It was early. It was cold. Yuji was on a boat. Still, he had to admire the way the sun was rising over the waters. Boating was not something really covered in his training (which would likely be shown to be the case in the Test of the Mantis), but it was very pretty.

Walking around not quite used to the motion of the sea yet he can feel the nice breeze help. He sees the Crane and smiled. "Hello Kakita san I hope you have been blessed." The Shiba bowed and tried to keep his footing. Tori peeked from the sleeve and yipped.

It was only right that a Lion stand upon the bow of the ship, up front, to see all there was to see...on...the sea. >.>

Michi was aware of the two others close by, but was focused on the horizon, looking to greet Lady Amaterasu properly. And to force her body to adapt to this strange feeling that she could be launched into the water at any moment.

Shiba Kuroneko wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 11, 2021 11:28 pm

Walking around not quite used to the motion of the sea yet he can feel the nice breeze help. He sees the Crane and smiled. "Hello Kakita san I hope you have been blessed." The Shiba bowed and tried to keep his footing. Tori peeked from the sleeve and yipped.

Yuji bowed at the Shiba's approach.

"I have, Shiba-san. Somewhat surprised to be here, perhaps. I had heard that today would be the new 'Test of Waves' and it would be judged by a Mantis but I had not thought it would be literally on a boat. It would seem to put some clans on a hindfoot." he said with a nod to the Lion. "The traditional challenges of the Topaz championship focus rather intently on the traditional tests of a samurai. The way of the sword, the way of the bow, and so on. The way of the boat is certainly a new one to the tournament."

"Not that I would expect anything but the finest from those from the west. I suppose if they reign supreme today, that will speak even more highly of them than of those from clans with vessels."

He looked at the Phoenix curiously.

"I don't believe I've met your sleeve-companion, Shiba-san."

"Perhaps new traditions to be forged. The start of a new alliance between your Clan and the Mantis." He looked at Tori and chuckled. Tori climbed up to the Shiba's shoulder. "How did I not notice you?" He turned to the Crane and presented the furry guy. "This Tori Kun and he seems to be a stowaway." He chuckled. He finally noted the Lioness. He blinked a few times wondering when did she get here. "Kakita san do you know Akodo san?"

"We have met, though briefly", the Lion answered without taking her eyes off the horizon.

And she was standing stoically off to the side then too.

"Indeed, I believe she was just arriving at Tsuma when we met. It is definitely one of the great pleasures of the topaz tournament, getting to meet upcoming samurai from all over the Empire with plenty of time outside the tournament competition itself to learn more about one another." he said. "While I realize you've both been in town a couple of days, I hope you've had a chance to enjoy some of the sights of Tsuma."

"The Kakita Dojo of Tsuma is to my liking, more similar to a Lion dojo than I would have expected", she answered thoughtfully. "The temple to lady sun and the eight fortunes is also proper for a town of Tsuma's size, well kept and the artistry of carved wood and stone is pleasant with the nature kept, spring in Crane lands seems to be a place of beauty and grace."

Perhaps it was fortunate her attack in summer would not take her too close to this place.

"I am yet to visit the gardens... and the stables." He sighed "I am sadden that my tributes to Inari are not enough."

Shiba Kuroneko wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 12, 2021 11:11 pm

"I am yet to visit the gardens... and the stables." He sighed "I am sadden that my tributes to Inari are not enough."

"Is there a matter you wish the lady of harvest to pay mind to, Shiba-san?" the lion asked, more focusing on the fresh sea breeze on her face then anything else, but curious nonetheless.

He looked at the Crane and then to the Lion. "My family tend to pray to the fortune of Rice, mother specially. She doesn't want people to go hungry. A hungry samurai might do things that might not be proper." The Phoenix explained.

Yuji nodded thoughtfully.

"Honor gives a samurai's life meaning, but rice give's a samurai life." he offers considering the empty waves. "it is a simple truth that many take for granted until they no longer can."

