[D4, LN] It's D5 for Me, Slackers (Open)

[Akodo Michi]

"That is an incorrect statement", she warned. "Poorly delivered social interaction can indeed end in violence. During a duel between Matsu Yashiro and Ikoma Tendo in the fourth century, when Tendo picked up his blade to place it in his obi, Yashiro struck and killed him. A master complained this action was dishonorable, but Yashiro explained that when the weapon is held, the battle has begun, and our words are weapons, the same as a blade or bow, and one does often answer the other."

Her tone was not shaming him, but reminding him.

[Shiba Jiro]

"Of course. But then that's a physical obstacle that results from a poorly handled social one. We might equate it to battle, and as dangerous as it can be, no matter how loudly or sharply I speak at someone my voice cannot kill them. That takes a much more complex navigation of traditions that blend the physical and social worlds. Plus most duels are not to the death, and even further still nearly all are preventable through proper contrition and admission of wrongdoing from the party that wronged the challenger. The situations where someone speaks wrongly and it results in death are simply dramatic and frequently retold edge cases. Not the normal pattern of court and social interaction, as evidenced by the fact that your example is from nearly one thousand years ago. A striking and valuable lesson, but still not common enough that modern examples can be pointed to easily if at all."

[Akodo Michi]

The Lion seemed unmoved, clearly a surprise.

"Time means little to matters of honor", she said. "A thousand years ago, yesterday, here and now, if it remains unsettled, the wounds of steel and words alike remain fresh as the day dealt should any who remember them live. And arguably the matter is still there should no one recall, affecting one's kharma. A word or strike needs answering to avoid such."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Of course, time doesn't resolve things. But it does reveal the likelihood of history repeating, and of events occurring. There have likely been more eclipses between then and now than instances where someone was cut down while putting their katana in their obi. My point is more that, an honest apology is a far more frequent occurrence as a response to someone's honor being slighted. Which makes sense to me since Sincerity is a tenet of Bushido."

[Akodo Michi]

"True words, but not an answer to my point", she said. "You spoke of conversing allowing one to repeat attempts at gaining one's goal, with an attempt at levity you stated it was permissible because social obstacles do not tend to kill. I don't find that point incorrect, but I found it lacking nonetheless. Words are weapons the same as blades, and in cases of honor, there are times where one answers the other. The frequency of such is of no matter to me, it is being mindful of circumstance and consequence."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Well, certainly. Everything has it's exceptions. Potentially one might have a mental obstacle of senility in their old age preventing them from doing anything particularly useful. But it's still accurate in general for the bulk of people that nothing stops you from thinking on a mental obstacle relentlessly. Also, repeatedly attempting to overcome social obstacles will likely have it's own issues that aren't physical in nature. But in general, that is what most diplomats do. They try to push their agenda repeatedly until they are successful or something draws them away from that task. Usually means they try different tactics. Just like one might with a physical obstacle. You may try to remove a boulder by breaking it down with a pick or by gathering together animals to drag it away. But physical obstacles simply and plainly tend to be more hazardous to your health by a vast margin, since that obstacle can often be someone else's blade."

[Akodo Michi]

"And I am saying it is the same thing", she replied with a soft gesture. "Viewing matters with too much practicality removes the ideal, when you do that, you lose sight of the meaning of what you planned to do in the first place. Does it matter if your goal is accomplished if you sacrificed your honor, squandered your dignity, or worse, dragged your lord into a sordid and twisted chain of events with your actions?"

She shook her head. "it matters not if the circumstance is social or physical, the danger is the same. The result of a poor strike is death upon your enemy's blade, the result of a poor word is death upon your own."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Most courtiers serving the empire never have to deal with a duel in their life, nor do they end up ending their own. For a bushi, death is a very real and present possibility each time they step onto the field, even if they do everything right. For a courtier it is a real but distant and unlikely possibility each time they step into court, even when they fail so long as they act rightly. The potential is not the same, the consequence is."

[Akodo Michi]

"it is a pity you believe that", she said sadly.

[Shiba Jiro]

"That I believe fewer courtiers are likely to die in the execution of their duty than bushi? The number of courtiers that die in a season is less than the number of bushi that die in a single battle. It's simply true, not a belief. I think you misunderstand the point I make. That failure at court is far more forgiving than failure on a battlefield." He says, curious about what was sad about that.

[Akodo Michi]

"You speak about semantics that matter little in the face of the ideal, it is your belief indeed that makes you see the world the way you do", she answered. "I find that unfortunate, as it makes you sound gravely unprepared for the world before us."

[Shiba Jiro]

"You say that as though you believe repeatedly trying to accomplish a goal with persistence negates ones ability to follow an ideal. If I offer and pray to the fortunes each day for the good fortune of my lord, does that lack an ideal? I would argue that it is idealistic, trusting and having faith in the fortunes."

[Akodo Michi]

"Yet that is not at all what I said, did I somehow mistake my words?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"From my understanding, I suggested that repeatedly trying to overcome social obstacles was not very likely to result in deadly consequences. Then I believe you said that that was not the case and that it was just as easy to have your life ended with poorly chosen words. The crux of my point has ever been that social interaction was less likely to have deadly repercussion. And from what I understood it seemed like you were suggesting that believing that would lead to failure in understanding the ideal of the goal you sought," he responded, explaining how he understood the conversation.

[Akodo Michi]

"Ah, I see where you are lost, then", the Lion nodded. "The crux of your point does not enter the discussion, a samurai's life is always on the line regardless of circumstance. it is a constant of our duty."

[Shiba Jiro]

"But there is a difference between one's life being on the line and being under immediate threat of loss. Courtiers are not trying to kill each other most of the time, because it is better to face an opponent you understand or work with someone you respect. The intent is rarely to end your opponent's life. But on a battlefield, even if you only wish to incapacitate an opponent you may end up killing them due to the nature of a blade. I understand that there is a consequence to mistakes. I simply mean to point out that mistakes are less likely to lead to death when the people involved are not intending to kill each other by default."

[Akodo Michi]

"There is little difference from what I have been taught, as samurai carry a sword", she said. "Respect is of the utmost importance, courtesy should be observed, and some transgressions even forgiven at times. That does nothing to change the danger. Friendships are not voided by your lord's order to kill your companion, but their life will be."

[Shiba Jiro]

"There is definitely a difference. If you enter a battlefield your life can be taken by an enemy at any point simply because you are there. That is not the case in a courtroom. Your weapon is generally left outside specifically to prevent that. Court very specifically attempts to reduce the active threat to the lives of those attending."

[Akodo Michi]

"You speak in semantics, Shiba-san", she replied with a slight shake of her head. "If you cannot see the danger another can represent after what I have explained, I further explanation is wasted."

[Shiba Jiro]

"I think the difference is that you see the consequences of the danger and I see the likelihood of the danger. Death is death, regardless of the way you die. The consequence is the same for every mortal. I don't care about how I die, I care about how I live."