D1 ME - Reflections...

[Yasuki Masaki]

...on one's mistakes, of course. Leaving the Crab House after their attempt at the - rather daunting! - task Kaiu Masahiko had posed to them, Masaki decided to take a slow strolll through the Courtyard. Her mind immediately jumped to the court earlier in the day. First impressions are important, she heard the well-known voice resounding on her head.

So much for that.

And then the icebreaker. When she used those, she always thought they were simple. But then, are things ever really simple?

Voices and scenes ran through her mind, over and over. That just wouldn't do. Even when thinking about mistakes, you must focus on just one of them, and let go of the rest. How else can you know what to do differently?

To say that the teachers at Asahina Shinden were kind would not be quite right. But back then, when she felt the outsider in so many ways, they somehow felt like a... closer family than her own family. She often tried to apply this one lesson while walking through the temple grounds. Maybe she could do the same here?...

... breathing. Listening to the wind, the incredibly tidy grass and shrubs rustling, sounds here and there in the distance.

Doubts. That was a possible mistake. Well, and letting the Empress think their sake might smell of fish - but that was borne out of doubt, in a way.

Could she turn doubt into action in the next days? Think less, move more, and gracefully, maybe? Like the wind itself?

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D1 ME. Meditation/Void for Void recovery. TN 20. | 5k4 ⇒ 32 (TN: 20)

1 VP recovered!

[Moshi Akane]

As Masaki concludes her meditations and looks about, she will see a stern woman in the courtyard looking at her.

"The little fish seems to have trouble swimming in a bigger pond," she says. "Perhaps she sees baited hooks waiting for her?"

There is something of a tight smile accompanying the words.

[Yasuki Masaki]

.

A moment after Masaki's attention turns to the woman and she recognises the Moshi mon, remembering who the new arrival must be, she gives her a low bow.

"Moshi-dono", she says, holding the bow for a moment before straightening herself. Her expression when she does is mostly flat - no hint of a smile to meet the one on the Moshi daimyo's face. She reaches for her fan on the obi, almost instinctively, before answering, but doesn't open it yet.

"River fish often have more to fear in nets, I think", she says, pensively. "Dangerous even without bait, and are often hard to see or avoid - even more so when swimming upstream."

The fan goes up, covering some of her mouth a moment after a faint, almost shy smile. "A great pleasure to meet you, Moshi-dono. This one is Kawagoi Masaki, humble servant of the Yasuki." Another respectful bow, her mouth covered when she straightens herself again.

"Were there any baited hooks by the edge of the pond Moshi-dono would want to mention, by any chance?"

(OOC: Sorry for the long delay! Saw this a bit after posted, but the forum was never up for me long enough to get this posted whenever I tried after that )

[Moshi Akane]

snip

"Only that one must remember how fond cats are of eating fish," Akane replies. "But they, too, often end up tangled in nets if they will fish along rivers."

She looks towards the larger mass of Kyuden Ikoma.

"This must all be a challenge to face," she continues. "So many rushing about, they stumble over the small stones in their path for all that they keep their eyes downcast. They might at least look for beauty if they're not going to watch where they step."

(OOC: No worries. Forum mujina vex us all.)

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Only that one must remember how fond cats are of eating fish," Akane replies. "But they, too, often end up tangled in nets if they will fish along rivers."

She looks towards the larger mass of Kyuden Ikoma.

"This must all be a challenge to face," she continues. "So many rushing about, they stumble over the small stones in their path for all that they keep their eyes downcast. They might at least look for beauty if they're not going to watch where they step."

(OOC: No worries. Forum mujina vex us all.)

The Yasuki's eyes follow the Centipede's and raise to see the shape of the Kyuden. "Beauty is important, ne? Although I suppose it's easier to see it when you know your path by heart"

Her eyes shift to her own feet, then back for a moment, as if searching for a trail. "If this one may ask, Moshi-dono. Was it easy to learn yours, so you could free your eyes to look for beauty?"

[Moshi Akane]

"You may," Akane replies, "and very much not. As you might imagine, the lot of the Younger Clans is...uniquely challenging. The rocks that are in any path persist, of course, but others will often stick their feet into the road, hoping to see someone trip and fall."

Akane looks at Masaki. "But you would not do such a thing, would you?"

[Yasuki Masaki]

"You may," Akane replies, "and very much not. As you might imagine, the lot of the Younger Clans is...uniquely challenging. The rocks that are in any path persist, of course, but others will often stick their feet into the road, hoping to see someone trip and fall."

Akane looks at Masaki. "But you would not do such a thing, would you?"

Masaki's head tilts a bit at the daimyo's last words. "I can't see how a small carp would have anything but trouble trying to stick a foot onto the road, Moshi-dono." A smile appears on the corner of her eyes as she speaks, quickly covered with a flick of her fan, but her eyes soon shift to a slightly more serious expression.

"Perhaps if she felt a cat clawing the water, she might find a way to do it?" The faint smile soon comes back. "But this carp would rather see the chrysanthemum standing proud with all its leaves and petals, large and small. If some start tumbling to the ground or its roots lose strength, we all stand to lose, ne?"

She looks at the Kyuden again, then back to the Centipede, her expression respectful, but a small smile still on the corner of her lips. "In fact, ripples in the rivers mention there have been commendable efforts to tend to the Valley of the Sun's lands and keep them nurtured in recent times. If there is something you think could help that good work keep bearing fruit...perhaps a word by the river could bring luck?"

