Re: [D1, LM, Open] The Wind from the East: Seppun Tomaru

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled that he thought the Tao was the most important book, too.

"A treatise on farming is an interesting idea. Perhaps with some reference to the geographic diversity of the empire - variation in technique between meadow and mountain."

"Actually, thinking of geography, a map of the Empire would be a logical choice also. Though, maps change over time. But it is the sort of thing that might be useful to issue on an annual basis or some other interval, and then the series becomes its own kind of visual history that could be bound together."

"Much is possible. There are so many topics. History. Or heraldry. An index of families and mons - ah, I wish I had such a reference here."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Just the Houses in a single Great Clan could fill a volume... and would need updating on at least an annual basis."

Fortunes knew, House Shigi's decline would have been easier to arrest if previous lords had been honest with themselves.

"Maps.... well, given the small territorial disputes at almost every border, they might be outdated before they saw print, but maybe something with just the geography and things like city names without worrying overmuch who controls what..."

He frowned.

"I think great care would have to be taken to keep the maps factual rather than, er.... political otherwise."

[Seppun Tomaru]

"Hence the need, young ones," Tomaru breaks in, "for right-minded education. But your thoughts are good ones, indeed! It bolsters an old man to see younger folks have their heads on straight."

The crooked smile returns.

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled. "I know I have a great deal to learn. This is my first time at a winter court. Do you have any advice for young samurai, here to help our clans and families? And ways that we can help with activity important to all, like preserving the peace?"

[Seppun Tomaru]

"It is far from my first time, young Dragon," Tomaru replies with a wink, "but I still have much to learn, as well.

"What I have seen many succeed with is engaging in as many of the activities as can be done. The hosts do much to be hospitable; it would be a shame to see their preparations come to nothing, of course. And each place has its own beauties to find."

He settles back, gives something of a sigh.

"An old man is tempted ever to reminisce about days gone by. But who would have known in youth the joys maturity can bring?"

Tomaru shakes his head slightly.

"But, yes, take advantage of what is offered. It may never come again."

[Agasha Yuna]

Sage advice.

"I certainly plan to participate in everything offered. To be present, observing and learning. And to participate in ways that reflect well on my family and clan. I know as a Karo planning and hosting events back in Heibeisu how much it meant to me to see the hospitality enjoyed and the graces of it recognized."

"It is interesting, thinking about what games and competitions might be offered, and back to our earlier conversation, that there are often opportunities to demonstrate skill in diplomacy or art or other admired talent, but I cannot recall reading an account of a contest of teaching as its own unique skill. Perhaps I will try that on my return at a future event! Though it may happen more subtly. Each of us reflects the skills of our teachers."

And then, with a slight grin she added:

"I'd be glad to hear a tale of your youth if you'd like to share it! For example, did you first meet your wife at a winter court?"

[Seppun Tomaru]

Tomaru chuckles.

"You flatter an old man, young Dragon," he says. "But I did not meet the most radiant Anzai at court, no. She, I met in study. We were both reading at the Four Temples--have you been to them, young Dragon?--and both of us reached for a single scroll at once. Her hand brushed mine and--"

He chuckles again. "It's still a thrill to think about after all these years."

[Shiba Ryusei]

Ryusei was eating this up.

"There does seem to be a lot to do... I expect to wash out in the first round of the Bowman's Wager, for example, which will keep me quite busy- but not as busy a teaching exercise would!"

And then Seppun-sama was talking of romance, and...

Focus, Ryusei, focus, even if that story is delightful in its... accidental quality.

"A chance meeting and you touched hands? Tsk! My my, what a rake young Seppun-sama was..."

He was plainly teasing.

[Seppun Tomaru]

Tomaru cuts his eyes over to Ryusei.

"You don't know the half of it, young Phoenix," he says, entiredly deadpan.

Then the crooked smile returns.

"Remind me to tell you about the time I was posted to East Hub Village," he says. "But we'll need more than tea for that, so not right now."

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna smiled at them both.

"I shall absolutely remember to ask about your village posting, and look forward to that next tea, Seppun-sama." Ah, it pleased her to think she had an excuse for a next visit. The man was very charming and she wanted to find ways to support him.

But, returning to his question, "Did you mean the Four Temples in Kyuden Seppun? I have not been to Imperial lands. My travels have only taken me to Phoenix lands. It is definitely a wonderful story to encourage us young samurai to spend time at the temple, and in reading."

[Seppun Tomaru]

"I did mean the Temples at home," Tomaru agrees, nodding. "There is a...serenity to them that I've experienced...only a little bit in other places."

He puffs a laugh. "Some decidedly un-serene things, too. Like Anzai's hand, for one."

A servant refills the cups of tea.

"But it's not that every day had that delight," he continues. "There was, of course, a lot of serious study. The Tao, of course, but also lore of the Fortunes. Their power is manifest and clear, however devoted to the work of the Little Teacher a person may be. Devotions to them are fitting and proper."

He nods, an old man firm in his opinion.

[Agasha Yuna]

She nodded thoughtfully.

A good perspective to consider.

"I studied the Fortunes in school. It was an important part of the Loremaster curricula. But it was mostly a study to me. There is only a Shinsei shrine in Ageki land, and the underground shrine dedicated to the earth kami directly. And, of course, we revere the Kami, particularly Togashi-o-kami."

