(D2, MM) A Prayer and a Wing

[Soshi Eiji]

While Eiji was not the most pious samurai in the Empire, the events of the first day had him deciding to make an offering. It was a slovenly hour to rise at, but the previous night's festivities had kept him up later than he liked. Perhaps a prayer to Akodo as an apology? Or perhaps there was a fortune of swimming upstream?

He washed off the dust, and offered his prayers, hoping that whomever needed to listen was in the mood.

[Shiba Ryushi]

Shiba Ryushi made their ways to the temples. He was to pray to the fortunes hopefully to be granted blessings that he lacks. The man followed the protocols and left his offering. He stayed in seize for a while perhaps waiting or perhaps wondering what they will do next.

[Soshi Eiji]

Shiba Ryushi made their ways to the temples. He was to pray to the fortunes hopefully to be granted blessings that he lacks. The man followed the protocols and left his offering. He stayed in seize for a while perhaps waiting or perhaps wondering what they will do next.

Having given his own prayers, which mostly boiled down to 'Oh please, honorable ancestors, get me through this winter intact.', Eiji prepared to leave. He did, however, notice the Phoenix who seemed to be givng a much longer prayer.

Well, I suppose as a pious clan, the Phoenix prayers take awhile. Alternatively, I could very well see someone feeling the effects of lasts night falling asleep while in prayer. Now wouldn't THAT be a fun bit of gossip?

Curious as to the status of the Phoenix, in prayer or asleep, Eiji walked closer to see what the fact of the matter was.

[Shiba Ryushi]

The Phoenix in question was not asleep. The man decided to finally stand up and when he turned the Scorpion was at their face. "Oh... good morning Scorpion sama. May this one be of assistance?" Ryushi gavebthe man a bow.

[Soshi Eiji]

The Phoenix in question was not asleep. The man decided to finally stand up and when he turned the Scorpion was at their face. "Oh... good morning Scorpion sama. May this one be of assistance?" Ryushi gavebthe man a bow.

Not asleep. Though the choice of greeting would have worked had he been, and there was something in the man's demeanor that suggested the rising sun.

Eiji bowed.

"Good morning. This one is Soshi-ke no kashin Miura Eiji. I suppose I could use a conversational partner to join me on a walk this morning, if Phoenix-san has completed his communion with the Heavens." he offered.

[Shiba Ryushi]

The Shiba nodded "This one is Shiba-ke no kashin Michishita Ryushi. It would be an honor to join you in a morning walk." The Phoenix motioned to follow the Scorpion. "And it is an honor to meet you Soshi sama."

[Soshi Eiji]

The Shiba nodded "This one is Shiba-ke no kashin Michishita Ryushi. It would be an honor to join you in a morning walk." The Phoenix motioned to follow the Scorpion. "And it is an honor to meet you Soshi sama."

And so the walk commenced. The weather was quite cool, but moving both limbs and lips did help to some extent.

"So how was your journey to Kyuden Ikoma, Shiba-san? You are quite a ways from home after all." he asked conversationally.

[Shiba Ryushi]

Ryushi gave it a small thought. "Tiresome... and I arrived late in the evening that I almost missed the meetings" The Shiba sighed. "Hopefully today the fortunes will grant this one their blessings and the day will better." The bushi smiled.

[Soshi Eiji]

Ryushi gave it a small thought. "Tiresome... and I arrived late in the evening that I almost missed the meetings" The Shiba sighed. "Hopefully today the fortunes will grant this one their blessings and the day will better." The bushi smiled.

Eiji smiled a bit.

"I will not tempt the Fortunes by suggesting it could not be otherwise." he said. "However, if Shiba-san is diligent, I'm sure he can accomplish more here than he could on the road here."

[Shiba Ryushi]

"Of course I will not tempt the fortunes Soshi sama. This one just pray and hopes." They are already unfortunate enough. "How was your trip?"

