a bow, low and reverent - one that’s fit for a lord for Lord Hideyoshi is a guest of the castle and a guest of his own lord and respect is shown where it is due even from the junior warlord. this general, a man who has won the respect of his own lord - not an easy feat to be sure. a victory, though this is the North and victory is his Lord Nobunaga's forte, is a victory. though the decisiveness of this victory was driven by Lord Hideyoshi, a man spoken now with revered tones and soft respect and Ran is proud of his friend. the party is past, as lights grow dim and soldiers stagger their way home, drunk on spirits and hope - 

            he clutches a bottle of sake, warmed by the gentle flames for the weather has grown quite chilly as well as a box of konpeito, homed delicately in a tin of gold leaf. the other had spoken of his fondness for sweets and chrysalian honey and though dragnor is the home of saccharine confectionaries, Ran also knows his lord’s (among other’s) proclivities for sugar and sweetness and there is nothing more powerful perhaps than these candied stars. a welcome home gift though he knows that the man’s heart and home was far away in a place of sunshine and heat, so different from the incessant rains of the kingdom of dragons. he wonders if the man is homesick hearing the common soldiers speak of home and hearth as men are apt to do. 

           this gift was an offering of friendship if nothing else. a small comfort. 

              “ I just wanted to thank you for your hard work. you made our lord proud, it’s a small gift - we traditionally give it to those who serve with distinction. ” // @kozarukun