[Day 4 - Late Afternoon] Kami's Dread (Open)

[Kuni Shiori]

There was probably a misundertanding there, but it was probably a matter of semantics, so Eiji didn't bother correcting it.

"Indeed, Kuni-san." he offered.

He looked at her curously.

"Might I ask if there are any stories that have been particularly inspirtional to you? I'm not well versed in the stories of the Crab, and I'd like to learn more." he inquired.

"Inspirational?" She murmured before tilting her head in thought at the question. It's not like there was a Wall where heroes were often paying their lives for the defence of Rokugan or the Kuni lands having been rendered to a barely liveable wasteland. "In my youth, I recall that we were often bombarded with cautionary tales that were a variant of the Scorpion and the Frog."

She paused for a moment, wondering if Eiji would find offence to that hard to imagine that was the case when that was a lesson. "We've found ourselves surrounded by wilderness and dangers from without that hid in the shadows that we were often cautioned to protect ourselves and not do anything too brash. That wasn't to say that we didn't have heroism in great abundance in the Clan, especially in the Hiruma. Unfortunately, combing through the wilds and employing the same tactics to get your...prey isn't something that sparks retelling, especially when finding an enemy who doesn't just lack honour but all fibres of decency that make someone human."

Shiori glanced off to the side for a moment before looking back to Eiji. "That said, I've been trying to get into poetic and romantic literary works in my spare time."

[Soshi Eiji]

"Inspirational?" She murmured before tilting her head in thought at the question. It's not like there was a Wall where heroes were often paying their lives for the defence of Rokugan or the Kuni lands having been rendered to a barely liveable wasteland. "In my youth, I recall that we were often bombarded with cautionary tales that were a variant of the Scorpion and the Frog."

She paused for a moment, wondering if Eiji would find offence to that hard to imagine that was the case when that was a lesson. "We've found ourselves surrounded by wilderness and dangers from without that hid in the shadows that we were often cautioned to protect ourselves and not do anything too brash. That wasn't to say that we didn't have heroism in great abundance in the Clan, especially in the Hiruma. Unfortunately, combing through the wilds and employing the same tactics to get your...prey isn't something that sparks retelling, especially when finding an enemy who doesn't just lack honour but all fibres of decency that make someone human."

Shiori glanced off to the side for a moment before looking back to Eiji. "That said, I've been trying to get into poetic and romantic literary works in my spare time."

Eiji tilted his head, considering the Crab's words.

"Not all stories are meant for all audiences. Stories of glorious Lion clan warface victories are not particularly welcome in Kyuden Asahina, nor tales of the Tao in Kyuden Ikoma. I realize that there are stories that do not leave the Crab lands for good reason, but the Crab are samurai just like every other clan, and so I wondered about tales that were more universal." he explained.

"Like poetic and romantic works, exactly Kuni-san."

He smiled a bit.

"Just the other day a Phoenix was telling me a romantic story of two earth shugenja who called upon the kami to craft a tunnel to meet in secret." he offered.

[Kuni Shiori]

Eiji tilted his head, considering the Crab's words.

"Not all stories are meant for all audiences. Stories of glorious Lion clan warface victories are not particularly welcome in Kyuden Asahina, nor tales of the Tao in Kyuden Ikoma. I realize that there are stories that do not leave the Crab lands for good reason, but the Crab are samurai just like every other clan, and so I wondered about tales that were more universal." he explained.

"Like poetic and romantic works, exactly Kuni-san."

He smiled a bit.

"Just the other day a Phoenix was telling me a romantic story of two earth shugenja who called upon the kami to craft a tunnel to meet in secret." he offered.

Shiori smirked faintly and nodded twice at Eiji. "You are correct to point out that each stories have their own respective audience. I do imagine that in your craft, the differences wouldn't be so blatant and the audience would be harder to discern than the predominant colours they wear or the mon of their Clans. I do wish I had something universal to share off the top of my head, Soshi-san. I feel that my kin might be able to jog something from their mind faster."

She quirked a brow at the mention of the Phoenix story. "There's an amusing thought...although I was made to believe that the Phoenix wouldn't be so 'wasteful' with their command of the kami. That said, they are able to command the elements in fantastical and blatant ways. Secret love, I'm not so sure where that would fit into their usual veneration of the kami..."

"Actually, most of the texts that I've borrowed on the topic are from the Yasuki and I suspect that those books had originally come from the Crane, who apparently have a wide catalogue of evocative poetic works and fantastical romantic tales. "

[Soshi Eiji]

Shiori smirked faintly and nodded twice at Eiji. "You are correct to point out that each stories have their own respective audience. I do imagine that in your craft, the differences wouldn't be so blatant and the audience would be harder to discern than the predominant colours they wear or the mon of their Clans. I do wish I had something universal to share off the top of my head, Soshi-san. I feel that my kin might be able to jog something from their mind faster."

She quirked a brow at the mention of the Phoenix story. "There's an amusing thought...although I was made to believe that the Phoenix wouldn't be so 'wasteful' with their command of the kami. That said, they are able to command the elements in fantastical and blatant ways. Secret love, I'm not so sure where that would fit into their usual veneration of the kami..."

