(D0, LE) Tea to Go

[Kakita Yuji]

"isn't it funny how other clans have no issue with thinking the worst about the most peaceful clans? How many accusations of treachery and duplicity have been made against the noble Crane over the centuries? How many have whispered about dark practices in the Phoenix lands? Even the Unicorn who's military is on par with the best are called names I will not repeat here because they carry compassion in their hearts rather than being warmongers."

Yuji nods.

"One could argue that it's easier to project your own failings upon those you know will not protest." he offered.

He took a sip of his sake.

"Or one could rely upon the old words, 'A Kakita settles an argument with a duel. An Akodo settles an argument with an army.'"

For the sake of courtesy, Yuji left out: An Isawa settles an argument with fire.

"It is noble, of course, to allow such baseless accusations to pass by without comment. Yet, it is also noble to not cry out when struck in battle....but it does not make one less wounded."

[Shiba Haru]

"I prefer the duel over the army. Words, unfortunately, are not always enough and at times disputes need settling in a more final manner. Even under the most dire of circumstances a duel will usually only risk the lives of a couple people but can impact the entire empire. Doji-kami and Lord Kakita-sensei had the right idea. We should work to make armies obsolete or at least direct them outward instead of quarreling within."

[Kakita Yuji]

"I prefer the duel over the army. Words, unfortunately, are not always enough and at times disputes need settling in a more final manner. Even under the most dire of circumstances a duel will usually only risk the lives of a couple people but can impact the entire empire. Doji-kami and Lord Kakita-sensei had the right idea. We should work to make armies obsolete or at least direct them outward instead of quarreling within."

Yuji considered the idea while the two men played the game simulating war on the cusp of becoming warriors themselves.

"A noble sentiment, Shiba-san....but what would the armies focus on outside of the Empire?" he asked, honestly never having considered the land beyond the border of the Empire.

[Shiba Haru]

"Imagine if all the empires efforts were focused the south, The Crab with their expertise at the head of a united army. Or the barbarians of the north and the threats of the Burning Sands. What in the world is west of the empire? Or perhaps we can just stop fighting, should that not be goal?

Rokugan runs on tradition but the legacy of war forged before us must stop at some point but every generation pushes that off on the next. We, the Topaz competitors, are supposed to represent each clans best and brightest, the future of our clans, and I think w ewe owe it to our future descendants to at least try to forge the kind of relationships here that can lead to peace."

An excited smile beamed from Haru's face and his passion for the idea was apparent.

[Kakita Yuji]

Yuji rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"Hmm, an interesting idea, and one quite possibly worth pursuing. I definitely believe that the clans are stronger when they stand together rather than using their strength to tear at each other. I really have no experience with the Crab and have heard nothing about Northern barbarians. But perhaps I can use this time of gathering to learn more about these external threats to the Empire and how we can be stronger together." he suggested.

[Shiba Haru]

"I am glad you are open to such an idea, I am sure there will be plenty who think it foolish or weak-minded. So what is your passion Kakita-san?"

[Kakita Yuji]

Yuji smiled.

"Oh I have a few. I'm sure poetry will not surprise you, given the project I am working on. I'm also invested in Tsuma itself. My grandfather has told me many a story of how Tsuma no longer shines as it once did. Heroes untold have passed through it's gates, and yet people walk through them as if they were nothing more than an unimportant bit of background. I want Tsuma to shine brighter than it ever has, remembering those who have come b efore to serve as an inspiration to those who are yet to come." he said passionately.

He chuckled.

"Although, I too have little idea how to accomplish such a thing."

[Shiba Haru]

Haru spoke low now, wishing to be as delicate and respectful as possible.

"I could not help but note the condition of one of the shrines here upon arriving today. Perhaps that is a place to start. The fortunes deserve reverence and paying respect to them can only aid in your other goals. I will not speak for others but the Phoenix will wish to participate in it's restoration while here. The Crane have done much for us in the past and much to see to our comfort and enjoyment of this event, we would be all too happy to aid our friends in this as it is our clan's duty."

[Kakita Yuji]

Yuji sighed a bit. He knew well of where the Phoenix was speaking.

"I agree, the current state of the shrine is a tragedy. I'm really not sure what the Phoenix can do for it, but as the spiritual guardians of the Empire and our clan's oldest allies, I certainly support any attempt by them to rectify such a sad state of affairs."

[Shiba Haru]

"So long as you think none of your kin will take insult from it, that is the last thing we wish to do."

He took another sip and considered how to word his next question, seemingly more unsure about it than the previous topic.

"They say a samurai is a warrior-poet. You have already said you are a poet but when I look at your hands..."

He smiled at the Crane and then looked directly at his hands for a moment and then his own.

"They look a lot like my own, nimble and stronger than they appear. Are you perhaps a swordsman as well Kakita-san?"

[Kakita Yuji]

"So long as you think none of your kin will take insult from it, that is the last thing we wish to do."

He took another sip and considered how to word his next question, seemingly more unsure about it than the previous topic.

"They say a samurai is a warrior-poet. You have already said you are a poet but when I look at your hands..."

He smiled at the Crane and then looked directly at his hands for a moment and then his own.

"They look a lot like my own, nimble and stronger than they appear. Are you perhaps a swordsman as well Kakita-san?"

He frowned a bit at the first part.

