The Fox and the Geese [Himiko, Erchanhardt]

Much as Erchanhardt felt he ought reassure her that there was no need to go through those efforts if it would be difficult, there was not an insubstantial part of him which simply told him to allow her to make this request. Was that in poor taste? That was a little bit difficult a question for him to answer, but he would not argue with the outcome either way.

"I do quite like children, yes. It is such a joy to see them happy, and it brightens my own day to give them a bit of excitement. It reminds me much of when my daughter was young, though that has not been for a long while now."

He supposed he may as well make clear to her that he did have a child, yes? Erchanhardt wondered, briefly, if she would actually mind that. He would be disappointed, certainly, though he supposed he could not particularly hold it against her if she found it to be a concern.

"She is quite a wonderful young woman, yes. I am as proud of her as any father could be."

Indeed, his pride in Ada was rather clear to just about anyone, as there was very little in his life that Ercahnhardt treasured more than her. Though, having thought about her for a moment, it did occur to him that he would surely need to tell her about this development, yes? Ah, dear. That would be something of an uncomfortable conversation, wouldn't it?

"There are always some struggles in parenting, so I do not think that is something that you need worry about. I believe it best to accept that truth, so that it is far easier to change ourselves for the better and grow into the best possible parents. With that said, I have found that an understanding of children and an affinity for them does go a long way, so I would say that you are off to a good start."

"I do like to think that we are, though her living in Japan makes it a matter of keeping regular conversation when possible."

Indeed, Himiko's assumptions about Erchanhardt and his daughter were fairly accurate, as he did very much do his best to stay close to her. Her obvious excitement was rather endearing, something that he actually blushed a faint bit as he considered. My, blushing like a young boy again? One might never have known how long he had lived.

"I would imagine your work in the Gotei brings you around the world now and again, yes? If you have ever been in the Orient, you may have seen her face. Ada is something of an icon in the fashion world, I am told, though I confess I do not fully understand it. Still, it has made her very happy, so I am all too glad to support it."

It actually surprised Erchanhardt just a touch when Himiko reacted so positively, though it did not necessarily come as a shock that she would actually be familiar with Ada's work. She was rather ubiquitous, and Himiko certainly seemed as though she were more familiar with modern society.

"She is my daughter, yes. I am rather glad to hear you speak so highly of her. She does work rather tirelessly in her career, and so far as I can see, there is a good deal more effort in women's fashion than in men's."

Well, Erchanhardt certainly felt all the more confident in things now. Perhaps that was a bit overconfident of him, though he felt as though at least a small bit of confidence was merited at this stage. He imagined that a more aggressive sort of approach at this juncture would be to offer to introduce her, but frankly, that felt as though it would be disingenuous on his end, so it was wholly out of any consideration. And, besides, much as he did intend to introduce Himiko to Ada in time, presuming that all went well, he nevertheless was not one to simply intrude on his daughter's life for the sake of his own interests.

"I am sure she would be quite glad to hear you say as much. I know she does put a great deal of time into her appearance."

The finer details of this sort of thing did escape Erchanhardt, but he did not mind discussing it with Himiko. It was, in no small part, simply pleasant to hear her speak so energetically about the topic, such that he was rather content to led her continue as long as she felt pertinent.

"I suppose you also keep track of such fashion trends and the like? That certainly does make sense, given your consistent choice of attire. I've not thought much on such things, though there is a good deal worth learning there, yes?"