[D9, MM*] An important conversation (expecting)

[Agasha Yuna]

He had quoted the Tao to her. He had been reading it. Thinking about it. He wanted it to be a compass star in their decision making.

She looked up at him. Eyes shining.

He had looked away from her, so perhaps he missed this moment, when she looked at him with eyes brimming with love and admiration.

"That's right... You cannot live while hiding from life. And... “Lose your fear, and you gain the world.”

"If there is ever a situation where we are trying to decide between doing what is right, and doing what might be safe, it is better to do what is right. This is not a journey that ends in death. This is a soul forge that sets our next place on the wheel. This is stepping towards enlightenment or away from it."

"As husband and wife we have care of each other's souls and growth, not just that castle. And surely good lives of integrity will be the foundation that castle needs. And that our children need. Just as ... an Emperor or Empress who is a role model of integrity is what the Empire needs."

"He too" - Seppun-sama - "would remember the words of the Tao, when facing a difficult decision." 

[Shiba Ryusei]

Ryusei nodded.

"As you say, Agasha-sama. Seppun-sama would be guided by the Tao. And as the Tao began as a series of conversations between the Little Teacher and Hantei-Kami, what better guidelines could he have?"

He kept his posture and expression proper and professional.

But inside... he felt liberated.

He and Yuna were together on this, as he hoped they would be on all issues of importance.

And while he didn't know what his Shigi ancestors- some of whom has been a half-step from piracy- would make of sponsoring glass-blowing and political niceties and peacefully playing Go while discussing philosophy and everything else he wanted for their lives together, he knew one thing with certainty-

The Shigi mariners who had sailed out to fight Fu Leng would have respected commitment to a cause far more than sitting on the sidelines waiting to see how things developed.

And they would have respected Yuna's moral courage.

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled.

"The legal debate this afternoon is the perfect opportunity to make the case to Shiba-ue that he is the best candidate, from a legal perspective."

"And for her to form an impression of me." A little nervous about that. But courteous speech, knowledge of law and history... she'd never have a better opportunity to be present in a role that was her strength.

"I will think carefully what to say. But ... I am very glad we are moving forward in this together. That we made the decision together. And how we decided."

I love you, Ryusei. I love you so much. She wanted to say it, but they were being professional and formal and cautious. There would be chance enough to say it, in the months and years ahead.

[Shiba Ryusei]

"It's an auspicious sign."

Like they needed more.

I love you, Yuna. More every time we meet, more every time we speak.

"And as you say, Shiba-ue has an abiding respect for the law. One of her greatest virtues as Champion, in fact."

[Agasha Yuna]

"I look forward to getting to know her better, as she will indeed be my Lord, too."

"An abiding respect for the law is an admirable trait. A clear focus. A purity of perspective. The Little Teacher says 'Those with pure purpose have the strength to never fall.' Long may she lead."

They had figured out a path forward. It felt good. A pure purpose.

"Ah, I think we can use our remaining time to relax, unless there is another topic on your mind? I did have an idea for an event to propose on a future day at court that I wanted to share with you. It's not for today - I need all my focus today on proposing trade deals."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Tell me about it."

He chuckled and motioned for tea to be brought and a table set up.

"Just a couple more agreements, and our needs are met for the year. But what did you have in mind when the dust settled on that?"

[Agasha Yuna]

She took a seat, and settled in. Tea sounded wonderful.

"Yes, we've worked hard to get all the agreements in place necessary to meet our needs. But they must yet be approved in court. That will take time. I do not want to assume it will be simple and easily accomplished on the first day tried."

(A hard learned lesson, but at least Heaven had ruled decisively that all was well and could proceed.)

"But, when all the dust settles, there may still be time to make a proposal. I was thinking that marriage is such a focus of winter court, that it is only proper that blessing be sought for the marriages made. An opportunity to collectively make offerings to Musubi-no-Kami. Her largest temple is in Otomo lands. Otomo Mariko-sama could receive the offerings on the kami's behalf, and take them for display at the temple."

"I know we'd like her blessing, but think how happy she'd be for a larger event in her honor!"

[Shiba Ryusei]

He nodded, and smiled.

