Fluff incoming ----------------- [D7] Test of the Ancestor Step 1: Culture/Water (VP, Perfectionism) | TN: 2 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 4 https://sakkaku.org/media/dice/ring/exp0opp1str0suc0-60.png https://sakkaku.org/media/dice/ring/exp1opp0str1suc0-60.png https://sakkaku.org/media/dic...

"I may, probably not until after I know if I am attending a miai or not; girls seem to like the hair. What about you, will you cut your hair?"

"Normally yes but my situation is a bit different. Per our family tradition Jiro will inherit the family home and with him already being betrothed I imagine I will be relocating shortly after we return home from this event; maybe another year at the most. I've expected for a while now that I would b...

"It's a great fiction but let's be realistic brother, most of the people we have made connections with here we will never see or hear from again. People change posts, people change clans, people lose interest and people die. Or lives are about to become busy and complicated in ways we cannot imagine...

"Shiba Haru, worst of the best." He said deflated. "I'm not even sure I could call myself a Topaz participant at this point as I am not likely to participate in the thing I came here for. I would have accomplished just as much if I had stayed at home."

Haru seemed to seriously consider the idea. "It is strange, we have been mistaken for each other before of course but bac home in our little village everyone knows us and it happens rarely. Here it has happened daily and I have really started to hate it, everyone seems to expect and hope that I am J...

"Um, of course Mitsuko-chan, if you need to go I understand and look forward to our next conversation." He said with a pleasant smile and warm tone.

"And if I fail to make it into the dueling tournament? Can you not see how the very idea of that would be distressing to me? I do not know what I would compare it to for you but..." He touched the netsuke at his waist, a memento of their 6th century ancestor Shiba Raijin . "You know, I have talked a...

"Yes but the big difference there is that we have known each other longer than a week brother, I would dare say we are closer than they could ever be given a lifetime of friendship. I understand your point though. I wish everyone was as easy to read as I think I am, it would certainly make this week...

Haru smirked playfully.

"Nice words but all the interesting stuff involves other people so you can be hiding just about anything in that forbidden section.

Where as I would tell you anything if you asked about it." he said with mock smugness.

"Don't grow cold on me brother, I'm not going to run to her and tattle on you. This isn't exactly fun for me, to know that you are so happy with Kasumi but duty demands other things from you. I'm honestly going to have words with mother and father about this when we return home, it's cruel what they...

A dark thought suddenly crossed his mind. SIGH Haru's tone was somber, every word sounding like an apology. He didn't want to go down this path again but felt it was important. "Before I do talk to her there is one really important question to ask. Does she have any idea about your close relationshi...

"That doesn't worry me I'm much more interesting than you, the people here just don't seem to see it that way; I blame these strange breakfasts they keep serving us." He stepped back from the canvas and gave it a thoughtful look. "The trouble is understanding what I know. There have been times here ...

"Why? I don't know but right now I don't know much of anything, there is so much going on. If adult life is like this I am in serious trouble and it's a good thing I am not a courtier. But yes, I will, I don't know what we will talk about but I should spend more time getting to know her."

"Yes it is proper, though if I can be honest with you I am glad that was not my fate. There must be so much a brotherhood monk misses out on, not the least of which being marriage and a family. If such is your brother's fate he should be applauded for all he will have to give up. I suspect that if I...

"So you don't mind if I speak with her again?"

Haru took the offered cup and drank.

"Good. Good. I...I feel like I should find more time to get to know her and let her get to know more of our family, but the whole time we talked that morning I kept trying to dance around the subject of her past. She shared some but it really is none of my business and she doesn't seem to want to go...

Haru was lost, was she still talking about them or about her and Rin or just worried about her future in general; he had no idea. He decided that first and foremost he needed to be a friend. "You are already notable to many here and you are certainly significant. Not being a shugenja in a family lik...

"I thought painting took days, this is going really fast.

So..uhh...how is Natsuko-san?"

Somewhat awkwardly Haru seemed to take a stance. To him this was in part a gift between duelists and he wanted it to feel that way, so he focused, he closed his eyes and listened to his heartbeat then with a soft brown paint he roughed out the dojo and wall that runs around the area. Painting a gift...