[D13, EE] shopping and conversation (expecting)

[Agasha Yuna]

"You haven't spoken much about your wife. I'd love to hear more about her."

"Ah, back in Ageki lands, we would have eaten solely vegetarian if we could, but the mountains just don't support enough vegetables. I'd guess we have more mushrooms than most. But it's the river that keeps us alive. Our fishermen on the river. Nothing like the variety our chef has served here. He's from Otosan Uchi. I'm used to dishes that ... uh... stretch the river fish. Mushroom broth with just enough fish for flavor. River grass."

"I was at school in Phoenix lands as the Asako castle. That's in the mountains very like the Ageki mountains."

"But Sandpiper Island - my new home - House Shigi - is in the sea. Right off the coast. So they have sea fish. Plenty of."

[Soshi Eiji]

"Well, to be perfectly honest, Agasha-san, she doesn't like me bragging about her. But given she's not here and you're buying supper, I won't tell her if you don't." he said conspiratorily.

"Soshi Michi, like me, is the youngest sibling of her family and around my age. Trained as a courtier in the Bayushi school. She's smart and strong willed. Sharp tongued but soft-spoken. That is to say, while I am accustomed to roaring long and loudly giving praise where it is due, she speaks very quietly, briefly, and with devestating impact. She is, however, not cruel for the sake of being cruel. She grew up in a family where all of her siblings and parents were gifted with the ability to speak with the kami, and she was not. And so she had find her own way to serve the clan." he explained.

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled.

"She sounds good for you. And very like me. A family where all of her siblings and parents were gifted with the ability to speak with the kami, and she was not. And so she had find her own way to serve the clan. Very like me indeed. I like her already. Perhaps I'll get to meet her if you are able to come to our wedding!"

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji pondered what the two women meeting would be like. Probably either fast friends or most bitter enemies. It depended on how many vicious verbal stings Yuna's kind nature could bear.

He nodded.

"Of course, Agasha-san. If our duties allow such, we would be happy to attend. And as I've already told Shiba-san, should the pair of you find your duties taking you to the lands of the Scorpion, we'd be honored to host you." he offered.

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled at that.

"Oh that sounds wonderful."

She took a few moments looking at the menu and ordered noodles in a ginger mushroom sauce.

"Now, I still want to hear the first and last part of the story. The widdershins stick story." She made the slightest swatting gesture with the chopstick in her left hand.

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji ordered the dish with the dragon tooth peppers along with some sake, before regaling the Dragon with another tale:

Long ago, there lived a woman named Riko who was renowned throughout the city for her cunning. However, her father was sad, for though he had nine daughters, he had no sons.

At the same time, in the distant Lion lands there was a young warrior named Okami who was making quite a name for himself as a fearless and deadly fighter. However, his father was unhappy, because their family was poor.

It happened that the father of Riko learned that Okami’s family had produced only boy children for the last six generations. Hoping to marry his daughter to Okami, and get a grandson before his death, he proposed a marriage and offered a great sum as a dowry.

The idea of the marriage pleased Okami’s father a great deal, for he had need of money. Therefore, he asked his son to write a letter to Riko. When Okami had completed it, his father was appalled. Though a great warrior, his son was no poet and was lacking in certain graces of wit and mind. Therefore, Okami’s father recopied the letter, making a number of changes, and passed it on to Riko’s father.

Now, Riko’s father was also uneasy, for he knew his clever daughter had a sharp and sometimes unpleasant manner of speaking -- to men especially. Therefore, he opened the letter from Okami, and finding it a bit crude and provincial, recopied it, adding certain phrases and passages he thought his daughter would find pleasing.

When Riko read the letter, she immediately wrote a reply, which her father read, changed and recopied before passing it to Okami’s father, who also read, changed and recopied it before giving it to his son. In this fashion, Riko and Okami corresponded for half a year, during which neither read more than one word in ten from the other.

Now, at the same time there was a certain Crane gentleman who had an interest in Riko -- an interest that increased as her father announced her vast dowry. He had encourged her to reject or dissuade her distant Lion clan suitor, and though she tried, none of her harsh words could make it past the two fathers, both intent on a marriage of mutual advantage.

In due time, it was decided that Riko and Okami should meet. Riko’s father suggested dusk (for he knew his daughter was no great beauty and hoped that the lengthening shadows would add allure to her features) and Okami’s father suggested the Magnificent Bridge (for he knew his son was no great thinker, and hoped that the Magnificent Bridge was obvious enough that even Okami could find it.)

As the time of meeting came closer, both fathers grew nervous. Okami’s father knew that, although Okami was fearless in battle, he sometimes became quiet and shy around women, especially beautiful ones. Since Riko’s father had told him that Riko was lovely as the dawn, he was afraid his son would become shy and say nothing. As for Riko’s father, he was increasingly afraid his daughter would say something sarcastic and offend her provincial suitor.

