[D1, EM, Expecting] The Beginning Of The Path

[Daidoji Sae]

Sae did not let a week of late nights and early mornings show (at least, to anyone who did not know her). The Magistrate was ramrod straight, head slightly raised to admire the castle itself in the morning sun as her breath steamed in the air. Were it not for the steam it seemed as though she might almost be a statue, waiting eternally among the horrendously ordered bushes.

She was hoping it did not come to that, Ryu was not a punctual man, but he could move fast when needed. Given the requirements of the Court, Clan...her office, her promises to others, there was barely enough time to-

A slight shake of the head, almost unnoticeable.

No. Focus, breathe, wait.

[Daidoji Ryu]

Ryu approached quietly... but not too quietly. He did not wish to unsettle, and he certainly didn't wish to startle his cousin. Sae would hear the sounds of his feet on the path from perhaps ten paces away as he drew closer.

He stopped, a few paces away, behind her and to the side. It was a familiar distance. When she was holding court, it was often where he would be standing. She would take the lead, of course, with him close enough to receive orders or to give advice.

"Cousin." Ryu greeting her, with his usual measured, cultured tones. He bowed, crisp and precise as always, a blending of military precision and courtly flair. As he straightened, he frowned, eyes narrowing as he studied her. He did know her, after all.

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"Cousin." Sae paused for a moment before softening her On, maybe almost enough to hint at a smile?

Her bow back was equally crisp, although with less flair, as though she resented having to spend so much of her day bobbing up and down.

"It will be a busy winter, will it not? But I can at least thank the Fortunes that you are here with me."
A slow look up at the castle. "Sometimes, Ryu, I almost think it is easier to trust criminals for they at least act in their nature. Here..." Sae shrugs. "Here I feel I can trust you and few others."

"Still, it a great honour. For both of us, for our house. And it is a venue for which you are uniquely suited."
Looking almost physically pained by the question. "Is everything you need...in place?"

[Daidoji Ryu]

Sae would likewise receive an almost-smile back, a little lip-twist of friendly acknowledgement. Friendly-ish.

"Quite busy, I expect." He said, touching his chin thoughtfully. "And it is an honor, as always." He said the words blandly, but he'd proved them true often enough.

"Hmph." The exhalation was something between a chuckle and a sour grunt. "I understand your meaning. Criminals tend to have one loyalty. Perhaps two. What motivates them is simple. What motivates, say, a Matsu, can be rather more complicated."

He bowed, acknowledging her words. "As always, Cousin." He said, speaking with the same tone as everything else he said.

[Daidoji Sae]

"My new yoriki is a Matsu, I hope she is more straightforward." pause "But not too straightforward, perhaps my expectations are rather high."

He bowed, acknowledging her words. "As always, Cousin." He said, speaking with the same tone as everything else he said.

Nodding. "Good. Do what needs to be done, the less I know about the methods the better I will sleep. And if ever there was a time to be particularly careful..." She trails off before taking a breath and letting the stress fall from her shoulders.

Gesturing to the path around the grounds. "Would you walk with me? See the sights as they are? You can tell me everything I have missed from home and in return I promise word from the Imperial City."

[Daidoji Ryu]

"My new yoriki is a Matsu, I hope she is more straightforward." pause "But not too straightforward, perhaps my expectations are rather high."

Nodding. "Good. Do what needs to be done, the less I know about the methods the better I will sleep. And if ever there was a time to be particularly careful..." She trails off before taking a breath and letting the stress fall from her shoulders.

Gesturing to the path around the grounds. "Would you walk with me? See the sights as they are? You can tell me everything I have missed from home and in return I promise word from the Imperial City."

"Hmph." This one was closer to a chuckle. "I look forward to meeting her." It was so dry it might have not even been humor. But it probably was.

He inclined his head. "Of course." In truth, most of what he did was unobjectionable... but it was better that she knew none of it.

That finally got an actual smile from Ryu; his face was surprisingly gentle when he did, even kind. "Of course, Cousin." One hand came from behind his back, gesturing down a path. "Shall we walk this way? And I shall tell you all about home."

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

A nod and she sets off, sandals quietly padding through the snow.

"The gardens here are so...ordered. It will take some getting used to. I suppose it does make it harder to sneak up on someone. No courtiers lurking in the hedgerows."

Looking ahead and pointing, her voice sounding genuinely excited. "Ah! Do you see it? That stump ahead is where Ikoma met Akodo-no-kami. Isn't that something?"

[Daidoji Ryu]

A nod and she sets off, sandals quietly padding through the snow.

"The gardens here are so...ordered. It will take some getting used to. I suppose it does make it harder to sneak up on someone. No courtiers lurking in the hedgerows."

