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

[Agasha Yuna]

As he opened it, he could smell the scent of rose petals.

And unfolded…

A happy bird soars
Seeking her love and her home,
Now at water’s edge.
She and her dear sandpiper
Have built a nest together.


(There was a little note at the bottom. A very Yuna note.)

“A book in the library assures me that male and female sandpipers build their nests together!”

[Shiba Ryusei]

Ryusei's On wasn't equal to this.

His eyes went wide as he read, and he fixed her with a level gaze as he looked up.

"If this goes on much longer, I might jump over this table and kiss you. And much as I want to, it would probably be a really bad idea."

He cleared his throat and re-centered himself.

"The, ah, the book is right, of course... right, I said that bit."

Her hadn't let go of the poem yet. Presumably, his will wasn't up to the task.

Spring can't get here soon enough. A break from court, some privacy for the two of us.

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled.

"I just melted when you told me about the sandpipers, knowing you had my own words about it already perched in your hand."

You understand me. You understand me so well. I love your poems. I love you.

Kissing! He was talking about kissing her! Would she know what to do???

She only knew ... that sounded like a very good idea.

Though not here. Not now. She had the image pop into her mind of Shiba-ue shooing her out the door with a broom like so much dirt.

"Perhaps... perhaps there will be some occasion between winter court and spring that requires us to ... take a walk in the woods or something."

And didn't the Tao say people hesitate/argue/think/over-think.
And Nature? Nature acts.

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Indeed, indeed, we might need to... discuss the trade deals. Guest lists. Or maybe there will be some religious festival."

There had to be at least one or two in there, and maybe some on the Phoenix/Dragon border...

It said something for the state of Ryusei's heart and mind that talking about her dowry never occurred to him.

He was more focused on his own surging emotions.

On the one hand, sitting here having to be proper is TORTURE.

On the other hand, as long as I'm with her, I can endure a lot of torture.

He cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry, I find making.... urbane conversation is a bit tricky when my heart's all... stirred up."

[Agasha Yuna]

She nodded. Breathless. Heart pounding.

"Shiba-san, would you like to meditate together? To breathe side by side? I ... I would find it steadying. A beautiful thing to begin sharing."

[Shiba Ryusei]

But meditation runs risks...

"I would very much appreciate the chance, but.. do bear with me. I sometimes find it quite difficult to snap out of my meditations. If, ah.... if that happens, just let one of the servants know, they can, uhm. Pull me out."

[Agasha Yuna]

She looked at him curiously. The faintest hint of concern.

"I am to be your wife, Shiba-san. Is there something you could explain to me to do, that would aid you, and eliminate the need to ask a servant's help? I'm glad you warned me so I would not be overly concerned."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Oh, in future, I would be pleased if it were you, but, uhm..."

He chuckled.

"Having you poke me with a fan or broom handle to snap me out of it would be... a step too far under the circumstances. And sometimes it takes a bit more, uhm... force."

[Agasha Yuna]

"Oh! I see. I ... I promise to get the servant."

She paused. "I am sure with time enough as husband and wife, we can find something that rouses you from the void's clutches that is nicer than being poked with a broom handle."

"But ... are you sure you wish to proceed? It is a lovely idea to meditate together, but if it is uncomfortable for you, it is something we can do apart until we share a home and all the privacy that entails."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"I'm more worried about worrying you. With that out of the way... I think it might be worth the attempt."

He smiled.

"You might as well know what you're getting into, hm?"

[Agasha Yuna]

"I am always glad to learn something new about you. And to promise to be at your side in the future in these moments."

"And it surely is a sign of a deep spiritual connection to the void. Something admirable. The center wants to hold onto you."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"My sensei said much the same things, but layered it with a lot of 'be careful' and 'the Void can be dangerous.'"

He chuckled.

"But you know, the other day, with the, ah... spiritual disturbances? I was able to hang on. Do you want to know how?"

[Agasha Yuna]

Oh the disturbance. Had they given that enough thought?

"I ... did I tell you on my fellow Dragons, Mirumoto Jinkan-san, he thinks there will be another earthquake. Maybe in the next few days. Maybe a month from now. It's not very clear. A vision. But we should try to be careful. To be ready."

"How? How did you hang on?"

[Shiba Ryusei]

Ryusei frowned.

"I hope the issue has been brought before authorities more competent than the heir to a single house in the Phoenix provinces..."

Of course it had, but....

"Well. Anyway. It was a bit of a shock to the system. I had to try to... attune myself to the disturbed kami. And the words that worked for them? 'The river never begins, the river never ends.' Can't imagine why they were on my mind that day...."

[Agasha Yuna]

"I have written my family. I hope to hear back from them, perhaps as soon as tomorrow. And will quietly share any advice they have with the right person." Her family were experts in the earth kami and earth magics.

"I should send another letter, confirming our happy news is made official."

She smiled at the words that had worked for him.

"From the Tao. From our conversation." She'd helped him! "I am glad my words helped! Perhaps it is the element of water, also, counter-acting the void. I think water is a strong anchor in your blood and history and past. Perhaps the touch of a bit of water would draw you out of your meditation? Remind you of the river? The Tao? Home?" Me?

[Shiba Ryusei]

"It couldn't hurt to try... and in any event, 'You cannot conquer the elements. You must learn to dance with their harmony.'"

He smiled.

"We heard that one in the dojo. Part of our training involves working with the Isawa, and part of that involves, ah.... not being too terribly surprised if someone asks the elements to do something fairly spectacular right in front of you. But as with so many things in the Tao, I am finding it applies just about everywhere."

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled.

"The Tao is a good guide. “The Elements are not the means to an end... they are the beginning, and the end.”

"Sometimes, growing up, we'd set our space for meditation by including something from each element. A cup of dirt, a cup of water, a burning candle, a feather or wind chime. If we had those things present, they could be the beginning and the end of our contemplation."

"And then, if you got lost, the water would be at hand. Maybe dip a cloth in and touch your hand with the wet cloth ever so gently."

[Shiba Ryusei]

I think the barest touch of your fingertips would snap me back to reality in a hurry.

"Hm, just so it's not like the prank we played on poor Gombei-san at the dojo..."

He almost winced.

"Regret is a sin, but I'd like that one back..."

[Agasha Yuna]

She grinned at the thought of some foolish tale.

"Dare I ask what happened to Gombei-san?"

[Shiba Ryusei]

"So, he... dozed off while attempting to meditate. And we, ah.... put his hand in a bowl of warm water."

Ryusei grimaced.

"Mostly, I think, because we wanted to see if it would work..."