[D9, EM - Expecting] A Morning and Imperial Constitutional

[Daidoji Sae]

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a older man in possession of a good amount of years, must be in want of an early morning.

So it was that Sae had offered an invitation to Tomaru for a brisk morning walk (although given his age and considerable...physical form, maybe not too brisk).

It was becoming something of a habit, she reflected, in talking to Winds outside the walls. But it would hardly be proper to be scene politicking within, if politicking was what it could even be called.

So instead she waited at the gate dressed plainly and for exercise.

[Seppun Tomaru]

"Oh, Daidoji-bugyo!" Tomaru says as he approaches.

Like her, he is dressed for exercise, although he does still show a dominance of white in his clothing.

"It is a good morning for a walk, isn't it?"\

He bows once close enough for it to matter.

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

Sae bows back very politely.
"Indeed it is, though a little more of Lady Sun and it would be truly glorious."

She politely gestures at the path, allowing the Seppun to lead when he was ready.
"Thank you for making time Seppun-san, I know you will have a busy day ahead with the Court. Still I had hoped to speak a little with you."

Slightly raising an eyebrow.
"Clear air makes for clear thoughts and I hope, clearer meaning."

[Seppun Tomaru]

Snip

"Of course," Tomaru says, and he moves at a surprisingly good pace out into the world. It's slow enough to talk, but fast enough that talking isn't entirely easy. Or it won't be in a few minutes, anyway.

It will also make it hard for others to hear more than a couple of words at a time, if they try to listen. But who would try to eavesdrop on such a pair?

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

Sae seems reasonably pleased at the pace and stretches her leg to accommodate as she falls in beside Tomaru, enjoying the chance for some exercise that didn't include sprinting away from Scorpions.

"I have been thinking on what we discussed when last we met. About the importance of education, even for heimin. And about the importance of some reforms worked through whoever the heavens choose to better the empire..."

[Seppun Tomaru]

Snip

"Good!" Tomaru manages. His breathing is not quite labored yet, which is not bad for a paunchy old man. "Anything come of Daidoji-bugyo's ruminations?"

He steps around a rock that needs to be cleared from the path.

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

Sae leaps said rock, or at least sort of hops it at a jog.

"No great thoughts of inspiration, nothing which struck like lightning, but-"
Sae moves behind Tomaru for a few moments as two guards pass on the other side of the path before catching back up to him.

"-I have found such ideas remain inspirational. The dark cloud of uncertainty that hangs over the Kyuden has me longing for a light to mark the way forward. I think I will labour for such a future to come to pass, if it be the will of the Heavens."

[Seppun Tomaru]

Snip

"I pray that it will be," Tomaru says, and here his speech does begin to show the signs of exertion.

"I pray for. A lot of things."

He grins crookedly as his beard and moustache blow, and it is clear his paunchy belly jiggles under his clothing.

"But you might expect. That from a priest."

There is beginning to be sweat visible on his balding head.

[Daidoji Sae]

snip

"A priest who can move swiftly and ably when he needs to."
Sae slows a fraction to indicate she's not interested in forcing an elderly priest to run to exhaustion.

"I pray as well, and hope that my meagre messages are heard, although I fear with so many priests there must be quite a queue."
For her own part the Daidoji has only flushed slightly from the exertion.

"Tatsuya-san has taken up residence in the temple, do you think he is praying as well?"
She gently prods.

[Seppun Tomaru]

Snip

"You flatter. An old man," Tomaru puffs out, but he keeps pace with Sae. "I used to. Keep up with. The grandchildren. But that was. Years ago.

"The Lady. Was right about. My being too. Sedentary. I'm trying. To work on it. With limited success. So far. Time will tell."

It is a few paces later that he continues.

"I don't know. About Tatsuya-san. I haven't been. To the Temple. Since he arrived. Standard procedure. Too much proximity. Of too many. Potential heirs is. A security risk. That needs to. Be minimized. Lady Seppun knows. I know that.

"It's a shame. I liked being. In the stacks. Reminded me of. Days gone by. Good days, those."

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"I find exercise as occasionally irksome as it can be clears my mind."
Sae takes a moment to find her own breath.

"And it settles me, when I feel unsettled. I am sure your duties are pressing, but should you ever require a running partner I would make the time, at least until the end of Winter Court."
Wordlessly she points out a puddle of mud to be avoided.

"Perhaps I could ask for them to pass on some reading? I cannot imagine anyone's intention was to keep a shugenja out of the temple."
Breath.
"Lady Seppun is of course, wise in all things. I only wish there was some way for any heirs to be able to speak to one another honestly and in private. It would at least allow for the opportunity to move forward, however unlikely."

[Seppun Tomaru]

Snippety snap

"Thanks," Tomaru says as he avoids the puddle.