Looking ahead and pointing, her voice sounding genuinely excited. "Ah! Do you see it? That stump ahead is where Ikoma met Akodo-no-kami. Isn't that something?"

"We can hope not, anyway." Again, Ryu deadpanned. It was his usual style of humor.

Once more, a smile just touched his lips. "Is it? I'm impressed with your knowledge of history, cousin." He narrowed his eyes at it. "To me, it looks like any other stump. Not a thing to separate it from any other, except, I suppose, that it hasn't been removed from this courtyard."

[Daidoji Sae]

"We can hope not, anyway." Again, Ryu deadpanned. It was his usual style of humor.

Once more, a smile just touched his lips. "Is it? I'm impressed with your knowledge of history, cousin." He narrowed his eyes at it. "To me, it looks like any other stump. Not a thing to separate it from any other, except, I suppose, that it hasn't been removed from this courtyard."

"Is that so?" Looking back at Ryu with a neutral expression. "Then it seems you are stumped."
Miyahara parties must be a riot.

"In truth my guide pointed it out to me...several times, then one of the servants mentioned it, every Ikoma I have spoken to has brought it up."

As the two approached the stump gleamed stumpily.
"I suppose if we had something similar in our courtyard we would mention it to everyone. Speaking of things we do not have." Sae's voice drops slightly. "I will be reaching out to some of the other Clans regarding...exchanges. Can I rely on you to finalize...details? I know it is hardly glamorous."

[Daidoji Ryu]

"Is that so?" Looking back at Ryu with a neutral expression. "Then it seems you are stumped."
Miyahara parties must be a riot.

"In truth my guide pointed it out to me...several times, then one of the servants mentioned it, every Ikoma I have spoken to has brought it up."

As the two approached the stump gleamed stumpily.
"I suppose if we had something similar in our courtyard we would mention it to everyone. Speaking of things we do not have." Sae's voice drops slightly. "I will be reaching out to some of the other Clans regarding...exchanges. Can I rely on you to finalize...details? I know it is hardly glamorous."

Ryu grimaced. "I thought we'd agreed, no more puns." There was a brief pause. "Ever since I learned that my joke delivery is too wooden." It kinda was, actually.

"Perhaps." Ryu said, stomping (gracefully) towards the stump. "But a stump, or the lack of one, is hardly going to make a difference for the rise or fall of a house." He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Some of the things we don't have may be more of a problem, but we can focus on our numerous strengths, instead. We don't lack for those."

He bowed. "Of course, cousin. I live to serve." His eyes narrowed. "Do you know who you'll be reaching out to first?"

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"I suppose I did give you my word."

The two finally reach said stump, it's top polished by generations of Ikoma giving stump speeches.

Sae looks to the castle and then back to the Dragon House, then to Ryu.
"Two Clans to start with, I understand other members of the delegation will reach out to the rest. I have planned my day down to the last detail and there should be just enough hours to see it all through, if I am efficient."

Sighing quietly enough for only the two of them to hear. "But, enough of this endless business that will fill our winter months. Tell me of our family? Is all well? I understand preparations for my marriage are underway."

[Daidoji Ryu]

"I suppose I did give you my word."

The two finally reach said stump, it's top polished by generations of Ikoma giving stump speeches.

Sae looks to the castle and then back to the Dragon House, then to Ryu.
"Two Clans to start with, I understand other members of the delegation will reach out to the rest. I have planned my day down to the last detail and there should be just enough hours to see it all through, if I am efficient."

Sighing quietly enough for only the two of them to hear. "But, enough of this endless business that will fill our winter months. Tell me of our family? Is all well? I understand preparations for my marriage are underway."

As he always did, Ryu waited patiently, his eyes remaining on Sae as she spoke, and looked thoughtfully around. He inclined his head. "I am certain that you will be." He said.

Then he gave a little bow. "All is well. Your newest unit seems to be off to a good start. I expect it will take some time for them to properly integrate with the others, but the training you provided them before your departure seems to provide a good foundation."

He sighed. "Our family members themselves are doing well, and wished me to convey their best to you. My sister also expressed private regret to me that she wouldn't be coming as well. I don't think she appreciated when I told her that was probably for the best." Ryu and his sister were like that, sometimes.

His serious expression softened. "They are. By springtime, they will be more than ready." A brief pause. "A good thing, I should think?"

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"We would not have the guard without your efforts to source equipment and support, they are more to your credit than mine. I simply shared a little of the basics with them."
The Magistrate's hand rests on her sword for a moment.

"I shall write a letter to your sister letting her know that she is missed, but needed elsewhere. I hope that should mollify her a touch."

