[D3, LA] Proper? Possibly Not (Open)

[Kakita Yuji]

"Kakita-san is a size between them, perhaps he will carry it into the greater world", the Akodo offered. "A young man of Tsuma, wearing the armor that is much a symbol of the village as it is the title. You could take a piece of your home with you."

Yuji nodded.

"Perhaps, Akodo-san. It would greatly honor my senseis were I to demonstrate a level of mastery of the skills they have taught to acquire the title. Of course, that is what every competitor in Tsuma wishes, do they not? To bring glory to their clan and the names we borrow from our ancestors."

[Akodo Michi]

Michi thought perhaps there were moments for some that made her wonder. Or at the very lest to wonder on what a sensei would find pride in for members of clans she had met thus far.

"Some aim to please, others to surpass", the Lion said and drank again. She had to hold the cup still while she made certain she wouldn't cause a scene by coughing, falling over, or making a particularly embarrassing face. The cup was placed down again.

She had a great way to go before surpassing her sensei, it would seem.

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai empties his cup.

Ah, the differences between the Left Hand and the Right, he thinks.

"Is rivercraft among the curriculum?" he asks, blinking. "I ask because, not being trained here, I do not know, and I remain a student yet."

[Kakita Yuji]

Yuji was pondering the Lion's words when he was snuck attack by the Seppun. Truly, it was from where one least expected. It was no more a part of the curriculum than building models was.

Yuji spent some time refilling the cups rather than answering the question. It was a very delicate matter.

"I would not say so, Seppun-sama. While the Crane certainly have a larger naval presence that the Lion do, simply for reasons of geography, there is significantly less combat on the waves than on the land." he offered.

Also because of the Lion and geography.

"But samurai have a duty to serve where their lord needs them, yes? It does not matter if you are serving in the Imperial court itself arguing cases before the Throne or guarding the side entrance to a garden in the most remote inaccessible part of your clan's territory. We must strive to serve with the same level of dedication regardless." he concluded.

[Akodo Michi]

"Well said", Michi agreed and sipped. The cup kept refilling, but she would not be defeated even still.

[Seppun Urusai]

"It is as you say," Urusai says, accepting a refill.

"And it is the case that the Legions maintain a naval presence. It is possible I would be posted to such an assignment; better to have some exposure now."

[Akodo Michi]

"The best use of a boat is transport", Michi stated. "Decks are too cramped to fight properly on them, you would be best off using a knife if any weapon at all should it come to melee", she sipped some more. "And I cannot imagine the masters of the imperial legion sending Seppun-sama to a billet he is ill suited to without also providing training."

[Kakita Yuji]

Yuji wasn't so sure he agreed with the Lion on one of her points. Service in the Imperial Legions Was a political appointment after all, and if Seppun-sama had the right connections....

"Impractical, dangerous, and rare, these are all things you could say about fighting on a boat. Yet it's hard to imagine a more dramatic place for a battle. The deck rising and falling with the ocean, the waves crashing behind Seppun-sama as he prepares to leap onto the enemy vessel to engage in hand to hand combat." he said, verbally painting the picture.

He smiled a bit.

"Ah, my apologies, Akodo-san. Unrealistic I know. But a bit more interesting than to consider one serving during a siege, hoping that the reinforcements arrive before the food runs out." he says.

[Akodo Michi]

"I merely speak on what a particular expert informed me of due to their practical experience", she replied and sipped. "Though your words were apt to the task you gave them, Kakita-san."

[Seppun Urusai]

"Ideally, of course, there would be training," Urusai notes. "Sometimes, however, needs arise and the tool closest to hand must be used."

He takes a pull from his drink. It is emptied.

"My late uncle, Seppun Fuman, related a tale to me of such an occasion. It was not on the seas, no, but a similar exigency. And it was in his earlier service, before the present Emperor--long may He reign--was born, that he was assigned to assist one of the shisha who was dispatched far into the west. Now, it was clearly not the case that the honorable samurai of the Clans would accost such a rider, but there are spaces where the Clans do not patrol in which others of less repute gather, and while it is true that some such groups conduct themselves as uprightly as they may, it is also the case that some very much do not, for which reason the shisha benefited from my uncle's wariness.