Too, Okami and Riko became nervous. Okami was nervous because he, too, had heard that Riko was beautiful almost beyond bearing, while Riko was unsure if she wanted to marry anyone, let alone a strange Lion instead of her friend the Crane. Consequently, both Okami and Riko took several drinks of liquor before the meeting to give themselves courage.

Neither had imagined that their fathers would also ply them with sake on their way to the bridge. Okami’s father hoped the sake would loosen his son’s tongue, while Riko’s father hoped it would still hers. By the time they reached the bridge, both were very drunk.

Things still might have been different if Riko’s Crane friend was not waiting upon the scene. As the drunken Okami staggered towards the bridge, the Crane approached him and asked him where he was going.

“The Magnificent Bridge,” Okami said. “I’m supposed to meet my fiancee there for the first time.”

The Crane briefly considered sending him to the wrong bridge, but then decided to make him look so foolish that Riko would refuse to marry him.

“Oh my,” said the Crane. “Looking like that? That will never do. Haven’t you heard of the latest fashion?”

“Fashion?”

“Yes, you must simply must carry a flower behind each ear when courting. It’s all the rage.”

“Flower?”

“If you really want to impress her, carry a third blossom between your teeth. When you see her, don’t speak a word, but embrace her firmly and pass her the flower with a kiss.” The Crane providentially had three, large, garish blossoms, which he gave the Lion samurai, then sent him off, confident that he would make an utter fool of himself.

The Lion did indeed look foolish with a flower behind each ear and another clutched in his mouth. Even his small wit could imagine, and at the foot of the bridge he could not resist bending down to look at his reflection. As he bent, both flowers slid from his ears and fell into the water. Upset, the Lion opened his mouth to curse, and the third flower fell as well. Seeing his finery float downstream, the disconsolate Lion pulled out a tiny bottle of sake and finished it cold.

Now thoroughly inebriated, both suitors staggered onto the bride and saw each other. Okami was highly fuddled, but still remembering being told something about “don’t speak a word, but embrace her firmly” and so he did just that. Riko was too surprised to speak before his lips had found hers.
Seeing their children embracing, the two fathers (who had, naturally, lurked near the bridge to watch events) rushed forth, proclaimed a match blessed by love at first sight, and arranged the nuptials before Riko and Okami had even said their first words to each other.

And ever since then the Magnificent Bridge has been known as The Bridge of the Drunken Lovers.

[Agasha Yuna]

She listened attentively to the tale.

"Oh! That's wonderful and it puts it all in context. And they are neither of them to blame for being a bit of a mismatch in some ways. Their fathers are guilty of the deception. The children are innocent of it."

"And the Crane ... interesting. Did she fancy him a bit? Or they were always just friends?"

"I do think ... I have no experience in this matter of embracing" - let alone kissing, which seemed beyond the pale even to say out loud about herself "... but it seems like it would be nicer if you were not drunk, and did not smell or taste like alcohol. And definitely did not have a flower in your mouth that you were trying to pass to the other person! Though I think the flowers behind his ears sounds charming."

"But I suppose they couldn't even remember much of that first embrace. Only how nervous they'd both been, and then that they didn't have to be. And that must have been a relief. One good feeling to build upon."

"Though I do think the 2nd story suggests it wasn't love at first sight. But that there was the chance they'd find there way to friendship and something more! And maybe it makes a little more sense of the 2nd story that they just really didn't know each other very well at all. And that's how most arranged matches are. They haven't met before. And it's all their parents doing."

"But how does it end? There's a 3rd part yet, right?"

She leaned forward eagerly.

[Soshi Eiji]

She listened attentively to the tale.

"Oh! That's wonderful and it puts it all in context. And they are neither of them to blame for being a bit of a mismatch in some ways. Their fathers are guilty of the deception. The children are innocent of it."

"And the Crane ... interesting. Did she fancy him a bit? Or they were always just friends?"

"I do think ... I have no experience in this matter of embracing" - let alone kissing, which seemed beyond the pale even to say out loud about herself "... but it seems like it would be nicer if you were not drunk, and did not smell or taste like alcohol. And definitely did not have a flower in your mouth that you were trying to pass to the other person! Though I think the flowers behind his ears sounds charming."

"But I suppose they couldn't even remember much of that first embrace. Only how nervous they'd both been, and then that they didn't have to be. And that must have been a relief. One good feeling to build upon."

"Though I do think the 2nd story suggests it wasn't love at first sight. But that there was the chance they'd find there way to friendship and something more! And maybe it makes a little more sense of the 2nd story that they just really didn't know each other very well at all. And that's how most arranged matches are. They haven't met before. And it's all their parents doing."

