Waxing and Waning (D15 LE)

[Jihen]

The day had been a murky and cloudy affair... in more ways than one.

Jihen walked out of the town limits on what might be his last night here... Soon this place would no longer be the seat of the imperial court. The temporary center of the empire by which one could observe the signs for all the people. Fitting that the skies would be as murky as the future was for the empire.

As the moon broke through the clouds in the night and glimpses of the stars above could be seen, Jihen searched for the last bit of celestial guidance that this vantage point would offer him.

He had been born on a moon opposite the one tonight... one mostly filled instead of mostly empty. Both inherently lacking perfect symmetry and balance... Much like himself. Physically this had always been so, and so he had sought so hard for balance in his heart and mind.

He hoped he was on his way there... towards greater balance. He hoped it not only for himself but for others... for the people of the empire. To be perpetually in a state of imbalance did not bring harmony... His physical shell had provided that lesson. But the spirit... the spirit could reach where the flesh didn't. And the spirit of the empire could always wax toward greater balance...

And so he found himself looking up to the skies one last time, thinking of his place in it all... and what he could do to help it turn towards the balance of on and myo... to make the earth more closely resemble the Heavens he observed...

----

D15 LE Divination Fluff, VP 4 Raises | 10k8 ⇒ 49 (TN: 35)

[Seppun Sadako]

The approach of the Miharu is not stealthy.

Nor is Sadako's voice when she says "Tumult and unrest, of course," of the signs in the Heavens. "And the comet is still approaching that bodes less than well, despite last night's efforts."

She shakes her head.

"It will be a time of testing, Jihen-san."

[Jihen]

"The finest steel cannot become so without being cast into the furnace and tried with the slamming of the blacksmith's hammer..." He replied and then paused for a moment.

"Though I certainly don't envy the blade while it is under the hammer."

He turned to look to the woman, elegant and beautiful as when he had first seen her out here in the hinterlands. His eyes lingered on her for a moment before asking, "I heard there was a bit of a ritual conducted last night... and rumors of an unfortunate death. How did it fare?"

[Seppun Sadako]

Sadako looks off to where she had been present the night before.

"There was," she says, "and by the sacrifice of a brave man, a restless spirit that would have been trouble was returned to the Wheel. The Fortunes themselves saw to it; I saw it with my own eyes.

"We will have no more trouble from that quarter, which is some relief."

[Jihen]

"Considering the proclaimed identity of the spirit in question... that must have been quite the difficult event..."

He closes his eyes and offers his heartfelt empathy up to the spirits of the departed.

"May the Wheel bring them back and reward their deeds justly." He says with a respectful voice.

He then digs into his memory to recite a poem which seemed fitting...

Kin no kaawa
onaji nagare wa
kawaranedo
mishi ya mukashi no
kage zo wasurenu

"The River of Gold
it's flow does not change,
But I do not forget
the visage of those
who saw it with me long ago."

[Seppun Sadako]

"Did you know him, Jihen-san?" Sadako asks. "Yogo Kiuchi?"

[Jihen]

“Yogo-sama?” He asked, confirming the rumors internally.

“Once briefly, yes. We spoke about a concern of his about spiritual matters.”

He asked, “Had you met him before?”

[Seppun Sadako]

"If I had," Sadako says, "it was only in passing. Which is a shame, because he died bravely and well. House Itoh was lucky to have him."

She takes a breath, holds it, releases it.

"I will look forward to sleeping soon," she says. "I have not had much of it these past several days."

[Jihen]

“Among the list of those who deserve it most, I would estimate your name is pretty high up there.” He replies with a soft smile.

“The worries we bring into Yume-do can sometimes disturb our sleep… If you would like to unload a portion of them for me to share, I am always at the ready.” He offers warmly.

“The events of this day alone must wear on your mind.”

[Seppun Sadako]

"It was certainly an uncommon event," Sadako replies, "both the closure of a session and the sudden departure of a delegation. Some might say the Lady Shiba exceeded her authority to decide for the whole Empire that matters would close, but I do not envy the Lady Chancellor her position."

She shakes her head.

"Clan politics are sometimes troublesome."

[Jihen]

“Especially when they assert themselves above the others… and above the empire.” he nods in agreement.

“There are sure to be many troublesome events and people ahead… but things that will encourage and refresh us as well. What does the Lady Seppun look forward to in the days ahead?” He asked with a soft smile.

[Seppun Sadako]

Sadako gives a puff of laughter.

"I will be glad to be back in my own bed," she says. "The accommodations here have been good, of course, and I have no complaints about Ikoma hospitality. But home is always good, and there is a peace about Kyuden Seppun that comforts me."

She draws another breath, holds and releases it.

"But I suppose I will have to see to my succession," she adds. "The example set here is a warning, and I mean to take it to heart."

[Jihen]

“Oh what it would to be a marriable young man with this kind of secret… The Lady Seppun seeks a partner.” He smiled warmly though a small part of his heart undoubtedly tensed in envy.

“It is not often I bemoan a disability, but the ability to marry just became all the more desirable.” He says with his outer expressions hinting at jest.

He then turns his expression to a soft smile and nods, “It is good to think of the future. The more people like the Lady Seppun in the world… the brighter the world would be.”

[Seppun Sadako]

Sadako regards Jihen levelly for a long while.

Then she nods.

"You are correct, Jihen-san," she says. "It is good to think of the future."

[Jihen]

He notes the gaze and nods at her acceptance.

“Not too far into the future though… the next step is always the most important one.” He replies with a soft smile.

“Have you kept up with your training?”

[Seppun Sadako]

"As events have allows," Sadako says. "It has not gotten easier, yet."

[Jihen]

He nods his head, “Oddly enough... It may also help with restless sleep. Learning to hone one’s senses teaches you to be able to choose what it is you perceive and when.”

Jihen looks up to the sky again and stands quiet for a moment.

Her previous look comes back to his mind… Had he erred… Did he misinterpret her comment… Did he come across as he shouldn’t have?

It was not often that anxious thoughts rattled around in Jihen’s mind. He quickly determined the reason why, but worked on his breathing to help him regain the calmness of mind he was more accustomed to.

After a moment at looking into the waning moon he centered his breath.

“If I may ask… What kind of suitor is the Lady Seppun most interested in finding?”

[Seppun Sadako]

"You're not the first to ask me that this season," Sadako replies. "But I will need someone who is capable of doing well as a follower; I cannot have someone contending with me for control, as I have seen happen too many times even with Family daimyo and Clan Champions. I need someone who can support me. And, yes, I need someone with whom I can make an heir to the Seppun line.

"He need not be a shugenja, necessarily; there have been Miharu who have been the Lord or Lady Seppun before. The second Seppun daimyo was one, if memory serves. But he must be of such stock as we can make the Seppun, and that is not all sorts, as I know you know, Jihen-san."

[Jihen]

He nods in agreement. Not everyone has what it takes to be a Seppun… he wonders if he would have if things were different.

“I’m no nakodo, but I can keep an eye out… I’m known to be pretty good at locating hidden things like this.” He replied with a smile.

“And beyond what is proper in your duties as the Lady Seppun… are there any other attributes that you have preference for?”

[Seppun Sadako]

"Should I say something like 'I want him to smell like sunflowers,' Jihen-san?" Sadako asks somewhat archly.

Then she waves a hand and shakes her head. "That's unfair to you," she adds. "And unworthy of either of us. Like I said, I will be very glad to sleep in my own bed again."

She grins. "Besides, I prefer orchids."