"And it might. Be nice to. Have a talk. With Tatsuya-san," he agrees. "And Doji Noriko. Is a pleasure. As are the kids. But I know. Otomo Gorobei well. From work and. Occasional meetings. He can be. So young sometimes. Which is good. For the young."

He puffs along a bit before adding, "I have some. Letters from home. To read again. And my own. Copies of things. So I don't. Lack for material. Though I hear. There are books. In this market. Do you have. Any recommendations?"

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"He certainly is young." Sae replied, which may be one of the nicer things ever said about the Otomo in question.

"Ah, let me see. I was recommended a rather excellent treatise on bandit suppression techniques by a lion magistrate, but that may not be quite as interesting as most of Seppun-san's reading."
The Crane was herself starting to get a little puffed, so she focuses on her breathing while considering the options.

"There is of course, Ikoma Sanjuro's biography of the great Ikoma himself, a most honourable and interesting biography. Although I have heard there is an earlier edition of the work available with some rather interesting content changes, if you enjoy your history?"

[Seppun Tomaru]

Sneep

"I think I. Heard about that," Tomaru puffs. "Lots of. 'He took one step. And surveyed around. And seeing nothing. Resolved to go forward.' Got excised. Or was that. A different work?"

It is many strides before he continues.

"I wouldn't have taken. You for a. History buff, Daidoji-bugyo. I would have. Thought you a. Reader of. Political science. But I guess. There's a lot. Of overlap there."

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"Excised would-" Sae takes a breath. "-be one term for it, I believe we are speaking of-" breath "-the same work."

She uses the break in the talking to steady her own breathing, now working up a sweat of her own.
"I am no great reader. But I enjoy practical works, anything that helps me better myself. When another has already learnt and suffered it would be arrogant to disregard such wisdom."

The two round a corner, now coming back down the path around the castle and towards the other side, a few farmers are visible working their allotments.

"What does Seppun-san read in particular?"

[Seppun Tomaru]

Snïp

Tomaru manages to keep pace with the Daidoji, although it is clear he is having to work to do so.

"For the work. As you might guess. A lot of prayers. And theological discourses. Some get caught. In minutiae. But there are. Some interesting ideas. About holy geometries. In some of them.

"One odd tangent. Was into aesthetic theory. By a Kakita. Kakita Jigoro. Pointed out that. Much artwork. Embodies such things. So I have. Been looking at. More paintings recently. And haiku. Seeing how far. That idea goes.

"Teaching commentaries. Are also a topic. For reasons. You might guess."

Tomaru raises a hand in acknowledgment of another passing patroller.

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

Sae nods at the other samurai as the two overtake them.

"I cannot imagine how complicated your warding duties are, such things are almost wholly outside of my understanding. Although if you have come across any works for more amateur students?"
Shugenja for Dummies?

"Ah, teaching commentaries." Sae sighs quietly then realises that's a bad idea on a jog and has to spend a few seconds regaining her stride.
"I have recently taken on a new yoriki, so I am thinking more and more how to impart what I have learnt on to her. It is not easy. But would Seppun-san have any advice?"

[Seppun Tomaru]

Sníp

Tomaru tries to laugh and keep jogging. He is not successful.

The effort obliges him to stop as he coughs for a bit.

When he recomposes himself, he says, still panting, "Warding is an. Advanced class. So no 'for dummies.' Version of it. Sorry, Daidoji-bugyo.

"But for teaching. The best way is. Model what you. Want to see. Reward good behavior. Correct bad gently. And rarely in public. For a Lion. And, yes. That it's Matsu-san. Is widely known. The Ten Orders. Are your friends."

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

Sae slows to a stop next to Tomaru and raises her hands behind her head, taking in deep breaths, feeling invigorated by the jog.

"That is probably for the best, should I require expert advice I know who to contact."

Still breathing hard she nods at Tomaru.
"I just hope I can put those into practice. She reminds me of a younger version of myself. And of course, I prefer to handle disagreements privately. There is little call for public rebuke unless it is ensuring all present understand the empire's justice. But if I am dueling her then I think something will have gone quite wrong."

She shakes her head, somewhat ruefully.
"Sometimes it feels as though I know so little, how can I teach at all? I can never imagine my own tutors feeling the same way, Hida Kozume-sama...I simply cannot picture him as a younger man."

[Seppun Tomaru]

Sneep

Tomaru, still panting, manages a grin.

"The Lord Ruby does. Give that impression, yes. But I did. Know him as. A younger man. Both of us were. In those days. If you can believe it."

He swallows, and his breathing begins to slow a bit.

"I've seen him grow across time. And not just in his belly, either." He pats his own. "And I know I still see. What I do not know. And it is a large field, growing tall. Yet many say. They look to me for guidance. And others follow my commands. Trusting that I know."

Another swallow.

"Under the Heavens and the Throne. None of us knows all. But all of us have. Something others do not know. And if you model. Learning from your yoriki. Your yoriki will follow. And you will both become greater."

He nods. "We need such greatness."