The Coming Cold (Day 12 Early Evening)

[Hiruma Daichi]

Daichi wasn't sure what he expected of the Lion lands, well other then it being colder. He had heard after all that it was a lot colder in the North. The last two days were the only point he really felt it though, that wind didn't help either, wiping the chill evening air around your ankles and up four sleeves. He wasn't going to complain though, it wasn't really his style.

He'd been stopping by the gardens a little more the last few days, maybe thoughts of marriage brought on times of contemplation. Maybe the gardens were a welcome relief from the court room it was hard to tell. He wasn't moving fast as he walked down the now familiar paths half lost in thoughts and the scenery.

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

Up ahead a figure coming the other way down the path. The tall dark shapes reveals itself to be...a Crane! A rather unhappy Crane. It wasn't that they were snarling or glaring or walking with palms clenched. Rather it was the careful, obviously intentional lack of any of those things that indicated anger.

Sae had decided a quiet walk in the gardens would be the best way to collect herself after a wholly unproductive day. Admiring the orderly scenery had only had the smallest of effects, but she had spent 10 minutes stock still staring at a manicured hedge as if daring it to move before continuing on.

Recognising the Hiruma as she approached Sae initially opts for only a polite nod but finds herself remarking in a slightly frosty tone "Hiruma-san, you spoke in court earlier."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"I did." He admitted after a polite bow. "I would have preferred not to have to but I thought something needed to be said at the time." Because a lot of silly people were trying to let a Criminal leave this life with a form of atonement, was left unsaid.

He shook his head to banish a few stray thoughts. "My apologies if it caused you any trouble."

[Daidoji Sae]

snip

"You." Sae looms forward for a moment like she's about to start chewing Daichi out before catching herself.

In a slightly more neutral tone. "You did. But my actions did me no favours either. I allowed my frustrations over the situation to guide my tone rather than wisdom."

Spotting a small weed she slowly grinds her sandal onto the offending criminal as if trying to channel all her anger into a crack between the stones.

"The discussion should never have happened at all."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"I agree." Was his simple reply. "It's not the sort of matter that should be brought before the court and outside its proper jurisdiction. Or at least that's my opinion on the matter."

"I should of perhaps said that myself but compassion seemed to be on the mind of those gathered and I thought a compromise might at least earn the worst offender the punishment that was dictated he recieve."

He frowned. "I was wrong of course and those gathered today didn't seem to consider that the Emerald Champion let his compassion fall on one of the victims in this matter. Not the culprits."

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"A lot of good samurai have died because of a foolish and dishonourable task, that is only worsened by raising the matter in court like it was a simple case of theft between clan samurai."

She grinds the weeds for another few moments before straightening to look back at Daichi.

"Although, it seems we are not actually in disagreement." Which sounded like it also annoyed her.

"I just hope there is not a repeat of the incident before the end of the Court."

[Hiruma Daichi]

Daichi wasn't going to be able to cure the older woman's annoyance so he didn't try. "I wouldn't be surprised if there was. You can't bring more troops here in less then a day. Added to that with the lack of a Taisa and Karo the castle and the surroundings will likely be in some sort of disarray."

"There are already rumors of a monk being murdered in the fields. So I expect things will likely get worse before getting better."

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"Dark times, to think we would live to see them."
Sae glances back at the castle and ponders this in silence for a few moments.

"But at least one can always count on a Crab to speak plainly when there is a danger on the horizon."
Frowning slightly.
"If my memory serves, you were one of those who fought on the night of the assassination, Hiruma-san? Kakita-sama mentioned you by name?"

[Hiruma Daichi]

This was rather like a Tuesday down South. But Daichi didn't feel the need to bring that up. Instead he resisted the urge to stare off into the distance broodingly, instead letting him lips spread into a wry smile. "Seems dark times are always lurking just around the bend. Just waiting for the right moment."

"You're right, Akodo Kenji-San and myself decided capturing one of the Criminals was likely the wisest course of action. Kakita-Sama thought that deserved a small amount of recognition."

He paused before adding. "I'm Hiruma Daichi, Gunso in the Crab armies by the way."

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"The ronin gave us the first lead we used to capture the merchant who had hired them. Although Kakita-sama was already well ahead of me. Still it meant we could approach the investigation from both sides."

Bowing politely at the introduction.

"Well met Hiruma-san. I am Sae of the Daidoji's Miyahara family, I serve the Emerald Champion."

Realising it was a bit cold to be standing in the wind and not altogether keen on returning to the flurry of court yet she motioned at the path.

"May I join you on this walk? The wind is dooming some service on cooling my temper."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"A pleasure to meet you Daidoji-sama." He had seen her around here and there before, but they had never quite managed to meet. Even when they had aided Tatsuya together. Though all things considered that wasn't all that surprising. That night had been a bit of a shit show.

"I don't mind." He offered easily as he gestured towards the path giving her the chance to set the pace. "Company is always welcome, gardens are nice for views but on their own terrible for conversation."

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

Sae nods and sets a quick but not hurried pace, the walk of someone who was usually going somewhere to do something.

"Likewise, I wish it were under better circumstances. But I agree about the gardens, in truth I find them rather...orderly here. They are not the ideal location to vent one's frustrations."
She shoots the neatly tended bushes a look for emphasis.
"Your Clan has been quite active this court, I feel I have had more to do with the Crab than anyone not a Crane. Kaiu-sama must be very pleased."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"True." He looked over the offending bush. It seemed like he would get the tongue lashing of a lifetime if he so much as touched it, not to mention kicking it. Or stomping into the ground which seemed to be the Crane preference. "There is probably a field or something nearby that's a good place for that."

At her second statement he nodded. "We have been busy. I've managed more meetings than I really thought possible in the last few weeks." He smirked. "I'm fairly certain Kaiu-dono is tired of seeing be, you are right though he is pleased,"

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"It must have been a bit of a change from serving as a gunso to serving in court. I have certainly found it rather different."
Her brows crease for a moment.

"But duty is duty. I was impressed with Yasuki Ryoichi from what I have seen of him. And I am sure Yasuki Masaki will have been driving herself to distraction with all her duties. And if lasting peace between our two clans is the outcome then I am the happier for it. My fiancé's family lives close to the border."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"It is, and at times I felt I've just barreled through things, but it seems I've managed reasonably well." Part of him did miss his normal duties, though not because he liked them. But he did know he would be returning to them, and it was far too easy to become complacent here.

"Both of our Yasuki have served the Clan well." The Clan would have certainly been worse off if they were missing either. "And I hope that peace does indeed last. It will be to the benefit of both our clans and the Empire at large, I think. Even if I perhaps don't see it with my own eyes from the lands of my house."