Only child of the Head Priest in a small town... he had everybody watching me all my life. Still makes my stomach turn. [Marina shares breezily, not thinking too hard on what she tells Akechi about herself these days. She's always been pretty open with him, at least about her past. Not always explaining herself fully, but what does she have to hide about it? That's all left behind, now, just cruel memories remain.

She clicks her tongue at his second comment, though!]

And let you have better than me? Not a chance. [maybe if Akechi loses his fancy rank she'll demote- but that is a thought she'd withhold from him. Not wanting to make it seem like she hangs on him for so much of decisions around here...

Even if she's literally hanging onto his arm about now, lacing her fingers with his,]