[Moshi Akane]

snip

"Word is that rivers carry many barrels of sake from place to place," Akane says. "And it's known that the spirits appreciate having spirits offered to them, the great and the lesser alike. Yet the Valley does not do so well at such production."

She glances at Masaki. "It would be a stroke of luck for some of the finest brew to find its way to the Valley."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Word is that rivers carry many barrels of sake from place to place," Akane says. "And it's known that the spirits appreciate having spirits offered to them, the great and the lesser alike. Yet the Valley does not do so well at such production."

She glances at Masaki. "It would be a stroke of luck for some of the finest brew to find its way to the Valley."

A small nod, fingers fidgeting with the fan a bit. "The river carries many things - spirits of many kinds indeed among them. Moshi-dono certainly knows better than small carps that the right offerings make the spirits that much more eager to answer to one's prayers, ne? This one is most curious about the rituals currently most prevalent in the Valley, if it wouldn't be too much to ask."

[Moshi Akane]

snip

Akane's eyebrows rise slightly and for a moment. But only slightly and only for a moment.

"As the name might suggest," she says, "rituals there focus on venerating the Lady Sun, to which we have a special calling and for which we have special dispensation. We are fortunate to have been blessed in the earth, as well, and give thanks for such blessings. And Inari-no-kami has received no small thanks this year, as well."

She nods slowly. "There may be some other small prayers as might be recited, if you care to be thus devout."

[Yasuki Masaki]

Akane's eyebrows rise slightly and for a moment. But only slightly and only for a moment.

"As the name might suggest," she says, "rituals there focus on venerating the Lady Sun, to which we have a special calling and for which we have special dispensation. We are fortunate to have been blessed in the earth, as well, and give thanks for such blessings. And Inari-no-kami has received no small thanks this year, as well."

She nods slowly. "There may be some other small prayers as might be recited, if you care to be thus devout."

Masaki, meanwhile, doesn't seem to bat an eye at Akane's reaction - the same small smile still on the corner of her lips. She does nod at her words, however.

"Inari-no-kami's blessing is always a most welcome one, for spirits and mortals alike, ne? And if the blessings on the Valley's soil are those of the kind that protects the Empire's soul, I'm sure such the spirits will be happy at such an offering and glad to travel north to give the Valley their blessing." A small nod.

"Unless the Lady of the Valley would rather say different prayers, of course."

[Moshi Akane]

snip

"We can say such a prayer as would turn the eyes of others green with envy," Akane says, "if a similar group of spirits were to make the journey to us. And we might perhaps find Inari-no-kami in our souls twice over if another found as much iron in theirs."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"We can say such a prayer as would turn the eyes of others green with envy," Akane says, "if a similar group of spirits were to make the journey to us. And we might perhaps find Inari-no-kami in our souls twice over if another found as much iron in theirs."

A small nod, the same smile on her lips, now perhaps a bit warmer.

"The spirits of water and those of the forge will be equally happy with a ritual as proposed, Moshi-dono. Would you rather send servants of the Valley's to iron out detailed arrangements for the rite?"

Another, lower nod, her voice somewhat more solemn. "If you would grant me the honour, Moshi-dono, I would also be happy to meet you later at the temple - or another place of your preference - for some shared prayers. For the continued success and beauty of the Empire and the Valley - and that of our humble lands in the south, Amaterasu and the Fortunes allowing."

[Moshi Akane]

snip

"A discussion of comparative theologies would be appreciated," Akane replies. "It would do much to ensure mutual understanding, I think. Would Yasuki-san be able to call at the Minor Clan House tomorrow sometime when Court is not in session?"

[Yasuki Masaki]

"A discussion of comparative theologies would be appreciated," Akane replies. "It would do much to ensure mutual understanding, I think. Would Yasuki-san be able to call at the Minor Clan House tomorrow sometime when Court is not in session?"

The Yasuki nods. "Would tomorrow just before court or at the end of the day be appropriate for Moshi-dono and the people of the Valley?"

OOC: LM or LE, in play PbP English XD

[Moshi Akane]

The Yasuki nods. "Would tomorrow just before court or at the end of the day be appropriate for Moshi-dono and the people of the Valley?"

OOC: LM or LE, in play PbP English XD

"The former," Akane replies. "Lady Sun will shine more brightly on it then."

OOC: Thread me!

[Yasuki Masaki]

"The former," Akane replies. "Lady Sun will shine more brightly on it then."

OOC: Thread me!

Another nod, the small smile back dancing on her lips, perhaps a bit more warmly.

"As would be most proper. I will call at the Minor Clan House as Amaterasu's rays shine before court then."

A small tilt of her head, and her fan gestures vaguely in the direction of the Temples.

"If Moshi-dono would have the time and disposition for that shared prayer at a later date, this humble one would be honoured as well." She lowers her head, as in respect. "I will keep the Valley's success in my morning prayers regardless, or course."

A low bow follows.

[Moshi Akane]

Another nod, the small smile back dancing on her lips, perhaps a bit more warmly.

"As would be most proper. I will call at the Minor Clan House as Amaterasu's rays shine before court then."

A small tilt of her head, and her fan gestures vaguely in the direction of the Temples.

"If Moshi-dono would have the time and disposition for that shared prayer at a later date, this humble would be honoured as well." She lowers her head, as in respect. "I will keep the Valley's success in my morning prayers regardless, or course."

A low bow follows.

"Yasuki-san is most kind," Akane says. "I hope she will carry the Fortunes."

A responding bow, not so low, is returned.

(From PM, I think /scene--and thank you!)