drink. ] Tell me, Hitachiin, what is your first move in this if I choose to hire you.
no subject
My first move is to stage an event where you apologize. [He holds his hands up because he knows how that sounds.] I know, you did nothing wrong. You haven't done anything wrong. But it humbles you, it brings you to people's level because not many can understand where you are now. From there, we have an event where you take in the suggestions of the public. Where you encourage it. Maybe you don't have the answers, some will say, but those that do can provide them. It's an event showing goodwill and your trust in the people who have come here.
no subject
[ Because especially if things have been out of his control, holding onto the faith of those who do continue to believe in him seems like it's important. But Hikaru does seem to be more aware of how the modern person thinks- strength is not as important as the customer believing they are always right, it seems. ]
no subject
[It's his polite way of saying basically make people think they're valuable even if their input probably won't do much. ]
no subject
[ It sounds manipulative to do it on purpose, and Arthur can't say he likes it. But if they are to work together as one and not have everone lose faith in Arthur, it may be necessary. ]
We shall try things your way. I'll be in your care, Hitachiin.
no subject
And he is very, very good at looking good. He smiles and nods.]
I can write up some ideas I have. Of course, I will say nothing without your constructive input. Anything that you say to me will stay private.
no subject
[ ..He has a job, he needs a place to work, right? Arthur has no idea what the concept of remote employment is. Hikaru just signed up for a job serving the royal court, as far as he's concerned, he gets an office. ]