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

[Kakita Yuji]

Yuji considers these things carefully.

'Hmm, Seppun-sama is from Kyuden Seppun and I am Tsuma born and bred.....but forgive me, Akodo-san, I don't seem to recall where you are from." he offered, hoping to coax the Akodo to open up a little bit.

[Akodo Michi]

"I am from Ken-Ryo in Akodo lands, my family keeps an estate in the name of our lord in the center of three villages known for their rice and weave wear trinkets", she answered. "Once we lived in a castle, but it, much like the estate we hold for our lord, was granted to our vassals, who until five years ago held it for us."

She sipped her sake and did not elaborate further, they weren't allowed to kill one another on the battlefield or dueling ring as yet. Putting the cup down she smiled, perhaps it was the drink.

"Tsuma has some similarity to those small hamlets, though of course it has much greater polish, thanks to it's visitors tending the shrines."

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai blinks a couple of times, the second longer than the first, and his eyes cut over to the Akodo.

The flush has not gone away.

[Kakita Yuji]

"I am from Ken-Ryo in Akodo lands, my family keeps an estate in the name of our lord in the center of three villages known for their rice and weave wear trinkets", she answered. "Once we lived in a castle, but it, much like the estate we hold for our lord, was granted to our vassals, who until five years ago held it for us."

She sipped her sake and did not elaborate further, they weren't allowed to kill one another on the battlefield or dueling ring as yet. Putting the cup down she smiled, perhaps it was the drink.

"Tsuma has some similarity to those small hamlets, though of course it has much greater polish, thanks to it's visitors tending the shrines."

And there was the gut punch. That the Crane leadership had allowed such a state of affairs to pass was beyond unimaginable to Yuji. Their actions: indefensible. And yet as a member of the hosting clan and citizen of Tsuma, the backlash was Yuji's to deal with.

"Ah, Tsuma truly is special, Akodo-san, and it's visitors are just one of the things that help to make it so. It is also home of the Kakita Dueling Academy after all, which has produced generations of the finest duelists in all of the Empire. It is very awe inspiring to look upon the names of the graduates held within those halls and think of all of the opponents they have faced and overcome."

He set the bottle down.

"A great pity that Shiro Sano Ken Hayai has no similar opportunity to showcase it's graduates to the Empire. One would think that Ikoma would revel at the chance to sing of the their triumphs to some of the most influential samurai of the Empire. But I suppose other priorities must take precedence, as one's leadership determines." he remarked. "I would still enjoy seeing it some day."

[Akodo Michi]

"The training we receive at the War College speaks for itself in the annals of history, but if you would like a first hand demonstration, I invite you to Kyuden Kyotei perhaps as soon as summer", the Lion replied, tabling that with staking her honor rather than continuing to chirp. "For now, we enjoy good company."

She finished her drink this time. Offering the Kakita the opportunity to refill it, or not.

[Seppun Urusai]

"How much is left in that bottle?" Urusai asks. For reasons.

Yes, plural.

[Kakita Yuji]

"How much is left in that bottle?" Urusai asks. For reasons.

Yes, plural.

Yuji looked at the bottle.

"Hmmm, enough to finish the conversation on a pleasant note I think." he remarks. "We should probably not put too much of inari's influence upon ourselves so early in the day."

[Akodo Michi]

"Showing restraint is important", Michi agreed. "Let us finish this, and while we do, perhaps we can share more tales as our good Seppun has. Do you know any stories, Kakita-san?"

[Kakita Yuji]

"Showing restraint is important", Michi agreed. "Let us finish this, and while we do, perhaps we can share more tales as our good Seppun has. Do you know any stories, Kakita-san?"

Yuji finished divvying up the contents of the bottle. He looked over to the Seppun.

"Hmm, a tale then:

High in the Dragoon Mountains hidden in hoarfrost,
There was a samurai who had no brothers.
But he had his hounds. They were his helpers
The happiest host any lord could have.
Loyal and faithful, his orders were followed
By his true family; these hounds so fine

Each was the son of the same sire:
A hound like a stag the samurai's prize stud.
Their dam was the best of the villages' beasts;
Dauntless and brave like all of her blood.