"Yet it was not such a thing that he faced alongside the Miya, at least not directly. No, the Miya are noted, and rightly, for their compassion, and the shisha to whom my uncle was assigned came upon a woman upon the side of the road. She had, as my uncle said, her goods about her, but was otherwise alone, though she was about not to be so. For, you see, as it happened, the shisha happened upon her as her labors began, and he, being a Miya and thus compassionate, thought to stop and render aid."

Urusai leans back slightly. "As might be imagined, obstetrics are not part of the standard miharu curriculum." He grins. "Yet still, how could he but help?"

[Kakita Yuji]

"Ideally, of course, there would be training," Urusai notes. "Sometimes, however, needs arise and the tool closest to hand must be used."

He takes a pull from his drink. It is emptied.

"My late uncle, Seppun Fuman, related a tale to me of such an occasion. It was not on the seas, no, but a similar exigency. And it was in his earlier service, before the present Emperor--long may He reign--was born, that he was assigned to assist one of the shisha who was dispatched far into the west. Now, it was clearly not the case that the honorable samurai of the Clans would accost such a rider, but there are spaces where the Clans do not patrol in which others of less repute gather, and while it is true that some such groups conduct themselves as uprightly as they may, it is also the case that some very much do not, for which reason the shisha benefited from my uncle's wariness.

"Yet it was not such a thing that he faced alongside the Miya, at least not directly. No, the Miya are noted, and rightly, for their compassion, and the shisha to whom my uncle was assigned came upon a woman upon the side of the road. She had, as my uncle said, her goods about her, but was otherwise alone, though she was about not to be so. For, you see, as it happened, the shisha happened upon her as her labors began, and he, being a Miya and thus compassionate, thought to stop and render aid."

Urusai leans back slightly. "As might be imagined, obstetrics are not part of the standard miharu curriculum." He grins. "Yet still, how could he but help?"

Well this was certainly a different sort of story than Yuji was used to. Of course, the Miya had no heroes, so it wasn't that strange that such tales were rare, but combined with the Seppun's cadence it was definitely interesting.

Yuji topped up the cups.

"Compassion gives him little choice." he agreed hoping their was more to the Seppun's tale.

[Akodo Michi]

"He attempted to aid her there, on the road?" Michi asked. "Many women do not come to the moment of birthing for a great time, even when the laboring begins. My nursemaid reminded me many times of my mother's hard work in carrying me into this world. From morning to night she battled with me, it would seem."

She sipped again. The drink perhaps making her proud of such stubbornness. Somehow.

"How did it end?"

[Seppun Urusai]

Well this was certainly a different sort of story than Yuji was used to. Of course, the Miya had no heroes, so it wasn't that strange that such tales were rare, but combined with the Seppun's cadence it was definitely interesting.

Yuji topped up the cups.

"Compassion gives him little choice." he agreed hoping their was more to the Seppun's tale.

"He attempted to aid her there, on the road?" Michi asked. "Many women do not come to the moment of birthing for a great time, even when the laboring begins. My nursemaid reminded me many times of my mother's hard work in carrying me into this world. From morning to night she battled with me, it would seem."

She sipped again. The drink perhaps making her proud of such stubbornness. Somehow.

"How did it end?"

"Just so," Urusai replies. "As it happens, the woman was the mother of a ronin--at least, Uncle said so, citing the Miya, and I have no reason to doubt him. She had been, er, in service to a samurai of some particular affiliation--Uncle did not say which--and had been left with coin and the wakizashi that would be her child's--boxed and bound, of course--when it became clear that she would deliver the Emperor another servant. But the child could not be heir to the father, just as clearly, and those of the woman's kin had turned her out when matters fell in such a way as they did.

"For the samurai had died, and the protection he had extended ended with him. Nor yet did the new lord feel it fit that the child should grow there; the lord did not order the child's death or the woman's, respecting the wishes of the old lord, but still did not have a place in service for them. And so she found herself on the roads when her time came, and it was good fortune or the will of the Fortunes--or both, truly, for is not acting in accord with the Heavens a lucky thing?--that the Miya and Uncle came upon them then. And even better, the Miya, having worked with the Blessing before, had some training in the medical arts, so that the shisha could attend to the woman and guide Uncle in aiding in the same cause."