At the least question she turns back to Ryu, a flash of uncertainty in her eyes before she nods and forces a half-smile.
"Yes, it is a good thing. I find my heart is still working through what must be done, but my mind knows it is the only choice. My fiancé is keen on the match, very keen I am told. And women are..." She gestures somewhat aimlessly with her hand as she trails off. "...Nice?"

Her hand falls back to her sword again before she clears her throat.
"I appreciate your support on this. But, perhaps this will be an excuse for us to find a suitable partner for you? It could be the first winter in a generation that marriages are made outside the Clan. That is, if you would want one. I am hardly one to lecture there."

[Daidoji Ryu]

Snip

Ryu bowed. "That's kind of you to say. But don't undersell your own accomplishments." He straightened. "Although I admit, the line between too much modesty and braggadocio is finer than one might expect."

"Hmph." Ryu waved a hand. "That's hardly necessary. She's just a bit difficult sometimes. But if you wish to write it, I'll see it delivered."

"I think it is a good thing." Ryu said encouragingly, watching Sae with just a touch of honest concern. "I think it is a good match, not just for the house, but for you."

That got a surprised smile out of Ryu, lips curling noticeably up before they returned to neutral. "Indeed. Women are nice." He nodded. "I have often found myself of that opinion. That bodes well that you do, too."

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"Oh indeed?" Eyebrow raise. "When I say women are nice and when you say women are nice, the word nice is like a Noh actor playing many parts. But at least we can compare notes I suppose."

Gesturing at the path to the temple complex.
"Shall we carry on? If you see Chou-sin-sama make sure to duck since he'll probably throw a snowball."

Sae seems a little refreshed by the conversation and the walk and her steps are a little more lively as they continue.

"We should, when time permits, find an appropriate form of recreation this trip, something fun."
Looking at Ryu.
"I'm sure something must come to mind? Even the Lion must do something between training."

[Daidoji Ryu]

snip

"Perhaps..." Ryu said, frowning again. Did he want to compare notes on that subject...? He cleared his throat. "Yes, let's continue."

As they walked, Ryu seemed pretty much as cheerful as always; not very. But his cousin might notice that the worry lines in his forehead did seem less, at least.

"Something fun..." Ryu frowned. "I expect there will be a great many court games. Those may be a bit of fun, but they'll also be work. Besides that..." His frown deepened. "Hunting, perhaps?"

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"I have been practicing my kemari skills, although doubtless someone half my age will turn up who is their clan's champion player."
Sae steps to the side to let a small group of monks coming from the temple pass by.

"A hunt sounds like an excellent idea, it will allow us to get away from all...this. Besides, I am far more likely to find something if I go with you. Commanding a deer to halt in the name of the Emerald Champion seldom works, frankly I would be more worried if it did."

Perking up a little.
"But I am sure there are some local delicacies here, I shall have to try them all I think, for research's sake on nights that have no formal dinners at least. What was the name of that dish you recommended?"

[Daidoji Ryu]

Snip

"You're hardly that old." Ryu said reassuringly. "There may be a few fresh out of gempukku here, but not many, I expect."

As they walked, he looked slowly around before returning his attention to Sae. "Perhaps. I'm a bit out of practice, I'm afraid. But I will do my best." He shrugged. "And if that doesn't work, you can still try commanding them." Deadpan again.

Ryu's head tilted up, just a little, his grey eyes narrowing. "There's a spicy noodle dish that I've heard recommended, as well as Lion flatbread. The Lion have a great deal of land that is better suited to growing wheat than rice, a difference that's reflected in their cuisine." Ryu had probably read that in a report somewhere.

After a moment, he gave the tiniest of shrugs. "I haven't tried either yet, myself. Perhaps that's another thing we can do. Try the local dishes? All of them, as you said?" He blinked.

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

He definitely had her at 'spicy noodles'. "Indeed, all of them, to be polite. After all, we will need to keep our strength up."
Sae comes to a halt at the entrance to the temple complex's courtyard, looking around slowly.

"Well, I suppose this is pretty much as expected, I don't imagine we'll be discussing the Tao much here...although I would have liked to make an offering to Benten. I might ask the servants to prepare a small shrine in our accommodation, we are hoping to make marriages after all."
A mental note is made.

"And imagine the contents of that library, all the knowledge, the secrets."
Glancing at her cousin.
"The noodle recipes."

[Daidoji Ryu]

"Hmmm." Ryu acknowledged that noncommittally.

He, too, looked around. "Indeed. I find myself wishing I'd made more of a study of this sort of thing, but there just don't seem to be enough hours in the day." Ryu exhaled, almost a sigh. "Shall I ask the servants on your behalf? You already have a lot to do."

Again, his lips quirked as he looked at his cousin. "Shall I put all my efforts towards extracting recipes from the Lion? I promise you, I won't tell you about the methods I use to extract the knowledge of how much oil to add to the pan from an unwilling cook."