Michi had no words, she went back to staring at the sea as well.

Kuroneko looked at the Crane and shrugged. He moved closer to the Crane. "She seems lonely... maybe she is homesick." He whispered to the Kakita.

Shiba Kuroneko wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 16, 2021 6:50 pm

Kuroneko looked at the Crane and shrugged. He moved closer to the Crane. "She seems lonely... maybe she is homesick." He whispered to the Kakita.

The Kakita similarly lowered his voice. The wind and the waves made it fairly easy for them to be lost to the unintended.

"I would guess it is more complex than that, Shiba-san. She is a young woman on the cusp of taking up her swords. She represents the Lion in the land of the Crane. Those swords will almost certainly shed Crane blood. Up until now, the Crane have probably been a distant enemy to her.
But now, when she is at the brink of one of the largest changes in her life, she is surrounded by people she cannot afford to get attached to. Can she be sure that a kindness now would not slow her sword blade even a fraction of a second in the future? How many Lion lives would be lost because she let herself enjoy the presence of the distant kin of her enemy?"

He shook his head

"And so she stands off to the side. Trying to best represent the Lion clan in her solitude. A very poignant tribute to the lonely road that honor can push us down at times. It requires an impressive amount of strength but the Lion have placed their faith in her. How can she afford any weakness?

At least that was how she came off to Yuji, who was not often the best at reading people, but often sought the poetic take on things.

"I have never thought of friendship as a weakness." He pondered. "I... it... I mean... we come to these events not to ponder about the wars and the what ifs... we come to these events to forge bridges... even the winter courts have opposing clans but they let differences aside and take the time to forge live long friendships." The Kakita could sense the burning heart of the Shiba. "It is not about the future but the now, the ancestor had their quarrels and now we are here to mend those. Why choose loneliness when there are so many others that can lend a hand... how one can live without... I am sorry Kakita san..." He sighed.

Tori came out his sleeve. He looked at the sable and shook his head. "I think we have a stowaway."

Shiba Kuroneko wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 17, 2021 12:07 am

"I have never thought of friendship as a weakness." He pondered. "I... it... I mean... we come to these events not to ponder about the wars and the what ifs... we come to these events to forge bridges... even the winter courts have opposing clans but they let differences aside and take the time to forge live long friendships." The Kakita could sense the burning heart of the Shiba. "It is not about the future but the now, the ancestor had their quarrels and now we are here to mend those. Why choose loneliness when there are so many others that can lend a hand... how one can live without... I am sorry Kakita san..." He sighed.

Tori came out his sleeve. He looked at the sable and shook his head. "I think we have a stowaway."

Yuji shook his head.

"Oh, no I quite agree with you, Shiba-san. The Crane value each and every friendship they make, and the Phoenix have been our oldest allies for centuries. Of course this means it takes less time to make new friends in between our clans, yes? Reaching the isolated stronghold that she has made for herself may take more time than we have in Tsuma." he offered, before turning his attention to the sable.

"Well, I won't tell the Mantis if you won't, Shiba-san." he said, finding it cute.

"Good..." He laughed. He switched the sable's head. "Unbreakable ice/Spring brings the sun out to melt/Curious to see." The Shiba looked at the Kakita and nodded.

Shiba Kuroneko wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 17, 2021 12:23 am

"Good..." He laughed. He switched the sable's head. "Unbreakable ice/Spring brings the sun out to melt/Curious to see." The Shiba looked at the Kakita and nodded.

Yuji considered the Lion the Phoenix and the poem.

"Windswept frozen peak:
Imposing, majestic, fierce.
Challenge accepted."

Michi said nothing. If she were overhearing, it was not apparent. She walked toward the two. "I heard poetry, but not the words", she bowed. "Is Shiba-san aiding in your project, Kakita-san?" With slight annoyance she pushed hair away.that the wind swept into her face.