The samurai would come each year to court.
And in that land a feast would commence.
Each lord would swear their dogs were supreme.
each telling stories of their great skills.

But in the fighting his hounds were fiercer.
Driving their foes well off of the field,
They were the swiftest the wildest and surest.
All save the slow one who stayed by his side....."

[Seppun Urusai]

"Interesting that the terms for hounds and horses get conflated," Urusai remarks, a slight slur to the syllables. "Do go on!"

[Kakita Yuji]

And so he continued the story:


When they would hunt, his marvelous hounds
Would fly over hills chasing the hind.
Not to be shaken from the prey they sought.
All save the slow one who stayed by his side.

"All of my hounds are stout hearted;
Speed like the wind and courage like heroes.
All but my Sathi who runs so slow
And stays by my side. He cares not for slaying.

Are you then fearful to take to the field?
All of your fellows run like the fire!
Is your heart weak, Your courage like water,
That you still wait to walk where I walk?"

Many the season they hunted the snows.
Ran on the steeps. Followed the spoor.
Much glory was bought with lives of the beasts
Brought to their bay by Sathi's fast brothers...."

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai leans forward, elbows onto the table.

[Kakita Yuji]

The story continues:

"On one cold morning they hunted the mountains.
Deep in the mists such music they made!
Hounds on the scent! Wild hunt singing!
All save the slow one who stayed by his side.

Their prey ran far, so they ran faster;
Howling so fierce rang in the forest.
Leaving their master behind on the mountain,
Much slower moving than running mastiffs.

Only slow Sathi remained by his side.
Trotting so silent keeping his speed,
Beside the samurai, at his right hand.
Ignoring the howls of the far hunt.

Up rose a bear out of a brook.
A great angry beast mad with the baying.
The hounds were singing; still far on the scent,
All but the slow one who stayed by his side."

[Akodo Michi]

Michi sensed an honorable death coming. She gave the Crane a look, she steeled her own resolve. Drink or no, child or no, crying like a babe for Sathi is the Ikoma's duty, she would not budge.

[Kakita Yuji]

With eyes upon him, Yuji reached the tale's climax:

"The samurai was fearful. He saw his fate;
Here he would fall before this huge foe.
He readied his spear, his chances were spent.
All but slow Sathi who stayed by his side.

The samurai was ready, the great bear roared,
With his paw reached the samurai to rend.
Sathi gave a loud bark and leaped at the beast,
Seeking to bite and taking the blows.

The bear was strong and wounded good Sathi,
Ripping his shoulder leaving bone showing.
But Sathi bit deep even while dying,
Clawing and digging wounding him dire.

The hunter was free a target to find.
His spear flew into the fur,
Seeking the blood of the great bear.
Striking the breast of the wild beast."....

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai's eyes glisten with tears.

Sathi is a good boy.

[Akodo Michi]

The Lion sipped her drink, the cup was wide.

This is fortunate. For there are things others are not meant to see.

[Kakita Yuji]

Yuji brings the story to it's conclusion:

"When it had fallen, from the cold field
Came his fair hounds hearing the fight.
He brushed them aside away from the slaying,
Away from good Sathi who'd stayed by his side.

"All of my hounds have stout hearts;
Speed like the winds and courage like heroes.
All but my Sathi who runs so slow,
and stays by my side,and cares not for slaying.

Staying to ward against all the wild.
Staying to watch. Willing to wait.
Of all my hounds, This was the hero!
Knowing his heart and what he would hold."

There in the trees he raised a tower
Of heavy timbers stacked by tens.
Laid on that pile the samurai's protector;
Sathi the proud upon the high pyre."

Yuji finished his cup and the tale.

[Seppun Urusai]

"May we all have such hounds in our lives," Urusai says.

His cup is empty.

His heart is not.

[Akodo Michi]

"Agreed, unflinching loyalty is to be valued, and it should be made of great bonds, not simple obedience", Michi said, letting out a slow breath as she placed her own empty cup down.

"Well told, Kakita-san."