SB

Hatsu recognized him as "the man from Ul'dah" when they met again at Shiokaze Hostelry. Although she felt uneasy, that he had helped her allowed her to warm up to him faster than the others.

Shortly after the Scions moved into the East Aldenard Trading Company as their temporary base, Hatsu began to study maps of housing districts in her spare time. She intended to find places to live all over the world in the hopes of finding the home she remembered. By now, the obsession to return "home" has preoccupied much of her waking thoughts despite being in the midst of a revolution. Hancock asked if she wanted help but she was hesitant to accept, not knowing how much she could trust him. He smugly continued talking anyway and offered information on what sells best, demolition patterns, and market rates. Feeling grateful for the information, she uncertainly opened up to him about how it might give her a sense of fulfillment. This prompted a laugh from Hancock, saying they may be "cut from the same cloth". His cryptic statement confused her but slyly dodged answering when she asked what he meant.

Hatsu was a bit reserved with him. While he originally only offered information, he eventually accompanied her during housing negotiations, occasionally bailing her out of trouble if a deal went south. Though this help...came with a price. She understood the "business proposal" but as time went on, Hatsu began to complain to herself about Hancock's proclivities, how he would only exchange favors rather than extend them out of any feelings of attachment. She is hurt by his cold facade, sensing they have a connection in spite of it.

She found his bluntness and dark sense of humor refreshing. Their synergy allowed Hatsu to roll with his act when she is around for his business meetings. They found camaraderie in each other and often stayed up talking late into the night. She went overboard; overworking herself, quickly amassing wealth and properties in many locations. They begin to spend more time together in and out of the office.

Hancock had intended to use her to identify counterfeited antiques with her Echo but Hatsu willingly offered her help. She asked similarly of him for "payment", knowing she was playing into his game, an excuse to continue their exchanges. He would mock her, gloating that she's no different than him. Each time, she would deny this thinking he doesn't understand her feelings. However, even under his facade, Hancock understood little of how he felt about her. Relationships are not for those who have to worry that even gifts may be bribes. He'd rather curry favors instead of pursuing deeper connections.

Hancock wanted to keep his distance; trust doesn't come easily, to trust his feelings to anyone was a risk he never needed nor wanted to take. However, being needed was gratifying and putting the Scions in your debt would most assuredly be beneficial. After all, it was on Lolorito's orders that he assisted them. What better way to keep his master abreast of the developments on the frontline? That was what he told himself anyway, and helping Hatsu in her housing venture was just a part of that...right?

But the more time they spent together, the more excuses were needed to justify his actions; especially when it came to spreading rumors using the Brass Blades. When there was no longer any need to keep an eye on the Scions, it was under the guise of using the Warrior of Light's image to enhance the company's reputation. This was a calculated game of push and pull, lest his improprieties be raised to Lolorito's suspicions -- a risk on his life that he wasn't sure he was willing to take. His hot-cold behavior sometimes left Hatsu wondering if there was something between them or if she wasn't simply a pawn in some grand scheme. And thus, they kept their friends-with-benefits relationship a secret for many years but spent so much time together that they were a couple in every way but name.

Hatsu put much of her energy into restoring the Doman Enclave. Having never known Doma before the Garlean Occupation, she set out to make a difference for the past that was her own. It came as a shock to everyone, Hatsu notwithstanding, when a shipment of heavy canvases arrived from the East Aldenard Trading Company. It came with a message, "Repair their ships for trade and the awnings of their shops for businesses". What few people knew was who arranged this shipment; Hatsu suspected Hancock himself was instrumental in its inception. Hoping for correspondence, Hatsu carefully checked the shipment. Hidden within the cargo was a sizable amount of gil, alongside another message, "For the restoration efforts". The message was clear enough. With no name and no emblem, Hancock had intended for the gil donation to remain anonymous. The efforts to conceal his identity however, made it evident that nothing was expected of her in return.

Once restored, she performed for eight days and eight nights as part of the celebrations. Although Hancock's donation was anonymous to the Enclave, she worked with the local weavers to gift him a kimono in gratitude. The celebrations were one of the last that they would see each other for a time. Hancock continued to make donations on her behalf in her absence.