D5LA, An Open Lunch, if Late

[Seppun Urusai]

"I understand," Urusai says--and he does, for a true-hearted warrior looks for the end of war, even knowing that such a thing may never come.

After a time, because eating takes some attention, he asks "Anything new turn up in your readings? I know you've got a text with you."

[Akodo Michi]

"Since I have had discussions with a pair of Phoenix, I have been seeing to the history shared between our clans", she said, placing her chopsticks down. "There is much I remember, and much I don't, and so I began early, the war between our people, short as it was, in the third century."

She picked up the bowl and tipped it back, completely draining it in one go.

[Seppun Urusai]

"Go on," Urusai prompts, mimicking the draining action.

He signals for more tea, having grown fond of the Darjeeling.

"I've found your insights telling, truly," he adds, entirely sincerely.

[Akodo Michi]

"It is as history seems to state, if the Lion breech the peace of Phoenix lands, there will only be interruption", she said with slight resignation. "Speaking to either of them seems a lost cause. Akodo Hachigoro had an excellent plan to take Shiro Shiba, but no supplies due to the Crane's manipulation. Just as I may make an excellent point, neither have wish or cause to agree, and none among us has authority to show correctness. A deadlock."

[Seppun Urusai]

"Then it would seem that other means might be in order," Urusai suggests, nodding his thanks when the tea arrives--with two cups.

He pours one for Michi, then fills his own.

"One directs one's strengths to the weaknesses of the opponent, after all. What weakness can be found?"

[Akodo Michi]

"I think it is perhaps, Seppun-sama, simply our youth", she said and accepted the tea with a bow of her head. "We are inexperienced and foolish, we have great ideas of what we may accomplish. Those dreams are powerful, but none realize how...ephemeral, how weak, how shortsighted, those dreams are."

[Seppun Urusai]

"Some philosophers assert that we are but dust in the wind," Urusai replies. "Hopelessly human, both inside and out--but that it is a joyous occasion, without doubt. We are told, after all, that fortune favors mortal humankind, and that we and our dreams are myopic ephemera is part of that."

He shrugs. "Consider the cherry blossom. Do we not prize its beauty because of its brevity?"

The voice in his mind notes that his words turn as they do, and even now.

[Akodo Michi]

She sipped her tea, listening to him. Yet in the end she shook her head, ever so slightly.

"Yet history is a thousand years and more, unbroken", she told him. "A thousand years of giving our blood for causes, a thousand years of dreams and goals, it has amounted to some true greatness, but also a thousand years of sacrifice. That so many do not see that, while speaking without their heart, argument for the sake of argument, it is sad."

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai brings a loose fist to his lips, tapping them with a curled index finger, thinking. He turns over Michi's words in his mind, parsing their meanings despite her being an Akodo and devoted to sincerity in word and deed.

It is a conundrum for the youth, and he knows he does not know how to unravel it.

His brow furrows as he considers further.

[Akodo Michi]

For her part, the young Akodo seemed quite comfortable to sit in silence and sip her tea. Getting upset, being impatient, all simply a waste of energy. Calm mindfulness was her only desired state of mind.

[Seppun Urusai]

The voice in Urusai's mind notes that he'd be more likely to be bound for the Bodyguard had he attended more carefully to such lessons as would have helped him here.

Perhaps, Uncle, but Father also says part of it was you.

The voice replies that there is much Tokaji never had the chance to understand, for all his position. He was, after all, the younger brother, even if he was the only one of them who could produce an heir.

But you were injured in service.

The voice affirms as much and notes that it still did not make an heir. It also redirects him to consider the Akodo maiden's words.

"Yes, Uncle."

[Akodo Michi]

Said Akodo maiden ignored the comments not directed at her. She wasn't in a position to interfere with an ancestor's words.

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai flushes a bit, but says "I have not the wisdom to offer a fit reply. That does not mean there is not one, but I do not have it."

[Akodo Michi]

"I do not either, Seppun-sama", she said, lowering her head again, staring into the tea cup. "Though perhaps it is better to not know, so we can continue forward with what we can do."

She seemed strangely resolute on the matter despite also sounding unconvinced. Acceptance of adversity.

[Seppun Urusai]

"That wisdom, I can understand," Urusai says, nodding.

He drains his cup.

"More tea?"

[Akodo Michi]

"Yes, thank you, Seppun-sama", she said with a slight smile. "May we both be favored tomorrow, as well."

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai pours and the voice in his head remarks about his good fortune.

(/scene?)