"Actually, most of the texts that I've borrowed on the topic are from the Yasuki and I suspect that those books had originally come from the Crane, who apparently have a wide catalogue of evocative poetic works and fantastical romantic tales. "

"While the Phoenix's tale may be....fanciful to the point of absurdity....it gives a rather sullen young man hope, and so I think the author can be forgiven for not entirely doing their research into the traditions of the Phoenix." he countered.

He nodded.

"Hai, it is said that the Crane have been writing stories about romance since Lady Doji herself taught them how to put brush to paper. From incredibly refined tales to tales that are more....shall we say practical. Practical to the point of needing to be published under a pen name lest the bring disaster to the author's good name. But not all notions of romance can be satisfied with long gazes out of wndows and crying yourself to sleep in the nearest pillow."

Eiji's own tastes ran a bit more to the practical. Some Crane literature was so subtle that you'd find yourself asleep before anything truly interesting happend.

[Kuni Shiori]

"While the Phoenix's tale may be....fanciful to the point of absurdity....it gives a rather sullen young man hope, and so I think the author can be forgiven for not entirely doing their research into the traditions of the Phoenix." he countered.

He nodded.

"Hai, it is said that the Crane have been writing stories about romance since Lady Doji herself taught them how to put brush to paper. From incredibly refined tales to tales that are more....shall we say practical. Practical to the point of needing to be published under a pen name lest the bring disaster to the author's good name. But not all notions of romance can be satisfied with long gazes out of wndows and crying yourself to sleep in the nearest pillow."

Eiji's own tastes ran a bit more to the practical. Some Crane literature was so subtle that you'd find yourself asleep before anything truly interesting happend.

"I don't fault the author for coming up with something like that, although I did personally find it quite amusing. It's possible but I don't quite see it coming from a Phoenix, at least from the impressions that I was taught. It might have even come from an early student of the talent, thinking that the world would be within their grasp and that they could warp it to their will." She smirked at that thought. "Or in this case, love. The skill is more strenuous than it looks, I will say. That's not even accounting for the potential favour trail that could follow with such a thing, depending on the shugenja's veneration of the kami."

"I'm still exploring the genre but it is very much something that I've come to respect, admittedly. Yes, even the practical ones. While the writing quality is different, I imagine that all works aim to evoke some sort of emotion or response from the reader. Admittedly, there are some works out there that are certainly written for self-fulfillment. But that's surely all works regardless of genre, right?" She glanced to Eiji, imagining he can speak from experience and expertise.

[Soshi Eiji]

[

"I don't fault the author for coming up with something like that, although I did personally find it quite amusing. It's possible but I don't quite see it coming from a Phoenix, at least from the impressions that I was taught. It might have even come from an early student of the talent, thinking that the world would be within their grasp and that they could warp it to their will." She smirked at that thought. "Or in this case, love. The skill is more strenuous than it looks, I will say. That's not even accounting for the potential favour trail that could follow with such a thing, depending on the shugenja's veneration of the kami."

"I'm still exploring the genre but it is very much something that I've come to respect, admittedly. Yes, even the practical ones. While the writing quality is different, I imagine that all works aim to evoke some sort of emotion or response from the reader. Admittedly, there are some works out there that are certainly written for self-fulfillment. But that's surely all works regardless of genre, right?" She glanced to Eiji, imagining he can speak from experience and expertise.

The Scorpion hid a smile behind a fan. The Kuni certainly had a way with words, putting 'self-fulfillment' near 'practical romance' certainly brought interesting ideas to mind. He was about to comment on that, when her thoughts on the identity of the author gave rise to another.

"Hmm, you know Kuni-san, there's another potential identity of the author of this tunnel story. Shiba-san himself. The one who told me the tale." he clarified lest the Kuni think this story was of divine origin.

"Raised in the Phoenix traditions, but without the gift himself, he could have imagined that those with the gift could do this thing if they so chose. Perhaps there is some sort of pesonal heartbreak he bears, and thus he wrote a story of love overcoming the impossible. The tunnel respresenting the escape he himself is denied. And then his identity masked with 'this is a story I know'. It would explain why he was so hypercritical of a story he claimed was his favorite. He wishes there was a path to the one he loves, but knows there is not." he said with growing certainity.

[Kuni Shiori]

The Scorpion hid a smile behind a fan. The Kuni certainly had a way with words, putting 'self-fulfillment' near 'practical romance' certainly brought interesting ideas to mind. He was about to comment on that, when her thoughts on the identity of the author gave rise to another.

"Hmm, you know Kuni-san, there's another potential identity of the author of this tunnel story. Shiba-san himself. The one who told me the tale." he clarified lest the Kuni think this story was of divine origin.

"Raised in the Phoenix traditions, but without the gift himself, he could have imagined that those with the gift could do this thing if they so chose. Perhaps there is some sort of pesonal heartbreak he bears, and thus he wrote a story of love overcoming the impossible. The tunnel respresenting the escape he himself is denied. And then his identity masked with 'this is a story I know'. It would explain why he was so hypercritical of a story he claimed was his favorite. He wishes there was a path to the one he loves, but knows there is not." he said with growing certainity.

