It was unbelievable.

Shameful.

Soy sauce is salty. Everyone knows this. In the Crane's attempt to make something subtle and sophisticated, they instead brought the displeasure of the Lion clan upon them.

"What is this?" the Akodo muttered as she ate another over-delicately cut piece of river fish. The fatty bits were seasoned, ruining the taste of the fish itself. What was it, some form of ginger, it's spice dulled like age slays the warrior?

Unforgivable!

Of course, on the outside, Michi sat in silence, eating slowly as if savoring. She would not choke, nor leave a single grain of rice upon her dish.

Heathens.

As she passed the table of the suffering Lion, Mitsuko was not so deep in her own thoughts as to miss the muttering, though she didn't catch what was said or why. The skinny Crab girl wasn't so proud - or polite - that she wouldn't find out, though.

"Excuse me, Lion-san?" The question was supposed to be courteous, like she actually was sorry to have missed the words. The inflection didn't quite get there, though, and even Mitsuko knew it. "Ahem. I mean, what was that?" Ugh, that's even worse.

Michi's gaze found the crab. She recognized the mon of her school and her family. An eyebrow would raze had Michi lacked poise, or if she had not seen the other girl at the test earlier in the day.

"It is of no concern, Kuni-san", the Lion assured her, placing her chopsticks down. "I have merely sought sustinance from the a Crane, and have had me expectations met. I am Akodo Michi, daughter of Toranaga and Reiko. Would you care to join me?"

The Crab nods to acknowledge Michi's words then sits.

"Ah, this one is Kuni Mitsuko, daughter of Kuni Etsumiko and Kuni Adorai and honoured student of the Hida Battle Leader dojo," she says with appropriately modest pride and then a bow of her head. "Thank you for the invitation to join you. What school are you representing, Akodo-sama?"

"I am of the Akodo, I attended the War College of the Castle of the Swift Sword", she replied patiently. "Should not one trained by the Hida be aware of such a place and what it teaches?"

She shot a look at a servant to beckon them, it was razor sharp and precise, but did also swiftly over with, her attention remained on Mitsuko.

"From what I have learned of your people, the school of which you trained is for officers. Mine is the same. The Akodo no Sherikan Gakko teaches to lead my brothers and sisters in war."


(yes, i used Translate because saying Akodo Commander School IC makes my stomach turn )

Mitsuko's eyes narrow slightly at the small admonition, but she smiles grimly. Ah, friendly like mother.

"I'm honored to meet a fellow future commander, Akodo-sama, and appreciate the lesson in distinguishing the elite Akodo dojo mon from the storied but more commonly seen one of your other family school." Mitsuko inclines her head sincerely/apologetically, though not for long.

"And I'm honored you've heard of my honored academy. Those who don't know the Crab well tend to think the Hida are uniformly very simple warriors. But your eyes and mind are too sharp for that," she says, nodding agreeably. A pursed-lip smile accompanies a relaxation of her narrow shoulders.

"Without any consideration of strategic acumen, it is impossible the Crab would not have an officer school", the Lion observed. "The difficulty of logistics at Kaiu Kabe must be staggering, an enemy second only to your true foe.".

The servant arrived and Michi ordered more tea, and bade them to take the Kuni's order. With that done, she continued.

"Though I do know of the school, I have not met your like before, I find this a fortunate day and wish I had my shogi board ready. Do you play?"

Akodo Michi wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 11, 2021 4:08 am

"Without any consideration of strategic acumen, it is impossible the Crab would not have an officer school", the Lion observed. "The difficulty of logistics at Kaiu Kabe must be staggering, an enemy second only to your true foe.".

The servant arrived and Michi ordered more tea, and bade them to take the Kuni's order. With that done, she continued.

"Though I do know of the school, I have not met your like before, I find this a fortunate day and wish I had my shogi board ready. Do you play?"

Mitsuko nods agreeably as Michi speaks, giving a noticeable smile at being seen as a fortunate meeting and then answering the Lion's question without hesitation.

"I do, Akodo-sama, though less often than Go. You would find me a more skilled opponent on my go board than your shogi board, I'm quite sure."

"The strategies of games do differ, true", the Lion allowed with a short nod. "Though for myself, I play it for the mental exercise, the winning is not as important as the learning. I plan to save my winning for the battlefield."

She almost sipped her tea, but decided to wait until Mitsuko had been served.

Perhaps reflexively to the Lion's contemplation of tea, the Crab starts to reach for a cup that isn't there yet. Realizing it, she then flexes her hand, as if that was the intention all along.

Both are saved from further awkwardness as a fresh teapot and another cup arrive. Mitsuko would look noticeably relieved if not for her makeup, but Michi's eyes will notice the subtle confirmation anyway.

"Indeed, learning is the most important thing for now," the Kuni says warmly. "There was a guest at my school from your clan once, who taught a special seminar for the older students. He said there is much more to learn from defeat than victory. But victory is good too," Mitsuko says with a grin, the brightness of her eyes confirming it's a joke.

"Truly", she agreed tersely. "I was taught to examine circumstances and other factors, to learn the ways of my opponent and do what must be done to achieve victory. Not play kick ball."

Now she did sip her tea.

"How did you fair in today's test, Kuni-san?"