"Careful, Shiba-san, I did not say that none of my kin would take insult. I can only speak for myself." he warned him, concerned the Phoenix would be just a bit too bold.

He nodded at the second part.

"This is true, I am trained in the blade and the Art. I have spent many an hour reading that same book that rests so neatly beside you." he said with a nod towards The Sword. "Kakita's words are just as true today as they were when the Art was born."

[Shiba Haru]

"That is wonderful news, you are the first duelist I have met since arriving. I was beginning to wonder if the format of this event had been changed and no one told me." He said with a laugh.

"Dueling is a tradition in my family and many of my ancestors have competed here and for the Emerald Championship in the past."

He gestured to an old netsuke he wore.

"Thus was worn by one such ancestor, who finished second to the same Doji both in the Topaz and the Emerald, he would go on to be a master sensei among the Shiba and helped codify our dueling tradition."

No ill will was present in his words just an immense pride in his ancestors.

[Kakita Yuji]

Yuji chuckled.

"Ah, perhaps your reputation precedes you, Shiba-san, other potential duelists avoiding your noble gaze lest they cause offense and earn your wrath" he joked.

"But ie, the individual events vary from year to year, but the end of the Topaz Championship is always the same. After all, dueling is more than a demonstration of skill. We call upon our ancestors to attend us and ask the Heavens for their judgement in this matter. How else could the tournament possibly end?"

[Shiba Haru]

"I would be greatly disappointed if one as revered as Kakita Toshimoko-sama was brought here to judge my skills in singing and I imagine he would be greatly disappointed to hear it."

[Kakita Yuji]

"I would be greatly disappointed if one as revered as Kakita Toshimoko-sama was brought here to judge my skills in singing and I imagine he would be greatly disappointed to hear it."

Yuji chuckled at that.

"Ah, that is a shame, Kakita-sama is a patron of many arts, singing among them. I do not doubt that if called upon to sing as part of his duties, Shiba-san would pour all the effort he could muster into the attempt." he offered. "But it is good to be aware of one's limitations in addition to their strengths."

[Shiba Haru]

"Indeed. There are many things that I have had to forsake in pursuit of the blade, too many. Fortune bless my mother and father with twins, my brother is the artist the "brush" if you will, I am the "blade".

I am not uncultured but my training was certainly not as broad as yours. I hoped for the day I would get to pit myself against a student of the Kakita, to see if all my training amounted to anything. I nearly got my chance a few years ago, my brother Jiro came here to study briefly as a visiting student and I had hoped to accompany him but my father sent me to study the ways of the Akodo instead.

What about you, what has your journey been like?"

[Kakita Yuji]

"Indeed. There are many things that I have had to forsake in pursuit of the blade, too many. Fortune bless my mother and father with twins, my brother is the artist the "brush" if you will, I am the "blade".

I am not uncultured but my training was certainly not as broad as yours. I hoped for the day I would get to pit myself against a student of the Kakita, to see if all my training amounted to anything. I nearly got my chance a few years ago, my brother Jiro came here to study briefly as a visiting student and I had hoped to accompany him but my father sent me to study the ways of the Akodo instead.

What about you, what has your journey been like?"

Yuji smiled a bit.

"Well if you measure a journey by li alone, it has been very short. My family has very deep ties with the Academy. My father is one of the sensei's teaching tactics, my mother one of the one's who teaches dueling and my grandfather is semi-retired, but still offers his advice about the Academy when asked for it. I am the eldest, with a couple brothers behind me. So my life has been fairly centered on Tsuma. Born here, trained here, have watched the finest of the classes before us come and go if at a ddistance."

He shrugged.

"And someday I'll likely follow in my famiy's footsteps. I'd like to travel a bit before then though."

[Shiba Haru]

"A noble tradition to carry on, do you have any clue as to what your duty will be when you leave here?"

[Kakita Yuji]

"A noble tradition to carry on, do you have any clue as to what your duty will be when you leave here?"

Yuji offered a small shrug.

"Well, of course, as per tradition the Topaz Champion gets to pick their first duty....but realistically there is only one Topaz Champion, so most likely I won't have such latitude in where I go after here." he admits.

He looked thoughtful.

"Hmm, probably yojimbo to a junior diplomat. I could see a posting to Aojiroi Oku Shiro, assuming your clan isn't hosting the Imperial Winter Court there. If you are, perhaps a posting to Nikesake. It'd be interesting to see the the Twin Shrines." he suggests.

He looked over to the Shiba.

"And yourself, Shiba-san?" he asked.

[Shiba Haru]

Haru returned the shrug.

"I honestly have no idea, I assumed I would become a yojimbo to a shugenja but then I was sent to study tactics and leadership with the Akodo so perhaps my father expects more of me.

Realistically I don't even expect to remain a Phoenix, my brother is already betrothed and is set to inherit our family home and titles so I suspect I will be married off shortly after the Topaz ends. My brother has only just met his betrothed today as she is attending the Topaz as well so I expect news of my intended union will be likewise as sudden unless I get sent to a miai.

I suppose a great deal may hinge on my performance here. My family line has two strong constants, competent duelists and a deep connection with the Void. My brother fulfill the later both in person and his marriage so it falls upon me to fulfill the former.

I admit I did not know about the Topaz Champion getting to pick their first duty, I really have no idea what a champion is awarded with beyond the title itself."