"Shiba-san?" She brought up curiously, finding it a bit difficult to pin someone with that family alone, considering there were a few in court with that name. Some were more active than others, admittedly. "I take it that he's also an avid reader when it comes to romance stories? I'm not so certain that he would out himself so easily if he was the writer. There's a possibility that it would seem so obvious that it could be hiding in plain sight. Perhaps he was looking for a counter-argument to his criticism and earn some indirect compliments?"

[Soshi Eiji]

"Shiba-san?" She brought up curiously, finding it a bit difficult to pin someone with that family alone, considering there were a few in court with that name. Some were more active than others, admittedly. "I take it that he's also an avid reader when it comes to romance stories? I'm not so certain that he would out himself so easily if he was the writer. There's a possibility that it would seem so obvious that it could be hiding in plain sight. Perhaps he was looking for a counter-argument to his criticism and earn some indirect compliments?"

This elicted a small shrug.

"Perhaps. Although I think perhaps such a drive is beneath the surface. Given his relatively gloomy demeanour, even when I encouraged the story, I think that perhaps the heartbreak is real and the search for affirmation is beneath that, rather than him presenting a false front hiding his desire for compliments." he commented.

He grinned a bit.

"The masks we all wear can make it hard to see what the truth is, but I like to think myself a good judge of character, Kuni-san." he added.

[Kuni Shiori]

This elicted a small shrug.

"Perhaps. Although I think perhaps such a drive is beneath the surface. Given his relatively gloomy demeanour, even when I encouraged the story, I think that perhaps the heartbreak is real and the search for affirmation is beneath that, rather than him presenting a false front hiding his desire for compliments." he commented.

He grinned a bit.

"The masks we all wear can make it hard to see what the truth is, but I like to think myself a good judge of character, Kuni-san." he added.

"Without having been there, I'll trust your judgement on the matter," she gave a solemn nod on the matter. "It's a bit unfortunate to have experienced that but I suppose it was perhaps best in his heart that he shared this story in some way that not. This is at least the most polite terms he could share it in."

"I unfortunately don't have a story of a great love from Crab fable to share," she said with a sigh with a glance given to the ceiling. "Not one of heartbreak found in the heat of battle in the Kuni wilderness nor of private sweet nothings whispered to someone's ear in the deep winding caverns of an iron mine. My interest is somewhat academic, I'm afraid. I know that it might be peculiar to look for answers in works of fiction but as you've proven, it seems that's where more honest answers can be found."

[Soshi Eiji]

"Without having been there, I'll trust your judgement on the matter," she gave a solemn nod on the matter. "It's a bit unfortunate to have experienced that but I suppose it was perhaps best in his heart that he shared this story in some way that not. This is at least the most polite terms he could share it in."

"I unfortunately don't have a story of a great love from Crab fable to share," she said with a sigh with a glance given to the ceiling. "Not one of heartbreak found in the heat of battle in the Kuni wilderness nor of private sweet nothings whispered to someone's ear in the deep winding caverns of an iron mine. My interest is somewhat academic, I'm afraid. I know that it might be peculiar to look for answers in works of fiction but as you've proven, it seems that's where more honest answers can be found."

This elicitd another small shrug.

"Well, it is Winter Court. While spring may be the time many associate with romance, the seeds of such romance are often planted beneath the snows. Perhaps Kuni-san will find her own tale to inispire her this season." he said.

She did, at least, no longer seem in danger of collapse, and Eiji was satisfied she was well.

"While the circumstances may have been poor, I'm glad I got to speak to you today, Kuni-san. Hopefully this season will provide us more opprotunities to converse and discuss literature." he said, looking to bring the conversation to an end.

[Kuni Shiori]

This elicitd another small shrug.

"Well, it is Winter Court. While spring may be the time many associate with romance, the seeds of such romance are often planted beneath the snows. Perhaps Kuni-san will find her own tale to inispire her this season." he said.

She did, at least, no longer seem in danger of collapse, and Eiji was satisfied she was well.

"While the circumstances may have been poor, I'm glad I got to speak to you today, Kuni-san. Hopefully this season will provide us more opprotunities to converse and discuss literature." he said, looking to bring the conversation to an end.

(OOC: My apologies! Thought I did respond to this one!)

Shiori did a quick lift of her brows before showing a smirk on her lips, a bit amused at the thought. "Well...I don't know if would truly hope for such a thing, even if I am without a tale. It's something of a mixed blessing, if everything I've read and heard is to be believed when it comes to romance. Much like all gifts from the Fortunes, Benten-no-kami in this case, I suspect that it is better to have happen naturally than to yearn for it."

"Thank you for the conversation, Soshi-san," she said politely in return, just remembering the oddity she experienced just a few moments ago. It was likely something she would have to dwell on later, maybe discuss with those with more spiritual leanings. "I'm sure you'll be able to find me in hallways like this one or in the background of the gallery. May the Fortunes follow you for the remainder of the day."

[Soshi Eiji]

(/scene and thank you!)