"But how does it end? There's a 3rd part yet, right?"

She leaned forward eagerly.

Eiji truly felt fortunate to have such an enthusiastic audience as this particular Dragon. It was invirgorating.

"Ah well, perhaps, Crane are often fancied after all, but as the second story indicates it was only ever tea and gossip. A passing fancy I would say." he offered.

The noodles arrived, the rich flavors wafting over the two.

He smiled a bit.

"Ah the third story. Truly a tale of terror, bravery and cleverness. I really enjoy how it ends. But."

He brought his chopsticks to bear.

"It's not a tale to be shared in so public a venue, Agasha-san. Some stories are meant for festivals, some to share over food, and some require a more private audience with the lanterns turned down low to get the proper effect." he explained.

[Agasha Yuna]

"Ah, I am in such suspense!"

But she amiably turned to enjoying her delicious noodles.

"Perhaps we can take a lonely walk after the noodle to a proper venue. Or I shall have to stalk you and surprise you at some dark alcove and demand the final chapter!" She giggled at the thought.

He could see that the retail therapy and pleasant conversation had restored her from her sudden panic at the horse accident earlier.

[Soshi Eiji]

"Well I would hate to deny such an eager audience, Agasha-san, and one should always seize the moment when it is presented if possible." he said. "If you're amiable to being walked home after our dinner, I'm sure the Dragon House has at least one room where I would neither shock children nor offend the faint of heart."

He took some of his noodles, a fine bead of sweat already rising up.

"Hoo, spices do certainly make one feel alive."

[Agasha Yuna]

Her ginger and mushroom dish was a little gentler on the palette.

"Feeling alive ... it is ... how is your fellow Scorpion? Is he recovering? I am praying for his full recovery."

"I should welcome a walk home, and can definitely invite you in to hear more. Perhaps a bit of tea. Dessert if you are not entirely stuffed by these noodles. I may need the walk to discover new appetite."

[Soshi Eiji]

Given the man's loyalty, Eiji wasn't.

"He is recovering as well as can be expected. You are very kind to offer your prayers, Agasha-san." he offered.

Misguided, but kind.

Eiji chuckled.

"You do love your desert presentations, as opposed to Mirumoto Jinkan-san at the very least." He admitted. "I would be happy to accompany you for such."

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled.

"The Little Teacher says: “Appreciation of beauty is the beginning of wisdom.”

"Beautiful food provides an opportunity for that reflection and appreciation. There is something so deeply pleasing in it. It is like... in tasting beautiful food, the eye gains the palette to taste. An enrichment of the senses. A draw to be present in the moment, with all five senses."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nodded.

"Very well said, Agasha-san." he says. "Though I think the best compliment to food is good company. I am very fortunate to have such tonight."

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled at him.

"Good company is the very best thing. I'm lucky to have it, too."

They made their way back to Dragon House.

She invited him in and started the tea.

A brief conversation with an attendant soon resulted in the delivery of beautifully plated Mizu Shingen Mochi. The raindrops had a yuzu flavor and water-like texture. It was served with nutty-flavored kinako roasted soybean flour and brown sugar.

https://ibb.co/gXSPryJ

[Soshi Eiji]

With desert finished, Eiji lowered the lights to tell the Agasha the final tale of the trilogy.

"Brace yourself, Agasha-san, this is a really shocking story," he warned.

Long ago, there was a terrible demon tormenting the city of Ryoko Owari Toshi. Oni no Hukuro, the dreadful Owl With Teeth. He was twenty feet tall, with the head and wings of an owl, and legs that were shaped like human arms.

Oni no Hukuro flew from the great forest one day and began tormenting the people of Ryoko Owari -- carrying off young maidens, and dropping great stones upon the temples and terrifying the peasants in the fields. The magistrate could not stop it; the priests could not stop it; the Thunder Guards could not stop it. Seeing this, Okami decided that he would be the one to kill the demon, and he set forth in his armor, getting great cheers from everyone in the city.

He rode out the Fisherman Gate and into the forest, and there he found the great Owl demon sitting in a tree.

“Come down and fight!” Okami said. Now, the Owl Demon was afraid of Okami, because he knew Okami’s heart was pure. Therefore, he decided to trick him.

“I accept your challenge,” the oni said. “And to show the respect I have for you, I will give you the choice of weapons.”

Okami thought this was very fair, and he immediately said, “Katana.”

“Very well, Katana it is. Would you care to name a time?”
“As soon as possible!”
“No time like the present. A place?”

“Right here.” At that the Owl Demon clucked and cooed, finally saying, “I’m not sure I am completely comfortable with that. After all, this tree is my home. If I am fortunate enough to kill you, I should hate to have the blood of such a courageous bushi polluting my residence.”