"But I am here to learn. I have never doubted that it was proper for those brought up with the Fortunes to honor them. It just seemed to me - perhaps through the eyes of a child - as I was at school, that it was a beautiful and fundamental part of Phoenix life, but less so to Dragon life."

She glanced over at Shiba-san. She certainly didn't want him to think she disrespected his faith! She didn't. Her glance moved to the netsuke of Isora, so recently gifted.

"It is probably an ideal time here to pay my respects, with access to the Fortunist shrines here. And it is a reminder that a basic guide to the Fortunes - details about the major ones, a more brief reference and list of the minor ones... That would be a good book to add to the priority list for block printing."

[Shiba Ryusei]

Ryusei chimed in.

"They don't inherently conflict, either- Shinseism and Fortunism. The Tribe of Isawa were devoutly Fortunist before the Little Teacher was born, but Shiba's hand copied down the Tao without any... major schisms in the Phoenix Clan."

He paused.

Grinned.

"But it's a good thing Agasha-sama enjoys learning, because there are a great many Fortunes beyond the Seven, and I'd be the first to say I don't know all of them. Isora, for example, has little role to play once you're away from the coastline, so I doubt her name circulates much the further inland you get."

[Seppun Tomaru]

Tomaru sits back and listens, content to let the youngers speak.

Besides, the tea is good.

[Agasha Yuna]

...

Isora, for example, has little role to play once you're away from the coastline, so I doubt her name circulates much the further inland you get."

She nodded, with a smile.

"There are indeed no coastlines where I am from. Or in Asako lands, the only other place I have traveled before the trip here. Actually I quite appreciated how similar the Asako mountains are to the mountains where I was born. Kyuden Asako sits on top of a mountain of black stone. That helped me feel at ease. At home."

"Do you have Fortunes you are particularly drawn to, or have had the most reason to seek out, Shiba-san? Beyond Isora?"

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Do you have Fortunes you are particularly drawn to, or have had the most reason to seek out, Shiba-san? Beyond Isora?"

"Prying my secrets from me, are you? Tsk. Well."

He started counting on his fingers.

"Living on the shore, you can't ignore Suitengu or Kaze-no-Kami. And Hamanari, of course. As a Bushi, Hachiman and Bishamon get some attention. But if we're talking the ones I feel a personal closeness to... Gobai, Fortune of Balance, is important in a way any sailor knows, but few care to think of. Fukurokujin is dear to me. Tenjin, of course. Saibankan is... it's a bit personal."

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled, glad to learn more about him, and thinking most about the ones he had described as personally important to him.

Balance? Important to sailors? "Oh! Because the sea moves under the boat? I've never been on a boat."

"Fukurokujin seems like the right place for me to ask blessing for my time here at court. I need wisdom here to do my duty well. It's interesting. I've not thought of this before. But when the Little Teacher wrote that “The temple road is wisdom's golden path", he was likely thinking of Fortunist temples, and specifically to Fukurokujin. The Shintao shrines followed his teaching. Maybe we could visit his shrine or temple here together."

"Oh and Tenjin, writing and literature... I read that the Ikoma library is itself a temple to Tenjin! And that is very much a place I'd like to visit."

"Saibankan, though... That's surprising. Hmm... do you harbor an ambition to become a magistrate or judge?" Her best guess.

[Shiba Ryusei]

"An unbalanced ship is a capsized ship, Agasha-sama. Even in calm water, an unbalanced load can make problems, and... sorry, sorry, no need to get too far into the weeds on that one, but yes. You have the right of it."

At the notion of visiting the temples together, he did his best to stomp on the cartwheel his heart did.

"I would very much enjoy that- I actually plan to call on the Ikoma Libraries later today-I doubt I'll be allowed to browse or anything of the sort, but it's still supposed to be most impressive."

And then it was... Saibankan.

"Let us say that the law is of personal interest- or rather, combating lawlessness. I need not be a magistrate to take an interest- if I am to inherit House Shigi, I will need to exercise a degree of control over our lands."

[Agasha Yuna]

It made sense about the ship. Personal balance. The balance of the load.

"I do want to try to find the Shinseist shrine first. And we have our meeting with Togashi-ue this evening. But maybe tomorrow? I think the library and the other Fortunist shrines are together. I'd... I'd like that." She tried to keep her face calm and hide her racing heart.

This was a really good time to look at Seppun-sama. Just drinking his tea. A proper chaperone. One of the most important people in the empire!

"That is important in any land. An heir's responsibility to understand, yes. I like reading about the law, but do not have that responsibility to prepare for. It is good to prepare. To be ready."

[Shiba Ryusei]

Somewhere in the core of his being, Ryusei was doing a most undignified capering dance of joy.

The young samurai bowed and smiled.

"Tomorrow would do nicely."

Do NOT add the bit about how it gives you something to look forward to. Do NOT move that fast, you idiot.

Yes, but she just said she's not an heir, which means-

CALM YOURSELF. Idiot.

Sip.

Ryusei also glanced at the old Seppun.

I still need to meet the other possible heirs, but you have a LOT of points with me, Seppun-sama.

"I think, Agasha-sama, that anything you turn your mind to will find you ready."