"It would be a good way to honor Otomo-sama's contribution- not just to this court, but her whole career- and as you say, so many marriages are agreed upon.... and all too often, Benten receives much of the attention, even though Musubi-no-Kami generally has far more to do with most winter matches..."

Not everyone's as lucky as we are, to be blessed by both.

[Agasha Yuna]

"I mentioned it to Otomo-sama and she seemed to like the idea. I'm glad you like it, too. It is definitely, in part, a celebration of us!"

She grinned.

[Shiba Ryusei]

The tea arrived and Ryusei set about pouring for his guest.

"Far be it from me to turn down such a thing..."

Although the real celebration would be in the spring.

Which reminds me, I should probably do a bit of asking around about yeah let's not think about that too hard it'll make maintaining my composure tricky...

He did blush a little.

[Agasha Yuna]

"The Go tournament is tomorrow! Early evening. Be sure to mark your calendar. My fellow Dragon is hosting it. It will be interesting to see who the finest Go players are here. And to see everyone's Go sets. And show off mine."

She grinned, unreasonably proud of her pretty Go board.

"Oh, I haven't seen your board yet. Did you want to show it off ahead of time?"

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Ah! I actually have two with me... there's a more... conventional one I keep here at the Phoenix House. Made of pear wood from an orchard near Shiro Shiba..."

He motioned and a servant went off to get it.

"I appreciate its imperfections. That said, my travel set is perhaps a bit more noteworthy.

Another motion. Another delivery.

"It's for shipboard use, so instead of a flat surface, it's textured- every stone sits in a depression. In truly heavy seas, a game left for a moment will of course be somewhat scattered, but the depressions mean you can set the game down, go up on deck, and be reaosnably certain nothing has moved when you go back below."

[Agasha Yuna]

She studied both sets curiously.

"Oh that's fascinating about the shipboard travel version. I hadn't considered a ship moved quite so much. It must be perilous hard to keep your balance."

There was probably a moment coming where she set foot on a boat for the first time and did not distinguish herself...

"Do you ... is it something you train for? Some balance training kata a person could practice on unmoving ground? To be ready?"

[Shiba Ryusei]

"It's.... you can't get your sea legs on dry land."

He chuckled.

"And you can't get them on a river, either- different waters work in different ways. It's less about keeping your footing than, in, uhm...

Sip.

"Keeping your eyes on the horizon line."

And your nose above your navel, but you didn't talk about navels in polite conversation.

And now I'm thinking about Yuna's navel. Wonderful. This is going swimmingly.

[Agasha Yuna]

She nodded.

"How rough are the waters between your strip of coastal land and the island?"

"Keep your eyes on the horizon?"

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Oh, the reach between Sandpiper Island and the shore is usually pretty calm- the island shelters it. We call that being in the lee of something- the wind that whips up the waves is blocked by something. It's part of what made the harbor so suitable. You can cross it in a small boat pretty easily. Some people can even swim it, although I wouldn't recommend it..."

He chuckled.

"And the horizon line... I guess it'd be hard to see in the mountains, but... okay, so. People sometimes get.... ill when they're new to being aboard a ship. I've never had the experience, because Mother had me out on a kobune when I was a week old, but it can be pretty nasty. And one thing that can work for someone new to the sea is fixing their gaze at the point where the sea meets the sky. The horizon line. It helps you keep your bearings, and not get quite so, uhm.... disoriented."

And nauseated.

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled at the description of how easy the trip from the coast to the island was.

"Sandpiper Island...I think that's the first time you called it by name. That's a lovely name. No wonder it is a sandpiper's nest that welcomes new life and new beginnings."

And that reminded her of something else.

She glanced left and right, making sure they weren't being watched too closely.

She reached into an inner kimono pocket in her sleeve and produced a bit of bright pink paper. She took a moment to adjust it back into shape.

And there...

https://ibb.co/hfMY3QZ

An origami sandpiper!

[Shiba Ryusei]

No game of refusals here.

He was too delighted.

He cupped it in one hand and smiled. Just a big, idiot smile.

"You know something else about sandpipers? The males dig out nest sites, and the females pick them. It's, ah... a bit apt."

[Agasha Yuna]

She grinned. "Ah, you aren't going to believe it. Open it! Open it!"

"I wrote it this morning... You'll see."

[Shiba Ryusei]

He arched an eyebrow.... and opened the little sandpiper.