“Very well; name your place.”
“Perhaps the Great Lunar Cave?”
“Certainly.”

The two travelled to the cave, and with a gracious bow, the Oni gestured for Okami to precede him. Anxious to begin the battle, Okami went in, whereupon the Owl Demon rolled a great stone over the entrance, trapping him inside.

“That wasn’t very difficult,” the Owl Demon said. “I will let you out when you agree to give me your name.”

“Never!”

“Very well; enjoy your lingering, honorless death.” With that, the Owl Demon departed, cooing with laughter.

Okami no doubt would have starved if a mujina had not heard him praying to the Fortunes for freedom from his predicament.

“How did you come to be trapped?” asked the mujina. When Okami told him what had happened, the mujina laughed and laughed.

“Truly that was a marvelous trick.” the mujina said.

“Oh, that was nothing compared to the trick my wife played on me,” Okami said, and told the mujina the story of the porridge stick.

“I wonder who is more clever,” the mujina said, “The Owl Demon or your wife?”

“I can think of no way to find out,” Okami said.

The question of which was the more clever plagued the mujina until eventually he was driven to run to Ryoko Owari on his quick little legs and find Riko.

“I know where your husband is, for he has been imprisoned.” the mujina told her. “I will tell you where if you can outwit the Owl Demon.”

On hearing that, Riko immediately put on her husband’s training armor and went into the forest.

“Oni no Hukuro!” she cried. “I am Riko, brother of Okami, and I have come to kill you!”

Seeing another samurai, the Owl Demon came down and asked, “What makes you think you will succeed where your brother failed?”

“I will succeed,” Riko said. “Because I am even stronger than my brother.”

“Oh really?”
“Indeed. Name any boulder along the riverbank, and I will break it into pieces before the next sunrise.”
“If you fail?”
Riko took a deep breath, “You shall have my name.”
“And if you succeed?”
“Then I shall put a test of strength to you.”

“Very well,” the oni said, and selected a boulder as long as a horse, and as thick as a mill-wheel.

Riko, however, did not strike at it even one time; instead, she began gathering a great quantity of wood, and soon she had a roaring fire all around the rock. Then she took a shovel and began digging a trench around the stone and to the riverbank. She only stopped digging to add wood to the fire, and only stopped feeding the fire when it was too hot to approach.

Just before sunrise, the Owl Demon returned. “What are you about?” he asked. “I said you were to break the stone, not set it on fire. Your name is mine!”

“I will break it -- but with cleverness, not strength.” Riko said, and with that, she completed her channel from the river to the stone. When the cold river water touched the red-hot stone, the contrary elements smashed the stone to pieces.

“Now I have a test of might for you -- remove the stone in front of the Great Lunar Cavern.”

The Owl Demon was filled with dread, but it had to fulfill her command. Okami had been sitting in the cavern, nursing his anger at the Owl Demon, and when it lifted the stone he leaped out and killed it with a single stroke.

Okami pried the teeth from the Owl Demon’s head and set them in the ground outside the gate, so that everyone who walked by could trample them with their filthy feet. Riko had the blackened pieces of the stone she had broken collected, and these were set into the gate. That is why it is now called the Gate of Oni’s Teeth.

[Agasha Yuna]

She listened attentively.

There was a thrill in a scary story. The lights dimmed. The whisper of it. She leaned forward, caught up in the excitement of it.

Poor Okami! Trapped!

But oh could his wife save him with cleverness? Ah, it was such a wonderful solution. And she couldn't help but feel this story showed how a smart woman could be useful to a brave warrior. A true partner.

"Ah, wonderfully told!" she exclaimed when the tale was finished. "She was so clever. They made a good team."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji bowed at the praise.

"It is a very good story, but you can understand why it must be told where it is told. I'll admit, the first time it was told to me, I too was puzzled with where Riko was going with the bonfire." he admitted.

[Agasha Yuna]

She laughed.

"You know, I had a sense of how she might be planning to split the rock, but it absolutely had not occurred to me that it was all leading up to asking the oni to split the rock in front of the cave on his turn. So clever. May I be half so clever in my own efforts as a wife."

[Soshi Eiji]

She laughed.

"You know, I had a sense of how she might be planning to split the rock, but it absolutely had not occurred to me that it was all leading up to asking the oni to split the rock in front of the cave on his turn. So clever. May I be half so clever in my own efforts as a wife."

Eiji grinned.

"Hopefully under less dire circumstances, Agasha-san. Shiba-san might not be as strong as Okami, able to fell demons in a single blow, but he'd give every inch of his life to protect you, and I'm sure you have sworn to protect him from harm in the manner of your training as well." he offered.