[Soshi Eiji]

"Of course I will not tempt the fortunes Soshi sama. This one just pray and hopes." They are already unfortunate enough. "How was your trip?"

Eiji looks thoughtful.

"It was interesting, to be certain. It's funny how much a road can change when you change your wardrobe before walking it again." he mused. "It certainly felt warmer when I left and cooler when I returned, and that was not simply the weather."

He shook the thought from his head.

"But now that you ARE here, Shiba-san, what do you hope to accomplish?" he asked.

[Shiba Ryushi]

Ryushi wondered what was to be accomplished, peace... war... riches...besides the serving of the clan. "Ah... Soshi sama right now to make allies and friends." The Shiba nodded.

[Soshi Eiji]

Ryushi wondered what was to be accomplished, peace... war... riches...besides the serving of the clan. "Ah... Soshi sama right now to make allies and friends." The Shiba nodded.

Eiji nodded.

"Ah that can be a difficult goal indeed, Shiba-san. Although perhaps Allies are easier to make than friends. Each of the clans have things they look for at the Winter Court, and the exchange of things that they need can forge allies. Friends, though, that is not something you can achieve with an exchange of goods." he offered.

[Shiba Ryushi]

Ryushi nodded. "Well Soshi sama allies may be easier in these courts but one can dream and hope that eventually those allies become friends. But in Yume-do anything is possible right?" The Shiba chuckled.

[Soshi Eiji]

Ryushi nodded. "Well Soshi sama allies may be easier in these courts but one can dream and hope that eventually those allies become friends. But in Yume-do anything is possible right?" The Shiba chuckled.

Eiji shook his head.

"Well I don't think it's so hopeless an idea that one must simply dream about it Shiba-san. " he disagreed.

He continued to walk along the path.

"It's just how far you need to walk down the path. You learn what you can do for each other, you make deals to help each other and become allies, and through the time spent together you become friends. It's just a longer journey is all."

[Shiba Ryushi]

"I doubt that the problem is the path... the problem is who to approach. Who to listen and who would be able to help. This is a battlefield that we bushi are not normally trained to fight." The Shiba shrugged.

[Soshi Eiji]

"I doubt that the problem is the path... the problem is who to approach. Who to listen and who would be able to help. This is a battlefield that we bushi are not normally trained to fight." The Shiba shrugged.

This prompted a small shrug from the Scorpion.

"As it is said, a samurai must be a master of summer and winter. But perhaps it is better to think of it then as a need for scouting before the battle, Shiba-san. When you enter a battlefeld, you want to scout it before committing your main force."

"As one who has fought on similar, if smaller battlefields, I could provide you some intelligence, though I am still doing my own scounting, if Shiba-san would like."

[Shiba Ryushi]

Ryushi nodded. "Well, Soshi sama, in this battlefield, scouting is a must. I may not be the best at that but I am good to listen what the walls are to say." The Shiba smiled. "I could use all the Intel you can give this one."

[Soshi Eiji]

Ryushi nodded. "Well, Soshi sama, in this battlefield, scouting is a must. I may not be the best at that but I am good to listen what the walls are to say." The Shiba smiled. "I could use all the Intel you can give this one."

Eiji nodded.

"Fair enough, Shiba-san, but I'll expect information in return as you traverse these halls." he cautioned.

"I know the Scorpion delegation the best, of course. Besides myself, I would definitely recommend getting to know Yogo-ke no kashin Itoh Kiuchi, assuming you like dogs that is. Shosuro-ke no kashin Kishida Reiko is also a bit like you in needing a bit of help in making solid connections. Beyond that you might try reaching out to Bayushi Ken, Bayushi Yoko, Bayushi Bontaro, and Soshi Chieko. I think they'd be your best bet for allies and eventually friends."

[Shiba Ryushi]

"I see... well... I am not that verse in those in my delegation but seems like Shiba Ryusei and Asako Kenishi are ones to be more proactive in my delegation." Ryushi admitted. "But if I get to know more of my cousins , I would let you know."