"Yes, she does. The alternative--" He makes a face, shuddering. "The alternative is to be without a master and utterly useless - or to have many masters, all of whom give a name of their own to the shinki without a former master first releasing that name. To be owned by many gods...I would sooner become an ayakashi than let myself become a stray."

He shudders again, then pulls the pleasant smile and demeanor back on with small effort. "Lady Bishamon is a kind woman with a sharp sense of fairness and good judgment, willing to give purpose and name to any unowned shinki she may find. It really isn't as awful as it may sound."