He pulls from his drink again. "Uncle used to tell me that he had kept in touch as could be done. But I do not recall meeting the ronin; I wonder what has become of the child--now an adult, certainly, since this was before my birth, and I am here with you, now, in this glorious enterprise!"

He smiles, eyes shining and cheeks and neck just a bit flushed.

[Kakita Yuji]

"Just so," Urusai replies. "As it happens, the woman was the mother of a ronin--at least, Uncle said so, citing the Miya, and I have no reason to doubt him. She had been, er, in service to a samurai of some particular affiliation--Uncle did not say which--and had been left with coin and the wakizashi that would be her child's--boxed and bound, of course--when it became clear that she would deliver the Emperor another servant. But the child could not be heir to the father, just as clearly, and those of the woman's kin had turned her out when matters fell in such a way as they did.

"For the samurai had died, and the protection he had extended ended with him. Nor yet did the new lord feel it fit that the child should grow there; the lord did not order the child's death or the woman's, respecting the wishes of the old lord, but still did not have a place in service for them. And so she found herself on the roads when her time came, and it was good fortune or the will of the Fortunes--or both, truly, for is not acting in accord with the Heavens a lucky thing?--that the Miya and Uncle came upon them then. And even better, the Miya, having worked with the Blessing before, had some training in the medical arts, so that the shisha could attend to the woman and guide Uncle in aiding in the same cause."

He pulls from his drink again. "Uncle used to tell me that he had kept in touch as could be done. But I do not recall meeting the ronin; I wonder what has become of the child--now an adult, certainly, since this was before my birth, and I am here with you, now, in this glorious enterprise!"

He smiles, eyes shining and cheeks and neck just a bit flushed.

Yuji nodded at the conclusion of the story.

"Ah, what became of them indeed? The wave arises from the ocean, and returns to the ocean indistinct from the rest. One like to imagine that being marked by the great fortune being brought in to this world by those closer to the Emperor. Perhaps they would go on to save the life of the new lord, who does not know them. Perhaps they would find service, adoption, or even marriage for their great feats made possible by the compassion of your uncle and his partner. It is impossible to say." he muses.

He knew a toast when he heard one though topping up the cups.

"To us in this and all future glorious enterprises. May honor guide us ever forward." he toasted. "Kampai!"

[Akodo Michi]

"Kampai", the Lion agreed and drank more. She was reminded of other tales as well, but they were not for sharing in such good spirits, and the players of such a tale was a poor one in said company. Rather than bemoan this, Michi decided upon further discussion of Urusai's future. "Seppun-sama, what matters do you look forward to in joining the Legion? My own family has had many serve among then, and they have always been grateful to have met samurai from around the Empire that hold high their ideals, is it the same for you? Or is the travel more to look forward to?"

[Seppun Urusai]

"Well," Urusai says after drinking the toast--because it would be rude not to do so--and hearing Michi's question, "there's a lot to recommend it, certainly. And both of the things you note your family reporting are true; meeting new people and seeing new places are both to the good. Hearing the stories that come from across the Empire will be welcome."

He politely stifles a belch, then continues.

"I think that, more than anything else. Unless it were the chance to do great deeds in His Majesty's service--but then, all worthy samurai aspire to such, do they not?"

[Kakita Yuji]

"I have to admit, it would be quite the sight to see the capital itself." Yuji offered, thinking about what direct service to the Emeror would mean. "The largest city in the Empire, I'm sure the stories can only offer a shallow reflectoin of it's true self."

[Seppun Urusai]

"I am...broadly unfamiliar with Otosan Uchi," Urusai replies. "I trained at Kyuden Seppun rather than at the Guest Home."

[Akodo Michi]

"Still, the palace of your family must be a site to behold, the history of the place alone impresses", the Lion offered. "It has been favored to house the Emperor for the winter many times."

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai, being in the middle of a swallow of sake, is a moment before nodding and replying.

"There is a tranquility about it that resounds," he says. "An idyllic peace, truly, and one where the blessings of the Heavens are keenly felt. We are fortunate, and I recognize the obligations of that good fortune."

He nods emphatically. His cheeks and neck are more flushed.

"I can only strive to be worthy of it, in the fullness of time that is soon to break upon us all."